Jackson Free Press

Texting Ban Affects Only Teens

A new bill signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour last week mandates that teens under 18 with an intermediate license or learner's permit cannot text friends and family while …

Politech: ‘Insurance Reform,' Populism Surfaces in House

Well, they can't say the House hasn't gotten a chance to vote on tort reform. They have, in the first day of the 2004 Extraordinary Session called by Gov. Haley …

Committee to Study Car Tag Costs

Mississippi's Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant yesterday announced the creation of a special legislative committee to study the cost of car tags in the state. The proposed committee will contain three …

[City Buzz] Best Gov, Gandhi in Jackson, Two Lakes Doom, more

BEST GOVERNOR: Haley Barbour may have ridden the GOP machine into town, but he's got a long way to go before he can take over the throne of Governor Emeritus …

Foster System Remains ‘Unacceptable’

Jamison J. had shuffled through 28 foster homes, mental institutions and temporary shelters, by the time he was 17 years old.

Yes, Haley, the War Is Hurting Our Disaster Response

Mississippi Still Faces Merged Mental-health Lawsuits

Medicaid-eligible children are entitled to services under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (called EPSDT) provisions of the Medicaid Act.

UPDATED: City Selects Blogger 'Kingfish' Hendrix, 'Snakeman' Percy King for Jackson Zoo Board

James Hendrix, a local blogger and controversial personality known for his Jackson Jambalaya website, is one of two candidates up today for two spots on the Jackson Zoo's board of …

The Most Vital Word in Eco-Development

If Jackson develops a strong medical technology cluster, we might see a number of different places that could both attract talent and where talent could land when things need to …

UPDATED: Government Ignores Own Bio-Lab Safety Studies

Alert: The government's deadline for comments on the bio-lab facility is Monday, Aug. 25. See below for contact info.

The Cost of ‘Tough on Crime'

Jackson resident Almona Fleming is a placid woman, prone to introspective stares and thoughtful contemplation during interviews. Her calm demeanor says nothing about the writhing coil of hunger that for …

Senate Race Heats Up In Hinds

Belhaven Democrat David Blount threw his hat into the race for the Hinds County District 29 Senate seat last Wednesday. Blount told the JFP that he wants to present a …

Stop Creating More Shortfalls

If State Auditor Stacey Pickering gets his way, the state could end up paying an extra $3 million for a bill that has already been paid.

Waiting on Transparency

The past week was a decent week for transparency in Mississippi, at least compared to most weeks in these parts. For one thing, the city of Jackson launched its 311 …

Enviros Challenge MDA on Drilling

Environmental groups want more time to study the effects of opening the Mississippi Sound to oil and gas drilling.

NAACP Joins Redistricting Fray

The Mississippi NAACP today asked a federal court to stop state legislators from running in their current districts in August because they are not representative of black voters.

Senate Flubs Redistricting

The Mississippi Senate voted to end the session yesterday without taking up a new redistricted map.

Mary Libby Payne

Justice Mary Libby Payne, 79, of Pearl is one of 11 recipients of the Mississippi Medal of Service for significant contributions to the state.

Amend Senate Bill 3268

In March, Mississippi legislators passed Senate Bill 3268, which allows municipalities to raise certain sales taxes by 1 percent to pay for police and fire protection, and road, water and …

The Redistricting Battle Ahead

Mississippi will likely experience a re-shuffling of state legislative districts, according 2010 U.S. Census data released this month.