Jackson Free Press

Rising and Converging

"Grace" is one of those words I struggle with. There are the simplistic, surface definitions like charm or loveliness. I tend to find it a complicated word, though, filled with …

Ledger: Never Say RIFs Again

Here at the Jackson Free Press, which has been blessed to grow steadily during the economic downtown, we were saddened to watch The Clarion-Ledger's latest round of layoffs. We feel …

City Not Ready To Finalize Hotel Plans

A Mississippi Business Journal article reporting that the city of Jackson is "set to bet" $40 million from its general fund to own half of the long-proposed convention center hotel …

Guys We Love

<b>Magnus Eklund</b>

Licensed massage therapist Magnus Eklund's professional and charity-based efforts show a penchant for easing tension. A native of Sweden, Eklund grew up an avid tennis player and skier. His initial …

Dem Hopeful Calls for Drug Enforcement

Democratic Hinds County Sheriff candidate Tyrone Lewis says he wants more drug enforcement on the highways dividing the city of Jackson and Hinds County.

Council Considers Gate Ordinance

Under a new city ordinance Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell proposed today, 75 percent of a Jackson neighborhood's residents could vote to gate their community even though the city would …

$20 Million Hold-up on Capitol Green?

Old Capitol Green developers cannot take advantage of $20 million in state bonds for infrastructure work because the state and city have not committed to the bonds.

[Moore] One Year Later

We understand that Jackson has its problems. Aren't there problems everywhere? Utopia doesn't exist.

Madison Sheriff Candidate Bashes Jackson in Disturbing Ad

This dude, Mark Sandridge, shouldn't be elected dog catcher after this expensively offensive–and inaccurate–campaign ad. Shame!

Hands Off Jackson's ‘Local Control'

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. wants the city to have more input on a controversial commission that will decide the fate of potential new revenue generated by a 1 percent …

Understanding Mr. Melton: Go See 'A Soldier's Play' at New Stage

Last night, Todd and I went to New Stage Theatre to see "A Soldier's Play" (the play that the film "A Soldier's Story" was based on). Folks, this is a …

Bryan Opposes Jackson's Sales-Tax Increase

Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, said he could not support a 1-cent sales-tax increase in Jackson to fund infrastructure repairs because the tax is too regressive, costing low-income residents proportionally more …

The Rest of ... The Story

Back in 2005, a Canadian TV producer asked me if he could film Mississippians working for the Jackson Free Press investigating a civil-rights cold case in Franklin County for a …

Carson to Run for Jackson House Seat

Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson announced over the weekend that he is running for the Mississippi House of Representatives seat for District 64, which Jackson Republican Bill Denny currently occupies.

To Stop Flight, Be Consistent

There is a serious disconnect right now in Jackson. Since hysterical media reports of recent weeks about continuing "white flight" out of Jackson caused, well, a degree of hysteria among …

[Kamikaze] A Jackson Reality Check

It's time for some hard truth. Some Jackson detractors may have taken my ProJack stance as blind love for our fair city. Some have accused me of selling hype over …

Convention Center Attendance Up in 2010

Two years after opening its doors to great fanfare, the Jackson Convention Complex has brought in more than $49.7 million and spurred the city's economy by providing jobs, tax revenue, …

2011: Community

<b>Best Public Figure: 
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.</b>

Jackson's first African American mayor has been through it. Since he was first elected to the seat in 1997, he has weathered belittlement, racism, jealousy, direct attacks, vicious media coverage, …

McMillin to Run for Re-election

Long-time Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin announced last week that he will seek re-election in November. Currently, McMillin is the only candidate to announce a run for the position.

Whitwell: A True Conservative

For one, Whitwell' lobbied for legislation allowing power companies to buck the state's years-old process for funding new energy development. For decades, power companies could only charge ratepayers for the …