Politics
Supreme Court: McDaniel Challenge Too Late
The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled against state Sen. McDaniel, saying that he did indeed miss the 20-day filing deadline for his election challenge in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
City & County
City Wrap-Up: Thalia Mara's Cheap(er) Seats, Lakeland Costco Officially Dead
Thalia Mara Hall has seen some ups and downs in the past year. The down times have included a nearly yearlong construction period as Jackson's opera house underwent a $5 …
Cover
The Faces of Travis Childers
Travis Childers, a former congressman from Booneville, hopes traditional Democratic voters and tea-party members can help him upset Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in November.
On the Issues
Travis Childers signed the Federation for American Immigration Reform's so-called no-amnesty pledge, saying that he opposes both authorization for people who came to the U.S. illegally as well as expanding …
Once Again, It's On
The Jackson City Council set Dec. 2 as the special election for the seat recently vacated by Quentin Whitwell. The runoff, if needed, will take place two weeks later on …
City & County
More Jackson Water Woes
Some $2.2 million in water fees to the city of Jackson remain suspended in administrative limbo. Under law, city water customers facing disconnection can dispute the amount of their water …
City & County
Amile Wilson: Cashing in on Creativity
In a recent interview, Amile Wilson, 29, talked to the Jackson Free Press about the creative economy as economic development, addressing infrastructure and improving the capital city's image.
Business
Some County, City Workers in Line for Pay Hikes
With minimal discussion at this morning's meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, members voted 4-1 to raise the minimum wage to $9.45 per hour for employees who have …
Federal Marriage Equality Suit Filed in Jackson
Jocelyn Pritchett and Carla Webb of Jackson are plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging Mississippi's state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Person of the Day
Rita Martinson
State Rep. Rita Martinson, 77, who has represented Madison as a Republican since 1992, recently announced that she would not seek another term so that she can spend more time …
Jackson to Appeal Federal Court Ruling
The city of Jackson is likely to appeal a recent court decision that would could cost the already cash strapped capital more than $500,000 in fines.
City & County
Watkins: HUD Report ‘Libelous,’ ‘Inaccurate’
David Watkins, the Jackson attorney and developer who has been under fire for his handling of the Farish Street revitalization, is defending himself and his company against a scathing federal …
City & County
Yarber Gala Raised, Spent $86K
Mayor Tony Yarber's inaugural gala committee spent almost $85,670—raised from a mostly new crew of donors than those who publicly backed his candidacy.
City & County
Voter ID Suffers Big Blows
State requirements for citizens to present government-issued identification suffered several setbacks this week.
Business
C Spire Brings Faster Than Broadband to Jackson
This morning, Ridgeland-based C Spire and City of Jackson officials announced Jackson as the telecommunications company's newest "fiber city."
State
Stalemate at the Jail
The inability to come to a consensus over fixing Raymond Detention Center was again thrust into the spotlight recently following a scathing report of a Hinds County grand jury that …
City & County
Waiting for ‘One Lake’
Flood control has worried locals since two floods, in spring 1979 and again in 1983. Ever since, groups have floated a procession of flood plans.
City & County
Whitwell Exits Jackson City Council Early
Jackson Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell will bow out even sooner than expected.
Business
Yarber: Costco 'Softer' on Lakeland Demand
Despite several current and former city officials characterizing an area along Lakeland Drive as non-negotiable for Mississippi's first Costco store, the company has softened its stance, Mayor Tony Yarber says.
State
DA Robert Smith Called Grand Jury That Criticizes Sheriff Tyrone Lewis
Robert Shuler Smith, the Hinds County district attorney, empanelled the grand jury that delivered a damning report of Sheriff Tyrone Lewis's supervision of the Raymond Detention Center.
City & County
Jackson's Water Woes Continue
Jackson taxpayers will pay an out-of-state contractor at least $200,000 to audit several aspects of the city’s water-and-sewer finances. After shelving discussion last week to get more details, the Jackson …
WAPT: Grand Jury Calls Sheriff Tyrone Lewis 'Incompetent' to Run Jail
After a hastily convened meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, officials took no action on a grand jury report that reportedly states that Sheriff Tyrone Lewis is incompetent …
Federal Jury: Jackson Must Pay $600K to Developer
A federal jury awarded a Jackson developer a $600,000 from the City of Jackson following a jury trial this afternoon.
City & County
Teaching Men a Thing or Two About Domestic Violence
When discussing domestic violence in our politically correct culture, it's common for people to use gender-neutral terms in describing victims and abusers. But the data confirm that women are by …
City & County
Jackson Crime Tip System to Roll Out Soon
The Jackson Police Department announced today that it will launch a new anonymous crime-tip system on Oct. 15.
Business
Water Rates Likely to Rise Again
After shelving discussion last week to get more details, the Jackson City Council is scheduled to vote on a consulting contract today that is likely to result in higher water …
Civil Rights
Better Options for JPS’ Boys of Color?
Dr. Cedrick Gray, the eternally upbeat bowtie-wearing superintendent of the Jackson Public Schools, says there was a time when he was a hardheaded little boy coming up in Memphis.
National
Resigning AG Eric Holder Was Key in Mississippi Cases
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the nation's first African American AG and one of the longest-tenured members of first-black-President Barack Obama's cabinet, is stepping down.
City & County
JRA Power Shift Could Affect Farish
The Farish Street project failed to hit its expected stride, and developer David Watkins eventually fell out of favor with JRA, which yanked the master lease from Watkins' control in …
City & County
Westward Expansion
West Jackson is full of the kinds of challenges that social-science careers are built on, and the master plan takes all of it into account.
City & County
The People Take on the Sales Tax
Six months after former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's death and the unsuccessful campaign of his son, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, to succeed him as mayor, the organizers of the citywide People's Assembly …
JRA Could Bail Out City on Farish Problems
City of Jackson and the Jackson Redevelopment Authority officials say the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development seems open to granting those bodies an extension to come up with …
Local Restaurant Offends Rabbi
Supporters and friends of Ted Riter, the interim rabbi at Beth Israel in Jackson, are spreading the word about an incident this afternoon at a local eatery
City & County
David Watkins: HUD Sanctions 'Puzzling'
David Watkins, the developer of several high-profile projects in the capital city, says he is baffled about why he's being sanctioned as part of a probe into the use of …
Business
Report: JRA, Goree and Watkins Suspended from HUD Programs; City Must Repay $1.5 Million for Farish
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has lost faith that any progress will be made with the Farish Street revitalization project that it wants the city of Jackson …
State
(Some) Drug Testing Kinks Fixed
On Sept. 10, Mississippi Department of Human Services started randomly administering Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory, or SASSI, assessment to first-time applicants to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal …
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence: From #WhyIStayed to #HowILeft
After the video surfaced of Ray Rice's assault of his now-wife, Janay, and people on the Internet started asking questions that sounded an awful lot like victim-blaming, an author named …
City & County
Council Gives Yarber Salary Ultimatum
The Jackson City Council held its nose and passed Mayor Tony Yarber's $390 million budget proposal Monday night. But the vote comes with strings attached, council members warned and could …
City & County
Council Ponders Pay Raises, Budget Cuts
After several weeks of poorly attended budget hearings, the city will approve a budget for the coming fiscal year later today.
City & County
Testy City Council OKs Budget with Caveats
The Jackson City Council had to pass a budget today. It met that legal requirement, but it wasn't pretty.
City & County
Yarber Addresses Sales-Tax Strategy
In the long-running soap opera known as Jackson's 1-percent sales tax option, the wards are about to turn. That is, dirt could be moving in all seven of Jackson's wards …
Business
The Dollars and Sense of the Costco Fight
In looking to relocate to the Jackson area, Costco is not making an altruistic overture, bestowing a gift on the people of the capital city and expecting nothing in return.
Immigration
Gov. Bryant’s Fear of Immigrants
Last week, Gov. Phil Bryant told federal officials that Mississippi would no longer accept children through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Domestic-Violence Victims Can Waive Utility Deposits
Mississippi domestic-violence victims can now overcome a major hurdle to starting a new life away from their abusers.
City & County
Stamps' Gun Ordinance Advances
Since late last year, Ward 4 Councilman De'Keither Stamps, who also presides over the city council, has been tossing the idea around of requiring gun-owners to report their firearms stolen …
City & County
GOP Power Player Could Beef Up City's Lobbying Firepower
A major Republican power player who helped Mayor Tony Yarber win his current position is in line to be the City of Jackson's next lobbyist.
Business
Yarber Wants Council to Hear Costco Appeal
After losing a fight at the city planning board on Aug. 27 to rezone 50 acres of land near Lakeland Drive and Interstate 55, Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber plans to …
Crime
MDOC Wants New Private Prison Contracts
The Mississippi Department of Corrections is ending its contracts with a Utah-based private prison firm to operate four state penitentiaries and rebidding the work.
City & County
Will JRA Dump Farish Property?
As the Farish Street revitalization project remains stalled amid legal wrangling and in need of costly temporary repairs, some members of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority are tossing around a new …
City & County
Brian Tolley Departing as Clarion-Ledger Editor
Brian Tolley, the executive editor of the Clarion-Ledger, announced his departure this afternoon on the newspaper's website.
