Jackson Free Press

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them:

1. Some lawmakers worry that proposed changes to state courts and prisons, such as Mississippi State Penitentiary, do not go far enough to alleviate racism in the criminal justice system.
2. The capital city wants legislative funding to pay for emergency services the city provides to state buildings and agencies, to move to elected school-board members and the ability to appoint more municipal judges.
3. Parents were shocked to know how often their children communicate electronically—and how damaging all those texts, Tweets and Instagrams can be in teens’ lives.
4. Jackson City Council President Charles Tillman's effort to ban firearms in certain public areas is encountering new obstacles that could ultimately sink the measure.
5. On Jan. 10, Whole Foods Market issued a press release announcing the opening date for the new store opening in Highland Village. The doors will open Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m.
6. Nothing rivals the level of disappointment over what has happened on Farish Street, the historic area on downtown Jackson's periphery designated as the future site of an entertainment district.
7. Harold Jackson—who played college ball for the JSU Tigers before going on to play and coach in the NFL—takes over for Rick Comegy as the team's head coach.
8. Fresh off a landslide win for the local-option sales tax he had pitched for two months—arguably his most ambitious move since taking over the reins at City Hall in July—Mayor Chokwe Lumumba called the vote a win for all Jacksonians.
9. Random screenings of people applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits is one of the keystones of Gov. Phil Bryant's legislative agenda.
10. The vacancy rate of offices in the downtown Jackson area will soon see a spike, thanks to two moves from state-level government entities.

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