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. Mayor Tony Yarber sought to strike an inspirational tone in his second State of the City address, where he challenged young people to take responsibility for Jackson's future.
2. Ahead of the primary elections, candidates for state-elected positions gave their annual speeches at the Neshoba County Fair last week.
3. Advocates for health-care access celebrated at a "birthday party" for the Medicaid and Medicare programs Thursday, both established 50 years ago.
4. The state and city of Jackson commemorated James Meredith's March Against Fear with a marker at the Mississippi Capitol, called "Capitol Rally."
5. Ever since Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed legislation two years ago declaring that third-graders could not be promoted without passing a test to prove they are adequate readers, parents, educators and advocates have debated the appropriateness of high stakes testing for eight and nine-year-olds.
6. Gov. Phil Bryant has started advocating for a Children’s Cabinet to help run the state’s foster-care system since his administration was forced to act on a seven-year lawsuit.
7. The JRA is considering expanding its purview beyond multimillion deals downtown but also wants to resolve the legal dispute over Farish Street and the proposed entertainment district.
8. The problem with Mississippi coming in last place in the Kids Count child well-being survey is largely that perception has a big impact on the children experiencing poverty or a family without stable income.
9. John Steele, a spokesman for the family of Rexdale Henry, who was found dead inside the Neshoba County Jail on July 14, said the family is awaiting the results of two autopsies to know more about how the 53-year-old Choctaw man died.
10. After sharpening their skills at the state's largest hackathon event, several Jackson-area schools flexed their coding muscle in New Orleans to win top prizes.

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