Monday, July 31
Immigration
Joe Arpaio Convicted After Refusing to End Immigrant Patrols
Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio was convicted of a criminal charge Monday for refusing to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants, marking a final rebuke for a politician who once drew …
National
Scaramucci Out of White House Job as John Kelly Takes Charge
Anthony Scaramucci is out as White House communications director after just 11 days on the job—and just hours after President Donald Trump's new chief of staff, John Kelly, was sworn …
Business
As Mississippi Vote Nears, Labor Board Says Nissan Broke Law
With a union election scheduled this week, the National Labor Relations Board is again charging that Nissan Motor Co. violated workers' rights at its Mississippi plant.
Crime
As DA's Trial Begins, Key Player Sentenced 30 Years for Pot Found in MBN Raid
As the second trial against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith begins today, Christopher Butler, 40, is headed to prison for 30 years without parole after a Hinds County …
Person of the Day
Debra Gibbs
A Mississippi lawmaker will take part in a leadership development program for state officials.
Crime
Most of Mississippi's Juvenile Lifers Await Resentencing
In light of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Mississippi has been starting to set new sentences for people imprisoned to life without parole for crimes committed when they were juveniles. But …
National
Putin Says US Will Have to Shed 755 from Diplomatic Staff
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday the United States would have to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755, heightening tensions between Washington and Moscow three days …
Health Care
White House to Senate: Pass Health Bill Now or Else
The White House stepped up demands Sunday for revived congressional efforts on health care and suggested senators cancel their entire summer break, if needed, to pass legislation after failed votes …
National
Judge Blocks Arkansas from Enforcing 4 Abortion Restrictions
A federal judge has blocked Arkansas from enforcing four new abortion restrictions, including a ban on a common second trimester procedure and a fetal remains law that opponents say would …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
Saturday, July 29
Sports
Ole Miss Releases Names of Boosters in NCAA Allegations
Mississippi released Friday the names of 12 boosters that the NCAA claims provided impermissible benefits and recruiting inducements to football players.
Friday, July 28
National
Trump Pushes out Priebus, Names DHS' Kelly WH Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump announced Friday he was appointing Homeland Security head John Kelly to be White House chief of staff, ending the tumultuous six-month tenure of Reince Priebus.
Immigration
Trump Appears to Advocate Rough Police Treatment of Suspects
Talking tough on illegal immigration and violent crime, President Donald Trump appeared Friday to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody, speaking dismissively of arresting officers who protect the …
World
North Korea Second ICBM Test Puts Much of US in Range
North Korea on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than the first according to its wary neighbors, leading analysts to conclude that a wide …
Books
Corabel Shofner
In many ways, "Almost Paradise" carries the hallmarks of a classic southern adventure tale, even though its author, Corabel Shofner, spent a large part of her life outside of the …
Business
Gov. Bryant Decries Nissan Union, Promotes Training for Daycare Workers
Gov. Phil Bryant praised incentives that Mississippi has used to bring large corporations like Nissan, Toyota and most recently Continental Tire to the state in his 21st Neshoba County Fair …
Health Care
GOP Blame-Game Begins After Senate Sinks Health Care Drive
Republican finger-pointing commenced after the Senate's dark-of-night defeat of the GOP's flagship effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law in a startling vote that dealt a blistering …
National
Russia Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump, Moscow Retaliates
The Senate is sending a package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia to President Donald Trump to sign after the bill received overwhelming support in Congress. Moscow has already responded, …
National
White House Aide's Tirade Tests Editors and Producers
A presidential aide's explosion of profanity while talking to a reporter about his new White House colleagues tested newsroom leaders Thursday, forcing decisions about whether to use the graphic language …
National
Pentagon, Border Wall Covered in $788B House Spending Bill
The House has passed a $788 billion spending bill that combines a $1.6 billion down payment for President Donald Trump's controversial border wall with Mexico with a whopping budget increase …
Business
Mississippi Governor: Nissan Workers Should Reject Union
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant said Thursday that employees at the Nissan Motor Co. plant in Mississippi should reject unionization because he believes labor unions have hurt the automotive industry in …
Thursday, July 27
Health Care
Politicking Over Mental-Health Care at Neshoba County Fair
The words "mental health" may never been used more in a handful of minutes than they were Wednesday at the Neshoba County Fair.
National
Scaramucci Lobs Grenades in Already Chaotic White House
New White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci went after chief of staff Reince Priebus on Thursday as a suspected "leaker" within the West Wing in a pull-no-punches interview that laid …
National
Senators Prepare Bill to Block Firing of Special Counsel
Warning of "holy hell" to pay if the president fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a top Senate Republican is working to prevent the potential end result, the dismissal of Special …
Person of the Day
Gabe Myles
Mississippi State University wide receiver Gabe Myles is one athlete on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy.
Health Care
GOP Eyes Narrow Bill to Advance Goal on "Obamacare" Repeal
Battered by repeated failures to repeal or replace "Obamacare," Senate GOP leaders retreated to a narrow approach Thursday that would undo just a few of the most unpopular elements of …
LGBT
Trump's Transgender Troops Ban Divides Veterans in Congress
President Donald Trump's decision to ban transgender service in the armed forces drove a wedge through military veterans in Congress, with one camp standing squarely behind the commander in chief …
LGBT
Protesters Gather Against Trump Ban on Transgender Troops
Demonstrators flocked to a military recruiting station in New York City and gathered at a plaza named for a San Francisco gay-rights icon on Wednesday to protest President Donald Trump's …
Politics
Governor, House Speaker Stumping at Neshoba County Fair
Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to talk about Mississippi's economy during his annual speech at the Neshoba County Fair.
Politics
Hood, Reeves Spar Over Budget in Neshoba Fair Speeches
Mississippi Republicans are harming the public by cutting health spending, Democrat Jim Hood said Wednesday, but Republican Tate Reeves said it's the Democrats who are hurting people by fighting GOP …
Wednesday, July 26
Art
Going to the Market
On each Saturday through August, an attraction called the Green Market and Crafts Fair sits at Dogwood Festival Market in Flowood.
The Slate
Things escalated rather quickly at the University of Mississippi. Head football coach Hugh Freeze went from nearly untouchable to fired seemingly overnight.
Fly
On the Road Again
Road trips can be fun, but they can also be a hassle. After traveling a bunch over the last few months, I've picked up on some tips that make road …
City & County
Running Jackson: New CAO Robert Blaine Shares His Vision
After a vibrant career as a traveling trombonist and conductor, Robert Blaine put down roots in Jackson, where he hopes to direct a comeback story.
City & County
Dear Pam: Stay in Your Lane
If a so-called activist organization doesn't have the analysis to look at how their suggestions play out for people across income, race, disability and regional lines, then I suggest they …
Food
Ice Cream Truckers
Chunky Dunks Sweets Truck is an ice-cream food truck, and the only one of its kind in the state of Mississippi.
Music
Marcel P. Black: Building Bridges
Bryan Marcel Williams, known to fans as hip-hop artist Marcel P. Black, says that he always had music on his mind growing up in the small town of Ardmore, Okla.
Crime
Learning from Henley-Young’s Progress
Years after litigation and cutting way down on the number of kids behind bars, Jackson faces an interesting crossroads: Our juvenile-justice center might be the leader for rehabilitative treatment for …
Fly
Being Brave
We are scared of something, and one day we realize that if we want it enough, we will be brave and endure the pain for it. And then something even …
Business
YMCA May Leave Jackson, Hinds After Millions in Loans
The Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi—the state's branch of what the national Y calls the "nation's leading nonprofit"—has put both the downtown Jackson and Clinton locations up for sale. The rationale …
City & County
What’s Ahead for the Capitol Complex?
Jackson stands to gain additional tax revenue for infrastructure projects located inside the Capitol Complex Improvement District but likely not until next year, even as it will bring immediate changes …
Justice
The Henley-Young ‘Emergency Room’ Shows Progress, Houses Fewer Youth
The Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center has come a long way since a federal judge issued a consent decree and settlement agreement back in 2012, which required the county to cut …
LGBT
Trump Bars Transgender Individuals from US Armed Forces
President Donald Trump is barring transgender people from serving in the military "in any capacity," citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption."
National
Senate Judiciary Committee Withdraws Subpoena for Manafort
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman will not be testifying Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as originally scheduled, after the committee rescinded its subpoena.
Health Care
Trump Assails GOP Senator Who Opposed Health Care Bill
President Donald Trump accused Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow Republican, of disappointing the country by opposing the GOP effort to demolish the Obama health care law, after initial votes …
Politics
Hood and Reeves Speaking at 'Mississippi's Giant Houseparty'
Two of the top statewide elected officials are speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, a get-together known as Mississippi's Giant Houseparty.
Editor's Note
Grow Roots, Wings Where You’re Planted
Once upon a time, I was one of the young people who wanted to get out of this place. In early high school, I imagined that after college, I would …
Jacksonian
Patti Reiss
During the Christmas holidays in 2012, then-teacher Patti Reiss met the Mississippi Children's Museum Chief Executive Officer and President Susan Garrard at Mistletoe Marketplace.
Tuesday, July 25
Health Care
By a Hair, Senate Votes to Debate GOP Health Care Bill
With Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie, the Senate voted by a hair Tuesday to start debating Republican legislation to tear down much of the Obama health care …
Civil Rights
Civil Rights Marker Rededicated on Birthdate of Lynch Victim
A Mississippi historical marker about a notorious lynching that galvanized the civil rights movement was rededicated Tuesday, weeks after it was vandalized and repaired.
City & County
Forest Hill Students Get APAC Program
Forest Hill High School students have an opportunity to be a part of the Academic and Performing Arts Complex, known as APAC, this year.
Person of the Day
Alyssa Pennington
Jackson native Alyssa Pennington recently became the first woman to referee for a semi-professional soccer game in Mississippi.
Biz Roundup
Char Private Dining, Downtown Fitness and CapWay
Char Restaurant will formally open its new private-dining and event space, which the restaurant created in the former Mozingo Clothiers building adjacent to the restaurant, on Aug. 1.
Business
Former Contract Workers Key in Mississippi Nissan Union Vote
A bid by workers at Mississippi's Nissan Motor Co. plant for United Auto Workers representation could turn on a key voting bloc—1,500 workers who are Nissan employees today, but were …
National
Trump Asks About Firing Sessions, Calls His Position 'Weak'
President Donald Trump has spoken with advisers about firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions and launched a fresh Twitter tirade Tuesday against the man who was the first U.S. senator to …
National
Kushner Returns to Capitol Hill for Second Day of Interviews
President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner will return to Capitol Hill Tuesday for a second day of private meetings with congressional investigators, this time for a closed-door conversation …
Health Care
McCain Making Dramatic Senate Return for Crucial Health Vote
John McCain will make a dramatic return to the Senate for a make-or-break vote on Republican health care legislation Tuesday just days after getting diagnosed with brain cancer, giving an …
State
Two Marines Killed in Plane Crash Make Last Trips Home
Two Marines killed in a military plane crash in Mississippi were making their last trips home Monday.
Monday, July 24
Civil Rights
UPDATED: Most Black Lawmakers to Boycott Legislative Conference Over Mississippi Flag
The majority of African American lawmakers in the Mississippi Legislature plan to boycott the annual meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference in Biloxi this weekend.
National
Trump's New Message Guru Wants 'A More Positive Mojo'
President Donald Trump's new communications adviser says it's time to hit the "reset button."
National
Trump Son-in-Law Kushner at Capitol, Denies Russia Collusion
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner denied Monday that he colluded with Russians in the course of President Donald Trump's White House bid, declaring in a statement ahead of interviews …
National
Trump Asserts All Agree He Has 'Complete Power' to Pardon
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has "complete power" to issue pardons, an assertion that comes amid investigations into Russian interference in last year's presidential election. It was one …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
Saturday, July 22
Civil Rights
Mississippi Civil Rights Marker Returning After Damage Fixed
A civil rights marker in Mississippi has been repaired and will be put back in place, weeks after being vandalized.
Friday, July 21
Music
Jimmy Herring: Cracking the Whip
Audiences all over the world have gotten to know guitarist Jimmy Herring pretty well after his nearly three decades on the scene.
City & County
UPDATED: JPS Board Forced to Halt Work After Fourth Member Leaves Board
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees needs new members, and quickly. Richard Lind, the newly elected president of the school board, resigned yesterday, meaning only three members remain.
National
Spicer Resigns as White House Press Secretary
White House press secretary Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump's embattled spokesman during the first six months of his presidency, is resigning his position, according to two people with knowledge of …
National
Even With Trump Warning, Mueller Likely to Probe Finances
President Donald Trump's growing anxiety about the federal Russia probe has spilled into public view with his warning that special counsel Robert Mueller would be out of bounds if he …
National
Trump Legal Team Looking to Investigate Mueller Aides
President Donald Trump's legal team is evaluating potential conflicts of interest among members of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
LGBT
APNewsBreak: Lawsuit Says 'Bathroom Bill' Effects Still Felt
Transgender people in North Carolina are still effectively prevented from using restrooms matching their gender identity under a law that replaced the state's notorious "bathroom bill" earlier this year, according …
National
AP Sources: US to Ban Americans from Traveling to North Korea
The Trump administration will ban American citizens from traveling to North Korea, U.S. officials said Friday, following the death of university student Otto Warmbier who died in June after falling …
Business
Business Group Leader: Pro-Union Vote Could Hurt Mississippi
The head of the Mississippi chamber of commerce says the state could have a harder time attracting jobs if Nissan workers vote to join a union.
Thursday, July 20
College
Ole Miss Confirms: Hugh Freeze Has Resigned
Mississippi football coach Hugh Freeze has resigned after five seasons, bringing a stunning end to a once-promising tenure.
Health Care
Poll: Most Say Feds Should Ensure Health Coverage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans aren't enthralled with "Obamacare" and they definitely don't like the Republican plans offered in Congress, so what does the public want the government to do about …
Bodysoul
Jackson Mayor Vows to Go Vegan in Light of City Health Issues
"Many places in Jackson and many places in our State are considered food deserts, so it’s not only a matter of people’s willingness, but it’s about what’s available to them.”
City & County
JSU Students Will Keep Scholarships for Current School Year
“To honor our promise to returning and continuing students, scholarships and out-of-state fee waivers shall remain in effect for the 2017-2018 academic year if you have met the previous renewal …
Crime
Hinds County DA Smith's Appeal Fails, Supreme Court Orders Retrial
The Mississippi Supreme Court denied Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith's appeal to avoid a second trial yesterday.
Politics
Mississippi House Shake-Up Ahead
With four open seats and four special elections ahead, the Mississippi House of Representatives can expect a shake-up in the coming months, ahead of the 2018 legislative session.
Person of the Day
Keontre Anderson
The JSU Tigers' defense could end up leading the team in returning to the top of the SWAC, and the pressure to wreak havoc on opposing offenses will fall on …
Health Care
Trump Administration Pulls Health Law Help in 18 Cities
President Donald Trump's administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistance into libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in 18 cities, meaning shoppers on the insurance exchanges will have …
National
McCain's Cancer Diagnosis Jolts Senate
Sen. John McCain's diagnosis of brain cancer jolted the Senate where Republicans and Democrats offered prayers and words of encouragement for a six-term lawmaker with a war hero past.
National
By Embracing Russia, Trump Bumps Up Against Top Advisers
President Donald Trump's persistent overtures toward Russia are placing him increasingly at odds with his national security and foreign policy advisers, who have long urged a more cautious approach to …
National
Trump Rages at Sessions in New York Times Interview
President Donald Trump told The New York Times in an interview Wednesday that he never would have appointed Jeff Sessions as attorney general had he known Sessions would recuse himself …
Crime
Justices Won't Block New Trial of Hinds District Attorney
The Mississippi Supreme Court has cleared the way for Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith to go on trial again.
Wednesday, July 19
National
Trump Says He Wants Voter Fraud Commission to Have Open Mind
President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged members of his new voter fraud commission to approach their task with "a very open mind," despite having spent months making unfounded claims, without …
Politics
November Elections Set to Fill 2 Mississippi House Seats
Gov. Phil Bryant has set Nov. 7 special elections to fill two seats in the Mississippi House.
chickball
2017 Chicks We Love
This year's Chicks We Love help our communities in many ways, from giving a smile to every patient at a local women's clinic, to making people laugh with comedy, to …
The Slate
No one really knows how entertaining the University of Mississippi will be on the football field this fall. But one thing is for sure: The program is becoming a must-watch …
Health Care
AP-NORC Poll: Negotiate on 'Obamacare,' Don't Just Kill It
Americans overwhelmingly want lawmakers of both parties to work out health care changes, with only 13 percent supporting Republican moves to repeal "Obamacare" absent a replacement, according to a new …
Immigration
Justices Uphold Refugee Ban but Say Grandparents Still OK
The Supreme Court says the Trump administration can strictly enforce its ban on refugees, but is leaving in place a weakened travel ban that includes grandparents among relatives who can …
Business
Tilling Dreams into Reality
The value of creating something worthwhile from start to finish seems to have lost its steam. People want to go from idea to being rich, skipping the work in the …
City & County
Patching Potholes: A Metaphor for Jackson
Running a city for a four-year (or sometimes shorter) term is an admittedly daunting task, with the transfer of political strategies, staff and power.
Health Care
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Will Vote'
The odds of the Senate voting on health-care legislation are slim at this point.
City & County
‘Great for Grove Park’
A couple of weeks ago, I watched in amazement during an acrimonious Jackson City Council debate regarding a proposed partnership with the Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity & Urban League …
Health Care
Trump Tweets Health Bill 'Will Get Even Better' at Lunch
President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped up the pressure on reluctant Republicans to erase much of Barack Obama's health care law, tweeting, "They MUST keep their promise to America" and …
National
Trump to Nominate Jon Huntsman as US Ambassador to Russia
President Donald Trump announced his intention Tuesday to nominate former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be U.S. ambassador to Russia.
Health Care
Navigating Mississippi’s Opioid Epidemic
Marsha Stone made it out of college, but not without a drug and alcohol addiction she could not shake. She found herself at the age of 24 with three children …
City & County
Ward 7 Gets a Pothole Demo
Jack Wilson Sr. kneeled on the pothole-dotted asphalt road with a hammer in his hand the afternoon of July 14. The determined 81-year-old man wore a light blue polo shirt …
chickball
The Future of the JFP Chick Ball
First, I'll share the sad news in case you haven't heard. We have reluctantly decided to postpone the JFP Chick Ball again this year, as we did in 2016, and …
Jacksonian
Dorcus Thigpen
Mississippi Mass Choir Director Dorcus Thigpen says the only meeting of the musical group she has ever missed in the nearly 30 years since its founding was the first one—and …
Civil Rights
The Right to Pre-Trial Justice for All?
Scott County law enforcement officers arrested Joshua Bassett on Jan. 3, 2014, under a warrant for grand larceny and possession of meth. Bassett could not know then that he would …
Tuesday, July 18
National
APNewsBreak: US Restoring Asset Seizures, With Safeguards
The Trump administration will soon restore the ability of police to seize suspects' money and property with federal help, but The Associated Press has learned the policy will come with …
National
Trump Lets Iran Deal Live, but Signals He May Not for Long
Having accused Iran of flouting the nuclear deal, President Donald Trump was inclined to tell Congress that Tehran was violating it. His national security aides talked him out of it, …
Health Care
'Let Obamacare Fail,' Trump Says After GOP Plan Collapses
President Donald Trump declared Tuesday it's time to "let Obamacare fail" after the latest GOP health care plan crashed and burned in the Senate, a stunning failure for the president, …
Crime
Mississippi Prison Consultant Will Plead Guilty to Kickbacks
The wife of a former Mississippi lawmaker says she wants to plead guilty to paying kickbacks to the state's former corrections commissioner.
Education
Three Charter Schools Advance to Final Evaluation Step
Three charter schools advanced to the final stage of the application process this month, and now an independent four-person evaluation team will review the full proposals from three groups looking …
Biz Roundup
The Nail Lounge, Cantina Laredo, Creative Impact Luncheon and Leadership Greater Jackson
The Nail Lounge, which is a nail-treatment and personal-grooming boutique, opened in Highland Village on June 17.
Person of the Day
Duer Sharp
The SWAC has a six-year contract to play in the Celebration Bowl and SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp is hoping to extend it to 10.
Economy
House Budget Blueprint Boosts Military, Cuts Food Stamps
House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled a budget that makes deep cuts in food stamps and other social safety net programs while boosting military spending by billions, a blueprint that pleases …
National
US Sanctions More Iranians, but Nuclear Deal Stands for Now
The Trump administration slapped 18 Iranian individuals and groups with sanctions Tuesday for aiding the country's non-nuclear weapons programs, in a bid to show that President Donald Trump is staying …
Health Care
Trump Blasts Congress Over Failure of GOP Health Care Bill
President Donald Trump blasted congressional Democrats and "a few Republicans" Tuesday over the failure of the GOP effort to rewrite the Obama health care law, and warned, "we will return."
Business
Pickering Says Greentech Never Met Jobs, Investment Totals
Electric vehicle firm GreenTech Automotive claims it raised $140 million for its Mississippi factory, but state Auditor Stacey Pickering said Monday that the company can't prove it invested even the …
Business
Aug. 3 and 4 Set for Vote to Decide Union at Nissan Plant
Workers at Nissan Motor Co.'s Mississippi plant will decide on Aug. 3 and 4 whether the United Auto Workers will represent them.
Monday, July 17
Environment
Two Groups Sue Feds for Extending Anglers' Red Snapper Season
Two environmental groups are suing the Trump administration for stretching the red snapper season for recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico.
City & County
Secretary of State, Revitalize Mississippi Partner to Eliminate Jackson Blight
The Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and Jim Johnston, founder of the nonprofit organization Revitalize Mississippi, announced their partnership to eliminate blight in the City of Jackson this morning.
Person of the Day
Xavier Amos
The Mississippi Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers named Xavier Amos as its new president elect at the beginning of July.
Business
Analysis: Civil Rights, Outsiders, France Influence UAW Vote
Only days old, the union election campaign at Nissan Motor Co.'s Canton plant is already heating up.
Immigration
Feds Appeal Judge's Travel Ban Ruling to Supreme Court
The Trump administration is seeking to close a legal window opened for tens of thousands of refugees to enter the United States, appealing a federal judge's order directly to the …
National
Trump Lawyer Says Nothing Illegal in Son's Russia Meeting
President Donald Trump's attorney insisted Sunday there was nothing illegal in the meeting Trump's eldest son had with a Russian lawyer during last year's presidential campaign.
Health Care
More Hurdles as Senate Again Delays Vote on GOP Health Bill
The Senate delayed a highly anticipated vote this coming week to repeal and replace the nation's health care law after Sen. John McCain's announced absence due to surgery, an enormous …
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
Saturday, July 15
Crime
Man Convicted of Killing Ole Miss Officer Set for Release
A prosecutor said he will try to block the state's planned release of an inmate convicted in the 2006 killing of a University of Mississippi police officer.
Friday, July 14
City & County
Former Councilman Frank Bluntson Awarded, JPD Acknowledges Department Units
JPD held an award program yesterday afternoon, July 13, before the weekly COMSTAT meeting to acknowledge the Traffic Unit and Direct Action Response Team Unit, formerly known as D.A.R.T., for …
Education
Jackson State Faces 'Belt-Tightening' Year
Jackson State University's 11th president, Dr. William Bynum Jr., took the reins this month and told reporters this morning that the university is facing a few years of belt-tightening in …
Music
Alex Thiel
It was a Saturday afternoon in March 2016, and Alex Thiel was bored. During that time, the Jackson-native musician's longtime progressive-metal trio, Carlos Danger, was going through a slow breakup, …
Immigration
Judge in Hawaii Hands Trump Latest Defeat on Travel Ban
In another setback for President Donald Trump, a federal judge in Hawaii has further weakened his already diluted travel ban by vastly expanding the list of family relationships with U.S. …
National
Russian-American Lobbyist Says He Was in Trump Son's Meeting
A Russian-American lobbyist says he attended a June 2016 meeting with President Donald Trump's son, marking another shift in the account of a discussion that was billed as part of …
Sports
NCAA Questions Abound for Freeze, Even After Filibuster
Hugh Freeze delivered a 16-minute opening statement about his Mississippi team while pointing out he couldn't talk specifics about a long-running NCAA investigation.
Thursday, July 13
Health Care
New Senate GOP Health Care Bill Teeters on the Brink
Republican leaders unveiled a new health care bill Thursday in their increasingly desperate effort to deliver on seven years of promises to repeal and replace "Obamacare." They immediately lost two …
Crime
Education Official Apologizes Anew, This Time to Victims
The Education Department's civil rights chief apologized anew Thursday, this time to victims of campus sexual assault, for her "flippant" remarks attributing 90 percent of such claims to both parties …
Crime
Alcorn County Prison on Lockdown after Largest Contraband Bust This Year
Mississippi Department of Corrections officials found more than 100 cellphones at the Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility on Wednesday, July 12, along with bags of tobacco and shanks. MDOC put …
Civil Rights
5th Circuit Must Rule on Petitions, Issue Mandate Before HB 1523 Becomes Law
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will have to decide whether to hear plaintiffs' petition to re-hear their case against House Bill 1523; the law does not go into …
Person of the Day
Fred McNair
Alcorn State University quickly announced former great Fred McNair as interim head coach after Head Coach Jay Hopson's departure.
Crime
US Charging 412 in Health Fraud Schemes Worth $1.3 Billion
U.S. prosecutors announced Thursday that they have charged more than 400 people with taking part in health care fraud and opioid scams that totaled $1.3 billion in false billing.
Health Care
Government to Report on Solvency of Social Security, Medicare
Republicans in Washington have been clamoring for years to address the long-term financial problems of Social Security and Medicare.
National
Macron: Talks with Trump are 'Obvious and Indispensable'
French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday it is "obvious and indispensable" to have exchanges with U.S. President Donald Trump as the two leaders were set to meet to try to …
Sports
Ex-Coach Houston Nutt Sues Ole Miss, Alleging Smear Campaign
Former Mississippi coach Houston Nutt has filed a civil lawsuit against the university and its athletics foundation, alleging a breach of his severance agreement because of false statements he says …
Wednesday, July 12
State
General: Plane at Cruising Altitude Before Problems, Crash
The military transport plane that slammed into soybean fields Monday in the Mississippi Delta, killing 15 Marines and a Navy sailor, appears to have developed problems while high in the …
National
Lawmakers Plan to Bring Trump Campaign Chairman Before Panel
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to question the former chairman of the Trump campaign and will subpoena him if necessary, the panel's Republican chairman said Wednesday.
The Slate
Now that the MLB All-Star break is over, it is time for NFL training camps to get underway. Rookies for the Dallas Cowboys will be the first to report, heading …
Music
Making of a Gem
Krystal Jackson, a 21-year-old senior music major at Millsaps College, says she learned to sing before she could talk.
Cover
Minding the Equity Gap: How Majority-Black Clinton District Earns Its ‘A’ Rating
The October 2016 release of Mississippi's accountability ratings for each public-school district reveals wide racial disparities.
Civil Rights
Address Racial Inequity in Education Now
Education was supposed to be the great "equalizer" back when police officers had to escort a few brave black children past screaming white children and adults to integrate white public …
National
A Plea to My Fellow Evangelicals: Call Out Trump
After several days of prayerful consideration, I realized that the potential positives of the Trump administration do not justify the many other actions that go against the teachings I hold …
National
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'I Love It'
Donald Trump Jr. tweeted out his email chain with Rob Goldstone on July 11, which appears to confirm that Russian officials offered to pass on incriminating information about Hillary Clinton …
Culture
Got Melanin? CultureSnap Evolving Black Hashtags
Almost three years ago, Jackson native Frederick Burns decided that the black community needed its own social-media app using the words and phrases popular in the world of Black Twitter, …
City & County
New Council Leaders Laud ‘Brand-New Era’ for Jackson
With a new mayor riding into Jackson with a strong mandate, returning city council members are predicting that much can change for the capital city—in a good way.
Education
Returning ‘Dignity’ to Public Schools
Positive rather than punitive school climates are the best way to keep young people in schools, a group of community leaders and students are arguing in their Dignity in Schools …
National
As Russia Scandal Touches His Son, Trump Privately Rages
The snowballing revelations about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer during last year's presidential campaign have broadsided the White House, distracting from its agenda as aides grapple with …
Editor's Note
Pride Month Is Over, But the Fight Isn’t
It is interesting that the three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which lifted the injunction blocking HB 1523, did so in June during the last week …
Food
Next Stop, Downtown
Local restaurateur and chef Derek Emerson, who owns Walker's Drive-in, CAET Wine Bar and Local 463 Urban Kitchen, recently bought Parlor Market in downtown Jackson. He says his latest project …
Jacksonian
Tyler Tadlock
A series of effervescent synthesizer notes pipe through what sound like disembodied reeds. The resulting track, "Processing," is not so much a song but a mood, baked in the guts …
Tuesday, July 11
Health Care
GOP Senate Leader Says He'll Unveil New Health Bill Thursday
Senate Republicans will unveil their revised health care bill Thursday and begin voting on it next week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.
Person of the Day
Neha Arora
Neha Arora, an 18-year-old Madison resident and graduate of St. Andrew's Episcopal School, received a $1,000 scholarship from Distinguished Young Women in the self-expression portion of its 60th annual National …
Health Care
To Avoid Funerals, Mississippi Drug Summit Targets Opioid, Heroin Addiction
Attorney General Jim Hood believes he has been to several funerals of people this year who have died from opioid overdoses, but said today that no one talked about the …
Biz Roundup
FEAST Specialty Foods, 2017 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards and Stuff the Bus at the Outlets
Food and drink culture magazine Wine Spectator recognized several local restaurants in its 2017 Restaurant Awards. This year, 3,592 restaurants around the world received honors.
National
Emails: Trump Jr. Embraced Help Said to be from Kremlin
Donald Trump Jr. eagerly accepted help from what was described to him as a Russian government effort to aid his father's campaign with damaging information about Hillary Clinton, according to …
Health Care
Senate GOP Leaders Hope for Health Care Vote Next Week
Republican leaders are hoping to stage a climactic vote on their health care bill next week, though internal rifts over divisive issues like coverage requirements and Medicaid cuts leave the …
Civil Rights
Officer Who Killed Castile to be Paid $48,500 in Buyout
The Minnesota police officer who was acquitted in last year's fatal shooting of black motorist Philando Castile will receive $48,500 as he leaves the suburban department that employed him at …
Business
Union Files for Vote by Workers at Mississippi Nissan Plant
The United Auto Workers filed petitions Monday to force a unionization election at a Nissan plant in Mississippi after a yearslong campaign to build support in a region typically unwelcoming …
Monday, July 10
World
Iraqi Prime Minister Declares 'Total Victory' in Mosul
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory Monday evening over the Islamic State in Mosul after nearly nine months of grueling combat to drive the militants out of Iraq's second-largest city.
Education
Residents to Vote on Additional Funds for Hinds County School District
Hinds County voters will vote this August for additional funds to improve schools in the Hinds County School District.
Person of the Day
Alex Monsour
Republican Alex Monsour is resigning from the Mississippi House of Representatives after winning a city office in Vicksburg.
National
Kremlin Disavows Knowledge of Lawyer-Trump Staff Meeting
President Donald Trump's eldest son changed his account over the weekend of a meeting he had with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign, saying Sunday that the woman told …
Health Care
Survey: US Uninsured Up by 2M This Year as Gains Erode
The number of U.S. adults without health insurance has grown by some 2 million this year, according to a major new survey that finds recent coverage gains beginning to erode.
National
Syria Ceasefire Begins, Trump Eyes Cooperation with Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump called for expanded cooperation with Russia on Sunday, as a cease-fire brokered by the two powers and Jordan for southern Syria came into effect.
National
State Election Officials Worry About 2018 Election Security
State election officials voiced doubt Saturday that adequate security measures can be adopted before 2018 elections to safeguard against the possibility of a foreign government interfering in U.S. elections.
Environment
G-20 Shut Trump Out on Climate, Strike Deal on Trade
World powers lined up against U.S. President Donald Trump on climate change, reaffirming their support for international efforts to fight global warming.
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
Saturday, July 8
Politics
Mississippi Already Shares Some Voter Info with Other States
Mississippi's top elections official says he is consistent by sharing some voter information with other states while also telling a national group to "jump in the Gulf of Mexico" as …
Friday, July 7
Civil Rights
Plaintiffs Fighting House Bill 1523 Ask Full 5th Circuit to Re-Hear Case
Twelve Mississippians have asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to re-hear their case against House Bill 1523, now law, in front of all the judges.
Person of the Day
Sophia Leonard
The Eudora Welty Foundation recently named Sophia Leonard, a doctoral student at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., as its 2017 Eudora Welty Fellow.
Health Care
GOP Leader Says He'll Rework Health Bill, but Offers Plan B
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he plans to produce a fresh bill in about a week scuttling and replacing much of President Barack Obama's health care law. But he's …
Politics
German Host Tells G-20 Leaders They Must Reach Compromises
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers Friday that millions of people are hoping they can help solve the world's problems, and warned them …
Civil Rights
Ole Miss to Recognize Slave Labor on Pre-Civil War Buildings
The University of Mississippi will post a sign acknowledging that slaves built some structures on the main campus founded before the Civil War.
Thursday, July 6
Business
Staff: Mississippi Power Offering Ideas to Settle Kemper
The man in charge of negotiating a settlement to wind down Mississippi Power Co.'s coal-fueled power plant project says the company has already made proposals.
National
Pre-Emptive U.S. Strike on North Korea Could Be 'Catastrophic'
A pre-emptive military strike may be among the "pretty severe things" President Donald Trump says he is considering for North Korea, but it's a step so fraught with risk that …
National
Maine Governor Suggests He Makes Up Stories to Mislead Media
Maine Gov. Paul LePage lashed out at the media for reporting he planned to leave the state during a budget impasse, and he suggested he sometimes concocts stories to mislead …
City & County
Tillman, Priester Voted to Lead City Council, Lumumba Announces Appointees
Jacksonians crowded into City Hall today, leaving no standing room, at the first city council meeting with the newly elected mayor and council body.
Health Care
Data: Mississippi Kids Rely on Medicaid; Many in Rural Areas Supporting Trump
A majority of Mississippi kids rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for health care in the state.
Person of the Day
Joey Chestnut
While you may have eaten too much this Fourth of July, you probably didn't put down 72 hot dogs, which is how many Joey "Jaws" Chestnut finished in 10 minutes …
Economy
Children's Advocate to Revisit Poverty in Mississippi Delta
The founder of a children's advocacy group returns to Mississippi next week to examine how poverty affects people's lives, much like Sen. Robert F. Kennedy did 50 years ago.
National
Hobby Lobby Fined $3 Million Over Smuggled Iraqi Artifacts
Hobby Lobby Stores has agreed to pay a $3 million federal fine and forfeit thousands of ancient Iraqi artifacts smuggled from the Middle East that the government alleges were intentionally …
National
To Punish North Korea, US Weighs Sanctions on Chinese Companies
Having lost patience with China, the Trump administration is studying new steps to starve North Korea of cash for its nuclear program, including an option that would infuriate Beijing: sanctions …
National
Trump Chides Russia, but Doesn't Condemn Election Meddling
On the eve of his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump vowed Thursday to confront "new forms of aggression" targeting the West and called for Moscow …
Business
Mississippi Demands $6.4M Back from Electric Car Maker's CEO
Mississippi's state auditor on Wednesday demanded that a troubled electric car maker or its leader repay $4.9 million in state and local aid the company received, plus $1.5 million of …
Wednesday, July 5
Education
Southern Miss Eliminates Some Jobs Amid State Budget Cuts
The University of Southern Mississippi has laid off three employees and eliminated 33 vacant jobs because of state budget cuts.
Business
Months Later, No Decision on Mississippi Online Tax Plan
Months after Mississippi's top tax official proposed requiring large online sellers to collect taxes on internet sales, he still hasn't enacted the rule.
Art
Hazel Brannon Smith, Crusading Journalist and 'Scalawag'
Durant native and author Jeff Howell recalls his 13-year-old self discovering African American basketball player Walt Frazier in his library's red, white and blue 1976 edition of the "World Book."
Food
In Josephine’s Kitchen
"Extreme potatoes" is not a term people use often, but at Josephine's Kitchen, it's part of the menu.
Music
Carly Pearce: Star-Crossed Country
For some people, singer-songwriter Carly Pearce will seem like an artist who is just jumping into the country scene—even if it's far from the truth.
The Slate
Now that July is fully underway, we have plenty of football activity to look forward to. NFL training camps will open later this month, preseason games are about a month …
Civil Rights
This Little Light of Ours: Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Shines a Light on History
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum opened its doors temporarily on Tuesday, June 27, for a preview of the impactful, honest and focused features, like the Freedom Riders exhibit.
National
Finding Great U.S. Journalism
Trump is waging a constant battle with what he considers the purveyors of "fake news," while those same news outlets struggle to keep up with the stream of misinformation and …
Editorial
Mississippi Congressmen Must Fight for Medicaid
It's no secret that Republicans in Washington, D.C., want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the proposed changes will hurt Mississippians on Medicaid.
Health Care
State Settles Kids’ Mental Health Litigation
After seven years of litigation, one Mississippi teenager will finally get to move from the East Mississippi State Hospital to a regional center that provides services for those with intellectual …
Business
Expungements: A ‘Fresh Start’
Laura Brown wanted to work at a local daycare and was shocked when her background check brought up two charges from over a decade ago.
Business
Sparks Fly Over Grove Park Golf Course
A long evening of acknowledgements over retirements of Jackson Ward 6 Councilman President Tyrone Hendrix and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon ended in intense disagreement about the future of the …
Jacksonian
Chuckway Washington
Chuckway Washington, 35, photographs the people and scenery in the place he calls home—Jackson.
Business
Shop, Give, Live Local
Shopping local isn't something I necessarily thought about until I came to work at the Jackson Free Press, which puts great emphasis on helping locally owned businesses.
Tuesday, July 4
Politics
Mayors Begin New 4-Year Terms in Several Mississippi Cities
Chokwe Antar Lumumba, a 35-year-old attorney, was inaugurated as mayor of Jackson on Monday. He is one of several municipal leaders in Mississippi who are beginning four-year terms of office.
Monday, July 3
City & County
Jackson's Youngest Mayor, Council Members and Citizens Take Oath to Serve
Standing ovations, joyful music, and resounding applause filled the Jackson Convention Complex this morning as the city council and youngest mayor of Jackson ever recited the oath of office.
Education
New Search Set for Leader to Improve Mississippi Schools
Mississippi education leaders are restarting a search for a leader to take charge of faltering local schools and districts.
Biz Roundup
Tokyo Tasty, Farm to Fork, Kopis Mobile, Elite Physical Therapy and JSU Camps
Asian fusion buffet Tokyo Tasty recently opened inside the former location of the Cherokee Inn in Jackson, which closed in early 2015.
Person of the Day
Tyrone Ellis
One of the longest-serving members of the Mississippi House is stepping down.
State
Mississippi State University to Get Large Lincoln Collection
A former Rhode Island Supreme Court chief justice and his wife have decided to give their massive collection of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War items to Mississippi State University.
Health Care
White House: Trump Backs Repeal-Only Health Bill as 'Option'
President Donald Trump is pressuring wavering senators to back a Republican bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law but is holding open a repeal-only option …
National
Trump Tweets Mock Video of Him Beating CNN, Sparks Criticism
President Donald Trump crowned his weekend rage against the news media with a mock video that shows him pummeling a man in a business suit—his face obscured by the CNN …
Health Care
Analysis: Stakes High for Medicaid Changes in Mississippi
More than 700,000 Mississippians receive care from Medicaid, down from a peak of nearly 750,000 in 2015.
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
