Friday, June 29
National
Trump Responds to Attack on Maryland Newspaper
President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denounced the press as "the enemy of the American people," said Friday journalists "should be free from the fear of being violently attacked," as …
City & County
Interim JPD Chief James Davis Starts Job, Permanent Search Underway
James Davis' first words as Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba's second interim chief of police were "Glory be to God." He uttered them yesterday in Jackson City Hall's ceremonial office, just …
Education
Kids Kollege and Award for Excellence at JSU, NIH Grant at MSU
Local mixed-media artist Shambe Jones led a group of 100 sixth-graders in a T-shirt design class at Jackson State University's Johnson Hall on Thursday, June 21, as part of JSU's …
Person of the Day
Camille Young
The Woodward Hines Education Foundation, a nonprofit working to increase college access for young Mississippians, recently named Madison resident Camille Scales Young to its board of directors.
Business
Costco Store Primed to Move Ahead Despite Court Ruling
The Mississippi Supreme Court won't rehear a case that found a suburb acted improperly in rezoning property for a gas station at what would be Mississippi's first Costco store.
Thursday, June 28
National
Five Dead, Others Wounded at Maryland Newspaper Shooting
A gunman opened fire at a newspaper office in Annapolis on Thursday, killing five people and gravely wounding a number of others before being taken into custody in one of …
National
OPINION: Mississippi, Do You Remember?
"Unfortunately, in Mississippi, many people, like my extended family, forget that democratic policies have directly benefited them in the past and continue to today."
City & County
Cooling Centers Help Senior Citizens Through Dog Days of Summer
As we enter the dog days of summer—the hottest of season—the City of Jackson is offering free cooling stations for senior citizens ages 60 and older.
Person of the Day
Tori Bowie
Tori Bowie became an instant star at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The Sandhill, Miss., native took home three medals in her first time on the United States team.
National
Putin, Trump to Have Summit in Helsinki on July 16
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a summit in Helsinki on July 16, the Kremlin and the White House announced Thursday.
Art
Marble Masterpieces
Whether you like coffee, painting or just need something to put stuff in, mugs can come in pretty handy. Sadly, sometimes they can look a little boring. Why not make …
Wednesday, June 27
National
Federal Hate Crime Charges Filed in Virginia Rally Death
The man accused of plowing a car into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing a woman and injuring dozens more, now faces federal …
National
Justice Kennedy Retiring; Trump Gets 2nd Supreme Court Pick
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement Wednesday, giving President Donald Trump the chance to cement conservative control of the high court.
Politics
Guest Wins Run-Off: 'All I Can Say is Thank You'
The celebratory atmosphere filled Mudbugs in Brandon—even before the primary run-off results came in. The crowd knew their candidate, Michael Guest, would win the Republican nomination for the Third U.S. …
Politics
Sherman Alleges Dirty Politics, As Baria Claims Solid Victory in Senate Bid
With his family by his side, Rep. David Baria, leader of the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus, declared victory in his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, at Murky …
Music
Arts on the (Drum) Line
The Mississippi Alumni All-star Band is preparing for the Independence Showdown, an annual competition featuring marching bands from states such as Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan.
Events
Fireworks and Festivities
Celebrate the Fourth of July this year with local businesses such as Campbell's Bakery, Nandy’s Candy and more.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson: Home Improvement
When you need help in dealing with a house problem, it's best to call a professional. That's where Best of Jackson: Home Improvement can help. Here are this year's winners …
JFP
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Times They Are a Changin’ at the JFP
Let's jump right to it—we're announcing exciting changes with this issue. We've been planning for months how we will best serve the reader, how we serve local businesses and help …
Jacksonian
Dowell Taylor
Belzoni native Dowell Taylor, 64, is once again the director of bands for Jackson State University and an inductee to the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.
City & County
OPINION: Fighting a System That Was Not Made for Them
The national and even statewide conversation around gun violence and youth circulates around white students in suburban settings. Only when well-to-do white children die at the hands of gun violence …
Business
Last-Hour Jobs for Youth?
Tensions ran high at the third Jackson City Council meeting in a week during discussions about funding for the Mayor's Youth Initiative Summer Youth Employment Program that is supposed to …
City & County
DA Smith on Police Shootings, Being a Victim
For the better part of last week's officer-identification task-force meeting at the Jackson Municipal Art Gallery, some of the members didn't know they had a prominent guest.
Immigration
Judge: Separated Families Must be Reunited Within 30 Days
A judge in California on Tuesday ordered U.S. border authorities to reunite separated families within 30 days, setting a hard deadline in a process that has so far yielded uncertainty …
Cover
Brotherhood of Destruction: An Addiction-Fueled Journey to Hell and Back
Benny Ivey met former Vice Lord and prominent drug dealer John Knight at a June people’s assembly at New Horizon Church on Ellis Avenue, and the two bonded as they …
National
David Baria Wins Senate Runoff: 'I Ain't Scared' to Face Wicker in November
With his family by his side, Rep. David Baria, leader of the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus, declared victory in his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate Tuesday night.
Tuesday, June 26
Business
Trump Threatens Harley-Davidson With Tax Punishment for Move
President Donald Trump sought Tuesday to avoid blame for Harley-Davidson's decision to move some motorcycle production overseas and threatened to tax the manufacturer "like never before!" as punishment for the …
Immigration
Ryan Sets House Vote on GOP Immigration Bill for Wednesday
House Speaker Paul Ryan scheduled a long-awaited showdown vote on a broad Republican immigration bill for Wednesday, but is showing little confidence that the package will survive.
Immigration
States, Immigrant Supporters Demand Family Reunifications
Seventeen states, including New York and California, sued the Trump administration Tuesday to force it to reunite the thousands of immigrant children and parents it separated at the border, as …
Politics
UPDATE: Run-off Issues: What Candidates Support, Believe; Vote Today Until 7 p.m.
Two spots on the November ballot are up for grabs today, as Mississippians head to the polls for a run-off election.
Food
Alivia Ashburn-Townsend
Alivia Ashburn-Townsend started her restaurant career off as a server at a restaurant in the Jackson metro area and says that when the kitchen would get backed up, she would …
Biz Roundup
Lucky Town Tap Takeover, Little Light House Benefit, Shoe Station Flowood and Launch Anniversary
Jackson brewery Lucky Town Brewing Company is partnering with Mexican restaurant Cantina Laredo in The District at Eastover to host an event called "Tap Takeover" on Sunday, July 29, starting …
National
Supreme Court Voids Part of Crisis Pregnancy Center Law
The Supreme Court says a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion probably violates the Constitution.
Immigration
Supreme Court Upholds Trump Travel Ban
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump's ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries, rejecting a challenge that it discriminated against Muslims or exceeded his authority.
Monday, June 25
Immigration
Authorities Abandon 'Zero-Tolerance' for Immigrant Families
The nation's top border enforcement official acknowledged Monday that authorities have abandoned, for now, the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" policy toward immigrant families after the president ordered an end to the …
Politics
Mississippi Auditor to Resign, Run State Veterans Agency
Mississippi state Auditor Stacey Pickering is resigning his statewide elected post to become head of the state's Veterans Affairs Board.
Politics
Low Turnout Expected for June 26 Run-Off Election, Secretary of State Predicts
The run-off election on June 26 likely will have low turnout, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said at a press conference on June 21.
City & County
City's Financial Consultant, Michelle Thomas, Hints at Plans for Jackson
At its June 19, 2018, meeting, the Jackson City Council officially confirmed Michelle L. Thomas as the city's temporary financial consultant. She also offered suggestions for how to get the …
Person of the Day
Asya Branch
Asya Branch is 2018's Miss Mississippi. The Booneville native, competing as Miss Tupelo, won the title Saturday at the annual pageant in Vicksburg. She'll go on to compete for the …
Business
Harley, Stung by Tariffs, Shifts Some Production Overseas
Harley-Davidson, up against spiraling costs from tariffs, will begin to shift the production of motorcycles headed for Europe from the U.S. to factories overseas.
Civil Rights
Trump Says People from Mexico 'Invade' US
President Donald Trump compares people entering the U.S. from Mexico to invaders and says they should be immediately sent back without appearing before a judge.
Immigration
Pentagon Says Two Bases to House Immigrants
The Pentagon is preparing to build temporary camps for immigrants at two military bases, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday.
LGBT
Justices Won't Hear Case of Anti-Gay Marriage Florist
The Supreme Court is ordering Washington courts to take a new look at the case of a florist who refused to provide services for the wedding of two men because …
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.
Friday, June 22
Immigration
Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Wants Recall of Troops from Border
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is asking Gov. Phil Bryant to recall the Mississippi National Guard from the U.S.' southern border and refuse to send more troops.
Music
Amanda Shires: The Road to ‘Sunset’
Amanda Shires' fifth album, "To the Sunset," probably features a few more effects and synthesizers than fans anticipated—mostly because they likely were not expecting any.
City & County
VIDEO: Jacksonians Weigh In on What the City Needs
Less crime, better roads and more businesses will make the city better, Jacksonians say. The Jackson Free Press conducted person-on-the-street interviews, asking people what they would like to see come …
Education
Alcorn Farm to Fork Program, USM "Gold Route" and New MUW Development Officer
The Alcorn State University Extension Program, an education center at Alcorn focused on agriculture, began partnering with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi for the seventh year of the Farm to …
National
EU Imposes Tariffs on US Peanuts, Motorcycles and Whiskey
The European Union started enforcing tariffs Friday on American imports like bourbon, peanut butter and orange juice, part of a growing global trade rift that's likely to intensify over the …
Immigration
Dems Seek Info About Virginia Facility After Abuse Claims
Virginia's two Democratic senators asked the Trump administration Friday for answers about operations at a juvenile detention facility in the state where immigrant children said they were bound, beaten and …
Immigration
Trump Undercuts House GOP: Don't Waste Time on Immigration
President Donald Trump on Friday told his fellow Republicans in Congress to "stop wasting their time" on immigration legislation until after the November elections. GOP leaders said they'd press on …
Thursday, June 21
Crime
MDOC Re-Entry Symposium Addresses Hurdles, Solutions for Returning Citizens
The parking lot of Christ United Methodist Church in northeast Jackson looked like the rear of any prison in the state this morning—lined with white Mississippi Department of Corrections vehicles …
City & County
Citizens' Police Academy Graduates 30 People
About 30 Jacksonians are now official ambassadors between the local police and the community after graduating from the Jackson Police Citizen's Police Academy on June 18.
Person of the Day
Jordan Westburg
Jordan Westburg's success at the plate is not the only thing to grab him media attention this season. During a Tallahassee Regional game on June 3, he grabbed a banana …
Politics
Governor Taps Prosecutor in Mississippi Congressional Runoff
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is endorsing Michael Guest in a Republican congressional runoff.
Business
High Court: Online Shoppers Can Be Forced to Pay Sales Tax
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states can force online shoppers to pay sales tax.
Immigration
Trump Tweet Complicates House GOP Efforts on Immigration
Hours before House showdown votes on immigration, President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that any measure the chamber passes would be doomed in the Senate anyway.
World
Trudeau: Canada to Legalize Marijuana on Oct. 17
Marijuana will be legal nationwide in Canada starting Oct. 17 in a move that should take market share away from organized crime and protect the country's youth, Prime Minister Justin …
National
Lawmakers Rip Tariffs Enacted in Name of National Security
Pointing to damage done to home-state companies, lawmakers from both parties Wednesday criticized tariffs the Trump administration has imposed on imported steel and aluminum products in the name of national …
Wednesday, June 20
Immigration
In Reversal, Trump Signs Order Stopping Family Separation
Bowing to pressure from anxious allies, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday ending the process of separating children from families after they are detained crossing the U.S. border …
Politics
Judge Dismisses Suit Over Mississippi City Flying State Flag
A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit that sought to block a Mississippi Gulf Coast city from flying the state flag that features the Confederate battle emblem.
JFP Interviews
'Thinking Out of the Box': The JFP Interview with Howard Sherman
Howard Sherman won the most votes (about 31 percent) on June 5 in the Democratic primary for Sen. Roger Wicker's Senate seat.
JFP Interviews
'I Don't Mind Long Odds': The JFP Interview with David Baria
David Baria knew he was fighting an uphill battle when he decided to run for U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker's long-held Senate seat. Baria's first challenge, however, is securing the Democratic …
Crime
EDITORIAL: Dear Mississippi Politicians, Criminal Justice Reform Is More Than Rhetoric
This week the Mississippi Department of Corrections will host a re-entry symposium in Jackson, a necessary step to re-engage stakeholders involved with the criminal justice system, from lawmakers and mental-health …
Jacksonian
Susan Garrard
Jackson native Susan Garrard has spent much of her life volunteering and working with children and the community in her roles as president of Junior League of Jackson, and the …
Food
OPINION: ‘Don’t Yuck My Yum’
As a food educator, I spent many hours in classrooms doing taste tests, interactive cooking demos and nutrition lessons. I've seen elementary schoolers, even the so-called picky eaters, taste everything …
Editor's Note
EDITOR'S NOTE: America, We Must Stop De-humanizing Our Children
As a child in the 1960s and 1970s, I was a bit of a freak of nature in my hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. You could call me sensitive or soft-hearted, …
Cover
Run-Off Blues: Inside the Playoff to Challenge Roger Wicker
Democratic U.S. Senate contenders David Baria and Howard Sherman share a common interest in basketball, at least for campaign metaphor purposes.
City & County
UPDATED: Public Works Eyeing Private Contractors
In Public Works Director Bob Miller's short time as the highest-paid city official in Jackson, he has had to sway the city council on a growing number of occasions to …
Crime
Hiring Ex-offenders: Mixed Statewide Results
Matthew Riley has been on the road a lot lately. As the state re-entry coordinator, Riley visited all 82 counties in Mississippi in the past nine months in search of …
JFP Interviews
Whit Hughes: 'Ready to Fight' in Congress
In a recent interview with the Jackson Free Press, Whit Hughes did not veer far from the established Republican line his mentor Haley Barbour made popular—low taxes, scant regulations (including …
Tuesday, June 19
National
Trump Administration Pulls US Out of UN Human Rights Council
The United States announced Tuesday it was leaving the United Nations' Human Rights Council, with Ambassador Nikki Haley calling it "an organization that is not worthy of its name." It …
Immigration
Lawmakers Barred from Child Migrant Facility in Florida
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson accused the Trump administration of a "cover-up" after officials denied him entry Tuesday to a detention center for migrant children in South Florida where he had …
City & County
White Supremacy Protesters Burn Confederate Flag Near Governor's Mansion
The charred remains of a replica Confederate Flag and a Mississippi flag lay on the sidewalk outside the Mississippi Governor's Mansion Monday afternoon in protest of white supremacy.
Biz Roundup
T-Shirt-Centered Celebrations at Swell-O-Phonic and Mississippi Museum of Art
The Mississippi Museum of Art will host a pop-up exhibition of shirts from local designers and artists during its "Museum After Hours" event in honor of National T-Shirt Day on …
Education
Javier Peraza
Mississippi Coding Academies, a joint project between Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Development Authority, recently named Belhaven resident Javier Peraza as an instructor for two new coding classes that will …
Immigration
'Papa! Papa!' Audio of Children Stokes Rage Over Separation
An audio recording that appears to capture the heartbreaking voices of small Spanish-speaking children crying out for their parents at a U.S. immigration facility took center stage in the growing …
Immigration
Trump Defiant Despite Rising Outrage Over Border Separations
An unapologetic President Donald Trump defended his administration's border-protection policies in the face of rising national outrage over the forced separation of migrant children from their parents. Calling for tough …
Immigration
Democratic Attorneys General Urge End to Border Separations
A coalition of Democratic attorneys general demanded Tuesday that the Trump administration end a "zero tolerance" policy that has resulted in children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico …
Education
Students Named as Mississippi Test Panel to Begin Meeting
Four Mississippi high school seniors will be among a 28-member task force meeting to examine state and local tests given to public school students.
Monday, June 18
City & County
Protesters Burn Mississippi Flag, Say it Symbolizes Racism
A group of about 30 demonstrators on Monday burned a Mississippi state flag, saying it symbolizes the racism at the heart of the state's problems with poverty, education and health …
Immigration
Immigrant Kids Seen Held in Fenced Cages at Border Facility
Inside an old warehouse in South Texas, hundreds of immigrant children wait in a series of cages created by metal fencing. One cage had 20 children inside. Scattered about are …
Politics
UPDATED: Rep. Thompson Returns Sherman Donation; Will Endorse Baria
David Baria and Howard Sherman have both donated to federal election campaigns. Baria has donated to strictly Democratic campaigns, while Sherman has donated to Republicans and recently, Democrats.
Art
IBC Moves Beyond Tutus and Pointe Shoes with Competition Fierce
Tutus and pointe shoes were scarce during round two of the USA International Ballet Competition, as dancers performed contemporary pieces.
Civil Rights
Dorothy Cotton
Dorothy Cotton, who worked closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., taught nonviolence to demonstrators before marches and sometimes calmed tensions by singing church hymns, has died. She was …
Politics
Bryant Names Retired Colonel as Emergency Management Chief
Gov. Phil Bryant is naming another retired military leader to run Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency.
Immigration
Family Separation Policy Starts Dividing Republicans
Former first lady Laura Bush called the policy of forced separation of migrant children and parents at the U.S.-Mexico border "cruel" and "immoral" in a guest column for the Washington …
National
Trump Adviser Roger Stone Reveals New Meeting With Russian
Special counsel Robert Mueller is examining a previously undisclosed meeting between longtime Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone and a Russian figure who allegedly tried to sell him dirt on Hillary …
State
US Rep. John Lewis to Speak at Art Institute Commencement
U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be the keynote speaker at the Art Institute of Atlanta's commencement ceremony.
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.
Friday, June 15
National
AP: Trump 2020 Working With Ex-Cambridge Analytica Staffers
A company run by former officials at Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm brought down by a scandal over how it obtained Facebook users' private data, has quietly been working …
Art
International Ballet Competition Announces Round-Two Dancers
A total of 44 dancers from this year's USA International Ballet Competition are moving on to round two. A jury narrowed the field from 92 dancers Thursday night, after the …
National
Trump Announces US Tariffs on $50 Billion in Chinese Imports
Vowing to cut U.S. trade deficits and protect the nation's high-tech "crown jewels," President Donald Trump said Friday he's levying a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion worth …
Education
IBC Dance School at Belhaven, JSU Heritage Award and USM Adventure Therapy
This year, Belhaven University is playing a part in the USA International Ballet Competition by hosting the USA IBC Dance School, which runs simultaneously with the competition.
Art
Douglas Panzone
Jackson native Douglas Panzone has built his own business from the ground up through producing large-scale murals on commission. His past projects include a wall mural for the HBO show …
National
Judge Jails Ex-Trump Campaign Chair Manafort Ahead of Trial
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is going to jail. Paul Manafort was ordered into custody Friday after a federal judge revoked his house arrest, citing newly filed obstruction of …
National
AP Explains: Rebooting Poor People's Campaign 50 Years Later
Thousands of anti-poverty activists have launched a campaign in recent weeks modeled after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign of 1968.
Thursday, June 14
Politics
Black Caucus Backs Baria in Dem Primary Runoff for US Senate
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus is endorsing state Rep. David Baria in the Democratic primary runoff for a U.S. Senate seat.
City & County
City's Budget in Hands of Woman Who Overhauled Newark, N.J., Budget
The woman who helped lead a budget turnaround in Newark, N.J., under then-Mayor Cory Booker will manage the City of Jackson's budget overhaul.
Crime
Hinds County Criminal Justice Council Gets to Work
A group of Jackson and Hinds County leaders has begun meeting bi-monthly to work on improvements to the adult and juvenile justice systems in the city and county, after Hinds …
National
US: No Sanctions Relief Before North Korea Denuclearizes
The United States will not ease sanctions against North Korea until it denuclearizes, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, as he reassured key Asian allies that President Donald Trump …
Person of the Day
Ashley Robinson
Jackson State University is hoping that Ashley Robinson, the school's new vice president and athletic director, will repeat the success he earned while at Prairie View A&M University.
National
AP Source: IG Faults Comey's Calls in Clinton Email Probe
The Justice Department's watchdog faults former FBI Director James Comey for breaking with established protocol in his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, but it says his decisions before …
National
New York Attorney General Sues Trump Foundation
President Donald Trump's foundation served as a personal piggy bank for his businesses, legal bills and presidential campaign, New York's attorney general said Wednesday as she sued the charity, Trump …
Wednesday, June 13
Business
Three Mississippi Choctaw Casinos Plan to Offer Sports Betting
Three casinos run by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will offer sports betting, but tribal leaders haven't said when it will start.
National
Trump Claim Raises Eyebrows: North Korea No Longer a Nuke Threat?
President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday there was "no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea," a dubious claim following his summit with leader Kim Jong Un that produced no …
Cover
Guys We Love 2018
Each year around Father's Day, we honor men in the Jackson metro area who are making differences in our communities. This year's include leaders, policy advocates, south Jackson warriors, creators …
National
Michael Cohen Hunts for New Lawyers in FBI Probe
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, is searching for a new legal team to represent him in an FBI investigation of his business dealings.
Immigration
Ryan Says Trump Backs Compromise Immigration Plan
President Donald Trump backs compromise immigration legislation that House Republican leaders are trying to craft in hopes of ending the party's standoff over the issue, Speaker Paul Ryan told GOP …
Books
Voice & Growth in ‘Treeborne’
The path to author Caleb Johnson's much-praised debut novel, "Treeborne" (Picador, 2018, $26), was a winding one. For starters, the idea for the book initially spurred not from the titular …
Food
Father’s Day: Things to Do
You'll have no shortage of great things to do in the Jackson metro for Father's Day this year. Here's just a few that the JFP has picked out.
City & County
EDITORIAL: Transparency in Officer Shootings Needs to Improve, Not Worsen
We now get even less information about officer-involved shootings. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations does not have to disclose information concerning any open or closed investigations except to law enforcement.
OPINION: New Orleans, A Good Idea
A different kind of musician, Bob Dylan, says New Orleans is a city where the ghosts of the dead and the laughter of the living are never far apart.
Editor's Note
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lessons in Stepping up from ‘Friday Night Lights’
It may be the peak of the baseball season, but my clear eyes and full heart have been fully set on football, thanks to my latest TV nostalgic kick. For …
Jacksonian
Blake Feldman
When Blake Feldman was in college, he planned on going to medical school. The Newton, Miss., native received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in …
City & County
City’s 3-1-1 Approach to Road Hazards Changes
The City of Jackson changed how it responds to calls regarding road issues after the fatal crash on May 17—by adding more phone numbers to call to report issues.
Politics
How A ‘Brexit Boys’ Project Ended Up in Jackson Court
Kyle Taylor believes Eldon Insurance and Big Data Dolphins Ltd. might be using U.K. citizens' data in their new artificial-intelligence project they have planned to start in Oxford, Miss.
City & County
Jackson Even Less Transparent with Officer-Involved Shootings?
Just one month after Mississippi Bureau of Investigations officially began handling officer-involved shootings in Jackson, it has been harder to get information previously available to citizens and reporters following these …
Tuesday, June 12
Business
Federal Judge Approves AT&T-Time Warner Merger
A federal judge approved the $85 billion mega-merger of AT&T and Time Warner on Tuesday, a move that could usher in a wave of media consolidation while shaping how much …
Development
US Engineers Plan Millions in Mississippi Water Projects
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a work plan that includes nearly $56 million of water projects during this budget year in Mississippi, including some for flood control.
National
Seattle to Repeal Homeless-Aid Tax After Amazon Objects
Seattle city leaders said they plan to repeal a tax on large companies such as Amazon and Starbucks as they face mounting pressure from businesses, an about-face just a month …
City & County
JPS: $65 Million Bond 'The Only Option' for District After State Funding Cuts
The Jackson Public School District is moving forward with a $65-million bond referendum on Aug. 7 for Jacksonians to approve or strike down.
Biz Roundup
Mantle. Red Balloon Project Launch Party, Same Kind of Different at Alamo Theatre and Mississippi Barber Academy Grand Opening
Mantle. City Club + Inc.ubator, a co-working space in the Duling Hall building, is hosting a members-only event called "Summer Solstice" at Highland Village on Thursday, June 21, from 7 …
Civil Rights
Medgar Evers
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and other places in the state are honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 55 years after he was assassinated.
National
Trump, Kim Claim Big Summit Success, but Details are Scant
Claiming success at their whirlwind summit, President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Singapore Tuesday, praising their face-to-face progress toward ridding the Korean Peninsula of nuclear …
Development
Mississippi Gets $2.4M in Federal Funds for Airport Upgrades
Mississippi is receiving $2.4 million in federal grant funding to make upgrades to nine small and rural airports around the state.
National
Trump's Vow to End Military Drills with Seoul Stuns a Region
President Donald Trump rocked the region with the stunning announcement Tuesday that he was halting annual U.S.-South Korean military drills—and wants to remove the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the …
Monday, June 11
City & County
JATRAN Getting New Small Buses and Vans, But Problems Linger
Officials in the City of Jackson are taking steps to revive a crumbling bus system with a series of new purchases and a multi-million-dollar grant application.
Development
Long-awaited 'One Lake' Proposal Should Go Public This Month
The draft proposal of the "One Lake" plan to dredge out parts of the Pearl River adjacent to the Jackson-metro area should go public this month.
Music
Panorama Jazz Band
As a child, Ben Schenck stood outside his home in Annapolis, Md., as a parade came down the block, a drum line and bugle corps leading the charge. Even then, …
National
Maryland Judge to Hear Foreign Payments Case Against Trump
A Maryland federal judge will hear arguments in a case accusing President Donald Trump of violating the Constitution by accepting payments from foreign and state governments.
National
Supreme Court Allows Ohio Voter Purge
The Supreme Court is allowing Ohio to clean up its voting rolls by targeting people who haven't cast ballots in a while.
Politics
No Debate in GOP Congressional Primary Runoff in Mississippi
Mississippi voters will not see a debate between two candidates before the Republican primary runoff in a congressional race.
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.
Friday, June 8
City & County
UPDATE: JFP Wins 'Best in Division,' 6 'Green Eyeshade' Awards, Most in State
The Jackson Free Press won "Best in Division" and five other "Green Eyeshade" Awards from the southeastern division of the Society of Professional Journalists, including a public-service award, for 2017 …
City & County
OPINION: Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba Is a Man
In the current political climate, where the American president and Mississippi governor are people who lie to cover their evil plans, it is rare when an elected official does the …
Politics
Sherman Picks Up Endorsement in Mississippi Dem Senate Race
A Mississippi lawmaker who placed third in a U.S. Senate primary is endorsing one of the remaining candidates.
National
New Charges Filed Against Manafort in Russia Probe
Special counsel Robert Mueller has brought additional charges against President Donald Trump's campaign chairman and a longtime associate, accusing them of obstructing justice.
Education
Third Graders Improve Pass Rate on Reading Test Statewide
Third graders around the state improved their scores on the reading assessments required for promotion to the fourth grade this year. Statewide, 93.2 percent of third graders passed the test, …
Education
New Athletic Director and "Flying Classroom" at JSU, MSU Professor Wins Civil War Book Award
Jackson State University President William Bynum Jr. named Ashley Robinson as the school's new vice president and director of athletics during a press conference on Tuesday, June 5. Robinson will …
National
Dem Lawmakers Seek Criminal Corruption Probe of EPA's Pruitt
House Democrats on Friday formally requested that the Justice Department investigate Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt for potential criminal conduct.
National
Trump Says 'Let Russia Back In' as He Heads for G-7 Summit
President Donald Trump charged into a summit of major industrialized nations on Friday for contentious trade talks, injecting fresh drama even before he arrived by calling for Russia, ousted from …
Health Care
Justice Department Says Heart of Health Law Unconstitutional
The Trump administration said in a court filing late Thursday that it will no longer defend key parts of the Affordable Care Act, including the requirement that people have health …
Politics
Mississippi High Court: Judges Can't Regulate Concealed Guns
A majority of Mississippi Supreme Court justices ruled Thursday that some local judges were wrong to ban people with enhanced concealed-carry licenses from taking guns into courthouses.
Thursday, June 7
Courts
UPDATED: Inside the ‘Brexit Boys’ Data Project at Ole Miss
After months of negotiations and coordination facilitated in part by Gov. Phil Bryant to bring two British companies stateside, a public United Kingdom office that reports to Parliament is investigating …
Business
'Stranded' Water Bills Out to 15% of City Backlog, 17,000 More to Go
For the last month and a half, City of Jackson officials have been trying to fix the Siemens, Inc. billing system that left 20,000 customers "stranded" in the system, many …
Person of the Day
Elijah MacNamee
With two outs, MSU outfielder Elijah MacNamee stepped to the plate and blasted a no-doubt walk-off home run to give his team a 3-2 win. The victory eliminated FSU from …
National
Trump Greets Japan's Abe for Talks Ahead of Kim Summit
President Donald Trump is welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the White House for consultations before the U.S. leader meets with North Korea's Kim Jong Un next week in …
National
Giuliani: Porn Star Has 'No Reputation,' Affair Not Credible
President Donald Trump's attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said Stormy Daniels' claim she had sex with Trump in 2006 isn't credible because she's a porn actress with "no reputation."
State
Tupelo High School Gym Will Double as Tornado Shelter
A high school basketball gym that's being built in Mississippi will do double duty as a tornado shelter.
Immigration
House GOP in Eleventh-Hour Attempt for Immigration Accord
Divided on immigration, House Republicans are huddling privately as leaders try pushing them toward consensus on the issue, racing the clock and trying to defuse a civil war within the …
National
Commerce Secretary: US Reaches Deal with China's ZTE
The United States and China have reached a deal that allows the Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business in exchange for paying an additional $1 billion in …
Wednesday, June 6
Politics
At the Watch Parties: Guest Praises God; 'Underdog' Hughes Vows to Fight
Supporters wearing red, white and blue "Michael Guest for Congress" shirts filled Mudbugs in Brandon Tuesday night as supporters gathered for primary election results.
Politics
Mississippi High Court Mulls Case Over Power to Cut Budgets
The Mississippi Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that questions the governor's power to make midyear state budget cuts.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson: Health Care
The Jackson Free Press recently put out a pop-up ballot to let Jacksonians vote for the doctors, dentists, surgeons and more that help them stay healthy. Here are the results.
Cover
Get Fancy with Easy-to-Grow Edible Flowers
I used to think that edible flowers belonged solely in the realm of fancy restaurants. Yet once I started gardening, harvesting and eating flowers seemed unavoidable—there were just so many …
Cover
Tara Blumenthal: All About Yoga
Tara Blumenthal, who owns Tara Yoga, has been a yoga teacher for 15 years, so she has seen how it has grown and changed.
Editorial
EDITORIAL: Low Primary Turnout Should Force Voter Engagement
The sickest part of our elections is that people who run campaigns don't think voters here are very smart or that they have evolved at all as an electorate in …
City & County
OPINION: Finding the Good in Jackson, Miss.
Someone asked me recently what I think about the state of Jackson. After my immediate chuckle, I responded: "It's home. It's my hometown, where I have become who I am, …
Editor's Note
EDITOR'S NOTE: Move ... Because Your Life Depends On It
Running is an intense exercise, so while it may be amazing for some people, it may be tough for others. But find a thing you can do, and do it.
Jacksonian
Hope Crenshaw
Hope Crenshaw, 35, wants to better educate youth about sexual and reproductive health in her role as the new executive director of Teen Health Mississippi, based in Jackson.
Politics
Turmoil in Pelahatchie: Mayor, Board Don’t Agree
A former Pelahatchie city clerk choked back tears in the backroom of Penn's Fish House in Brandon, as she described the events that caused her to walk out of the …
Politics
Governor Vows to Fight Foster Care Takeover
Gov. Phil Bryant seemed prepared to fight to keep control over Mississippi's foster-care system last week after attorneys representing the children asked U.S. District Judge Tom Lee to hold the …
Crime
Corrections Fulfills Post-Epps Directive
It has been almost four years since the Mississippi Department of Corrections was turned upside down after a federal grand jury indicted former Commissioner Christopher Epps on several counts of …
Tuesday, June 5
Politics
In MS03, Guest and Hughes to Runoff, Dem's Michael 'Ted' Evans Wins Primary
Michael Guest and Whit Hughes led the vote-getters Tuesday in the Republican contest in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. Michael "Ted" Evans won the Democratic nomination.
Politics
Wicker Wins GOP Primary, Baria and Sherman Headed to Dem Runoff
Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi easily won a Republican primary Tuesday, months after being endorsed by President Donald Trump and the same day Trump tweeted that the legislator "has my …
City & County
Grand Jurors Decline to Indict Officers in Shooting Deaths
Grand jurors in Mississippi's most populous county have declined to indict four officers involved in recent shooting deaths.
National
'We Begin Our Fight Now': Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty
The battle lines in Harvey Weinstein's criminal case grew sharper on Tuesday as the movie mogul pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York and …
Health Care
Trustees Report Warns Medicare Finances Worsening
Medicare will run out of money sooner than expected, and Social Security's financial problems can't be ignored either, the government said Tuesday in a sobering checkup on programs vital to …
City & County
Voter Turnout Low in Jackson at Mid-day; Polls Open Until 7 p.m.
Turnout in the primary election is low, poll workers say. At the People's Funeral Home, in District 2, they had 10 ballots cast as 12:30 p.m., all for Democrats.
Politics
Vote Until 7 p.m. in Mississippi Primaries, Plus Candidate Questionnaires
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, June 5, for Mississippians to cast their vote in the primary election to fill the state's congressional seats.
Biz Roundup
Mississippi Craft Beer Festival, "Save Our Summer," Positive Steps Fertility Clinic and Braves Business After Hours
The Fondren Renaissance Foundation is joining with Capital City Beverage Company and Southern Beverage Company to host the fourth annual Mississippi Craft Beer Festival on Friday, June 15, at Duling …
Person of the Day
Kimberly Morgan Myles: Caught in the 'Sister Act'
New Stage Theatre will continue performances of "Sister Act" June 1-2, and June 5-9 and 12-16 at 7:30 p.m., and on June 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.
National
Conservative Icon David Koch Leaving Business, Politics
Billionaire conservative icon David Koch is stepping down from the Koch brothers' network of business and political activities.
National
Manafort Accused of Several Tries to Tamper With Witnesses
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort made several attempts to tamper with witnesses in his ongoing criminal case, prosecutors said as they asked a federal judge to consider jailing him …
Monday, June 4
City & County
JPS Board Announces Three Superintendent Finalists
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees announced three finalists vying to lead the second-largest district in the state on Monday afternoon.
Politics
Special Session to Fund Roads, Bridges May Depend on U.S. Supreme Court
Gov. Phil Bryant alluded to the possibility of a special session for infrastructure funding, if the U.S. Supreme Court allows states to start collecting use tax from online retailers.
City & County
City, JPS Benefitting from Sale of 228 Forfeited Properties
Almost $200,000 is going back to Hinds County governmental organizations from the sale of 228 tax-forfeited properties. Nearly two-thirds of the money is going to the City of Jackson and …
National
Report: 110 Confederate Monuments Removed in US Since 2015
It took generations to erect all the nation's Confederate monuments, and a new report shows they're being removed at a pace of about three each month.
Person of the Day
Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Museum Honors Howlin' Wolf, Local Artists
Blues legend Howlin' Wolf is among the latest additions to the hall of fame at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, along with country singer Charley Pride, folk rock singer …
Civil Rights
Justices Side With Colorado Baker on Same-Sex Wedding Cake
The Supreme Court ruled narrowly Monday for a Colorado baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. But the court is not deciding the big issue in …
National
Trump Says He Has 'Absolute Right' to Pardon Himself
President Donald Trump asserted his presidential power and escalated his efforts to discredit the special counsel Russia probe Monday, declaring he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself and attacking …
Friday, June 1
City & County
Jackson Schools Free Summer Lunch Program Begins Next Week
Kids and teens who are 18 years old or younger can participate in Jackson Public Schools' summer feeding program, which begins on Monday, June 4.
Crime
Feds' 'Operation High Life' Drug Raid Arrests Can Draw Life in Prison
At least six people in Mississippi and Texas could face life in prison after a group of federal, state and local law enforcement seized more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, …
Music
Jacksonian Carvena Jones Fights for 'The Four'
The reality-TV singing competition has long been an entertainment staple, but not every entry in the genre has stood above the crowd. In January of this year, FOX launched its …
Education
USM ToTAL Program, Tougaloo Science Foundation Grants and JSU/NASA Partnership
The National Science Foundation recently donated a total of about $700,000 to Tougaloo College professors Bidisha Sengupta and George Armstrong.
National
APNewsBreak: Pentagon to Take Over Security Clearance Checks
The Defense Department is poised to take over background investigations for the federal government, using increased automation and high-tech analysis to tighten controls and tackle an enormous backlog of workers …
