Don’t Prematurely Nix Prison Reform
It really doesn't come as a big surprise that an effort is now under way to scale back last year's package of sweeping criminal-justice reform bills.
Don’t Politicize Special-Needs Education
Recent legislative deliberations, which come in the context of a larger debate over Mississippi's education crisis, have a whiff of election-year pandering in the same way politicians try to churn …
Dads Are Great, But Don’t Ignore Moms
Most problematic—and indeed dangerous—is the underlying implication that the mere presence of adult testosterone is some kind of magic wand that can solve all problems.
Keep Lifting Up the Dialogue in Jackson
In the last week or so, Jackson Free Press editors have been participating in encouraging conversations on social media and the Nextdoor neighborhood sites, and in the office, about preventing …
Lawmakers: Don’t Waste Time on Gay-Marriage Ban
Though it's not clear what the Legislature can do to ensure that same-sex marriage will remain banned in the state, lawmakers will probably try to this session—if for no other …
Resolve to Have Clean 2015 Elections
2014 raised awareness about the way elections have been run in this state since time immemorial and the need for that to change.
City: Don’t Let Uber Run Over Jackson
In a place where the mere presence of a national albeit uninspiring brand like Walmart can be a source of civic pride, it's easy to understand the excitement over the …
Full Funding Would Give All Schools a ‘Choice’
It can be hard to determine the motives of those who push for "school choice." After all, it can be difficult to distill what proponents of school choice, a movement …
Ending Racial Bias: Hard and Necessary Work
White Americans are more punitive than people of color. Whites misjudge how much crime African Americans and Latinos actually commit. Whites who more strongly associate crime with racial minorities are …
Fighting Corruption Requires More, Not Less Oversight
A movement has been afoot for sometime to roll back government regulations and oversight at every level, the argument being that any amount of government mucks up the words for …
Ban-the-Box a Good Step
For decades, employers from fast-food joints to mall boutiques and financial-services firms to news organizations have been asking prospective employees about their criminal histories.
Best of Jackson 2020: All About Local
With the holidays and cooler weather upon us, another season begins—Best of Jackson.
Men: Don’t Wait on Women to Act
Mississippi is only as strong as our women. And right now, by most economic and social indicators, Mississippi is not very strong.
Listen to the Music and Watch Jackson Grow
As you will read throughout this issue, there's great music in the capital city area, and the scene seems to get better with each annual Jackson Free Press Music Issue.
The Jail Needs a Sense of Urgency
Crime is a hard thing to solve. It is the tragic confluence of poverty and generations of miseducation, not to mention institutional racism, patriarchy, childhood abuse and other structural biases. …
Leaders Must Remember City’s Poorest
Based on everything that has been discussed, the people of Jackson may well be staring at yet another increase in the amount they pay for water.
It’s Time to Truly Invest in Transparency
The City of Jackson recently completed a pretty grueling budget planning process, while the state will soon start a round of budget hearings in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session, …
Yarber Needs New Attitude with Council
In the last two mayoral administrations, Jackson City Council members have griped about not receiving adequate or timely information from the administration. We have found merit in those complaints.
MPB: Don’t Treat Us Like Children
Once again, Mississippi Public Broadcasting—which receives public dollars—has initiated a form of censorship to keep certain controversial content away from a Mississippi audience.
Dialogue Around Costco Needs to Improve
The announcement that Costco wants to build in Jackson on Lakeland Drive has created a rift between those who are thrilled that Costco wants to bring 235 decent-paying jobs into …
