Jackson Free Press

Tune Up, Mississippi

For a long time, I've lived uneasily with the disturbing assumption that most of the people I know who love music (and I know a lot of them) either don't …

UPDATED: The Skinny on Mayoral Campaign Finance Reports ... So Far

Democratic mayoral challenger Jonathan Lee has raised $334,560.03 since the start of the new year, according to a campaign finance report filed by his political action committee Friends of Jonathan …

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A Sad Day, Indeed

Truth and Pandering as Mississippi History, Civil Rights Museums Open

When the 90-year-old man slipped into the open seat next to me, the opening ceremony for Mississippi's duo of history museums was about to start.

Where have the Mississippi Democrats gone?

Mississippi leads the list - or is at the bottom - on many national statistics.

Our educational system lends many of our young people to opt out of graduation for a life on the streets or perpetual poverty.

Waiting on Transparency

The past week was a decent week for transparency in Mississippi, at least compared to most weeks in these parts. For one thing, the city of Jackson launched its 311 …

The Redistricting Battle Ahead

Mississippi will likely experience a re-shuffling of state legislative districts, according 2010 U.S. Census data released this month.

Honor the 2010 Chicks We Love at Chick-A-BOOM!

Every year, the Jackson Free Press chooses a delightful slate of Chicks We Love to spotlight, and each year we host the JFP Chick Ball to raise money to fight …

Upcoming Band Promotes Natural Disaster Awareness

The band "Crews South" will be playing at the Voodoo Lounge on July 20th, from 11:15 p.m. till 12:30 a.m. in efforts of raising awareness of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Foundation. Band …

Justices Rule Against McDaniel: Conceal Voters' Birthdates on Poll Books

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Thursday that circuit clerks must redact voters' birthdates before poll books are open for public inspection.

Supes Debate Jails, Two Lakes

On Monday, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors held a contentious special meeting, discussing jail expansion, use of empty space at the Henley-Young Youth Detention Center, and the LeFleur Lakes …

Corn Hath No Fury: The JFP Interview With Billy McCoy

Photos by Mac Gordon

House Speaker Billy McCoy speaks in a halting stutter at times. A stroke shook his frame in 2004. He has recovered to a point, though the scars are still plain. …

Congressman Bennie Thompson Officially Backs Priester for Jackson Mayor

A close listen to Melvin Priester Jr.'s radio ads and policy ideas, which echo U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson's oft-repeated frustrations of Jackson's failure to apply for federal money, was enough …

Lumumba Ally Sweet in Ward 6 Race

In what could shape up to be a continuation of the recent Jackson mayor's race through proxies, a protege of late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba officially launched his candidacy for the …

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Lawayne Orlando Childrey

Award-winning and respected news journalist Lawayne Orlando Childrey is living a dream he's had since childhood. More admirable than his list of awards, however, is his ability to persevere during …

State Reps Back Human Rights Campaign

Project One America, which HRC first announced last month, is the largest coordinated campaign for LGBTQ equality in the South's history, with a three-year budget of $8.5 million and a …

Gun Control Debate Heating Up in Statehouses

As President Barack Obama urges tighter federal gun laws, state legislators around the country have responded to the Connecticut school shooting with a flurry of their own ideas that are …

Legislators Across the Country Wading into Gun Control Debate, NRA Leader Calls for a Cop in Every School

ATLANTA (AP) — As President Barack Obama urges tighter federal gun laws, state legislators around the country have responded to the Connecticut school shooting with a flurry of their own …

War On The Poor

Congress Embraces a New Southern Strategy

It was 7:30 in the morning, and the smallest beneficiaries of the Richard Brandon Head Start Center at 5920 N. State St. followed their young parents into the mass of …

MAEP’s Moral Center: Mississippi’s Education Enigma

The quality of education in Mississippi is falling behind the rest of the nation with only 61 percent of students graduating from high school on time and two-thirds of kindergarteners …