Jackson Free Press

Court Shifts, Graves Makes History

Even as Election Day brought an upset of Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Smith, a U.S. Chamber favorite, the outcome may not have loosened the corporate business lobby's influence …

PSC Creates New Hurdles for Coal-Burning Plant

The Mississippi Public Service Commission met last Friday to consider multiple motions submitted by Mississippi Power, the Sierra Club, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and others regarding Mississippi Power's proposed …

The Incredible, Shrinking SS Check

Mississippi, like many so-called "red" states, gets big returns for its tax dollar. The report "Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures by State," explains that the state gets back $1.84 out …

Peace, Love and Appeasement

After nearly two weeks of tug-of-war between the Mississippi House of Representatives and Gov. Haley Barbour, it seems that both sides have stopped pulling and come to agreement on a …

Public Works, Private Profit

If Mississippi hadn't provided $15 million in bonds and another $20 million in loan guarantees last January to Schulz GMBH to build its pipe factory, some other state would have. …

Water Pressure Restored, Boil Water Through Weekend

City workers have restored water pressure to all parts of the city, Mayor Harvey Johnson said at a press conference this afternoon. Johnson said that crews have successfully bypassed the …

[Stauffer] Movin' On Up

Read about the JFP's exciting moves—from moving into new offices in Fondren to hiring a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter.

In God He Trusts: The JFP Interview With Jim Wallis

Jim Wallis isn't your typical evangelical. Imagine Jimmy Carter, but scratch the accent. Thirty years ago, he founded Sojourners magazine, which covers issues on faith, politics and culture. In his …

Sumdance

Three films, one day. That's Sumdance (especially when waitlists are involved)

What to say about Spooner, except that it's perfect? Spooner is the off-beat romantic comedy Garden State was trying to be (no offense, Zach Braff), and it couldn't be more …

Area's First Batterer's Intervention Program Coming to Jackson

Domestic violence. It's such a bland, vanilla euphemism for some of the most brutal and damaging pain that people inflict on one another. Brutal, of course, because people—mostly women and …

GOP PR Firm, Others Under Scrutiny

Sid Salter has an intriguing bit today on his blog about PR firms under scrutiny by the legislative PEER Committee.

‘No Child Left Behind' Favoring White Kids

OK, this is just what I was talking about at the end of my recent column, "For These Are All Our Children": A new Harvard study is finding that 'No …

Generals Telling Truth About ‘Dash to Baghdad'

As Iraq teeters on a civil war the U.S. cannot control, the New York Times has an in-depth story about what happened with generals who protested the U.S.' initial rush …

Rise of the Third Party?

Here's an interesting Washington Post piece on tech in politics and a little hint as to why the Dean campaign apparatus allows a smaller "third party" organization to organize politically. …

Canoodling by the Icebox

The Bradford pear trees have finally announced the arrival of spring. For my husband, Mason, and me, this means it's time to open up the windows, forgo the soups and …

Thanksgiving Fare

If there are two things I love, they're my momma and her famous nobody-can-do-it-better cornbread dressing. My family can't imagine eating out for Thanksgiving dinner. Whoever is around gets together …

One Enchanted April

Jacksonians who enjoy a good play have a full menu of options during April. There's a musical comedy at Millsaps, children's theater at New Stage and an adult musical comedy …

Hurricane Katrina: Two Years Later

As our state and our Louisiana neighbors face the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with many thousands of people still living in FEMA trailers, and the possibility of another hurricane …

Decoupage Your Pumpkin

Mateo, my son, loves Halloween. He claims it is one of his favorite days of the year, but he says that about his birthday and Christmas, too. I like Halloween, …

Lee Vance

Jackson Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance sits at a small table in his office, hands clasped together, as he precisely chooses the words to describe his Jackson upbringing and adulthood. …