Jackson Free Press

Chokwe Lumumba, 1947-2014

The mayor's legacy is probably cemented; the vision he laid out for Jackson is in doubt.

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99 Problems

The city of Greenwood and one of its major employers, Viking Range LLC, seem like a lesson in contrasts.

County, SPLC Disagree on Youth Jail Fixes

Hinds County officials and attorneys for children detained at the county's Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center are again at odds over how much improvement has taken place at the youth jail …

A Push to Draft Chokwe Antar Lumumba as Mayor

As Jackson ponders the question of who will step into the mayor's seat after the sudden death of Chokwe Lumumba last week, some are looking at Lumumba's son, Chokwe Antar, …

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Stamps Wants Discernment, Small Pool for Mayor's Race

In a scene reminiscent of the dramatic cable series "The Wire," Ward 4 Councilman De'Keither Stamps invited potential mayoral contenders and city contractors to a City Hall press conference this …

‘Baba’ Chokwe: Lumumba the Mentor

Chokew Lumumba was a living, breathing history lesson, especially for up-and-coming human-rights attorneys interested in understanding the relationship between the fight for civil rights and American-style justice and fighting it …

Off and Running

No matter what anyone says, the campaign to replace the late Mayor Chokwe Lumumba is already in full swing.

Money Ain’t a Thing

After years of underfunding public education in Mississippi, teachers are finally getting some love from the state Legislature.

Anti-Labor Bills an 'Attack on Democracy'?

Yesterday, the Mississippi House of Representatives advanced several bills that would restrict labor unionizing and picketing activities, which Chandler called an "attack on the democracy."

Jackson Housing Chief Open to Selling Midtown Units

Sheila Jackson, executive director of the Jackson Housing Authority, says she is considering making the rental duplexes at its Midtown housing development available for purchase at some point in the …

Hundreds Celebrate Chokwe Lumumba's Life

They came in suits, dresses, dashikis and tunics. They wore an assortment of headwear, everything from riding caps to berets, kufis, hijab and headwraps. They invoked Jesus Christ, Allah and …

Holt Collier

During the Civil War, Holt Collier participated alongside his masters in Company I of the Ninth Texas Cavalry and served as a Confederate spy. During the course of his lifetime, …

As Lumumba Laid to Rest, Election Begins

As expected, the special election to replace Chokwe Lumumba, who died in late February, is now in full swing—just days after the late mayor's funeral.

City Veterans First to Launch Mayor Bids

The first two individuals to formally announce that they will participate in the special election for mayor of Jackson are both veterans of city government—former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and …

Who is Farish Street’s Latest Would-Be Developer?

Leroy C. Smith represents a group of Denver, Colo.-based investors ready to pump $100 million into the Farish Street Entertainment District.

Bills, Bills, Bills: Jackson Residents Confused by New Water Systems

Judging by the number of paint-stained overalls and tired faces in the Smith Robertson Museum auditorium, many people who attended Mayor Tony Yarber's recent town-hall meeting came directly from work …

City May Privatize, Install More Meters

Parking in downtown Jackson is like a perverse kind of casino. Instead of the odds being in favor of the house—in this case, the City—the players are more likely to …

West Rankin Looks For Home Advantage in Sewage Battles

Embroiled in a two-front battle with the City of Jackson over the wastewater-treatment issues, the West Rankin Utility Authority hopes to fight it out on its home turf—in Rankin County.

Malcolm White: City Resort Plan 'Ass Backwards'

Malcolm White, a cofounder and owner of Hal & Mal's, is threatening to move his iconic downtown restaurant and concert venue if it remains excluded from receiving so-called resort status.

Gov. Bryant Taps Justice Chandler to Lead Overhaul of Child Welfare System

The State of Mississippi took the first step toward following a set of recommendations for complying with the long-running court case over the state's foster-care system known as Olivia Y.