Jackson Free Press

Haley To Divide and Conquer?

Gov. Haley Barbour is proposing a budget with increases in K-12 education, but he refuses to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) formula because he says it will …

Socrates Garrett

Jackson business owner Socrates Garrett encouraged community members to work across political and racial divides during a forum at Koininia Coffee House this morning.

Following the DHS Scanner Money

In order for low-income child-care centers to get reimbursed by the state, parents and guardians must scan his or her finger when picking up or dropping off their child.

Clapping from the Grave

This is a complicated crisis, but what baffles me is that the local corporate media make so little of this. They hardly mention it, and they never suggest that Gov. …

Why He Did it: Barbour Gives Rationale in WaPo

In a Washington Post op-ed published today, Haley Barbour defended clemency pleas he granted in the waning hours of his governorship. He said that the ensuing controversy stemmed from people …

Trump, in UN Debut, Urges the World Body to Reform

President Donald Trump made his debut at the United Nations on Monday, using his first appearance to urge the 193-nation organization to reduce bureaucracy and costs while more clearly defining …

S.C. Primary: Cruz Tells Trump to Sue Him, Rubio Gets Gubernatorial Endorsement

CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — A three-way feud among the GOP's leading White House contenders escalated Wednesday, with Republican Ted Cruz daring Donald Trump to sue him and dismissing Marco Rubio's …

PERS Commission Report Delayed

Public employees and politicians anxious to see recommendations from a commission studying the Public Employees' Retirement System will have to wait a while longer.

Budget Shortfalls Greater than Anticipated

Mississippi Legislators are on their way back to Jackson to begin the extended 2009 session that kicks off tomorrow. Topic No. 1 on the agenda is the state's budget for …

Bryant says Miss. Should Avoid Aid to Startups

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says it's too risky for the state to invest in startup companies like failed solar equipment firm Twin Creeks.

Mississippi Treasurer Intends to Run for Attorney General

Second-term Mississippi Treasurer Lynn Fitch says she intends to run for state attorney general next year.

David Ishee

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is promoting a judge from the state Court of Appeals to the state Supreme Court.

Ann Lamar

Gov. Phil Bryant is naming recently retired Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann Lamar of Senatobia to the College Board.

Barbour's Bad Education Math

If Gov. Haley Barbour gets his way, Mississippi public schools may end up short-changed by $65 million because of a vanishing pot of federal money.

Senate Committee Passes Anti-Immigrant Bill

This afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2179, which is similar to a controversial Arizona law that forces local and state law enforcement to ask for proof of …

House Approves Eminent Domain Limits

The Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday restricting the use of eminent domain. The measure is similar to a voter initiative scheduled for the 2011 ballot and a …

Budget Battle Shows Barbour's Mettle

The state budget negotiations were like a summer blockbuster: expensive, full of strong language, boring and too long. Gov. Haley Barbour played a starring role, and like any diva, he …

Mississippi Energy Policy Institute Formed

Gov. Haley Barbour has announced the formation of a group dedicated to coming up with energy policy for the state. The group, the Mississippi Energy Policy Institute, will be part …

Lawmakers Agree on 68 Cent Cigarette Tax

Mississippi legislators have come to a tentative agreement on a new cigarette tax: 68 cents a pack.

Anti-smoking advocates Communities for a Clean Bill of Health called the compromise "a win for Mississippi" in a statement.

Barbour Announces Alternative Coast Housing

[verbatim statement] Governor Haley Barbour today announced additional information regarding the state's Alternative Housing Pilot Program that was granted more than $280 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management …