Jackson Free Press

Miss. Says 'No Thanks' to Medicaid Expansion Dollars

Mississippi has long been one of the sickest and poorest states in America, with some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and more than 1 in …

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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.

Stop Wasting Our Time

Here we go again.

JFP's Biggest Stories

Over the years, the Jackson Free Press has dug in deep on a number of big stories and topics that produced major results for the city and state.

Family Ties: Earle S. Banks Sr.

Earle S. Banks Sr. counts his two decades of legislative experience as a top qualification to serve on the Mississippi State Supreme Court.

Favorite JFP Moments: Yours and Ours

As the JFP approached its 10th birthday on Sept. 22, 2012, we asked current and former staff and interns, as well as readers, to share their favorite JFP moments.

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10 Local Stories This Week

Things seemed to return to normal after Hurricane Isaac and the three-day Labor Day weekend slowed down the capital city last week.

Barbour Folds After 'Poker' Remark

This week, former governor Haley Barbour touched off more tumult, providing one more distraction for his party, by running his mouth.

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Isaac Unique Test for Utilities

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita—which occurred, respectively, in August and September 2005—cost Entergy $1.5 billion to rebuild electric distribution, transmission and generation, and gas infrastructure.

Entergy: Power Restored to All Homes, Businesses by Late Sunday

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. has successfully completed restoring power to all of its customers whose homes and businesses could safely take electricity after the impact of Hurricane Isaac.

Chef Buys Into Downtown's Promise

For the sixth year in a row, Mississippi has earned the title of the most obese state in the nation, according to The Trust for America's Health's annual study.

Flipping the 'Race Card'

I almost spewed coffee all over my screen. I had just opened a "Haley Barbour" news alert and read that our esteemed former governor had accused Democrats of playing the …

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Robert R. Latham Jr.

Robert R. Latham Jr. is the man in the middle of the storm.

'Parent-Trigger Law' Important

In their push for a more expansive charter-school law in Mississippi, charter proponents have attempted to repeal our existing charter-school law.

The 'Solid South' Growing More Complex As Demographics Change

The "Solid South" was a political fact, benefiting Democrats for generations and then Republicans, with Bible Belt and racial politics ruling the day. But demographic changes and recent election results …

Opponents: Missisippi Officials Wrote Rules Favoring Drilling

Opponents say Mississippi officials stacked the deck in favor of offshore natural gas drilling when they wrote rules to allow it.

Republicans Endorse 3 for Miss. Supreme Court

The Mississippi Republican Party has endorsed Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller, Justice Mike Randolph and Josiah Coleman for seats on the state's highest court.

Report: Mississippi Port Faces Challenges

A report says the Port of Gulfport faces numerous challenges as it tries to capitalize on $570 million in federal money it was given after Hurricane Katrina.

Talking Thalia Mara Upgrades

A program management firm has studied Thalia Mara Hall and is recommending the city make some major upgrades to the theater and hire an events manager.

7 Innings to Extraordinary Kids

Rafe Esquith, who has taught at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School in Los Angeles since 1984, inspires young students—all from a poor, immigrant community—to become extraordinary students and citizens.