Jackson Free Press

Actresses to Watch: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

They're the sparks that add glamour, glitz and guts to area theater. They make us laugh, cry, think, ogle and admire every power-packed performance. A bevy of acting talent has …

A Republic Without Citizens

Thomas H. Keane and Lee Hamilton conclude the preface to the 9/11 Commission Report with these words: "All of us have had to pause, reflect, and sometimes change our minds …

‘A Real Buzz': Young People Expected to Vote in Record Numbers

New York Times today: "After dismal turnout by young voters in 2000, surveys this year show that interest in the election among the young is near the highest level it …

[Rev] Lady Driver

Hey! Truckers don't like to be called truckers. I know because I had the pleasure of interviewing Suzie Baxman about her experiences as a driver—a lady driver. She's done long …

Beggars Banquet New Releases

GBV DAY: Log on to www.joingbv.com where Beggars USA are petitioning for GUIDED BY VOICES DAY in every city on their final tour. It's already been declared Guided By Voices …

[Lott] An Equal Education

<b>Web Exclusive</b>

Recently I was pleased to welcome Monticello native and U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige back home to Mississippi. He spoke to 6th and 8th graders in Pascagoula, observing them …

When A Plan Comes Together

"I love it when a plan comes together" was the signature line of George Peppard in his role as Hannibal Smith on the 1980s TV show "The A Team." It's …

[Jacktown] What's New in the Streets, by Alphonso Mayfield

The biggest deal over the last month was Louie from "Louie's Wild Weekend" coming to town to interview cats for a book that he is penning on Southern hip-hop. Interviews …

Crossing the Line?

Madison and Rankin cops are angering both drivers of color and white business owners. Are they going too far?

You See the Blue Lights: What Next?

To some, the question of police harassment is simple: If you're doing something wrong, the police should be able to stop you, no matter what. And if you're not drunk, …

A Winning Debut

The moment Sylvester Croom and Mississippi State fans have been waiting for since Croom was hired last Saturday finally came on Saturday. Croom, the first African-American football coach of an …

The Death of Conservatism (As We Know It)?

Conservative columnist David Brooks rethinks today's Republican Party in the cover story of this week's New York Times Magazine: "Democrats may imagine that the G.O.P. is an amalgam of fat …

Fall Arts Preview, cont.

<b>Literary Treats</b>

If you're the type who thrives on seeing authors in the flesh, and hearing them read, the fall signing and reading season holds promise for you. September's highlights at Lemuria …

London Branch

Photo and story by Lynette Hanson

The day I sat down to talk with London Branch, 67, he was dressed in a kelly green and old gold retro-style knit shirt with a collar, tucked neatly into …

Mayor Harvey Johnson: State of the City

[Newitz] Fear is Good

I decided to watch M. Night Shyamalan's latest highbrow horror-nerd movie, "The Village," for reasons I can't properly explain. I think it had something to do with the vague sense …

JFP Interview: Who Is Ben Allen?

The controversial councilman on being conservative, Mayor Johnson, gun control and meeting Muhammad Ali. The unabridged version.

JFP Interview: Ben Allen, Part II

Unabridged version of Ben Allen interview, continued ....

My biggest issue with Chief Moore is that he keeps talking about crime being a perception—so is leadership. Leadership is a perception!

Rap and Basketball

Have you ever had a really bad idea? I mean, ever had a quick thought and then slapped yourself for thinking it? That's what those evil Midway executives did—only instead …

What Would God Think?

George County Justice Court Judge Connie Wilkerson kicked over a fire ant mound when he wrote in a letter to the George County Times, published March 28, that "in my …