Jackson Free Press

Barbour Toots Own Horn, Rags Musgrove

Gov. Haley Barbour released a statement today about, well, himself. Here it is, verbatim: When Haley Barbour became Governor of Mississippi in January 2004, Mississippi was in its worst financial …

Gov to Allow Public Comment on Tax Study – May 19

[Verbatim statement] Mississippi citizens and interest groups will have the opportunity to speak to members of the Governor's Tax Study Commission, Chairman Leland Speed announced today. The opportunity for public …

Greg Davis…Logician for Congress

So look at this, er, classic slippery slope argument by Southaven's mayor:

Check out Davis' attack ad on his opponent, Democrat Travis Childers. These two are vying for the seat in District 1 that Roger Wicker gave up after his appointment to …

Gettin' Pumped?

The $220 million Yazoo Backwater Area Project, which involves installing a huge pumping station to drain 66,945 acres of Delta wetlands, horrifies many environmentalists, who say the 60-year-old endeavor is …

Legislative Update: The End — But Not Really

The legislative session ended with less fighting than expected, though a few battles didn't quite get finished—meaning that Gov. Haley Barbour is likely to call one of his pricey special …

Ridin' the Wave: The JFP Interview with Ronnie Musgrove

Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has his eye on Sen. Trent Lott's old seat. He's running on a "throw the bums out" platform against his opponent, and the Republican Party.

More Pay for JPD Awaits Barbour Approval

Mississippi Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, said legislation he sponsored to pay the Jackson police department $16,000 survived a conference committee and is now waiting for Gov. Haley Barbour's signature. "The …

AP Poll: Obama ‘Best Hope'

A new Associated Press poll finds that, despite petty controversies like the dust-up over his preacher, Barack Obama has become the candidate that most Democrats believe has the best chance …

ABC Disgraces Itself During Debate

The world is talking today about how poorly ABC's George Stephanopolous and Charles Gibson handled themselves during last night's Democratic debate. Over on The Root, Marc Lamont Hill writes:

Karl Rove Called to Testify About Probes, Including Minor and Diaz

The House Judiciary Committee today requested that presidential adviser Karl Rove appear to testify "concerning the troubling issue of the politicization of the Department of Justice during this Administration." It …

The Agony of Appropriations

As the 2008 session of Mississippi Legislature session draws to an end, some bills will likely wither and die.

Gone and Back Again?

Resolution 655 may pave the way for a tobacco tax designed to pay for Medicaid shortfalls.

City In Recovery

A spring storm went overboard last Friday, spawning about five tornados in the Jackson area and leaving a large portion of the city and some adjoining communities without power well …

Barbour Declares State of Emergency, Includes Jackson

2:45 p.m.—(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Mississippi counties following a severe weather system and tornadoes which hit parts of Central Mississippi, …

Legislative Update: Back Door to Abortion Restriction?

The House and Senate spent all of March firing bills at one another, waiting to see what the other side was going to do with them. It's that time of …

Republicans Singing the Blues?

A New York Times Magazine piece chronicles the depression that is setting in for Republicans now that the strategies that gave them temporary power are starting to turn off new …

The Rev. Wright Controversy: More Than Meets the Eye?

"Dear Jodi: Thank you for engaging in one of the biggest misrepresentations of the truth I have ever seen in sixty-five years." This is how Rev. Jeremiah Wright begins a …

Rebirth of a King

What a long, strange, trip it's been. The co-developers of the King Edward Hotel are holding a groundbreaking on March 27, at 11 a.m., after years of the project languishing …

Legislature: Subtle Casualities

Deadlines both made and spayed bills last week. Many bills passed in the two chambers of the Mississippi Legislature, but now face conference committee to bang out their differences.

Medicaid on Hold?

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, said he wants the Mississippi Senate to belly up and help the House fund Medicaid.