City's Crime Numbers Still Down Despite Shooting
Yesterday, the Jackson Police Department released ComStat crime figures for the week of Sept. 14 through Sept. 20. The report shows that major crime statistics in Jackson dropped again last …
JSU Hazing Suspensions Have Consequences
Yesterday, Jackson State University announced that 45 members of the school's Sonic Boom of the South are suspended due to an alleged hazing incident that resulted in a student's fractured …
Mississippi Casino Revenue Still Declining
For an industry that was once considered recession-proof, Mississippi casinos continue to see their revenues slide. For August, the Mississippi State Tax Commission reports a drop of 9 percent over …
Roger Wicker
Passed by a 68-to-30 Senate vote, an amendment authored by Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, mandates that Amtrak allow passengers to carry handguns in their checked baggage. The amendment is an …
Partnership Brings Free Dental Care to Kids
Approximately 400 students in two of Jackson's elementary schools will be receiving dental screenings today and tomorrow through the Colgate "Bright Smiles/Bright Futures" mobile van. The van, which is in …
Editorial Takes Dim View of Katrina Recovery Fund Diversions
An editorial in yesterday's New York Times looked askance at the way the federal government has allowed Mississippi to divert funds from disaster aid meant to assist moderate and low-income …
Jackson One of 20 Strongest-Performing Markets
A new report issued by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., ranks Jackson as one of the nation's strongest-performing metro areas in the country. The MetroMonitor report tracks the recession …
Jackson Man Arrested at Grow House
Called an "elaborate marijuana growing operation" by authorities, Hinds County sheriff's deputies, Jackson police, and federal and state drug agents arrested Zachary Alexander, 33, on Friday, seizing 86 plants. According …
Shoestring ‘Conversation' Focused on Solutions
Diving into state and city challenges, panelists at last night's annual Operation Shoestring fund-raising dinner brought the issues to light along with potential solutions. The diverse crowd listened attentively to …
Public-Good Rankings Include Mississippi Schools
Washington Monthly magazine has published college rankings based on their contribution to the public good. The listings include several Mississippi universities and colleges, and are based on three broad categories: …
Robert Langford
Jackson's Operation Shoestring on Bailey Avenue represents the opportunity for the city's children and families to break out of cycles of poverty through education. The organization's mission is about empowerment …
Flu Continues to Take a Toll
The Mississippi Department of Health reports that the numbers for the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continue to rise in the state. As of yesterday, the confirmed cases …
Crisis Line Training Available
CONTACT the Crisis Line, a volunteer interfaith telephone ministry in operation since 1971, is starting a training class for new volunteers tomorrow, Sept. 17, from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. The …
Daniel McMullen
Eighteen-year FBI veteran Daniel McMullen is the new special agent in charge (SAC) of the FBI's Jackson Division, moving from his most recent position in Los Angeles where he was …
Gasoline Tax Hike Proposed
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is considering requesting a possible increase of 5-cent per gallon to the state's gasoline tax to bolster the department's budget for new roads and existing …
Most-Endangered Places List Includes Jackson and Raymond Sites
The Mississippi Heritage Trust has unveiled its 2009 list of the 10 most-endangered places. This year's list includes the Hinds County Armory in Jackson and the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal …
Public Meetings This Week
Monday, Sept. 14
4 p.m., Jackson City Council, special meeting in the City Hall council chambers, 219 S. President St.
Barbour Hosts Small Business Forum
Gov. Haley Barbour will host a small business forum at the Jackson Convention Complex tomorrow from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. The topic of the forum will include how health care …
Weekend Happenings
Save Saturday night for the animals at Jackson Zoo's annual Zoo Party. This year's theme is "Malaysian Magic," and proceeds from the event go to the restorations and expansion of …
Senate Youth Program Accepting Applications
[verbatim] The Mississippi Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 48th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Two Mississippi high school student government leaders will each receive a …
Marcy Nessel
Fischer Galleries on North State Street in Fondren has a steady, knowledgeable hand at the helm in art enthusiast Marcy Fischer Nessel. The gallery opened last November, after Nessel's former …
Chaney Denies Rate Increase
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has temporarily denied a 45 percent rate increase for homeowners on the Gulf Coast, saying that he needs additional information. State Farm Fire and Casualty …
A Very Good Policy
When Susan Marquez bought health insurance for her daughter, Nicole, she was thinking about covering Nicole's annual gynecological exams and making sure she could get a flu shot.
Jarvis Dortch
Since 2006, Jarvis Dortch has worked as a communications coordinator for the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, which aims to improve health care for all Mississippians, "especially those whose health is …
Relevancy of Roots
Modern roots music has hit a creative low in recent years. Artists have shown decreasing concern for progressing the genre, focusing instead on "authenticity." The Felice Brothers are a challenge …
PSC Revokes TelCom Certificates
The Mississippi Public Service Commission announced yesterday that it has revoked the certificates of 53 telecommunications companies to do business in the state. The companies have failed to provide the …
Dr. Aaron Shirley
Dr. Aaron Shirley is challenging those opposed to a government-run public health plan to put their convictions where their mouths are. Shirley says that if they believe what they're saying, …
Free Paternity Tests Offered
In an effort to increase child support collections, the Mississippi Department of Human Services is offering free paternity tests this month. DNA testing to prove whether a man is a …
Weekend Happenings
Tonight starts the long weekend Labor Day weekend for most of us, with Monday an official federal holiday. Get the weekend off to a rockin' or rappin' start by heading …
Health Fair Today
A health fair to fight obesity is happening today from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall. Sponsored by Community Outreach for Health Awareness, participants will have …
Red Cross Wants You to Be Prepared
When an emergency strikes, will you and your family be prepared for it? September is national Preparedness Month, and the Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross wants to …
Health-Care Events in Jackson
Two health-care reform events will take place in Jackson tonight and tomorrow representing the opposing viewpoints of the reform debate.
Ted Duckworth
Ted Duckworth, owner of Duckworth Realty in Jackson, has been the driving force behind millions of dollars worth of development in the city. Graduating from Mississippi State University in 1988 …
Health Department Urges Measures to Curb Flu's Spread
With the second death in Mississippi from the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, the state Department of Health is urging parents to teach children the basics of good …
Jackson Public Meetings and Community Events
Tuesday, Sept. 1
4:30 p.m., U.S. Small Business Administration clinic to discuss SBA's guaranty loan program, Regions Plaza, 210 E. Capitol St., 601-965-4378 ext. 11.
PBS Cancels Childrens' Shows
The Public Broadcasting System, PBS, announced Friday that they will stop distribution on two long-running childrens' television programs: "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Reading Rainbow." The programs began airing in 1968 …
All Shook Up: Jam-Packed Weekend Ahead
End August by doing something good for Mississippi's youth. Tonight, attend the "Rise Above for Youth" benefit dinner and silent auction at the Safe Harbor Family Church, starting at 5 …
Katrina: Four Years and Billions Later, Work Remains
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina roared inland from the Gulf of Mexico, virtually flattening the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In New Orleans, the storm proved what experts already knew: The …
Ole Miss Tweets for Energy Savings
The University of MississippiOle Misshas teamed with Jackson company SmartSynch as part of its "Red, Blue and Green" initiative, moving the university toward energy sustainability, which includes water and energy …
BOOM Jackson Hot Off the Presses
The Jackson Free Press is proud to announce the second annual edition of BOOM Jackson magazine. Billed as a "love-letter to Jackson," the publication is a full-color, high-quality, 84-page publication …
State Unemployment Tops 10 Percent
More than one out of every 10 Mississippians was officially unemployed in July138,100 individualsaccording to new data released by the state Department of Employment Security, with the state's unadjusted rate …
Sen. Kennedy Dead at 77
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77, died early today of a brain tumor. Kennedy served in the U.S. Senate since 1962, when he took the seat held by his brother, John …
Political Parties Neck-and-Neck in Mississippi
Mississippi is the second-most conservative state in the union, according to a poll released last week. The Republican Party, however, holds only a one-percentage point lead over Democrats in the …
Extreme Makeover Coming to Jackson
Producers of the ABC television show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," are seeking deserving Jackson families to feature on the show. To be eligible, a family must own their single family …
Town Hall Meeting in Jackson Tonight
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi's Democratic congressman from the state's Second Congressional District, will host a town-hall meeting in Jackson tonight. The meeting, providing an opportunity for constituents to get their …
Ready for the Weekend Jackson?
If you can't find entertainment in Jackson this weekend, you're just not looking. Start the weekend right by heading to the Underground 119 grand opening, starting with a happy hour …
Ben Payton
Ben Wiley Payton, 62, grew up with the Mississippi blues. The Coila, Miss. native listened to his grandmother, Mabel Johnson, playing gospel music on piano, and his uncle, Joe Birch, …
Film Company Casting in Mississippi
If you've had dreams of gracing the silver screen, Cypress Moon Productions may be able to grant your wish. Today and tomorrow, the Alabama-based film company is holding casting calls …
Jonathan Sims
Industrial technology may not be a subject you immediately connect with an artist, but for 29-year-old Jonathan Sims, metalworking is an essential part of his craft. Sims, artist in residence …
