Jackson Free Press

Of Charles Barbour, TEDx Jackson and Decent Role Models

Simple facts about what built today's inequality are not discussed by people like Charles Barbour. They still use the same old-school scare tactics that should offend white voters because they …

Analysis: 2015 Republican Primary May Grow Again

The recent Republican U.S. Senate race won by Thad Cochran may be a sign that Republican dominance in general elections will finally translate into GOP primaries that are larger statewide …

10 Local Stories of the Week

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.

Democrat Baria Wants Legislative MDOC Hearings

A Democratic lawmaker wants the Legislature to look deeper into the allegations of corruption that have ensnared longtime Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps.

Ex-Gov.: 'Tar Babies' Quip Not Meant to Offend

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour acknowledges he used the term "tar babies" to describe President Barack Obama's policies, but says "neither the context nor the connotation was intended to offend."

‘This Is All A Big Game’

What a gathering it was two years ago when Terry McAuliffe got together with his buddies Bill Clinton and Haley Barbour in Horn Lake to celebrate the plant opening of …

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Literary'

If anyone is aware of the multiple, offensive meanings of the term tar-baby, it's the former governor and Yazoo City native with a history of landing in hot water over …

MDOC Scandal Highlights Privatization Problems

With the nation's largest private prison operators earning more than $3 billion in revenue, private-prison and government watchdogs say the opportunity for the brand of corruption alleged against Epps and …

Charles Barbour: On Kooks, Black Families and His Wife

Charles Barbour, 52, studied criminal justice at the University of Mississippi. As a city councilman, he would like to see the Jackson Police Department adequately funded but given financial oversight.

• 4 comments

KiOR Files for Bankruptcy, but Not Miss. Unit

Biofuel maker KiOR Inc. has filed for bankruptcy, although its Mississippi subsidiary has not, preserving the chance that its Columbus plant could be sold quickly.

• 1 comment

Epps, McCrory Indictment Outlines MDOC Bribery Scheme

Christopher Epps, the long-tenured commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and former Rankin County School Board President Cecil McCrory will be arraigned later today on a 49-count indictment in …

• 3 comments

Indictment: Rankin County Businessman Bribed MDOC's Epps for Prison Contracts

Christopher Epps, the long-tenured commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and former Rankin County School Board President Cecil McCrory will be arraigned this later today on a 49-count indictment …

Epps Resigns as Miss. Corrections Commissioner

The Department of Corrections said state Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps has resigned without giving a reason.

How Obamacare Went South In Mississippi

In a state stricken by diabetes, heart disease, obesity and the highest infant mortality rate in the nation, President Barack Obama's landmark health care law has barely registered, leaving the …

• 3 comments

Crime, JPD Big Themes for Ward 1 Hopefuls

Everyone with hopes of securing a spot on Jackson's City Council says the city has a crime problem, but opinions about how to prevent and clean up crime varies among …

Here Come the Judicial Races

As they say, Mississippi likes to elect everyone from dog catcher to governor. That includes judges, who must run every four years. Here's a look at the judicial candidates who …

Men of Character

Jed Oppenheim worked for the Southern Poverty Law Center for five years, and co-organized activities for the Freedom Summer Youth Congress this past summer.

MAEP Opponents Complain About Program They Helped Implement

Many people who don't support the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which aims to support schools across the state with necessary resources, believe the formula is faulty. But few go beyond …

• 3 comments

Pro-Cochran PAC Sheds Light on GOP Primary

Recent federal-campaign finance reports shed new light into spending that took place in the final days of the grueling Republican primary in June.

• 1 comment

Once Again, It's On

The Jackson City Council set Dec. 2 as the special election for the seat recently vacated by Quentin Whitwell. The runoff, if needed, will take place two weeks later on …