Jackson Free Press

New Challenges

Carolyn Meyers doesn't look much like her predecessor at Jackson State University, Ronald Mason, on paper or in person. The tall, arguably aloof Mason was not a researcher by training, …

Nader Wants to Be 'POTUS'; Barbour Sez Dems 'Nervous'

AP reports: "Nader's decision was greeted with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats, longtime friends and former supporters who blame him for Al Gore's loss four years ago. They suggested …

Former Gov. Kirk Fordice Dead at 70

Here is a statement from his family, following by a statement from Gov. Haley Barbour: "It is with a sad heart that our family announces the death of Daniel Kirkwood …

Mississippi Pride Swells at Museum Groundbreaking

The grand opening may be four years away, but Thursday's celebration on North Street inspired enough Mississippi pride to last us until then.

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Analysis: Miss. Party Leaders Strategizing for '15

The chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party says he has one big goal for the 2015 state elections: Regaining control of the Legislature, thereby limiting Republican Philip Gunn to a …

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.

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Go Get It, Saints

Sports have taken a serious turn the past couple of weeks. Games on the field have taken a back seat to the scandal at Penn State. The allegations against former …

URGENT: How to Help Get Education Funded NOW

Please call the House members and encourage them to hold their position in

The conference committee on HB 1646 (MAEP funding) is still negotiating. The House, under the leadership of Rep. Cecil Brown, is holding out for full funding. The Senate, under the …

Sherman Lee Dillon's "Blog" ... of sorts

It's not a really a blog—you can't post comments—but Dillon's gubernatorial race journal is the closest I've seen to a candidate posting a blog, and direct comments to the voters, …

U.S. Appeals Court to Hear Mississippi Voting Rights Case

A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn Mississippi's ban on voting rights for people convicted of some felonies—a case that …

Former Rep. Chip Pickering Joins Lobbying Firm

Former U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Mississippi, has joined the lobbyist firm Capital Resources, after opting not to run for re-election last year. Associated Press is reporting that Pickering's former chief …

Cheap Smokes, Empty Bellies

Legislative failures this year included the death of HB 247, which would have raised the tax on cigarettes and reduced the sales tax on Groceries. That bill died after Barbour …

Farm Bureau Submits Eminent Domain Signatures

Mississippians will likely vote on restricting the use of eminent domain to procure private land only for public economic development projects next November. Supporters of a ballot initiative limiting eminent …

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 …

White House Blocking Hurricane Aid

AP is reporting:

With Gulf Coast governors pressing for action, Senate Finance Committee members complained Wednesday that the Bush administration is blocking a bipartisan $9 billion health care package for hundreds of thousands …

JFP PoliticsBlog Is Back! (Almost)

The JFP is re-launching our popular PoliticsBlog to track information about candidates our readers can vote for this year—from U.S. president to judicial races in Mississippi. Our news interns are …

‘Mississippi Rising' Concert Diversity Challenged

Mississippi Gov: Feds Seek to Dictate Mental Health Policy

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is criticizing the U.S. Justice Department for suing the state over adult mental health services.

‘It's Like A Dream': Scott Sisters Celebrate Freedom

Also see: Let My Daughters Go

Mississippi Defenseless in Federal Suit

Three-year-old Olivia Y. weighed only 22 pounds—less than half what she should have weighed—when the Mississippi courts took her from her abusive mother and turned her over to the foster-care …