UPDATED: School Choice Bills Die, Sanctuary Cities Bills Still AliveNever mind changing the state's education-funding formula; both the House and Senate education committees have passed several bills that would affect student funding, school-board autonomy and a school's responsibility to fly the state flag.
Ways the State Can ‘Back the Badge’It is clear that lawmakers in both houses of the Mississippi Legislature intend to implement some sort of "Back the Badge" or "Blue Lives Matter" bill this session, but how such a law is written could be up for debate.
Jillian SmartWhen Jillian Smart, owner of Jackson Education Support, was growing up, she says her parents wanted their children to be productive.
UPDATED: In Allen Trial, DA Argues that DJP Funds Are PublicThe trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen began this morning with opening statements and testimony from an attorney who formerly worked with the state auditor's office asserting the money DJP collects from downtown property owners is public money.
Joey SheltonMillsaps College announced last week that Reverend Joey Shelton will join the college's staff as chaplain and director of church relations on July 1.
Arts Commission Facing Drastic Overhaul, With Gov. Bryant's SupportThe Mississippi Legislature could abolish the state's art commission this year, with two bills still alive in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that would roll it under the purview of the Mississippi Development Authority.
10 Local Stories of the WeekThere'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.
McCain to Trump: 'Putin Will Never Be Our Partner'Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on President Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin tomorrow.
Debora WengerNewsPro magazine recently honored Debora Wenger, who is an associate professor at the University of Mississippi's Meek School of Journalism and New Media and head of its journalism department, in its January issue as one of the "10 Journalism Educators …
'Blue, Red and Med Lives Matter' Act Passes Mississippi SenateSen. Sean Tindell, R-Gulfport, brought up legislation to extend Mississippi's hate-crimes law to cover law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who are targeted because of their jobs.
EdBuild Plan A Path to Expanding ‘School Choice’?Mississippi isn't EdBuild's first state rodeo. Back in early 2015, EdBuild met with officials in Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's office, who campaigned for re-election on the idea of re-evaluating school funding in his state.
Mo’ Money for Streets This Year?Jackson legislators are working with city leaders to bridge the gap between needed infrastructure improvements totaling over $1 billion, and the City's tight budget.
William ThomasWilliam Wesley Thomas, 28, is the first nursing student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to be elected the Associated Student Body president since the School of Nursing's establishment in 1948. He will be sworn in as president for …
Peter Zapletal, Jewish Cinema MississippiPeter Zapletal is in his third year of reviewing films for entry into Jewish Cinema Mississippi's annual film festival, but this is his first year to co-chair the event, along with Shira Moskowitz, co-chair of the festival's selection committee.
Hendrix Emphasizes Infrastructure, Legislation for CityIt is time to leverage Jackson's 1-percent sales-tax allocation to draw in funds to address the city's infrastructure, Council President Tyrone Hendrix of Ward 6 said this morning. In fact, it should have occurred years ago, he said.
House Again Tries to Curb Dem Attorney General's PowersThe Mississippi attorney general, who is elected, could be subject to oversight from the governor, lieutenant governor and the secretary of state if Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, gets his way.
Clint MartinArtist Clinard "Clint" Martin unveiled his painting, "Surprise!", which depicts the Tuskegee Airmen—the African American 332nd Fighter Group from World War II—to the Mississippi State Senate on Jan. 5.
Gov. Bryant: 'Blue Lives Matter' and 'Sacred Cows' Need to Go"Blue Lives Matter," Gov. Phil Bryant stated emphatically when he spoke from the Mississippi House of Representatives on Tuesday night, reiterating his legislative priorities in front of the state's elected officials, Supreme Court justices, various agency heads and lawmakers.
Brittany DinkinsEverything has come together this year for University of Southern Mississippi senior guard Brittany Dinkins, who is having her best basketball season at USM in points, rebounds, assists and steals.