JFP, Other Alts Stand with Phoenix New TimesThe Jackson Free Press is proud to stand up today, alongside our sister papers in the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies against the efforts of elected officials in Phoenix, Ariz., to both thwart the public's right to know and to use …
Legislative Black Caucus Foils Plan to Unseat McCoy?Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, told the Jackson Free Press Friday that the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus adopted a position on Thursday against the candidacy of Columbus Rep. Jeffrey Smith's run for Speaker of the House. "We voted unanimously not to …
Mayor Re-instates, Discredits JPD Promotion ExamsJackson Mayor Frank Melton announced today that the police department will again administer police officer promotion exams to officers currently serving in acting sergeant and lieutenant positions because the city has not offered the test in recent years. Melton, however, …
Jim KopernakAs I approach the industrial-looking Old House Depot on Monroe Street, I hear the robust sound of Ella Fitzgerald's voice. Jim Kopernak, 61 (but looking 10 years younger), emerges from a small office and wipes away the sweat just above …
Cops Vow to Air Dirty LaundryThe day after City Council refused to fund the promotions of Mayor Frank Melton's bodyguards, a local police union said today that talks with the mayor about the appointments were not "productive." The officers vowed to tell all about problems …
Melton: Who, Me?The Jackson rumor mill is on overdrive today about federal indictments of Mayor Frank Melton coming down in the wake of an FBI investigation that pulled several members of his administration before a federal grand jury last week. But the …
Doris Shavers' Family: Melton LiedShalandria Shavers, the 21-year-old daughter of domestic-violence victim Doris Shavers, and James Hopkins, Shavers' brother, served notice today to the city of Jackson and Mayor Frank Melton of a wrongful-death claim against the city, the Jackson Police Department and "John …
Thirteen-story Ridgeland High Rise Passes 4-3The Ridgeland Board of Aldermen voted 4-to-3 in favor of the construction of a 13-story office building. Ridgeland codes currently limit building heights to four stories, so developer Buster Bailey asked the city to authorize a code variance for his …
Dexter MortonAfter 14 years of driving trucks and training other people to drive trucks, Dexter Devon Morton left the road with a 46-inch waistline and weighing 360 pounds. Today, Morton, 38, is the wellness director for the downtown YMCA in Jackson, …
ACLU Worker Arrested For Observing PolicePolice arrested ACLU Field Coordinator Brent Cox for surveying a police interdiction last month, though Cox said he was fulfilling his constitutional duty in observing the activity.
Larry And Dee NixonShortly after relocating to Jackson from South Carolina, Larry and Dee Nixon established the Cure Sickle Cell Foundation to raise awareness of SCD and support families affected by the disease.
Good News for VictimsAnnouncing some good news on the domestic violence front, Attorney General Jim Hood says that the Domestic Violence Division has made significant progress in educating the state's law enforcement, judges and attorneys. In the past year, the division has sponsored …
Hood: State Auditor Disrupted Beef Plant StingAttorney General Jim Hood confirmed Monday that State Auditor Phil Bryant had interrupted investigative efforts to obtain evidence against beef-plant owners. Hood's written statement to the media came after lieutenant governor candidate Jamie Franks, who is running against Bryant, announced …
Burglary, Shots Fired on Melton's StreetThe Clarion-Ledger is reporting that a house was burglarized on Riverwood Drive, Mayor Frank Melton's street in North Jackson. The homeowner fired at them and they ran into the woods. Authorities apprehended two men and are looking for a third. …
AG Warns Citizens About E-mail Threat ScamThe attorney general's cyber-crime unit is investigating the origin of a threatening e-mail that has been circulated around Jackson in the last week. Verbatim statement:
Republican Mayor Lott to Endorse John Eaves Today<i>LUMBERTON — Republican Mayor Aaron Lott of Lumberton will endorse Democrat John Eaves for Governor during a news event at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, September 27, 2007. The event will be held at 304 North Second Street in Lumberton. For …
Sabir Abdul-HaqqWhen Sabir Abdul-Haqq puts his story in digital format, the soundtrack will be hip-hop. Not the stuff that gives the genre a bad name, though. It will probably sound a lot like Jurassic 5. Bright young faces beaming with potential …
Grant Me Justice: Two Women Killed in Two WeeksEnjoying the slight drop in temperature on Monday, Sept. 17, Doris Shavers sat laughing with friends and family in her mother Ethel Sanders' front yard where the family liked to emerge from their nearby houses and fellowship. Their children played …
What Can You Do?When your daughter, best friend or co-worker becomes a victim of abuse, you have the opportunity to make a difference.
Are You An Abuser?Domestic abuse can take many forms, and physical violence is only one of them. If you think you might be an abuser, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Safety PlanA safety plan is intended to aid victims of domestic violence in securing their physical safety and personal well-being. The plan is not a substitute for law enforcement and professional help. If you fear your life is in eminent danger, …
Council Must Address Another $3 Million DeficitThe Jackson City Council dropped the bomb at a special meeting that the city of Jackson is still stuck with a $3 million deficit from the 2006-'07 budget, even after the Council approved the 2008 budget last week. "We need …
BREAKING: Langston Sues Phil BryantJoey Langston, of the Langston Law Firm in Booneville, Miss., along with former partner Tim Balducci, announced in a statement today (PDF, 56 KB) that they have filed an action suit against State Auditor and lieutenant governor candidate Phil Bryant …
All Eyes on Jena, La., TodayThe JFP's Maggie Burks is in Jena, La., today continuing her http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14884_0_67_0_C ]coverage of the Jena 6 case that she started in early August when she went to cover Al Sharpton's visit there.
Terrell LewisTerrell Lewis, 19, is a people person, he says, which is obvious when he takes to the field as Jackson State University's mascot, Wavee Dave. The sophomore mass communication major says that JSU has been "in his blood" from an …
It Won't Happen to MeWhy George Bell III stopped bludgeoning Heather Spencer on that June night is anyone's guess. Perhaps his hammer slipped out of his hand as Spencer's blood made it slick. Perhaps he came to his senses. Perhaps Spencer was able to …