Best of Jackson 2014: Go Vote!You may have noticed the Best of Jackson ballot in this issue (page 14) or the alert on the cover—it's that time of year again!
Vote Nov. 5 for McQuirter, BakerIn the contest for Hinds County District 2 supervisor, the Jackson Free Press endorses Darrel McQuirter—and for all the reasons we gave him our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
Strings in Schools is Worth SavingIt has become an all-too familiar tune: In the midst of shrinking budgets, creative services are first on the chopping block. In business organizations, that often means scaling back marketing and advertising budgets. For school districts, it's arts education.
Shutdown: All Part of the PlanThe Republican members of the U.S. Congress, including the Mississippi coalition, are trying to blame the government shutdown on anyone but themselves.
The Power We ConsumePresident Barack Obama's administration recently set tough emission standards for electric utility companies that still rely heavily on burning carbon-heavy fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal.
Cutting SNAP Cuts LifelinesA few days ago, Mississippi's Republican congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of cutting the federal food-stamp program, aka the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to the tune of $40 billion over the next …
Lumumba: Telling Unpopular TruthsOne of the difficulties every politician will face, sooner or later, is the choice between telling the people the truth or couching issues in terms of easy-to-digest pabulum and paternalistic "everything will be OK" talk.
Time to Show UpNext week, the Mississippi Legislature takes up hearings on the fiscal year 2015 budget.
Wagging the Dog on GunsThis week, the Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously overturned Hinds County Judge Winston Kidd's injunction against House Bill 2. That came as no surprise. Despite good intentions, the attempt to stop the legislation seemed more an act of desperation than one …
50 Years Later, the Fight Goes OnOne of the often-forgotten aspects of the 1963 March on Washington is its name. The full, original name of that Aug. 28, 1963, gathering was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Jacksonians Should Explore Jackson, TooJackson is at times a divided city, segregated along hard racial, economic and educational lines. Just consider the conversation that often takes place when the subject of the Jackson Zoo comes up in casual conversation.
Common Core Isn’t a Silver BulletKids haven't met No Child Left Behind standards, so they are now subject to the tougher Common Core State Standards. What could possibly go wrong?
DA Must Examine Lakeover ShootingWithout the baby face, sugary snacks and legal minor status, Quardious Thomas makes for a less sympathetic poster child for gun reform than Florida's Trayvon Martin.
FeedbackLike many in America and around the world, my heart went out to Trayvon Martin's parents in their pursuit of justice in an area of the country where it proved to slip away.
FeedbackRommel Benjamin wrote a great truth-telling column in “Race Still Matters” (Vol. 11, Issue 46).
Showing Up MattersAt last Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council, a measure was brought before the council to pump an additional $151,066 into the Fortification Street renovation project.
Martin, Zimmerman Should Give PauseIn the rush to approve whatever new gun law the NRA happens to be pushing at the time, legislators forget that the laws they create will lead to real-world confrontations, leaving teenaged boys and grown men with guns to figure …
Yarber Made Fine Council PresidentThe Jackson City Council raised eyebrows last week by voting to replace Councilman Tony Yarber, Ward 6, with Councilman Charles Tillman, Ward 5, as council president.
Open-Carry Laws Will Test LumumbaOne of the most interesting things in Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's administration of Jackson will be how he manages the Jackson Police Department.
Transparency for Citizens’ SakeFor the past few days, the Jackson Free Press has been working on a story about Mayor-elect Chokwe Lumumba's transition to officially take the reins at city hall on July 1.
Gunn and Graham: Stop the BullyingIn recent months, as Mississippians have debated the pros and cons of Medicaid expansion, the Jackson Free Press editorial board has repeatedly called on Republican state leaders to permit a full, open debate on the issue on the House and …
You Can’t Have It Both Ways, Gov. BryantGov. Phil Bryant stepped in it Monday. As part of a Washington Post Live event, he was asked how America had ended up so "mediocre" in educational outcomes. He answered: "I think both parents started working. The mom got in …
Time to Get Real About UnityWhat a week. Not only did Chokwe Lumumba come out on top in the Democratic runoff for mayor, but he caused an explosion in racist comments like we haven't seen in these parts in years. Or at least since President …
Expose the Dirty TricksIn the waning hours before the polls closed Tuesday, the Jackson Free Press learned that former Melton political operative Bob Hickingbottom was behind Citizens for a Better Jackson, a PAC formed the day after the primary.
Jackson: Stop the Scorched-Earth PoliticsJackson city elections are not our city at its best. Inevitably, one or more candidates wage scorched-earth campaigns that make our city look like a hellhole.
Doing Our JobIn the middle of crazy campaign coverage over the last week, we saw this quote posted on Facebook: "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations."
Kemper Shareholders Should Share PainMPC's 582-megatwatt Kemper IGCC coal-fired power plant is now more than 80 percent complete. Since January, Southern's stock price has risen steadily from just above $42 in January to around $48.50 this week.
In the contest for Hinds County District 2 supervisor, the Jackson Free Press endorses Darrel McQuirter—and for all the reasons we gave him our endorsement in the Democratic primary.