Open Ward 2 Race Brings Competing SolutionsIn the wake of Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore's decision not to seek re-election, eight candidates are vying to replace him. They offer similar views of the ward's needs but disparate visions of how to address them.
The 2009 JFP Interview with Dorothy BenfordJackson resident Dorothy "Dot" Benford seems to run for office almost every time an election year comes around. She has a small list of unwavering supporters and an ant's determination to topple a rubber-tree plant.
Know Your LimitationsThe elections are well underway, and the plate is piling high with campaign promises, in both the council and mayoral races. There are good, noble, smart campaign priorities out there.
Strong Mayor, Weak Council42 candidates are looking to claim a seat on the Jackson City Council in this year's elections. All have high aspirations, but many don't know what they're getting into.
Grocery GratificationWhen I go to the grocery store, I try to conserve the resources of both the planet and my wallet. Now that several grocery sale ads are delivered to Jackson mailboxes each week, my grocery planning is even easier.
‘Nature's Ritalin'On a recent Friday afternoon at the Poindexter Park After-School Club, a third grader named Andrea fell in love with caterpillars.
Committee to Study Car Tag CostsMississippi's Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant yesterday announced the creation of a special legislative committee to study the cost of car tags in the state. The proposed committee will contain three members from each chamber, and "be responsible for providing reliable …
Gambling Remains a State Growth IndustryDespite tough times in Mississippi, casino gambling revenue saw another increase last month. Players lost $232.9 million in March, according to an Associated Press report published on Forbes.com, up from $216.5 million in February.
Dry Rankin May Vote To Get WetDry sections of Pearl and Flowood may see liquor sales soon, as Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill that precedes putting the issue to county voters.
Survey Puts Crisler, Harvey Johnson in the LeadWashington, D.C. based Democratic political consultants Zata|3 have completed a fourth survey on the Democratic slate of mayoral candidates in Jackson. Brad Chism, president of the company, said in an e-mail that 515 voters responded to a survey conducted last …
Mayoral Candidates Speak with VotersThis Thursday, April 23, the Jackson Free Press is co-sponsoring a mayoral debate at the Jackson Convention Complex beginning at 7 p.m.. Submit your questions and get more information in this story. For tickets, contact [e-mail missing] or the Jackson …
Demand the Facts, Ma'amThe only time Jackson drives me crazy is during local campaign cycles. To be fair, of course, it's not every Jacksonian who goes insane and starts pushing lies and conspiracy theories—it's pretty much the same people every time.
Gannett Profits Down 60 PercentGannett released its first quarter profits this morning, showing earns fell by 60 percent over the same quarter last year, "slightly surpassing diminished expectations" on Wall Street, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Barbour Signs Bill to Fund Cybercrime UnitYesterday, Gov. Haley Barbour signed Senate Bill 2978 into law. Mississippi's Attorney General Jim Hood advocated for the bill, which adds $1 to the fines for some misdemeanors and felonies. That dollar will go to fund Hood's cybercrime unit.
Submit Questions, Get Tickets for April 23 Mayoral Debate Now!The Jackson Free Press is a sponsor of the April 23 debate featuring Democratic candidates for mayor of Jackson at the Jackson Convention Complex. You can watch a feed of the debate here at jacksonfreepress.com, as well as on the …
[Kamikaze] The Dark Side of ElectionsElection years are always bittersweet for me, especially in Jackson. This city is abuzz with frenetic energy—some good, some bad.
Contractor Sues Toyota, BarbourA Jackson-based contractor is suing Gov. Haley Barbour, the Mississippi Development Authority and Toyota for denying it the opportunity to bid on a lucrative contract for the $1.2 billion Toyota Prius plant in Blue Springs.
The 2009 JFP Interview with John Jones: 21st Century ManJohn Jones is probably one of the most scientifically versed candidates to ever run for mayor of Jackson. Jones' resume is longer than some small-town Mississippi phone books, with experience in electronics training to field engineering, and from air-traffic control …
Know Your OptionsAlmost every day, Jackson voters can hear and question the candidates who will be making decisions on their behalf in the upcoming months and years.
Squeezed by Taxes? You're Not AloneChewing some gristle on tax day? Here's a bit of news for you. Mississippi's two Republican senators in Washington, D.C., Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, voted for another tax break for the über-wealthy this month, voting to raise the full …
The 2009 JFP Interview With Faye PetersonFaye Peterson dropped out of the Jackson mayoral race last week, though some joke she more likely dived out the window just to get away from the crowd.
Jackson Crime Stats for April 6-12Major crimes in Jackson decreased again last week, according to Jackson Police Department data released Wednesday. The ComStat report (PDF) for April 6-12 shows a 7.7 percent decrease in major crimes from the previous week, with 13 fewer violent crimes …
City Election Overview: Wards 3 and 4Ward 3 stretches across West Jackson, from north of Chastain Middle School to the Poindexter Park neighborhood in the south. With a longtime incumbent, the Ward 3 race is small; only two candidates are challenging Councilman Kenneth Stokes.
Texting Ban Affects Only TeensA new bill signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour last week mandates that teens under 18 with an intermediate license or learner's permit cannot text friends and family while they are behind the wheel.
Three Lead in Third Mayoral SurveyZata|3 completed a third Democratic mayoral survey last Friday, April 10. In an e-mail, Brad Chism, president of the company, said "not much changed in a week" since the second survey on April 3 that put Jackson City Councilman Marshand …
Former DA: Harvey Johnson Can ‘Stop Stampede'Former Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson confirmed this morning at a press conference that she will drop out of the mayoral race due to family concerns. She endorsed former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., one of the front runners in …
Jackson Crime Stats for March 30 - April 5Major crimes in Jackson decreased for the third week in a row at the beginning of April, according to figures released by the Jackson Police Department yesterday. The ComStat report (PDF) for March 30 through April 5 shows a nearly …
Candidate Knocks Election PollJackson Democratic Mayoral candidate Robert Johnson attacked two recent polls from Washington, D.C.-based polling company Zata|3.
Election Overview: Wards 1 and 5<b><u>Ward 5</u></b> Ward 5, which covers sections of West and South Jackson, has a single-term incumbent and a history of frequent turnover in its City Council representation. At a March 23 forum sponsored by the United Communities for Jackson, four …
42 candidates are looking to claim a seat on the Jackson City Council in this year's elections. All have high aspirations, but many don't know what they're getting into.
Faye Peterson dropped out of the Jackson mayoral race last week, though some joke she more likely dived out the window just to get away from the crowd.