Signs of Creative LifeRecently, Todd and I happened to be driving throughout downtown Jackson on a Saturday afternoon. Suddenly, we drove by one of the new art boxes.
The Partisan Blindfold Passing a new tax in this political climate is like jumping into a pit of volcanic lava.
Lose the Health-Care Bickering The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of the Affordable Care Act last Thursday predicated a firestorm of news and opinions.
Eight Years is Enough Change is not a word a lot of people are comfortable with, especially in the South. But if you're frustrated with partisan politics, perhaps you should see fit to just send a message to those in power.
Keep the Faith, Baby "God bless you, listeners! Don't worry about the crap hitting the fan: The Creator has a master plan."
Repeal the RhetoricThe morning that the U.S. Supreme Court did not strike down "Obamacare" as so many believed it would do was yet another of those crazy busy days in the Jackson Free Press offices.
Get Your Brew OnGone are the days when choice in beer meant something "exotic" such as an Amstel Light.
The Good Fight A few months ago, after watching one of the Republican debates, I placed a call to my sweet little momma. She lives in what I call a FOX News bubble: She doesn't have access to the Internet or pay much …
Beer Me, Mississippi"Mississippi has the unhealthiest relationship with alcohol of any state I've encountered—and I lived in Utah for 14 years of my life," says Features Editor Kathleen Mitchell
Religion Without HolesIn the center of a dimly lit room in the National Archives sits a small book that Thomas Jefferson made by meticulously cutting out sentences and gluing them onto pages. It's a Bible, but not the whole Bible. Only certain …
Believe HerWords count. One thing has become clear in reading Managing Editor Ronni Mott's cover story about sexual assault and rape this week.
Slave of Minimum WageCustomers, get ready for a special 4th of July celebration at Jojo's Discount Dollar Store. Jogo wants to call this upcoming event 'What to the Slave of the Minimum Wage is the 4th of July?' Sale.
Fashion Police in PoliticsLets just get to the bottom line. The "saggy pants" debate is perhaps the most ridiculous, over-talked issue of modern times. It's downright stupid. And might I add ... stupid.
Inherit the FlameI haven't written much over the years about the man I like to think of as my "real father." Maybe it's too painful.
Employers Shouldn't Dictate Birth Control ChoicesDr. Beverly McMillan is against birth control. Or at least any kind of hormonal birth control, from the regular pill to the morning-after pill, all of which she considers to be a form of abortion. The head of Pro-Life Mississippi, …
Students Deserve Better Than a Quick FixIn an election year where the question of our nation's fiscal future is front and center, we cannot forget that the educational progress of our nation's children is pivotal for renewing U.S. prosperity.
Fathers and DaughtersFathers will show their daughters how to love and how to be loved in return. They are the first figure of strength daughters will ever know.
Private Prisons Flourish on DesperationIf you drive around Natchez, a sleepy river town of 16,045 people, and talk to folks, everybody has an opinion on whether Adams County Correction Center and its parent company, Corrections Corporation of America, have had a positive impact on …
[Stiggers] Hard Times Made TolerableClubb Chicken Wing's goal during the recession is to create jobs for the unemployed. Our daily 'Hot Wing Happy Hour' provides unemployed Djs, emcees, college graduates, teachers with Ph.D.s and other mid-level workers with part-time income. And we are not …
[Kamikaze] Hold the School Board AccountableI'm a proud product of Jackson Public Schools. I attended Boyd Elementary and Chastain Middle schools up until the 9th grade. I then went to St. Joseph Catholic School because my mother wanted me to attend Murrah High School instead …
[Strachan] In Praise of Public ServantsGlendora businessman Mike Sturdivant passed away at age 84 on May 1, at his home on his Due West Plantation. It brought to mind many things about one of the Magnolia State's best leaders.
Hopes and DreamsLast Friday was the first of the weekly Jackson Free Press summer intern workshops. With more than a dozen people stuffed into our classroom around the long stretch of tables, Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd led a spirited discussion centered around the …
Getting Past the Rhetoric of HateHere in Mississippi, our history is filled with people, events and creations that stir pride in us. Sadly, our history also contains wrongs, violations and prejudices that cast a long, shameful shadow over our state.
Why Write for the JFP?Ugh! He's in my office again, with his holier-than-thou arrogance, his buffed-up hair and skin so alabaster he can't have ever seen the sun! What does he want this time? He's complaining about something. I do that thing where I …
The Pursuit of ExcellenceEvery now and then, I have to lighten up in this space. Rather than taking on the troubles of the world or trying to pull at your heart strings with serious commentary about something amiss in the state of Mississippi, …
Back HomeI am not from Mississippi. That is, I was not born here. My momma and 'dem don't live here.
Wright Appointment Raises ConcernsAt the Jackson Free Press, we believe strongly in second chances. People make mistakes, get caught up with the wrong crowd and follow the wrong people down the wrong rabbit holes.
[Stiggers] Satirist's ManifestoI thought this would be a good time to write another reader's guide to my columns published in the Jackson Free Press. Since my last reader's guide, I continue to premiere new satirical characters that provide their opinions on the …
[Kamikaze] Rich in LifeMy oldest daughter graduated from high school this past Friday. It was a proud moment indeed, as she also finished as her class valedictorian. This fall, she'll be attending Jackson State University on a full academic scholarship.