All results / Stories

Tease photo

The Cost of ‘Tough on Crime'

Jackson resident Almona Fleming is a placid woman, prone to introspective stares and thoughtful contemplation during interviews. Her calm demeanor says nothing about the writhing coil of hunger that for years twisted inside her, eating at both her stomach and her family life.

BREAKING: Melton, Bodyguards Back in Upper Level

Club-goers are reporting that Mayor Frank Melton, and an entourage including bodyguards, Dets. Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, arrived at the Upper Level nightclub in Jackson close to 2 a.m. today—Sunday, Feb. 11. The mayor arrived in a black Chrysler, witnesses say, along with several JPD police cars. There are reports that Chief Shirlene Anderson was among the entourage, but her presence could not be confirmed Sunday.

Rebel Belles: The Dixie Chicks Reload

Anyone who can't admit that it took courage for Natalie Maines to say she was ashamed George W. Bush came from Texas, and for her band mates Martie Maguire and Emily Robison to back her up, should have to answer this question: Has your life ever been threatened for expressing a political opinion?

The Myth Of Separation

Photos by Ronni Mott

Young Abraham left his father Azar's house after losing all hope of teaching him about God.

Tease photo

UPDATED: Council Denies Emmerich Airport Board Slot

The push by Mayor Frank Melton and three members of the Jackson City Council to place Northside Sun owner and publisher Wyatt Emmerich on the board of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority appears over, after the council denied Emmerich's confirmation Monday in a split 3-3 vote, with Councilman Kenneth Stokes not present to break the tie. In the final vote, Jeff Weill, Frank Blunston and Charles Tillman voted in favor, and President Leslie McLemore, Marshand Crisler and Margaret Barrett-Simon opposed the appointment.

Alert: Lawsuit Abuse! Lawsuit Abuse!

I hear stories like this one and I get furious at the people who refuse to understand that the most important use of lawsuits is to financially deter crap like this from happening:

AP: Census Shows Many Couldn't Afford to Evacuate

An Associated Press analysis of Census data shows that the residents in the

Here's one for the dumbasses who tried to blame the victims, saying they just should have evacuated like the other folks did. The Associated Press is reporting that an analysis of Census data show that, surprise!, many of the victims were simply too poor to evacuate. It seems—alert the media—that not everyone can afford a car, or even the fuel to run one.

Barbour Signs Ten Commandments Bill

[verbatim statement] April 21, 2005—Governor Haley Barbour yesterday signed Senate Bill 2486, that authorizes the display of "In God We Trust," the Ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes at public buildings and property in Mississippi. "When I went to Yazoo High, we started each day with prayer and a Ten Commandments monument stood right outside the front door, on the grounds of our school," said Governor Barbour. "Those were good things back then, and they would be good things today."

Kim Wade

Kim Wade, a boisterous conservative, reclines in the cramped studio of WJNT. The witty and outspoken Wade is probably best known in the Jackson area for his weekday talk show, "WJNT in the Afternoon," broadcast from 5-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, on WJNT1180 AM.

Matador Records News

Brightblack. Matador Records is pleased to herald the signing of one of America's most unique new bands, Northern California (via Alabama)'s Brightblack, the duo of Nabob (aka Nathan Shineywater) and Rachel Hughes (Rabob).

Melton ‘Circus' Turns Violent

rc="http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/images/site_images/v4issue50/talk_meltonp6.jpg" align=right>

Guests of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton allegedly beat and kicked a handcuffed man outside the Upper Level Bar and Grill early Sunday morning. The victim, Tonari Moore, is the son of club owner Sandra Moore Johnson who, last month, filed for a restraining order against Melton for his "police state tactics" against her and her business.

Spies In The Sky

Jackson and the metro area have a new set of eyes in the sky, thanks to local helicopter pilot Coyt Bailey, SafeCity Watch, philanthropist Jim Barksdale and other private donors, who together donated about $700,000 for the purchase of a surveillance helicopter that will cruise the skies over Jackson and Ridgeland.

How To Be Pro-Life

It was peaceful in Fondren this week, the "no public restrooms" signs gone from store windows, locals lunching outside Basil's without worrying about their children's growth being stunted by horrifying political photos.

Melton, Resolve to Be Mayor

The recent dust-up over the Jackson Public School Board is yet another reminder that Mayor Frank Melton remains focused on petty political maneuvering at the expense of a business-like approach to city government. Citizens would like him to get about the business of running the city and stop his game-playing, personal vendettas, and financial servicing of his friends and family. The era of Melton treating this job as if he'd been elected court jester instead of mayor has got to come to an end this year.

Frank's World

We're living through one of the worst D-movies one could imagine. In fact, this flick likely wouldn't get made in the first place because no one would buy it. Roll the videotape.

Tease photo

Ending the Silence

Bringing Rape and Sexual Assault out of Shame's Closet

Anthony Sowell had been out of prison about three years after serving 15 for attempted rape when he ran into Gladys Wade outside a neighborhood store in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 8, 2008. When she said she wouldn't go to his house to drink beer with him, Sowell became emphatic.

Tease photo

The JFP Interview With Rep. Bennie Thompson

Bennie G. Thompson has worked for the government his whole life. Born and raised in the small town of Bolton, located 20 miles west of Jackson, he worked as a high school civics teacher before becoming the first black mayor of his majority-black hometown where he still lives today.

Lewis Runs for Sheriff

p://www.jacksonfreepress.com/images/2007/Lewis_Hickingbottom.JPG" align="right" />

Photo: Jackson Police Commander Tyrone Lewis, left, declaring his entry into the 2007 Hinds County sheriff's race. Melton political operative Bob Hickingbottom is on the right.

Flu Concerns Rising

On Friday, the Mississippi State Department of Health released a statement responding to reports of swine flu in Texas and California.

Anderson Letter Implies Foundation Purge

Jackson Police Chief Shirlene Anderson wants to give the boot to all sitting members of the Jackson Police Foundation, something that foundation members say she does not have the authority to do.