Hailing Biden and Harris Win, Jackson City Council Calls for Unity
With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris projected as the winners of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election, members of the Jackson City Council Tuesday congratulated them and urged for unity as the country moves forward.
Introducing Ward 2 Candidates: Special Election Nov. 17
The special election to fill the Ward 2 Jackson City Council seat of Melvin Priester Jr., who stepped down to focus on his law career, is on Nov. 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Six candidates are vying for the post.
Lumumba Reacts to Ridgeland Video: Dropping Homeless In Jackson Unacceptable
After a video recording, first reported Saturday by WLBT, emerged of a Ridgeland police officer dropping off a homeless person in Jackson over the weekend, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba kicked against the rationale of such practices by surrounding jurisdictions.
City Announces South, West Jackson Development Commission; Council Election Ongoing
To boost the economy of south and west Jackson, the City of Jackson announced the formation of a development commission Thursday.
Sen. Hyde-Smith Defeats Mike Espy Handily: “I Will Be a Senator for All Mississippians”
Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said her reelection indicates that Mississippians approve of her work in the last two years while speaking about her victory over her Democrat opponent, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.
Hinds County Administrator Riley-Collins Resigns, New Emergency Director
Hinds County Administrator Jennifer Riley-Collins and the board of supervisors parted ways Monday when she tendered her resignation after less than a year in the office.
Mayor Lumumba Name-checks City Partners, Mourns Deaths in 'State of the City'
Many foundations have stepped up to help improve the lives of the people of Jackson in the last year, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said at his state of the city address Thursday.
JPS Teachers Get $100,000; 6-Hour Voting Leave for City Staff, New Public Works Director
Jackson Public School District teachers are getting $100,000 in grants in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
2020 Election Issue Preparing for Nov. 3: Voting in Unprecedented Times
Zack Wallace, the Hinds County circuit clerk for the past five years, is seeing a record level of absentee voting this year as the Nov. 3 general election draws near.
Lumumba: Maintain Social Distancing During Halloween; Southwest Flight Details Soon
Families across Jackson should continue to follow pandemic safety strategies as they celebrate Halloween this weekend during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said at a press conference Monday.
Jackson Groups to Raise $1 Million for JPS Virtual Learning, Mental Health Services
Working Together Jackson, a coalition of dozens of local organizations, is raising $1 million in the next month to assist needy families within the Jackson Public School District for virtual learning and mental-health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hinds County Supervisors Say Nov. 3 Election Safe
Members of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors sought to allay the fears of some about voting on Nov. 3 at their meeting Monday.
City Starts Public Engagement to Craft New Comprehensive Plan
The people of Jackson have the opportunity to contribute to a new comprehensive plan for the city, with the public engagement phase lasting for the next three months, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Director of Planning and Development Jordan Hillman said at a press conference Monday.
Power APAC Elementary Dropping Confederate’s Name; Students to Vote for New One
Changing the name of Jackson schools that reference past Confederate soldiers is not about erasing the past but giving the students a way to be proud, Power APAC Elementary School Principal Kescher Love Rankin told the Jackson Free Press Thursday.
City Will Rent Jail Space from Holmes, Yazoo Counties for Misdemeanor Detainees
The City of Jackson will rent 25 jail beds in Yazoo County and another 12 in Holmes County to house people arrested for misdemeanors.
De’Keither Stamps Wins District 66 House Seat in Runoff; Replaces Jarvis Dortch
Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps of Jackson emerged victorious in the special runoff election Tuesday to fill the District 66 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He got 65% of the vote to defeat his opponent, Bob Lee Jr.
200 Jackson Families to Avoid Eviction with Assistance from City, Salvation Army
Low-income families threatened with eviction in Jackson can receive assistance via a $517,706 homelessness-prevention grant offered by Salvation Army in partnership with the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced Monday.
Jackson May See Flash Flooding from Hurricane Delta; Precautions Urged
"Hurricane Delta will be moving through the city of Jackson probably within the next 48 hours," Interim Public Works Director Charles Williams said. "We are expecting high wind, probably somewhere between 40 to 60 miles per hour, also during that time we are expecting probably from two to four inches (rain) that will be falling within the central area of Mississippi, primarily, and it could affect the Jackson area."
Lumumba: City’s Mask Mandate Stands, But State Fair in Jackson Can Ignore Rule
"I want to remind people how this works from a legislative position—the governor sets the floor, but we can move beyond that, we can choose to have restrictions which we feel that is in the best interest of our residents, above that and give a little more restraint than that," the mayor said. "So we have to, at the bare minimum, do what the governor says and that sets the floor, but as we see fit, we move beyond that in the interest of our health and safety at large."
Ward 2 Council Election on Nov. 17; Shakespeare To County Election Commission, Zoo Doing Well
After Melvin V. Priester, Jr resigned as Ward 2 councilman Monday, the City has slated a special election to fill the seat on Nov. 17 with a possible runoff on Dec. 8. Director of Communications Makani Themba said in a statement that interested candidates can pick up qualifying application packets from the Department of Municipal Clerk at 219 S. President Street from Oct. 12 to Oct. 28.
Ending Viral Violence: Strong Arms of Jackson Holds Rally Against Gun Crime
"The lesson is to make a better decision with your life because when you involve yourself in gun violence, either you shoot somebody, you kill somebody, you are also making a major decision with your life, the outcomes of your life as well as you could be taking somebody's life," Strong Arms of Jackson Co-Director Terun Moore said.
Mayor Lumumba Unloads On U.S. Attorney Hurst Over ‘Operation Legend’ Strategy
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba accused United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Michael Hurst Tuesday of politicizing crime problems in the capital city.
Bridging The Unemployment Gap, One Jacksonian At A Time
Jonathan Barnett is the pioneer and the only coordinator to date of Jobs for Jacksonians, the City of Jackson's program to connect the citizens with employment opportunities.
Deploy Dark Fibers To Meet Broadband Need, Policy Makers Say in Zoom Call
Deploying unused fiber optics already in the ground may bridge the digital divide in Mississippi, guests at a virtual town hall organized Thursday by Rep. Debra Gibbs, D-Jackson, said.
Repaving ‘One of the Worst Streets’ in Jackson—Ellis Avenue—with Capitol Street Ahead
The portion of Ellis Avenue that runs from St. Charles Street to Capitol Street is up next for resurfacing as the City of Jackson continues with the 2020 paving season.
Hinds County Buying Temperature Takers, Changes Edwards Precinct, Improves Detention Centers
Deputy sheriffs at the Hinds County facilities' entrance will soon be able to monitor the temperature of those coming in remotely. On Monday, the board of supervisors approved $22,500 to purchase five facial-recognition temperature scanners.
Sewage Fix Finally: The Pittmans Get Relief After Eight Months of Stench
After eight months of living with the smell of sewage in their apartment, a couple living on Sage Street in Jackson finally got relief earlier this month.
Crime Expert Decries City Council's Jail-Renting Initiative
Renting jail spaces to hold people accused of misdemeanors is a waste of money and an ethically wrong approach, Urban Peace Institute Senior Consultant on Conflict and Violence Ron Noblet said in an interview with the Jackson Free Press.
City Earmarks $2.6 million for Belhaven Flooding, Calls on UMMC to Step Up
Flooding woes for the people of the Belhaven community may soon be over. On Tuesday, the Jackson City council approved a $2.6-million contract award to Copeland and Johns Inc. for Belhaven creek drainage improvement with funds from the recently obtained $35 million infrastructure bond.
Policing Mental Illness: The Death of Mario Clark and the Need for Alternatives
One in four killings in police officers' hands involved someone with mental-health issues, the Treatment Advocacy Center, based in Arlington, Va., reports.
Creating Wealth While Black
Shante Crockett, the executive director of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, seeks to transform west Jackson by creating opportunities for wealth creation.
City Bumps Police Pay, Approves $500,000 To Rent Jail Space for Misdemeanors
Recruits to the Jackson Police Department will now earn $30,000, up 15% in the 2020-2021 financial year budget from the previous $26,000. The Jackson City Council approved the budget increase at a special meeting on Sept. 10.
Special Voting Polls at JSU on Standby, More Workers Trained for Election
In Hinds County, voters may have to use Jackson State University locations as emergency polling places for the Nov. 3 general election, the Hinds County Election Commission Chairwoman Toni Johnson said at a press conference Wednesday.
Jackson’s Murder Rate May Break Record, U.S. Attorney Touts ‘Operation Legend’
The spike in homicides in Jackson so far in 2020 is raising concern for leaders and may be on track to break the capital city’s all-time record.
City Overhauls Parking Meters, Funds Homeless Center, Art Groups
Downtown Jackson now has 146 new parking meters to reinvigorate revenue generation, the City of Jackson announced Tuesday.
JPS Mulls Lake Hico’s Future, Proposes Advisory Committee
As Entergy's lease of Lake Hico as a cooling pond for its electricity plant located between Northside Drive and Watkins Drive ends Sept. 30, it presents an excellent opportunity for its beneficial re-purposing, Jackson Public School District Superintendent Errick L. Greene said last weekend.
Hinds County Sheriff Swears in SWAT Team; Violence Expert Urges Caution
Sheriff Lee Vance swore in 33 special weapons and tactics team members today at the grounds of Jackson Police Training Academy. Vance pushed for the expanded SWAT unit to respond to special threat situations.
JSU Professor: Focus Police Reform On ‘Community Policing’—But What Is it?
Transitioning from traditional policing to “community policing” will engender more trust and cooperation between the people and the police, Thomas M. Kersen, Jackson State University associate professor of sociology, told the Jackson Free Press in a phone interview Monday.
Jackson Zoo Opens, Gets Ready for USDA Inspection
The Jackson Zoo has undergone about $300,000 worth of transformations as it seeks a permanent exhibitor's license from the United States Department of Agriculture, Director of Parks and Recreation Ison B. Harris, Jr. said Friday.
Free Dental Clinic Raising Funds to Serve More Uninsured Mississippians
A dental clinic that provides free care to Mississippians across the state is raising money to expand its services. The Jackson Free Clinic, which University of Mississippi Medical Center students run, is using a GoFundMe page to raise $75,000.
Jackson Bans Facial Recognition Tech; New Airport Academy, Sewer Repairs
The Jackson Police Department will not be able to use facial recognition technology to identify people after the city council voted to preemptively ban the practice on Tuesday.
When Schools Close Down in Jackson
Quinyetta Kinner was sad when George Elementary School on Hunter Street in Jackson closed in 2018. She attended the school from pre-kindergarten until the 5th grade and has a lot of fond memories of friendships she formed that have lasted to this day.
JPD Officers Indicted for Murder Present for Earlier Civilian Shootings
A grand jury has indicted Desmond Barney, Anthony Fox and Lincoln Lampley for second-degree murder of George Robinson.
250,000 Free Masks Helped Reduce Hinds County Infections, Emergency Director Says
Maintaining the mask mandate could help keep the COVID-19 infection under control, outgoing Hinds County Emergency Management Director Ricky Moore told the Board of Supervisors at its Aug. 17 meeting.
Jackson Zoo Opens Aug. 21; National Park Service Asks For Andrew Jackson Statue
New information has emerged about plans to reopen the Jackson Zoo after it closed last year. Opening later this month, the zoo will offer weekend visits and limit the number of visitors.
JPD: How the Pandemic Affects Jackson Crime; Addressing the Police Shortage
Incidents of carjacking and violent assault have increased, the Jackson Police Department told the Jackson City Council’s law enforcement ad-hoc committee at its first-ever meeting Thursday.
Census Official: What Jackson Should Do To Improve Self-Response Rate
The 2020 Census has been underway since March, but some parts of Jackson have less than 40% household self-response rate, which is well below the state average of 57.9%.
Hinds County Elections: Safety Measures, Poll Changes and Jobs for 125 Poll Workers for Nov. 3
The recruitment of 125 additional poll workers in Hinds County for the Nov. 3 general election is ongoing. They will help keep the polling precincts safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinds County Election Commission Chairwoman Toni Johnson said at a press conference Wednesday.
Mayor: City-MSDH Data Sharing Will Yield Better COVID-19 Pandemic Response
A COVID-19 data-sharing agreement between the Mississippi State Department of Health and the City of Jackson will give a clearer picture of coronavirus spread for better-targeted responses in the capital city, Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba told the Jackson City Council Tuesday.
Moving Jackson Forward: Opposing Visions of a People’s Assembly
Greg Griffin, a 42-year-old finance worker based in Jackson, was happy to participate in the Real People's Assembly's effort to bring respite to Jesse and Sarah Pittman.