Publisher’s Note: Jackson Free Press to Suspend Printing, Boost Online Presence
We have big news from the world of the Jackson Free Press. Much of it is positive, and some of it is simply inevitable in the face of COVID-19 and how the delta variant has affected us here in Mississippi.
JFP Up to 11 Wins in the 2021 SPJ Diamond Journalism, Green Eyeshade Contests
The Jackson Free Press has won 11 awards to date for 2020 journalism during the pandemic—from two Society of Professional Journalists contests.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: On Hope, Travel and Award-Winning Journalism Teams
"Here on the first anniversary of the old flag coming down, driving Mississippi reminds you of all of the integration work that white Mississippians have yet even to attempt. Taking down the flag and statues is just table stakes."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Jackson’s Water Crisis, What Would Ditto Do?
While Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann often presents himself, rightly, as the Mississippi GOP's adult in the room, his reaction to Jackson's water woes this week leaves a bad taste.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Celebrating the Best, Pandemic Style
We published our first ever Best of Jackson issue in January 2003, right after we'd launched the Jackson Free Press in the fall of 2002. Nearly two decades later, a lot has changed in Jackson.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Big Changes for Jackson Free Press in January 2021
Along with changes on the national level, I've got several changes to report on the local JFP front, effective with this issue.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Gov. Reeves, Denial Ain’t a River in Mississippi
"Gov. Tate Reeves has done precisely the wrong things to quell this virus. He could have led his party and supporters in Mississippi instead of sheepishly kowtowing to the extremists."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: A Mask Mandate is Support for Small Business
We've heard it over and over again. Masks are the best defense against the spread of the virus. They're about helping other people as much as about helping yourself, especially cloth and non-medical masks.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Secret to JFP’s Longevity? You Just Don’t Quit
The truth is, running a media company is always tough when your primary goal is to tell the truth—and not just please or appease the powerful.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Gov. Reeves, Stop the Insanity
Gov. Reeves knew the threat to Mississippi hospitals when he implemented one of the most liberal reopening plans of any U.S. state in late May. As with Florida and Texas, Mississippi has paid for its governor's lack of clarity and decisiveness.
July 25: Mississippi COVID-19 Infections Average 1,322 Per Day
Friday's 1,434 new cases recorded by the Mississippi State Department of Health, or MSDH, brings the seven-day average to 1,322 positive tests per day, up from 918 average daily cases a week ago.
Mississippi's COVID-19 Infections Averaging 918 Cases Per Day
In the past week, Mississippi has gone from a total of 35,419 reported people infected with COVID-19 to Friday's total of 41,846 people testing positive since counting began. That's 6,427 new cases in one week, or an average of 918 cases per day, by far the most reported since the pandemic began.
9,500 New Infections in 14 Days, Governor Orders Tighter Restrictions Including Jackson Metro
With 797 Mississippi residents testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, the state's total stands at 35,419 since testing began. The past two weeks have averaged 680 cases per day, much higher than at any other time during the crisis. The average number of deaths reported per day rose to its highest level yet.
July 4th: COVID-19 Cases Top 30,000, Average at Record 683 Per Day
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi passed 30,000 on Friday, with that day's total at a near-record 990 of reported newly infected Mississippians. Four people died from complications related to the virus yesterday.
COVID-19 Cases Near Record Day at 914, Hospitalized Patients Remains High
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported that 914 new people tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, the second-highest day since MSDH began reporting numbers in April. More than 1,100 Mississippians have died from COVID-19-related illnesses in that same time period.
Mississippi Changing State Flag As Legislature Passes HB 1796 to Replace It
House Bill 1796 has passed both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature and is headed to Gov. Tate Reeves for signature, which he signaled early Saturday will happen.
COVID-19 Cases Average 557 Per Day, Highest So Far
This past week, the average number of daily new cases of COVID-19 rose to 557 in Mississippi.
June 13: Mississippi Averaging 330 COVID-19 Cases Per Day, a New High
Mississippi this past week reached a new high in the COVID-19 pandemic, averaging 330 new people per day identified as infected with the virus.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Safety Net ‘Designed to Fail’ in Good Times Failing Big Now
It's telling that, as part of his executive orders during this crisis, Gov. Tate Reeves suspended several rules regarding application for and receipt of unemployment benefits. Why did they exist?
At 439 Cases, COVID-19 Hits Another High Just Before 'Safe Return' Kicks In
On Friday, testing confirmed that 439 new people have COVID-19 in the state of Mississippi, the highest one-day total since the Mississippi State Department of Health began reporting test results. Those 439 come on the heels of the 418 reported for Thursday, which was the previous high.
With 418 Cases, Mississippi Sees Highest Day of COVID-19 Right Before 'Safe Return'
With Gov. Tate Reeves allowing businesses and most public facilities to fully open on Monday, June 1, with his “Safe Return” order, the Mississippi Department of Health reported its highest one-day tally of people testing positive for COVID-19 today.
May 23: Mississippi Tops 13,000 COVID-19 Cases, Daily Average Climbs
After two near-record days of new reported cases of COVID-19, the total number of cases in Mississippi since the outbreak began has topped 13,000.
May 17: Average COVID-19 Cases Down Overall, But Week Ends With High Numbers
The day after Gov. Tate Reeves announced a path for reopening tattoo parlors, Mississippi hit milestones of more than 11,000 cases of COVID-19 and passed 500 deaths.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: We’re All Living in Tate Reeves’ Pottery Barn Now
As Gov. Tate Reeves learned this past week, the most powerful public office in Mississippi isn't actually that of governor.
May 9: Daily Average of COVID-19 Cases Keeps Climbing As More Businesses Open
The day after Gov. Tate Reeves once again relaxed his "safer-at-home" order, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported 288 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 more deaths they attribute to the virus. The total number of reported cases since March 11 is now 9,378.
May 2: Mississippi Averaging Nearly 250 New COVID-19 Cases Per Day
One week after Governor Tate Reeves signed his "safer at home" order that reopened a number of retail businesses and loosened restrictions on non-essential businesses, Mississippi has a reported 7,441 cases of COVID-19 total since March 11.
April 25: Day After 'Safer at Home' Order, 284 new COVID-19 Cases, 12 Deaths
One day after Gov. Tate Reeves signed his "safer-at-home" executive order designed to reopen some non-essential businesses, the state added another 284 cases of COVID-19 to Mississippi State Department of Health's official tally.
'When Is the $600 Coming?': Mississippi Unemployment Questions Answered
As COVID-19 crashes the Mississippi economy and unemployment skyrockets, a lot of people are scared. We know, because you've been sending the Jackson Free Press questions by email, online chat and social media.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Flatten The Curve, Think Local in Wake of COVID-19
The Jackson Free Press team has done its damnedest to bring you the latest news on COVID-19 as it breaks here in the Jackson and throughout the state, as well as vital safety information.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Mr. Mayor, Don’t Let ‘One Lake’ Be Your ‘Siemens’
"The mayor is clearly trying to express support for the people who are experiencing flooding this week. But this isn't (just) about sturgeon, Mr. Mayor. And I sincerely encourage you not to make the One Lake project your 'Siemens.'"
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Engagement, Solutions, Race Equity and IPAs
"As we go into 2020, I think two things could help downtown Jackson become more vibrant. First, interest and awareness in downtown need to be curated. Second, we as citizens and patrons need to participate in those events and make a point of heading downtown."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Press Still Rolls as the JFP Enters Our 18th Year
This issue we celebrate moving into our 18th year of publishing as a voice for Jacksonians who want to see progress in the capital city and the Magnolia State. It's been quite a ride!
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Billy Graham, Primary Coverage and JFP VIPs
"If a male politician elects to follow the "Billy Graham Rule," it really is incumbent upon him to make the accommodations necessary to meet with women—reporters, constituents, policy advisers and advocates."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Men, It’s Time to Solve Sexism
"It's up to men to solve sexism." We were at breakfast when Donna said that to me. I was immediately struck by the profundity of the statement—in part because it resonates with another one that I've internalized from my years of volunteerism as a racial-healing dialogue participant and facilitator.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: On Podcasting, Events and Crossroads Film Festival
As the weather gets a little more accommodating, I encourage you to take advantage of opportunities not only to have a little fun but to support local artists, local organizations or to lend your support to an important cause.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: On Tourism, the Food Business and ‘Let’s Talk Jackson’
This issue of BOOM Jackson serves two major purposes. One, it's a three-month look ahead at arts and cultural events in the Jackson metro. Two, we do the BOOM edition quarterly, with a focus on local entrepreneurship and economic development—stuff I love!
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Celebrating the Best
Each year, we use Best of Jackson to highlight the best local businesses, people and organizations in the city.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: ‘Tis a Very VIP Season
For the better part of two decades, the JFP has been proud to present the one, authentic, local and first "Best of" competition that seeks to promote the unique people, businesses and organizations that make life in Jackson metro what it is.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: ‘One Lake’ Backers Have a Transparency Problem
Proponents of the "One Lake" project on the Pearl River have a high bar to clear, and I don't think they're doing it yet. Their problem is simple: lack of transparency.
Rainbow Co-op Closing, Owners of Froogel's Buy McDade's and SBA Open House
The Rainbow Co-op Board of Directors, which voted to seek Chapter 11 reorganization protection in March, has now decided to close the grocery, which has been open since 1980.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Times They Are a Changin’ at the JFP
Let's jump right to it—we're announcing exciting changes with this issue. We've been planning for months how we will best serve the reader, how we serve local businesses and help make Jackson the best place we can moving forward.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Complacency vs. The Permission to Care Deeply
One of the biggest letdowns of the modern era—and the money involved in American politics—is the complacency that sets in once someone gets into office.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Solution Isn’t Rocket Science; It’s Community
The more hands-off we are, the more we can find other people to blame for society's ills; the more we make selfishness a virtue, the less we actually act in our self-interest by being engaged civically and using our collective talents, intelligence and hard work to solve problems.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Celebrating Local Urban Warriors for 16 Years Now
In the first-ever full issue of the Jackson Free Press in October 2002, we had a Best of Jackson ballot, with plans to reveal the winners the following January—just as we do to this day, 16 Best of Jackson ballots and celebrations in.
Celebrating 15 Years in the DIY City
The Jackson Free Press is 15 years old. It's still sinking in a little. No, it doesn't seem like "yesterday" to me when we started the JFP—because it's been a long road, and sometimes a tough one.
Editorial Awards Encouraging for Our 15th Anniversary
Real solutions to violent crime start with understanding how we got to where we are—what's systemic about the problem—and what the best practices are for interrupting violence and setting young people on a better path with the full support of responsible and invested adults in their community.
Shop, Eat and Drink Local This Fourth!
We're deep into our 15th year of publishing as July 4th rolls around, which means we at the Jackson Free Press have being doing something else for a decade and a half—encouraging people to shop local first.
Let’s Elect Lumumba on June 6 and Get Organized
I've had a number of great conversations recently with local business people who are curious to see where our city is headed now that the primary is behind us, and it appears that Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who surprised many by winning the primary outright, will be our next mayor.
Doers, Builders, Creators: Let’s Get Organized
I've been saying it for a hot minute about Jackson, and particularly about creatives, professionals and local business interests in Jackson—we need to get organized.
What We’re Looking for in a Mayor
With the mayoral primary just a few weeks away, we've been discussing our JFP endorsement possibilities; we haven't yet chosen a candidate, but we've been talking about the criteria.
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