Bill Clinton smiles and greets locals at Cups in Fondren in Jackson, MS. This photo was taken March 3, 2016.
The City allocated just over $2 million to streets in the recent budget, but sinkholes, utility cuts, cracks, ruts, and potholes come in every shape, size and depth imaginable. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Inside each cell are bunk beds and a single toilet. Windows and weak spots in the walls have been fortified with sheets of steel. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Liquid Light Cafe does vegan raw-food dishes such as a vegan bay “crab” cake. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Linda Knight grew up poor in the Washington Addition and got out as soon as she could, even if it meant a life of prostitution and leaving her son behind and, eventually, crack addiction. Throughout it all, though, she pushed her children to get a good education. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Several members of the “Undivided” crew told their story recently in Sheppards Park in the Washington Addition. From left: Monterius Griffin, Jordan Alexander, Steffon Butler, John Knight, Stephen Butler and Jay McChristian. Credit: Imani Khayyam
JPD Chief Lee Vance said Mississippi law makes it near impossible to reduce gun violence. Credit: Imani Khayyam
After going to prison three times, John Knight attended Jackson State and Virginia College. He now is determined to interrupt the violence in the Washington Addition. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Kvng Zeakyy talks intensely about the struggles of how hard it is to grow up in his community at Sheppard Brothers Park in the Washington Addition on April 8, 2016.
Credit: Imani Khayyam
Dorothy Gault Credit: Imani Khayyam
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carey Wright says the waiver helped school districts avoid sanctions. Credit: Imani Khayyam
This house on Wainwright Street, like more than 3,000 other properties across Jackson, is owned by the State of Mississippi. It was forfeited in 2012 after owners accumulated four years of unpaid property taxes. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Jelin McChristian, 19, is pursuing his GED since leaving Jim Hill High School. He wants to be a therapist when he gets older. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Attorney General Jim Hood (pictured) indicted District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for multiple counts of alleged inappropriate contact with men in jail. Credit: Imani Khayyam
David Raines, the owner of Flora Butcher, poses with his meat cleaver and raw meat that he serves at his shop. This photo was taken at Flora Butcher in Flora, MS on September 14, 2016.
The Flora Butcher has dishes such as Wagyu navel short-rib roast. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Kenna Kast, grandmother of three, wants to send her grandson Jacob to a private school that serves autistic students, but cannot afford it. From left to right: Kiyanna, Kenna (holding) Jacob, and Mikayla Kast.
Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens is running for a second term on the state’s highest court, where he has served for eight years. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Charles McDonald, 17, died from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Performance Oil on McDowell Road after Wayne Mitchell Parish, vice president of the company, allegedly shot the young man in the middle of an auto burglary. His mother, here holding a picture of McDonald, says Parish is under arrest for murder. Credit: Imani Khayyam
The 2017 Legislative session begins at the Mississippi State Capitol on Jan. 3.
(Left to right) Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and House Speaker Philip Gunn announced their intentions to keep state agency budgets slim when they released the Joint Legislative Budget Committee’s proposed fiscal-year 2018 budget on Dec. 8. Credit: Imani Khayyam
First Lady Michelle Obama gave a civil-rights lesson and called for excellence at Jackson State University’s Spring 2016 commencement at Veteran’s Memorial
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump boasted of leading polls in lots of locations when he spoke in Jackson last Wednesday. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Lance Bass helps students plant seedlings in a community garden in Clinton. Credit: Imani Khayyam
After two weeks on the job, Sheriff Victor Mason is still rounding out his command staff and finalizing general orders to his staff that instruct employees how to behave on a number of issues, from workplace harassment to making political statements. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Airport CEO Carl Newman is working toward a hotel and a low-cost carrier, but warns that conflict on the commission could keep developers and airlines away. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Gov. Phil Bryant took the oath of office on Jan. 12 at the Capitol. Credit: Imani Khayyam
Mayor Tony Yarber listens to public comments from Jackson residents at a City Council meet on February 23, 2016.
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith’s trial closed presentations from both sides today with the final witness in the case: former assistant district attorney Gale Walker, who is suing Smith (pictured) in federal court for wrongful termination. Credit: Imani Khayyam

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.