IMMC ranked 4th for USA Today’s 2020 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards

The International Museum of Muslim Cultures, the country’s first Muslim museum, was ranked 4th among the top 10 winners in the category of religious museums for USA Today’s 2020 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awardees. The top 10 winners were determined by popular vote on the USA Today 10Best.com website and social media platforms.

JXN noted as one of the 10 most artistic towns in America

The towns on this list have stood out on the American landscape for decades, and continue to reinvent their artistic communities each year. These are places where old army bases are converted into galleries, abandoned strips malls into studios, and boarded-up homes into art residencies. In each place, inspiration is easily available, and a laid-back … Read More

Filming wraps in Capital City on action thriller starring Bruce Willis

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Production crews set the stage for the final shots on the film starring Bruce Willis on Friday. Downtown Jackson and many locations around the city were backdrops with explosion, car chases and locals working in and behind the scenes. It’s nearly a wrap for filming on the action thriller A Day to … Read More

Jackson Chef scores ‘Fire Masters’ win on Cooking Channel

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A popular Jackson chef and caterer, who also runs a non-profit promoting healthy food, made national news on the Food Network’s Cooking Channel. The Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau shouted out Chef Nick Wallace for his ’Fire Masters’ win that he plans to use to fund his non-profit, Creativity Kitchen. Creativity Kitchen is … Read More

Farmers to Families Food Boxes Giveaway in Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Thousands of food boxes of fresh produce will be available for pick-up at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson on Wednesday. The food is being provided as part of a federal program to support families who have lost income during the coronavirus pandemic. “A lot of our citizens ….

Bruce Willis filming in Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. — People in Mississippi’s capital city are being told to expect downtown street closures and explosions for the filming of an action movie that stars Bruce Willis. A bank heist movie called “A Day to Die” has been filming in Jackson this month, with Willis shooting scenes in …

ICYMI: Good News JXN For March 23

#JXNMS is in the news and we’ve got the good stuff! In case you missed it, here are a handful of positive, uplifting features from the past couple of weeks. Downtown Jackson Partners has launched a homelessness outreach program at Smith Park. DJP President John Gomez told the Jackson Free Press that …

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Virtual Parade, Second Line & REMIX

Malcolm White, the founder and chief organizer of the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade and Festival in Jackson, recently announced updates on a planned live virtual parade taking place this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Parade organizers—including the City of Jackson, Visit Jackson and Downtown Jackson Partners—first announced …

Homelessness Outreach Coordinator: DJP Helped 25 Since January

The Downtown Jackson Partners Homelessness Outreach Coordinator Tommie Brown has, since January, identified and helped 25 homeless Jacksonians get the services that they need, he told the Jackson Free Press at an event the organization held on March 11 at Smith Park. #“We have, in the over the two months that we’ve been on the … Read More

Cathead Donates Surplus Sanitizer To MSDH

Cathead Distillery, who briefly pivoted operations to produce hand sanitizer last year in response to the pandemic, recently donated a large supply of sanitizer to the Mississippi State Department of Health to be utilized in aid of the state’s efforts to combat the virus and protect the community amongst the ongoing public health crisis….

Renovations bring historic Heritage Building full circle

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Everything eventually comes full circle. For the Heritage Building in downtown Jackson, that 360-degree turn has taken a little more than a century. Developers are completely remodeling the historic facility, in part, to help bring …

JXN Museum Trail Officially Opens

JXN’s Museum Trail, a 2.5-mile route that stretches from downtown through Belhaven and LeFleur East between some of the city’s most prominent museums, has officially opened. Cited as economic development, a tourism draw and promoter of physical health, construction began last fall on the trail that connects the Two Mississippi Museums with the Mississippi Museum of Natural … Read More

City Launches JTRAN Study, Unveils Hybrid Buses

The City of Jackson has launched the ConnectJXN: Transit Plan, a study designed to improve JTRAN’s fixed-route bus and paratransit services. The study will create a blueprint for a modernized JTRAN network that adapts to changing community needs and technologies, creating better connections through direct and reliable routes, promoting fair and equal access to opportunities … Read More

DJP Boasts ‘Good’ Year For Downtown JXN

From economic development and renovation upgrades to new restaurants and apartment complexes, murals, pilots, programs and more, Downtown Jackson Partners said there has been much accomplished this year in the core of Mississippi’s capital city. In an email sent to subscribers on Friday, the organization recounts an exhaustive list of updates, upgrades, improvements and additions that include: … Read More

IMMC Receives $475k Grant From Kellogg Foundation

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing uncertainties, the International Museum of Muslim Cultures (IMMC) in Jackson announces it is the recipient of a Kellogg Foundation grant of $475,000. Along with this recent award, …

‘My City’ Campaign Wins State Tourism Award

The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA) is “talkin’ ’bout My City…” In ceremonies held in Biloxi today, the statewide organization for tourism professionals honored Visit Jackson’s My City campaign as Social Media Campaign of the Year. “Visit Jackson was at one time only a resource to our visitors, but, as we know, locals impact our tourism … Read More

Renovations and Other Efforts to Build a Better Jackson

Despite the setbacks that this year’s pandemic has wrought, the Jackson metro continues to persevere and move forward, making progress all the while. Check out these updates on some of what has been going on in these last few months….

MDAH Offers Activities In Lieu Of Candlelight Tour

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is canceling this year’s Christmas by Candlelight Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but offering opportunities to enjoy the holiday decorations at several JXN sites. …

Pick Up A Passport To Earn A Free City With Soul Shirt

Safely explore JXN – and get a free tee to boot – with the new Metro Jackson Passport. The small, bound book – the size of a traveler’s passport – invites you to visit landmarks of the city, collecting stamps from participating attractions, restaurants and others. Information within the passport gives a glimpse…

City Brings Building Permit Process Online

Filing for building permits in JXN? The service has moved into the 21st century. “What previously required multiple trips to multiple floors, chasing signatures and stamps, can now be done from anywhere: a phone, a tablet or a computer,” said Jordan Hillman, Planning and Development Director for the City of Jackson. The City introduced a … Read More

Creating Community: The Walthall & Courthouse Lofts

Downtown living is receiving a considerable boost in the form of two long-awaited residential developments. The former Edison Walthall Hotel is now The Walthall Lofts and the former James O. Eastland Federal Courthouse will become The Courthouse Lofts. The developments were promised to…

Connect JXN Seeks To Engage Community In Comprehensive Plan

The City of Jackson has announced an effort now underway to gather citizens’ opinions from all walks of life to form a comprehensive community plan. The city of Jackson will engage with the community to develop a shared vision based on common values and desired and goals. The city’s planning team and…

Smith Robertson Museum To Reopen

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, a City of Jackson museum, will reopen October 19. The hours will be Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The museum has been shuttered since…

New Mississippi Trade Mart Opens on State Fairgrounds

State and local officials on Thursday opened the new Mississippi Trade Mart that’s attached to the coliseum on the state fairgrounds in Jackson. The State-funded building cost $30 million. It is near the old Trade Mart that was built in 1975. The old one will be torn down to make way for parking spaces. The Trade … Read More

Jackson Hilton Garden Inn unveils renovation

The Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown, an iconic historic hotel located in the heart of the city center, has completed renovations to its 7,321 square feet of meeting and event space, 186 guest rooms, full-service restaurant and bar, lobby and fitness center.

City Unveils New Parking Meter Pilot Program

The City of Jackson has now installed 146 new parking meters on Capitol Street, as well as on Lamar, Pearl and President Streets. The current meter system is being replaced with a whole new system that will offer new ways to pay, including credit card. An app that will allow users to pay from their … Read More

Downtown’s Newest Coffee Shop Brings an Air of Freshness

“When I did more research about what was around me, I noticed that it was very corporate. I (thought), ‘These people probably need coffee when they wake up in the morning.’ That’s how I incorporated the coffee piece, but I was like, ‘If I am going to do coffee, I am going to do coffee … Read More

Green Bean Coffee & Juice Cafe Opens in Downtown Jackson

Opening a restaurant during a pandemic can seem impossible. After placing orders for a cold pressed juice machine and the perfect furniture for the sitting area, Kenya MomPremier had no idea it would take two months for delivery due to coronavirus. Even though this hurdle deemed difficult to jump, MomPremier handled the opening of her first cafe with grace … Read More

Museum Trail Groundbreaking

 A chance to keep healthy and see the sights in downtown Jackson is on its way to the Capital City. A ground breaking was held Tuesday for the Museum Trail. The project is designed to offer…

Pig Ear Sandwich: An Iconic Dish of the American South

“The ears give you lots of juiciness and tasty pork flavours all at the same time,” said cook Lavette Mack as she stirred a simmering pot on the stovetop. “Add a little crunch with some slaw, give it a kick with some homemade hot sauce, put it all together in a bun and you’ve got … Read More

First Look at the new Walthall Lofts

A downtown building that has been boarded-up for a decade is just about ready for its grand reopening. The Walthall opened as a hotel in 1929 and served travelers under various names until it shut down ten years ago because of water damage. New owners revealed plans to turn it into…

Painting The Town: JXN’s Public Art Scene

Throughout Jackson, public art has become both more common and more widely celebrated. Our city has long been vibrant, but now, our streets, walls, and common spaces match our soul. Public art gives a human element to the cityscape, connecting those that walk its streets. When you head downtown, you’re sure to see the “Welcome … Read More

“Fertile Ground” Doc Airing On MPB And PBS

The City of JXN announced that Fertile Ground, a documentary examining the extensive impact the industrial food system has on Jacksonians, will air on June 10 at 7pm on Mississippi Public Broadcasting TV. MPB will re-air the documentary on June 21 at 5p.m.

Visit Jackson, Perryman Complete ‘Jxn Icons’ Mural

Visit Jackson and the agency’s Creative Design Manager, Reshonda Perryman, have completed a new downtown mural, “Jxn Icons.” The boldly colored painting, located on the back wall of the Old Capital Inn on North Street, showcases a diverse representation that spans age, ethnicity, and notoriety while focusing on a few of the many things Jackson … Read More

Due to pandemic, Cathead switches gears, producing hand sanitizer

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, Cathead Distillery has temporarily switched gears, from making vodka to producing hand sanitizer by the ton. On Tuesday, Cathead, in partnership with the City of Jackson, made access to four 55-gallon drums of the sanitizer available, at no charge. People, needing the sanitizer to help fight the virus, … Read More

Historic hotel to reopen in April as lofts

A historic hotel building in Downtown Jackson is set to reopen as lofts in April. The Edison Wathall Hotel, originally opened in 1928, closed in 2010 due to water pressure issues. The Capitol Street building reopen date is set for April 4.

The Fertile Ground Project Expo

In a state where one in four children go to bed hungry at night, solutions to the food insecurity that plagues Jackson and other southern cities are the goal of a series of public art installations and workshops. The Fertile Ground Expo, scheduled for April 9-11, aims to address the history and future of food access … Read More

2020 Governor’s Arts Awards

The Governor’s Arts Awards, presented by the Mississippi Arts Commission, is an annual event recognizing Mississippi’s top artists, organizations and individuals who have made noteworthy contributions of achieved artistic excellence in…

Best of Jackson 2020

Here is who was voted as the best local people, places, food and more of Jackson, Mississippi for 2020!

New JXN Welcome Center

Visit Jackson has officially opened the first full-service welcome center in the Capital City, located on Pearl Street in the heart of Downtown Jackson. Tourists who visit the city now have a center dedicated to everything Jackson, Mississippi – from welcoming staff, to city information, and even Jackson merchandise!

Free Wi-Fi in Downtown

There’s now free Wi-Fi in parts of Downtown Jackson. It’s phase one of transition to a tech city. Robert Blaine, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the Wi-Fi pilot program is just the beginning.

Mississippi Museum of Art Gallery Garden

If you have not strolled through downtown Jackson lately, then you may be missing out on the steady transformation of historic area. The streets beam with pride as the lights from bustling and revitalized buildings illuminate the streets, many paved anew. The Mississippi Museum of Art complements the grandeur of the Capital City with a … Read More

Mayor Discusses City & Downtown Growth

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A civil suit is now out of the way and that is smoothing the path for possible development on Farish Street, and the numbers are in on occupancy in downtown Jackson.

Inktober at Mississippi Museum of Art

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)- The Mississippi Museum of Art’s Inktober is making its way back for families to enjoy the annual showcase of sketchbooks and drawings by artists across the state.

JSU Homecoming Parade Relocates Downtown

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson State University will go head-to-head against Alabama State University during its Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

PARK(ing) Day 2019

The City of Jackson will host PARK(ing) Day on Friday, Sept. 20. PARK(ing) Day is a national event held the third Friday of September each year. The goal is to bring together businesses and residents to transform metered parking spaces into temporary park installations or community spaces for one day.

Jackson Chalk Walk Festival

While Eli Childers has been busy around Jackson painting murals for places like Coffee Prose, he has also been using another medium: chalk.

Mississippi Artists paints Big K.R.I.T.

Michael Roy, an artist and Moss Point, Miss., native, has been drawing for as long as he can remember, but it was attending the Mississippi School of Arts in Brookhaven that solidified art, and murals, as a serious profession for him.

10 Things to do at MS Book Festival

Known as the Magnolia state’s “Literary Lawn Party,” the 2019 Mississippi Book Festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary Saturday on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Shiro Opening

On the ground floor of Capital Towers downtown, a recently opened Jackson restaurant is offering something new (and healthy) to the city’s cuisine.

Jackson Receive AARP Grant

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The money for the AARP Community Challenge Grant is meant to help communities become better places to live for residents of all ages.

Big K.R.I.T. mural

So that new mural in downtown Jackson across from Thalia Mara Hall. What’s the story?

Shiro Opens

The second episode of Capital Cuisine takes place at a new, Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Jackson.

The Faulkner Opens

The Faulkner, at 518 E. Capitol St. in downtown Jackson, opened its doors for office space lease and events this month. A preview was held on Tuesday, June 25.

The Faulkner Opens

As you might imagine, a great-nephew of William Faulkner has a story or two. Thomas W. “Buddy” Faulkner bought the five-story building at 518 Capitol St. in 1993 out of foreclosure.

Parlor Market Review

Capitol Street in downtown Jackson is an integral part of the city’s long history. Once a bustling two-way street lined with department stores, small businesses and restaurants of every description, the street has undergone numerous changes.

Foodie Friday

On the first and fourth Friday of each month, the area around Smith Park is abuzz with activity. Downtown workers gather from the different offices, and some people outside of the downtown area gather at the park for one thing: Downtown Foodie Friday Festival.

El Centro Review

Located in the old Jaco’s Tacos location on State Street, El Centro, is serving up traditional Mexican dishes, house specialties, craft cocktails, and cold beer in their spacious dining room and covered patio.

Hal & Mal’s Review

Stepping into Hal & Mal’s is like slipping on a cool pair of old shoes that’re still comfy, still stylish and still perfectly capable of skipping out on a dance floor at a moment’s notice.

Mayflower Café Over 80 years

The longevity of some restaurants is measured in a few years or a decade or two at most. This Jackson landmark restaurant continues to create memories of delicious meals while passing through generations of families like a treasured keepsake.

4th Avenue Lounge Review

4th Avenue Lounge distills an urban spirit into a corner of downtown Jackson. It has the physical address of the long-ago diner the Lamar Restaurant — 209 S. Lamar St. — but the slate has been scrubbed clean in the service of a sleek, upscale after-hours gathering spot.

SOUTHERN CUISINE AND HAND-CRAFTED COCKTAILS: LOUNGE 114

Located downtown on Capitol Street, Lounge 114 is one of Jackson’s newest upscale lounge and restaurant in the heart of downtown. Though they are only open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, Lounge 114 is serving up delicious southern cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails in a fun and inviting environment.

Martin’s Downtown

JACKSON — Martin’s Downtown, previously known as Martin’s Restaurant & Bar, has long been a staple of downtown Jackson, showcasing both local and touring bands, as well as giving Jacksonians a place to hang out.

Best Blue Plates

When you’re in the mood for an authentic Southern comfort meal, nothing beats a blue plate. Usually consisting of a meat and two or three sides with a drink, blue plates are filling, tasty, fresh, and always a go-to when it comes to getting a quick lunch.

Steve’s Deli Review

Jackson has some pretty amazing local delis, each with their own signature offerings, but few push the culinary envelope like Steve’s Downtown. Whether it is their plate lunches, sandwich specials, quiches, pizza, or signature soups, Steve’s sets the bar for this foodie.

THE WOMEN OF KEIFER’S

It was a busy day as usual at Keifer’s Downtown. The smell of freshly baked pita bread filled the two-story space in the beginning of December while chicken sizzled on the grill for a gyro order. That’s when a customer…