Jackson Free Press

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them:

1. It is unclear why it took nearly four months to remove Michelle Byrom from death row in Rankin County. With her conviction overturned, from a legal standpoint, she is innocent and not proven guilty. She remains under arrest, however.
2. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against a Mississippi law that would have required the state's only abortion clinic to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital for its OB/GYNs.
3. Fifty-seven percent of LGBT people living in Mississippi have called the Magnolia State home for more than 20 years, yet they receive no protection against discrimination in employment or housing or against hate crimes.
4. Recently, Wine Spectator honored a number of restaurants in Mississippi with its 2014 Restaurant Awards, which highlight the eateries around the globe that offer the best wine selections.
5. Because of problems that have mounted over the past few years, Jackson could face as much as a $14 million budget deficit that will require deep cuts to popular city services, Mayor Tony Yarber said during his first state of the city address on July 24.
6. Gov. Phil Bryant is not the only one who opposes opening U.S. borders to children facing violence in their home countries while also claiming his worldviews are guided by Christian ideology.
7. The Washington, D.C.-based Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund recently began holding meetings around the state to start scouting potential LGBT office seekers.
8. Ninety percent of a child's critical brain development occurs between birth and age 5. Children in Mississippi are not required to attend school until age 6.
9. Facing a throng of hecklers, Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran made a rare public appearance at the Neshoba County Fair to throw some red meat to Republicans. Smelling blood in the water, former U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, the Democrat who will face Cochran in the November general election, also went on the attack.
10. Earlier this week, Kishia Powell became the city of Jackson's highest-paid employee. She may also have the toughest job in the capital.

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