Saturday, January 31
Bill Tries to Clarify Who Can Vote in Party Primary Runoffs
Mississippi lawmakers are trying to clarify who can vote in party primary runoffs.
Friday, January 30
National
For Nunnelee, No More Medical Treatment Possible for Cancer
Doctors have found a new tumor in U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee and told him no further medical treatment is possible, a spokesman for the Mississippi congressman said Friday.
City & County
Ben Allen: Downtown Faces Setbacks, Hope
Briefing a small community gathering about downtown Jackson, including the Capitol Street two-way project, Ben Allen talked about regret.
Education
Vouchers May be Ticket Out of Public Schools for Kids with Disabilities—But is that a Good Thing?
Some students with disabilities may get a chance to leave the public school system here—but advocates and parents aren't sure it will improve their education.
Music
Joining in the Passing Parade
As with many musical ensembles, Passing Parade has morphed several times over the years.
NATO to Deploy Small Units in 6 Eastern European Nations
NATO will deploy small units in six Eastern European nations to help coordinate a spearhead force set up in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, the alliance's secretary-general said Friday.
Chad Air Force Bombs Boko Haram Out of Nigerian Border Town
Chad sent a warplane dropping bombs and ground troops to drive Islamic extremists from a Nigerian border town, leaving it strewn with the bodies of the Islamic extremists, witnesses said …
Former GOP Nominee Romney Will Not Run for President in '16
After a three-week flirtation with another run for president, Mitt Romney said definitively on Friday that he will not seek the White House in 2016.
Obama Proposes 'Precision Medicine' to End One-Size-Fits-All
President Barack Obama is calling for an investment to move away from one-size-fits-all-medicine, toward an approach that tailors treatment to your genes.
Chinese MH370 Relatives Reject Word that Passengers are Dead
About 100 Chinese families of passengers on the missing Malaysian airliner demanded Friday that Malaysian officials retract their statement that all aboard died, saying that without hard evidence they don't …
Senators Propose Common Core Panel as House Bans PARCC Test
Legislators are wading deeper into determining what Mississippi students will learn and how they will be tested.
Thursday, January 29
Lawmakers Move to Drop Common Core Standards
Lawmakers made moves Thursday to change Mississippi’s academic standards and method of statewide testing.
EU to Extend Existing Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine
The European Union extended by six months an existing set of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia separatist officials because of the continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and was planning further …
Person of the Day
Andrea Patterson
Andrea Patterson, marketing director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, knew she wanted to work in sports after she graduated from the University of Mississippi with a …
Politics
McDaniel's New PAC: The Next Generation
With hopes of bringing together multiple factions throughout the state in the wake of a divisive Senate race, state Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, recently announced his new political action committee, …
National
Wistful, Humorous Romney Looks Back as He Ponders '16
Greeted as a celebrity in the heart of the Republican Deep South, GOP's 2012 nominee Mitt Romney—who still says he's mulling another bid in 2016—talked to Mississippi State University students …
North Korea May be Restarting Nuke Plant: US Institute
North Korea may be attempting to restart its main nuclear bomb fuel reactor after a five-month shutdown, a U.S. research institute said Thursday.
Jordan Demands IS Deliver Proof Captured Pilot Still Alive
Jordan on Thursday demanded proof from Islamic State militants that a Jordanian pilot they are holding is still alive, despite purported threats by the group to kill the airman at …
EU Plans to Step Up Fight on Online Jihadi Propaganda
The EU on Thursday called for more help from Internet companies to fight online terrorist propaganda in the face of the terror attacks in France.
Wednesday, January 28
Govt Tells Agents to ID Which Immigrants Not to Deport
The Obama administration has ordered immigration agents to ask immigrants they encounter living in the country illegally whether they might qualify under President Barack Obama's plans to avoid deporting them, …
Mobile Provider TracFone to Pay $40M in Federal Settlement
The nation's largest prepaid mobile provider, TracFone Wireless, will pay $40 million to settle government claims that it misled millions of smartphone customers with promises of unlimited data service.
California Declares Electronic Cigarettes a Health Threat
California health officials on Wednesday declared electronic cigarettes a health threat that should be strictly regulated like tobacco products, joining other states and health advocates across the U.S. in seeking …
Jordan Offers Swap to Islamic State Group to Save Pilot
Jordan offered a precedent-setting prisoner swap to the Islamic State group Wednesday in a desperate attempt to save a Jordanian air force pilot the militants purportedly threatened to kill, along …
Can Laws Boost Breastfeeding Rates?
The law can be an important tool in increasing low breastfeeding rates. Mississippi has some protections already in place for breastfeeding mothers.
A History of Breastfeeding
In 2013, Mississippi ranked dead last in babies who were ever breast-fed, with just 50.5 percent, the Centers for Disease Control reports.
Mississippi’s Breastfeeding Warriors: Pumps, Practical Advice and Tips at the Ready
While no single organization is devoted to promoting breastfeeding in Mississippi, several people have devoted themselves to the cause.
Cover
Why Few Mississippi Mothers Nurse Their Babies
As she stared through the nursery window at her four-day-old twins, 22-year-old Francesca Maxwell ticked off her reasons for wanting to breast-feed: Her obstetrician advised it. Her mother thought it …
Bryan's Rant
Super Mississippi Ties
Mississippi will enjoy plenty of representation in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday. Several players on the roster played high school or college football in our state.
The Slate
For those who might wonder, there were no deflated balls or obscene gestures in the making of this week's Slate. Now for Super Bowl Sunday, there could be one or …
Food
Be a Guest at Your Brunch
Let's face it, waking up and having to entertain after a long night of festivities can be draining. To simplify brunch, I came up with five suggestions that always help …
Business
A Union Presence
Even the unofficial presence of a union and its supporters help workers long before an election is held and can force a company to act right.
Dads Are Great, But Don’t Ignore Moms
Most problematic—and indeed dangerous—is the underlying implication that the mere presence of adult testosterone is some kind of magic wand that can solve all problems.
City & County
On Life and Crime in South Jackson
I don't like the term "black-on-black crime." Crime is crime, and it happens in all communities, some more than others. The difference is in how we organize as a community …
Art
The Art of Happiness
Whenever the Mississippi Museum of Art is open during January and February, you might find as many as 25 people of all ages playing with photo prints, scissors, glue, stamps …
Music
The Molly Ringwalds: All ‘80s, All the Time
It's strange to call a cover band "original," but the Molly Ringwalds' creative collision of 1980s music and culture—along with the band members' wild personas and stage presence—make for a …
Politics
Target: Abortion Rights, Public Ed, LGBT Custody
Women's rights and public education topped the Mississippi legislative agenda as it rolled past the Jan. 19 deadline for filing bills and into the fourth week of the session, while …
Justice
Ain’t Grand Juries Grand? Not Always.
Every person who is acquitted by a jury was indicted by a grand jury. Let that sink in, Dennis Sweet III, a prominent Jackson attorney, told an audience recently when …
LGBT
Straight, LGBT Teens Fight to Support Each Other
Presley McCord, who is a board member of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Brandon High School, said she hopes the group helps to make a difference and improve the high school …
City & County
Battlefield Park Fights for Its Reputation
Willa Womack, the Battlefield Park president, told the Jackson Free Press that she believes it's unfair that their neighborhood is painted negatively when violence occurs anywhere in west Jackson, particularly …
Editor's Note
Every Single Life Matters
We're living through one of those difficult times in Jackson when fear and distrust of "the other" reach a fevered pitch due to a high-profile crime.
Jacksonian
Tray Hairston
Attorney Tray Hairston, 35, bubbles with enthusiasm and positivity about Jackson and its residents.
City & County
Next Steps for Ward 3, Stokes and Hinds Board
As far as Jackson elections go, it's unusual for one candidate to walk away with a landslide victory in an eight-way race.
Tuesday, January 27
Education
Special Ed Bills Duke It Out
Two bills aimed at improving the educational experience for students with special needs—from opposite ends of the political spectrum—are making the rounds this Legislative session.
Person of the Day
Najee Dorsey
Artist Najee Dorsey uses collage to tell his story of growing up in the South and especially in Arkansas' Mississippi County.
Biz Roundup
Filter Coffee House, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and Metro Jackson College Fair
Raymond native Julie Durr gets to fulfill a life-long dream as the owner of Filter Coffee House (128 Port Gibson St., Raymond, 601-857-8102), which opened Dec. 19.
Gunmen Storm Libyan Hotel; 4 Foreigners, 5 Guards Dead
Gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Tuesday, killing four foreigners and five guards, and triggering an hours-long standoff that ended when two assailants set …
Mormon Leaders Call for Measures Protecting Gay Rights
Mormon church leaders are making a national appeal for a "balanced approach" in the clash between gay rights and religious freedom.
On Auschwitz Anniversary, Leader Warns Jews Again Targets
A Jewish leader stood before 300 survivors of the Nazis' most notorious death camp on Tuesday and asked world leaders to prevent another Auschwitz, warning of a rise of anti-Semitism …
Obama Floats Offering First-Ever Drilling Lease in Atlantic
The Obama administration floated a plan Tuesday that for the first time would open up a broad swath of the Atlantic Coast to drilling, even as it moved to restrict …
Monday, January 26
LGBT
Rep. Bob Evans
A bill from Democratic lawmaker State Rep. Bob Evans from Monticello is raising eyebrows because it contains what appears to be discriminatory language regarding parental custody rights and sexual orientation.
City & County
Big Ideas from Ward 3 Hopefuls
Eight people are vying for the vacant seat of Ward 3 representative on the Jackson City Council. The election takes place tomorrow, Jan. 27.
Ukraine: Phone Calls Prove Rebels Attacked City, Killed 30
Ukraine's president said Sunday that intercepted radio and telephone conversations prove that Russia-backed separatists were responsible for firing the rockets that pounded the southeastern city of Mariupol and killed at …
WHO Adopts Reforms to Repair Reputation After Bungling Ebola
The World Health Organization has proposed reforms that could overhaul its structure after botching the response to the biggest-ever Ebola outbreak, a sluggish performance that experts say cost thousands of …
Boko Haram Attacks Northeastern Nigerian city, Scores Killed
In fierce fighting Sunday that killed more than 200 combatants, Nigerian troops clashed with Islamic extremists who attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in northeastern Nigeria, from three fronts.
Japan Seeks Jordan's Help on Gaining Hostage's Release
Japan sought help from Jordan and other countries Monday in its race to save a hostage held by the extremist Islamic State group, with no signs of progress on securing …
Russia Defiant After More Threats from West Over Ukraine
Russian officials struck a defiant note Monday after Western leaders threatened to further punish Moscow for escalated fighting in eastern Ukraine over the weekend.
Islamic State Group Nearly Pushed Out of Syria's Kobani
Kurdish fighters backed by intense U.S.-led airstrikes pushed the Islamic State group almost entirely out of the Syrian town of Kobani on Monday, marking a major loss for extremists whose …
Church of England Consecrates First Female Bishop
Male domination in the leadership of the Church of England ended Monday, as the 500-year-old institution consecrated its first female bishop.
Commander in Joseph Kony's Feared Militia Appears in Court
A commander in warlord Joseph Kony's feared militia made his first appearance before an International Criminal Court judge Monday, calling himself a former soldier who was abducted and "taken to …
Small Drone Crashes at White House Complex, Origin Unclear
The U.S. Secret Service says a small drone crashed overnight at the White House complex while the president was in India.
Friday, January 23
'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Bill Passes House, Affirms Existing Education Law
The House Speaker's education bill would stop the “dirty rotten scoundrels in Washington from imposing their communist agenda on our school curricula?” Rep. David Baria asked.
Politics
McDaniel Titillates with PAC Formation
Although it doesn't exactly come as a shock that state Sen. Chris McDaniel has formed a new political-action committee, McDaniel is leaving everyone in suspense about what his next moves …
Person of the Day
Michael Beattie
When the Jackson Choral Society began seeking an interim director last year, it couldn't have found a more experienced leader than Michael Beattie.
State
Miss. Senate to Mull Eliminating Vehicle Inspection Sticker
Mississippi lawmakers are driving forward with a plan to wipe out vehicle inspection stickers.
Measles Outbreak Casts Spotlight on Anti-Vaccine Movement
A major measles outbreak traced to Disneyland has brought criticism down on the small but vocal movement among parents to opt out of vaccinations for their children.
At Odds on Human Rights, US and Cuba Move Toward Embassies
Still at odds over human rights, the United States and Cuba closed two days of historic talks in Havana with some progress toward restoring diplomatic ties after a half-century of …
Miss. House Passes Pair of Low-Impact Common Core Bills
The Mississippi House is moving forward with a pair of bills that may immunize its members against controversy over Common Core State Standards, but appear likely to have little effect …
Thursday, January 22
Politics
What Gov. Bryant Left Out of His SOTS
In his fourth State of the State address, Gov. Phil Bryant reiterated much of the agenda he already laid out in his budget recommendation, but the subjects the first-term governor …
Person of the Day
Preston Smith
Defensive lineman Preston Smith, who might have made the biggest leap this season, was a major reason the Bulldogs rose to the top ranking in the nation.
Campaign Finance protest, Hidden Camera Disrupt High Court
For the second time in 11 months, opponents of Supreme Court rulings lifting limits on money in political campaigns briefly disrupted proceedings in the courtroom and embarrassed the court by …
Shy of Votes, House GOP Drops Planned Vote on Abortion Bill
With thousands of anti-abortion protesters in town, Republicans are ready to push legislation through the House designed to please them. But it's not the bill an embarrassed GOP was hoping …
House Heads to Vote on Border Security Bill
The House is moving toward a vote on a bill aimed at securing the U.S. border with Mexico, as majority Republicans seek to demonstrate that they can chart their own …
UN Holds First-Ever Meeting on Anti-Semitism on Thursday
The U.N. General Assembly is holding its first-ever meeting devoted to anti-Semitism on Thursday in response to a global increase in violence against Jews—a meeting scheduled even before the recent …
US, Cuba Address Obstacles to Resuming Diplomatic Ties
The United States and Cuba are trying to eliminate obstacles to normalized ties as the highest-level U.S. delegation to the communist island in more than three decades holds a second …
Video of New Jersey Man Shot by Police Raises Questions
A police video of officers confronting and then fatally shooting a black man in southern New Jersey has raised questions and stirred anger over another death at the hands of …
Wednesday, January 21
FBI Finishes Ferguson Probe, Justice Not Yet Decided on Civil Rights Charges
The Justice Department has not yet announced whether it will file a federal civil rights charge against former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. But officials and experts have said such …
While States Introduce More Abortion Legislation, GOP Scraps National Bill When GOP Women Revolt
Buoyed by conservative gains in the November election, foes of abortion are mobilizing on behalf of bills in several state legislatures that would further curtail women's access to the procedure.
Politics
Gov. Phil Bryant's 2015 State of the State Speech
This is the prepared text of Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant's 2015 State of the State speech, which he gave Wednesday at the state Capitol:
Justice
Divorcing the State's Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Same-sex marriage cases have been in abundance as of late. But today, the justices at the Mississippi Supreme Court heard oral arguments for a different kind of LGBT equality issue: …
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2015 Winners Announced
The nominations are in, the votes have been cast and the winners selected. New in 2015, we're offering the results "Academy Award" style—everyone is a finalist (determined by write-in nominations), …
The Slate
Great news for Mississippi State fans this week: Quarterback Dak Prescott has decided to return next season. Good choice for his NFL development.
Sports
Home Cookin’ with Jon Wiener
Meeting with Jon Wiener, the host of "Home Cookin'" on ESPN Radio (105.9 FM The Zone), you quickly realize two things. He is excited and passionate about Mississippi sports and …
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2015: Urban Living
If you want one of the largest selections of antiques in the area—and also quite a few contemporary items—look no further than The Flea Market in Flowood.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2015: People
With a mouth-watering martini list, it's no surprise that Jacksonians have voted Brad Regan the city's best bartender for several years running.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2015: Community & Culture
The Mississippi Museum of Art has long represented our state's artistic history with a collection that features works from many renowned Mississippi artists, such as Birney Imes and quilt artist …
Best of Jackson 2015: Food & Drink
Babalu Tacos & Tapas is famous for making its guacamole tableside, slicing fresh avocados and mixing it, all while making light conversation and adding life to your meal.
Best of Jackson
Best of Jackson 2015: Music & Nightlife
From a University of Southern Mississippi basketball star to a master of blues guitar, Jarekus Singleton always seems to end up center stage.
The Best Jackson Has to Offer
Jackson has no shortage of cool people, places and things to do. The stiff competition during Best of Jackson makes that clear. The creativity, enthusiasm and hospitality of our city …
Keep Lifting Up the Dialogue in Jackson
In the last week or so, Jackson Free Press editors have been participating in encouraging conversations on social media and the Nextdoor neighborhood sites, and in the office, about preventing …
Awesome Quote of the Week: 'Opportunity'
Surprise, sur-freaking-prise that Jeff Good, one of the city's most unwavering cheerleaders and all-around nicest dudes, would have the line that best captures the spirit of the Best of Jackson.
Hustlin’ to be the Best
Brother Hustle: "Welcome to the first meeting of the 2015 Compensatory Investment Request Support Group."
City & County
Why Newsrooms Need Leaders
It's a news manager's job to challenge journalists—that includes the reporters they supervise as well as their fellow managers—to step out of their comfort zones and get to the 5 …
Civil Rights
An SOS to Black Youth
With the children's choir behind him on the first Sunday in December, the Rev. Reginald Buckley faced his congregation at Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church to get real about the …
City & County
Hinds Wastewater Plan Worries Jackson
Some members of the Jackson City Council are nervous about a proposal to establish a regional wastewater authority they fear could hurt the city's own sewage system, one of the …
France to Get Better Guns, More Intel Agents to Fight Terror
France announced sweeping new measures to counter homegrown terrorism Wednesday, including giving security forces better weapons and protection, going on an intelligence agent hiring spree and creating a better database …
Boko Haram Leader Claims Massacre in Baga, Threatens More
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has claimed responsibility for the mass killings in the northeast Nigerian town of Baga and threatened more violence.
Havana Talks Start After Promises by Obama, Cuban Caution
The highest-level U.S. delegation to Cuba in decades kicked off two days of negotiations Wednesday after grand promises by President Barack Obama about change on the island and a somber …
Education
Behind the Wall
The Mississippi Legislature voted last week to place an alternative to a citizen-driven initiative on the ballot this fall for the first time in Mississippi history under the state's initiative-process …
Jacksonian
Charlotte Seals
Although she began as a pre-med major, Charlotte Seals found out when she graduated with a major in science education that her commitment to "never be an educator" might not …
Editor's Note
Acknowledging Our ‘Best’ Once Again
You hold in your hands (or you're viewing online) the culmination of many months' worth of planning and effort—the 2015 Best of Jackson issue.
Tuesday, January 20
AP Analysis: Obama Barreling Into His Final Two Years with SOTU Speech
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's not just the State of the Union speech that President Barack Obama is turning on its head. It's the whole notion of a lame-duck president.
LGBT
Brandon Gay-Straight Protest Planned Today
Despite fervent backlash from detractors, a demonstration against what LGBT activists call discrimination against a group of students who wanted to create a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school will continue …
Civil Rights
James Meredith
It shouldn't be surprising that James Meredith, whose life and activism is the subject of a whole corner at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, has a plan to …
Biz Roundup
HIV Services, Convention Center Award and the State Economy
The publishers and editors of ConventionSouth, a national multimedia resource for planning events in the South, recently presented the Jackson Convention Complex with a 2014 Readers' Choice Award.
Theater Shooting Defendant in Court as Jury Selection Nears
Theater shooting defendant James Holmes sat quietly and rocked slightly back and forth in his chair on Tuesday just hours before the start of the arduous process of choosing a …
Opening Round Iran Sanctions Fight Kicks Off in Senate
Congress and President Barack Obama are on a fast track toward confrontation over sanctions on Iran.
New Privacy Concerns Over Government's Health Care Website
A little-known side to the government's health insurance website is prompting renewed concerns about privacy, just as the White House is calling for stronger cybersecurity protections for consumers.
A Look at the Hostages Believed Held by Islamic State Group
A list of foreign hostages believed held by the Islamic State group and some of those who have been released, reportedly in exchange for ransom money:
Islamic State Group Threatens to Kill 2 Japanese Hostages
The Islamic State group threatened to kill two Japanese hostages unless they receive $200 million in 72 hours, directly demanding the ransom Tuesday from Japan's premier during his visit to …
Supreme Court Won't Hear Dispute Over Debit Card Fees
The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge from retailers who claim the Federal Reserve allows banks to charge businesses too much for handling debit card transactions.
5 Chechens Arrested in France, Including 1 with Explosives
Five Russians have been arrested in southern France, including one with a cache of explosives, a local mayor said Tuesday as four other men appeared at a court in Paris, …
Sentencing Set for 10 in Racial Beatings that Killed Man
Sentencing dates have been set for all 10 people who pleaded guilty to charges from the hate crimes investigation stemming from the death of James Craig Anderson.
Monday, January 19
Education
Tate Reeves Proposes Changes to Tax Code, MAEP, Hospitals
Talk around the Capitol suggests that because it is an election year, nothing substantial will get done. But it's clear that the state leadership has a different idea.
City & County
Tougaloo, Millsaps Spend MLK Day With Fun and Community
The MLK Day Play-n-Serve, sponsored by Tougaloo and Millsaps colleges, is a reminder of how our nation has changed.
Civil Rights
Bayard Rustin
If Martin Luther King Jr. was the face and the voice of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and '60s, Bayard Rustin was the movement's conscience because he was …
Islamic State Group Releases 200 Captive Yazidis in Iraq
The Islamic State group released about 200 Yazidis held for five months in Iraq, mostly elderly, infirm captives who likely slowed the extremists down, Kurdish military officials said Sunday.
Secret Service: Shots Fired Outside Bidens' Delaware Home
Multiple gunshots were fired from a vehicle near the Delaware home of Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday night, the U.S. Secret Service said Sunday. The vice president and his …
Ukraine Leader Vows to Retake Separatist-Held East
Ukraine's president vowed Sunday to reassert government control over eastern regions as the army unleashed a counter-offensive against Russian-backed separatist fighters vying for command over the airport in the city …
Obama's Tax Proposals Get Cool Reception from GOP Lawmakers
Republican lawmakers are already signaling they will do what they can to block President Barack Obama's pitch for tax increases on the wealthiest Americans.
EU Appeals Hamas Court Ruling Taking Group Off Terror List
The European Union launched an appeal against last month's EU court ruling that ordered the Palestinian group Hamas removed from its terror list for technical reasons, the bloc's foreign policy …
Friday, January 16
City & County
Building Marred with Anti-Gay 'Marrage' Threat
On the same day the U.S. Supreme Court decided to eventually rule on marriage-equality cases, Jackson's LGBT community is on edge after a message of hate is scrawled on an …
City & County
In Belhaven, Outrage and Solutions; In South Jackson, Silence
In response to Jackson's first high-profile homicide in Belhaven, neighbors in the historic community turned out in force to a community meeting Thursday night to talk about action.
Education
Miss. Board of Education Pulling Out of 'Common Core' Testing Group
The state Board of Education voted Friday to withdraw from the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for Colleges and Careers on Jan. 25.
Person of the Day
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most well-known civil rights activists from the 1950s to his death in 1968.
Kerry Offers 'Big Hug' to Paris After Attacks
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry paid respect in both English and French on Friday to the victims of last week's terrorist attacks in Paris in a show of American …
Justices Must Act Fast if Gay Marriage to be Settled in June
Time is running short for the Supreme Court to get same-sex marriage on its calendar if the justices want to tackle the issue before their current term ends in late …
European Police Arrest 2 Dozen in Anti-Terrorism Sweeps
French, German and Belgian police arrested more than two dozen suspects in anti-terrorism raids Friday, as European authorities rushed to thwart more attacks by people with links to Islamic extremists …
AFP Photographer Shot at Pakistan Anti-Charlie Hebdo Protest
A rally by Pakistani students against a French satirical weekly's latest publication of a Prophet Muhammad cartoon turned violent on Friday, with police firing warning shots and water cannons to …
Miss. Plans $1.47 Million in Reading Grants for 34 Schools
With thousands of Mississippi third-graders at risk of flunking this year because they can't read at a basic level, State Board of Education members are likely to vote Friday to …
Thursday, January 15
Politics
Mississippi Women Make $11,500 Less Per Year Than Men
Giving merit to their call for equal-pay legislation, the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women introduced its 2014 report that shows women in the state make an average of …
City & County
Urban Expression
In a world where people are so different and diverse, dance is one thing that can bring us all together. From Jan. 15 to 17, people have a new way …
Person of the Day
Sean Brewer
Sean Brewer, a Division III football player from a small college in Mississippi, busted through and gets to join with some of the biggest and most well-known names in college …
Kerry: US, Britain May Set Up Scheme to Deal with Boko Haram
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he and his British counterpart are discussing a special initiative to deal with the Boko Haram (BOH'-koh hah-RAHM') extremist group in Nigeria and …
FBI: Ohio Man Planned to Bomb US Capitol, Kill Officials
A 20-year-old Ohio man's Twitter posts sympathizing with Islamic terrorists led to an undercover FBI operation and the man's arrest on charges that he plotted to blow up the U.S. …
France Sees 19,000 Cyberattacks Since Terror Rampage
Hackers have targeted about 19,000 French websites since a rampage by Islamic extremists left 20 dead last week, a top French cyberdefense official said Thursday as the president tried to …
Oklahoma to Resume Executions After 9-Month Delay
After a nearly nine-month delay prompted by a botched lethal injection last spring, Oklahoma plans to execute a death row inmate Thursday with the same three-drug method Florida intends to …
US Loosens Embargo on Cuba, Making Trade and Travel Easier
The Obama administration is putting a large dent in the U.S. embargo against Cuba as of Friday, significantly loosening restrictions on American trade and investment.
Pope on Charlie Hebdo: There Are Limits to Free Expression
Pope Francis said Thursday there are limits to freedom of speech, especially when it insults or ridicules someone's faith.
2 Friends Climb into History by Their Bloodied Fingertips
Tommy Caldwell, 36, and Kevin Jorgeson, 30, become the first to free-climb the 3,000-foot rock formation known as El Capitan, a feat many had considered impossible.
Wednesday, January 14
Education
Dems: Education 'Booby Trap' on November Ballot
House Concurrent Resolution 9, which passed the House 64-57 Tuesday, passed the Senate 30-20 Wednesday—virtually a straight party-line vote in both chambers.
Alternative to School Funding Measure Going on Miss. Ballot
The Mississippi ballot this November will list two education funding measures.
France Cracks Down on Hate Speech, Sends Carrier to Mideast
France ordered prosecutors around the country to crack down on hate speech, anti-Semitism and those glorifying terrorism and announced Wednesday it was sending an aircraft carrier to the Middle East …
Police Killings Prompt Array of Bills in State Legislatures
With legislatures convening across the country, lawmakers are moving quickly to respond to one of the biggest stories of the past year, the police killings of unarmed residents in Missouri, …
We Burn 2.7 Million Gallons a Minute, So Why's Oil So Cheap?
The price of a barrel of oil has fallen by more than half over the past six months because the globe, experts say, is awash in oil. So, where did …
Sports
Vic Schaefer’s Fourteen
"We haven't done anything, yet." Those five words are probably not how most people would describe the Mississippi State University women's basketball team, a group of women who are off …
Bryan's Rant
Peyton Manning’s Decision
Memorable athletes have fought back age and pain like they're pushing the sun back into the sky for one last game or several legendary performances.
The Slate
As linked as they are, it seems insane that Tom Brady is playing in the AFC Championship Game this week, and Peyton Manning might be done. Or at least he …
Music
2014: Music in Review
2014 was a great year for music lovers, with plenty of great new albums and reissues to breathe new life into old favorites. Here are some of my favorite musical …
Food
A ‘Taste’ of Our Own
Tom Ramsey, the owner of Jackson's La Finestra restaurant, recently appeared on ABC's "The Taste," which is in its third season.
Cover
Winterizing Your Skin
We all strive to protect our skin from sun damage in the summer, but colder weather brings about different problems for the skin. The biggest one is dryness.
Cover
To Your (Musical) Health
So it's about time for those New Year's resolutions to kick in, and I'm sure many of you are going to the gym more often now. Here's a playlist to …
Education
Have Legislators Thwarted Chance to Bring Funds to Cash-Strapped Mississippi Schools?
Students in this rural district ride to school on aging buses, then sit in 20-year-old portable classrooms or decrepit buildings reading outdated textbooks. The district of 1,009 students has only …
Cover
Cosmetics: Does Beauty Benefit?
With the world becoming increasingly knowledgeable about harmful chemicals in beauty products, the demand for holistic practices is rising.
Cover
Beating Weight Loss With the Blues
Everyone wants to lose weight, but few are willing to put in the work like Kiwana Thomas Gayden, who lost and kept off 40 pounds since 2013.
Civil Rights
We Must Finish King’s Work
Unfortunately, many have reduced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to a mere dreamer and tried to remove the work he was doing at the end of his life from all …
City Needs A Stronger Customer-Relations Framework
After eight months in office, Mayor Tony Yarber points to his office's listening tours, which travel around the city and give citizens an opportunity to air their grievances, as one …
Education
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Change'
The way Snowden and the Republican leadership are trying to ram the alternative amendment through, it's clear that they're opposed to adequate school funding, no matter what the constitution says …
Politics
Another Do-Nothing Legislature?
For the past four years, I have read almost every bill presented to the House and Senate, and most of them are complete and utter nonsense.
Cover
My New Year's Resolution Is ...
Making decisions on what to eat includes asking yourself a simple question with every food selection: Is it healthy? Most patients agree that they easily recognize unhealthy options.
Theater
The Magic of ‘Peter Pan’
Even with its G-rated '50s songs and eternally optimistic story line, people of all ages get caught up in "Peter Pan"—even the cynics.
Business
Enabling Employers to Help Disabled People
A Mississippi advocacy group wants some state agencies to give closer consideration to people with disabilities when it comes to hiring decisions.
Education
Born To Fight
What would have been a calm first week of the legislative session turned into an explosive debate on the floor of the Mississippi House of Representatives the morning of Tuesday, …
Editor's Note
More to Lose If I Don’t
On the no-frills DASH diet, I have given up nothing that matters to me; cutting back sodium has been the hardest, because it's in so much more than just the …
LGBT
Running the Marriage-Equality Gauntlet
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' hearing on same-sex marriage included three cases from three different states—Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
Business
City’s Biz Customer Service Under Fire
Tom Ramsey points to the slow pace of the Capitol Street two-waying project and what seems like the omnipresence of city meter readers during the lunch hour on Congress Street …
Tuesday, January 13
City Cold to Regional Wastewater Idea, Plans Review
Mayor Tony Yarber and members of the Jackson City Council expressed "great pause" about a proposal to create a regional wastewater authority.
Jacksonian
Kristi Henderson
Mississippi leads the nation in telehealth, thanks in no small part to the work of University of Mississippi Medical Center Chief Telehealth and Innovation Officer Kristi Henderson and the hospital's …
Education
Legislature Explodes in Fight Over Public Education
The first big legislative fight of the year exploded in the Mississippi House of Representatives this morning as Democrats attacked a Republican alternative to a statewide ballot initiative that, if …
Biz Roundup
West Millsaps Job Fair, JXN Tech on Tap, Wild Learning, Business of the Quarter
The Jackson Zoo recently received a $5,000 contribution from the Entergy Charitable Foundation that will underwrite the cost of admission and transportation to the zoo for students in the zoo's …
MetLife to Challenge 'Too-Big-to-Fail' Tag
MetLife is challenging its U.S. designation as a company that is "too big to fail," a tag given to corporations that the government believes could pose a risk to the …
Obama Sits Down with Leaders of New GOP-Run Congress
The guest list hasn't changed, but President Barack Obama faces a different type of crowd when he meets with congressional leaders on Tuesday.
Israel Buries 4 Jewish Victims of Paris Attack
Thousands of mourners joined Israeli leaders and the families of the four Jewish victims of a Paris terror attack on a kosher supermarket for an emotional funeral procession on Tuesday, …
Police Official: Arms for Paris Attacks Came from Abroad
The weapons used by a terror cell to kill 17 people around Paris came from outside the country and authorities are urgently tracing the source of the financing, a French …
Politics
Tom Miles and Michael Evans
Mississippi is the birthplace of William Faulkner, Richard Wright and recent U.S. poet laureate Natasha Trethewey. However, some lawmakers say they want to look beyond the secular literary world and …
Monday, January 12
Crime
Supreme Court Gives Ex-Death Row Inmate Parole Chance
The Mississippi Supreme Court, in a decision Dec. 8, changed Frederick Bell's sentence for his 1993 conviction for capital murder to life in prison.
Health Care
Supreme Court Battle Brewing Over Medicaid Fees
The Supreme Court on Jan. 20 will hear a case from Idaho seeking to overturn a 2011 lower court order to increase payments to providers serving Medicaid enrollees with development …
Music
Ju Ju Swag Shawty
Every rapper wants fans to know how skilled he is, but few can back it up as confidently as Ju Ju Swag Shawty of Vicksburg.
US: Cuba Completes Release of 53 Political Prisoners
Cuba has completed the release of 53 political prisoners that was part of last month's historic deal between the United States and Cuba, the Obama administration said Monday. The move …
Video of Paris Gunman Raises Questions of Affiliations
Two days after his death, a video emerged Sunday of one of the Paris gunmen pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, while his two fellow militants have claimed to …
Fear, Far Right Among Roots of Germany's Anti-Islam Rallies
Anti-immigrant protests have been growing by the week in Germany, drawing international attention and fears that xenophobia is on the rise again in the country whose Nazi past has long …
France Hunts for Attack Accomplices, Deploys 10,000 Troops
France ordered 10,000 troops into the streets Monday to protect sensitive sites after three days of bloodshed as it hunted for the accomplices to the Islamic militants who left 17 …
Kerry Will Go to Paris to Show Solidarity with French People
Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday he will travel to Paris this week to show solidarity with the French people, following sharp criticism of the Obama administration for not …
Divers Find Black Boxes in AirAsia Crash, Retrieve 1 of Them
Divers retrieved one black box Monday and located the other from the AirAsia plane that crashed more than two weeks ago, key developments that should help investigators unravel what caused …
Saturday, January 10
2 Miss. History Museums Close to Private Fundraising Goal
Two Mississippi history museums being built in downtown Jackson are moving closer to their private fundraising goal.
Friday, January 9
Obama Proposes Publicly Funded Community Colleges for All
President Barack Obama on Friday proposed to bring the cost of two years of community college "down to zero" for all Americans, an ambitious nationwide plan based on a popular …
Al-Qaida Member in Yemen Says Group Directed Paris Attack
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula directed the attack against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris "as revenge for the honor" of Islam's Prophet Muhammad, a member of the …
Miss. Same-Sex Marriage Fate Now With 5th Circuit
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are three very different places, arguments for throwing out each state's same-sex marriage bans—the subject of cases heard in a federal appeals court in New Orleans …
LGBT
Analysis: 5th Circuit Could Surprise on Marriage Equality
Supporters of ending Mississippi's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage are understandably nervous about the future.
Person of the Day
Reginald Buckley
After watching and reading news coverage about the recent killings of young black men by white police officers in Ferguson and New York City and the attacks against police officers …
Politics
Cochran, Wicker Take Top Senate Posts
Mississippi Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran is chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Sen. Roger Wicker has been named chairman of the Senate seapower subcommittee.
Paris Gunman: Hostages Die if Police Storm Terror Brothers
A gunman holding at least five hostages in a Paris kosher market has threatened to kill them if French authorities launch an assault on two cornered al-Qaida-linked brothers suspected in …
Massive Manhunt for 2 Suspects in Paris Attack
Police SWAT teams backed by helicopters tracked two heavily armed brothers with al-Qaida sympathies suspected in the newsroom massacre of a satirical French weekly that spoofed Islam, homing in Thursday …
Nebraska High Court Tosses Suit Over Keystone Pipeline Route
Nebraska's highest court tossed a lawsuit Friday challenging a proposed route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline in a decision that could remove a major roadblock for the $7 billion …
Miss. School Rating at Bottom, but Preschools Get Good Mark
Mississippi again ranks last in the nation in school performance according to an influential evaluation released Thursday, but the state ranks near the top in a new measure of how …
Thursday, January 8
Music
Elvis Presley
In 1953, Elvis Presley walked into Sun Records in Memphis and recorded the song "My Happiness." He was only 18.
Civil Rights
2 Men Plead Guilty in 2011 Racial Beatings in Mississippi
A multiyear federal investigation of the racially-motivated murder of 47-year-old auto plant worker James Craig Anderson ended Wednesday after a ninth and tenth person pleaded guilty to felony charges.
Wednesday, January 7
Black Caucus Calls on Full Funding for Miss. Schools' Budget
The Legislative Black Caucus' request that House and Senate leaders fully fund Mississippi's school budget formula appears likely to be fulfilled, based on early recommendations for state spending in this …
State Government
Mississippi's Budget: Under '50 Feet of Crap'
There are rich states, and there are poor states. Then there’s 50 feet of crap. Then there’s Mississippi.
12 Dead in Terrorist Attack on Paris Weekly; Gunmen at Large
Masked gunmen stormed the Paris offices of a weekly newspaper that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad, methodically killing 12 people Wednesday, including the editor, before escaping in a car. It was …
Bill Cosby Returns to Stage for 1st Time Since November
A scandal-plagued Bill Cosby returns to the stage Wednesday night for the first time since November, with some ticket-holders vowing not to show up and others saying they will heckle …
FBI Director Confident North Korea was Behind Cyberattack
There is strong evidence that North Korea was behind the cyberattack on Sony and that the leadership there will orchestrate further strikes against American targets, top U.S. officials said Wednesday.
Bryan's Rant
College Football Bowl Thoughts
Everyone has likely heard about the dust-up between Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork and cartoonist Marshall Ramsey. Bjork got upset over Ramsey's New Year's Eve tweet: "Wonder if Bo …
The Slate
It is always sad to see the football season coming to an end. There is one more meaningful college game left, but there is still a handful of meaningful NFL …
Music
Mo’ Better Jazz and Blues
Jai Johanny Johanson, better known by his stage name, Jaimoe, has been playing drums and percussion since he was 16.
City & County
Bold Requests from the ‘Bold New City’
Mayor Tony Yarber has talked to top Republican leaders, who he says seem most amenable to helping with Jackson’s public-safety needs.
Cover
Legislators on a Tight Rope, Walking a Fine Line
Officials and advocates don't expect this legislative session to be much different than any other. It's a state-wide election year, which is the perfect time for emphasizing wedge issues and …
Girl About Town
New Ideas
There is no doubt that I love Jackson. But I also love to travel, both because there's so much out there to see in the world, and because having new …
Hitched
Meant to Be
It happened simply: I saw Neil Maneck for the first time in a Barnes & Noble coffee shop. "Oh he's cute," I said to my friend Catherine Gray, who had …
Politics
Analysis: Election-Year Politicking Starts
Like a comet that is visible to Earth denizens only once in a while, the quadrennial event of the election-year legislative session has commenced.
State
Runnin’ the Blues Through the Veins of Jackson
It was only six years ago, in 2008, when John Sewell began working with others to put together a marathon that would celebrate the unique blues culture in Mississippi. This …
City & County
Familiar Faces Join Ward 3 Fray
For the first time in a quarter century, Jackson's Ward 3 city council is not occupied by an individual whose surname is Stokes. In fact, the near-west-side ward seat, a …
Environment
Mississippi Knocks Federal Clean Air Regs
The Mississippi agency responsible for protecting the state's natural resources is pushing back against a proposed federal clean-power plan designed to reduce climate changing carbon pollution and improve citizens' health.
French Authorities Seek Three Gunmen In Deadly Attack on Satirical Newspaper
PARIS (AP) — Masked gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar!" stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper Wednesday, killing 12 people, including the paper's editor, before escaping in a getaway car. …
Jacksonian
Sen. Hillman Frazier
Today, Sen. Hillman Frazier's office on the first floor of the Capitol is a shrine to his more than three decades in public service.
City & County
Boosting Downtown’s Curb Appeal
In downtown Jackson, utility crews whacked off the tops of Bradford pear trees to prevent them from growing into power lines. Iron grates on Congress Street choke the growth of …
Art
Comedy, Race and ‘Oh, Everything!’ Else
Poking fun at racial prejudice isn't the most obvious career choice, but comic W. Kamau Bell continues to do just that in his new tour, "Oh, Everything!", which makes a …
Immigration
Jesus, the Migrant
In her new book "Jesus Was A Migrant," writer Deirdre Cornell says migration is central to "biblical spirituality" and the chosen people themselves were "displaced, uprooted, homeless" migrants.
Don’t Waste Your Mind
Boneqweesha Jones: "I recall a time when I brought in the new year uninspired, hopeless and alone watching a New Year program. New Year's Day was just another day for …
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Winning'
The logical assumption is that Gov. Bryant hasn't spent a lot of time around people in poverty considering that he and his fellow Republicans can only seem to come up …
Lawmakers: Don’t Waste Time on Gay-Marriage Ban
Though it's not clear what the Legislature can do to ensure that same-sex marriage will remain banned in the state, lawmakers will probably try to this session—if for no other …
Editor's Note
Are Mississippi Officials Deadbeats?
The situation in Mississippi may be dire, but it's not hopeless. There are opportunities to drastically—not incrementally—improve things in Mississippi, but our leadership seems fixated on solutions looking for problems.
Tuesday, January 6
LGBT
Same-Sex Marriage Arguments Before 5th Circuit Friday
The future of same-sex marriage in Mississippi hinges upon arguments that begin Friday, Jan. 9.
Biz Roundup
Craft Beer Store Opens, Ace Closes, UMMC Acquires Courthouse
Montgomery Ace Hardware, in Maywood Mart Shopping Center, will close its doors Jan. 17.
Person of the Day
Sen. Roger Wicker
Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker will serve as presiding office of the U.S. Senate during the first day of the 114th Congress, which convenes Tuesday.
Funeral for Ex-NY Gov. Mario Cuomo, Democratic Champion
The standard bearers of the Democratic Party are joining family and friends for a final goodbye to one of their champions, former three-term New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who left …
Obama Seeks Help of Mexico's Pena Nieto on Cuba, Immigration
President Barack Obama is hosting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the White House Tuesday, looking to his southern neighbor for help implementing the president's changing policies on immigration and …
Gay Marriage Ban Ends as Couples Wed Throughout Florida
Florida's ban on same-sex marriage ended statewide at the stroke of midnight Monday, and court clerks in some counties wasted no time, issuing marriage licenses and performing weddings for same-sex …
New Congress Getting Sworn in with GOP in Charge
Republicans are assuming full control of Congress for the first time in eight years in a day of pomp, circumstance and raw politics beneath the Capitol Dome.
Hearing Set for Men to Change Pleas in Miss. Racial Beatings
A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for two men charged in a series of 2011 racial beatings that culminated in the death of a Jackson man.
Monday, January 5
Politics
Legislature: The War is Just Beginning
The Mississippi Legislature is back in session tomorrow, which means another three months of state representatives at battle on issues, some of questionable significance.
City & County
City Escapes $600K Judgment
A federal judge has dismissed a $600,000 judgment against the City of Jackson that dates back to a 2012 lawsuit.
Person of the Day
Christina Doss
After participating in a Habitat for Humanity build in Dallas, Nissan employee Christina Doss plans to use her acquired skills and experience to help enrich her own community in the …
More Women, Minorities in New Congress
The 114th Congress that convenes Tuesday will count more minorities and women than ever, although lawmakers remain overwhelmingly white and male in the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Indonesia Cracks Down on Aviation Sector After AirAsia Crash
Highlighting the depth of Indonesia's air safety problems, the transportation ministry announced harsh measures Monday against everyone who allowed AirAsia Flight 8501 to take off without proper permits—including the suspension …
Islamic Leader Urges Muslims to Visit Jerusalem Holy Site
The head of the world's largest Islamic organization on Monday paid a rare visit to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging Muslims to follow suit and come to the city in a …
Jury Selection Gets Underway in Marathon Bombing Trial
Potential jurors stared intently at Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev as jury selection in his federal death penalty trial began Monday under tight security.
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
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.
Saturday, January 3
Mississippi Capitol Still Undergoing Restoration
Restoration work continues at the Mississippi Capitol as legislators prepare to start their session next week.
Friday, January 2
Person of the Day
Dr. Mario Azevedo
The College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University recently named Dr. Mario Azevedo, a professor and interim chair of the Department of History and Philosophy, to serve as dean.
Environment
Mississippi Groups Attack Carbon Dioxide Limits
Mississippi regulators and utilities are savaging the federal government's proposal to force Mississippi power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
LGBT-Owned Businesses Get Diversity Boost
Federal agencies, organizations such as the National Football League and more than one-third of Fortune 500 companies are now trying to expand their vendor pools by explicitly encouraging bids from …
Families of Shanghai Victims Grieve, Seek Answers
Thirty-six people were killed in a stampede during New Year's celebrations in one of the deadliest accidents in the Chinese city of Shanghai. Some 49 others were injured.
Immigrants to Seek California Driver Licenses
California on Friday will start taking driver's license applications from the nation's largest population of immigrants in the country illegally.
Mario Cuomo, a Giant in NY, Liberal Politics, Dies
Mario Cuomo died at his home in Manhattan on Thursday of natural causes due to heart failure, just hours after his son Andrew began his second term as New York's …
Thursday, January 1
Ole Miss Crushed By TCU in Peach Bowl
TCU looked like a championship contender to Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze.
Miss. State Loses Orange Bowl to Ga. Tech
The Bulldogs totaled 605 yards, including 453 passing by Dak Prescott, but lost Wednesday night to Georgia Tech 49-34.
