Thursday, October 31
NASCAR, Math and Science Help Fuel Dreams
Mackena Bell's NASCAR Pro Series No. 21 car rolled into Jackson Thursday morning as part of the 2013 Fueling Your Dreams Tour to teach kids how the big business of pro racing is more about the people and the process than about just driving fast.
Undefeated Majors
Millsaps College provides plenty of reasons to "fear the sword." The Majors are the only four-year university or college football team currently undefeated in the state.
6 People Shot Dead in SC Domestic Dispute
Bryan Sweatt was in the middle of a custody fight with his girlfriend over their 7-month-old daughter and facing a burglary charge that could put him in jail for years.
Campaigning Dems Careful Not to Overplay Shutdown
Outside a state-of-the-art grain elevator, Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley talks of how Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to overcome differences that scuttled farm legislation last summer.
China, Other Asians Angry Over Embassy Spy Reports
China and Southeast Asian governments demanded an explanation from the U.S. and its allies on Thursday following media reports that American and Australian embassies in the region were being used as hubs for Washington's secret electronic data collection program.
Miss. Leaders Examine Ways to Reduce Prison Costs
Mississippi leaders on Wednesday pledged bipartisan cooperation to make the state's criminal justice system more effective and less expensive.
Wednesday, October 30
Watkins Team Wants Injunction Against JRA Attorneys, Cites Conflicts of Interest
David Watkins' attorney is charging that a local law firm is helping clients “attempting to steal the Farish Street project from (Watkins)" with its involvement with various lawsuits spinning around the beleaguered developer and his various projects.
The Slate
This has been one of the craziest World Series in a long time. One game ended with an obstruction call, and another ended with a pickoff play. Will it get any wilder?
USM Must Move On
It has been nearly six years since Southern Miss replaced Jeff Bower as head coach for its football team. Bower had led the Golden Eagles for 17 seasons, but the fan base was ready for a change.
It Takes a Thief
Rebecca Geihsler-Chittom, James Turcotte and Viola Dacus bring the golden age of radio to Duling Hall Nov. 5 and 7 with “The Old Maid and the Thief.”
Cocktail of Debauchery
Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender are among the beautiful faces in the disappointing “The Counselor.”
Football Brain
Brain injuries are serious and can have lifelong consequences. Recently, many people have become more aware of just how serious, between former National Football League players suing over how their concussions were handled and the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans returning with traumatic brain injury due to explosions.
Gil’s Bread for Life
Since August, Ridgeland residents have reaped the benefits of a frustrated investment banker's new passion.
The Most Under-reported Stories in the U.S. and Mississippi
This year's annual Project Censored list of the most under-reported news stories includes the widening wealth gap, the trial of Pfc. Bradley Manning, and President Obama's war on whistleblowers—all stories that actually received considerable news coverage.
Southern Tradition and Hypocrisy
The ruling class in the South doesn’t tolerate challenges to its rule well.
Vote Nov. 5 for McQuirter, Baker
In the contest for Hinds County District 2 supervisor, the Jackson Free Press endorses Darrel McQuirter—and for all the reasons we gave him our endorsement in the Democratic primary.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Bureaucratic Cash Grab'
One of the objections civil-rights leaders often raise about voter ID is the it is tantamount to an unconstitutional tax.
Halloween 2013 Event Changes
Inclement weather tomorrow night has caused some Halloween events to change.
Milking Our Emotions
With all that is going on with the government lately, people on all sides of the political spectrum seem to be on edge. Nothing will make people emotional faster than cuts and government actions they can feel immediately.
JRA Sues Watkins, Jackson Leaders Fed Up
Hope for a compromise between the Jackson Redevelopment Authority and the latest Farish Street developer took a hit last week, when JRA filed a lawsuit against the Farish Street Group and Watkins Development, LLC., seeking to expunge its name from liens and recoup nearly $5 million in penalties for breach of contract.
Tony Greer: Shining a Light on Spending
A quick scan of Tony Greer's campaign Facebook page gives a strong sense of where he's coming from, ideologically speaking.
Toy Gathings
Seeing Habitat for Humanity's work change lives fuels Toy Gathings' passion for bettering the Jackson community.
Sales Tax Goes to Voters in January
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors' election is Nov. 5, but Jacksonians shouldn't be ready to put away their votin' shoes just yet.
Analysis: Power Up for Grabs in Hinds Election
When Hinds County voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will not simply select some guys to fill a pair of empty seats on the board of supervisors—they will chart the county's course for at least the next two years.
Mississippi’s Flag: A Blow at Civilization
The state flag tells the world that Mississippi hasn’t changed.
Bite Into the Forbidden Fruit
Forbidden Fruit. The title alone conjures up red apples and serpents and all manner of biblical things, not to mention the worst of our state's race history.
Sebelius Apologizes for Health Law 'Debacle'
President Barack Obama's top health care official told Congress on Wednesday that she's responsible for the "debacle" of cascading technical problems that overwhelmed a government website intended to make shopping for health insurance clear and simple.
Senior Muslim Brotherhood Leader Arrested in Egypt
Egyptian security forces arrested a key Muslim Brotherhood figure on the run since the July coup that toppled the country's Islamist president in a raid on his hideout early Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said.
Spanish Spy Chief to Address Parliament on Spying
Spain's intelligence chief will address parliament over allegations the country was a target for surveillance by the U.S. National Security Agency, the prime minister said Wednesday.
Lawmakers Push to Delay Huge Flood Insurance Hikes
A bipartisan group of lawmakers Tuesday unveiled legislation that would delay for about four years several changes to the federal government's flood insurance program that are threatening to sock thousands of people with unaffordable premium hikes.
Tuesday, October 29
Secretary of State Investigates David Watkins for Fraud in Money Transfer
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is investigating whether developer David Watkins fraudulently financed a Meridian development with bond money allocated for redevelopment in Metrocenter Mall.
Blackface Costumes Revive Controversy at Halloween
Is donning blackface to dress up as a favorite TV character ever OK for Halloween? How about a bloody hoodie and blackface for a costume riff on the slain teen Trayvon Martin, or full-on minstrel at a splashy Africa-themed party for the fashion elite in Milan? Each of those costumes made headlines this Halloween season. And the answer to each, African studies and culture experts said, is never.
Lawmakers: U.S. Spy Programs May Have Gone Too Far
Faced with anger over revelations about U.S. spying at home and abroad, members of Congress suggested Tuesday that programs the Obama administration says are needed to combat terrorism may have gone too far.
Health Policy Cancellations: New Blow for Admin.
Move over, website woes. Lawmakers confronted the Obama administration Tuesday with a difficult new health care problem—a wave of cancellation notices hitting individuals and small business who buy their own insurance.
Gaillet Fired as Public Works Director
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba has fired Public Works Director Dan Gaillet, effective immediately. The mayor confirmed Gaillet's termination Monday afternoon following a special meeting of the city council.
Adieu Bon Ami, Cheers to Small Businesses
On Nov. 30, American Express and the Shop Small Movement will host the fourth annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses nationwide during the holiday shopping season.
Ruthie Bolton
Ruthie Bolton credits her rural upbringing in helping her become a WNBA all-star and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
1 Year On, Sandy Survivors to Light Up Shore
Candles and flashlights will light up the shore along the East Coast as survivors of Superstorm Sandy pay their respects to what was lost when the storm roared ashore one year ago.
Egypt Judges Resign from Trial of Islamist Leaders
The judges presiding over the trial of leaders of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood stepped down from the proceedings Tuesday because security agencies would not allow the defendants to attend in court, apparently out of fear of protests, judicial officials said.
U.S., Weighing Changes After Allies Object to Spying
Faced with a flood of revelations about U.S. spying practices, the White House is considering ending eavesdropping on friendly foreign leaders, a senior administration official said.
Medicare Chief Gets 'Obamacare' Grilling
Stressing that improvements are happening daily, the senior Obama official closest to the administration's malfunctioning health care website went before Congress to face a grilling Tuesday.
Miss. DPS Drops $6 Photo Fee on Gun Permit
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety on Monday dropped the $6 photo fee it tacked onto the charge for a concealed-carry gun permit starting July 1, and it's working to refund the money to anyone who has already paid it, spokesman Warren Strain said.
Monday, October 28
Judge Blocks Bryant in Insurance Dispute
A federal judge Monday blocked Gov. Phil Bryant from intervening in a contract dispute between Mississippi's largest health insurer and a company that owns 10 hospitals in the state.
Horhn: Farish Games 'Very Frustrating'
Downtown is abuzz over the ongoing feud between the Jackson Redevelopment Authority and one of Jackson's most prominent developers, David Watkins, and his Farish Street Entertainment District project.
White House Official Vows Healthcare.gov Will Work Smoothly by End of November
The troubled federal health insurance exchange will be fixed by the end of November—two weeks before the Dec. 15 enrollment deadline for coverage to take effect in January, Obama administration officials said Friday.
Chris Maloney
Chris Maloney, a native and resident of Jackson, is trying to help coach the St. Louis Cardinals to their 12th World Series title.
Community Meetings
The Rankin County Democrats Monthly Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. at Corner Bakery in Flowood.
Report: U.S. Monitored 60 Million Calls in Spain
A Spanish newspaper published a document Monday that it said shows the U.S. National Security Agency spied on more than 60 million phone calls in Spain in one month alone.
Jackson's Doctor Released from Jail After 2 Years
The doctor convicted of killing Michael Jackson was released from jail Monday after serving nearly two years of a four-year sentence.
Judge Mulls Insurer's Request to Block Gov. Order
A federal judge says he intends to rule on Monday in a dispute between Mississippi's largest health insurer and Gov. Phil Bryant.
Sunday, October 27
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.
Friday, October 25
JRA Going After Watkins’ Money
Not satisfied with removing David Watkins and his partners from the Farish Street project, the Jackson Redevelopment Authority is now going after Watkins’ money.
Lumumba: Please Help Us Clean Up Jackson
After Chokwe Lumumba's triumph in the May Democratic primary spurred a spate of race-tinged vitriol directed at Lumumba and Jackson's predominantly African American citizenry, the then-mayor-elect vowed to restore unity.
Taxing Tar Sands, Chasing Goliath
From the climate standpoint, we cannot accept the massive carbon load associated with unconventional fossil fuels without guaranteeing climate disasters.
De'Keither Stamps
When the Jackson Free Press first met De'Keither Stamps, he invited reporters to his home to talk about the issues facing Jackson and his candidacy for the Ward 4 seat on the Jackson City Council.
It's the Weekend!
On Saturday, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the band Classical Mystery Tour present "Music of Lennon and McCartney" at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall.
Both Sides Agree: No Major Budget Deal Foreseen
On this, GOP budget guru Rep. Paul Ryan and top Senate Democrat Harry Reid can agree: There won't be a "grand bargain" on the budget.
1999 Indictment to be Released in JonBenet Slaying
A grand jury indictment issued in 1999 in the JonBenet Ramsey investigation will be released Friday, and should shed more light on why prosecutors decided against pursuing charges against the little girl's parents.
FDA Proposes Rules to Make Animal Food Safer
Amid incidents of pets dying from dog treats, the Food and Drug Administration is proposing long-awaited rules to make pet food and animal feed safer.
Lawyer Fired from BP Claims Program Sues Company
An attorney who was fired by the court-supervised administrator of BP's settlement with Gulf Coast businesses and residents is suing her former employer and the London-based oil giant.
Thursday, October 24
State Can Go Ahead with Leflore Schools' Takeover
The Leflore County school system will not be allowed to block the state from taking over.
Mississippi Pride Swells at Museum Groundbreaking
The grand opening may be four years away, but Thursday's celebration on North Street inspired enough Mississippi pride to last us until then.
Drone Makers Gather to Defend Their Much-Maligned Machines
The U.S. has virtually no commercial civilian drone market, as the Federal Aviation Administration has been slow to approve the widespread use of drones.
Mississippi College Football Team
Mississippi College opened the season with a 52-19 loss to arch-rival Millsaps College in the first game of the year.
Obama Pressing Congress to Move on Immigration
President Barack Obama is using the bully pulpit to insist that Congress pass legislation overhauling the nation's immigration system.
Germany Summons U.S. Envoy Over Alleged NSA Spying
Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador Thursday following allegations that American intelligence may have targeted Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone.
Healthcare.gov Problems Are Target at Hill Hearing
The principal contractors responsible for the federal government's troubled health insurance website say the Obama administration shares responsibility for snags that have crippled the system.
Tests Suggest Baby Born with HIV May be Cured
Doctors now have convincing evidence that they put HIV into remission, hopefully for good, in a Mississippi baby born with the AIDS virus—a medical first that is prompting a new look at how hard and fast such cases should be treated.
Wednesday, October 23
The Slate
Did anyone predict the Kansas City Chiefs would be the last undefeated team in the NFL this season? I know I never expected the Chiefs to go 7-0.
JFP Top 25: Week 8
We saw plenty of shakeup this week in the JFP Top 25 College Football Poll. It was an upset-filled weekend in the SEC, and Central Florida knocked off Louisville.
Should JSU Leave the SWAC?
Thanks to the SWAC, Jackson State is still undefeated this conference season. The conference decided that, since Grambling State forfeited the game over the weekend, the Tigers could claim it as a victory.
‘Cane Sugar’ and Bayous
New Orleans-based roots-rock band Honey Island Swamp Band calls its music “Bayou Americana.”
Art, Spoken Word and Justice Jam
Organizers are adding an art component to spoken-word poetry at Art, Poetry and Justice Slam on Oct. 26.
Johanne d’ Arc: An Experiment in Improvisation
Laina Faul, who plays the lead role in “Johanne d’Arc,” and her cast mates used many improvisation techniques while in rehearsal to get into the story of Joan of Arc.
Coming Together
One of the things I love about Jackson is how often people who care about each other, and about this city, come together to support things bigger than themselves.
Into the Fire
Steven O'Neill and Alex Eaton barely have 60 years between them, but their combined restaurant experience surpasses their youth.
All Hallows Read
The classic trick-or-treat song wouldn't feel the same if you replaced "give me something good to eat" with "give me something good to read." Because it's all about the candy, right?
Wig Out
Jackson Free Press Art Director Kristin Brenemen shared her tips for transforming a wig into the perfect topper for any costume.
Efficient Trick-or-Treating
No age is too early for walking the neighborhood on Halloween. Just keep expectations and supervision age appropriate, talk about safety, dress for the weather, and enjoy the night air with friends and neighbors.
How Will You Celebrate Halloween?
One fun aspect of Halloween each year is predicting which topical costumes you'll see all over the place.
Happy (Local) Halloween
This year, shake it up a little bit by adding some local flair to your Halloween treats.
Tricky Treats
Candy-coated strawberries are a classic, and turning them into little ghosts is easier than you think.
DIY Costumes for Kids
Want cool kid costumes without the sticker shock of the catalogs? Fashion a look from garments and objects you may have lying around the house instead.
Día de los Muertos
If you think it's tough to please trick-or-treaters who knock on Halloween, imagine the painstaking task of finding something your long-deceased relatives would enjoy on their annual visit home from the grave.
Young People: Lift Your Voices
When the Pew Charitable Trusts released data on juvenile-detention rates across the country earlier this month, Mississippi had the third greatest percentage drop (77 percent) in young people committed to the juvenile- justice system.
Let’s All Start Living ‘The Laramie Project’
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, something happened at the University of Mississippi.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Access to care"
Gov. Phil Bryant's hypocrisy is hard to ignore in light of his rationale for detesting the federal Affordable Care Act.
A Spooky, Scary Legend
Mr. Announcer: "Welcome to the Halloween edition of 'All God's Churn Got Shoes,' the longest-running soap opera on Ghetto Science Television."
GOP Divided in Mississippi, Nationwide
If one lesson that came out of the recent showdown over opening the federal government and paying the nation's bills, it's that deep fissures persist within the Republican Party.
‘One Lake’ Draws Mixed Reax
After years of planning, debate and revision, public sentiment about a plan to dam part of the Pearl River and create a lake that is designed to reduce flooding in Jackson and draw real-estate investments still appears to be muddled.
Question o' the Week: What Halloween costume are you expecting to see everywhere this year?
What Halloween costume are you expecting to see everywhere this year?
Civil Rights Museum to Break Ground
Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter remembers a time when "civil" and "rights" were two words that weren't used in tandem in many social circles.
Living ‘The Laramie Project’ at Ole Miss
A recent incident at a performance of “The Laramie Project” at Ole Miss reignited nationwide discussion of LGBTQ issues.
A.B. Nichols
A.B. Nichols has spent a lifetime in education, but it never ceases to amaze her how much a person continues to learn throughout life.
No Time to Fear
The grass isn’t greener, or safer, in another cow pasture or flood plain somebody wants to develop.
Howlin’ Brothers: Beyond Bluegrass
The Howlin’ Brothers perform Oct. 26 at Hal & Mal’s in support of their latest album.
Fall Anticipation
After an exciting summer of new releases, music lovers might be left wondering if things could get any better.
Council OKs Sales Tax Hike for 2014 Vote
Jackson citizens will vote whether to levy a 1-percent sales tax after all. The Jackson City Council voted 5-1 in favor of putting the referendum forward at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Obama Appeals to Allies to Stick with Health Law
The Obama administration is appealing to its allies in Congress, on Wall Street and across the country to stick with President Barack Obama's health care law even as embarrassing problems with the flagship website continue to mount.
In NSA Spying Scandal, Outrage but Calculation Too
U.S. allies knew that the Americans were spying on them, but they had no idea how much.
Section 42 Housing Could Cost Counties Millions
A lawmaker has criticized a state Supreme Court decision that will force local governments across Mississippi to refund millions of dollars in property taxes to developers of affordable housing.
Tuesday, October 22
Bryant Orders Blue Cross to Take Back 10 HMA Hospitals
Gov. Phil Bryant is ordering Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi to reinstate all 10 hospitals that it kicked out of its network.
Detroit Faces Crucial Trial in Bankruptcy Case
Thousands of Detroit streetlights are dark. Many more residents have fled. Donors are replacing ambulances that limped around for 200,000 miles. Millions in debt payments have been skipped.
FDA Reviews 2 Promising New Drugs for Hepatitis C
Doctors may soon have two new drug options for patients with hepatitis C, just as the liver-destroying virus becomes a major public health concern for millions of baby boomers.
For Jobless Over 50, a Challenging Search for Work
When Charlie Worboys lost his job, he feared searching for a new one at his age might be tough. Six years later, at 65, he's still looking.
AP Exclusive: Nuke Officers Left Blast Door Open
Twice this year alone, Air Force officers entrusted with the launch keys to nuclear-tipped missiles have been caught leaving open a blast door that is intended to help prevent a terrorist or other intruder from entering their underground command post.
Lumumba: Chamber Won't 'Betray' City on Tax Commission
Mayor Chokwe Lumumba brushed off concerns from Jackson City Council members at Monday's work session about the 1-percent sales tax, which Jacksonians would have to pass by referendum.
EastGroup, Bagwell and Aspire
Jackson-based EastGroup Properties has been enjoying increased revenue and profit in its third quarter as an increasing number of tenants rent industrial space from the company.
Dr. Claude Brunson
Dr. Claude Brunson, senior adviser to the vice chancellor for external affairs at University of Mississippi Medical Center, is slated to become president-elect of the Mississippi State Medical Association.
Chris Christie Gay Marriage Move Stirs GOP
Gov. Chris Christie's decision to stop fighting gay marriage in New Jersey was pragmatic—same sex weddings had already begun and a court warned that the state would have little chance of overturning them.
Builders of Obama's Health Website Saw Red Flags
Crammed into conference rooms with pizza for dinner, some programmers building the Obama administration's showcase health insurance website were growing increasingly stressed.
Extremist Groups Hobble Syrian Peace Negotiations
Violent extremists seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad may instead have hurt negotiations to replace him.
Teacher Called Hero in Fatal Nevada School Shooting
Police said a Sparks Middle School student was the lone shooter who injured two classmates, killed himself and took the life of an 8th-grade math teacher who tried to stop the rampage Monday.
Charter Schools Unlikely in Miss. for Fall 2014
It's unlikely that students will attend charter schools in Mississippi in August 2014.
Monday, October 21
Police: Student Killed Staffer at Nevada School
A student at a Nevada middle school opened fire on campus just before the starting bell Monday, wounding two boys and killing a staff member who was trying to protect other children, Sparks police said Monday.
JSU Salvages Homecoming After Grambling No-Show
The Jackson State University football Tigers woke up winners Saturday morning, and made the best of a bad situation by celebrating homecoming with a scrimmage and concert at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Here's Why Healthcare.gov Broke Down
For the past two weeks, healthcare.gov, the federal government's new health insurance marketplace, has been bogged down by problems, preventing users from viewing insurance options and plans on the website.
Willie Heidelberg
Willie Heidelberg's courageousness is best exemplified by an event in 1970 when the University of Southern Mississippi defeated Ole Miss 30-14 in what stands to this day as one of the biggest upsets in Mississippi history.
Obama to Address Widespread Health Care Problems
President Barack Obama is expected to acknowledge that widespread problems with his health care law's rollout are unacceptable, as the administration scrambles to fix the cascade of computer issues.
NJ Gov. Christie Drops Gay Marriage Appeal
Gov. Chris Christie dropped his appeal to legalized same-sex marriages on Monday, hours after gay couples began immediately taking advantage of a court ruling that compelled the state to become the 14th in the nation to recognize same-sex nuptials.
Sunday, October 20
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, October 19
SWAC Commissioner: Grambling will Forfeit, Pay Fine for Game Cancellation
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Grambling's proud football program descended into further chaos Friday when the school canceled Saturday's game against Jackson State after disgruntled players refused to travel to Jackson.
EastGroup Profit Surges as Expansion Continues
More tenants are renting industrial space from landlord EastGroup Properties, pushing up revenue and profit in the third quarter.
Friday, October 18
Sen. Chris McDaniel Takes Aim at Thad Cochran
Sen. Chris McDaniel's announcement yesterday that he will run for U.S. Congress in 2014 was more or a less a formality.
Mascara Exempt from U.N. Mercury Treaty
Under a new global treaty that limits the use of mercury, some light bulbs will be banned. Some batteries, thermometers and medical devices will be banned too. But mascara is exempt.
Lucas Simmons
Jackson's beer culture has vastly improved in the last 10 years, thanks in part to Lucas Simmons and the company he helped start: Lucky Town Brewing Company.
It's the Weekend!
Country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson's performance at 10 p.m. at Club Magoo's has been rescheduled for Nov. 23.
Snowden: No Classified Documents Taken to Russia
Former National Security Agency systems analyst Edward Snowden says that he did not take any secret NSA documents to Russia and that intelligence officials in China as well as Russia could not get access to the documents he had obtained before leaving the United States.
Federal Shutdown Affected U.S. in Ways Unseen
How did the shutdown alter our daily routines? Here's a look at a day in the life of the 2013 government shutdown.
Saudi Arabia Rejects Seat on UN Security Council
Saudi Arabia on Friday rejected its freshly-acquired seat on the U.N. Security Council, saying the 15-member body is incapable of resolving world conflicts such as the Syrian civil war.
National Parks in Miss. Reopening After Shutdown
Employees and visitors are starting to return to national parks in Mississippi following a deal to end the federal government's partial shutdown.
Thursday, October 17
Southern Dems to Seize on Chaos
Democrats are taking the advice of one of their own, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, and not letting the recent debt-ceiling crisis go to waste.
Pay for Hospital CEOs Linked More to Technology, Patient Satisfaction than Quality, Study Finds
A new study of CEO pay at nonprofit hospitals finds that executives at institutions that have a lot of fancy medical technology and high patient satisfaction are paid more than their peers.
The 1959 Ole Miss Rebels
Tonight, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame toasts the 1959 Ole Miss Rebels, a team that just might be the best college football team in the history of our state—and maybe even the best college football team in history.
Temporary Deal Reopens Gov't After 16-Day Shutdown
The government unlocked office doors, carried away barriers and lifted entrance gates at parks across the country Thursday after a battle-weary Congress approved a bipartisan deal to end 16 days of partial shutdown and guarantee that the United States would pay its debts, at least for this year.
U.N. to Elect 5 New Security Council Members
The U.N. General Assembly elects five new members to the Security Council on Thursday and the winners are virtually certain because there are no contested races—Nigeria, Chad, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania and Chile.
Report: NSA and CIA Collaborate on Drone Strikes
The National Security Agency has been extensively involved in the U.S. government's targeted killing program, collaborating closely with the CIA in the use of drone strikes against terrorists abroad, The Washington Post reported after a review of documents provided by former NSA systems analyst Edward Snowden.
Govt: Employees Aided Madoff's 'Elaborate Fiction'
Bernard Madoff could not have pulled off history's biggest Ponzi scheme without assistance from five greedy employees who helped him lie to thousands of investors and federal regulators.
Nunnelee, Palazzo Oppose Debt Deal
Reps. Alan Nunnelee and Steven Palazzo voted against House Bill 2775, which was the bi-partisan compromise in the Senate to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling in order that the bills owed--from budgets already passed and funds already appropriated by this same House--might be paid.
Mississippi Public University Tuition Increases
Tuition and fees would rise at Mississippi's public universities in fall 2014 and fall 2015 if the College Board approves.
Wednesday, October 16
President Obama Signs Bill Reopening Government, Workers Return Thursday
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed a measure into law reopening the federal government and averting a potential default.
Corey Booker Wins Special Election for Senate in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Democrat Cory Booker has won a special election to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate and pledges "not to play shallow politics."
House Votes 285-144 To Reopen Government, Lift Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON (AP) — Up against a deadline, Congress passed and sent a waiting President Barack Obama legislation late Wednesday night to avoid a threatened national default and end the 16-day partial government shutdown, the culmination of an epic political drama that placed the U.S. economy at risk.
Boehner: 'We Fought the Good Fight, We Just Didn't Win'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Up against one last deadline, Congress raced to pass legislation Wednesday avoiding a threatened national default and ending a 16-day partial government shutdown along the strict terms set by President Barack Obama when the twin crises began.
JFP Top 25: Week 7
We are seeing a shakeup at the top of the JFP College Football Top 25 Poll after an upset-filled Saturday. Three of the teams in the top 10 lost—and two of those teams lost to unranked teams.
The Slate
No New Orleans Saints game this week. Now is a good time to go antiquing with the wife on Sunday afternoon.
Rice Is Alright By Me
I understand that people want the four best teams to make the new college football playoffs system next season. Nobody wants to watch a team that doesn't deserve a spot in the top four getting to play over a deserving team.
Keep an Eye On ...
As the football season rolls on, we're getting a good idea of which players will be up for regional and national awards.
The Hardest Working Man in Music
Muscle Shoals native Jason Isbell brings his singer/songwriter melodies to Duling Hall Oct. 21.
A Visceral ‘Captain Phillips’
Tom Hanks stars in the new Paul Greengrass movie, “Captain Phillips,” about a vessel overtaken by Somalian pirates.
Finding Rhythm on Canvas
Ken Daley, a 37-year-old Canadian from Cambridge, Ontario, makes it clear that music is a large part of his daily artistic process, a way to vitalize his creative energies.
Autumnal I Do
A make-your-own candy apple bar is a decadent and fun way to bring fall flavors to your wedding reception.
Brain Attack: Surviving the Stroke Belt
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and often leads to long-term disability in adults.
Holy Tandemony
For some people, exercise is a way to disconnect from the world for a period of time each day. Many enjoy going for long runs or bike rides alone as a way to get away from everyone and everything, and to clear their heads.
‘Standing Close By’ The JFP Interview with Dr. Hannah Gay
Dr. Hannah Gay received international acclaim after the news of an apparent “cure” of an HIV-infected child in her care became public in March.
Save People, Not Just Boobies
Every October, almost every company in the country suddenly—and suspiciously—cares about the health of womenfolk and wants to stop breast cancer.
Stinker Quote of the Week: Meaningful
At this writing, 60 percent of Americans polled believe that the whole Congress should be sh*t canned. A small minority of radical right-wingers would rather devastate the world economy than give an inch, and no one has the will to stand up to them.
Strings in Schools is Worth Saving
It has become an all-too familiar tune: In the midst of shrinking budgets, creative services are first on the chopping block. In business organizations, that often means scaling back marketing and advertising budgets. For school districts, it's arts education.
Prayer, Hope and Questions
I don't think anyone wakes up in the morning telling themselves, "I am going to become a cause today." We are supposed to support causes, not be causes.
Farish Street, Round Two (or Eight?)
Much has changed around the capital city in the last several years, but Farish Street is not one of them.
Question o' the Week: What are your health-related goals this fall?
What are your health-related goals this fall?
JPS Strings Program in Jeopardy
A partnership between the school district and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Strings in the Schools offers free music instruction for students as young as 5 at some schools all the way through high school.
Pearl Targets Low-Income Rentals
The city of Pearl is turning into a case study in ever-changing and ever-more-restrictive rental ordinances, which have some folks mad as hell.
Trevor Pickering
Dr. Trevor Pickering, a partner in Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Jackson, is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knees and hips.
My Opening Farewell
After my many years with the JFP in numerous roles, the names and faces of all the dedicated souls who passed through the doors are too many to count or name here. My grateful thanks and warm wishes go to each of you for peace, happiness and success. Be kind to each other.
Ramsey’s Food Network Debut
Tom Ramsey makes his network debut competing in "Guy's Grocery Games," hosted by Guy Fieri. Sunday, Ramsey will host a watch party at Hal & Mal's.
Iran Says New Nuke Talk Session in Few Weeks
Reflecting signs of progress at ongoing Iran nuclear talks, the country's foreign minister said Wednesday that his country would meet again with six powers within weeks to further discuss ways to ease fears his Iran may want atomic arms.
Senators Seek Budget Deal, House GOP Effort Flops
Senate leaders are optimistic about forging an eleventh-hour bipartisan deal preventing a possible federal default and ending the partial government shutdown after Republican divisions forced GOP leaders to drop efforts to ram their own version through the House.
Nurse Pleads Guilty in Cancer Clinic Fraud Case
A nurse pleaded guilty Tuesday to failing to report a crime at a former south Mississippi cancer clinic that was shut down over unsafe practices and accused of a multimillion-dollar health care fraud.
Tuesday, October 15
Killen Seeks OK to Pursue New Trial in 1964 Deaths
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering arguments from a former Ku Klux Klansman convicted in the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers.
Uneven Enforcement Suspected at Nuclear Plants
The number of safety violations at U.S. nuclear power plants varies dramatically from region to region, pointing to inconsistent enforcement in an industry now operating mostly beyond its original 40-year licenses, according to a congressional study awaiting release.
House GOP Floats a Counter to Senate's Debt Idea
The divided government's increasingly urgent drive to prevent a Treasury default and end a 15-day partial government shutdown took a highly partisan turn Tuesday as House Republicans unveiled a proposal stocked with conservative priorities that the White House instantly rejected.
Obama Presents Afghan War Vet with Medal of Honor
A former Army captain whose heroic actions in a deadly Afghan battle were captured on video received the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, from President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday.
David Watkins Speaks on Farish
Embattled developer David Watkins is finally talking about the controversy that has swirled for weeks over the Farish Street redevelopment project in downtown Jackson.
Saks Possibly Sacked, Plus Belk and the Medical Mall Open Up
If Canadian clothing company Hudson Bay Co. acquires upscale retailer Saks Fifth Avenue for $2.9 billion, it could threaten Saks' operation center in Jackson, the Mississippi Business Journal reported recently.
Charles E. Cobb Jr.
Charles Cobb's grandmother was from Greenville, but Cobb, a Washington, D.C., native, got his introduction to Mississippi the same way as many Americans who had never traveled to the South: the murder of Emmett Till in 1955.
Ex-Halliburton Manager Pleads Guilty
A former Halliburton manager pleaded guilty Tuesday to destroying evidence in the aftermath of the deadly rig explosion that spawned BP's massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
As Gitmo Plods, Obama's Winning the Case for Court
Four years after his failed effort to bring the 9/11 mastermind to New York for trial, President Barack Obama has reinstated the federal courthouse as America's preferred venue for prosecuting suspected terrorists.
Iran Presents Nuclear Proposals at Geneva Talks
Declaring that Iran no longer wants to "walk in the dark" of international isolation, Iranian negotiators put forward what they called a potential breakthrough plan Tuesday at the long-stalled talks on easing fears that Tehran wants atomic arms.
House GOP to Try to Counter Senate Debt Limit Plan
House GOP leaders unveiled their own plan Tuesday to counter an emerging Senate deal to reopen the government and forestall an economy-rattling default on U.S. obligations.
Pascagoula LNG Terminal Awaits Federal Export OK
Investors spent $1 billion building a facility in Pascagoula to import liquefied natural gas. But plans to bring natural gas into the United States collapsed when explorers began finding large quantities of natural gas in the United States.
Monday, October 14
Breaking Away: Top Public Universities Push for 'Autonomy' from States
Across the country, a small but growing number of public universities are looking to cut deals with state lawmakers that scale back direct oversight, often in return for less funding or for meeting certain performance targets.
Causes, Effects of EBT Glitch Probed
An apparent computer glitch resulted in mass confusion across a large swath of the country when people discovered their electronic benefits transfer did not work over the weekend.
Josh Marks
Josh Marks gained notoriety for his performance on the popular reality cooking show "MasterChef," reaching the finals and garnering attention from prominent chefs during the program's third season.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Blues by Starlight is Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Highland Village.
Iran Nuclear Talks in Geneva Spur High Hopes
Don't expect a breakthrough—but the chances for progress have seldom been better. This is the message coming from Iran and six world powers ahead of renewed talks this week meant to end a decade of deadlock on Tehran's nuclear program.
Poll: Half of Older Workers Delay Retirement Plans
Some 82 percent of working Americans over 50 say it is at least somewhat likely they will work for pay in retirement, according to a poll released Monday by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Default Looming, Day 14 of Shutdown, No Solution
The United States moved perilously closer to an economy-rattling default and a partial government shutdown entered its 14th day as Senate Democratic and Republican leaders remained at odds over spending in their last-ditch negotiations to end the crises facing the nation.
Sunday, October 13
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, October 12
Barbour's Ties to Southern Co. Questioned in Race
A candidate for Alabama's utility regulatory board has lined up a fundraiser with former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who helped to found a Washington lobbying firm that has represented the parent company of Alabama Power Co.
Man Says 1973 UFO Incident Turned Life Upside Down
Charles Hickson never regretted the notoriety that came his way after he told authorities he encountered an unidentified flying object and its occupants 40 years ago on the banks of the Pascagoula River. Until his death in 2011, Hickson told his story to anyone who would listen.
Friday, October 11
Will Mississippi Avoid the College-Debt Crash?
Whitney Barkley believes that college loan debt could be bad news for the U.S. economy.
Mercury Increasing in Birds Downstream of Canada's Oil Sands
Mercury levels are increasing in the eggs of water birds that nest downstream of Canada's oil sands region, according to a new study.
Deja Abdul-Haqq
Deja Abdul-Haqq—environmental and policy manager at My Brother's Keeper, Inc.—is devoted to addressing health and nutritional disparities in Mississippi.
New GOP Plan to End Shutdown/Default, but No Agreement, Yet
House Republicans are offering to pass legislation to avert a default and end the 11-day partial government shutdown as part of a framework that would include cuts in benefit programs, officials said Friday.
Global Chemical Watchdog Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Efforts to eliminate chemical weapons won a Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for the global watchdog trying to destroy Syria's stockpiles of nerve gas and other poisonous agents.
House GOP, White House Seeking End to Budget Fight
After weeks of ultimatums, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans are exploring whether they can end a budget standoff that has triggered a partial government shutdown and edged Washington to the verge of a historic, economy-jarring federal default.
Ex-Cop Didn't Seem to Have Target in Courthouse
An ex-police officer did not seem to be targeting anyone or any particular office when he stood across the street from a federal courthouse and sprayed the glass facade with bullets, even taking the time to wave away bystanders before he opened fire, authorities said.
Miss. Government: Little Impact from Fed Shutdown
Agency directors and spokesmen say Mississippi government is feeling little effect from the federal government's partial shutdown that started last week.
Thursday, October 10
Poll: Health Exchange Rollout Gets Poor Reviews
The debut of the government's health insurance marketplaces drew a huge audience—and underwhelming reviews.
4 Americans Meet Snowden to Give Him an Award
Four former U.S. government officials who met with former National Security Agency systems analyst Edward Snowden said Thursday that he is adjusting to life in Russia and expresses no regrets about leaking highly classified information. Separately, Snowden's father arrived to see his son.
Farish Street Flap Heats Up
Since developer David Watkins responded to a flurry of criticism over his handling of the Farish Street renovation project with a letter yesterday afternoon, his camp has ratcheted up its war of words.
Costliest 1 Percent of Patients Account for 21 Percent of U.S. Health Spending
Five percent of patients account for 50 percent of all health-care expenditures.
UN to Tackle Collapsing Central African Republic
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a resolution Thursday aimed at helping end near-anarchy in the violence-wracked Central African Republic, which it says is threatening stability in the volatile region and beyond.
House GOP Leaders Seek Short-Term Debt Extension
House Speaker John Boehner planned to ask fractious Republican lawmakers on Thursday to support a six-week extension of the government's ability to borrow money, even as Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned Congress of "irrevocable damage" that an unprecedented federal default would risk.
Man Wants Sentence Reduced in Carjacking Case
A man who pleaded guilty to an armed carjacking in central Mississippi has asked a federal judge to throw out part of his 10-year sentence.
Wednesday, October 9
Go Big (When You) Go Home
When it comes to decor, sometimes you need a big piece to make a room look balanced, fill a large empty wall or make a bold statement.
The Slate
The New Orleans Saints are 5-0 for the third time in franchise history, which brings up some good and some bad memories associated with other two times the Saints started undefeated five weeks into a season.
JFP Top 25: Week 6
The top 10 teams didn't show any movement this week, but the bottom of the rankings changed with a few unexpected wins from teams higher in the poll.
Going Bowling—Maybe
College football is nearing the midway point of the season, and it seems like a good time to look at how the season has gone for Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Jackson State.
‘Gravity’: Space Without Noise
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney shine in the outer-space thrill ride “Gravity.”
Yarn, Hooks, Coffee and Tradition
Every second and fourth Monday of the month, long enough after lunch to be ready for a nice cup of afternoon coffee, a group of crafty women meet in Old Trace Park.
AJC and the Envelope Pushers
Adam Jerrell Collier, 28, aka AJC, is fully aware of Mississippi's reputation, good and bad. He loves living in Jackson, but at one point in his life he was embarrassed to admit that his home state is Mississippi to others.
Filter the Noise
While cover songs have been the primary focus in recent months, Filter the Noise didn't set out to be a cover band.
Wolf Cove
Indie-rock band Wolf Cove recorded its first EP in one member's basement. The aptly titled "Ben's Basement" came out in April.
Tightrope Escapade
After answering the same Craigslist post seeking musicians to play with in December 2011, Jacquelynn Pilcher and Clay Keith started dating and made their own band, Tightrope Escapade, by January.
Trademark
Although Carthage-based, country-rock band Trademark formed in 2005, the band decided in 2011 to either get serious about its music or hang it up.
Rozay Mo
From hours of studio sessions to opening for countless hip-hop superstars, rapper Rozay Mo is definitely chasing his dreams of stardom in the music industry.
Noelle “Gahdis” Gee
Jackson-based singer and rapper Noelle "Gahdis" Gee, 22, stays current with her sound while addressing social issues in her music. "Mi Girlz," for example, is a shout-out to all women—from CEOs to stay-at-home moms.
Aaron Coker
For singer-songwriter and Pearl native Aaron Coker, 33, standing out in a crowded music field took dedication and good old-fashioned showmanship.
The Weekend Kids
Honesty, exuberance and joy come through in the work of The Weekend Kids, a Flowood-based collective of five high-school friends.
The StoneCoats
The StoneCoats, a Brandon-based indie-rock band, spends hours every week pushing its practice space, a barn outside of Brandon, to its sonic (and electrical) limits.
Shutdown: All Part of the Plan
The Republican members of the U.S. Congress, including the Mississippi coalition, are trying to blame the government shutdown on anyone but themselves.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Cooperation'
As Nunnelee's fellow Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have demonstrated over the past week, "cooperation" isn't the goal. Their actions, refusing to keep the federal government funded and running, amount to extortion.
Pimp Slapped and Car Jacked
Jojo: "The bad news is that some mean and callus politicians in Washington, D.C., will continue to pimp slap, car jack, hijack, beat down and humiliate the American people by shutting down the government."
JRA Moving on Farish, Slowly
The history of Farish Street's renovation efforts, which Jackson architect Steven Horn first proposed in 1983, is as shameful as the area is illustrious.
Vigil Gives Mom Peace, Not Justice
Almost three months have passed since Quardious Thomas was shot and killed in northwest Jackson's Lakeover subdivision for allegedly trying to steal a car.
Baker, McQuirter Win Hinds Democratic Primary
The results are in: Democrats Darrel McQuirter and James "Lap" Baker make it into the November general election for Hinds County supervisor.
Legality of Water-Sewer Plan Uncertain
Complaints over increased water and sewer rates have continued, even after the Jackson City Council passed the 2013-2014 fiscal-year budget.
Was William Brown an Open-Carry Casualty?
William Brown’s wife, DeUndra, believes her husband was victimized twice—once at the hands of his killer and again by a state law that allows people to carry guns openly.
Chris Cajoleas
Christ Cajoleas worked 16 shows in 18 days managing a tour featuring hip-hop artist Pell and DJ Staccato.
Making it Happen
No matter how you want to be involved in the Jackson music scene and its various sub-scenes, a place for you exists.
U.S. Expected to Slash Aid to Egyptian Government
U.S. officials said Wednesday that the Obama administration is poised to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Egypt.
3 in U.S. Win Chemistry Nobel for Computer Models
Three U.S.-based scientists won this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for developing powerful computer models that researchers use to understand complex chemical interactions and create new drugs.
College Board Confirms Bynum as MVSU President
The College Board has unanimously named William Bynum the next president of Mississippi Valley State University.
Harrison County Inmate Found Hanging in Jail Cell
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has joined in the investigation of the death of a Harrison County inmate who was found hanging in his cell.
Tuesday, October 8
Libya Prime Minister Says U.S. Raid Won't Hurt Ties
Relations between Tripoli and Washington will not be hurt by the U.S. raid that seized an al-Qaida suspect from the Libyan capital, Libyan leaders said Tuesday, as they requested Washington allow the family of the detainee—now being held on a U.S. warship—to establish contact with him.
2 Win Physics Nobel for Higgs Theory
Nearly 50 years after they came up with the theory, but little more than a year since the world's biggest atom smasher delivered the proof, Britain's Peter Higgs and Belgian colleague Francois Englert won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for helping to explain how matter formed after the Big Bang.
Hinds Dem Runoff Today: McQuirter v. Robinson, Baker v. Maldonado
In the absence of serious Republican opposition in most corners of Hinds County, Democratic primary battles can often get nasty and divisive. The contest for the safely Democratic District 2 seat is affirming that fact.
Barber Shop, Burn Center, Recycling and USM
Next month, partners Justin McPherson and Eddie Outlaw—a frequent contributor to the Jackson Free Press—will open a new business, The Fondren Barber Shop, next to their William Wallace Salon (2939 Old Canton Road).
Doyle Warrington
It's a common man who loves his family and dogs, but a special man who takes that love and channels it into a philanthropy that makes a lasting change. Such is the legacy of Doyle Warrington, who passed away Oct. 1 at age 71.
U.S. Adults Score Below Average on Worldwide Test
It's long been known that America's school kids haven't measured well compared with international peers. Now, there's a new twist: Adults don't either.
Senate Dems to Try for Debt Ceiling Increase
Democrats controlling the Senate plan to move quickly toward a vote to allow the government to borrow more money, challenging Republicans to a filibuster showdown as the time remaining to stop a first-ever default on U.S. obligations ticks by.
Hood Hits Google on Guarding Intellectual Property
Attorney General Jim Hood says he's trying to organize state attorneys general to push Google to better protect intellectual property.
Monday, October 7
Filling Empty Houses In Byram
Another group has come to the table in the struggle to fill empty houses in the Jackson area. The nonprofit Home Again Inc. is teaming with Hope Credit Union and Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to do it.
Key Reads on Government Shutdowns
We've been here before: The U.S. government has shut down due to lack of funding 18 times in its history.
William Bynum
On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Mississippi College Board announced that William Bynum, vice president of enrollment management and student services at the private Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., is the preferred candidate to become president of Mississippi Valley State University.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Tonight, the History of Beer Dinner is at 6 p.m. at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint.
With Obama Out, Others Take APEC Stage, Sort Of
As some of the world's heavy-weight leaders stood in the spotlight Monday at a regional economic summit, they still managed to be upstaged by who was missing.
Olympic Flame Relay Highlights Putin's Russia
In the words of President Vladimir Putin, the four-month Olympic flame relay will "show the world Russia as she is and as we love her."
Gov't Shutdown Enters 2nd Week, No End in Sight
The government shutdown entered its second week with no end in sight and ominous signs that the United States was closer to the first default in the nation's history as Speaker John Boehner ruled out any measure to boost borrowing authority without concessions from President Barack Obama.
Sunday, October 6
Bryant Trusts No Part of Federal Health Overhaul
If there's one thing Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant makes perfectly clear, it's this: He doesn't like the federal health overhaul.
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, October 5
Prospect for Quick End to Shutdown is Remote
Prospects for a swift end to the 4-day-old partial government shutdown all but vanished Friday as lawmakers squabbled into the weekend and increasingly shifted their focus to a midmonth deadline for averting a threatened first-ever default.
Friday, October 4
Despite Big Backers, Robinson Mum on Hinds 2 Race
One might expect Willie Earl Robinson to be riding high and ready to shout from the rooftops after landing several big endorsements in the Hinds County Democratic primary for District 2.
The Man Who Made Sea-Level Rise Go Away
What John Droz Jr. is doing, say experts on public policy and climate science, is successfully sowing doubt in lawmakers and the public alike.
Gerold Smith
Gerold Smith, owner of Jackson radio stations BDAY 99.1 FM and 970 AM, is the youngest radio-station owner in the state at 36.
It's the Weekend!
On Saturday, the Town Creek Arts Festival is from noon-6 p.m. in the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art.
APNewsBreak: Shutdown Slowed Border Prosecutions
The top federal prosecutor in San Diego said prosecutions of immigrant and drug smuggling offenses would be fully restored Friday, three days after they were curtailed in response to the federal government shutdown.
Mother: Daughter in Capitol Chase Was Depressed
The mother of a Connecticut woman who was shot to death by police after trying to breach a barrier at the White House said her daughter was suffering from post-partum depression.
Karen Threatens U.S. During Quiet Hurricane Season
Tropical Storm Karen was poised to become the first named storm to hit the U.S. during what had been a relatively quiet hurricane season.
Dems Say It's Time for GOP to Unite, End Shutdown
President Barack Obama decided to stay home from economic summits in Asia as Democrats stepped up pressure on congressional Republicans to rein in their tea party faction and reopen the government with no strings attached.
Judge Suspends Some BP Settlement Payments
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the administrator of a multibillion-dollar settlement over BP's 2010 Gulf oil spill to immediately suspend making settlement offers and payments to some businesses that claim the company's 2010 oil spill cost them money.
Miss. Continues WIC, Despite Federal Budget Battle
Despite a partial shutdown of the federal government, Mississippi has gotten permission to keep operating a nutrition program for more than 94,000 low- to moderate-income women and children.
Thursday, October 3
D.C. Capitol Locked Down; Shots Heard Outside
A police officer was reported injured after gunshots at the U.S. Capitol, police said Thursday while putting the entire complex on lockdown.
Jackson Officials Back Robinson, Link McQuirter to GOP
Local officials expressed their full-throated supported for Hinds County District 2 contender Willie Robinson of Bolton.
Kemper County Knew It: Plant Won't be Ready On Time
Residents of Kemper County suspected, and now Mississippi Power is confirming, that the utility's 582-megawatt power plant will not be complete by May 2014.
Millions Previously Denied Insurance Coverage Because of Health Problems Look to Online Marketplaces
Starting Jan. 1 insurers can no longer reject people, charge them more or restrict their benefits because of their health status.
L.C. Greenwood
L.C. Greenwood, football legend and Canton native, passed away due to natural causes in a Pittsburgh hospital Sunday, Sept 29. He was 67.
HeARTworks
Local artist Stacy Underwood works with Stewpot Community Services' clients to give them an artistic outlet.
Tropical Storm Karen Forms in the Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, and a hurricane watch is in effect along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida.
Shutdown in 3rd Day with Obama, Hill at Impasse
The government limped into a third day of partial shutdown Thursday with no sign of a way out after a White House conversation between President Barack Obama and top congressional leaders seemed only to harden the stances of Democrats and Republicans.
Online Delays Signal Strong Demand for Health Care
Overloaded websites and jammed phone lines frustrated consumers for a second day as they tried to sign up for health insurance under the nation's historic health care overhaul.
4 Head Start Providers Serving 3,200 Kids Close
Four Head Start providers that serve 3,200 low-income children in four states are closing due to the federal government shutdown.
Natchez Trace Threatened by Budget Fight
Visitors are being turned away from the Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg and seven other National Park Service sites in Mississippi because of the partial shutdown of the federal government.
Miss. Power Confirms Kemper Plant Delay
Mississippi Power Co. says its Kemper County power plant won't be finished by the original May 2014 deadline.
Wednesday, October 2
Remember the 1992 NLCS
One of the longest playoff droughts in North American sports ended last week. The Pittsburgh Pirates earned one of the two wild card berths in MLB's National League, ending the team's 20-year playoff drought, as well as a record 20 years of finishing with a losing season.
The Slate
Folks should feel some hope around Hattiesburg this week—not just about finally getting a winner in the mayoral election—but on the football field.
A Maverick of Harmonica
Scott Albert Johnson’s personal history in music led him to playing the harmonica.
Street Corner Symphony's Modern A Capella
A cappella group Street Corner Symphony performs Oct. 11 at Duling Hall.
Roz Roy Teaching at MCM
When your kids are with Roz Roy, they are in good hands. As their guide, Roy helps children make art that is personal to them.
Vermeer: Love and Leisure
Filmmaker Phil Grabsky’s newest exhibition film “Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure” allows viewers to see Vermeer—artist of “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” above—in a new way.
Yoga for Sleep
This is part two in an instructional yoga series, each part focused on yoga positions for different purposes.
Scandinavian Sightseeing
When I first considered going to Norway, it was really hard to think of anything that I knew about the country, other than it has some weird-looking extra letters in its alphabet.
Fighting the Power in Kemper County
Barbara Correro's house sits just off an unpaved road of sandy, bright-red clay and under a canopy of shortleaf and southern yellow pine, sweetgum, oak, flowering dogwood, elm and hickory trees.
Last of the Letter Writers
Sandy Margolis, the last of the letter writers, died at age 74 two years ago this September.
The Power We Consume
President Barack Obama's administration recently set tough emission standards for electric utility companies that still rely heavily on burning carbon-heavy fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal.
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Mad'
Steven Palazzo is one of the Republican congressional "leaders" responsible for the government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 because lawmakers could not agree on funding to keep the government open.
Help When It’s Needed
Recently, fast-food workers across the country went on strike. They asked for something fairly simple: a living wage. Make no mistake: The multinational companies that employ these workers can afford to pay better. But many from the right-wing political sphere called striking workers greedy, lazy and un-American.
Hinds County Supervisor's Battle: Round 2
The fields have narrowed—somewhat—and only a few contenders remain for two seats on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.
West Jackson Rallying Zoo Support
Everyone in town seems to have an opinion on which course of action the Jackson Zoo's leadership, faced with financial obstacles, should take to ensure the longevity of what former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. called "one of Jackson's jewels."
Tax Commission: Who’s on First?
When Mayor Chokwe Lumumba took a stand against the composition of a commission overseeing a 1-percent sales-tax increase during his mayoral campaign last spring, he won the votes of Jacksonians tired of the state treating Jackson like a bad seed.
Black Mayors: We Got This
Sometime after his election as the new mayor of Vicksburg, George Flaggs, a former state lawmaker, said someone made a joke about whether African Americans would get more set-asides.
Anthony Jones
During a historic home renovation in Raymond, the owner brought Anthony Jones, the director of the project, reclaimed items including wood flooring and archways. Jones loved the opportunity to work with such unique pieces, and the owner of the home informed Jones that the items came from Old House Depot. He told Jones to head there for inspiration.
From Nothing to Something
When I moved back to Mississippi 12 years ago, it felt as if the majority of people I met, especially younger ones, constantly had one foot out the door in one way or the other.
Best-Selling Author Tom Clancy Has Died at Age 66
Tom Clancy, whose high-tech, Cold War thrillers such as "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games" made him the most widely read and influential military novelist of his time, has died. He was 66.
Ancient Ales, Local Lagers
In the Neolithic Age, about 10,200 B.C. to 2,000 B.C., mankind invented agricultural methods and began domesticating cereals for steady food supplies.
New Sanctions Likely Despite Thaw in U.S.-Iran Ties
A war-weary Congress generally backs President Barack Obama's outreach to Iran, but with tougher U.S. economic measures against Tehran on the way, the president's diplomatic task could get harder if he doesn't make quick progress.
Shutdown Leaves Thousands in DC Area in Limbo
The usually bustling District of Columbia will be uniquely affected Wednesday by the first government shutdown in 17 years, with thousands of federal employees who make up the backbone of the metro area's workforce ordered not to report to work.
Weapons Experts Begin Syria Mission Amid Clashes
As deadly clashes raged on the edge of Damascus, international inspectors left their hotel on Wednesday to start work on the task of destroying Syria's chemical arsenal under the tightest of deadlines in the midst of a civil war.
Outside U.S., Ripple Effects of Budget Battle Feared
Top European officials are keeping a worried eye on the U.S. government shutdown, saying it could pose a risk for the continent's fledgling recovery.
U.S. Judge Blocks Part of Miss. Campaign Finance Law
A federal judge in north Mississippi has declared that part of the state's campaign finance law is unconstitutional because it creates burdens for people or groups that spend at least $200 to support or oppose a ballot initiative.
Tuesday, October 1
Netanyahu: Israel Won't Let Iran Get Nuclear Arms
Israel's prime minister declared Tuesday that his country will never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons, even if it has to act alone, and dismissed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's "charm offensive" as a ruse to get relief from sanctions.
Exchanges are Here, Like it or Not
Today, Oct. 1, 2013, marks day one of the health-insurance exchanges as outlined in the 2010 Affordable Care Act, aka "Obamacare," President Barack Obama's landmark health-insurance reform act.
Outlets, Self-Employment and Feuer Powertrain
Colliers International Atlanta secured a $55-million construction loan for the Outlets of Mississippi.
Johnny DuPree
It's been a long slog for Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, but now, after two elections drawn out by a contentious court battle, DuPree takes his place again as the hub city's leader for a fourth term.
Chemical Weapons Inspectors Cross into Syria
An advance group of international inspectors arrived in Syria on Tuesday to begin the ambitious task of overseeing the destruction of President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons program.
Americans Anxious, Irritated as Gov't Shuts Down
The partial government shutdown that began Tuesday left many federal workers uncertain of their financial future, with many facing unpaid furloughs or delays in paychecks.
Health Insurance Markets Open; Success to Be Seen
The online insurance marketplaces at the heart of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul are showing signs of trouble handling the volume of consumers on the first day of a six-month open enrollment period.
Government Shutdown Begins Over Health Care Feud
Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a protracted dispute over President Barack Obama's signature health care law reached a boiling point, forcing some 800,000 federal workers off the job.
BP Accused of Lying to Gov't During Gulf Oil Spill
BP lied to the U.S. government and withheld information about the amount of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico after its well blew out in 2010, attorneys told a judge Monday.
Kemper Delay Could Cost Shareholders $133 Million
Mississippi Power Co. could announce in coming days that it won't meet a May deadline to start commercial operation at the $4.3 billion power plant it's building in Kemper County.