Stories for December 2014

Yarber Touts First Term 'Wins'

If the city had a rocky year, it was due in no small part to the growing pains of scrambling to assemble a mayoral administration mid-year and jumping right into the morass of steering the city of Jackson through myriad challenges.

Lynn Posey

Lynn Posey said Tuesday that he won't seek a third term as the central district member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

U.S. Bishops Take Aim at Sterilization

Amid the escalating conflicts over reproductive rights, tubal ligations haven't generated nearly as many headlines as abortion. But many doctors and patient advocates feel strongly about the topic, especially their ability to provide the surgery to a new mother immediately after childbirth.

Witness Confirms Cover-Up of Mexico Army Slayings

In her first interview since being falsely imprisoned for five months on weapons possession charges, a woman said a cover-up of the June 30 mass killing by the Mexican army went far beyond the seven soldiers facing trial in the case.

Report Prompts Mixed View of Health Care Sign-Ups

The first 50-state report on the latest sign-up season under President Barack Obama's health care law shows that more than 4 million people selected plans for the first time or re-enrolled.

Man Tries to Run Down Police; They Shoot, Kill Him

A man who had posted an online video threatening to kill police and FBI agents tried to use his car to run down officers seeking to arrest him on Tuesday so, fearing for their lives, they shot and killed him, authorities said.

Palestinians Plan Next Steps After Failed UN Bid

Palestinian leaders will meet Wednesday to plan their next steps after the U.N. Security Council rejected a resolution to end Israel's occupation and could set a date for applying to join the International Criminal Court, Palestinian officials said.

Stepping off the ‘Front Porch’

Country music is a difficult genre of music to appraise. Most songs sound startlingly common, with similar or identical subjects and not much difference in how they're discussed.

Starkgrass Takes Over the Capital City

Starkville-based bluegrass band The Tombigbees began as a trio, performing at open-mic nights and backwoods bars.

Howell Trophy Favorites

Each year the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum hands out the Howell Trophy to the best men's college basketball player in Mississippi.

Cap Problems

The Saints will start 2015 much the way they started 2014: in salary-cap hell once again.

The Slate

The College Football Playoff is finally here. Four teams will battle for the title but expect changes after the Texas Christian and Baylor snub this season.

JFP 2015 College Basketball Preview: The Smalls

Alcorn State University has to be one of the favorites to win the SWAC this season. The Braves return with preseason SWAC Player of the Year and preseason first-team All-SWAC LeAntwan Luckett.

JFP 2015 College Basketball Preview

Baseball has been successful in this state for a few years. Football had an amazing season that leaves everyone wondering if it can be replicated. Is it basketball's turn to shine in Mississippi?

I Am Not My Father

My father was very intent on ensuring that we knew who we were and where we came from. He wanted us to be aware of this world and its prejudices that were sure to come as we grew older.

Resolve to Have Clean 2015 Elections

2014 raised awareness about the way elections have been run in this state since time immemorial and the need for that to change.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Racist'

It's clear that it's Idris Elba's skin tone that is giving Rush Limbaugh the hives. Go figure.

Kuumba and Imani to You

My family and I have been celebrating Kwanzaa for 11 years as of this year. In 2003, I decided my family was going to have our first Kwanzaa after researching the cultural celebration for two years.

State Grant to Train Teens for Safer Dates

The "Safe Dates" program aims to help teens differentiate between relationships that are caring and supportive and those that are controlling, manipulative and abusive.

For Jackson, ‘Progress in the Face of Adversity’

In December 2013, with a new city council and a once-controversial mayor who was starting to win the hearts and minds of his detractors, things were looking up for the city of Jackson.

Money, Ministry and Stewpot’s Future

Stewpot, a pillar in the Jackson community for its service to the homeless population, has a long history of struggling to make ends meet.

Cordaryl Campbell

Also a husband and father, Cordaryl Campbell believes he is better prepared for making it in professional basketball by the road he has traveled.

A Fresh Start

John Lennon once said, "Life happens when you're busy making other plans." That's always been one of my favorite quotes, but never one that seemed to apply to me.

4 the Record, RimTyme, J. McLaughlin, Emerging Leader Series and State Trade and Export Program

Jackson's premier vinyl convention, 4 the Record, looks to be skipping next year after a number of larger vendors cancelled to attend the Alabama Record Collector's Association CD & Record Show.

Pomegranate Power

This is a celebratory, enchanted time of year, and nothing conveys these gustatory emotions as happily as the appearance of pomegranates in markets across town.

From Mother School to Museum

From the outside, one can't possibly see the beautiful and tragic history that the two-story gray building on Bloom Street holds.

Gunmen Fire on L.A. Police Car

Two men opened fire on a police car patrolling a tough part of Los Angeles, but the two officers inside were not injured and one was able to shoot back, authorities said Monday. One of the suspects was later arrested and the other is on the loose.

Quietly, Campaign Season Starts Over Holiday Break

Despite the election being almost one year away, candidates are already announcing runs for local and state races in next year's statewide election, when voters will choose leadership for state and county government.

Pill Ring Federal Trial in Mississippi Set for January

A federal judge has scheduled for Jan. 26 the trial of a Georgia doctor accused of recruiting casino workers in Biloxi to run a prescription pill ring.

Elbert Rich III

Elbert Rich III, known as Trey, was hit by a pickup truck as he rode his bicycle home from work at FedEx on Christmas Eve. He was dead on the scene.

Obama Warns GOP He Plans to Use Veto Pen in 2015

Warning from President Barack Obama to congressional Republicans: I have a veto pen and, come January, I won't be afraid to use it.

Russian Ruble Drops 7 Percent as Economy Shrinks

The Russian currency extended its losses on Monday after a report showed the economy has started shrinking in annual terms for the first time since 2009 as the country is buffeted by falling oil prices and Western sanctions.

In Crowded Skies, Lost Plane's Request for New Path Denied

The plane sought permission to climb above threatening clouds. Air traffic control couldn't say yes immediately—there was no room. Six other commercial airliners were crowding the surrounding airspace, forcing AirAsia Flight 8501 to remain at a lower altitude.

Shots Fired on Los Angeles Police Car; No One Hurt

A man fired a rifle at two Los Angeles officers in a patrol car, but no one was injured in the attack that comes amid tension nationwide between police and protesters rallying against their tactics.

Mississippi Towns Regroup After Deadly Storms

Elizabeth Bordelon planned to go Christmas shopping until nasty weather blowing through southeastern Mississippi convinced her to hold off.

Ole Miss Law School Enrollment Falls

The University of Mississippi School of Law's first-year enrollment has dropped from 199 in 2010, to 156 in 2012 and just 127 students this year.

Theaters Begin Screening 'The Interview'

Critics and early viewers agree that "The Interview" is less than a masterpiece. But thanks to threats from hackers that nearly derailed its release, it has become an event.

Nissan Supplier Efforts Key to Miss. Output

Topre America's robots, tended by 165 employees, are now welding together support frames for trucks inside a Mississippi facility that's a long walk from where Nissan assembles them.

Ashby Foote Joins Jackson Council

The Jackson City Council has moved closer to returning to full strength with Ashby Foote officially joining the body as Ward 1 councilman.

Dr. Phyllis Hollenbeck and Dr. Charles Sherwood

It took courage and conscience for physicians Charles Sherwood and Phyllis Hollenbeck to blow the whistle on their employer, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, officials with the federal Office of Special Counsel said.

Russia: NATO Pushed Kiev to Drop Nonaligned Status

NATO members pushed Ukraine toward dropping its nonaligned status, Russia claimed Wednesday, and also criticized the alliance for expanding its military presence near Russian borders.

IS Shoots Down Warplane in Syria, Captures Jordanian Pilot

Islamic State group militants captured a Jordanian pilot after shooting down his warplane while conducting airstrikes over Syria, Jordan said Wednesday, in the extremists' first successful downing of an aircraft from the international coalition waging an air campaign against the group.

Officer Kills Armed 18-Year-Old Near Ferguson

Violent protests broke out in suburban St. Louis after another black 18-year-old was fatally shot by a white police officer.

Storms Kill 4 in Miss., Emergency Declared

Severe weather slamming the southern U.S. two days before Christmas killed at least four people, flipped cars, knocked out power to thousands and damaged several homes and businesses.

US Moves to End Ban on Blood Donations by Gay Men

Federal health officials are recommending an end to the nation's lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, a 31-year-old policy that many medical groups and gay activists say is no longer justified.

Sony Announces Limited Release for 'The Interview'

"The Interview" has been re-gifted to moviegoers as a limited Christmas Day release, putting back into select theaters the comedy that prompted an international incident with North Korea and outrage over its canceled release.

Gay Marriage Cases Teed Up for Justices' Action

Gay marriage cases are on the Supreme Court's agenda with enough time for the issue to be argued and decided by late June.

Finishing Strong

Bowl games are all about motivation. Sometimes, the best team doesn't win. It's the team that is excited, and both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University should be excited about being in their respective games.

The Slate

You know it's been a strange year when Tony Romo is more reliable than Drew Brees. The Saints misses the playoffs for several reasons. Their quarterback is one of them.

The Weeks: Southern Heritage, Soulful Sound

The members of indie-rock outfit The Weeks, natives of Florence, Miss., grew up on a blend of classic rock and alternative music.

Memorable Quotes from TEDxJackson

"There are as many ways to be creative as there are Muppets. And there are a lot of Muppets." —Kermit the Frog

The Best Tweets from TEDx Jackson

@browndamon 'I followed this idea of archeology as a romance and a science.' —Dr. George Bey(@SoQuoMe) #quote #archeology #science #TEDxJXN @TEDxJackson

Wishes for Change in 2015

Gandhi's call for each of us to just go become the change we want to see around us is truly the first step to creating stronger communities and bridging the division we've recently seen come out of the woodwork, and scream at us from Facebook and Twitter.

What Grew Out of TEDx Jackson

Here is some of what the Jackson Free Press learned at TEDx Jackson and some ideas we gleaned from the day and all the inspiration packed into an old movie theater, itself on the rebound.

City: Don’t Let Uber Run Over Jackson

In a place where the mere presence of a national albeit uninspiring brand like Walmart can be a source of civic pride, it's easy to understand the excitement over the Jackson launch of the app-based ride-sharing service Uber.

Sweet Quote of the Week: 'Responsibility'

In a society that increasingly shifts too much of the accountability for kids off on institutions—schools and jails, to name two—it's easy to forget our individual responsibilities to youth.

A Very Clubb Chicken Wing Christmas

Big Roscoe: "This year, Little Mama and I decided to televise our annual Christmas gift to the community: A Clubb Chicken Wing Christmas."

Marriage Equality and Beyond for LGBTs

Failure to protect LGBT people extends beyond shutting off the marriage, and a sobering new report sheds light on the economic and social effects of denying lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people equal protection under the law.

Women Excised from Public Life, Abused by IS

Extremists are working to excise women from public life across the territory controlled by the Islamic State group, stretching hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the outskirts of the Syrian city of Aleppo in the west to the edges of the Iraqi capital in the east.

Cuba Signals that Extradition of US Fugitives Off the Table

Cuba's point person on U.S. relations says anything is up for discussion as the two countries move to re-establish diplomatic ties, from anti-drug cooperation to joint environmental agreements.

Key N. Korean Websites Back Online After Shutdown

Key North Korean websites were back online Tuesday after a nearly 10-hour shutdown that followed a U.S. vow to respond to a crippling cyberattack on Sony Pictures that Washington blames on Pyongyang.

Report: At Least 60 Journalists Killed in 2014

At least 60 journalists around the world were killed in 2014 while on the job or because of their work, and 44 percent of them were targeted for murder, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Key Developments in Case of 2 Slain NYPD Officers

The recent NYPD killings have raised concerns and tempers in the already tense nationwide debate surrounding police conduct. Some key developments after the weekend shooting in New York.

Dr. Olurotimi Badero

With his laid-back demeanor, most wouldn't guess that Dr. Olurotimi Badero, 43, is one of the most knowledgeable medical minds in Mississippi.

New Homes Keep Midtown Revival Going

Midtown Partners, which promotes social and economic revitalization in the neighborhood just north of downtown, developed a master plan in 2010 that calls for expansion of services, parks and housing.

Does Uber Have a Dark Side?

The ride-sharing app, Uber, has plans to change the transportation game forever. The company included Jackson in those plans as it expanded into the city with its UberX program, beginning Dec. 11, even as it is mired in international controversy.

Curfews and Coffee Cake

It was tradition for us to have coffee cake on Christmas morning, which Mom would prep before we could unwrap a single gift.

Remembering Mr. G.

I met him first in late January 2006. It was a sunny day that betrayed the magnitude of misery that had befallen the city.

Old Friends and New

Holidays are often a time full of tradition and emotions—some warm and fuzzy, others stress-related. But for some, it's more about a lack of tradition.

Living and Loving in a Know-It-All Nation

I doubt I'm the only one who has struggled to find the holiday spirit this year. Mind you, I'm a holiday fanatic—decorate, give, wrap, deliver, entertain, even cook—but I've had to work hard this year to get to my happy Christmas place.

What to Do on New Year’s Eve '14

On New Year's Eve, Hal & Mal's hosts its fifth annual 'Sippi the Catfish Drop. The event begins at 11:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Jackson Punts on $76.5M Bank Decision

The clock is ticking on a decision of where the city of Jackson will keep its money for the next two years. State law requires the municipal to have a depository by Jan. 1.

City to Unveil Legislative Agenda

An unusually long agenda faces today's special business meeting of the Jackson City Council, as members consider what appears to be Mayor Tony Yarber's agenda for the coming legislative session, which starts in January.

Jim Hood

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has quietly been locking horns with Web giant Google Inc. for well over a year, but the fight has started to brim over in recent days to capture national attention.

State Certifies School Referendum for 2015 Ballot

Voters in November 2015 will decide a referendum to write a funding guarantee for "an adequate and efficient system of free public schools" into Mississippi's constitution.

Ariz. Sheriff Aims to Halt Obama Immigration Order

A gadfly attorney and an Arizona county sheriff want to halt President Barack Obama's immigration order in the first courtroom battle over an initiative designed to spare nearly 5 million people from deportation.

Police Departments on Alert After Cop Killings

Big-city police departments and union leaders around the country are warning the rank and file to wear bulletproof vests and avoid making inflammatory posts on social media in the days after a man ambushed two officers and shot them to death inside their patrol car.

North Korea Skipping UN Security Council Meeting

An angry North Korea, now on the defensive over a U.S. accusation of hacking, is refusing to take part in a groundbreaking U.N. Security Council meeting Monday where the country's bleak human rights situation will be discussed for the first time.

Jackson State to Borrow $10 Million to Buy Apartments

A unit of Jackson State University will borrow up to $10 million to buy a 444-bed apartment complex next to its campus.

Google Sues Miss. AG Jim Hood

Google Inc. is suing Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, trying to block him from pursuing criminal charges or filing a civil lawsuit against the company.

Obama Says North Korea Hacked Sony, Vows Response

President Barack Obama declared Friday that Sony Pictures Entertainment "made a mistake" in shelving a satirical film about a plot to assassinate North Korea's leader and pledged the U.S. would respond "in a place and manner and time that we choose" to the hack attack on Sony that the FBI blamed on the communist government.

Report: FBI's Anthrax Investigation Was Flawed

The FBI used flawed scientific methods to investigate the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people and sickened 17 others, federal auditors said Friday in a report sure to fuel skepticism over the FBI's conclusion that Army biodefense researcher Bruce Ivins was the sole perpetrator.

Mayor Wants to Move $76.5 Million from Trustmark

After banking with Trustmark for at least three decades, the City of Jackson is looking to make a change.

Fire Damages Building Near Welty Birthplace

A fire has heavily damaged a building that's used for receptions near the birthplace of a noted Mississippi author.

Diamond the Giraffe

The Jackson Zoo lost one of its most famous residents earlier this week. On Dec. 16, Diamond the reticulated giraffe passed away at the age of 28, missing her 29th birthday by a couple of weeks.

Colorado Vows to Defend Pot Law Against States' Challenge

Colorado's top law enforcement official promises to vigorously defend the state's historic law legalizing marijuana after Nebraska and Oklahoma asked the U.S. Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional, saying the drug is freely flowing into neighboring states.

US Not Fully Prepared for Nuclear Terrorist Attack

The U.S. government isn't fully prepared to handle a nuclear terrorist attack or a large-scale natural catastrophe, lacks effective coordination, and in some cases is years away from ensuring adequate emergency shelter and medical treatment, congressional investigators have found.

Theater Shooter's Parents Plead for His Life

The parents of Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes are pleading for him to be spared the death penalty.

8 Children Killed, Mother Stabbed, in Australia

The bodies of eight children—aged 18 months to 15 years—and a wounded woman were discovered in a home in northern Australia on Friday, police said.

Mississippi Board Rejects Test Contract

A state board has rejected a contract that would have bought tests for Mississippi students with intellectual disabilities.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Boosts South's LGBT Efforts

Apple chief executive Tim Cook, the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company, is donating money to help fund a gay rights initiative in his native Alabama and two other Southern states, organizers said Thursday.

2 Astronauts Will Expand Envelope with 1-Year Spaceflight

The two men assigned to a one-year spaceflight said Thursday that their upcoming mission will allow the world to push deeper into space.

Tsarnaev Appears in Court for 1st Time Since 2013

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev returned to court Thursday for the first time since he was arraigned in July 2013.

Palestinian Leader Supports More Talks on UN Bid

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he supports further negotiations on a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution that sets a 2017 deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from war-won lands the Palestinians seek for their state.

NASA's Orion Spacecraft Back in Florida After Test Flight

NASA's experimental Orion spacecraft left Florida by rocket and returned by truck. The capsule arrived back at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday.

Putin: West Wants to Defang, Declaw Russian Bear

Sternly warning the West it cannot defang the metaphorical Russian bear, a confident-looking President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to shore up the plummeting ruble and revive the economy within two years.

Suspected Islamic Extremists Kidnap 185 in Nigeria

Islamic extremists killed 35 people and kidnapped at least 185 in an attack near the town where nearly 300 schoolgirls were taken hostage in April, witnesses said Thursday.

Southern LGBTs Get Good, Bad News

Despite new information about social and economic disparities facing lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in the South, Mississippi continues to make slow, steady progress toward equality.

Charlie Flowers

Our state lost a legendary football player on Dec. 7, when former University of Mississippi fullback Charlie Flowers passed away. The Rebel great lost his fight against cancer at the age of 77 in Atlanta, Ga.

2 Finalists Set for Miss. College Board Director

The 10-member Community College Board will meet Thursday to interview two finalists seeking to become the next executive director of the board that oversees Mississippi's two-year colleges.

Thoughts from the Sports World, Again

In a year of really great college football players, the Heisman voters got it right in realizing that University of Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota was the best player this season.

The Slate

The college football bowl season starts this weekend. It leads up to the first ever college-football playoff and on Jan. 12, the national championship game.

An Artistic Invitation at the Mississippi Museum of Art

Art is the most intense form of individualism the world has known," said Oscar Wilde, a man who knew a thing or two about exercises in individual expression. That phrase rings true for the 2014 Mississippi Invitational showcase.

Add Some Sparkle to Your Holiday Decor

Liven up your holiday decor with lights, a bit of glitz and some colorful blossoms this season. Now is the time to put on your gardening shoes, grab the pruners and get started decorating for the holiday season ahead.

Jammin’ to Carols

If you're feeling the pressure, a spin on the treadmill or some yoga is just what you need. Here are some holiday tracks to keep you company.

Healthy Holiday Gatherings

Holiday eating can result in an extra pound or two every year, the National Institutes of Health reports, and the holiday season can set the precedent for the upcoming year.

Last Minute Lovelies

The holidays are approaching quickly, and it's time to get those last-minute gifts together. While you're in a mad rush to finish, why not buy gifts from local places?

Happy Local Holidays!

If you don’t want to cook this Christmas season, local restaurants can help you out.

What is a ‘Segregation Academy’?

The greatest hike in private academies in Mississippi was from 1968-1971, during which segregated private schools grew from educating just over 5,000 to 40,000 students in the state.

Then and Now: When ‘School Choice’ Creates a Divide

"School choice" is a hot-button political phrase, used in some form since the 1960s. At its most generic, it means giving parents an option of where to send their kids to school beyond the traditional public school of the district in which they live, while still using public dollars, such as with charter schools.

Full Funding Would Give All Schools a ‘Choice’

It can be hard to determine the motives of those who push for "school choice." After all, it can be difficult to distill what proponents of school choice, a movement that includes everything from expansion of charter schools to some version of vouchers, even want.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Today'

Thigpen is either so gung-ho about pushing the "school choice" agenda that he'd look past the residual racism still alive in the state, or he's just naive.

I’m Here, and I Can’t Breathe

I wanted to write a warmer, fuzzier column. I'm sorry, but my conscience won't let me. We're in the midst of a national moment, so warmer and fuzzier can wait; there's critical work to do.

County Wants Fewer Detained Youth

William Skinner recently fired off a letter to a federal judge in Jackson saying that Hinds County officials are trying to usurp his authority over the detention and release of young people in the youth court system.

Future Cloudy for Both Welfare Receivers Testing Dirty

One in 40—that's the likelihood that a person participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Programs, a monthly subsidy program for poor and working-class families, in Mississippi is a drug user.

State Loses Out on Preschool Funding—Again

Mississippi's flawed application and underdeveloped plans to provide preschool for all children is partly to blame for why the state's youngest learners were bypassed once again for federal funds that could have provided a boost to early education, a review found.

Education Funding Center of State Budget Fight

With Republicans controlling both houses and the Governor's Mansion, not a lot of compromise is necessary for the GOP to get its way in the new session. But Democrats are fighting back, especially on public-education funding.

Christmas Music States the Obvious

I'm a Christmas music junkie. I love when this time of year rolls around because I get to dust off the collection of holiday music I've amassed through the years.

A Media Outlet with a Mission

We can work together—even through our shopping and end-of-year purchases—to create a prosperous new year for Jackson.

Cindy Townsend

At 9 in the morning on school days, you can find Cindy Townsend with her class of seventh graders at Jackson Preparatory School. As director of the school's Global Leadership Institute, she is responsible for providing historical perspectives of iconic leaders to her students.

The Aural Tapestry of Argiflex

Argiflex, the stage name of neo-rave electronic artist Curtis Lehr, 21, isn't about meeting expectations or making music that appeals to everyone. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Roundup: Foote Beats Carson, Human Rights Resolution OK'd

Ashby Foote defeated Dorsey Carson tonight by a 106-vote margin to win the race for Jackson Ward 1 councilman.

What I Learned from “Law and Order SVU”

While obtaining a Ph.D in "Law and Order SVU," I acquired a real-world understanding of how beneficial an individual's civil liberties are when navigating the criminal-justice system.

Mud Flies Late in Ward 1 Race

Residents of northeast Jackson's Ward 1 are heading to the polls once more to select their representative to the city council.

Batteries Plus Bulbs, Golden Moon Reopening and Networking at Old Capitol Inn

Chad Langley, local franchise owner for Batteries Plus Bulbs, recently announced the opening of a new store, located at 1060 E. County Line. Rd. in Ridgeland.

Bryan Stevenson

The founding attorney for the Montgomery, Ala.-based Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson works in a broken system of justice. The indigent clients EJI represents deal with issues such as mental illness, poverty and racism.

As Ukraine Truce Holds, Russia Vows Economic Pain

Fighting in eastern Ukraine between government troops and Russian-backed separatist forces has ground almost to halt. That should be good news for Ukraine, but Russia looks intent to pile on the economic misery.

Navajos Buy Back Sacred Masks at Paris Auction

When diplomacy and a plea to return sacred ceremonial masks to an American Indian tribe in the United States failed, officials from the Navajo Nation traveled to the Paris auction house selling the items and started bidding for them.

Senate May Confirm Up to 88 Federal Judges

No longer impeded by Republican blocking tactics, Democrats are on track to win confirmation of up to 88 of President Barack Obama's top judicial nominations this year, a total that would be the highest for any president in two decades.

Siege at Pakistani School Ends with 126 Dead

Taliban gunmen stormed a military-run school in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people before Pakistani officials declared a military operation to clear the school over.

Search Intensifies for Gunman Who Killed 6

The manhunt for a Marine veteran suspected of killing his ex-wife and five of her relatives amid a child custody dispute has spread to two suburban Philadelphia counties.

Court: Pardon Does Not Mean Clean Criminal Record

A pardon by the governor is not grounds to wipe clean a criminal record, the Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled.

James Anderson Hate Murder Fallout Continues

Sarah Adelia Graves and Shelbie Brooke Richards, who are white, pleaded guilty in federal court in Jackson to charges associated with the murder of James Craig Anderson, a black man from Jackson, in the summer of 2011.

Rose Cochran

Rose Clayton Cochran—who became a focal point in the re-election campaign of her husband, Sen. Thad Cochran, when a man was accused of taking bedridden photos of her to use against the Republican—has died. She was 73.

Families of Newtown Victims Sue Rifle Manufacturer

The families of nine of the 26 people killed and a teacher wounded two years ago at the Sandy Hook Elementary School filed a lawsuit Monday against the manufacturer, distributor and seller of the rifle used in the shooting.

Justices Reject Arizona Bid Over Abortion Drugs

The Supreme Court is refusing to allow Arizona to enforce stringent restrictions on medical abortions while a challenge to those rules plays out in lower courts.

At UN Climate Talks, a Crack in Rich-Poor Barrier

A last-minute deal that salvaged U.N. climate talks from collapse early Sunday sends a signal the rich-poor divide that long held up progress can be overcome with a year to go before a landmark pact is supposed to be adopted in Paris.

Black Churches Pray in Protest of Police Slayings

Congregants in African-American churches across the country wore black to Sunday services and prayed over the men in attendance in a symbolic stand against fatal police shootings of unarmed black men.

Hamas Stages Military Rally to Mark Anniversary

The Islamic militant group Hamas displayed rockets and other heavy weapons Sunday during a rally marking the 27th anniversary of its founding.

CIA Report Revives Legal Debate on Interrogation

When the CIA sought permission to use harsh interrogation methods on a captured al-Qaida operative, the response from Bush administration lawyers was encouraging, even clinical.

Mississippi Schools' Money Gap Grows to $1.5B

In a state with a long history of lousy education, and a bad habit of not paying for it, nowhere is the problem as profound as in Durant, a tiny town smack in the middle of Mississippi.

Jackson Film Projects Show Promise of State Tax Breaks

Mississippi is famous for things such as blues music and its civil-rights history, but the state's burgeoning film industry may be the next big thing for the Magnolia State.

Uber App Rides to Jackson

Uber, the controversy-stirring taxi-ride sharing app, launched service in Jackson this week.

Nell Knox

Attempting to condense a whole community into a single coffee-table book is an ambitious goal, but Jackson native Nell Knox seems prepared for the task.

Ukraine: Truce Results in 1st Casualty-Free Day

Ukraine's president said Friday that a fragile truce between his government's troops and Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine had resulted in the first day free of deaths or injuries for his soldiers since the conflict erupted months ago.

Miss. Ex-Lawmaker Being Honored by Michigan State

The man who broke the color barrier in the Mississippi Legislature is being honored by his alma mater in Michigan.

Dorsey Carson Releases Taxes, Slams Ashby Foote on Liens

Dorsey Carson, one of two candidates running to fill the Jackson Ward 1 seat, is taking his opponent, investment advisor Ashby Foote, to the mat over Foote's history of not paying his income taxes.

Burning Death Inquiry Eyes Woman's Last Hours

urveillance video that shows a woman at a convenience store gas station less than two hours before she was set on fire and left to die is part of the puzzle authorities were trying to piece together Wednesday about the last hours of the 19-year-old's life.

Democratic Budget Proposal Fills Funding Gaps

Democratic lawmakers announced their plans today to use the money not yet allocated in the state budget towards education, state employee pay and state highways.

Stokes Resignation to Prompt Ward 3 Election

As expected, Ward 3 Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes tendered her resignation from the Jackson City Council last night to take a seat on the bench as a county judge.

Jeffery Moore

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Southwestern Athletic Conference honored Jackson State running back Jeffery Moore, a star for the Tigers from the late 1970s.

Putin Turns to India to Clinch New Deals

Facing a stumbling economy at home and increasingly biting Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought Thursday to strengthen once-close relationship with India through an ambitious plan to help New Delhi build at least 12 new nuclear reactors.

Hong Kong Police Arrest Protesters, Demolish Main Camp

Hong Kong authorities demolished a protest camp Thursday at the heart of the city's 2 ½-month pro-democracy movement but scores of activists taken away by police vowed their fight for genuine elections wasn't over.

42.9 Million Americans Have Unpaid Medical Bills

Nearly 20 percent of U.S. consumers with credit records—42.9 million people—Have unpaid medical debts, according to a new report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

House GOP Confident of Finishing Spending Measure

Confident House Republicans pressed ahead with a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill Thursday despite persistent grumbling among Democrats whose votes they need for passage, and lingering opposition from tea party Republicans who see more in the measure to dislike than like.

Miss. Misses Out Again on Federal Preschool Money

The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that Mississippi has missed out on its share of $250 million in federal money to expand its fledgling prekindergarten program.

Massive $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill Unveiled

A huge, $1.1 trillion spending bill funding every corner of government opened to mixed reviews Wednesday, with conservatives unhappy that it fails to challenge President Barack Obama's immigration policy while many Democrats are displeased because it weakens the 2010 Dodd-Frank regulation of risky financial instruments.

UN Experts Call for Prosecution Over US Torture

All senior U.S. officials and CIA agents who authorized and carried out torture like waterboarding as part of former President George W. Bush's national security policy must be prosecuted, top U.N. human rights officials said Wednesday.

Mary Ann Mobley, Former Miss America, Dies at 77

A former Miss America who went on to appear in movies with Elvis Presley and make documentary films around the world has died.

JFP Top 25: Week 15

This is the final football poll until after the bowl games and the playoff games finish in mid-January. If you don't know by now, the four playoff teams are the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, University of Oregon Ducks, Florida State University Seminoles and Ohio State University Buckeyes.

Time to Add Four More?

Anyone who watches the NCAA basketball-tournament selection show knows that even with 68 teams getting in the dance, some teams always scream that they should have been in as well. Why should year one of the college football playoff be any different?

The Slate

It was a good weekend for Mississippi college football. Alcorn State University won the SWAC Championship, and Mississippi State and Ole Miss got huge bowl invites.

Kindred: Bringing Soul to the City

Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon Dantzler, the powerhouse vocalists of Kindred the Family Soul, perform with Mike Burton and the Good Times Brass Band, and actor and comedian Palmer Williams for the 11th Annual Night of Musical Artistry, Saturday, Dec. 13.

Marcie Cohen Ferris Goes Through the Food Lens

In "The Edible South: The Power of Food and the Making of an American Region (University of North Carolina Press, 2014, $35), Marcie Cohen Ferris uses the lens of food to step into a vast and complex search of southern history.

Tackling Brain Drain

Mississippians are looking for ways to solve the state's "brain drain" issue—the exodus of college graduates due to a perceived lack of jobs and little incentive to stay.

Ballet Magnificat’s ‘Most Incredible’ Gift

Ballet Magnificat! of Jackson adds another element to your holiday accoutrements with "Most Incredible Christmas," at Thalia Mara Hall on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21.

Heart for a Cause

The American Heart Association's Metro Jackson Heart Ball is both a fundraiser and an opportunity to promote the organization and its mission: to improve cardiovascular health and reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease.

LEGO Jackson: Making Progress in Plastic

Scott Crawford, the builder behind the LEGO Jackson display, began the project under his Christmas tree with a few decorations and some spare time.

Playoff Committee Unfair to SEC West

In an effort to right this wrong, the Big 12 purportedly will petition the NCAA for the right to stage a championship game in future seasons.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Can't'

Stamps is correct in that rules must be followed to prevent chaos during government meetings. However, in recent weeks, community activist Enoch Sanders addressed the council at least twice to stump for Ward 3 Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes.

Everything is a Dollar

Miss Doodle Mae: "Corporate-owned big-box, retail and department stores ushered in the holiday season by having employees work before, during and after Thanksgiving. Now, these same stores are wailing and weeping the blues because Black Friday sales were down 11 percent."

Response to "Making Mississippi 420 Friendly" by R.L. Nave

The need to immediately legalize marijuana nationally is the most pressing moral issue of our time. More and more present and former members of law enforcement agree. Please see leap.cc.

Response to "Mississippi Last In Vaccine Choice" by Anna Wolfe

Mississippi should be lauded as first in protecting its citizens, especially children, from infectious diseases.

Addressing Infrastructure Essential

When the 2015 elections comes around, we will hear about education, health care, job creation and economic development. These issues without a doubt are essential to a community's growth, but there is an underlying issue has a direct impact on these important aspects of life.

Soup for the Soul

When the weather begins to get cold or even if rain is in the forecast, the first thing that comes to my mind is soup.

Stay Healthy for the Holidays

As we head into the winter months, we all look forward to the holidays and festive times with family and friends. Unfortunately, we also have to anticipate a higher likelihood of getting an upper-respiratory-tract infection.

Legos Make Jackson Better

In places such as Rankin County, there's this major misconception that Jackson is this evil place where everyone robs everyone, and witches brew their sinister potions on street corners.

Shaunna Thomas’ Fight Against Sexism

Shaunna Thomas, Ultraviolet cofounder, says her organization creates costs for sexist behavior.

Ward 1: Side-by-Side

Given the mountain of challenges staring at the Jackson City Council, it's hard to imagine two candidates whose resumes make them better equipped to get their hands dirty than Ashby Foote and Dorsey Carson.

Astin Sullivan

Filmmaker Astin Sullivan, 24, is proof that passions lead to interesting places.

Fireworks Over Siemens, Human Rights

The Jackson City Council approved a $7,200 pyrotechnic display for Thalia Mara Hall for New Year's Eve. But the real fireworks came later on in the meeting, when the council received one of its most comprehensive public updates about the ongoing water-meter installation project that's part of a $90 million contract with Siemens AG and a number of Jackson-area subcontractors.

Some Companies Face Charges, Others Make Donations

The Rotary Club District 6820 recently approved a $7,500 grant for the Jackson Zoological Park to purchase technology equipment for the zoo's Wild Learning program, according to a release from the zoo.

Willie Richardson

The Southwestern Athletic Conference Alumni Association awarded JSU alumni Willie Richardson with the Lifetime Achievement Award Dec. 6.

Senate Report: Harsh CIA Tactics Didn't Work

Senate investigators delivered a damning indictment of CIA practices Tuesday, accusing the spy agency of inflicting pain and suffering on prisoners beyond legal limits and deceiving the nation with stories of life-saving interrogations unsubstantiated by its own records.

Policy Snags Hold up $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill

Ahead of Congress' midnight Thursday deadline, snags caused by policy differences are holding up a $1.1 trillion, government-wide spending bill, with efforts to relax new regulations on some risky financial products the prime culprit.

Miss. Appeal Leaves Gay Marriage Status in Limbo

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Nov. 25 overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, but put his ruling temporarily on hold to let the state appeal. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended that hold Thursday.

Making Mississippi 420 Friendly

The potential of cannabis as an appetite stimulant is among the key arguments from proponents of rolling back legal restrictions for marijuana for its medicinal purposes.

2nd Night of Berkeley Protest Turns Violent Again

Raucous demonstrations hit Berkeley's streets for a second straight night as protesters angered by police killings in Missouri and New York clashed with officers, vandalized businesses and even fought with each other, officials said.

Chokehold Case Stirs Debate on Special Prosecutors

After a police officer wasn't indicted in a fatal chokehold caught on video, some officials are reviving calls to entrust such cases to special prosecutors, rather than local district attorneys.

US, NATO End Afghan Combat Command After 13 Years

The U.S. and NATO closed their combat command in Afghanistan on Monday, more than 13 years after invading the country in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to target al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden.

US Sends 6 Prisoners from Guantanamo to Uruguay

Six Guantanamo Bay prisoners sent to Uruguay to be resettled as refugees are doing well and are undergoing medical checkups before being released to begin new lives, the country's defense minister said Monday.

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.

Mississippi OKs 1 School, Rejects Second

Mississippi officials on Friday signed off on the state's second charter school, but rejected plans for a third.

Bettye Quinn

Bettye Quinn, a professor of elementary education and psychology at Belhaven University, has been attending the university's Singing Christmas Tree event for 77 years.

After Ferguson, Mississippi Pushes Cop Accountability

Several Mississippi officials are looking at ways to increase police accountability in the wake of deadly encounters between police and unarmed men nationwide.

Cameras Worn by Police are no Panacea, Experts Say

Police body cameras have become a rallying cry in the wake of racially charged decisions by grand juries in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City, but experts caution that increased use of the devices may raise more questions than answers.

South Africans Mark Anniversary of Mandela's Death

Friends and family of Nelson Mandela laid wreaths Friday at a bronze statue of the late statesman to mark the anniversary of his death.

Dawn of Orion: NASA Launch Opens New Era in Space

NASA's new Orion spacecraft zoomed toward a high point of 3,600 miles on an orbital test flight Friday, ushering in a new era of exploration that could one day put people on Mars.

US Adds 321,000 Jobs, the Most in Nearly 3 Years

A burst of U.S. hiring in November—the most in nearly three years—added 321,000 jobs and provided the latest evidence that the United States is outperforming other economies throughout the developed world.

Rep. Espy Calls For Body Cameras

In light Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., a Mississippi legislator has followed suit with President Barack Obama’s proposal to require that police officers wear body cameras while on duty.

Activists Want City Human Rights Commission

In the aftermath of a string of extrajudicial killings, including Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York, advocates in Jackson want to charter a commission to protect and facilitate more equitable social relations.

Pregnancy Discrimination Case Reaches Supreme Court

Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments in yet another blockbuster case at the intersection of sex discrimination, workplace law and reproductive justice.

Senquez Golson

College football is full of highs and lows for every player and coach, but no player knows more about perseverance and fighting through the lows than University of Mississippi senior defensive back Senquez Golson.

House Set to Rebuke Obama on Immigration

House Republicans are prepared to rebuke President Barack Obama over immigration, with a vote on legislation that declares his recent executive actions "null and void and without legal effect."

Hong Kong Student Leaders Mull Protest Retreat

Hong Kong student leaders said Thursday they're considering retreating from protest sites on city streets after more than two months in the latest sign that momentum is fading in their movement for greater democracy.

Flu Vaccine May Be Less Effective this Winter

Health officials are telling doctors that the flu vaccine may not be very effective this winter.

Protests Erupt After Decision in Chokehold Death

While legal experts note it's impossible to know how the grand jurors reached their conclusion, they say the Garner case, like Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Missouri, once again raised concerns about the influence local prosecutors have over the process of charging the police officers they work with on a daily basis.

Police Breaking Down Huge California Homeless Camp

Police and social services in Silicon Valley are starting to clear away what likely had been the nation's largest homeless encampment.

Multistate Coalition Sues Over Immigration Order

Texas is leading a 17-state coalition suing over President Barack Obama's recently announced executive actions on immigration, arguing in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that the move "tramples" key portions of the U.S. Constitution.

Fondren Hotel Project Withdrawn

The developer of a hotel slated for Fondren has withdrawn the project.

#Ferguson: A Timeline of Events

A timeline of events in Ferguson, Mo.

JFP Top 25: Week 14

Florida State University is the last unbeaten team at the highest level of college football after University of Western Kentucky upset Marshall University. Mississippi State University falls from the playoff picture by losing to its arch rival, University of Mississippi.

When Special Isn’t Special Anymore

The sports gods are a fickle bunch. It seems like a lifetime ago when the Associated Press tied Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi were tied for third. The next week, the Bulldogs became the No. 1 ranked team in the land and stayed there for several weeks.

The Slate

The week before the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss lost 30-0 to the University of Arkansas, and Mississippi State won 51-0 over Vanderbilt University. It didn't look that way at the bowl.

What If He Were White?

The tragic death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., leaves us with an opportunity to embrace the simple notion of empathy just as Grisham's fictitious jurors did.

Stuff Your Stockings Local

It's a proven fact that shopping local boosts the economy in your community, and the holiday season keeps many small businesses thriving. This Christmas, why not put the gift of local in your loved ones' stockings?

A French Wedding

As I glanced at the menu, I groaned inwardly. We had two more courses to go--a "soupe de fruits rouges" and a "piece montee." It already felt like the wedding was yesterday. "Close," I thought. It was 11:30 p.m.

Ending Racial Bias: Hard and Necessary Work

White Americans are more punitive than people of color. Whites misjudge how much crime African Americans and Latinos actually commit. Whites who more strongly associate crime with racial minorities are more supportive of punitive policies. Media crime coverage fuels racial perceptions of crime.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Unfortunate'

A majority vote has never justified the systemic erosion of a group of people's rights—which is the point of the U.S. Constitution. If anyone, a state leader in Mississippi should know this.

I Can’t Not Talk About Ferguson

I can't not talk about Ferguson, because the child in my lap, the sweet one that I nurse and nourish, is brown and male just like Michael Brown.

Ferguson: An American Moment

What started organically in Ferguson with mad, disconnected young African American boys and girls, as a series of unorganized nightly actions, has matured over the past 100 days into a sophisticated movement.

Revisiting the Kerner Report: How Much Has Changed Since the 1960s ‘Riots’?

To get at the causes of the riots, and potential ways to prevent them, President Lyndon Johnson assembled the 11-member National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders in July 1967 to explain the riots and compile recommendation for the future.

Brunching in the Capital

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what if it's the weekend, and you sleep in? What if you want permission to have an adult beverage before noon? In that case, you brunch.

Corey Ellison

Corey Ellison doesn't have a background in cooking, and she never thought it would be something she would do as a career. Yet, what started as an entry-level job waiting tables has become something Ellison takes great pride in.

It's Carson, Foote In Ward 1 Runoff

Dorsey Carson, an attorney specializing in construction businesses, faces financier Ashby Foote in a runoff for Jackson Ward 1 councilman.

Waging Battle Against the Minimum Wage

Today, the campaign for $15 has spread to 150 cities and 33 countries. City councils in Seattle and San Francisco have raised the minimum wage to $15 in those cities.

The Year of Omingnome

Omingnome is busy kicking off "The Year of Healing," a four-stage tour that follows the transformative life cycle of a butterfly: caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly and laying her eggs.

New Lawsuit Brings Cosby Abuse Claims into Court

A lawsuit by a woman who claims Bill Cosby molested her when she was 15 years old has moved allegations of sexual misconduct against the comedian from the court of public opinion into the courthouse.

GOP White House Prospects Clash on Foreign Policy

Even as they attack President Barack Obama's foreign policy, and with politics turning to the 2016 race for president, the GOP's most ambitious leaders have begun to clash with each other over the nation's role in global affairs.

3 Hong Kong Protest Leaders Surrender to Police

Three founders of a civil disobedience campaign that helped spark Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests surrendered to police Wednesday, saying they want to take responsibility for their actions and that time has come to end the increasingly violent street demonstrations.

Diplomats Worldwide Target Islamic State Militants

Nearly a year after the Islamic State overran key cities in western Iraq, diplomats from more than 60 counties and international organizations gathered in Brussels to plot a way forward against what has since become one of the world's worst terror threats.

Why Don’t We Value Black Lives?

Young, black men are often killed because white people fear them, and they kill each other because society tells them their lives are worthless. But the most terrifying part is that white people still defend others killing black folks because we have been socialized for generations to accept it.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves Attacks Common Core, Urges 'Investments That Matter'

Mississippi's second-highest elected official says that Mississippi needs to spend its money responsibly on "investments that matter" instead of focusing on more money to "do something for our kids" as other politicians urge.

Teddy Bear Tea, Millsaps International Program and Outstanding Educator Award

This holiday season at the historic King Edward Hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown will host a series of Teddy Bear Teas for kids of all ages.

Josh Robinson

It took time, but the spotlight finally found MSU running back Josh Robinson. His story to just get to this point is amazing, and it took a whole community to get him here.

3 Hong Kong Protest Leaders to Surrender to Police

Three founders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protest movement called Tuesday for an end to street demonstrations to prevent more violence and take the campaign to a new stage, but it wasn't clear whether student protesters, who make up the bulk of the activists, would heed the call.

Change of Leadership in Crimea Means Property Grab

In a preliminary estimate, Ukraine's Justice Ministry told AP that around 4,000 Crimean enterprises, organizations and agencies have had their property expropriated by Russia.

GOP Senator: Obama Picks Carter to Lead Pentagon

President Barack Obama has tapped former Pentagon No. 2 Ashton Carter to be his next defense secretary and carry out the U.S. military effort against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, a senior Republican senator said Tuesday.

House Plans to Vote Down Obama Immigration

The Republican-led House will vote this week to undo President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration, House Speaker John Boehner told lawmakers Tuesday as he sought to give outraged conservatives an outlet to vent over Obama's move without shutting down the government.

Reeves Wants Miss. to Shelve Common Core Standards

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi should stop using the Common Core State Standards to guide its public school curriculum and should instead create its own higher standards.

Hong Kong Teen Protest Leader on Hunger Strike

A prominent Hong Kong teen protest leader said Monday he's going on a hunger strike after a failed attempt by pro-democracy activists to step up their flagging movement for democratic reforms by surrounding government headquarters.

Hands-Up Gesture Animates Ferguson Protests

Five St. Louis Rams players entered the football field with their hands raised. A day later, people walked out of work or school showing the same gesture of solidarity with Ferguson protesters.

Obama Wants More Police Wearing Body Cameras

President Barack Obama wants to see more police wearing cameras to record events like the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, but is not seeking to pull back federal programs that provide the type of military-style equipment used to dispel the resulting racially charged protests in Ferguson, Missouri.

Stories for December 2014

Wednesday, December 31

Tuesday, December 30

Monday, December 29

Friday, December 26

Thursday, December 25

Wednesday, December 24

Tuesday, December 23

Monday, December 22

Saturday, December 20

Friday, December 19

Thursday, December 18

Wednesday, December 17

Tuesday, December 16

Monday, December 15