Stories for October 2014

AP: State, Ole Miss Prep for Weekend Action

The last time Mississippi State faced Arkansas, the Bulldogs were a mediocre 4-6 football team trying to figure out a way to become bowl eligible. Things have changed quite a bit over the past year.

Corey Wiggins

As director of the Mississippi Economic Policy Center, Dr. Corey Wiggins has one, simple job: help end poverty in Mississippi.

How Obamacare Went South In Mississippi

In a state stricken by diabetes, heart disease, obesity and the highest infant mortality rate in the nation, President Barack Obama's landmark health care law has barely registered, leaving the country's poorest and perhaps most segregated state trapped in a severe and intractable health care crisis.

Liberia Opens 1 of Largest Ebola Treatment Centers

Liberia's president opened one of the country's largest Ebola treatment centers in Monrovia on Friday, remembering the days when "the dying, the sick, the dead who could not picked up on time" as officials hope the disease is on the decline in this West African country.

Trooper Ambush Suspect in Court After Long Manhunt

Eric Frein—the survivalist suspected in the ambush slaying of a Pennsylvania state trooper—was led from court Friday, the morning after his capture ended a grueling seven-week manhunt.

Africans Worst Responders in Ebola Crisis

The head of Africa's continental body did not get to an Ebola-hit country until last week—months after alarm bells first rang and nearly 5,000 deaths later.

Apple CEO Publicly Acknowledges that He's Gay

Apple CEO Tim Cook's declaration that he's "proud to be gay," makes him the highest-profile business executive in the nation to publicly acknowledge his sexual orientation.

Parents of Mexico Missing Meet with President

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto met with parents of 43 missing teachers college students for the first time since they disappeared, apparently handed over to a drug gang by city police more than a month ago.

Israel Closes Jerusalem Holy Site After Shooting

Israel closed all access to Jerusalem's most sensitive religious site on Thursday, a rare move that ratcheted up already heightened tensions following the attempted assassination of a prominent Jewish religious activist and the killing of his suspected Palestinian assailant by police.

Maine in Standoff with Nurse over Ebola Safeguards

Maine health authorities struggled Thursday to reach a compromise with nurse Kaci Hickox that would require her to keep her distance from other people, in the nation's most closely watched clash between personal freedom and fear of Ebola.

Small Iraqi Peshmerga Force Enters Syrian Town

A vanguard force of Iraqi peshmerga troops entered the embattled Syrian border town of Kobani from Turkey on Thursday, part of a larger group of 150 fighters that the Kurds hope will turn back an offensive by militants of the Islamic State group.

Dress for Success Strength Award Recipients

This year's recipients of Dress for Success' Strength Awards are Miss Mississippi 2014 Jasmine Murray, philanthropist Joni Strickland McLain, dean of Mississippi College School of Law Wendy B. Scott and the Lefleur's Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc.

Crime, JPD Big Themes for Ward 1 Hopefuls

Everyone with hopes of securing a spot on Jackson's City Council says the city has a crime problem, but opinions about how to prevent and clean up crime varies among the five men vying for the open Ward 1 council seat.

Cochran, Childers Speak at Miss. Business Event

Six-term incumbent Thad Cochran is telling Mississippi business leaders that he will be in line for a committee chairmanship if Republicans regain control of the Senate.

Downtown on Display, Bio-Med, Small Biz Awards, Top STEM Majors

The second annual Downtown on Display will take place in Jackson on Saturday, Nov. 1, coinciding with the fourth annual Town Creek Arts Festival.

Halloween Happs

The city of Jackson will trick or treat Oct. 31. Halloween events include a Trunk-or-Treat—an event where children go to a location and trick or treat from the trunks of cars—at the Jackson Training Academy from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30.

JFP College Football Top 25: Week Nine

College football is about to enter its final month in the regular season. Each week comes with de-facto playoff games as one-loss teams face each other.

The Slate

When did the NFC South become the 2010 NFC West? Currently, every team in that division has a losing record after the first eight weeks of the season.

High Expectations

William Shakespeare wrote in "Henry IV": "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." This quote seems to apply to Mississippi State University as the team learns to live with the No. 1 ranking in the country.

Hootenanny Blues

On Nov. 2, Duling Hall will host the Harvest Hootenanny, featuring performances by Cicero Buck and the Double Wide House Band. All proceeds of the event go to the Pediatric Palliative Care unit at Blair E. Batson Hospital.

Motopony’s Metaphysical Music

Forming the best possible band can be an arduous process, and it was no different for Motopony. The Seattle-based indie band, fronted by singer-songwriter Daniel Blue, has cycled through about 20 members since its inception in 2006.

A Season to Beat

In the South, fall means football. We know that. This year in Mississippi, though, it's especially exciting, thanks to both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University's teams having stellar seasons.

Adults Only

This Halloween, consider an adults-only gathering. This day has so many amusing qualities that a party can go in many directions, from spooky to theatrical. Here are some ideas for one that is in between the two.

Standing Up, and Dancing, Against Domestic Abuse

For 10 years, the JFP Chick Ball has focused on the strength of women. This year, a new event invites men of character to stand up against domestic violence—and celebrates those who do.

Here Come the Judicial Races

As they say, Mississippi likes to elect everyone from dog catcher to governor. That includes judges, who must run every four years. Here's a look at the judicial candidates who will appear on local ballots Nov. 4.

How to End Persistent Poverty

In Mississippi, he points out, half the state's 82 counties have experienced persistent poverty, where at least 20 percent of the people have lived in poverty for three decades.

How to Be a Stand-Up Guy Against Domestic Violence

Since March, a group of about 10 men from various walks of life have been meeting once a month around the Jackson area. The men represent a spectrum of experiences in dealing with interpersonal violence in several fields and not only learn how to safely intervene when they see or learn of domestic abuse, but also work toward teaching men to use positive language when talking about women.

Men of Character

Jed Oppenheim worked for the Southern Poverty Law Center for five years, and co-organized activities for the Freedom Summer Youth Congress this past summer.

Batterer’s Intervention: Changing Minds, Saving Lives

Early on in Ben Ellard's career as the program manager of the Batterer's Intervention Program at Pearl's Center for Violence Prevention, he had a profound experience while processing a new program participant.

Hop on the ‘No More’ Bandwagon

In many ways, I believe tackling domestic abuse in the football arena is the exact right place to focus. It's hard to imagine a more macho sport where power is the goal.

Men: Don’t Wait on Women to Act

Mississippi is only as strong as our women. And right now, by most economic and social indicators, Mississippi is not very strong.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Valid'

Pickering is splitting hairs. The state has shorted its own standard of funding for public education 15 out of the last 17 years.

Soul-O-Ween

Miss Doodle Mae: "Jojo, our fearless, creative and innovative leader, wants to celebrate Halloween differently this year. His plan is to celebrate soul with the Jojo's Discount Dollar Store Soul-O-Ween Party and Sale.

The Gathering of the Art

Local artists Jerrod Partridge and David West created Art Space 86 with simple ideas in mind: provide a place for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work, and grow Jackson's prolific art scene.

Justin Mabry: Behind the Mask

Most kids get toys or ice cream as a reward or to celebrate a special occasion. When Justin Mabry was a kid, he got a new mask.

An Open Letter to My Sister, and Men Everywhere

The danger in expecting women to meet some standard of purity or respectability is that when some man decides that a woman's purity is compromised because of her low-cut dress or that she's not a virgin, he assumes that gives him permission to ignore or abuse her humanity.

Justin Glover/Vivian Montgomery

After praying to RuPaul, Justin Glover, also known as Vivian Montgomery, walked out of his apartment in Belhaven.

Richard Sellers: Schooling the City Council

Richard Sellers comes from a long family line of educators. Currently a special-education teacher at Brandon High School and a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, Sellers, 31, believes serving on the Jackson City Council is a natural extension of his service experience.

MAEP Opponents Complain About Program They Helped Implement

Many people who don't support the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which aims to support schools across the state with necessary resources, believe the formula is faulty. But few go beyond that in their explanation.

Syrian Rebels Enter Kurdish Town from Turkey

For the first time since the Islamic State group launched an offensive on the Syrian border town of Kobani last month, a small group of Syrian rebels on Wednesday entered the embattled town from Turkey in a push to help Kurdish fighters there battle the militants, activists and Kurdish officials said.

Russian Deliver Space Station Cargo After US Flop

The company behind the dramatic launch explosion of a space station supply mission promises to find the cause of the failure and is warning residents to avoid any potentially hazardous wreckage.

Japan, North Korea in 2nd Day of Abduction Talks

North Korean and Japanese officials ended two days of talks Wednesday with Japan repeating its request to focus and speed up the investigation over the fates of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and '80s.

Miss. Public Pension System Shows Improved Results

With stock market gains replacing steep losses in the accounting ledger, Mississippi's main public employee pension fund posted stronger results last year.

Unmanned Commercial Supply Rocket Explodes En Route to Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An unmanned commercial supply rocket bound for the International Space Station exploded moments after liftoff Tuesday evening, with debris falling in flames over the launch site in eastern Virginia.

Mississippi State, Ole Miss Both Make First Playoff Rankings

Mississippi State, Florida State, Auburn and Mississippi are the top four teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

Community Leaders: Keep Homeless Shelters Open

This morning, representatives from Mississippi MOVE and Mu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity met at Matt Devenney Emergency Shelter, or Matt's House, to ask for community support in keeping two Stewpot homeless shelters open.

Ann Turner Williams

Drake’s Designs Florist & Gifts owner Ann Turner Williams and her business-neighbor, Chris McCoy of The Book Rack, are teaming up for Books & Boos, Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Emissions Drop Puts EU Just Shy of 2020 Goal

The European Union's environment agency says the bloc's greenhouse gas emissions dropped by nearly 2 percent last year, putting the EU very close to reaching its emissions target for 2020.

Japan, North Korea Start Talks on Abductions

Japanese and North Korean officials held talks in Pyongyang for the first time in 10 years Tuesday, meeting to assess progress into North Korea's investigation into the fates of Japanese citizens who were abducted in the 1970s and '80s.

Federal Health Official Fauci: States Have Options

For Americans wondering why President Barack Obama hasn't forced all states to follow a single, national rule for isolating potential Ebola patients, the White House has a quick retort: Talk to the Founding Fathers.

India Slides, US Gains in Gender Equality Ranking

Indian women still face some of the world's worst inequality in access to health care, education and work, despite years of rapid economic growth, according to a survey of 142 nations released Tuesday.

Bombing Suspect's Friend Convicted of Lying to FBI

A friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was convicted Tuesday of lying during the investigation into the 2013 attack.

Iraqi Kurdish Fighters to Head to Syria

Dozens of Iraq's Kurdish peshmerga fighters will fly to Turkey on Tuesday and from there cross into the Syrian border town of Kobani to help fellow Kurds fight Muslim militants, a spokesman for the Kurdish force said.

April 28 Tornadoes Damage and Recovery Figures

Here's a look by the numbers at the damage caused by the 23 tornadoes that touched down April 28 in Mississippi as well as the federal aid and insurance activity since.

Fed Will Likely Signal No Rate Hike Anytime Soon

The global economy has slumped. Turmoil has gripped financial markets. And the U.S. job market, despite steady gains, still isn't fully healthy. Yet when the Federal Reserve meets this week, few foresee any major policy changes.

NSA Surveillance Limits: The Focus Turns to Courts

While Congress mulls how to curtail the NSA's collection of Americans' telephone records, impatient civil liberties groups are looking to legal challenges already underway in the courts to limit government surveillance powers.

US Governors, Army Go Own Way on Ebola Quarantines

Despite President Barack Obama's appointment of an "Ebola czar" to oversee and coordinate the U.S. response to the deadly virus, some politicians and even an Army general were going against White House guidance on Monday, planning the kinds of quarantines that scientists say only make containing the outbreak more difficult.

Death Row Prisoner Manning in Court Today

Willie Jerome Manning, a Mississippi death-row inmate, will argue before the state's high court Monday that he deserves a new trial because his lawyer's poor performance and faulty evidence contributing to his conviction in the slayings of two elderly women.

2 Applicants for Charter Schools Advance in Miss.

Mississippi's Charter School Authorizer Board has moved two groups that want to open schools ahead to the final stage of consideration.

Tommy Johnson

A segment of U.S. Highway 51 will be dedicated Thursday to blues artist Tommy Johnson.

Before US, Gay Marriage Accepted in Parts of World

The U.S. Supreme Court's refusal this month to review rulings that overturned bans on same-sex marriage marked a milestone in gay rights in the United States.

Third Student Dies in Washington School Shooting

A 14-year-old girl who was wounded when a student opened fire inside a Washington state high school has died, raising the death toll in the shooting to three, including the gunman.

Governors Stress Home Quarantine for Ebola Workers

State leaders in New York and New Jersey are at odds with scientists over Ebola as the states' governors back 21-day quarantines for medical workers returning from West Africa, while the nation's top infectious-disease expert warns that such restrictions are unnecessary and could discourage volunteers from aiding disease-ravaged countries.

US Official Urges Allies to Combat IS Ideology

The United States is pressing Arab nations and other allies to do more to counter the Islamic State group's slick propaganda campaign, with a top American envoy on Monday describing efforts to combat the extremist messages as a vital pillar in the fight to defeat the group.

Israel Advances Building Plans in East Jerusalem

The Israeli government is advancing construction plans to build about 1,000 housing units in parts of Jerusalem that Palestinians demand for their future state, a government official said Monday, amid heightened tensions in the holy city.

South Korea Seeks Death Penalty for Ferry Captain

South Korean prosecutors on Monday demanded the death penalty for the captain of a ferry that sank earlier this year, killing more than 300 people, blaming his negligence and failure to rescue passengers in need for the massive loss of life, a court official and news reports said.

2 Pro-Europe Parties Leading Ukraine Vote

Two pro-European parties that campaigned for tough reforms to battle corruption shared the lead Monday after Ukraine's parliamentary election, according to partial results.

Prosecution Says it Will Appeal Pistorius Verdict

South African prosecutors will appeal the verdict and sentencing of Oscar Pistorius, who was handed a 5-year prison term after being convicted of culpable homicide, the country's National Prosecuting Authority 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.

Supreme Court: McDaniel Challenge Too Late

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled against state Sen. McDaniel, saying that he did indeed miss the 20-day filing deadline for his election challenge in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Poll: 2 of 3 Americans Say IS Threat is Important

Sixty-five percent of Americans now say the threat from the Islamic State group is very or even extremely important, and nearly half think the U.S. military response in Iraq and Syria has not gone far enough, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll. Most want to see America's partners step up their contribution to the fight.

US Official: Auto Safety Agency Under Review

Transportation officials are reviewing the "safety culture" of the federal agency that oversees auto recalls, a senior Obama administration official said Friday.

Police: 2 Dead, Including Gunman, in School Attack

A student opened fire Friday in a high school cafeteria north of Seattle, killing at least one person and shooting several others in the head, officials said. The gunman also died in the attack.

NYC Police Commissioner: Hatchet Attack was Terror

A brazen daylight hatchet attack against a group of police officers on a busy New York street was a terrorist act by a reclusive Muslim convert who ranted online against America but had no clear ties to international extremists, the police commissioner said Friday.

City Wrap-Up: Thalia Mara's Cheap(er) Seats, Lakeland Costco Officially Dead

Thalia Mara Hall has seen some ups and downs in the past year. The down times have included a nearly yearlong construction period as Jackson's opera house underwent a $5 million makeover.

Cochran Stumps for Support from Black Voters

Republican Sen. Thad Cochran spoke to about 50 people at a downtown Jackson campaign event sponsored by All Citizens of Mississippi, a political action committee that has bought ads promoting him to black voters.

Laura Uzzell

An uncommon sport finds a star in Jackson State University student Laura Uzzell. The sophomore recently attended an international course in bowling that is sure to propel her into greater athletic successes.

China Launches Experimental Moon Orbiter

China launched an experimental spacecraft on Friday to fly around the moon and back to Earth in preparation for the country's first unmanned return trip to the lunar surface.

Sweden Calls Off Search for Submarine

Swedish authorities called off their weeklong search for a suspected submarine in the Stockholm archipelago Friday, saying the presumed intruder had probably escaped into the Baltic Sea.

Pistorius Prosecutors Consult Expert Over Appeal

Oscar Pistorius could still face a murder conviction and 15 years in prison for killing his girlfriend as prosecutors said Friday they had consulted a South African criminal law expert over an appeal.

Hong Kong Protesters to Vote on Staying in Streets

Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong plan to hold a spot referendum Sunday on whether to stay in the streets or accept government offers for more talks and clear their protest camps.

WHO: Millions of Ebola Vaccine Doses Ready in 2015

The World Health Organization says millions of doses of two experimental Ebola vaccines could be ready for use in 2015 and five more experimental vaccines will start being tested in March.

Police Prepare for Grand Jury Decision in Ferguson

Missouri police have been brushing up on constitutional rights and stocking up on riot gear to prepare for a grand jury's decision about whether to charge a white police officer who fatally shot a black 18-year-old in suburban St. Louis.

NYC Tries to Ease Ebola Fear After Doctor Infected

Officials tried to tamp down New Yorkers' fears Friday after a doctor was diagnosed with Ebola in a city where millions of people squeeze into crowded subways, buses and elevators every day.

No. 3 Ole Miss Looks to Take Down No. 24 Tigers

Third-ranked Mississippi is about to make its second appearance in LSU's Death Valley in the Hugh Freeze era—and how things have changed since the first visit two seasons ago.

Miss. GOP Stops Using Promo with Football Photos

The Mississippi Republican Party says it has stopped using a promotional email that included photos of two college football players without permission of the players or their schools.

Senators Ask Gov't for Nationwide Air Bag Recall

Two U.S. senators are calling on regulators to issue a nationwide recall of cars with faulty air bags made by Takata Corp., questioning why automakers have been allowed to limit recalls to only certain locations with high humidity.

The Faces of Travis Childers

Travis Childers, a former congressman from Booneville, hopes traditional Democratic voters and tea-party members can help him upset Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in November.

White House Fence Jumper Held Without Bond

The 23-year-old Maryland man who climbed over the White House fence was ordered held without bond in an appearance Thursday before a federal magistrate judge.

Ex-Mountie Hero of Shooting at Canada's Parliament

For more than two minutes, the lawmakers applauded and pounded their desks Thursday for the white-haired former Mountie, hailed as a hero for shooting the gunman who had stormed Canada's seat of power just a day earlier.

Canada Gunman Wanted a Passport to go to Mideast

A picture began to emerge Thursday of Michael Zehaf-Bibeau a day after the 32-year-old Canadian launched a deadly attack on Canada's seat of government that forced the country—again—to confront the danger of radicalized citizens in its midst.

Analysis: GOP Hopes Obama is Key to Senate Control

Struggling to preserve their Senate majority, Democrats are attacking Republicans over Medicare and Social Security in Louisiana, spending cuts in Arkansas, off-shore jobs in New Hampshire and women's issues in Colorado.

Johnathan Perkins

Thanks to the Lady Arrows' dominance, head coach Johnathan Perkins won the 2014 National Federation of State High School Associations' award for girls' track and field, and it made him eligible for the NFSH regional award.

Hospitals’ Struggles to Beat Back Familiar Infections Began Before Ebola Arrived

While Ebola stokes public anxiety, more than one in six hospitals—including some top medical centers—are having trouble stamping out less exotic but sometimes deadly infections, federal records show.

3 States Deny Gay Unions Despite Appellate Rulings

The writing is on the wall for gay marriage bans in Kansas, Montana and South Carolina after federal appeals courts that oversee those states have made clear that keeping gay and lesbian couples from marrying is unconstitutional.

HealthCare.gov's EZ Form Not for Legal Immigrants

HealthCare.gov's new EZ application for coverage can't be used by legal immigrants or naturalized U.S. citizens, prompting concern that many Hispanics and Asians will go right back into long enrollment queues this year.

Massive Cheating Scandal at UNC Involved Athletes

Bogus classes and automatic A's and B's are at the heart of a cheating scandal at the University of North Carolina that lasted nearly two decades, encompassing about 3,100 students—nearly half of them athletes.

Threat to Break Isolation in Liberia Over Food

Dozens of people quarantined for Ebola monitoring in western Liberia are threatening to break out of an isolation because they have no food, the West African nation's state radio reported Thursday.

White House Fence Jumper Charged with Assault

The 23-year-old Maryland man who climbed over the White House fence Wednesday night has been charged with felonies for assaulting two police dogs and making threats, the Secret Service said Thursday.

Health Officials say Ebola Low-Risk in Miss.

State health officials say they are keeping Mississippi hospitals and medical facilities up-to-date on Ebola identification and treatment.

UN Inquiry Head Rejects N. Korea's 'Honeyed Words'

"A few honeyed words" by North Korea as it tries to avoid a referral to the International Criminal Court has not changed the human rights situation on the ground there, the head of a U.N. commission of inquiry on the North told reporters Wednesday.

Blackwater Guards Found Guilty in Iraq Shootings

Four former Blackwater security guards were convicted Wednesday in the 2007 shootings of more than 30 Iraqis in Baghdad, an incident that inflamed anti-American sentiment around the globe and was denounced by critics as an illustration of a war gone horribly wrong.

2 Dead in Shooting Attack at Canada's Parliament

A Canadian soldier standing guard at a war memorial in the country's capital was shot to death Wednesday, and heavy gunfire then erupted inside Parliament. One gunman was killed, and police said they were hunting for as many as two others.

Obama Expresses Optimism About Ebola in US

President Barack Obama on Wednesday expressed optimism about the Ebola situation in the U.S. as he met with his Ebola response team, including his first meeting with his new point man on the deadly disease.

Bad Calls and Dan Mullen

This past weekend showed me that it is becoming nearly impossible to play pass defense. For example, West Virginia upset Baylor thanks to a few bad pass interference calls. The Detroit Lions used a weak—if it even really happened—pass interference call to beat the New Orleans Saints.

JFP College Football Top 25: Week 8

People used to say that the road to the national championship goes through Florida. This year, the road to the title goes through Mississippi.

The Slate

Last weekend, the Florida State Seminoles and the Detroit Lions got favorable calls from the officials so they could beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the New Orleans Saints.

HanaLena: Hardworking Women

Sisters Hannah and Caroline Melby of the country-bluegrass duo HanaLena (formerly known as Nash Street) are two of the busiest young performers from Mississippi.

Jarekus Singleton: A Story to Tell

Alligator Records artist Jarekus Singleton wouldn't trade anything for his life's journey, as it provided him with the material for his new album, "Refuse to Lose," which remained on the Billboard Blues Album chart for three weeks, peaking at No. 7.

Stories of the South

Since 1989, the Eudora Welty Writer's Symposium has hosted southern authors at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. The symposium provides a platform for authors specializing in southern fiction or scholarship about the South to voice their work, along with honoring the most well known alumnus of MUW.

My Pet Sourdough

There is a type of bread that lends itself well to gluten intolerance and celiac disease and isn't made with strange ingredients: Sourdough.

Pro-Cochran PAC Sheds Light on GOP Primary

Recent federal-campaign finance reports shed new light into spending that took place in the final days of the grueling Republican primary in June.

Federal Candidates on the Local Ballot

Travis Childers, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, served the U.S. House of Representatives for the 1st Congressional District from 2008 to 2011.

Judicial, County Candidates for Hinds County

A list of judicial and county candidates for Hinds County

On the Issues

Travis Childers signed the Federation for American Immigration Reform's so-called no-amnesty pledge, saying that he opposes both authorization for people who came to the U.S. illegally as well as expanding the guest worker program.

Once Again, It's On

The Jackson City Council set Dec. 2 as the special election for the seat recently vacated by Quentin Whitwell. The runoff, if needed, will take place two weeks later on Dec. 16.

Pledge Aligns Childers with Hate Groups

Travis Childers' stance has consistently been anti-immigration, so his opposing amnesty for "dreamers," young people whose parents brought them into this country without authorization when they were too young to object, is no surprise.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Without'

Rev. Mychal Massie seems to suggest that the racism and lack of opportunity that African Americans face on a daily basis is nothing compared to the issue of abortion, and that those who worry that African Americans "can't get food" are focused on the wrong issue.

Courting Dixiecrat Votes

This election season has been exceedingly disappointing to me as a liberal. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see a Democratic candidate sign a pledge from a xenophobic hate group to attract votes from the right.

JPS Wants Tech-Savvy Students

The city and C Spire have teamed up to provide 1 gigabit per second fiber—100 times faster Internet access—to the homes of Jackson residents, but the advancements don't stop there. They're in schools.

More Jackson Water Woes

Some $2.2 million in water fees to the city of Jackson remain suspended in administrative limbo. Under law, city water customers facing disconnection can dispute the amount of their water bill if they believe there is a leak in the city's line.

Amile Wilson: Cashing in on Creativity

In a recent interview, Amile Wilson, 29, talked to the Jackson Free Press about the creative economy as economic development, addressing infrastructure and improving the capital city's image.

Preaching a ‘Black Genocide’ Parable

It wasn't a large crowd that gathered to hear a group of infamous clergymen share their prophecy at the last abortion clinic in the state last week. Their message: Abortion is "black genocide."

La’Verne Edney

While growing up in Arcola, Miss., attorney La'Verne Edney witnessed firsthand the impact generosity and compassion can have.

Conceiving a Smarter Future

We're on an arc of history where too many of our lawmakers (and voters) aren't willing to address the disparities that our racist history created—unequal school funding due to forced, ingrained poverty—and aren't willing to say out loud what many of them actually know intellectually: that quality public education is key to Mississippi's future.

Stephen Cole's Ephemeral Permanence

Sculptor Stephen Coles will exhibit his work in “B+ (new work and investigations)” at Millsaps College Nov. 5-Dec. 17.

Small Steps in the Journey

On the track to better health, it's all about the small steps. Remember that great cities such as Jackson weren't built in a day; it's a step-by-step process. Here are some small steps you can take each day to get healthy.

Police Retrace Steps of Suspected Serial Killer

Investigators in two states were reviewing unsolved murders and missing person reports after the arrest of an Indiana man who confessed to strangling one woman, told police where to find six more bodies and hinted at a serial killing spree over two decades.

IS Fighters Seize Weapons Cache Meant for Kurds

Islamic State group fighters seized at least one cache of weapons airdropped by U.S.-led coalition forces that were meant to supply Kurdish militiamen battling the extremist group in a border town, activists said Tuesday.

CDC Releases Revised Ebola Gear Guidelines

The government announced Tuesday that everyone traveling to the United States from Ebola-afflicted African nations will have to be screened at one of five airports, as officials took to the road with new guidelines to promote head-to-toe protection for health workers who might be at risk of contracting the disease.

Mississippi Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Challenged in Suit

A gay-rights group and two lesbian couples filed a federal lawsuit Monday to try to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage in Mississippi, a Bible Belt state where the Republican governor and GOP leaders who control the state Legislature have long said they believe marriage should be only between a man and a woman.

Conkrete Sneaker Boutique, Public Wi-Fi and the Home of the Future, and Fall Workshops

Conkrete Sneaker Boutique, opening Oct. 24, will offer exclusive sneakers unavailable anywhere else, in addition to socks, T-shirts, hats, watches and other fashion items.

Keia Johnson

On Sept. 29, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi chose Keia Johnson as its new legislative strategist.

Attitude in the Moonlight

While you may hear people say, "Do it with attitude" or "Adjust your attitude," did you also know that attitude is a type of ballet move? The Friends of the USA International Ballet Competition named one of their annual events Moonlight Attitude partially because of this ballet terminology.

WHO: Ebola Vaccine Trials in W. Africa in January

The hunt for an Ebola vaccine will produce data soon about whether two experimental vaccines are safe and could lead to larger medical trials in West Africa by January, a top World Health Organization official said Tuesday.

Schools Closed in Ambush Suspect Search Area

A northeastern Pennsylvania school district closed its schools Tuesday after at least two reported sightings of the suspect in a deadly state police ambush.

Hong Kong Students, Officials Talk but Don't Agree

Hong Kong student leaders and government officials talked but agreed on little Tuesday as the city's Beijing-backed leader reaffirmed his unwillingness to compromise on the key demand of activists camped in the streets now for a fourth week.

Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Oscar Pistorius was taken away in a police van with barred windows Tuesday to start serving a five-year prison sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Some County, City Workers in Line for Pay Hikes

With minimal discussion at this morning's meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, members voted 4-1 to raise the minimum wage to $9.45 per hour for employees who have worked for the county for less than one year.

Federal Marriage Equality Suit Filed in Jackson

Jocelyn Pritchett and Carla Webb of Jackson are plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging Mississippi's state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

What CDC Can Do to Fight Ebola

The Ebola epidemic in Africa and fears of it spreading in the U.S. have turned the nation's attention to the federal government's front-line public health agency: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Manning Breaks Favre's Mark with 509th TD Pass

Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre's NFL record for touchdown passes with his 509th.

Expelled Nazis Got Millions in Social Security

Jakob Denzinger, 90, is among dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals and SS guards who collected millions of dollars in Social Security payments after being forced out of the United States, an Associated Press investigation found.

Turkey Helping Kurdish Fighters Cross into Kobani

In a significant shift, Turkey's top diplomat announced on Monday that his country is helping Iraqi Kurdish fighters cross into Syria to "give support" to fellow Kurds defending the border town of Kobani from Islamic State militants.

Submarine Hunt Sends Cold War Chill Across Baltic

Sweden's biggest submarine hunt since the dying days of the Soviet Union has put countries around the Baltic Sea on edge.

Bodies of 7 Women Found in Northwestern Indiana

The bodies of seven women have now been found in northwestern Indiana after a man confessed to killing one woman who was found strangled at a motel and led investigators to at least three other bodies, authorities 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.

In Hong Kong, No Endgame for Chaotic Protests

Three weeks ago, students at a rally stormed a fenced-off courtyard outside Hong Kong's government headquarters, triggering unprecedented mass protests for greater democracy in the semiautonomous Chinese city. Since then, the movement has spiraled into a volatile and dangerous crisis with no clear endgame.

Nigeria, Extremists Agree to Immediate Cease-Fire

Nigeria's government and Islamic extremists from Boko Haram have agreed to an immediate cease-fire, officials said Friday, in a move that could end five years of insurgency that has killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands homeless in Africa's most populous nation and its biggest oil producer.

Former Iraqi Pilots Train IS Fighters on MiG Jets

The Islamic State group is test flying, with the help of former Iraqi air force pilots, several fighter jets captured earlier from air bases belonging to the Syrian military, a Syrian activist group said Friday.

Obama Names Ebola 'Czar' as Precautions Expand

President Barack Obama turned to a trusted adviser to lead the nation's Ebola response on Friday as efforts to clamp down on any possible route of infection from three Texas cases expanded, reaching a cruise ship at sea and multiple airline flights.

All Citizens Files Reports Despite Founder's Africa Trip

Bishop Ronnie Crudup of New Horizon Church International left for Africa on Oct. 7, but that didn't delay the filing of the Federal Election Commission report for his super PAC, All Citizens for Mississippi, which was due Oct. 15.

The 'Nitty Gritty, Nuts-and-Bolts, Rubber-Hits-the-Road' Side of Climate Change

Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe delivers the message on climate change with a skill that makes it easy to believe that she is the daughter of missionaries. Her pulpit, though, is at Texas Tech, as professor and director of the university's Climate Science Center.

Rita Martinson

State Rep. Rita Martinson, 77, who has represented Madison as a Republican since 1992, recently announced that she would not seek another term so that she can spend more time traveling with her family.

Judge Strikes Down Arizona's Ban on Gay Marriage

A federal judge has cleared the way for legally recognized gay marriages in Arizona by ruling that the state's ban on same-sex unions is unconstitutional.

Hospitals Grapple with Possibility of Ebola

As questions persist over the handling of an Ebola patient who has since died at a Dallas hospital, it has become clear that the key to containing the disease in the U.S. lies with the response of local hospitals.

Police in 3 Washington Towns Targeted by Gunfire

A day after dozens of gunshots were directed at police in three Snohomish County towns, law enforcement officials said little about what prompted the rampage.

Trial Opens to Judge Ex-Khmer Rouge on Genocide

The first trial weighing charges of genocide against Cambodia's brutal 1970s Khmer Rouge regime opened Friday with a prosecutor saying it will show that Cambodians were enslaved in inhumane conditions that led to the deaths of 1.7 million people from starvation, disease and execution.

Merkel: No Breakthrough Yet on Russia-Ukraine

The Russian and Ukraine leaders met face-to-face Friday on a Ukraine peace deal, but despite signs of progress German Chancellor Angela Merkel said no breakthrough was in sight.

UN: We Botched Response to the Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organization has admitted that it botched attempts to stop the now-spiraling Ebola outbreak in West Africa, blaming factors including incompetent staff and a lack of information.

Glance at 2014 Miss. School District Ratings

Here's how Mississippi's 151 school districts in 2014 were rated under the state's A-to-F grading system.

FBI Director Warns Against Cellphone Encryption

FBI Director James Comey warned in stark terms Thursday against the push by technology companies to encrypt smartphone data and operating systems, arguing that murder cases could be stalled, suspects could walk free and justice could be thwarted by a locked phone or an encrypted hard drive.

News Guide: A Look at Latest Ebola Developments

The nation's top health officials tried to assure Congress that they can halt the spread of the Ebola virus in the U.S. despite mistakes that allowed two nurses to get the infection from a patient. Some lawmakers pressed for a ban on travel to the U.S. from the region—a course President Barack Obama is resisting.

US Still Searching for Credible Allies in Syria

Despite years of diplomacy and a CIA operation to vet and train moderate rebels, the U.S. finds itself without a credible partner on the ground in Syria as it bombs the Islamic State group. That's a potentially serious flaw in its strategy to ultimately defeat the militants.

Anti-Abortion Preachers Take Aim at Blacks, Women and Jayonce

The rate of abortion in the African American community will hasten the downfall of McDonald's, Beyonce and Jay-Z as well as the black press, said several black clergymen who spoke Wednesday at a rally at Mississippi's last abortion clinic.

Conservative States Balk at Gay Marriage Action

Conservative officials in some of the six states where Supreme Court action this week likely cleared the way for same-sex weddings say they won't issue marriage licenses to gay couples until their hands are forced. Now, gay rights advocates are preparing to do just that.

Benardrick McKinney

MSU middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney is essentially the quarterback of the team's defense, and even though he might not get as much of the national spotlight as quarterback Dak Prescott, MSU wouldn't be undefeated without him.

Florida Out of the Gate at Start of Early Voting

Midterm elections are almost three weeks away, yet more than 904,000 Americans already have cast their ballots, with almost 60 percent of those early votes in Florida, according to data compiled by The Associated Press from election officials in 11 states.

Existing Protocols Might Not be Enough for Ebola

Texas Health Presbyterian said Thursday it followed federal guidelines in treating Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan and "sought additional guidance and clarity."

Hong Kong Leader Offers Talks as Anger Mounts

Hong Kong's leader tried to soothe tensions with student-led democracy protesters Thursday by reviving an offer of talks, though public anger over a video of police kicking a handcuffed activist complicates efforts to end an increasingly bitter political standoff.

Chrysler Recalling Nearly 907,000 Cars, SUVs

Nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs and cars are being recalled for alternators that can fail and heated power mirror wiring that can short and cause minor fires.

Kellogg Gives $2.3M Endowment to State Archives

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has given a $2.3 million endowment to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to support development of educational programs that will be operated by the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Syria-Iraq Fight Gets a Name: 'Inherent Resolve'

It's less punchy than previous nicknames for U.S. conflicts in the Middle East—remember Operation Desert Storm and its thunderous attacks against Saddam Hussein?—but the Pentagon has finally named its fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria: Operation Inherent Resolve.

Gay Marriage Developments: Idaho Couples Marry

It's been more than a week since a flurry of gay marriage developments began with the Supreme Court's denial of appeals from five states, allowing for expansion of marriage rights.

2nd Texas Health Worker Tests Positive for Ebola

Fears of the Ebola virus deepened Wednesday with word that a second Dallas nurse caught the disease from a patient and flew across the Midwest aboard an airliner the day before she was diagnosed. President Barack Obama canceled a campaign trip to address the outbreak.

Jackson to Appeal Federal Court Ruling

The city of Jackson is likely to appeal a recent court decision that would could cost the already cash strapped capital more than $500,000 in fines.

Your Turn: On the Conditions at East Mississippi Correctional Facility

We the members of Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference wish to express our concern about recent reports regarding East Mississippi Correctional Facility just outside of Meridian.

JFP College Football Top 25 Poll: Week Seven

The top of the poll has changed, with both Mississippi teams in the SEC grabbing the top two spots. The Bulldogs and the Rebels have jumped Florida State as the best teams in the country.

From the SEC to the NFL

Mississippi State University is the top team in the country, and there really is no argument as to why the Bulldogs should be No. 1. MSU has played one of the toughest schedules and won each contest.

The Slate

I never thought I would wake up in the morning and a football team from Mississippi would be ranked No. 1 in the polls. This has been a special season so far for our SEC teams.

Gone But Not Forgotten in 'Gone Girl'

With David Fincher, the man behind some of cinema's most thought-provoking thrillers such as "Seven," "Fight Club" and "Zodiac," in the driver's seat, I should have expected more from this slow-burning tale of suspicion.

'The Boxtrolls': Big Themes in Small Boxes

"The Boxtrolls" is one of those movies for kids that actually deals with real issues.

New Stage Goes ‘All the Way’

Francine Thomas Reynolds, artistic director for New Stage, felt it was important to secure the rights to "All the Way" no matter how difficult the task, because Mississippi played a pivotal role.

Great Expectations

Whether it's communicating about exclusivity or merely determining if he likes you, directness is highly underrated.

‘Twanging-Out’ with Young Valley

Jackson is already home to a vast stable of genre-defying original music, but in the last few months, Young Valley has emerged as the new band on the block.

Facing ‘The Problem’ with 7evenThirty

Jackson native and Dallas, Texas, resident Marques "7evenThirty" Phillips' early musical influences helped shape the eccentric lyrical style of his rap.

Jimbo’s Fire in the Belly

I've seen Bible-wagging Pentecostal Holiness preachers at revival time who couldn't match rock 'n' roller Jimbo Mathus for fire in the belly.

Justin Patterson's Own Brand of Country

Brandon songwriter Justin Patterson is busy recording his new EP, "Mississippi Dirt," at Jackson's Blue Sky Studios with producer Casey Combest.

Seeking the New Soul

Jackson singer and songwriter Tawanna Shaunte's varied sound is a direct result of her diverse background.

Barnett's Greatest Hits

The music-promoting crew at Ardenland has delivered some tremendous musical talent to Mississippi in its three years of business.

‘Now Entering Ardenland’

With the number of award-winning acts that Ardenland has funneled through the city, it's easy to forget that the company has only existed for about three years. But Arden Barnett's skill as a music businessman didn't spring up overnight.

Artists to Watch

Hip-hop artist Tira Dixon of Pearl, Miss., delivers brutal, earnest lyrics that are sure 59 tackle themes such as family struggles and dissatisfaction with the American status quo.

Give Your Life

"God doesn’t call those who are equipped. He equips those that He calls.” That’s the message that Jason Gibson says he and Destiny Project want to spread to their listeners.

The Fault with Free Love

Darcey Steinke spent much of her youth in the suburbs of Roanoke, Va., where she saw the effects of the '60s social movements.

The Elephant in the Trailer Park

The Westside Trailer Park, which has a large Hispanic population, contains around 100 nearly dilapidated trailers. The spray-painted numbers that differentiate them evoke Hurricane Katrina imagery.

A Taste of France

Mirepoix (pronounced meer-PWAH) is a traditional mixture of onion, carrots and celery used as a base in a variety of savory French dishes.

Azha Sanders

It wasn't some intrinsic skill that turned tattoo artist Azha Sanders into the artistic inker she is today. While she's a talented artist in her own right, translating art into tattoos is as much discipline as it is ability.

Watkins: HUD Report ‘Libelous,’ ‘Inaccurate’

David Watkins, the Jackson attorney and developer who has been under fire for his handling of the Farish Street revitalization, is defending himself and his company against a scathing federal review of the project.

Success for 2nd Station Spacewalk in 2 Weeks

Spacewalking astronauts replaced a failed electrical unit at the International Space Station on Wednesday, restoring full power to the orbiting lab.

Whole Foods to Roll Out Rankings for Produce

Whole Foods plans to start rolling out a system that ranks fruits and vegetables as "good," ''better" or "best" based on the supplier's farming practices.

His Ongoing Love Affair

To say that I had a sour spot for musicians, singers, rappers and artists is really putting it mildly. I had no interest in being involved with another person who wanted to be a "star."

It’s OK to Be Critical

Music is an art form, so it's entirely subjective. But it's also objective. The goal is to reach wider audiences, to evolve and become better over time.

Record Number of Black Candidates Seeking Office

More than 100 black candidates will be on the ballot in statewide and congressional races next month, a post-Reconstruction record that some observers say is a byproduct of Barack Obama's historic presidency.

What's at Stake in Iran Nuclear Talks?

An Iranian nuclear agreement is the Obama administration's grandest foreign policy objective, a legacy-defining endeavor that holds the prospect of ending the gravest potential threat to Israel and the Middle East and reintegrating Iran into the world community.

Hong Kong Police Attack on Activist Sparks Anger

Hong Kong police battling activists for control of an underpass in the dead of night Wednesday sparked public anger after officers were seen kicking a handcuffed protester in the worst violence since street demonstrations for greater democracy began more than two weeks ago.

Koreas' Military Talks End Without Agreement

The first military talks between North and South Korea in more than three years ended with no agreement Wednesday, with the rivals failing to narrow their differences on how to ease animosity following two shooting incidents last week, South Korean officials said.

Listen to the Music and Watch Jackson Grow

As you will read throughout this issue, there's great music in the capital city area, and the scene seems to get better with each annual Jackson Free Press Music Issue.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Helicopter'

When you get down to it, if anyone in Mississippi could procure a helicopter on short notice, it's one of the most powerful and best-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Protecting America’s Commander-In-Chief

I am Brother Hustle writing on behalf of Chief Inspector, Lieutenant-Colonel  "Beat Down" Lipscomb, Ghetto Science Team Security Specialist. As a proud American and former military police officer, he is very concerned about President Obama's security.

Yarber Gala Raised, Spent $86K

Mayor Tony Yarber's inaugural gala committee spent almost $85,670—raised from a mostly new crew of donors than those who publicly backed his candidacy.

U.S. Supreme Court Halts Texas Abortion Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Texas from enforcing key provisions of a 2013 law that would close all but eight of the state’s abortion facilities.

Nancy Smith

On Sept. 30, diabetic Nancy Smith became the first person in the state to receive an isolated pancreas transplant at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

1908 Provisions Renovations, Northpark Holiday Events and Minority Business Grant

Celia Barrett Design, a boutique interior-design firm based in Jackson, recently completed renovations on 1908 Provisions in the historic Fairview Inn.

Deadly Force, in Black and White

Young black males in recent years were at a far greater risk of being shot dead by police than their white counterparts—21 times greater, according to a ProPublica analysis of federally collected data on fatal police shootings.

UN Chief in Gaza as Reconstruction Efforts Begin

The U.N. chief visited Gaza on Tuesday to give a push to international reconstruction efforts following a devastating summer war, saying the destruction was "beyond description" as Israel allowed the first shipment of construction materials to enter the coastal strip since the fighting ended in August.

WHO: 10,000 New Ebola Cases Per Week Could be Seen

West Africa could see up to 10,000 new Ebola cases a week within two months, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, also confirming the death rate in the current outbreak has risen to 70 percent.

Police: More than 50 Arrested in Ferguson Protests

Pounding rain and tornado watches didn't deter hundreds of protesters Monday outside Ferguson police headquarters, where they stayed for almost four hours to mark how long 18-year-old Michael Brown's body was left in a street after he was fatally shot by police.

How the New HealthCare.gov Stacks Up with the Old

HealthCare.gov, the website for health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, has been revamped as its second enrollment season approaches.

Catholic Bishops in 'Seismic' Opening Toward Gays

Gay rights groups hailed a "seismic shift" by the Catholic Church toward gays on Monday after bishops said homosexuals had gifts to offer the church and that their partnerships, while morally problematic, provided homosexuals with "precious" support.

Programs Boost Hope for JPS, Youth

Several area initiatives aimed at Jackson Public Schools could spark improvements for young people in the capital city.

Jayce Powell

Jayce Powell, event and promotion coordinator, sales consultant and certified bike fitter at Indian Cycle Fitness and Outdoor (677 S. Pear Orchard Rd., Ridgeland), has been in the business for more than 11 years.

Liberia Avoids Mass Hospital Strike Amid Ebola

Health workers reported for duty at Liberia's hospitals on Monday, largely defying calls for a strike that could have further hampered the country's ability to respond to the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

Frenchman Tirole Wins Nobel Economics Prize

French economist Jean Tirole won the Nobel prize for economics Monday for research on market regulation that has helped policymakers understand how to deal with industries dominated by a few companies.

Angry Crowd Charges Hong Kong Protest Barricades

A mob of masked men opposed to Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrators led an apparently coordinated assault on the protest zone in the heart of the city's financial district Monday, tearing down barricades and clashing with police.

Alaska Will Issue Marriage Licenses to Gay Couples

Alaska will begin accepting marriage applications from same-sex couples Monday after a federal judge struck down the state's ban on gay marriage—one of the first two states to prohibit same-sex weddings.

Breaking Down the Ballots: Mississippi Teams Could Continue to Dominate

The Mississippi-mania sweeping college football is more than just a temporary condition. It just keeps getting better for the Magnolia state's Southeastern Conference teams.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Take Top Spot In AP College Football Poll

Mississippi State is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll, replacing Florida State and making the fastest rise to the top spot in the history of the poll.

Science Report: How Does Ebola Spread?

Some facts about how Ebola spreads.

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.

MSU Prepares to Host Freedom Summer Conference

Mississippi State University is holding a conference later this month about Freedom Summer, the 1964 effort to expand voting rights and education programs to black citizens in Mississippi.

Dak Prescott Emerges As Legitimate Heisman Contender

The Heisman Trophy race, much like the playoff chase, took a detour last weekend. The presumptive favorite, Marcus Mariota of Oregon, was unable to prevent his team from being upset. Dak Prescott emerged as a legitimate contender for Mississippi State and a couple of guys who were trending in September — Kenny Hill of Texas A&M and Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska — cooled off.

Same-Sex Weddings Can Begin Immediately in North Carolina After Ban Overturned

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge in North Carolina struck down the state's gay marriage ban Friday, opening the way for the first same-sex weddings in the state to begin immediately.

No. 3 Mississippi State Set to Host No. 2 Auburn in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — It wasn't long ago that the mention of the numbers three and two brought sarcastic jokes and eye rolls from fans of Auburn and Mississippi State. Now, they bring a sense of pride.

Ebola Screening Measures Rest on Federal Law

The government's authority to screen airline passengers for Ebola and order them quarantined if necessary is far-reaching and rooted in the Constitution and federal law, public health experts say.

Malala, Satyarthi Win Nobel Peace Prize

Taliban attack survivor Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel winner ever as she and Kailash Satyarthi of India won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for working to protect children from slavery, extremism and child labor at great risk to their own lives.

UN Warns of Massacre if Militants Take Syrian Town

In a dramatic appeal, a U.N. official warned that hundreds of civilians who remain trapped in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani near the border with Turkey were likely to be "massacred" by advancing extremists and called on Ankara to help prevent a catastrophe.

FAA, Flight Attendants Square Off Over Electronics

The nation's largest flight attendants union says it wants airline passengers to return to stowing cellphones and other electronics during takeoffs and landings, but the group's arguments didn't seem to fly Friday in court.

Gay Rights Groups Hail New Catholic Tone

Gay rights groups are cautiously cheering a shift in tone from the Catholic Church toward homosexuals, encouraged that Pope Francis' famous "Who am I to judge?" position has filtered down to bishops debating family issues at a Vatican meeting this week.

Angry Protesters Yell at Riot Police in St. Louis

Protesters angered by the fatal shooting of a black 18-year-old by police faced off with officers in south St. Louis for a second night as accusations of racial profiling prompted calls for a federal investigation ahead of a weekend of planned rallies and civil disobedience.

Soul in the Machine

Schooled on the west side of Chicago, DJ Rob "Scrap Dirty" Nichols was one of a few college-aged DJs who brought house music to Jackson in the early '90s.

Nothing Ties Down 2Chainz

Georgia hip-hop artist Tauheed "2 Chainz" Epps visits Jackson at the peak of his popularity.

Andre Delano

Saxophonist, singer and songwriter Andre Delano may have grown up in East St. Louis, Mo., but he feels just as much a child of Jackson.

Voter ID Suffers Big Blows

State requirements for citizens to present government-issued identification suffered several setbacks this week.

Ole Miss Faces Aggies They've Never Beaten, Crowd Expected to Top 100,000

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — No. 3 Mississippi didn't spend long celebrating its big win over Alabama. Not with No. 14 Texas A&M up next, a team the Rebels have never beaten and a school that has sent them to close losses the last two seasons on their home field.

Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia Issue First Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Daniel Carroll and Dayvin Bartolome stood on the steps of the marriage license bureau in Las Vegas, researching where they might tie the knot after 14 years together.

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Voters' Birthdates

A Texas-based group will not appeal its loss in a lawsuit that sought access to Mississippi voters' birthdates after a disputed Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Symantec Says It Will Split Into Two Companies

Security software maker Symantec is the latest company to announce plans to split itself into two. The maker of Norton antivirus software said Thursday that it will separate into one business focused on security and the other on information management.

Strikes Didn't End Threat from Syrian Terror Cell

The barrage of U.S. cruise missiles last month aimed at a Syrian terrorist cell killed just one or two key militants, according to American intelligence officials who say the group of veteran al-Qaida fighters is still believed to be plotting attacks against U.S. and European targets.

Even Supreme Court Justices Can Goof

The Supreme Court's mishandling of big news this week about same-sex marriage was a reminder: Even the justices put their robes on one arm at a time.

In Mexico, Parents Hold Vigil for 43 Disappeared

Two weeks after 43 students disappeared in a clash with police in rural southern Mexico, dozens of anxious parents have gathered at a teachers' college that was supposed to be their sons' escape from life as subsistence farmers.

C Spire Brings Faster Than Broadband to Jackson

This morning, Ridgeland-based C Spire and City of Jackson officials announced Jackson as the telecommunications company's newest "fiber city."

NFLPA Presidents Recognize Patient Approach

When Roger Goodell and several NFL owners were asked Wednesday how long a revamping of the NFL's personal conduct policy would take, they preached patience.

Finance Officials Face Global Economy Under Threat

Though braced by a resurgent United States, the global economy is under threat from other regions—from Europe and Latin America to China and Japan—where growth is stalling and prospects remain dim.

US Military Aircraft Arrive in Liberia

Presidents of several West African countries ravaged by Ebola pleaded for aid at the World Bank on Thursday as the U.S. military ramped up its efforts in Liberia, the country that has been hardest hit by the disease.

Too Little Too Late?

State Sen. Chris McDaniel's election challenge has been going on for nearly four months, but the hopeful politician hasn't gotten his way so far.

Lawmakers Consider Changes to Secret Service

Key members of Congress are weighing dramatic changes to the embattled Secret Service, including moving it out of the Homeland Security Department and breaking up its mission.

Turkey, Kurd Tensions Worry US in Fight for Kobani

Even as it prods Turkey to step up in the global fight against Islamic State militants, the United States is worried that Ankara might use military action to target Kurdish fighters who are the last line of defense against extremists trying to take over the Syrian border town of Kobani.

Hong Kong Government Cancels Talks with Protesters

Hong Kong's government on Thursday canceled talks with student leaders of a pro-democracy protest that has blocked streets in the city for nearly two weeks, with a senior official saying the discussions were unlikely to be constructive.

Hosemann: Fewer than 900 Crossover Votes in June

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says in a new report that fewer than 900 people might have voted in one party's primary and then improperly crossed over to vote in other party's runoff in June.

Gay Marriage Hopes Dashed After US Justice's Order

Same-sex couples who lined up to get married in Idaho and made plans to obtain wedding licenses in Las Vegas had their hopes dashed Wednesday after a U.S. Supreme Court justice temporarily blocked a lower-court ruling that declared gay marriage legal in Idaho and Nevada.

Obama, Military Assess Islamic State Strategy

With the Islamic State group holding its own in Iraq and Syria, President Barack Obama is huddling with the top U.S. military brass to assess whether their campaign to defeat the extremist group is working.

Federal Official: Fever Screening at 5 US Airports

The government plans to begin taking the temperatures of travelers from West Africa arriving at five U.S. airports as part of a stepped-up response to the Ebola epidemic.

Next Edition of HealthCare.gov is Unveiled

The Obama administration unveiled a new version of HealthCare.gov on Wednesday, with some improvements as well as at least one early mistake and a new challenge.

Stalemate at the Jail

The inability to come to a consensus over fixing Raymond Detention Center was again thrust into the spotlight recently following a scathing report of a Hinds County grand jury that called Sheriff Tyrone Lewis incompetent to supervise the jail, one of Mississippi's largest.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Amnesty'

Immigrants do jobs that Americans simply won't do. And, many economists agree that the presence of immigrants, who buy just as much stuff as citizens, is a net benefit to the economy.

The Jail Needs a Sense of Urgency

Crime is a hard thing to solve. It is the tragic confluence of poverty and generations of miseducation, not to mention institutional racism, patriarchy, childhood abuse and other structural biases. So it's no wonder that jail and prisons are among the nation's most difficult institutions to manage.

Joe Pennington and Robin Burton's New Beginnings

Robin Burton and Joe Pennington, whose previous spouses passed away, married later in life.

Stop Blaming the Victims

In the past few weeks, I have watched countless victim blamers come out to ask why Ray Rice's wife, Janay, stayed rather than focused on his violence. The truth is, victims stay for many reasons. I know I did.

Watercolor in the City

David Waldrip helped organize the 2014 Grand National Watercolor Exhibition while the Mississippi Watercolor Society's executive director, Susan Wellington, was out of the country.

The Great Spanking Debate

Many child advocates say that the negative effects associated with corporal punishment elevate spanking from one parent's business to a public-safety issue, especially in circumstances where the punishment has escalated to abuse.

Bulldog by Blood

Growing up a Mississippi State fan was great until I realized just how hard it was.

Mississippi Mania II

I felt anxious as Mississippi prepared to be front and center in the college-football world. Fans of any team in this state can tell you how many times they have had their hearts ripped out as expectations rose.

The Slate

ESPN's "College GameDay" started going to campuses in 1993. The show never stepped foot in Mississippi until last weekend, and now it will be here for back-to-back weeks.

Working Together to Forge a New Path in Jackson and the Country

Tonight at 6:30 p.m., Rich Harwood, founder and president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, will talk about ways the community—and the country—can come together when he speaks at Millsaps College's Community Forum.

A Legal Marriage Under Attack

Nick and Jessica Fulgham, who married Sept. 18, received a wave of public backlash when American Family Radio, an anti-gay organization based in Tupelo, broadcast news of their marriage after it happened.

Waiting for ‘One Lake’

Flood control has worried locals since two floods, in spring 1979 and again in 1983. Ever since, groups have floated a procession of flood plans.

Camille Snyder

In 2007, Camille Snyder was fresh out of college and working for a tech firm in Washington, D.C., when a sudden close call with cancer diverted her into pursuing the family business: insurance.

Why Do Children Stay?

It is time for all adults, with children or not, to reconsider traditions on corporal punishment and pay attention to both research on its harmfulness and expert advice on how to mete out smarter, non-physical discipline.

Stop Dieting, Be Healthy

Diet is a four-letter word. For people who struggle with weight, the word conjures images of hardship and long lists of what we shouldn't be eating and doing.

Finding Answers in the Head and the Heart

Josiah Johnson, 30, who is originally from southern California, formed The Head and The Heart in Seattle in 2009.

Nick Wallace: Jackson’s Cutthroat Chef

If you watched Food Network a few of Sundays ago, you might have seen a familiar, local face on "Cutthroat Kitchen": Jackson chef Nick Wallace.

JFP College Football Top 25 Poll: Week Six

It was a bloodbath for Top 25 teams last week. Ranked teams were going down faster than characters in a "Walking Dead" season finale.

Whitwell Exits Jackson City Council Early

Jackson Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell will bow out even sooner than expected.

Education-Funding Initiative Gets Enough Petitions to Make 2015 Ballot

Almost 200,000 Mississippians from around the state have signed a petition for a state initiative to require lawmakers to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program—far more than the 107,216 certificated signatures required.

Brent's Brings Back Breakfast, UMMC/Mayo Clinic Collaborate, Landmark Center Has New Buyer

As of last Wednesday, breakfast is back at Brent's Drugs in Fondren.

Marshall Tucker Band

South Carolina's Marshall Tucker Band has released more than 40 albums including reissues and live recordings since its debut in 1973, with four records hitting platinum and five earning gold status.

LED There Be Light: 3 Share Nobel for Blue Diode

Two Japanese scientists and a Japanese-born American won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for inventing blue light-emitting diodes, a breakthrough that has spurred the development of LED technology to light up homes, computer screens and smartphones worldwide.

Violent Protests as Kurds Seek Help Against IS

Kurdish protesters clashed Tuesday with police in Turkey and forced their way into the European Parliament in Brussels, part of Europe-wide demonstrations against the Islamic State group's advance on a town on the Syrian-Turkish border.

Hong Kong Protests Thin as Two Sides Agree to Talk

Crowds of protesters who filled Hong Kong's streets with demands for more democracy thinned dramatically Tuesday after student leaders and the government agreed to hold talks in the increasingly frustrated city.

Yarber: Costco 'Softer' on Lakeland Demand

Despite several current and former city officials characterizing an area along Lakeland Drive as non-negotiable for Mississippi's first Costco store, the company has softened its stance, Mayor Tony Yarber says.

MSWTC Names Diez as New Executive Director

Tracy Diez has been named the new executive director for the Mississippi World Trade Center.

3 Win Medicine Nobel for Discovering Brain's GPS

A U.S.-British scientist and a Norwegian husband-and-wife research team won the Nobel Prize in medicine Monday for discovering the brain's navigation system—the inner GPS that helps us find our way in the world—a revelation that one day could help those with Alzheimer's.

High Court Denies Gay Marriage Appeals

The Supreme Court turned away appeals Monday from five states seeking to prohibit same-sex marriages, paving the way for an immediate expansion of gay and lesbian unions.

Turkey Cracks Down on Oil Smuggling Linked to IS

Turkish authorities recently ramped up a multi-layered crackdown that has significantly disrupted the illicit trade of oil with the Islamic State group.

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.

Prescott and Bulldogs Make a State-ment in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Dak Prescott took the snap and saw nothing but empty field between him and the goal line. Instead of handing off the ball, the Mississippi State quarterback decided to take care of it himself, doing just a little bit of a high step as he went into the end zone.

Tear Up the College Polls; Who Will Be Top 5 On Sunday?

The biggest weekend of the college football season delivered a sensational Saturday that included three of the top six teams in The Associated Press poll getting beat.

Enrollment Increasing in Miss. Medicaid and CHIP

Mississippi's Medicaid enrollment has grown since January, even as top elected officials continue to oppose expanding the program.

DA Robert Smith Called Grand Jury That Criticizes Sheriff Tyrone Lewis

Robert Shuler Smith, the Hinds County district attorney, empanelled the grand jury that delivered a damning report of Sheriff Tyrone Lewis's supervision of the Raymond Detention Center.

Jackson's Water Woes Continue

Jackson taxpayers will pay an out-of-state contractor at least $200,000 to audit several aspects of the city’s water-and-sewer finances. After shelving discussion last week to get more details, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved an agreement on Sept. 29 with Charlotte, N.C.-based Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc.

Akami Graham

Akami Graham is no stranger to Jackson's R&B music scene. She has been performing to enthusiastic audiences since the early 2000s, but tonight will be her last local show, at least for now. Graham is heading to the blue waters of the Caribbean.

Again, Costs Rise and Completion Delayed at Kemper

Southern Co. said Thursday that it will cost at least another $59 million to finish the power plant it's building in eastern Mississippi's Kemper County, pushing the total cost above $5.6 billion.

Israel on Alert as Jewish, Muslim Holiday Coincide

Israeli police were on high alert Friday to avert possible clashes as Jews and Muslims prepare to observe their faith's major holidays of Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha, which overlap this year for the first time in more than three decades.

Colorado School Board Keeps Eye on History Changes

Students and parents say they will renew protests Friday after a suburban Denver school board rejected their calls to back off a proposed review of the Advanced Placement U.S. history course with an eye toward promoting patriotism and minimizing civil disorder.

GM Issues 2 More Recalls for SUVs, Mini Cars

General Motors announced two more recalls Friday, pushing its total for the year to 71, affecting almost 30 million vehicles in North America.

Mental Health: New Money Unneeded for Federal Deal

Mississippi's Department of Mental Health says it can use money it already has to comply with pledges to federal authorities to create more community living spots.

WAPT: Grand Jury Calls Sheriff Tyrone Lewis 'Incompetent' to Run Jail

After a hastily convened meeting of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, officials took no action on a grand jury report that reportedly states that Sheriff Tyrone Lewis is incompetent to run the county detention center.

Federal Jury: Jackson Must Pay $600K to Developer

A federal jury awarded a Jackson developer a $600,000 from the City of Jackson following a jury trial this afternoon.

Romney's in Demand as Republicans' Future Unclear

Twice-defeated White House contender Mitt Romney is campaigning across seven states this week, covering nearly 6,000 miles in five days to raise money and energy for Republican midterm candidates from Georgia to Colorado.

Cowboys Back Spillman Pending Assault Probe

With his coach's backing, C.J. Spillman returned to the Cowboys practice field Thursday as he awaits the results of a police investigation into his role in an alleged sexual assault last month at a suburban Dallas hotel.

Liberia to Prosecute Man Who Brought Ebola to US

Liberia plans to prosecute the airline passenger who brought Ebola into the U.S., alleging that he lied on an airport questionnaire about not having any contact with an infected person, authorities said Thursday.

Hong Kong Leader Offers Talks with Protesters

Hong Kong's embattled leader refused to step down Thursday, as pro-democracy protesters have demanded, and instead offered talks to defuse a week of massive street demonstrations that are the biggest challenge to Beijing's authority since China took control of the former British colony in 1997.

Court to Hear Cases Over Employment, Housing Bias

Did retailer Abercrombie & Fitch discriminate against a Muslim woman who was denied a job because her headscarf clashed with the company's dress code? That's the question in one of the 11 cases the Supreme Court said Thursday it will take on in its new term.

Obama Touts Economic Gains Under His Watch

President Barack Obama laid claim to an economic recovery Thursday that he said has made steady progress even as he blamed Republicans for rejecting steps he argued would help families with little to show for an upturn that has lowered unemployment, beefed up corporate accounts and fueled the stock market.

High Court Hears McDaniel v. Cochran Arguments

Today, the Mississippi State Supreme Court heard arguments from the legal teams of state Sen. Chris McDaniel and U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran regarding the 20-day deadline to file election challenges.

Ole Miss Probe Magnifies Big Weekend for Rebels, Bulldogs

The Magnolia State was already going to be in the national spotlight this weekend with both Mississippi State and Ole Miss—among college football's elite teams—playing host to national powerhouses.

Derek Jeter

Two of the biggest rivals in Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, took a timeout from their hatred of each other on Sunday to honor Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Saudi Arabia: 2 Million in Mecca for Start of Hajj

Saudi Arabia sought to assure the public that the kingdom was safe and free of health scares as an estimated 2 million Muslims streamed into a sprawling tent city near Mecca on Thursday for the start of the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage.

Faceoff in Hong Kong: 3 Sides, All with Options

Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Hong Kong and crowds of students blocked the entrances to government headquarters Thursday as midnight approached—the deadline protest leaders had set for the resignation of the city's chief executive.

Putin: State Will Support Sanctions-Hit Sectors

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the state will offer support to sectors of the economy that have been hit by international sanctions, but says the country in general is unconcerned about the sanctions' consequences.

History Fight Coming to a Head in Suburban Denver

A fight in Colorado over how United States history is taught is coming to a head in suburban Denver on Thursday, with students and teachers expected to pack a school board meeting where the controversial changes could face a vote.

Miss. Colleges and Universities Seek More Money

Mississippi's eight public universities and 15 community colleges each would like lawmakers to increase their budgets by more than $75 million, arguing more state spending on higher education will help Mississippi's residents earn higher incomes and bolster the future of the state.

Miss. Tourism Officials Seek Bigger Promo Budget

Mississippi tourism officials are requesting more public money to promote the state in big media markets such as Atlanta and Chicago.

Blogger Accused of Photographing Cochran's Wife Indicted for Burglary

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The man accused of taking illicit photographs of the bedridden wife of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran has been indicted on burglary charges.

Love in Reality

Within the hip-hop and rap communities, music is often a matter of what you represent. For some, it's a city, status or belief, but for Jackson-based rapper Jared "J. Skyy" Moering, it's about representing himself.

The Last of the Season

It is believed that gazpacho originates from an Arabian soup made of bread, garlic, water and olive oil. Today, it is still a staple throughout Spain and enjoyed most often in the hot months of summer.

The Slate

If the Rebels and Bulldogs are going to do something special this football season, this Saturday is the day to do it. It should feel like Christmas has come early for Bulldog and Rebel fans.

Stand to Expand

Mississippi is the only state in the country where the rate of its medically uninsured citizens has risen after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Universal Earth

Kristen Tordella-Williams has an affinity for dirt. Not the stuff that gathers under the couch, but the blacky-brown soil that gets under your nails, and the mound scraped away to construct something new.

Cramming for Common Core

This fall, McComb's teachers began the mammoth task of preparing students for new tests based on the Common Core State Standards adopted by more than 40 states, including Mississippi.

Leaders Must Remember City’s Poorest

Based on everything that has been discussed, the people of Jackson may well be staring at yet another increase in the amount they pay for water.

John Currence: Big Bad Chef

John Currence takes on the day—and the world—with a quart-sized container of iced coffee and the mouth of a sailor.

Other Gems of Robin Williams

When actor Robin Williams passed away at age 63, the entertainment world lost one of its sharpest wits and most diverse talents.

Sustaining and Habilitating Mississippi

When you think of Columbus, Miss., you probably think of the Mississippi University for Women and its extensive nursing program. But did you know that MUW has one of Mississippi's only culinary programs that lead to a Bachelor's of Science in the subject?

Heirloom Tomato Fun

Last year, a friend gifted me with the perfect sweet purple heirloom tomato from his garden. This year, I was inspired to grow one of my own.

Lit Highlights October 2014

Mississippi's weather is unpredictable. Thankfully, October always has plenty of great literary offerings, whether you're escaping that last bit of summer heat or relaxing indoors on a nippy autumn afternoon.

Stinker Quote of the Day: 'Rainy'

The Republicans aren't kidding anyone. They're saving up so they can make it rain a little bit during an election and hold on to the governor's mansion and majorities in the Legislature.

JFP College Football Top 25 Poll: Week Five

The rest of the early contenders are closing in on Florida State. The Seminoles have been nowhere near as dominant this season as they were last season.

People of the Mounds

If your description of Native Americans includes "primitive" or "savages," listening to retired archeologist and Jackson resident Sam Brookes will blow your mind.

Faking the Funk

Boneqweesha Jones: "Welcome to this special edition of 'Qweesha Live TV.' Tonight, I want to talk about corporate businesses and their hiring practices. Some reliable sources have reported to me that businesses like 'Y'all Mart' are faking the funk on hiring unemployed teenagers and adults."

Teaching Men a Thing or Two About Domestic Violence

When discussing domestic violence in our politically correct culture, it's common for people to use gender-neutral terms in describing victims and abusers. But the data confirm that women are by and large the victims of intimate-partner violence, and men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of it.

Stories for October 2014

Friday, October 31

Thursday, October 30

Wednesday, October 29

Tuesday, October 28

Monday, October 27

Friday, October 24

Thursday, October 23

Wednesday, October 22

Tuesday, October 21

Monday, October 20