News in Brief
Immigrants a boon to private prisons; the fight in Syria; the Olympics; more
Reeves Attacks Graduation Rate Omission
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves says the Mississippi Board of Education made a mistake when it decided to omit high school graduation rates from school ratings this year.
Senate May Go On Recess With GOP Blocking Cybersecurity Bill
The Senate could leave town this week for a monthlong break without passing legislation to protect the U.S. electrical grid, water supplies and other critical industries from cyberattack and electronic espionage.
Detaining 'Illegals' Is Big Money for Private Prison Companies and the Politicians They Lobby
The U.S. is locking up more illegal immigrants than ever, generating lucrative profits for the nation's largest prison companies, and an Associated Press review shows the businesses have spent tens of millions of dollars lobbying lawmakers and contributing to campaigns.
Defending Voter ID
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann vehemently defended the state's ability to provide free Ids for its as-yet approved Voter ID law, issuing a scathing retort July 26 to "The Challenge of Obtaining Voter Identification," a report issued July 17 by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.
A Taste of Mississippi
Anytime food inspires music such as Moses Mason's "Molly Man" or Robert Johnson's "They're Red Hot," you can guarantee you're in for a treat.
Storytellers Bring the Blues
A few things are distinct to Mississippi culture: We deal with the heat by complaining about it.
Get Wild
If you love to fish, hunt or just sit out on a boat, the 26th annual Wildlife Extravaganza is for you.
The Ones They Haven't Made, Yet
Last Friday, theatrical movie releases reeled back in the shadows of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremonies.
Bob's Love Poems and Tornados
I'll never forget hearing Bob Hudson read poetry at the first Nameless Poets Open Mic poetry night at Suite 106 last summer.
Here Comes the King
Speaking with Justin Scott, aka Big K.R.I.T., left me with more questions than I began with.
Dress Better, Test Better
There comes a time when an issue of importance forces you to take a public stand.
Fondren Hosts 'Greening' Conference
It's all too easy to bring the city to the outdoors by paving over natural habitats, but recently cities are striving to bring the outdoors back to urban areas.
Divine and Decadent
One of the more memorable parties I have ever attended was a house-warming party on a Sunday afternoon.
Lots of Lowlights
The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games had its highlights and lowlights.
[The Slate] The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Welcome back, football! It seems like football has been away forever, but starting Sunday and going through February, America's biggest sport is back.
Poker Run: Not Your Average Race
Under cover of the narrow eaves at Fleet Feet Sports in Ridgeland, all shapes and sizes of runners and walkers huddled together to stay out of the rain.
The Right Fuel
For serious runners and athletes, working out is a way of life rather than a means to an end.
7 Innings to Extraordinary Kids
Rafe Esquith, who has taught at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School in Los Angeles since 1984, inspires young students—all from a poor, immigrant community—to become extraordinary students and citizens.
Federal Reserve Says U.S. Economy Slowing, But Takes No New Action
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is losing strength and repeated a pledge to try to boost growth if hiring remains weak.