School Funding, Budget and Roads Headline 2017 Legislature
Mississippi's 174 legislators will return to the Capitol Tuesday, starting a 90-day legislative session that will run as late as April 2.
Man Indicted for 1st-degree Murder of Teen in September, Arrested Dec. 29
The Hinds County Sheriff’s Department arrested Wayne Mitchell Parish of Crystal Springs on Dec. 29 for the alleged murder of 17-year-old Charles McDonald in the parking lot of Performance Oil on McDowell Road on July 21, the teenager’s mother told the Jackson Free Press.
City Gives $105,000 Back to Arts Council; Homeless, Senior Funds Cut
After facing cuts, the Greater Jackson Arts Council grew by $105,000 after the Jackson City Council voted Tuesday, Dec. 27, to restore one of the cuts to the local Department of Human and Cultural Services, which administers the yearly municipal allocation to the arts organization.
Continental Tire Spends More Than $200,000 in Mississippi
Continental Tire spent $228,300 in November, a spending report from the German-based corporation shows. The tire plant, opening just off Interstate 20 in Hinds County outside Clinton, will eventually hire 2,500 employees once the plant has reached the projected size around 2020.
Vic Schaefer
The No. 5 Mississippi State University Bulldogs routed the Louisiana State University Tigers 74-48 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
UN Backs Russian-Turkish Syria Efforts as Cease-Fire Wavers
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.
Texas Judge Halts Federal Transgender Health Protections
A federal judge in Texas on Saturday ordered a halt to another Obama administration effort to strengthen transgender rights, this time over health rules that social conservatives say could force doctors to violate their religious beliefs.
US States, Leery of Russia Malware, Re-Examine Cybersecurity
Several states around the country on Saturday asked cybersecurity experts to re-examine state and utility networks after a Vermont utility's laptop was found to contain malware U.S. officials say is linked to Russian hackers.
New Year's Attack on Packed Istanbul Club Leaves 39 Dead
An assailant believed to have been dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a crowded nightclub in Istanbul during New Year's celebrations, killing at least 39 people and wounding close to 70 others in what the province's governor described as a terror attack.
N. Korea's Leader Hints of Long-Range Missile Test Launch
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hinted Sunday that Pyongyang may ring in the new year with another bang—the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Trump Still Not Sold on Russian Link to Hacking
President-elect Donald Trump says that "no computer is safe" when it comes to keeping information private, expressing new skepticism about the security of online communications his administration is likely to use for everything from day-to-day planning to international relations.
Oil Pipeline Protesters Unfurl Huge Banner at Vikings Game
Protesters trying to stymie the Dakota Access oil pipeline sneaked up on a truss connected to the roof and rappelled down to unfurl a huge banner inside U.S. Bank Stadium during the Minnesota Vikings' season finale against the Chicago Bears.
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.
School Funding Formula Looms as Top 2017 Issue for Lawmakers
The top issue for Mississippi's Legislature when it returns Tuesday is education funding, but Republican leaders' plans remain to be seen.
Putin Says Russia Won't Expel Diplomats; Trump Offers Praise
President Vladimir Putin castigated the United States on Friday for trying to punish Russia but said his country will not immediately retaliate and instead will wait for a new U.S. approach by Donald Trump. The president-elect praised Putin's move and called him "very smart."
Syria's Cease-Fire Holding Despite Minor Violations
A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect at midnight held Friday despite minor violations, marking a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for over five years.
Judge Weill Takes Stand in DA Trial, Followed by Political Gadfly
A sitting Hinds County Circuit Court Judge took the stand this morning in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, despite his attorney's strenuous objections, testifying to his history with Smith.
Obama Appoints Jackson Airport CEO to National Council
President Barack Obama will appoint Carl Newman, the CEO of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
Mississippi Made
Actor, writer and film producer Ben Matheny isn't shy about his pride for his Mississippi roots.
Putin Says Russia Won't Expel US Diplomats in Hacking Flap
President Vladimir Putin castigated the United States on Friday for imposing sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats amid allegations of Russian meddling in the American presidential election, but said no U.S. diplomats will be ousted in reprisal for President Barack Obama's moves in the wake of hacking attacks.