Jackson Free Press

Community Meetings & Events

As part of Thanksgiving at the Zoo, the Jackson Zoo is offering free admission Thanksgiving day.

Analysis: To GOP, All Roads Lead to 'Obamacare'

All roads lead to "Obamacare" for Republicans.

JPS Superintendent Debunks Fight Myths

After students at Murrah High School used social-media tools to brag about—and in some cases embellish—several fights this week, Jackson Public Schools officials are urging parents to be vigilant about …

New Indictment Filed in Miss. Ricin Case

A Mississippi man charged with sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and other officials has been charged with trying for a second time to frame the man first arrested …

JPS Responds to Murrah Fights, Rumors

Rumors about a planned shootout at Murrah High School that originated between students on social media and escalated when local news organizations began reporting them "turned out to be largely …

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Crossroads' Tax Return Shows Big Donors, but Doesn't Name Them

Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies is in the crosshairs of campaign finance watchdogs, who have criticized social welfare nonprofits for exploiting loopholes in tax and election rules to be able to …

Afghan President Wants to Defer Signing of U.S. Deal

The Afghan president urged tribal elders Thursday to support a security deal with the United States, but in a surprising about-face said he would defer the signing of the agreement …

Rings of Gemstone

The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring was Archduke Maximilian of Austria's proposal to Mary of Burgundy with a ring containing thin, flat pieces of diamond in the …

Thanks, Chef!

If food preparation interferes with family time this Thanksgiving, why not make life a little simpler and pick up part or all of your holiday meal from one of Jackson's …

A Long Way from the Promised Land

SNAP, which has had many names over the years, recently became a casualty of political haggling, ostensibly in the name of fiscal responsibility.

My Friend, Willie

My late, ineffable friend Willie Morris, gone from us for more than 14 years now, would turn 79 next week. I miss him. Safe to say, everyone who knew Willie …

Rio's Olympic Waterways Full of Trash, Sewage

Rio de Janeiro's endless beaches and lush tropical forest will be a photographer's dream during the 2016 Olympics. But zoom in on the likes of once-pristine Guanabara Bay, and the …

New Allegation Made Against Zimmerman in Court

George Zimmerman's girlfriend said he tried to choke her about a week ago during an altercation that wasn't initially reported to police, a prosecutor told a judge Tuesday during his …

Signs of Life Amid Misery Reveal Filipinos' Spirit

As a foreign correspondent working in the middle of a horrendous disaster zone, I didn't expect to see people having a good time—or asking me to play ball.

Iron Horse, Lifelong Learners, Heart Studies and Utilities

All this week, staff members at the Iron Horse Grill (320 W. Pearl St.) are training, cleaning and tying up lose ends in preparation for the restaurant's grand re-opening Monday, …

Gymnasts Highly Exposed to Flame Retardants

Research suggests that young gymnasts may be exposed to hormone-disrupting chemicals from ingesting or inhaling dust created by polyurethane blocks.

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.

ACA’s ‘Woodworking’ Effect Playing Out as 91,000 People Eligible for Medicaid Learn They Can Get Coverage

Supporters and opponents of the federal health law still can't decide whether to call it the "woodwork" or "welcome mat" effect—the millions of people currently eligible for Medicaid who are …

China to Ease 1-Child Policy, Abolish Labor Camps

China will loosen family planning rules that limit many couples to a single child in the first substantial change to the unpopular policy in nearly three decades, as leaders seek …

Health Exchanges Slow to Attract Young, Healthy

Fears that health insurance exchanges wouldn't attract the young, healthy people needed to make them financially viable are being heightened by the early results of signups in several states.