Jackson Free Press

Marquiss Spencer

One of MSU's biggest defensive stands came from Marquis Spencer in the fourth quarter. The senior defensive end made back-to-back big plays when the Bulldogs needed it most.

Carol Joy Sparkman

Carol Joy Sparkman has been sharing in her joy of music for many years, and now she takes the stage at New Stage Theatre in Jackson.

Pay Raises, Yes; Tax Changes, No: Mississippi Session Ends

Mississippi legislators ended their 2021 session Thursday after agreeing on a teacher pay raise and voting to update parole rules in a state with crowded prisons.

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Pro baseball, Mississippi at West Tenn (7 p.m., Jackson, Tenn., 930 AM): The M-Braves wind down their series in lesser Jackson. If you have time, visit the Casey Jones Museum.

Mississippi Could Revive a Form of Initiative Process

Mississippi legislators are working to set a new way for people to petition to put issues on statewide ballots, months after the state Supreme Court tossed out the state's old …

Gangs Control Who Eats at Mississippi Jail, Monitor Says

Elizabeth Simpson testified Tuesday that staffing shortages are so severe at Hinds County's Raymond Detention Center that gangs and “inmate committees” control certain aspects of life, including whether some inmates …

The Future of Newspapers

The program at Millsaps College April 15 was "The Future of Newspapers: The Clarion-Ledger's Pulitzer Prize 30 Years Later." The question: Can newspapers still convey big ideas?

U.S. Unemployment Aid Applications Rise to 352K

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits increased just 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 352,000.

At Long Last

Finally, there will be a playoff in college football in 2014. No more wanting, wishing or hoping. The BCS is done after the 2013-14 season is completed.

Breaking Ground at the Outlet Mall

Yates construction, Spectrum Capital and the state of Mississippi officially broke ground on one of the state's most aggressive commercial developments to date: the Outlets of Mississippi Thursday morning in …

Miss. Seniors Get Another Shot to Pass Grad Tests

Mississippi officials are trying to retest hundreds of high school seniors who flunked exams that are required for graduation.

Bryant Gets Bill Permanently Allowing Payday Loans

The state Senate gave final approval Friday to House Bill 559, which deletes the requirement that lawmakers periodically renew authorization for the loans.

Corey Wright

Watching Corey Wright in his element, educating children, is truly a spectacle. When a young girl walked in the room and asked Wright if she could hold a baby alligator, …

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Do the Right Thing, IOC

Last week the International Olympic Committee selected wrestling, softball/baseball (combined bid) and squash as sports for its short list of those to include in the 2020 Olympic Games. It dropped …

Proactive Food for Thought

"Food is medicine." That's the message Terry Sullivan, owner of liveRIGHTnow, hopes people will take from the documentary, "Forks Over Knives," showing June 24 at the Madison Malco.

Middleby Has Bought Viking Range for $380M

Food service equipment maker Middleby Corp. has bought Mississippi-based oven and kitchen appliance maker Viking Range Corp. for $380 million.

JPS to Focus on Reading, Early Childhood

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Cedrick Gray wants the district to focus on two key areas: reading and early childhood education.

It's the Weekend!

On Saturday, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents "Bravo III: Dvorak's Seventh" at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall.

Suspect Charged in Deaths of 3 Miss. Relatives

A man suspected in the slaying of three family members from Mississippi was charged Wednesday with arson and two counts of murder.

Lumumba, Barbour: Strong Capital City Helps Miss.

Mississippi's capital city faces a shrinking population, aging infrastructure, financially struggling schools and other challenges, but the mayor and a former governor said Thursday that they believe Jackson's best days …