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‘One Lake’ Supporters Banking on Federal Bill
The "One Lake" flood-control/development project will move forward under a new U.S. president and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, members of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District …
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Protecting Refugee Children
The Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program that Catholic Charities runs in the state is one of 19 programs nationally that resettle refugee minors in the U.S. The federal Office of Refugee …
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A worker is fighting one of Mississippi's largest industries in a skirmish over who can be sued when employees suffer on-the-job injuries.
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Sierra Mannie goes to Rankin County to find alternatives for Jackson's juvenile detention.
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Oklahoma Court Tosses Abortion Law on Hospital Privileges
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a law requiring abortion clinics to have doctors who have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of their facility.
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Council to Consider Settlement for Mayor's Lawsuit
By Tim Summers Jr.The City Council's agenda for their regular meeting tonight, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. in City Hall includes a possible settlement with the former executive assistant to Mayor Tony Yarber, Kimberly Bracey, alleging the mayor of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and a hostile workplace.
Bracey alleged in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 25 of this year that she began to work with the mayor i 2014, and while she worked for him, the complaint states, he and she began a sexual relationship which she ended when she and her husband reconciled in 2014.
Bracey alleges that Yarber then forced her to continue their sexual relationship "by making it clear that she could be terminated if she did not have sex with him." Yarber, she alleges, also asked her "to encourage another female to give Defendant Yarber oral sex in exchange for guaranteed employment." She also heard him say inappropriate sexual remarks about other women, the complaint states.
The mayor released a statement concerning the lawsuit soon afterward.
"The City of Jackson has been made aware of a vicious and scandalous lawsuit filed by a former disgruntled employee, Kimberly Y. Vaunterice Bracey," the mayor's statement said. "Although the City has not been served with a copy of the complaint and summons, Mayor Tony T. Yarber and the City of Jackson stand ready to vigorously defend against each and every frivolous allegation made by Kimberly Y. Vaunterice Bracey."
The item on the council's agenda seems to indicate that the lawsuit will not go to trial. The details of that settlement would usually be included in the council's agenda packet, but the packet, filled with information that the public is supposed to be able to read before the council meets, has not been uploaded to the city's website yet.
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City & County
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Republican Looks to Overhaul Social Security
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Biz Roundup
New Restaurants Coming to Metrocenter, Baker Donelson LGBT Equality and TrustCare
Metrocenter Mall will soon be the home for a new Big Apple Inn, Stamps Superburger and several other local restaurants.
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Person of the Day
Jill Buckley
Stewpot Community Services named Rev. Jill Barnes Buckley, an associate pastor for community ministry with Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, as the organization's new executive director on Nov. 30.
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EPA: 'Data Gaps' Block Verdict on Fracking, Drinking Water
The Environmental Protection Agency says hydraulic fracturing to drill for oil and natural gas poses a risk to drinking water in some circumstances. But it says a lack of information …
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ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the State Department, has close ties to Russia through years of deal-making that will serve as valuable experience — but …
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Prisons Chief: Programs Needed to Keep Ex-Inmates on Track
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump sounds ready to use U.S. policy toward Taiwan as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from China, but both of the world powers could …
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Business
Airport Lawsuit On Hold Until October Trial or FAA Change
Who runs the airport is no longer in the hands of Mississippi Sen. Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, and Senate Bill 2162.
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LGBT
Mississippians Rally Against Hate, HB 1523: 'We Cannot Be Silent'
More than 200 Mississippians staged a "Rally Against Hate" Sunday, demonstrating against Gov. Phil Bryant's determination that a law allowing individuals, businesses and government workers to discriminate against LGBT citizens …
