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Person of the Day
Kevin Upchurch
One of the top financial managers in Mississippi government is stepping down at the end of this budget year.
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Supreme Court Upends All-White Jury Verdict, Death Sentence
The Supreme Court upended the conviction and death sentence of a black Georgia man Monday because prosecutors violated the Constitution by excluding African-Americans from the all-white jury that determined his …
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City & County
Facility for Children with Special Needs Set to Open in Jackson Metro
Children with special needs in the Jackson metro area will have a new option for community-based care due to the coordination between state agencies, private care and state agencies.
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Obama Lifts Decades-Old Arms Ban in His 1st Visit to Vietnam
U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, looking to bolster a government seen as a crucial, though flawed partner in a region …
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City & County
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.
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Father Charged with Murder After 8-Month-Old Dies in Car
A father has been charged with second-degree murder after his 8-month-old daughter died in his overheated car in northern Mississippi, police said Friday.
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City & County
JPD Honors Fallen Officers with 'Honor and Respect'
Family members of fallen Jackson Police Department officers placed roses on the memorial site outside of JPD headquarters in downtown Jackson yesterday, and were presented with potted peace lilies, a …
Story
Maroon 5, Citing Morality, Cancels North Carolina Concerts
The pop group Maroon 5 has joined the list of entertainers canceling appearances in North Carolina because of the passage of legislation that denies anti-discrimination protections and dictates which restrooms …
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For San Francisco Police Chief, Latest Shooting Spells End
The death of a young black woman in a stolen car proved to be the breaking point in a series of shootings and racially tinged scandals that led to the …
Story
Mississippi State Names Former Alabama President as Provost
Mississippi State University has named former University of Alabama President Judy Bonner as its provost and executive vice president.
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National
Sens. Wicker, Cochran: Obama Transgender Directive Lacks the Force of Law
WASHINGTON D.C.– U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today signed a letter clarifying that federal law does not require states and schools to adhere to a new …
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LGBT
Ride Against Fear: From Memphis to Jackson in Protest of HB 1523
Benjamin Morris is biking the length of the state of Mississippi in protest of House Bill 1523.
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Person of the Day
Hailey Lunderman
This softball season has been one of the best, if not the best, for the University of Mississippi. The Rebels' latest historic moment happened last week when the team won …
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House Would Ban Confederate Flags on VA Cemetery Flagpoles
The House voted on Thursday to ban the display of the Confederate flag on flagpoles at federal veterans' cemeteries.
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U.S. House Approves Bill With Amendment to Ban Confederate Flags at VA Cemeteries
By adreherToday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Veteran's Affairs spending bill that had contains an amendment that will ban Veteran Affairs cemeteries from flying Confederate flags. The vote on U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman's (D-CA) amendment ignited debate yesterday in the House but passed this morning by a vote of 265-159. The bill has a ways to go to become law, however, as it will head to the U.S. Senate next.
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement regarding today’s vote in the House of Representatives to approve an amendment to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs spending bill that will limit the display of Confederate flags at national cemeteries:
“I am very pleased with the result of today’s vote to approve an amendment from my colleague Representative Jared Huffman to limit the display of confederate flags at national cemeteries. The Confederate flag belongs in a museum along with other relics of the past and not in a place of prominent display such as cemeteries run by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.”
“Although it was very disappointing that many in the Republican party voted to cling to the last vestiges of slavery and support the flag that represents the darkest times in our country, I am encouraged that many hearts and minds have been changed and that this symbol will no longer fly above VA cemeteries.”
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Judge in Freddie Gray-Officer Trial Grills Prosecutors
A judge aggressively questioned prosecutors Thursday about why they charged an officer with assault in the arrest of Freddie Gray, and asked whether every officer who makes an arrest without …
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Oklahoma Lawmakers OK Bill Criminalizing Performing Abortion
The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a bill that would make performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.
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Appeals Court Upholds Firing of Ex-Chief of Aberdeen Schools
The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld the firing of a former Aberdeen School District superintendent.
