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National
Several States Seek to Block 2nd Trimester Abortion Method
Abortion opponents in Mississippi, West Virginia and several other states are filing bills to ban an abortion procedure commonly used in the second trimester that opponents describe as dismembering a …
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Occupiers at Oregon Refuge Say They'll Turn Themselves In
The last four armed occupiers of a national wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon said they would turn themselves in Thursday morning after law officers surrounded them in a tense standoff.
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Senate Panel Seeks Appointed Local School Superintendents
Mississippi lawmakers are making a fresh push to have 55 elected local school superintendents appointed by school boards instead, with the Senate Education Committee approving such a bill Wednesday.
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Government Sues Ferguson After City Tries to Revise Deal
The federal government sued Ferguson on Wednesday, one day after the city council voted to revise an agreement aimed at improving the way police and courts treat poor people and …
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Columbus, Miss., police file two different reports in shooting of Ricky Ball
By Donna LaddSo, what's going on with Columbus police? The Guardian has a report that police there have filed two different police reports for killing of Ball, who was African American. The Guardian reports:
*Since 26-year-old Ricky Ball was shot and killed by police in October, the black community in Columbus, Mississippi, has grappled with questions that don’t have clear answers.
Why did police shoot Ball that night? Why did a string of police officials resign in the months that followed? And why did police claim Ball stole a gun from a police officer’s home only after his death? Attempts to obtain police documents about the case have raised a new question: why did police release two different versions of events from the shooting?
Documents obtained by the Guardian show police altered a document labeled “uniform incident report” in Ball’s death. An initial version published by the Commercial Dispatch said an officer “tased” Ball before he fled. A new version of the incident report released to the Guardian does not include any mention of Taser use.
“One of these two reports is not true,” said Philip Broadhead, director of the criminal appeals clinic at the University of Mississippi law school. Broadhead said he’s never seen an incident report altered the way the document was in this case. “For police officers to offer up this type of information in the form of an incident report as sworn law officers … It’s a violation of their oath.”*
Also, an officer fired for the shooting filed a federal lawsuit over his firing yesterday. Read more here.
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Former Columbus Police Officer Sues Over Firing
Former Columbus policeman Canyon Boykin is suing the city in the wake of his firing.
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Judge: New Order Against Enforcing Louisiana Abortion Law
A federal judge in Louisiana has issued a new order blocking the state from enforcing an abortion law that he says would prevent most women from getting abortions.
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Ferguson is Defiant Again in Deal with Justice Department
Defiance has often defined Ferguson in the 18 months since a police officer fatally shot Michael Brown and provoked an examination of how poor people and minorities are treated in …
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Appeals Court Tosses Order Blocking Mississippi Executions
A federal appeals court has reversed a stay that had blocked the state of Mississippi from carrying out executions.
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Michigan Governor Plans $360M for Flint, Infrastructure
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday proposed spending hundreds of millions more dollars to address Flint's water crisis and to update infrastructure, including lead water pipes, in the city and …
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French Lawmakers Approve Divisive Citizenship Bill
French lawmakers have approved a divisive bill aimed at making it possible to revoke the citizenship of people convicted on terrorism charges.
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Business
Incentives Sail Through; Anti-LGBT Bills Drop; Groups Call for Foster-Care Funding
Sen. Charles Younger, R-Columbus, introduced a bill that would "clarify that religious leaders are not required to perform same-sex marriages" last week.
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The Slate
Two outstanding head football coaching hires happened last week. Southern Miss should be in good shape next season with Jay Hopson, and Fred McNair should be able to keep what …
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Bryan's Rant
CFL Returns to Jackson
Tonight would be like your average summer night in Canada," Winnipeg Blue Bombers Assistant General Manager and Director of U.S. Scouting Danny McManus explained as the second annual Jackson Combine …
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Legislature, If You Care About Kids, Prove It
With the large corporate incentive package behind us that will, hopefully, create jobs down the road, it's time for legislators to start working on more pressing issues, including how the …
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The Real Truth About Jackson’s Airports
Let's talk facts about the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. First, Jackson's airport system originated in 1928.
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Civil Rights
Slay, Beyoncé, Slay
I'm proud of Beyonce for using her status as an influential performer to send a message of unapologetic blackness.
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Where to Delight Your Love on Valentine's Day
On Saturday, Feb. 13, The Detectives Comedy Dinner Theatre will perform comedy "Couples Retreat" at Kismet's. Seating is at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m.
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Love in a Clever Ruse
Tears streamed down Rachel Whaley's face when she saw Daniel Zabaldano. Clearly, an elaborate ruse had been perpetrated on her, and the reason for it was obvious to even the …
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Creative Date Nights
Surprise your Valentine with a different date night than the usual. Take a walk on the wild side and remember: Food is always a winning option.
