Jackson Free Press

Robert Earl Keen

Over the course of his career, Houston-native singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen has built a fan base that follows him no matter which genre he's taking on.

'Proper Burials' for 'Unborn Infants' Sought in Mississippi Bill

The Mississippi Unborn Infants Dignity Act would entitle "miscarried, stillborn or aborted infants" to "proper burials" and make selling the "broken bodies of aborted infants" for scientific experimentation a crime …

Report: Federal Grant Funds Mismanaged, Hurts Black Women

Low-income, single parents could more easily access affordable child care under two bills Mississippi child-care providers and advocates are asking the Legislature to pass.

Dream Cult: Working on ‘Weekend’

What began as a group of Jackson friends jamming together as surf-rock band The Weekend Kids has turned into a music career for the members of '80s-inspired indie-pop act Dream …

Mississippi’s Relentless Pursuit of the LGBT Community

"It feels like the state will never stop pursuing us," said Joce Pritchett as she testified under oath in a federal courtroom in Jackson recently. She was describing what it …

State Panel Exploring 'Shotgun' Taxes, the 'Amazon' Problem

State leaders' efforts to reform the Mississippi's tax code set sail on Monday as lawmakers came back to Jackson to kick off the tax policy panel and state agency budget …

SOUL Searching

New Orleans' rich musical history has long been one of the signature facets of the Crescent City and a big draw for tourists. But for saxophonist Calvin Johnson, bandleader of …

Opponents of Charter Schools Ready for Quick Judgment in Lawsuit

In a small room in the Jackson office of the Southern Poverty Law Center, challengers to the state's funding portion of the charter-school law spoke out about the negative impact …

GOP Senate Leader Says He'll Unveil New Health Bill Thursday

Senate Republicans will unveil their revised health care bill Thursday and begin voting on it next week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.

A Window into Modern Art

In one of modern artist Leon Kroll's most famous works, "Terminal Yards," plumes of smoke travel up into the air from a train yard. Snow blankets the tracks and ground. …

Judge Would Be First Indian-American Named to Supreme Court

Sri Srinivasan, a federal appeals judge who was born in India and grew up in Kansas, would be the first foreign-born justice to serve on the Supreme Court in more …

Analysis: New Laws Could Mean New Lawsuits in Mississippi

Mississippi legislators are on track to produce dozens of new state laws. And, as in years past, they're probably creating plenty of work for attorneys.

Report: Roads Cost Each Jacksonian $1,879 Annually, Most Expensive Driving City

It is more expensive to drive in Jackson than anywhere else in the state, a study released from a national transportation research group found.

'Religious Freedom,' My Foot

Religious freedom is an oxymoron, particularly in Mississippi. Freedom only applies to those who are deemed worthy to have rights—the white, rich, male conservatives. Freedom, religious or otherwise, has no …

US: Cuba Completes Release of 53 Political Prisoners

Cuba has completed the release of 53 political prisoners that was part of last month's historic deal between the United States and Cuba, the Obama administration said Monday. The move …

In Belhaven, Outrage and Solutions; In South Jackson, Silence

In response to Jackson's first high-profile homicide in Belhaven, neighbors in the historic community turned out in force to a community meeting Thursday night to talk about action.

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Havana Talks Start After Promises by Obama, Cuban Caution

The highest-level U.S. delegation to Cuba in decades kicked off two days of negotiations Wednesday after grand promises by President Barack Obama about change on the island and a somber …

Shy of Votes, House GOP Drops Planned Vote on Abortion Bill

With thousands of anti-abortion protesters in town, Republicans are ready to push legislation through the House designed to please them. But it's not the bill an embarrassed GOP was hoping …

Analysis: New Democrat Johnson Has Tough Campaign Ahead

Former state Sen. Tim Johnson jumped from Republican to Democrat last week to launch his campaign for Mississippi lieutenant governor, and he faces a difficult path in a state where …

Fondren Corner Owner: Anti-Abortion Signs 'Horrible'

Last week, Mike Peters, the owner of Fondren Corner, told fellow building tenants that he would "be the bad guy" and move anti-abortion signs with graphic images of fetuses on …