Jackson Free Press

Stop the Food Fight

Hunger, and its corollary, poverty, are not intractable problems, despite their historical prevalence.

Egyptian Pres. Morsi Out; Army Suspends Constitution

The armed forces ousted Egypt's first democratically elected president after just a year in power.

A 'Sit Down and Shut Up' Kind of Beer

I remember my father giving me sips of beer when I was a child as most men probably do. I hated it. I didn't drink in high school, and it …

Storm Brings New Outages for Sandy-Battered States

The nor'easter that stymied recovery efforts from Superstorm Sandy pulled away from New York and New Jersey Thursday, leaving hundreds of thousands of new people in darkness after a blanket …

BP Agrees to Plead Guilty to Crimes in Gulf Oil Spill

BP agreed to plead guilty today to charges of manslaughter, environmental crimes, and lying to Congress in connection with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion, which killed 11 workers …

Steady U.S. Housing Recovery is Boosting Economy

From purchases and prices to builder sentiment and construction, the U.S. housing market is making consistent gains.

U.S. Hesitant in Condemning North Korean Launch

The Obama administration is drawing no "red line" for North Korea after a successful long-range rocket test, tempering the public condemnation to avoid raising tensions or possibly rewarding the reclusive …

Kerry, Hagel Front-Runners to Lead State, Defense

Democratic Sen. John Kerry, who unsuccessfully sought the presidency in 2004 and has pined for the job of top diplomat, vaulted to the head of President Barack Obama's short list …

State Buckles Under Steep College Costs

New information from account-management service Manilla.com, a subsidiary of media conglomerate Hearst Corp., shows that Jackson is among the cities with the highest average student-loan debt.

Filipinos Escape Typhoon Wasteland, but Not Worry

More than 12,000 people displaced by Typhoon Haiyan have made it to the capital. Most are with relatives; those with no family here are in shelters. Many have no idea …

Small Business Saturday, Fischer Reopens, UMMC's 'Landmark' Deal, BCBS Keeps Health Plans

Fischer Galleries is one of many local businesses that will be open for Small Business Saturday Nov. 30.

New Prospects in 2014 for an Immigration Overhaul

His agenda tattered by last year's confrontations and missteps, President Barack Obama begins 2014 clinging to the hope of winning a lasting legislative achievement: an overhaul of immigration laws.

Obama, Congress Locked in Iran Sanctions Dispute

The Obama administration enters the year locked in a battle with Congress over whether to plow ahead with new economic sanctions against Iran or cautiously wait to see if last …

A Sweet Little Scene, by James Hughes

It's September 1983, and I'm hanging around the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, regretting that I've shown up six months too late to get into grad school and waiting …

My Birthday House Summary

Large Companies Are Increasingly Offering Workers Only High Deductible Health Plans

Nearly a quarter of workers at companies with fewer than 200 workers were covered by high-deductible health plans last year, compared with 17 percent of workers at larger firms.

• 12 comments

Obama to Return 5 Percent of Salary to Treasury

Sharing a bit of budget pain, President Barack Obama will return 5 percent of his salary to the Treasury in a show of solidarity with federal workers smarting from government-wide …

Obama Sends Congress $3.8 Trillion Spending Plan

President Barack Obama is sending Congress a $3.8 trillion spending blueprint that seeks to achieve an elusive "grand bargain" to tame runaway deficits by raising taxes further on the wealthy …

Remembering Eric Smith

Eric T. Smith was always busy. He was a husband, a father and a man who cared about his neighbors.

Critics Revive Past Promises to Knock Obama Budget

Advocates for seniors say President Barack Obama is breaking his promise to protect Social Security, while conservatives say he is breaking his promise not to raise taxes on the middle …