Jackson Free Press

House to Vote on Bill Preventing Welfare Waivers

The House is taking up a politically charged bill that would block the Obama administration from waiving any work requirements in the 1996 welfare reform law.

Black Smoke Again: Cardinals Don't Agree on Pope

Cardinals remained divided over who should be pope on Wednesday after three rounds of voting, an indication of disagreements about the direction of the Catholic church following the upheaval unleashed …

Fire Burns After Tug, Barge Hit La. Gas Pipeline

A fire that ignited when a gas pipeline was hit by a tug boat pushing an oil barge burned into the morning hours Wednesday in a bayou south of New …

53-Year-Old Musher Becomes Oldest Iditarod Champ

A 53-year-old former champion has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to become the oldest winner of Alaska's grueling test of endurance.

GOP Sends Mixed Signals on Obama's Outreach Effort

Neither side is backing down from entrenched positions that have prevented deals in the past.

House Revives Plan that Could Allow Armed Teachers

House members want to steer the school safety debate back toward letting school districts arm teachers and employees.

House Rejects Plan for Appointed Superintendents

Senate Bill 2199, which was supposed to lead to more appointed superintendents around the state, lost on a 65-52 vote.

Pentagon Forming Cyber Teams to Prevent Attacks

The Defense Department is establishing a series of cyber teams charged with carrying out offensive operations to combat the threat of an electronic assault on the United States that could …

Google Pays $7M Fine to Settle Wi-Fi Privacy Case

Google will pay a $7 million fine to settle a multistate investigation into a snoopy software program that enabled the Internet search leader to intercept emails, passwords and other sensitive …

New York Cop Convicted in Cannibalism Plot

Police Officer Gilbert Valle's lawyers said he was just spinning sick and twisted fantasies for his own pleasure when he chatted online about abducting, roasting and eating women. A jury, …

Audio of GI's Statement on WikiLeaks Case Released

Some supporters of an Army private charged with aiding the enemy released a leaked audio recording Tuesday of Pfc. Bradley Manning explaining why he sent hundreds of thousands of classified …

Black Smoke from Chapel Chimney: No Pope Yet

Black smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Tuesday, signaling that cardinals had failed on their first vote of the papal conclave to choose a new leader for the …

Syrian Army Eroded by Defections, Battle Deaths

A top Syrian cleric's appeal to young men to join the army raised the question of whether President Bashar Assad is running out of soldiers, prompting a pro-government newspaper to …

Bryant Wants All Options But Medicaid on Table

Gov. Phil Bryant is still against Medicaid expansion, but says he's now willing to talk to hospitals about a deal on health-care funding.

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Outlets, Aeropostale, Toyota, Dickey's and Optimism

Aeropostale Inc., a specialty retailer of casual apparel for children and teens, plans to open a new store--P.S. from Aeropostale--at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

Marshall Henderson and Martha Alwal

C Spire named Ole Miss' Marshall Henderson and Mississippi State's Martha Alwal the state's best college basketball players Monday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Senate Democrats Unveil Government Funding Bill

Top Senate Democrats and Republicans Monday night released a catchall government funding bill that denies President Barack Obama new money for implementing signature first-term accomplishments like new regulations on Wall …

Judge Strikes Down NYC Ban on Supersized Sodas

A judge struck down New York City's pioneering ban on big sugary drinks Monday just hours before it was supposed to take effect, handing a defeat to health-minded Mayor Michael …

Senate Panel Ready to OK Gun Background Checks

Democrats are ready to muscle expanded background checks and other gun curbs through a Senate committee, giving President Barack Obama an initial if temporary victory on one of his top …

History Shows N. Korean Pattern: Wait, Then Attack

Humiliated by past attacks, South Korea has promised—as recently as Tuesday—to hit back hard at the next assault from the North, opening up the prospect that a skirmish could turn …