Jackson Free Press

Obama to Announce 34K Troops to be Home in a Year

President Barack Obama will announce in his State of the Union address that 34,000 U.S. troops will be home from Afghanistan within a year.

Bill to Make Unregistered Sex Offenders Wear GPS

The Mississippi Senate passed a bill Monday that would make unregistered sex offenders wear GPS tracking bracelets and require local governments to notify the public when offenders move to their …

U.S. Ships Military Equipment Out of Afghanistan

The United States began its withdrawal from Afghanistan in earnest, officials said Monday, sending the first of what will be tens of thousands of containers home through a once-blocked land …

Military Weighs Cutbacks, Shifts in Drone Programs

The Pentagon for the first time is considering scaling back the massive buildup of drones it has overseen in the past few years, both to save money and to adapt …

3 Dead in Courthouse Shooting in Delaware

Motivated by a yearslong custody dispute, a gunman opened fire Monday morning in a Delaware courthouse lobby just as the building was opening to the public for the day, exchanging …

2 U.S. Adoption Agencies Closing, Citing Woes Abroad

The lone U.S. adoption agency accredited in Kyrgyzstan is shutting down due to financial troubles, a sudden new setback for about 15 American families battling since 2008 to complete adoptions …

Pope's Mission to Revive Faith Clouded by Scandal

Benedict XVI always cast himself as the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps to the public glare and the majesty of Vatican pageantry.

Contest Seeks Underworldly Names for 2 Pluto Moons

Astronomers announced a contest Monday to name the two itty-bitty moons of Pluto discovered over the past two years.

GOP Spat Blamed for Exchange Failure

A day after informally notifying Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney of the federal government's rejection of the state's proposal to run a health-insurance exchange, the U.S. Department of Health and …

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Health Law Bars Opting Out Of Maternity Coverage; Long Term Care Insurance Is Guaranteed If Company Goes Out Of Business

This week, I am answering readers' questions about maternity coverage requirements in the new health insurance exchanges, long-term-care insurance and switching employer health plans.

Jonathan S. Jones

As the attending emergency physician at UMMC, Jonathan S. Jones’ expertise comes from the variety of patients that come to an emergency room.

Community Events and Public Meetings

The Royal Bleau Semi-Annual Fashion Show is Feb. 15, 7 p.m. at Rose E. McCoy Auditorium.

Miss. Grammy Museum Signs Lease with Delta State

Delta State University will provide a location on its campus to the Cleveland Music Foundation for the Mississippi Grammy Museum.

Tax Break: Outlet Mall Would be 'Cultural Retail'

The state Senate has passed a bill to add "cultural retail" attractions to the definition of a tourism project so an outlet mall being built in Pearl will qualify for …

A Texas-Sized Silence as Immigration Talks Ramp Up

With nearly 2 million illegal immigrants and a 1,200-mile border with Mexico, Texas has more at stake than most states in the renewed push to overhaul the nation's immigration system.

Cheney Criticizes Obama Nominees in Wyoming Speech

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday night that President Barack Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by nominating substandard candidates for key cabinet posts and by degrading the U.S. …

Northeast Slowly Recovering from Blizzard

Travel eased and life slowly returned to normal for most New Englanders after a massive blizzard, but many remained without power in cold and darkened homes and a forecast of …

What Heals Traumatized Kids? Answers Are Lacking

Shootings and other traumatic events involving children are not rare events, but there's a startling lack of scientific evidence on the best ways to help young survivors and witnesses heal, …

Homes Wrecked, Dozen Hurt in Mississippi Tornado

Residents shaken by a tornado that mangled homes in Mississippi were waking up Monday to a day of removing trees, patching roofs and giving thanks for their survival.

Hospital Releases 3 New Orleans Shooting Victims

Gunshots erupted in a crowd of bead-wearing, drink-carrying late-night revelers on Bourbon Street during the countdown to Mardi Gras, wounding four people and sending bystanders running and screaming.