Jackson Free Press

Just Keep Going

The biggest lesson I learned in 2012 came to me with only a week left in the year. I'd been processing or decompressing--depending on the day--for a couple of weeks.

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Answering the Mailbag

I figured because it is the beginning of a new year, I would open up the ole reader mailbag and respond to some of your questions from last year.

The Strange Animal

Politics is a strange animal. Who would have thought that a year later we still would be talking about rebranding, except the party is now the GOP.

Remember Who Pays the Bill

Jackson becomes the epicenter of Mississippi's political and economic future from January to April every year. For 12 weeks, the city's air gets a little warmer with the bluster, pontification …

Stinker Quote of the Week: "Support"

Hurricane Katrina devastated Palazzo's district on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Billions in direct federal aid have gone into Katrina aid, most of it authorized by Congress without any debate.

Eclectic Collection

In a modern-looking building of ash and concrete and glass, tucked away in the woods off Interstate 55’s Frontage Road, you can find two things: a lot of books and …

Biden to Meet with NRA to Discuss Gun Safety

Inviting in the opposition, Vice President Joe Biden will meet Thursday with the National Rifle Association.

Miss. Resolution: Support All Sandy Recovery Aid

A Democratic state lawmaker said Wednesday he's filing a resolution that urges Mississippi's entire congressional delegation to support federal spending for Hurricane Sandy recovery.

New Pell Grant Restrictions Lower Enrollment

New regulations enacted by Congress in June have stripped Pell Grant eligibility from nearly 3,000 Mississippi students.

White House Says 'No Backup Plan' to Debt Ceiling

The White House is dismissing suggestions to sidestep Congress to meet the nation's debt obligations, declaring that it is Congress' responsibility to pay the bills of the United States.

Violence Plays Role in Shorter US Life Expectancy

The United States suffers far more violent deaths than any other wealthy nation, due in part to the widespread possession of firearms and the practice of storing them at home …

US Tax Code Longer than Bible—Without Good News

At nearly 4 million words, the U.S. tax law is so thick and complicated that businesses and individuals spend more than 6 billion hours a year complying with filing requirements.

Steroids Fallout: No BB Hall for Bonds, Clemens

No one was elected to the Hall of Fame this year. When voters closed the doors to Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa, they also shut out everybody else.

In Picking Lew, Obama Turns a Page at Treasury

Jack Lew, President Barack Obama's nominee for treasury secretary, is a premier federal budget expert who would take the helm of the government's main agency for economic and fiscal policy …

Full List: Oscar Nominations are big for 'Lincoln,' Skip Over Affleck, Bigelow, 'Skyfall'

Complete list of 85th Annual Academy Award nominations announced Thursday.

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Seasonal Blooms

Flowers make up nearly 10 percent of traditional wedding budgets, so reining in costs nearly always requires a look at the floral design.

Bianca Knight

One of the most memorable moments from the 2012 London Olympics was the performance of the United States Women's 4x100 relay team.

JPS to Focus on Reading, Early Childhood

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Cedrick Gray wants the district to focus on two key areas: reading and early childhood education.

Scholarship Scheme Draws Fire

A plan by Gov. Phil Bryant to establish a scholarship fund for public-school students to go to private schools drew fire from Republican members of the committee.

Miss. Exchange Decision Expected in 15 Days

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney expects federal regulators will announce a decision on Mississippi's health exchange within 10 to 15 days.