Jackson Free Press

Miss. Lawmakers Face Long Agenda in 2014 Session

Mississippi lawmakers start their three-month session at noon Tuesday, and they face a long agenda. They'll write a budget, seek ways to control prison costs, debate education policy and argue …

RNC Starts Negative Ads in 40 Media Markets

The Republican National Committee began running ads in 40 media markets Tuesday, mostly targeting incumbent senators who supported President Barack Obama's health care program. Billionaire former New York Mayor Michael …

Lawmakers Put Finishing Touches on Spending Bill

Negotiators trying to put the finishing touches on a $1.1 trillion spending bill reported Tuesday that they have made major progress in recent days in advance of a meeting of …

Unemployment Benefits Bill Clears Hurdle

White House-backed legislation to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, clearing the way for bipartisan negotiations in the opening days of an …

Elvis Presley

If Elvis Presley was still alive, he'd be 79 years old tomorrow, Jan. 8.

ardenland, UMMC and Nissan

On Jan. 1, Arden Barnett, founder of entertainment company ardenland, finalized a long-term lease with building owner Mike Peters of Peters Development for Duling Hall in Fondren.

Legislators Return to Jackson

Legislators from across Mississippi are gathering in Jackson today for the beginning of the 2014 legislative session, and Jackson's leaders are going to be there to welcome them.

Sandusky Tries to Get His Penn State Pension Back

A handcuffed Jerry Sandusky testified by video link for nearly three hours Tuesday as Pennsylvania's public pension agency considered his request to restore retirement benefits canceled because of his child …

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.

Miss. Lawmakers Must Balance Spending and Demands

Mississippi lawmakers gaveled their 2014 session to order at noon Tuesday.

Rolling Fork Mayor Indicted for Fraud

The mayor of a small town in the Mississippi Delta has been indicted on false pretense and wire fraud charges related to invoices for grants to rehabilitate houses.

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UN Warns of Humanitarian Threat in Western Iraq

Iraq's prime minister urged al-Qaida-linked fighters who have overrun two cities west of Baghdad to give up the battle, vowing Wednesday to press forward with a push to regain control …

Benefits Debate is First Volley of Election Year

The struggle in Washington over whether to renew expired jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed is as much about providing aid to 1.3 million out-of-work Americans as it is about …

Gov't Offers New Approach to Classroom Discipline

The Obama administration is issuing new recommendations on classroom discipline that seek to end the apparent disparities in how students of different races are punished for violating school rules.

A Father to a Son

Big Bill Morganfield does not take his role in the history of blues music lightly.

My ‘News’ Year Resolutions

By the time you read this, the 2014 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature will be underway. And there's a good chance, by then, we'll all already be kind of …

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Cecil Brown

Just as Switzerland hasn't always practiced neutrality, Rep. Cecil Brown, a north Jackson Democrat since 2000, says the Legislature hasn't always been as polarized as it is now.

JRA Lawsuit Heating Up

A couple of key motions in the lawsuit the Jackson Redevelopment Authority brought against its former Farish Street leaseholder are set to be ruled upon this week.

Rick Hill Brings It Home

Rick Hill retired last week after working 41 years with the city and an emotional goodbye following an honor from the Jackson City Council.

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Question o' the Week: What do you hope to see our legislators accomplish in 2014?

What do you hope to see our legislators accomplish in 2014?