Jackson Free Press

Judge Strikes Down Utah's Same-Sex Marriage Ban

A federal judge struck down Utah's same-sex marriage ban Friday in a decision that brings a nationwide shift toward allowing gay marriage to a conservative state where the Mormon church …

Alcorn President Brown Resigns

Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II has resigned amid an investigation into university purchasing practices.

Ex-JPD Officer Pleads Guilty in Bribery Case

A former Jackson police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to trying to bribe another officer with $10,000 to drop drug charges against one of his friends.

Rocket 88's Musical Gumbo

Oxford-based band Rocket 88 prides itself on combining genres such as juke joint gospel, old-time country and Americana.

10 Local Stories of the Week

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.

A Night of Awards

Last week, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame awarded the Conerly Trophy and the Kent Hull award. In case you missed it, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson got both awards.

The Buddy System

Musicians have always formed connections with their contemporaries, whether it be bitter rivalry, close-knit brotherhood or something between the two.

A Decade of Jazz Artistry

The Mississippi Jazz Foundation began with a well-attended concert at Belhaven University's Center for Performing Arts.

Kids and Parents Get FIT

A veteran gymnastics instructor and certified personal trainer, Lesley Dukes is one of several trainers involved in the FIT Program.

DA Smith Should Recuse from Thomas Killing

Both the DA and Jackson police seem to be assuming that the killing would fall under the state's Castle Doctrine, but it is entirely unclear whether a grand jury would …

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Not Buying It This Year

As many people come off the high of the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping experiences of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I am spending my time contemplating if all the …

JSU Powers Up

Dr. Robert Blaine said Jackson State University’s iPad program helped closed the school’s internal achievement gap, and has put JSU on the cutting edge of digital learning.

Yvette Brown

Yvette Brown, a Jackson native, knew from age 5 that hair was her calling.

Killing Quardious Thomas: A Castle Doctrine Case Study

The law providing immunity for Eric Williams is Mississippi's Castle Doctrine, which spells out a range of circumstances in which homicide may be justified.

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'Sound of Music' Actress Eleanor Parker Dies at 91

Eleanor Parker, who was nominated for Academy Awards three times for her portrayals of strong-willed women and played a scheming baroness in "The Sound of Music," has died at 91.

Hagel Warns Pakistan Leaders Over Border Protests

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pakistani leaders Monday that if they don't resolve protests stalling some military shipments across the border with Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political …

With Three Weeks Left, Consumers Fear They May End Up Without Health Coverage on New Year’s Day

The next three weeks are critical for consumers keen on getting health coverage as soon as the health law allows it on Jan. 1.

Obama's Fixer-Upper Website Races to Catch Up

It looks like President Barack Obama's fickle health insurance website is finally starting to put up some respectable sign-up numbers, but its job only seems to have gotten harder.

World Mourns Mandela, Struggles to Find the Words

For most of the world, his name is synonymous with courage and perseverance. Leaders and citizens, athletes and artists remembered Nelson Mandela on Friday—though many struggled to find words big …

Ice Accumulation Expected in North Miss.

A cold front is expected to bring freezing rain to north Mississippi late Thursday and into Friday with accumulations of one quarter of an inch or more in places.