Jackson Free Press

Rings of Gemstone

The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring was Archduke Maximilian of Austria's proposal to Mary of Burgundy with a ring containing thin, flat pieces of diamond in the …

Thanks, Chef!

If food preparation interferes with family time this Thanksgiving, why not make life a little simpler and pick up part or all of your holiday meal from one of Jackson's …

A Long Way from the Promised Land

SNAP, which has had many names over the years, recently became a casualty of political haggling, ostensibly in the name of fiscal responsibility.

My Friend, Willie

My late, ineffable friend Willie Morris, gone from us for more than 14 years now, would turn 79 next week. I miss him. Safe to say, everyone who knew Willie …

Rio's Olympic Waterways Full of Trash, Sewage

Rio de Janeiro's endless beaches and lush tropical forest will be a photographer's dream during the 2016 Olympics. But zoom in on the likes of once-pristine Guanabara Bay, and the …

New Allegation Made Against Zimmerman in Court

George Zimmerman's girlfriend said he tried to choke her about a week ago during an altercation that wasn't initially reported to police, a prosecutor told a judge Tuesday during his …

Signs of Life Amid Misery Reveal Filipinos' Spirit

As a foreign correspondent working in the middle of a horrendous disaster zone, I didn't expect to see people having a good time—or asking me to play ball.

Iron Horse, Lifelong Learners, Heart Studies and Utilities

All this week, staff members at the Iron Horse Grill (320 W. Pearl St.) are training, cleaning and tying up lose ends in preparation for the restaurant's grand re-opening Monday, …

Gymnasts Highly Exposed to Flame Retardants

Research suggests that young gymnasts may be exposed to hormone-disrupting chemicals from ingesting or inhaling dust created by polyurethane blocks.

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.

ACA’s ‘Woodworking’ Effect Playing Out as 91,000 People Eligible for Medicaid Learn They Can Get Coverage

Supporters and opponents of the federal health law still can't decide whether to call it the "woodwork" or "welcome mat" effect—the millions of people currently eligible for Medicaid who are …

China to Ease 1-Child Policy, Abolish Labor Camps

China will loosen family planning rules that limit many couples to a single child in the first substantial change to the unpopular policy in nearly three decades, as leaders seek …

Health Exchanges Slow to Attract Young, Healthy

Fears that health insurance exchanges wouldn't attract the young, healthy people needed to make them financially viable are being heightened by the early results of signups in several states.

Contaminated Tribe: Hormone-Blocking Chemicals Found in First Nation Families

Mothers and children of a First Nations tribe living in one of Canada's most industrialized regions are highly exposed to estrogen-blocking chemicals, according to a new study.

To Help Typhoon Victims, Send Money, Not Stuff

In the aftermath of mega-disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan, experts say there are some basic rules for those eager to do good: Forget the rummage sale clothes, the old toys …

Great Coffee Is a Cause

A Mississippi College alumnus with a degree in business administration, Paul Bonds studied where coffee came from, how it grew and who picked the beans. Through his research, he learned …

FDA May Torpedo Food Movement

As many who follow food and farming news may have heard, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is formulating rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act that could adversely affect …

The Drug War’s Crossroads

Cedric Willis, who was arrested in 1994 and charged with murder, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault, and was exonerated 12 years later, doesn't buy the argument that law-enforcement officials …

The Battle for Downtown, Part I: Watkins v. JRA, et al

In recent years, Watkins has taken credit for several successful renovation projects—the King Edward Hotel, the Standard Life Building and Retro Metro, which renovated a large chunk of Metrocenter Mall.

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House Oversight Panel Probes Health Website Woes

Probing whether the White House shares blame for health-care website woes, the House's chief investigator is delving into technical issues behind the dysfunctional rollout of HealthCare.gov.