Jackson Free Press

Without Public Input, Mississippi to Spend $78,000 Per Job for Megasite, Shipyard

With little debate in committee or on the floor, the Mississippi House of Representatives cleared the way for $274 million in tax breaks to help two large-scale developments in the …

Dak Prescott on NFL Debut, Coach Garrett, Poise and That DUI Charge

In a few short months, Dak Prescott went from a hopeful National Football League draft pick to rookie quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, with a strong possibility of seeing playing …

Sex Education’s Last Chance in Mississippi?

Sex education in Mississippi could end, or be revamped, as soon as July this year, depending on legislators' actions between now and the end of the session.

Fear Rules with Kim Davis Laws, Guns at Church

The deepest fears of some members of the Mississippi House of Representatives came out last week, as the chamber passed bills to fight terrorism, protect religious freedom and allow armed …

Secret Execution Team, Firing Squads, Restricted Media Included in House Bill

Death by firing squad could become an option for administering the death penalty if Senate Bill 2237, which passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives on Friday and held on …

EU Threatens to Sanction Tax Havens Like Panama

The European Union has threatened to sanction countries like Panama if they continue to refuse to cooperate fully to fight money laundering and tax evasion, after a leak of data …

Black Preschoolers More Likely to Face Suspension

Black students are more likely to be suspended from U.S. public schools—even as tiny preschoolers.

Will Byrom Be Tortured to Death?

Mississippi's pending executions of Michelle Byrom and Charles Crawford—which are not yet scheduled—have mired the state in a controversy over what constitutes "cruel and unusual" in executions.

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Jet Search Cut Short; New Satellite Spots Objects

Hints about the lost Malaysian jetliner piled up Thursday, but there was precious little chance to track them down. Bad weather cut short the hunt for possible debris fields from …

Robert Durst Back in Court for 2nd Straight Day

Authorities found nearly 150 grams of marijuana and a revolver in millionaire Robert Durst's hotel room when he was arrested over the weekend, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

NAACP: Gov. Bryant Should Show 'Moral Urgency' on State Flag Change

After South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed a bill into law Thursday to bring down the Confederate flag outside the Statehouse—a move that seemed unthinkable only a month ago in …

How School Districts Try to Make the Grade

The new system for grading Mississippi public schools is under fire in a recent PEER study that has called for changes.

Pope Speeds Up, Simplifies Process for Marriage Annulments

Pope Francis radically reformed the Catholic Church's process for annulling marriages Tuesday, allowing for fast-track decisions and removing automatic appeals in a bid to speed up and simplify the procedure.

Woman Faces 2nd-Degree Murder Charges in Oklahoma Crash

A 25-year-old woman accused of driving her car into a crowd of spectators at the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade is scheduled to appear in court Monday, two days after …

Yarber’s Early Moves: Roads, Safety

The city's pothole problem has long been a source of stress for many Jackson motorists.

Same-Sex Marriage Heading for Supreme Court Vote?

Both sides in the gay marriage debate agree on one thing: It's time for the Supreme Court to settle the matter.

Michelle Obama's Name Added to JPS Early College Program

The Jackson Public School District named its Early College High School Program after former first lady Michelle Obama at its Dec. 4 board meeting.

Analysis: Judges Can't Order Attorney General to Take Cases

In a unanimous ruling Tuesday, Mississippi Supreme Court justices said a circuit court “acted outside its authority” this year when it ordered Attorney General Lynn Fitch's office to investigate a …

State Legislatures in U.S. Poised to Act on Abortion Rights

Early in the new year, the Vermont House of Representatives is due to begin debate on an amendment that would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution and …

Jackson Free Press Hiring New Reporter: How to Apply

The Jackson Free Press is hiring a new Mississippi reporter. We offer a high-quality journalism environment, impactful work, supportive team members, good editing and skills development. The right candidate will …