Jackson Free Press

Controversial ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Moves Forward

After a week of ups and downs for a measure that civil-liberties groups say could lead to legalized discrimination of LGBTQ people, a modified version now goes to the House …

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GOP Pushes Social Issues at Conservative Showcase

Some of the GOP's most prominent conservatives insisted Friday that Republicans should emphasize hot-button social issues like abortion and gay marriage in this year's midterm elections, exposing an ideological divide …

Texas Primary Leaves Tea Party Influence Unsettled

The first primary in what Republicans hope is a triumphant election year sent a message that U.S. Sen Ted Cruz and the tea party still wield considerable influence in one …

Eyes on GOP as Texas Holds Nation's 1st Primary

Texas is holding the nation's first primary election Tuesday with a political free-for-all in Republican races that could push the state further right, though Democrats are calling it the next …

Anti-Gay Push Setback in Miss., Ariz.

A House subcommittee may take the wind out of the sails of a so-called religious-freedom proposal that civil-liberties groups feared would lead to legalized discrimination.

U.S. Court to Hear Arguments Over Miss. Abortion Law

A federal appeals court is expected to hear oral arguments in late April or early May in a lawsuit challenging a 2012 law that threatens to close Mississippi's only abortion …

Abortion Law Fight to Federal Appeals Court

A federal appeals court is expected to hear oral arguments in late April or early May in a lawsuit challenging a 2012 law that threatens to close Mississippi's only abortion …

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.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Save'

Rep. Gipson, who is a lawyer and a minister, has a warped perception of salvation and the law.

Playing Politics with Abortion

Our lawmakers are choosing to focus on abortion because it is low-hanging fruit to get political points with their base.

A Million and One Questions

As if Mississippi taxpayers haven't been burdened enough defending lawsuits that appear patently unconstitutional, the Mississippi House of Representatives approved a proposal last week to ban abortions more than 20 …

Controversial Bills Sneak By at Capitol

After dispensing with items on the so-called non-controversial calendars, lawmakers in the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives grappled with some of the more contentious pieces of legislation just ahead …

20-Week Abortion Ban Advances to Senate, Possibly Courts

One female lawmaker gave it her best shot, but the Mississippi House of Representatives approved a proposal this morning to ban abortions after 20 weeks of conception.

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.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Survive'

In several states, heartbeat bills have met legal fights from reproductive-rights advocates who say the bills are designed to trample on women's legal rights to obtain abortions.

Gov. Phil Bryant’s Welfare-Queen Rhetoric

There are no simple fixes for poverty in our state. Yet, instead of coming up with a multifaceted comprehensive plan to help, Phil Bryant is feeding us bumper-sticker slogans and …

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Women’s Rights, Safety Again at Issue

Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, knows his anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill likely will not survive the current session of the Mississippi Legislature, but he introduced it anyway.

Nadella to Head Microsoft; Gates Leaves Chair Role

Microsoft has named Satya Nadella, an executive in charge of the company's small, but growing business of delivering software and services over the Internet, as its new CEO. Company founder …

Report: U.S. Abortion Rate at Lowest Since 1973

The U.S. abortion rate declined to its lowest level since 1973, and the number of abortions fell by 13 percent between 2008 and 2011, according to the latest national survey …

Va. AG: State Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

Following a seismic political shift in Virginia's top elected offices, the new attorney general has concluded that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and he will no longer …