Jackson Free Press

Vows for the Modern (Wo)Man

"To have and to hold for richer, for poorer to love and to cherish "

COVID-19 Hits New Mississippi Highs, Municipalities Issuing Own Mask Orders

Mississippi’s rising coronavirus curve is prompting dire warnings from state health officials—and some municipalities are beginning to issue mask orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces.

‘This Is Not an Entitlement Program’: Ballot Initiative Seeks to Expand Medicaid Coverage

Hundreds of thousands of Mississippians could receive expanded Medicaid coverage from the newly created Ballot Initiative 76, which would expand Medicaid coverage to those under 138% of the federal poverty …

Tax-Free Internet Shopping Jeopardized by Bill

Tax-free shopping on the Internet could be in jeopardy under a bill making its way through the Senate.

A New Front for Gun Background Checks: The Ballot

After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by taking the issue …

Internet Sales Tax Bill Faces Tough Sell in House

Traditional retailers and cash-strapped states face a tough sell in the House as they lobby Congress to limit tax-free shopping on the Internet.

Workers Anxious As Cuts Set to Take Effect

Five hundred miles from Capitol Hill, the men and women of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard are worrying about paying rent, searching for new jobs and caring for sick loved ones.

Hospitals Clamp Down On Dangerous Early Elective Deliveries

For decades, doctors have been warned about the dangers of delivering babies early without a medical reason. But the practice remained stubbornly persistent.

Senate Committee Starting Votes on Curbing Guns

President Barack Obama's prospects for winning near-universal background checks for gun purchases seemed shaky as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepared for Congress' first votes on curbing firearms since December's horrific …

Google Pays $7M Fine to Settle Wi-Fi Privacy Case

Google will pay a $7 million fine to settle a multistate investigation into a snoopy software program that enabled the Internet search leader to intercept emails, passwords and other sensitive …

Charter Schools: The Devil's in the Details

Charter schools offer benefits, but the state must be cautious in using them. That mixed message emerged during a joint meeting of the Senate and House education committees yesterday morning …

Pan-Arab Al-Jazeera Buys Current TV from Al Gore

With its purchase of left-leaning Current TV, the Pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera has fulfilled a long-held quest to reach tens of millions of U.S. homes. But its new audience immediately …

He Said, She Said

Wedding planning isn’t just a process, it is an experience.

Why Healthcare.gov Broke: Two Competing Story Lines

This weekend brought more than a modicum of clarity to what happened behind the scenes in the run-up to the Oct. 1 launch of Healthcare.gov.

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Heroes of Hedonism, by Alphonso Mayfield

To attend a 2 Live Crew concert is to experience a mixture of hedonism and mass hysteria. Between the kick of 808 drum patterns and thongs moving to the rhythmic …

Not Just Another Package Store

Natchez holds a little sweet secret that has been a part of the historic landscape since 1979. It's the Old South Winery, which uses one of the state's perfect fruits: …

Solar Firm that Got $26M in Miss. Loans is Closing

Mississippi taxpayers may have only an empty Senatobia building and solar panel equipment to show for $26 million in loans to Twin Creeks Technologies.

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Obama's Fiscal Cliff Strategy is Tricky Balance

Playing both sides, President Barack Obama is trying to balance his public pressure campaign on Republicans over the looming "fiscal cliff" with his private negotiations with GOP leaders.

Ukrainian Leader Slams West, Tilts Toward Russia

Ukraine's embattled president slammed the West on Thursday for supporting the massive street protests calling for his ouster and announced plans to partially join a Moscow-led economic union—a move that …

Red Velvet Bingle, Anyone?

Occasionally we all have an urge to snack, no matter how health-conscious we may be. Recently, hit by a persistent sugar craving, I found myself nowhere near a health-food store, …