Jackson Free Press

Using the KKK to Fight Abortion Rights

Groups such as the Ashburn, Va.-based Radiance Foundation have used ads to cast abortion as akin to genocide of African American children. Others are crying foul play.

Bypass the Legislature on MAEP, Medicaid LGBT Rights

In the past six years alone, under a Republican-led Senate and, until 2012, a Democratic-led House of Representatives, MAEP has been shorted by more than $1 billion.

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New Mississippi Abortion Ban Empty, Unscientific?

A female Mississippi senator is questioning a 20-week abortion ban that awaits signature from Gov. Phil Bryant, saying the bill is not grounded in medical fact.

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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.

‘Personhood’ May Be Back

The anti-abortion organization Personhood Mississippi filed paperwork for Initiative 41 on March 5, 2013. If supporters gather 107,216 signatures by May 14, 2014, the bill will appear on the ballot ...

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Senate Passes 'Irrelevant' Anti-Abortion Bill

The Mississippi Senate decided Tuesday to assert its authority over women's reproductive health decisions when it passed HB 1400, a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks.

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 ...

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.

State Victories Create Dilemma for Abortion Foes

Opponents who have chipped away at abortion with state-level restrictions are facing a dilemma in some of the places where they have been most successful: Do they continue with that ...

Controversy Roils Around Abortion Clinic

Preacher Flip Benham and his band of anti-abortion protesters from Operation Rescue America descended on Jackson Monday, two days after a pro-abortion rights rally at Jackson Women's Health Organization, or ...

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Nothing New in 41

Mississippi does need more education around reproductive health. Most of us fighting "personhood round one" found that many people didn't have a good grasp on how reproduction and birth control ...

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Gay Marriage Rulings Raise Questions

Two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions validating same-sex unions may have a wider effect in Mississippi and nationwide than previously thought.

You Can’t Have It Both Ways, Gov. Bryant

Gov. Phil Bryant stepped in it Monday. As part of a Washington Post Live event, he was asked how America had ended up so "mediocre" in educational outcomes. He answered: ...

Clinic Wins Battle in Abortion War

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III halted a process that likely would result in JWHO's closure and make Mississippi the first state without an abortion clinic.

Ruling Brings New Tension to Abortion Clinic

Although officials from Jackson Women's Health Organization are applauding yesterday's federal court ruling to keep the facility open, the mood remains tense at the Fondren clinic.

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North Dakota Looks at More Abortion Restrictions

North Dakota lawmakers who approved what would be some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the U.S. are now considering outlawing all abortions.

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.

Voters Were Not Confused

In November 2011, 58 percent of Mississippi voters made their voices unequivocally heard when they said "No" to Initiative 26.

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Mississippians 'Confused' About Personhood?

Not satisfied with taking "no" for an answer from the state's voters, Personhood Mississippi has teamed up with the Christian ultra-conservative American Family Association to take another shot at changing ...

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New Personhood Amendment Filed

Backers of 2011's unsuccessful Personhood amendment are back with a retooled effort.