Jackson Free Press

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.

Bobbie Gentry

In the summer of 1967, Bobbie Gentry went from being a nightclub songstress in Las Vegas to an international pop sensation with the hit "Ode to Billie Joe," a pseudo-Southern …

Judge to Decide if Zimmerman is Released on Bail

George Zimmerman's arrest following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend marks the latest in a series of brushes with the law he has had since his acquittal in a murder …

• 13 comments

Russia to Release 7 Foreign Greenpeace Activists

A Russian court on Tuesday granted bail to Greenpeace protesters from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Poland, the first group of foreign activists eligible for release from jail …

Russian Crash Probe Blames Faulty Pilot Maneuvers

The pilots of a Boeing 737 that plunged to earth at the Kazan airport, killing all 50 aboard, lost speed in a steep climb then overcompensated and sent the plane …

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.

Storms Sweep Across Midwest, Kill 6 in Illinois

Dozens of tornadoes and intense thunderstorms swept across the Midwest on Sunday, leaving at least six people dead and unleashing powerful winds that flattened entire neighborhoods, flipped over cars and …

White House Pushes to Loosen Gitmo Transfer Rules

President Barack Obama is pushing to overcome obstacles to closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, an elusive goal which has frustrated him since he took office.

HUD: Katrina Effort Didn't Seek Low-Income Workers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has upheld its ruling that the Mississippi did too little to recruit low-income people for Hurricane Katrina recovery work at the Port …

Horhn Hosts Crime Forum, Commits Crime?

Hours after state Sen. John Horhn hosted a forum to fight what he called the "recent onslaught of crime in Jackson," Horhn himself contributed to the city's crime problem by …

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 …

House GOP Getting its Say on Cancellations

Republicans renewed an assault on President Barack Obama's health care law and his own credibility on Friday as they pushed toward House passage of a measure to let insurers keep …

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.

Lumumba, Barbour: Strong Capital City Helps Miss.

Mississippi's capital city faces a shrinking population, aging infrastructure, financially struggling schools and other challenges, but the mayor and a former governor said Thursday that they believe Jackson's best days …

Pearl Mall: Symbol of Misplaced Priorities?

The Outlets of Mississippi, a retail shopping center located near Interstate 20 in Pearl, opened this morning with ribbon-cutting ceremony that Bryant and other officials attended.

• 16 comments

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.

Jackson State Football Team

The Tigers have wrapped up the SWAC East title and earned a spot in the 2013 SWAC Football Championship Game. Jackson State is undefeated so far in SWAC games.

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 …

Domed Refuge Now Cauldron of Misery for Survivors

Close your eyes and hold your breath, and you could imagine you are in a normal sports stadium. You hear a ball bouncing and the children's cheers echoing under the …

Miss. Gov's Budget Proposal: No New Taxes or Fees

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is proposing a state budget that would put more money into education and public safety but would not increase taxes or fees.