Jackson Free Press

A Look at Dangers Posed by the Islamic State Group

The Islamic State militant group that has taken over large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared a self-styled caliphate poses one of the most significant threats to stability in …

Pakistan Lawmakers Back Premier Amid Mass Protests

Pakistan's lawmakers rallied behind the country's embattled prime minister Tuesday in an emergency session, even as thousands of protesters remained camped outside of parliament demanding his ouster.

32 Teens Escape from Nashville Detention Center

Thirty-two teens "overwhelmed" their minders and escaped from a juvenile detention center by crawling under a weak spot in a fence, a state government spokesman said. Hours later Tuesday, eight …

Video Purports to Show Beheading of U.S. Journalist

Islamic State extremists released a video Tuesday purportedly showing the beheading of a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, and warning President Barack Obama that as long as U.S. airstrikes against …

Ukraine Military Routed as Russia Talks Tough

In fields around the eastern Ukrainian village of Novokaterynivka, more than thirty army vehicles lay charred and pulverized into twisted piles of metal Tuesday—the result of a devastating weekend ambush …

Detroit's Historic Bankruptcy Trial Begins

Opening statements in Detroit's historic bankruptcy trial began Tuesday afternoon in federal court, where lawyers for the city will attempt to convince a judge that its plans to wipe out …

Reports: Body of Missing Teen Katelyn Beard Found

After a long search this morning, law enforcement officials discovered the body of 17-year-old Katelyn Beard, who went missing over the weekend.

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Fondren Boutique Hotel, Educare Senior Day Center, Millsaps Beer Garden and JSU Downtown

Plans call for a 100-room, four-story urban boutique-style Hampton Inn with an underground parking garage to be built at the corner of Duling Avenue and Old Canton Road, which is …

Katy Simpson Smith

All her life, Katy Simpson Smith has been a storyteller. She recalls telling her parents—both Millsaps professors—imaginative and silly stories as a child, while they sat and listened attentively.

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.

MDOC Seeks New Deals at 4 Prisons

The Mississippi Department of Corrections is seeking proposals from private companies to operate four of the state's private prisons.

Plans for Fondren 'Boutique' Hotel Unveiled

Construction on a hotel in Fondren needs approval from state officials, but could commence before the end of the year, according to the developer.

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Cochran Win

A Mississippi judge has dismissed a lawsuit that seeks to overturn Sen. Thad Cochran's victory in a Republican primary runoff.

Jeremy Gordon

When Jeremy Gordon, now 35, moved to Jackson to attend college at Jackson State University, he brought martial arts with him.

Lawsuit Challenges State's Failure to Fund MAEP

Angered by the state's failure to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, 14 Mississippi school districts filed legal claims in Hinds County on Aug. 28.

Russian Fund with US Advisers Eludes Sanctions

As President Barack Obama warns of stepped-up economic punishments against Russia for its military incursions inside Ukraine, U.S. sanctions have so far avoided one prominent financial institution: the $10 billion …

Russia's Putin Urges Release of Ukrainian Soldiers

Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Friday called on pro-Russian separatists to release Ukrainian soldiers who have been surrounded by the rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Pakistani Premier Denies Asking Army to Mediate

Pakistan's prime minister on Friday denied asking the country's military chief to mediate with opposition leaders and protesters who have camped for two weeks outside parliament in the capital, Islamabad, …

UN Says Syria Refugees Top 3 Million Mark

The civil war in Syria has forced 3 million people out of the country as more than a million people fled in the past year, creating a crisis that the …

14 Miss. School Districts Sue Over Underfunding

Fourteen Mississippi school districts sued the state Thursday, seeking money they say they were illegally shorted by the state's public school funding formula over the last six years.