Jackson Free Press

U.S. Voices Solidarity with Japan on China Air Spat

Seeking to soothe an anxious ally, the U.S. voiced solidarity with Japan on Tuesday against China's claim to airspace over disputed islands, vowing not to tolerate the aggressive move as …

Thai Protests Ease as Police Lift Key Barricades

The political crisis that has engulfed Thailand's capital for more than a week eased suddenly Tuesday after the prime minister ordered police to stop battling anti-government protesters.

Federal Jury to Hear Case Against Ex-BP Engineer

Jury selection began Monday for the Justice Department's case against a former BP drilling engineer charged with deleting text messages and voicemails about the company's response to its massive 2010 …

Former Mississippi Gov. Bill Allain Dies at 85

Former Mississippi Gov. Bill Allain, a Democrat who appointed significant numbers of women and minorities to government jobs and strengthened the executive branch by removing legislators from state boards, died …

• 1 comment

Selling the Sales Tax

City officials took their message to the people Sunday evening in the first of several town-hall style events, kick-starting the massive task of selling Jacksonians on a proposed 1-percent sales-tax …

Health Law May Offer Part-Time Workers Better Options

In January, part-time workers who have so-called "mini-med" health insurance plans with very limited benefits and annual caps on payments will begin to lose that coverage, which under the health …

Peggy Hobson-Calhoun

The most vocal champion of the Byram-Clinton Parkway, which has long been under development, announced what she called an exciting new phase for the project.

• 1 comment

Thailand Braces for More Violence

The United Nations closed its main office in Bangkok, dozens of schools closed and many civil servants stayed away from work Monday as the Thai capital braced for more violence …

Gov't Diagnosis: HealthCare.gov on the Mend

Computer crashes should be giving way to insurance coverage — if the government's diagnosis of its health care website is correct.

Gay Weddings Become Reality in Hawaii with New Law

Six couples at a Waikiki resort tied the knot early Monday, exchanging vows side-by-side with one another in front of a few hundred guests shortly after midnight, while even more …

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.

Alabama Drops to 4 in AP Poll; SEC May Be Out of National Championship

Florida State and Ohio State are in position to play for the BCS national championship, though Auburn and Missouri are close enough behind in the BCS standings to put pressure …

Early November Deals May Have Slowed 'Black Friday' Spending

Target, Macy's and other retailers offered holiday discounts in early November and opened stores on Thanksgiving Day. It was an effort to attract shoppers before Black Friday, the day after …

Ole Miss Falls to Miss. State in Egg Bowl

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's Bo Wallace ran toward the end zone in overtime with what looked like the game-tying touchdown. Instead, Mississippi State's Nickoe Whitley smacked the ball out …

La. Joins Lawsuit to Block Flood Insurance Hike

Louisiana's Department of Insurance has joined a lawsuit filed by Mississippi against the federal government to try to block rates from increasing Oct. 1 in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Cold Weather Could Affect Egg Bowl

This year's Egg Bowl promises to be brisk by Magnolia State standards, with temperatures expected to hover in the 30s on Thursday night.

U.S. Says Working with Cuba to Solve Banking Issue

Washington said Wednesday it is working with Cuba to find a new bank for its diplomatic accounts in the United States, after a banking cutoff forced the Caribbean nation to …

Obama Helps Hand Out Thanksgiving Fixings to Needy

President Barack Obama is continuing an annual family tradition by helping to pack bags of food and distribute them to the needy on Thanksgiving eve.

Brazil Under Pressure After Collapse at World Cup Venue

Part of the stadium that will host the 2014 World Cup opener collapsed Wednesday, killing two workers and aggravating already urgent concerns Brazil won't be ready for soccer's signature tournament.

Same-Sex Couple's Wedding a First for Illinois

In a short ceremony inside their Chicago apartment, two beaming brides made Illinois history Wednesday as they became the first gay couple to wed under the state's new law legalizing …