Obama Spurns GOP with Expansive Immigration OrdersSpurning furious Republicans, President Barack Obama unveiled expansive executive actions on immigration Thursday night to spare nearly 5 million people in the U.S. illegally from deportation and refocus enforcement efforts on "felons, not families."
Chokwe Lumumba Center Opens with Ferguson TalkLast night, the Chokwe Lumumba Center for Economic Democracy and Development opened to the public with its first public event: a town hall meeting about protests in Ferguson, Mo. sparked by the police killing of 18 year-old Mike Brown in …
Ruling: Mississippi Abortion Law Remains BlockedA federal appeals court said Thursday that it won't reconsider its earlier ruling that a 2012 Mississippi abortion law is unconstitutional. The decision means the law remains blocked and Mississippi's only abortion clinic remains open.
Soaring Generic Drug Prices Draw Senate ScrutinySome low-cost generic drugs that have helped restrain health care costs for decades are seeing unexpected price spikes of up to 8,000 percent, prompting a backlash from patients, pharmacists and now Washington lawmakers.
Miss. Universities Plan 3.2 Percent Price IncreaseIn-state tuition at eight public universities is likely to increase by an average of 3.2 percent this fall, if the College Board approves plans Thursday for the Mississippi University for Women to raise prices.
No Date for IS War Vote as Congress Waits on ObamaCongressional authorization of the U.S. war against Islamic State extremists has gone nowhere in two weeks since President Barack Obama vowed to coordinate with lawmakers on a stronger legal basis for military action, prompting growing frustration with the White House.
Obama Plan Won't Grant Immigrants Federal BenefitsAs many as 5 million people in the country illegally would be spared from deportation and made eligible for work permits but not entitled to federal benefits—including health care tax credits—under President Barack Obama's immigration plan, officials said Wednesday.
2016 Contest Overshadows GOP Governors MeetingNo fewer than a half-dozen potential presidential candidates are gathering in Florida as the Republican Governors Association prepares to select its next leader.
MAEP Memes: Myths vs. RealitiesOpponents of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program are pushing a number of memes about the law and public education in Mississippi to argue their case. Here are how the arguments square with the facts.
What Schools Are Missing Out OnMississippi public education has been underfunded 15 out of the last 17 years. While some say that money won't fix the deeply rooted problems in the state's education system, the things listed here would and they cost money.
One Destination, Two RoutesFormer Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, who co-authored MAEP, and public-education advocates at Better Schools Better Jobs want the same thing: for the state to recognize its duty to fully fund education according to the formula it created.
How Is MAEP Calculated?Parents' Campaign President Nancy Loome explains that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program formula looks at the funding that would be required for every student in the state to receive at least an adequate education.
MAEP’s Moral Center: Mississippi’s Education EnigmaThe quality of education in Mississippi is falling behind the rest of the nation with only 61 percent of students graduating from high school on time and two-thirds of kindergarteners not ready to learn how to read.
The Fire Next TimeCity Council President De’Keither Stamps said last week’s fire at the state-owned Ag Museum, which Jackson fire crews extinguished, is a prime example of why the state should be kicking in to pay for public safety.
The Perils of Deregulating MDOCNot long after Chris Epps took over as the commissioner of the state prison system, the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill that removed the Mississippi Department of Corrections from the purview of the state personnel board for one year.
Hickingbottom Joins Ward 1 RaceThe field is set for the special election to replace Quentin Whitwell as Jackson Ward 1 Councilman. The last man—all six candidates are men—in is Bob Hickingbottom.
A Living DocumentThe West Jackson Master Plan, which started a year a and a half ago, is complete. Planners hope the end product—the West Jackson Planning Guidebook—will act as a kind of living document that residents can use to spur growth.
Lung Cancer: Know the Facts, WomenAs a medical oncologist, I treat patients battling a variety of cancers—from common types such as breast and prostate to rare cancers of the brain and bones. But of all the types of cancer I see, none causes patients as …
Facts About Public Education Matter to CommunitiesThe Clarion-Ledger recently published an opinion piece that attacked public education in Mississippi and castigated its supporters. The piece, written by Empower Mississippi President Grant Callen, advocated for alternatives to traditional public schooling.
Judge Promises Same-Sex Marriage Ruling QuicklyWhile a federal district judge in Mississippi may rule same-sex marriage is a constitutional right as soon as this week, the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state is in the hands of the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals and, …
Bryant Budget Seeks Tax CutsRepublican Gov. Phil Bryant said Monday that he wants to cut income taxes for some Mississippians earning less than $53,000 a year as part of his 2016 budget proposal.
Obama Stakes Final 2 Years on Climate ChangeWith limited time still in power, President Barack Obama is staking his final two years on climate change, pushing the issue to the front of his agenda as he seeks to leave an imprint on the world that will endure …
House Democrats Re-Elect Pelosi as Minority LeaderDemocrats re-elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi to another two-year term as House minority leader on Tuesday, two weeks after elections in which the party lost at least a dozen seats in the chamber.
GOP Vows to Pass Keystone Later if Bill Fails NowRepublican leaders vowed Tuesday to take up and pass a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline in Congress again next year if the Senate fails to advance the measure, or President Barack Obama vetoes it.
Hinds Election Snafu Could Bring Sanctions Against CommissionersThe Hinds County supervisors are calling on the local district attorney and the state attorney general to sanction the county election commission for failure to order the number of ballots state law requires for the Nov. 4 general election.
Analysis: 2015 Republican Primary May Grow Again The recent Republican U.S. Senate race won by Thad Cochran may be a sign that Republican dominance in general elections will finally translate into GOP primaries that are larger statewide than Democratic races.
10 Local Stories of the WeekThere'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.
JSU Sponsoring Jackson Zoo TigerJackson State University is sponsoring a rare Sumatran Tiger cub at the Jackson Zoo as learning exhibits for children, teaching exercises for students, as well as marketing and zoo membership for university personnel.
Last night, the Chokwe Lumumba Center for Economic Democracy and Development opened to the public with its first public event: a town hall meeting about protests in Ferguson, Mo. sparked by the police killing of 18 year-old Mike Brown in …
A federal appeals court said Thursday that it won't reconsider its earlier ruling that a 2012 Mississippi abortion law is unconstitutional. The decision means the law remains blocked and Mississippi's only abortion clinic remains open.
The quality of education in Mississippi is falling behind the rest of the nation with only 61 percent of students graduating from high school on time and two-thirds of kindergarteners not ready to learn how to read.
City Council President De’Keither Stamps said last week’s fire at the state-owned Ag Museum, which Jackson fire crews extinguished, is a prime example of why the state should be kicking in to pay for public safety.
Not long after Chris Epps took over as the commissioner of the state prison system, the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill that removed the Mississippi Department of Corrections from the purview of the state personnel board for one year.
As a medical oncologist, I treat patients battling a variety of cancers—from common types such as breast and prostate to rare cancers of the brain and bones. But of all the types of cancer I see, none causes patients as …
While a federal district judge in Mississippi may rule same-sex marriage is a constitutional right as soon as this week, the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state is in the hands of the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals and, …
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant said Monday that he wants to cut income taxes for some Mississippians earning less than $53,000 a year as part of his 2016 budget proposal.
With the holiday season approaching, the Outlets of Mississippi (200 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl) is preparing a number of events to celebrate the season beginning this weekend.
The Hinds County supervisors are calling on the local district attorney and the state attorney general to sanction the county election commission for failure to order the number of ballots state law requires for the Nov. 4 general election.
The recent Republican U.S. Senate race won by Thad Cochran may be a sign that Republican dominance in general elections will finally translate into GOP primaries that are larger statewide than Democratic races.
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.