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Smithsonian Curators Scout for Obama Artifacts

As crowds descended and the inauguration unfolded, a few museum curators in Washington kept watch for symbols and messages that would make history.

Gay Activists Laud Obama Speech, Now Want Action

President Barack Obama's emphatic gay-rights advocacy in his inaugural address thrilled many activists. Yet almost immediately came the questions and exhortations as to what steps should be taken next.

Obama Appoints Former White-Collar Crime Prosecutor to Head SEC

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama sent his strongest signal yet Thursday that he wants the government to get tougher with Wall Street, appointing a former prosecutor to head the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first time in the agency's 79-year history.

Jindal: GOP Must Stop Being 'Stupid Party'

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal called on the Republican Party to "stop being the stupid party" on Thursday as GOP leaders promised fundamental changes to help stave off future losses.

Congress Sends Bill to Obama Averting Govt. Default

Congress sent President Barack Obama drama-free legislation on Thursday raising the debt ceiling, averting a government default and putting off the next tax-and-spending clash between the White House and Republicans until later in the year.

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Created Equal

Watching the inauguration of President Barack H. Obama was bittersweet. I was proud to have advocated for my president, and I feel validated by his inclusion of the LGBT community and the diversity on display.

Senate Poised to Renew Violence Against Women Act

Senators tussled Thursday over whether Indian authorities should be able to prosecute non-Indians in domestic abuse cases.

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The Wrong Roads

Contrary to the popular belief held in some corners of Mississippi, kids who say a prayer before class won't become the targets of Obama administration drone attacks.

Advanced Breast Cancer Edges Up in Younger Women

Advanced breast cancer has increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests. The disease is still uncommon among women younger than 40, and the small change has experts scratching their heads about possible reasons.

Nanny Hunt a ‘Slap' for African Americans

The New York Times has an interesting piece about the difficulties well-to-do African Americans can have getting quality child care in the U.S.:

Recess + Playing Tag = Lawsuit?

Playing tag, chase, and other unsupervised contact sports has been banned at a Massachusetts elementary school. I guess the next move will be to pad the world with foam rubber.

Mark Kelly at National Prayer Breakfast - Good Can Come From Tragedy

Here's the whole thing... around 1:36:50 is when Kelly talks about being an astronaut:

Caught in traffic yesterday (I was out trying to find salt for our steps in the ice) I heard Mark Kelly's speech at the National Prayer breakfast. (Obama also gave a great turn.) I think the speech is worth listening to, although I'm sure much of it will fall on deaf ears. The thing that hit me the hardest was when Kelly talked about how, as an astronaut, he'd learned that team-work is how you get things done in the face of problems or challenges.

‘Net Neutrality' Struggling in US Senate

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation failed to add an amendment to the "Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act" that would guarantee "net neutrality." The vote, 11-11, means that the amendment didn't get the majority it needs.

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Conerly Hopefuls 2012

After the 2012 season ends, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame will award the Conerly Trophy to one player from a four-year university or college as the best college football player in Mississippi.

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Chef Buys Into Downtown's Promise

For the sixth year in a row, Mississippi has earned the title of the most obese state in the nation, according to The Trust for America's Health's annual study.

Gov. Bryant Signs Biz Bills

Let's say a meteorite crashed to Earth and landed on the Jackson Free Press' offices, resulting in a broken pinky toe on my left foot. According to a new state law, it would be up to me to prove to my bosses that I wasn't high as a kite when said celestial projectile descended on Fondren.

NASCAR's Junior Johnson Endorses Obama (!)

The support of Junior Johnson may be Obama's biggest endorsement, yet. Here it is, as posted on Sean Hannity's forum. (Tee, hee.)

Kudos to Salter's Anderson column

Every now and then, Sid Salter hits with a column. Yesterday told it like it is about the immensely qualified Gary Anderson -- and just why Mississippians might not elected the superior candidate: "Simply put, Gary Anderson is better qualified by education and prior job experience to hit the ground running as Marshall Bennett's successor than is Tate Reeves. Anderson has literally worked his way up through state government and is deserving of a promotion. ... The question unanswered at this point is whether a majority of Mississippi voters can consider Anderson purely and squarely on his experience and qualifications in making their decision — or will race rule once again as the lowest common denominator in Mississippi politics."

Better Than Sliced Bread

Summertime is about the only time my husband offers to cook. I don't know what it is about warm weather that brings out his inner hunter/provider, but when he asks what we are having for dinner, if I tell him we are having some type of meat as the main course, inevitably his next question is: "Can I grill it?"

Kids In the Kitchen

On Black Friday, while others pushed and shoved their way through crowds of shoppers, my son Mateo and I made our way to the Viking Cooking School in Ridgeland to create a gingerbread house. The class, designed for guardian-child interaction, was full.