Jackson (MS) News (BETA)

Rain has slicked much of central Mississippi this week but has done little to quench the parched state. Another storm system heads south from Missouri and Arkansas on Thursday and Friday, according to forecasts, and is needed for Mississippi's crops.

Mississippi may have to hire a new interim state superintendent of education, depending on the outcome of legal questions over whether Judy Rhodes has enough education for the job.

Pearl police charged a 33-year-old father on Tuesday with capital murder for causing the injuries that led to the death of his 2-month-old son.

Mississippi joined 27 other states this month in offering victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking another layer of protection against their tormentors - a false address.

Quesston Nelson was in her car looking for change for the gumball machine when she saw a man in a camouflage jacket walk out of the bank with an orange lunch bag. It wasn't until a few minutes later, when her sister called from inside the bank, that Nelson realized what had just happened.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - One woman has died after South Carolina authorities say nearly 2,000 gallons of ammonia leaked from a tanker truck.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Protest groups targeting the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh in September are holding meetings and workshops ahead of the event on topics from using handcuffs for mass demonstrations to working with the media.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski hasn't officially announced she's running for re-election next year, but the Alaska Republican has built up more than $1 million in her war chest.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration was "appalled" by Iran's postelection crackdown on protesters.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon says it won't ban smoking by troops in war zones despite a recent study recommending a tobacco-free military.

A third person has died from injuries suffered in a July 8 car crash on Charles Street in Jackson.

Mississippi farmers are grateful for Tuesdays rain, but some said it may not be enough to help their stressed crops.

Jackson police are enlisting mail carriers and utility workers in an effort to capture a man wanted in connection with at least four home invasion robberies.

The funeral for an 8-year-old boy who died after an accidental shooting will be held Thursday.

More than 400,000 dead fish spilled into the Mississippi Sound from menhaden boats.

Police: Dad arrested in death of infant

Attempted murder charges sent to grand jury

New immunization requirment for children going to Mississippi schools

You can help fight cancer

All you need to know about Mississippi

GULFPORT — Gov. Haley Barbour has appointed Gulfport attorney John C. Gargiulo to the Circuit Court seat for District 2, which includes Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties. Gargiulo replaces Jerry O. Terry, who retired June 30, 2009. Gargiulo's term ends January 2011.

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University (MSU) is marking the third-highest giving year in its 131-year history. The MSU Foundation reported July 14 that a total of nearly $61.5 million was raised during the just-ended fiscal year.

BENTON COUNTY — According to the Secretary of State's Office, Clinton Moffitt of Hickory Flat and Ada Moore Tucker of Ashland have been found guilty of conspiracy to commit voter fraud in Benton County Circuit Court.

JACKSON — Mississippi has received multiple complaints of dangerous imported drywall from China being found in their homes, confirmed Attorney General Jim Hood in hopes of warning more residents of the problem.

KILN — Coast Electric Power Association has broken ground on the electric cooperative's headquarters facility in Kiln. The new facility on Highway 603 will allow Coast Electric members to conduct business with the cooperative in a more efficient and convenient manner than the current trailer facilities are able to provide.

In about 10 minutes on Tuesday afternoon Jennifer Jones had her daughter registered for classes at Morgantown Elementary ...

The Jonesville Black River Bridge built in the 1930s is set to go out with a bang over ...

Citizens concerned about the June disbandment of the Vidalia Office of Community Development let their voices be heard ...

After nearly an hour-long executive session Town of Ferriday and Triton officials agreed to disagree.

The cells are still empty and there’s still hiring left to do but Tuesday Corrections Corporation of America ...

For the third time in less than a week, Kosciusko has been hit by thieves.

The staff and board members of the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club as well as members have something to celebrate this summer and throughout the year.

Sometimes a school has to wait until July to hire a basketball coach. It's not the preference, but it does happen.

The Kosciusko City School Board approved a policy on teachers and cell phone usage during the Monday night meeting.

To say Chris Terry is torn would not be exaggeration.

On a blistering July 2 evening, I strolled around the Fondren business district, searching for complementary beverages during "Fondren After 5," and attempted to look as if I were a patron of the arts.

This past week we flipped the switch on a new "product" that's been brewing in the JFP labs for the better part of six months: JFP Daily. This e-mail newsletter blast happens every day at 1 p.m. with the unofficial slogan: "Today's News ... Today."

Director of communications is one of the first administrative positions that Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. filled when he took office earlier this month. His choice for the job was Jacksonian Chris Mims.

Jackson police are reaching out to postal carriers, among others, in response to a spate of home invasions in Northeast Jackson. Precinct 4 reported two home invasions last week on Meadowbrook Road and Poplar Boulevard.

Members of committees affiliated with Jackson State University are worried that the university will be cutting programs in a curriculum reorganization.

A former Vicksburg police officer has joined a current officer and another man and woman in being charged with swiping beer from a tour boat at City Front over the weekend.

The Mississippi Arts Commission has awarded a $21,750 operating grant to the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, one of a total of $1.5 million the commission will award this fiscal year.

Howell N. Gage of Vicksburg, a banker who has served in many public education leadership roles, is one of six new board members Gov. Haley Barbour has appointed to the Mississippi EdNet Institute.

A woman and four juveniles were involved in a Tuesday wreck on Culkin Road that sent all five to the hospital.

Seven people have applied to fill the justice court judgeship for Warren County’s Southern District in advance of Thursday’s deadline, Chancery Clerk Dot McGee said.

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One case of swine flu has been reported in Walthall County, state Health Department officials confirmed Monday. That case was one of 31 new cases confirmed last week, bringing the state’s total number of swine flu cases to 212.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, McComb Library will host a book-signing for Jim Robertson, a Liberty native blinded in a wreck at age 20 who went on to become a state legislator and college professor.

Pike County sheriff’s officials have interviewed Sanderson Farms employees who cashed their checks at a business across the street from the poultry plant where a weekend robbery resulted in the death of Pike County woman.

The old-timey campmeeting has gone global. This year’s Felder Campmeeting will feature the African Children’s Choir, a Norwegian preacher and a team effort to package 10,000 meals for worldwide distribution to the needy.