Jackson Jambalaya

The parents of Franny Fortner sued the city of Jackson, Superior Asphalt, IMS Engineers and several other defendants in Hinds County Circuit Court today.  Franny Fortner  was killed when her Mazda Miata flipped on Ridgewood Road last May when she struck a manhole cover. 

It's been 22 years since one of the best movies ever hit the theatres.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and photos.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller, Jr. issued the following statement.

Mo' money for teachers, mo' money for troopers, and of course, a whole lotta mo' money for PERS.  Governor Phil Bryant issued his 2020 budget recommendation yesterday. 

Today's edition of Flashback Friday involves roads and weddings.  Once upon a time, the frontage roads of I-55N were actually two-way.  The change to single-direction only frontage roads predictably caused some problems.

If you were a kid stuck with tv before the advent of cable tv, that meant Saturday afternoons were spent watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and Hee-Haw.   That meant you were going to watch Roy Clark.  He passed away today.  Enjoy some of his virtuosity on the banjo in the videos posted below.  Malaguena is particularly good.

Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith caught hell this week as she said she would attend a "public hanging" with a friend.  The media mob descended upon the incumbent as she struggled to fend them off while politicians sought to score points at her expense. 

It's time to review the resumes for SEC teams as they go bowl-prospecting.

Posted below are the press releases issued by several law enforcement agencies.  Two people died when a bus overturned in Desoto County.  A suspect led Rankin deputies on a chase and tried to beat down the boys in blue but wound up instead with the jailhouse blues.  JPD seeks help in identifying some burglary suspects.

A crime victim must have watched Sanford & Son.   WBTV (Matthews, NC) reported:

JPD issued the following statement.

Star reporter Theres Apel left the Clarion-Ledger to become the Communications Director at the Department of Public Safety.  JJ wishes her the best.  Congrats on the new job.  Her predecessor, Warren Strain, assumed a similar position at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. 

 As it happened on Nov. 6, the pollsters on both sides were uncannily accurate in their predictions that Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Mike Espy would run a close first and second in the open primary and leave Republican challenger Chris McDaniel a distant third with Democrat Tobey Bartee bringing up the rear.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Gun-totin' thieves hit Monroe's Donut's on McDowell Road yesterday.  A reader asked in the comments section yesterday if the keyboard warriors who professed outrage at the dastardly deed would make a trip to south Jackson to buy some donuts from Monroe.  Well, the Kingfish took up the suggestion and visited the donut shop late this morning.

On behalf of College Savings Mississippi, Treasurer Lynn Fitch announced that registration for the 2018 College Savings Mississippi Tuition Toss at this year’s Egg Bowl will officially open on Monday, October 1, 2018.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed the Catholic Diocese of Jackson covered up a scheme by a Starkville priest that bilked parishioners and the Church out of tens of thousands of dollars.  The allegations are part of an application for a search warrant that was unsealed recently in U.S. District Court.  The FBI obtained the warrant to search the premises of the Diocese and St. Joseph Parish.  The FBI also sought to seize records and various electronic devices. The priest raised money for his phony cancer treatments,  an orphanage, and a chapel in Mexico.

One finale salute to our nation's veterans.

JPD issued the following statement on Twitter:

Readers are going to enjoy today's edition of Matchbook Monday as there are some real gems posted below.  Some real Jackson history is posted below.  Feel free to add your stories or any information about them in the comments section as you enjoy these blasts from the past. Readers can email copies of any old matchbooks to kingfish1935@gmail.com.  Enjoy.

Enjoy this video honoring our veterans.  Don't watch it in kitchen with onions lying around.

A pair of Clarksdale parents allegedly beat members of the Clarksdale High School band after their son learned he would not play in Friday night's performance.  Fox 13 (Memphis) reported:

The folks at It's a Southern Thing, Y'all are back with another video.  Just curious, does this really happen at holiday time?

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached from Matthew 5:3 in this 1990 sermon.  Today's top is the Sermon on the Mount. Enjoy.

The hand has begun writing on the wall. The not-so-slim lady is tuning her pipes. The Nov. 27 run-off between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy is all but a done deal, with Hyde-Smith the clear winner.

Have an LSU fan in your family/ get him or her this perfect gift.

Ole Miss issued the following statement.

Today's edition of Flashback Friday presents some vintage restaurants from a long time ago.....

The Jackson Zoo issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement.

UMMC issued the following statement.

Madison County attorney Sharon Plunkett will serve six years in prison after she pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Madison County Circuit Court. She was indicted a year ago for embezzling from her law firm, Young, Williams, P.A. 

The Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith campaign issued the following statement.

Get out the tissues.  Heartwarming scene took place at Northwest Rankin Middle School.

The War of the Muscadines continues in Pelahatchie as Pelahatchie Mayor Ryshonda Beechem notified the Board of Aldermen this week that she intends to sue the Board and Town Clerk.  Mayor Beechem's attorney, Thomas Bellinder, provided the notice to the Board of Aldermen at its meeting Monday night.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following alert.

The Board of Directors for the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation fired the foundation's president yesterday.  The Foundation owns the Our Lady of the Lake Medical System in Baton Rouge.  The hospital said he was fired for embezzlement.  Former Clarion-Ledger star Elizabeth Crisp reported yesterday in the   Morning Advocate:

One day after most of us engaged in the single most important duty of American citizenship – exercising the precious right to vote – can we please take a deep breath as a country and stop the national hysteria over whether this or any U.S. president can nullify the 14th Amendment guarantee of birthright citizenship by executive order?
While there are those who will vigorously debate the question from both perspectives – the president can or the president can’t – the consensus among legal scholars other than those who are hard to the right is that neither President Donald Trump nor any other president possesses that power under the Constitution.

It's finally over but for a few run-offs elections.  Who will be on the bench tomorrow? Will Priester hold off the two challengers? Will Tomie roll over Kimalon? Can McDaniel score the upset and make a runoff? Will there be a Blue Tsunami in congressional races or will the Trumpster do his Br'er Rabbit number once again? Consider this post to be the election night thread.  Get the election results here.   Meanwhile, we could all use a laugh. Enjoy.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following press release.

Last night was the first Monday of November and that meant Rankin County NITRO! in Pelahatchie as the Mayor, her aunt, and the Board of Aldermen went at it yet again in typical WWE fashion.

Note: Insurance Commish Mike Chaney submitted this column.

As Insurance Commissioner I take my responsibilities of protecting the consumers of this state very seriously. Never is that more true than when it comes to the ever growing complex issues facing seniors in Mississippi relating to their health coverage. Rising health care costs put a strain on many retirement budgets and seniors need to remain well informed to make the most economical decisions.