Jackson Jambalaya

 Just a little jammin' with Grogu on a nice day....

 You wiped down your groceries with Clorox wipes.  You stood in line for an hour before Target opened just so you could get some wipes when every shelf was empty.  A spray-bottle became your new workout partner at the gym.  You went to all that trouble but guess what? It was all probably for nothing.  The Lancet said waaay back in July such precautions were useless in preventing the spread of Covid-19 but the article didn't attract the media's notice until this week.  The Lancet reported: 

 Collection of all posts about Lamar Adams case.

SEC Receiver Allyson Mills announced Lord Snow will settle for $9.5 million in the Lamar Adams case.  She stated in her status report:

 Check out Ole Miss's new social justice polices for the Grad School that appeared on the Ole Miss Grad School website yesterday. They magically disappeared this morning but not before yours truly managed to screen save them.  Watering down is in, testing is out as merit will count for naught.  Check them out. 

 The Mississippi Center for Justice  issued the following statement. 

Getting a Covid-19 vaccine will be almost as easy as going to Chick-Fil-A.  The Mississippi State Health Department announced the creation of 18 drive-thru vaccination sites next week.  

 What happened in that fatal confrontation in the Bay Park subdivision Monday? Posted below is the video shot by a neighbor.  Keep in mind, the video does not show the entire ruckus nor does it show the shooting. 

 JPD issued the following statement. 

Check out this week's recipe posted below. 

Around this time of year newspapers are filled with end-of-the-year wrap-up stories about what has happened over the past 12 months. This year there seems to be no lack of articles chronicling how bad 2020 was. The preceding 10 months were certainly among the worst— on many levels— in all of my 60 years. But today’s column won’t dwell on the negative aspects of those months and how bad 2020 was. No. Because there have been silver linings this year. I would like to focus on those.

 The third season of Cobra Kai premieres on Netflix New Years Eve.  However, Netflix saw fit to drop this little teaser with a blast from the past.

 The Communist government of China locked up a citizen journalist for four years.  Her crime? Reporting on the Covid-19 virus in Wuhan when the Chicoms were trying to cover up its existence.  The Guardian (U.K.) reported yesterday:

Surprise.  Mississippi ranks as one of the worst states for participating in the Covid-19 vaccine program. Only seven states had fewer citizens vaccinated.  The New York Times reported: 

WARNING: GRAPHIC & VIOLENT PHOTOS POSTED BELOW

 Sheldon Alston, Jr. is a free man but his ex-girlfriend will probably never be free of the beating she suffered at his hands four years ago.  JJ covered every sordid detail of this case, from a young man's vicious assault on his girlfriend at Ole Miss to the sweet deal given to him by District Attorney Ben Creekmore.  However, it is time for the world to see what happened to the young woman that brutal fall night in Oxford.  Posted below are the photos taken of Alston's girlfriend a few hours after the attack. 

 Update at 6:05 PM: CAPTURED!!!

Lock and load if you live in the Bay Park subdivision by the Rez.  A man shot someone and fled on foot.  Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey is leading a massive manhunt for the suspect. The suspect is a young, black male with long dreadlocks.  He was wearing a black sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. 

 Here are seven things you need to know about the proposed Zooceanarium contract: 

 Dunno how we missed this one but we did.  The folks at SEC Shorts compared recruiting to marriage in their own funny way.  We got spoiled by having regular season college football in December (Although Ole Miss & the Aggies owe us one more game.) and it is recruiting season.  Enjoy.

It seems as if it were just yesterday when the legislature gave over $100 million to bail out PERS but here we are again. PERS consultants recommended hiking the employer contribution rate to 19.6% from the current 17.4% for the 2023 fiscal year.*  They told the PERS Board of Trustees at its December meeting that the system would be only 68% funded in 2047 if employer contributions do not iincrease.  The Board hiked the rate form 15.9 to 17.4 waaaay back in 2018. 

 Hinds County Sheriff Lee Vance issued the following statement. 

Staying home because of the Holiday Spirit and can't make it to church? Youtube brings church to you.  Enjoy this 1990 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson). 

How did they know back in the 1700s when they coined the phrase “many happy returns of the day?” How did they know that the week after Christmas in America would become filled with joyous long lines of festive people returning unwanted, unappreciated, and just plain ugly gifts to Walmart, Target, and more?

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO POSTED BELOW

 Want to join the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics? These training videos will help you become an MBN agent.  Who knows, you might even rise to command staff.

 You've opened the presents, carved up the feast, and finished it off with some Who pudding.  Now you are drinking the Kingfish's egg nog and noticed how potent it is.  What to do? Simple.  Check out this Transsiberian Orchestra concert. There are quite a few TSO concerts available on Youtube.  The audio and video quality is quite good.  Too bad such tech was not around for Led Zeppelin. Enjoy

 Leave it to the Clarion-Ledger to make a problem worse.  The "newspaper" reported yesterday we are experiencing toilet paper shortages yet again: 

 Once upon a time, the Governor was committed to the funny farm by his wife: 

 Dr. Birx got caught up in her own rules and is stepping down. The Associated Press reported:

 Who would've ever thought this pic would represent the last gasp of Tennessee football. 

 Dr. Fauci issued more words of wisdom.  The New York Times reported: 

 Sheldon Alston, Jr. is home for Christmas after serving half of a three-year sentence for brutally beating his girlfriend at Ole Miss.  The St. Andrews graduate is the scion of some Mississippi legal royalty as he is the grandson of prominent north Mississippi attorneys Flip Phillips and the late Alex Alston.  The Oxford media ignored the case. 

 The Legal Eagle tackled this age-old question on his Youtube channel. Is Mr. Gambini a good lawyer? See below and find out.  Enjoy.

 Mikey gonna be mad!

The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement. 

 This column submitted by a doctor who wishes to remain anonymous.  Rest assured, he is not some quack or doc speaking outside of his specialty.  JJ verified the data mentioned in column.

Until now your responsibilities in the COVID pandemic have been limited.  Your efforts have been to find ways to mitigate the virus and the hospitalizations and death that follows the virus.  Viruses have a way of making you a coach or cheerleader: “Come on, team, wear your mask.  Wash your hands.  Socially distance.”  Much like trying to tell teenagers not to get pregnant. 

 A potentially deadly arrest in Pelahatchie thankfully did not turn deadly.  WJTV reported:

This week's recipe is butternut shrimp bisque. See below. 

For the past 20-plus years my final column of the year is always a list of the top dining experiences I enjoyed throughout the previous year. Typically, it’s a pretty easy piece to write. For the past several years I have spent two or three months working in Italy. Over there, one can find a memorable dining experience around every corner and down almost every cobblestone street.  

 Leftenent Governor Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

  It is certainly no stretch of the truth to suggest that at the time of his death last week at the age of 97, former Mississippi Gov. William Winter was by and large beloved by the people of Mississippi.

Oh hell, yes! Someone heard our prayer.  He's bad, he's black, and he is BACK!

#125

 JPD tweeted the following statement. 

The Wuhan virus picture darkens in Mississippi set yet another record was set for deaths caused by the virus. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 2,191 cases of Wuhan virus and 79 deaths today.   However, 56 of the deaths took place between December 12 and December 21.  The total number of cases is 197,691. The virus has caused 4,490 deaths.  Nursing home deaths comprise 40% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 154,669 recoveries.   The charts below are worth several thousand words. 

 UMC issued the following press release and study.

It's the same ol', same ol' situation
It's the same ol', same ol' ball and chain - Motley Crue

 It was tempting to just re-post the PERS post from a year ago because nothing has changed.  PERS remains stuck in the mud as its funding level fell to 60.5%.  It's simply hard to get ahead when the portfolio only earns a 3% return and retirees continue to grow. The moribund system is not in a death spiral but it is not improving either. 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 Another restaurant closes in Jackson.  The owner of Sophomore Spanish Club posted on Facebook: 

As usual, it sucks to be an Aggie.  Check out what the folks at SEC Shorts came up with this week. 

 The medical marijuana melee mushroomed as more briefs were filed at the Mississippi Supreme Court in support of Mayor Mary's fight to stop Initiative 65.   The initiative amends the Mississippi Constitution to allow the production and sale of medical marijuana.  I65 and its legislative alternative garnered 61% of the vote in November.  I65 received 58% of the vote in the second round while 65A got 21%.  Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler and her city petitioned the Mississippi Supreme Court to block the enactment of the initiative a few days before the November referendum took place.  A synopsis of the case is posted below.

It's Christmas morning!!!

The CDC reported minority parents were less likely to favor sending their children back to school than white parents during the Covid-19 pandemic.  A CDC survey reports 62% of white parents but only 46% of black parents and 50% of hispanic parents though schools should have reopened last fall. The report states:

If you stayed in bed this morning and didn't make it to church today, no problem.  <i>JJ</i> presents the late Dr. Frank Pollard in this 1991 sermon.  He preached from Philippians 3:12.  Enjoy. 

“Tis the season to be jolly...”

Or is it?

The dictionary defines “jolly” as “in good spirits; gay; merry; cheerfully festive or convivial.” So, yes, it is the jolly season for children and grandchildren with holidays and presents galore.

But what about the rest of us?

 Guess who was actually a pretty good drummer?

 The CDC issued the following update for those who fear they are at risk for allergic reactions from the Covid-19 vaccine.

Former Governor William Winter went to the Great Big Schoolhouse in the Sky this morning. He was 97 years old.  More than a few public officials mourned his passing.

More info:

 Yours truly found a gem on Youtube.  Fleetwood Mac in its coked-up prime, which means the music was really good.  Enjoy. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

 MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain issued the following statement. 

 Supremes duck residency questions, focused on challenge process.

Hinds County District 2 Supervisor David L. Archie will remain in his seat until 2023 after the Mississippi Supreme Court denied a challenge to his residency yesterday.   Former Supervisor Darrell McQuirter claimed Mr. Archie did not live in District 2.  The Court did not decide whether the winner was a District 2 resident but instead ruled it had no power to hear the appeal.  

 And there arose to the north of Eden a tribe called the Hotty-Toddys, who were also called metros. And the Hotty-Toddys were very displeasing; they didst place centerpieces on their banquet tables, and didst exalt themselves much. And they didst glorify the southern kingdom of the past.

 The Parole Board took strong exception to an audit that said thousands of dollars were paid to Board Member Betty Lou Jones for alleged improper travel reimbursements.  Chairman Steve Pickett fired right back at State Auditor Shad White: 

 Minister Farrakhan, yes, THE Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, proud successor to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, urged people to avoid taking the Covid-19 vaccine. He referred to the vaccine as "toxic waste" and urged black healthcare workers to quit their jobs instead of taking the vaccine.

 Decision strike down Lamar corruption

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld Governor Tate Reeves' partial veto of the budget bill: 

More corruption at MDOC. Commissioner & cronies partied on MDOC dime. 

Commish had a thing for salt lamps, bounce houses, massage chairs, & bubble wands.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.

 Even after more than four years of fake news trying to make connections between President Trump and Russia, about half of all Americans still believe The Narrative preached by ninety-percent of media. The New York Post broke the story about Hunter Biden’s emails in the middle of October giving details about his international business dealings in Ukraine and China. Then, The Narrative media as well as social media covered it up.

 UMC issued the following statement. 

 St. Andrew's Episcopal School notified parents their data was stolen in a ransomware attack on it's security provider.  The school sent out this letter to parents last week.

 The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement.

Check out this week's recipe posted below. 

In a few days I will enter my 40^th year in the restaurant business. Just over 33 of those years have been as a restaurant owner. I fell backwards into this business. Though from the first moment of the first shift, of the first day I worked in a restaurant, I knew I wanted to own my own restaurant, and make this line of work my lifelong career. I have loved every challenging moment of it. However, on one afternoon this past April I sat down with my wife, 22-year-old daughter, and 18-year-old son and told them that there was a strong possibility I would lose some, or all, of the six restaurants and two bars we owned in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In the same conversation, I told them that there was also a strong chance we would have to sell our home.

  Looking back over 31 years of a meteoric writing career that ranks him as one of the most successful writers on the planet, novelist John Grisham’s flawed hero from his very first novel might well be a forgotten figure among the hundreds the author has created.

 Leftenent Governor Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

 The Clarion-Ledger might be getting a new editor:

 The folks at SEC Shorts got sneaky and dropped a video on Saturday . Enjoy the bonus sketch.

 Zundria Crawford's attempt to throw everyone in jail last week went down in flames in the courtroom of Hinds County Court Judge Kenneth Lewis.  Ms. Crawford filed criminal charges against all Supreme Court Justices, a former Sheriff, a Chancery Clerk, Judges, and several clerks in March. 

 The Phalanx vaccine for the Covid-19 virus arrived in Mississippi today.  Mississippi State Department of Health officials led by example and got the vaccine.  MSDH announced on Facebook: 

 The city of Clinton issued the following statement. 

A synopsis of the case is at the bottom of the post. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health joined the city of Madison and Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler in a court fight to block Initiative 65.  The initiative legalized medical marijuana.  The agency filed an amicus curiae brief with the Mississippi Supreme Court today. 

 You just knew what the SEC Shorts folks were going to do this week, didn't you? 

 The Jackson City Council discussed a proposed zoo management contract with Zooceanarium last Tuesday.  WAPT reported: 

Tired of the drag racing in Northeast Jackson? The JPD Precinct Commander has a suggestion: Get a tag number. The Northside Sun reported Precinct 4 Commander Obie Wells 

Just yet another disturbed person populating the streets of Jackson when she should be somewhere um, safe. 

 THE greatest Christmas movie ever made is playing at the bijou this week. 

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson).

Schools in communities with strong tax bases generally provide better learning environments than those in communities with strained tax bases. This reality looks to be at the heart of another Mississippi racial inequity lawsuit kept alive by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

 A broadcasting legend will be forced to take a break today thanks to Covid-19. Al.com reports: 

 Netflix just dropped the first trailer for the third season of Cobra Kai.  Some more familiar faces return but where is Allie?  The trailer is posted below.  Enjoy.

 Peleahatchie police officer Kendrell Canada and Mayor Ryshonda Beechem engaged in a screaming match Monday night at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting.  The Mayor's husband posted the exchange on Youtube.  However, Officer Canada stepped up to the plate and apologized today:

 Youtube shut down Scott Adams.  Yes, that is Scott Adams of Dilbert fame.  Mr. Adams tweeted: 

 Amazon is trying to snap up the last independent podcasting   The Wall Street Journal reported last week: 

 Today's edition of Flashback Friday remembers one of Jackson's finest young men.  Rufus Baker Austin became a Jap prisoner when Wake Island fell and spent the next three years in a Nippon version of hell on earth.  Beaten but still brave, he testified years later in Japan as a war crimes witness.  His word sent at least one of his captors  to the gallows.

 Note: This is a complicated case so a synopsis is included at the beginning of the post.  Readers familiar with the case can skip over it to the next section. 

The trench warfare in the battle over the medical marijuana initiative continued at the Mississippi Supreme Court this week as Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler and her city filed their first brief Monday.  Initiative 65 garnered nearly 70% of the vote in November.  However, the plaintiffs challenged its certification for the ballot a few days prior to the election. 

 Some people just don't need to get arrested. 

 The Mississippi Justice Institute issued the following statement.

 You might want to learn Spanish if you want to read the Clarion-Ledger.

 What would a Pelahatchie Board of Aldermen meeting be without a food fight?  

 Starship crash-landed today after making a pretty badass flight. Although the landing will make the SpaceX bloopers reel, the mission was still 95% successful.  Watch it all from start to finish below.

2,746 new cases

First Consul Tate Reeves announced a new round of Covid-19 restrictions at a press conference he is holding right now.  It is streamed below.

 Attorney Generalissimo Evelyn Fitch issued the following statement. 

This week's recipe: Italian Cream Cake

Two days ago, a friend made a Facebook post that referenced the Christmas section of the old Sears Catalogue that used to come out once a year. The release of the Sears Christmas Wish Book was a momentous event every fall. I couldn’t tell you what any of my first-grade readers looked like, but I can still recall almost every page and item of the toy section of the Sears Catalogue.

 MDOC issued the following statement. 

Our family, like most, is nearing the end of our collective ropes in COVID-19 fatigue and pandemic uncertainty. Enough, already.

 Angelique Lee will be the new Councilwoman for Ward 2 in Jackson.  The Ridgeland resident clobbered former Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis 60-40.  She received 1,672 votes while Mr. Lewis got 1,110 votes.  

 Here is something for the Ole Miss fans to enjoy.  Baton Rouge sports radio talk show host Matt Mascona had a complete meltdown yesterday about the LSU football team's, well, meltdown this season.  Everything he said is true and the Rebel readers are going to enjoy watching his misery. ;-) 

Bar reject threatened to "beat y'all's asses unconscious" in filing addressed to Supreme Court

 It's a safe bet Zundria Crawford will not become a lawyer anytime soon.  She failed the bar exam in 2015 but instead of re-taking the test, she sued the Mississippi Bar.  The Mississippi Supreme Court rejected her "appeal" yesterday. 

 Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement. 

 George Bell was moved to the 1A section at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl.  George Bell is serving a prison sentence of life without parole after he brutally murdered his girlfriend and kidnapped her best friend on September 10, 2007.  1A is a medium security section at the Pearl prison.

 It appears some dirty tricks are taking place in the runoff to replace Jackson Ward 2 City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr.  Someone is apparently trying to "Tom" Angelique Lee.   This flyer was dropped all over Ward 2 last weekend. 

 Hops & Habanas announced yesterday on Facebook that it will close at the end of the year : 

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

 The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

 Has the media been tipping the scales a bit when covering the Covid-19 pandemic? A team of really smart folks at the National Bureau of Economic Research asked that question and found the American media engages in a bit of fear-mongering with its Covid-19 coverage.  NBER compared American and foreign media coverage of the virus and found 91% of American article were negative while only 54% of foreign media was.  The abstract says it all: 

 SEC Shorts gave LSU a nice send off before it went off to do battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide:

 The Metropolitan Opera is streaming a real treat until tomorrow night: Pavarotti in Tosca.  The Met has been streaming a different opera every night for free since it cancelled all performances earlier this year. 

 Campbell's Bakery in Madison is shutting it's doors.  The business announced on Facebook yesterday: 

SpaceX launched the first un-manned resupply mission to the International Space Station this morning. A Falcon 9 first-stage rocket booster launched the flight and safely returned to Earth.  Watch the exciting liftoff and return below.

 The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached on the Sabbath about the Sabbath in this 1991 sermon. If you played hookey this morning, enjoy this sermon about playing hookey on Sunday morning.  ;-)

Move over Grinch. It’s no childish matter Dr. Seuss. The new holiday story this season is “How the COVID stole Christmas” by Drs. Robert Redfield and Thomas Dobbs.

Jackson's use of private Ring cameras to fight crime is raising eyebrows and drawing national attention.   NBC and former Clarion-Ledger reporter Bracey Harris reported:

 Just a case of more Hollywood hypocrisy when it comes to Covid-19 shutdowns.

 They definitely don't make 'em like this anymore.  You're welcome.

 It's not a homicide but close enough for the poor victim: 

Questioning shutdowns will apparently earn a shutdown. Watch what happens when someone attempts to debate restaurant shutdowns this morning. 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 The city of Clinton issued the following statement. 

The greatest Christmas story ever told returns to the big screen Friday for a week long run at several local theatres. 

 Madison-Rankin District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement. 

 Ward 2 City Council Candidate Angelique Lee tried to dispel questions over her voting record and residency on JSU-TV Sunday.  Ms. Lee won the special election primary and faces former Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis in a runoff election on December 8.  

Update: WLBT posted audio of the shooting.

 The home of former U.S. Attorney Greg Davis was shot up on Thanksgiving night.  

 The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 2,168 cases of Wuhan virus and 28 deaths today.   However, 27 of the deaths took place between November 26 and December 2.  The total number of cases is 159,036. The virus has caused 3,879 deaths.  Nursing home deaths comprise 40% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 128,746 recoveries. 

It's that time of year and you know what it means: It's time for my award-winning egg nog recipe:

 JPD tweeted the following statements. 

 It is never, ever a good idea to tick off a judge, much less one of the federal variety.  However, Jackson attorney Abby Robinson is managed to do so in federal court.  U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III had enough and chewed her out but the lawyer was determined to have the last word, forgetting the Court always has the last word.

Over the course of my 38-year restaurant career I have been a part of 21 restaurant/bar openings. Three of those openings— the first three— were while working in other people’s restaurants. The remaining 18 openings were restaurants that were my concepts.

Grouper w/black bean, salsa, & corn. Recipe posted below.

 The Electoral College, as confusing and messy as it often becomes in presidential politics, remains the only safeguard against having our national leadership chosen by the citizens of a few densely populated states on the east and west coasts of our country rather than the voters of all 50 states.

 Attorney Rob McDuff of the Mississippi Center for Justice issued the following statement.

Talk about brave.  Michael J. Fox makes fun of his Parkinson's Disease in this old sketch.  Enjoy.

 When history is written about the Covid-19 pandemic in the distant future, Operation Warp Speed will hopefully receive the credit it deserves.  The vaccine breakthroughs that were announced a few weeks ago are simply unprecedented in human history.  The New York Times dived into the weeds last week and published a pretty good article about Operation Warp Speed.  The newspaper reported:

 Governor Tate Reeves is giving a Covid-19 briefing.  It is streamed below.

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Eastover and other Northeast Jackson neighborhoods lead Jackson in Covid-19 infections. 

The Bill of Rights was key to getting all of the original states to sign and ratify the U.S. Constitution. Our Founders had fought for freedom against the strongest military of that day, and they were still in a fighting mood if the new government threatened to act like the one they had just defeated. The First Amendment listed basic freedoms Americans had not had under England’s rule.