Jackson Jambalaya

 Jackson's Water Tsar, Theodore "Ted" Henifin appeared on The Jambalaya with the Kingfish podcast to discuss all things water.  If you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Jackson's water system, listen or watch the podcast.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba held his very last press conference while in office today.  The presser is streamed below. 

 It's that time of year again so please support your favorite Jackson website.  Your support makes this website possible and it would not have made it this far without you. JJ led the way in reporting on the Jackson water crisis and covered stories the media would not touch, right.  However, the need for your support remains as strong as ever. 

 While legislators patted themselves on the back for "doing something" about PERS this year, Moody's was not impressed as it called PERS the "riskiest combination" of asset and benefit coverage of all state retirement systems.  

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced the city's Christmas plans at at June 16 press conference even though he will no longer be in office when the Yuletide season comes upon us.  

 What does it take to get a sinkhole fixed in Jackson? 

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Friday that former LSU Head Football Coach must give half of his $17 million buyout to his ex-wife, Kelly. 

It was a moment of complete and utter failure for Simon Peter when the cock crowed thrice that morning.  However, the late Dr. Frank Pollard preached "failure doesn't take away your gifts" as something wonderful arose out of the apostle's shame as he became Petra, the rock of the church.   Enjoy the 1997 sermons posted below.  

Mississippi universities face tough times as political forces led by President Donald Trump align against traditional higher education.

 Here we go again.  Grejaun Allen was out on bond for a murder indictment when he allegedly killed LaJarvis Ruffin on June 19.  

 Relive the 90's as Clueless returns to the big screen next week.  Yup, watch Alicia Silverstone bumble her way through high school in a rather humorous fashion.  Showtimes are posted below. 

 It wasn't a massacre in Michigan - but it could have been but for the heroism of one church deacon.  

In April this year Michael Beckley, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, wrote a very interesting article in “Foreign Affairs” titled, “The Age of American Unilateralism: How a Rogue Superpower Will Remake the Global Order.” In 2020 Beckley wrote another article predicting America would “become a rogue superpower, neither internationalist nor isolationist but aggressive, powerful, and increasingly out for itself.”

 Monday will be a new day at Walker's Drive-In Monday. 

If you are wondering why Hattiesburg attorney Corey Ferraez is still practicing law despite being under multiple indictments as well as contempt of court, check out how the Mississippi Bar handled things in the past.  

 Will Hattiesburg fugitive, Corey Ferraez, Esq., stay out of jail?  The attorney is on the lam after a Forrest County Chancellor ordered his arrest a week ago after he failed to appear in court and explain what happened to a $450,000 settlement. 

 It appears the Clarion-Ledger got caught in a bit of fear-mongering.   The "state newspaper" reported Africanized "killer bees" are here in Mississippi yesterday. 

 Danny Barrett authored the following press release for UMC. 

In the winter and spring of 2021, researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center sought to find out if an ounce of diligence and education was equal to a pound of cure when it came to hypertension in new moms. 

 Disgraced former Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield is trying to get his bribery conviction overturned even though he pleaded guilty to the crime over ten years ago.  

 The ZeroBear is still away but it would be a shame to let your culinary expectations go to waste.  So in honor of the Bear, check out the recipe for sausage bombs.  

The 80's flashback scheduled for the Brandon Amphitheater in August is cancelled.  Yup, there will be no Styx, Kevin Cronin, and Don Felder. 

A new edition of The Jambalaya with the Kingfish is up and running.   No guests appeared on the show as yours truly took it upon himself to discuss the recent bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities.  Enjoy. 

 The owners of Sambou's African Kitchen restaurant have put up the popular Northeast Jackson eatery for sale. 

or The Case of the Missing $450,000 

 There will be some courtroom drama in Forrest County this morning after Chancellor Sheilah Smallwood ordered attorney Corey Ferraez's paralegel to appear in her courtroom at 9.  Judge Smallwood ordered her employer's arrest Friday after he failed to appear in Court to explain what happened to a client's $450,000 settlement. 

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

 The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following statement. 

This is not exactly what you want to see over in Lake Caroline. Good job CMU. 

Polo is at it again.  The convicted killer continues to post away from MDOC's correctional facility in good ole Leakesvilled.  Check out his lastest posts here. 

Gary Pettus authored the following press release for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

If Dr. Adrian Oudomrath Speyrer ever had doubts she was destined to become an obstetrician, they disappeared the moment she helped deliver her first baby.  

 Yet another American company is under a boycott threat as the wokesters have made McDonald's the target of their jihad.  NBC reported: 

My paternal grandmother was one of the sweetest, most loving people God ever put on this Earth. She didn’t fuss. Didn’t preach. She just went about loving people the way she knew how—quietly, gently, without any need for attention or applause. Her love showed up in small ways, the kind you don’t notice until years later. Every time she made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she cut the crusts off.

Cortana Mall, Circle Bowl, Putt-Putt, and Fun Fair Park might be closed in Baton Rouge, but there is still entertainment where Airline Highway meets Florida Boulevard. 

 A beloved mother was killed in a hit and run accident on I-220 early this morning.  However, the woman's mother and another accident victim claim JPD was of no use as it took its sweet time arriving at the scene as Kayla Smith lay dying on the side of the road. 

It's a shame when someone sees the American President as more of an enemy than the Ayatollahs of Iran but such perfectly describes Bennie Thompson.  The Mississippi Congressman voted to impeach President Donald Trump because he bombed Iran's nuclear facilities.  

  U.S. Immigration, Customs, & Enforcement issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Forrest County Prosecutor and former law partner of disgraced attorney Corey Ferraez had a few things to say on Facebook recently about the shyster on the lam. 

 The Rankin County Board of Supervisors issued the following statement.  

 Sonya Williams Barnes may have lost the race for Gulfport Mayor but she is not going away.  Although losing to Republican Hugh Keating, the Democrat notified the Municipal Clerk and Mr. Keating she will conduct a ballot examination, the first step towards an election challenge.  

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Where is the $450,000?

The wheels of justice have ground to a halt in Hattiesburg as a Pine Belt lawyer stands accused of repeatedly embezzling from clients.   Meanwhile, the Mississippi Bar stands down even as another judge tries to throw him in jail.   

Posted below are the funeral arrangements and obituary for Bessie Speed, widow of Leland Speed. 

Bessie Sarphie Speed, age 86, died peacefully while surrounded by family on Monday,

June 16, 2025. Born March 19, 1939 in McComb, she was the older daughter of Jack

Ellis Sarphie and Elizabeth Frizell Sarphie.

 It sure does suck when OSHA gets to say "I told you so."  Exhibit A: 

 It appears junior Shamsid-deen got into a little bit of trouble over the weekend.  

"Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky" said the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he recited from a hymn waaaaay back in 1997.  If you overslept this morning, enjoy the remedial sermon as Dr. Pollard preaches from John 19:16. 

Truth management, persuasion schemes that tailor truth, confronts us constantly, a disturbing aspect of modern life.

 It appears an attorney got a case of sticky fingers down in Perry County.  

War has been a timely tradition for thousands of years. In II Samuel chapter 11 we read: “Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.” That was around 1000 B.C., three thousand years ago when King David son of Jesse ruled Israel.

Steven O'Neill appeared on the Jambalaya with the Kingfish podcast.  Mr. O'Neill is co-owner of Aplos (Highland Village) and the Manship restaurants.  He served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and is also quite the car enthusiast.  We discussed all kinds of groovy topics and all over some 10-Year Jack Daniels. Enjoy. 

 The Brandon Board of Ealdormen voted Monday night to study moving the Civil War Memorial Statue that stands erect in the middle of the town square.   The memorial was built in 1907.  

 Country music sensation Zach Top is coming to Brandon this fall. 

Allegedly stole $32,000 while on duty 

The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement. 

Immigration is the most critical issue facing America.  In recent weeks, ICE has been busy.  There have been lots of raids and approximately 800 daily arrests of illegal immigrants nationwide.  The administration wants one million deportations this year. In Los Angeles, this crackdown triggered protests that turned violent.  

 The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Well, well, well, Ward 5 City Councilman Bryan Grizzell defended getting a big fat raise on the pages of Facebook yesterday.  Read for yourself. 

 The Jackson City Council voted to raise its pay and give the Mayor a $50,000 pay increase as well at its regular meeting Tuesday night.   

 The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

From Northside Drive yesterday.

This post is a guest column submitted by Pat Fontaine, Executive Director of the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association.  

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Bessie Speed passed away Sunday night.  She was the widow of Jackson titan Leland Speed.  She suffered a massive infection recently and after spending some time in the hospital, she passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. 

Father’s Day has come and gone, at least according to the calendar. But I’m still carrying it with me.

Check out these pictures taken yesterday at Thalia Mara Hall. 

The political and legal standoff between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is not the first time a U.S. president has federalized a state’s National Guard command. Following protests against the federal government’s escalation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids as part of the Trump administration’s effort to combat illegal immigration, Trump sent in the National Guard to “restore order,” despite objections from Newsom and the State of California.

 Update (6/18/25): Dampier died. 

The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement and pictures. 

The city of Gluckstadt lost the Battle for the new Reunion Parkway Interchange after a Madison County Chancellor approved the city of Madison's petition to annex the area. Madison and Gluckstadt both tried to annex 430 acres situated between the two cities.  Chancellor James Walker approved Madison's petition while denying Gluckstadt's. 

 This is spooky no matter how many times you watch the video. 

The Mississippi Energy Institute sponsored this post.  MEI President Patrick Sullivan authored the post.  

A story last week in the Wall Street Journal was titled "Electric Bills Set to Rise in Summer" reporting how natural gas prices are increasing heading into the hottest days of summer with peak air-conditioning demand. Electric bills typically increase slowly over time but have gone through a relatively dramatic increase across the country over the past four years. Why have electric bills risen more sharply in the last few years?

Well, a little bit of Lumumba grift drew the attention of a federal judge yesterday.   WLBT reported: 

 Well, that was quick.  So much for getting a good deal tomorrow. 

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding a press briefing right now.  It is live-streamed below. 

 Props to Ross Furniture.   The local furniture store hired none other than Barbie Bassett for its commercials.

A Ridgeland man will serve five years in prison after he tried to meet a minor child for sexual purposes.

Eudora's loss could be your gain.  That's right.  Everything must go.  Everything must be sold. Even the ants will be auctioned.  Did you hear me????  THE LIQUIDATION SALE IS NOW!!!  Check below for details. 

 The impossible is going to happen as a sequel to one of the all-time classics will come to the big screen. Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Richard Schwartz are going to be thrilled. 

 Before traveling to protest in another country, perhaps you should find out a little bit about that country.  

"It's one thing to teach a child how to build a fire with a match.  It's another thing to teach a child how not to burn down the house with it.  It's one thing to teach a child ballet.  It's another thing to teach her to walk straight.  It's one thing to teach a child to play the piano. It's also important that you learn not to steal things with those fingers" preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard on Father's Day waaaay back in 1988.  It's not the typical Father's Day sermon praising fathers as Dr. Pollard used David to show how not to be a father.  It's a wonderful sermon and worth watching.  Enjoy. 

July 1 will see winners and losers across the state courtesy of the Mississippi Legislature and Gov. Tate Reeves.

 Hinds County deputies arrested Christopher Payton Butler and charged him with fleeing a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.  Of course, this is not Butler's first brush with the law.  

The foundation of antisemitism is broad and potent and rooted deeply in the lies of world history. Doron Spielman’s book, “When the Stones Speak: The Remarkable Discovery of the City of David and What Israel’s Enemies Don’t Want You to Know.”

 Some good ole action returns to the big screen next week with the showing of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  Showtimes are posted below.  Choose wisely.  

 Uh-oh.  It seems one of our legislators was sued for alienation of affection.  

Mississippi seems to be doing rather well.  Our economy is growing, and according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Mississippi was one of the fastest growing states in the last quarter of 2024.  Personal incomes are rising faster than inflation. 

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate is holding a status conference on the Jackson water/sewer system Monday at 1.  

The Mississippi Parole Board was brave enough to release two-time killer Lamar Phillips but not brave enough to say which members voted for his release.  Phillips murdered Millsaps honor student and star football player Bradley Dew in 1992.  He killed another man two days later.  Despite being sentenced to serve life in prison, the Parole Board released him earlier this year.  

 Well, we all miss the ZeroBear PolyBear and his recipes so consider this post a homage to him. 

 It's been 55 years since June 11, 1970....

 Claiborne County Sheriff Edward Goods issued the following statement. 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 Dear Chief Wade: You like to tout JPD's success in clearing cases and solving murders.  Well, here is a name for you: Tia Evans.  

 You can't make this up.  You just can't.  

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

There’s a lot of talk these days about self-made people. I’m not one of them.

 The virtuous are always allowed to commit any vice because they are so virtuous. 

 JJ published a screenshot of Ross Adams referring to Jackson Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote, III as "incompetent."  Although it garnered a few laughs, the fault does not belong to the WAPT reporter.  Mr. Adams used voice to text and "incumbent" was written as "incompetent."  JJ is very familiar with the gremlins of autocorrect and predictive text.  Very familiar.  Our apologies to Mr. Adams. 

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson is running for Governor.  He announced on Facebook: 

 Check out the latest edition of The Jambalaya with the Kingfish.  The man who brought TopGolf to Mississippi, Gabriel Prado, appears on the show to discuss his future projects*, why Mississippi is a great place, politics, and of course how he landed TopGolf.  It's a fun-filled discussion so enjoy the podcast. 

 Affidavit and mailed-in affidavit ballots will be tabulated today at Jackson City Hall.  Ward 1 is on the line with incumbent Ashby Foote, III holding a ten vote lead over Grace Green going into today.  

 Jackson Mayor-Elect John Horhn issued the following statement. 

A New York investor sued Eudora's Mississippi Brasserie and part-owner Carol Carlson for $215,343 on Halloween Day in 2024 in New York Supreme Court (Kings County). The complaint alleges Eudora's borrowed money and pledged future receivables as collateral but soon stopped making payments.

Credit: WLBT

Have you read of a pump and dump? Well, there is also a pump and drive.  The Hattiesburg police posted on Facebook: 

 A Minnesota softball team won the state championship on the arm of a male pitcher who identified as a female.  Fox News reported: 

 Posted below are the final campaign finance reports for the Jackson Mayoral candidates who were on the ballot for the general election.  JJ posted them a couple of weeks ago but they were hard to read as they could only be photographed.  Now readers can enjoy them in a nice, pdf format.  Oh yes, the Mayor did not turn in his campaign finance report for the April 22 runoff election in the Democratic primary.  

 Get ready to burn, bomb, and bluster as the "No Kings" Traveling Tour comes to Jackson Saturday.  

Rankin County has a Tom problem.  No, not an Uncle Tom, but a peeping Tom.  Zeryk Smith stands accused of secretly filming women undressing at Target and Lakeshore Pointe Apartments with his phone.  

Rachel Vanderford authored the following press release for UMC. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Chaos and pandemonium reign supreme today on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  

Public corruption and backroom deals have plagued Mississippi for many moons.  Fortunately, the people have a few tools such as the public records request to hold their leaders' feet to the fire. However, some local governments make it easier than others do to get public records.  JJ graded each city and county in the Jackson metro area to see who makes it easy for people to get public records.  Take a look as the results might surprise some people. 

 In case you were worried, William "Polo" Edwards is doing well in prison, thank you.  Recent video shows him adapting to prison life quite well.   Edwards is serving a life sentence for the murder of Bobby Davis in Clinton He is serving a life sentence in the South Mississippi Correctional Institution.  

 What do you do if you want to bring men back to the Democratic Party?   

 "Command and love. How do you put those two words together? How can you command love? It's almost oxymoronic in the way you and I think of things.  Words do not fit together.  You don't command love, you feel love," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard in the 1997 sermon posted below.  The sermon is all of 9 minutes yet Dr. Pollard says more in those 9 minutes than many of these long-winded preachers say in 45 minutes.  Enjoy.  

As we immerse ourselves daily in work, sports, politics, social media, and personal relationships, we spend little time contemplating life-changing technologies…such as autonomous artificial intelligence. Oh, we may see headlines or hear something, but we are unlikely to take time from our entertainment culture for serious scrutiny and extrapolation.

 Looking for a couple of good movies to watch? Well, two 80's classics popped up on Youtube and the best part is, they are free to watch.  

Barbi Bassett might have lost in her lawsuit against WLBT but the former tv star is no quitter as she filed a notice of appeal in U.S. District Court on May 30. 

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? I searched for AI and my screen quickly filled with definitions from companies that make AI products: DeepAI, Google AI, Coursera, IBM, TechTarget, Microsoft Azure, and OpenAI the young granddaddy of modern artificial Intelligence.

 Jackson Mayor-Elect John Horhn issued the following statement. 

 Charles Evans of Evans Brothers fame only a year to serve before he is released from federal prison. 

Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement yesterday.

At the end of May, Mississippi lawmakers returned for a Special Session to finalize the state’s budget after failing to reach an agreement during the regular session.  The result? A more conservative budget.

 Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

 The Mayoral election in Gulfport got downright nasty during its last week and of course there were some Election Day shenanigans.  Check out this bit of "info" that made the rounds on Facebook Tuesday: 

 Update: Higgins is now in MDOC custody at CMCF.

JJ reported yesterday Todd Higgins remained free to steal and vandalize his way through the Fondren area when he was sentenced to three years in prison back in December.  Thankfully, Higgins is now off the street but it remains to be seen whether MDOC will come get its boy.  

 We all miss ZeroBear PolyBear as well as his stories and recipes.  Unfortunately, he won't be returning any time soon.  

 The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued the following statement. 

The Fondren Firebug is at it again, no thanks to Hinds County judges and the folks at MDOC.  

Want the scoop on what went down at the special session last week? State Representative Jansen Owen (R- Keg & Barrel) dishes the dirt on the Empower Mississippi podcast with host and all-around good guy Grant Callen.  They discuss the session, the standoff between the House and Senate, and the conservative agenda in Mississippi.  Enjoy.

 Rudy Warnock's trial will have to wait but only a little while longer.  

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

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors issued the following statement. 

 It can be called a true case of dumpster living.  While the candidates and politicians yap about the residentially challenged, check out what is going on around Canton Mart.  

 Ice cream didn’t play a big role in my childhood. Never cared much for cream or shakes. Candy was more my thing—sour apple Jolly Ranchers and Milky Way bars, mostly. But when it came to frozen treats, it was always pineapple sherbet. My babysitter used to take me to the little shop by the park every Friday before I started school. She’d get her treat, I’d get mine—pineapple sherbet in a cone. That was about the extent of my frozen dairy interest.

 T-Pain is bringing the pain to Brandon on Saturday, October 18.  Get ready to have some fun.

After a season of unprecedented corruption involving elected Mississippi Public Service Commissioners in the late 1980s, then-Democratic Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus faced the task of appointing a successor in 1989 to fill the unexpired term of Northern District Commissioner D.W. Snyder of Eupora, following his trial and conviction on federal charges of extortion, filing false tax returns, bribery, and conspiracy.

Update #2: Ridgeland tax referendum for parks passes w/74%

Update: Foote leads by 10 after absentees 

 John Horhn will be the next Mayor of Jackson after he handily defeated a handful of challengers tonight. 

 We will live-blog the election tonight.  Consider this your thread to discuss the elections before the vote-counting begins tonight.  

Will the prosecution against Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and his crew stay alive after President Donald Trump pardoned a politician convicted in a similar case in Cincinnati?  WCPO (Sharkey) reported Friday:

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

Failed Canton mayoral candidate Comelia Walker wants a rematch in court.  Ms. Walker challenged her election loss in the April 22 Canton mayoral Democratic runoff election to Tim Taylor by 43 votes in Madison County Circuit Court but lost yet again.  However, the runoff loser is going to take her fight to overturn the election to the Mississippi Supreme Court.  

 Well, a protesting bully found out she wasn't quite as tough as she thought she was.  Josh Fulfer tweeted: 

 Update: The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson

A second judge might recuse himself from U.S.A. v. Rudolph J. Warnock.  WLBT reported: 

The Public Service Commission’s (PSC’s) job is to protect small customers from big monopolies. Entergy Mississippi is part of Entergy Corporation. It’s a big electricity monopoly with utility subs in four states. It’s a government granted and government protected monopoly.

There is a champeenship fight tomorrow to see who will represent Ward 7 on the Jackson City Council.  In one corner we have Independent Ron Aldridge and in the other is Democrat Kevin Parkinson. 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is back and back he is.  He says something about the city resenting him.  Something.  

This post is a paid advertisement. 

 A former Mississippi State University student made a revelation recently online.  

Other animals have sharper eyes than we.  The hawk can spot a rabbit from the height of a skyscraper.  An Eagle can spot prey from far away.  However, there is a sight such animals do not have: the sight of the heart.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached about the eyes of the heart and what they reveal back in 1997.  What do they say? Watch the sermon to find out.  Enjoy.  

In these patriotic days of remembrance between Memorial Day and D-Day, perhaps we should give ample thought to why so many Americans made such heroic sacrifices – defense of freedom and opposition to tyranny, the bastions of American heritage.