Jackson Jambalaya

 The Mississippi Department of Health issued the following statement. 

 Shonta/Shanta Richmond is not just a star graduate of the Hinds County criminal justice system's Catch & Release program but is a valedictorian.  Richmond gained recent notoriety after he robbed the Cadence Bank on Canton Mart Road.  However,  our would-be bank-robber is under indictment for  manslaughter, aggravated DUI, and fourth-offense DUI.   

 Check out this JPD officer.  

With Speaker Jason White and Governor Tate Reeves signaling school choice as the top priority for the 2026 legislative session, momentum is building—but so is the opposition. On this episode of the Empower Mississippi podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Mike Hurst, Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, for a deep dive into the heated debate surrounding school choice. Grant and Mike unpack the myths, address concerns such as constitutionality, the impact on public schools, and explore what’s at stake for Mississippi’s families and the future. Stick around to the end for some thoughts on the 2027 governor’s race, which is already in full swing.

 The MHSAA's banning of Tupelo High School freshman track sensation Andrew Brown from competing in track and field last year drew the attention of the PEER Committee.  PEER scrutinized MHSAA and found the organization wanting as there was little due process 

 The Good......

 The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement. 

 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. 

 Mississippi has the second highest rate for children dying of heat injuries because they were left in vehicles.  

Vacations weren’t part of my childhood the way they were for most kids I knew. While my friends packed up for the coast or flew off on ski trips, my mother, who taught art to other people’s children, was too busy stretching her meager paycheck to dream of beaches or mountain slopes. We made one trip to New York to visit her parents, and every so often kind friends would invite us to tag along on their beach vacations. Those moments felt like winning the lottery. They didn’t happen often, but when they did, I carried the memory for years.

Meet the new keeper of the grounds at City Hall. 

The death of sensational Mississippi author Greg Iles last week after a long battle with cancer and the realities of the aftermath of a near-fatal 2011 car accident in his hometown of Natchez stills one of the state’s most courageous and meaningful literary voices.

 The state of Mississippi is going to have to redraw the maps for electing Supreme Court justices.  

 Well, it is clear why that thug bar/restaurant/dive on North Mart was able to operate and harass the neighborhood with impunity. 

 The Pelahatchie Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Meanwhile at the homeless camp in South Jackson....

 First Consul Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

The gas stations must wait.  

The Queen won another court fight as the city of Madison prevailed against Madison County in a battle over the rezoning of a large tract of land by the Reunion interchange on I-55. Madison County Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff denied re-zoning after finding the county engaged in contract zoning, an illegal practice in Mississippi. 

This post was first published on July 23. 

The New Republic recently published an article on JXN Water Manager Ted Henifin.  Actually, a hit piece is a more apt description as shown by this rather misleading headline: 

 One of the all-time cinematic greats returns to the big screen September 14 for a run of four nights.  Mothers, make plans to take your daughters to see none other than The Sound of Music for its 60th anniversary. Showtimes are posted below.  Get your tickets now.  This one usually sells out.  

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

Who says change doesn't create innovation? 

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Canton Attorney Lawrence Blackmon paid his fine for contempt of court in Madison County last week.

 The citizens of Crownpointe Drive in Northeast Jackson might want to keep an eye on one of their neighbors.  

 The light at Meadwobrook and Ridgewood will be repaired today.   A contractor apparently miswired the light after a truck knocked it out of commission several months ago.  Motorists reported instances of where the light was green in both directions at the same time.  Not a good thing, obviously.  The city was notified yesterday.  The city put out four-way stop signs at the intersection and will fix the light today.  

 Camille.  That is all that needs to be said.  

 Yet another band mom has gotten in trouble for alleged embezzlement.  

"There is a line, by us unseen, that crosses ev’ry path, The hidden boundary between God’s patience and His wrath. To pass that limit is to die, to die as if by stealth; It does not quench the beaming eye, nor fade the glow of health; The conscience may be still at ease, the spirit light and gay; That which is pleasing, still may please, and care be thrust away."  The late Dr. Frank Pollard recited the old hymn* in the 1997 sermon posted below as he discussed gambling with salvation.   That's the thing about betting, you can win big but also lose big and sometimes there is no second chance.   

By all accounts Tommy Duff’s talk at the Rankin County Republican Executive Committee’s Lincoln-Reagan-Trump dinner was a political home run. I say talk because the potential 2027 candidate for governor had no script and conversationally discussed his business successes along with Mississippi’s opportunities and challenges. The home run description derives from the size and composition of the crowd, the intense media coverage, and comments by several seasoned politicos who attended.

Has Apple finally lost its shine?  The Youtube channel Apple Explained asks that question in a rather interesting video recently posted.  Check it out.  

Yet another apartment complex refuses to pay its water bill.  Tracewood Apartments asked U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to keep JXN Water from cutting off its water.  JXN Water claims the apartment complex owes over $300,000 in past due water bills.  The apartments are on Old Canton Road by Northpointe Estates.  

Before his second term, President Trump had four years to clean shop and reload. Now we are well on our way to leading the world toward stability and an uneasy peace.

 Nothing like a Tackleberry wannabe......

Indictment posted below.  

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury on public corruption charges. The Justice Department will hold a press conference this afternoon. 

 It's time for the Country Squire to grow and grow it will as it packs up and moves into the old Danny's location on Lakeland Drive later this year.   

 Lord Daniel Hannan, that is.  The Brexit leader will be the featured speaker at the Mississippi Center for Public Policy's luncheon at River Hills Club on September 24.  More information is posted below.  

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Apparently the culture created by the Chokwe Antar Lumumba crew in the city's workforce is still going strong.  Exhibit A: 

Posted below is yet another ZeroBear PolyBear recipe.  He is away but recently sent a bushel of recipes in a downloadable pdf format as requested by readers.  Check out his recipe for salad dressing below.  

 Meanwhile over at Last Call.......

 Update: Found! Mother arrested in New Orleans and waiting extradition to Jackson. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

 Update: Indictment posted below. 

Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement yesterday. 

 Sometimes, you really shouldn't mess with the police, especially for the fun of it.  

Post includes complete video of speech. 

Billionaire Tommy Duff had his political coming-out party at the Rankin County Republican Party dinner held at the Sheraton in Flowood Monday night.  

 President Donald Trump nominated two Mississippi Supreme Court justices to serve on the federal bench.  He announced on Truthsocial: 

 What happens when some Limeys meet some Rednecks?  

Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement. 

 The sentencing of Rudy Warnock will not take place in November as originally scheduled.  U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson made the following entries in the docket of U.S.A. v. Warnock et al. 

Shelby Foote once talked about the time he went to see William Faulkner in Oxford, back when he was still a young man looking up to an older one. According to the oral history recording they wound up walking through a cemetery, past old markers and family plots. Faulkner told him, “There’s a story behind every stone.” It’s true, every name carved in granite once had a voice, a laugh, a way of leaving its mark on the living.

A retired detective says he was falsely accused of withholding evidence in a Brookhaven trial that generated national headlines after two white men were charged for shooting at a black FedEx driver.  

The recent bribery and fraud case involving Canton Municipal Utilities is yet another mess begging the question - what should be done to better monitor municipal energy systems and find faults before catastrophic consequences?

 The Jackson City Council approved Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumbumba's request to award a no-bid $400,000 contract for garbage pick-up at right of ways in March.  

 Madison-Rankin County District Attorney Ashley Allen issued the following statement. 

 A Covington County man stands accused of shooting at some teenage girls rolling his yard.  

 JPD issued the following statement. 

Tommy's Trading Post will survive!

The Mississippi Department of Transportation issued the following statement. 

Highway 43 at Upper Lake

 Attorney Lawrence Blackmon must pay for the cost of a jury and serve eight hours of community service after he failed to appear for a scheduled trial August 4.  

 The problems of North Mart Plaza continue to plague that area of Jackson.  The Capitol Police issued the following statement: 

A Ridgeland Municipal Court judge found Fred Gaddis, Jr.  guilty of possession of marijuana with a gun enhancement after conducting a trial on July 29.  A video of Gaddis's arrest generated a great deal of media attention after he shared the video in April.  

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

The booming voice dominated the Alabama sidelines as the Crimson Tide won title after title.  So successful was Scott Cochran at putting men through the forge of the gridiron it could be argued he was Nick Saban's Agrippa.  Underneath it all was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off and go off it did.  Check out how Cochran imploded and found redemption.   

 Correction: The police confirmed his arrest yesterday but did not say it was a surrender on the May 30 charges.   The article has been corrected.  

Thaddeus Clayton Cochran is back in jail yet again.  Madison police arrested Cochran in May and charged him with trespass, stalking, and failure to comply with request.  Although he under house arrest, Cochran contacted the Madison police August 4 and surrendered, saying he would rather be back in jail. He is the son of the late Senator Thad Cochran.  

 When a young man, Scott Appleton was one of the baddest people on the planet.  One coach called him the best defensive lineman he ever saw as he racked up an Outland Trophy.  A life so promising was ruined by the chains of alcohol as he crashed and burned in the pros.  A Texas prodigal son, he wound up living in a lean-to behind his uncle's garage and flipping burgers.  A far cry from an All-American.  Rock bottom, he walked into a street kitchen operated by a San Antonio church.  He finally found grace and freedom as the late Dr. Pollard described in the 1997 sermon posted below.  Dr. Pollard used Appleton's life to illustrate how grace is the ultimate participation trophy.  Enjoy his preaching.  

President Donald Trump over recent days has miscast himself as a mathematician, scientist, statistician, and monetary expert.

 Rankin County Deputy Jalan Parker got to go home from Methodist Rehab today.  Deputy Parker was severely injured while responding to a call in the Robinhood community on July 25 when a motorist pulled out in front of him on Highway 468.  

Meanwhile over at Petsmart in Jackson yesterday..... 

It’s August. Surely the world and the government can take a break before everything falls apart again.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

 That big hole in front of UMC on North State Street has been fixed.  WAPT reported: 

First published on July 31, 2025.

No, that headline does not refer to the exhibit at the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza but what Jackson Mayor John Horhn said yesterday in The Jambalaya with the Kingfish podcast.  It was something about what was waiting for him every time he turned over a stone in city government since he took office a month ago.   Mayor Horhn discussed the previous administration's failure to pay bills, Thalia Mara Hall problems, the apartments controversies, blight, and of course, Jackson's water problems.   

Flashback Friday aims to provide interesting nuggets about Jackson history.   Such history reflects human nature - some is good, some is bad.  The Clarion-Ledger page posted below shows how racist Jackson was a century ago.  To say we have come a long way is an understatement.  

The Neshoba County Fair is a Mississippi tradition, bringing together thousands of folk at the height of summer for a week of Southern celebration—music, dancing, food, cattle shows, horse racing, and, of course, politics.  Ever since Ronald Reagan kicked off his 1980 presidential campaign at the Fair, it’s been the place where public officials in our state go to share their vision.

 There it sits on the corner of High and Jefferson streets, a black hole in the Jackson skyline.  The black hole is an electronic sign erected by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.  The city of Jackson said the sign violated its ordinances and was a public nuisance and sued the agency and its contractor, Busby Outdoor, LLC.  A Hinds County Chancellor agreed and declared the sign a public nuisance. 

 The ZeroBear PolyBear is still away but he did us a little favor.   Since some readers asked for his recipes in a downloadable format, The big ole Bear sent me a batch of recipes in pdf format.   Enjoy.  

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Post includes order and transcript.  

Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson hit attorney Lawrence Blackmon with no less than 63 criminal contempt of court citations as she fined him $6,300.  

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn restored  a Jackson city employee to her former position after she was fired in the latter days of the previous administration in what can only be described as an abuse of power.  

 Some people just don't know when they have a good thing going.  Exhibit A: Jermaine Bradley who FAFO'ed.  Bradley got a hard dose of reality today after Hinds County Circuit Judge revoked his house arrest and sent him to prison for five years.  

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

 Robert Odom might not be setting any fires soon after a Jackson Municipal Court set his bond at $500,000. 

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn is holding a briefing right now.   The press conference is live-streamed below. 

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

Fourteen years ago, my wife, 10-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, and I packed up a few suitcases, flew to Sweden, picked up a Volvo at the factory, and set off across Europe. Just the four of us. Six months on the road. Different towns every week. Hotel rooms, VRBOs, ferry stations, and cobblestone streets. I had planned it for two years, but once we got moving, it still felt like we were making it up as we went. New places. New food. New ways of doing things.

You asked for it, you got it.  Posted below is the transcript of the incarceration hearing for Hattiesburg attorney Corey Ferraez that took place on July 14 in Perry County Chancery Court.

Since 1896, when Mississippi Gov. Anselm Joseph McLaurin of Brandon traveled by train from Jackson to Newton and then closed the distance to the fairgrounds by horse and buggy, every politician who held that office has attended at least one session of the historic campground fair.

 Who would think All-American girl Sydney Sweeney would drive some so crazy with just a pair of blue jeans.  Exhibit A: 

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement. 

 Deryl Dedmon wants to get out of federal prison.   

 Attorney Lawrence Blackmon has some explaining to do after he failed to appear in Madison County Circuit Court yesterday.   Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur noted in continuing a trial yesterday: 

The environmentalist whackos see air conditioning as the enemy as they do most of civilization. It can be argued the 20th century invention saved civilization to um, some degree as it removed the scourge of deadly heat waves.  Often forgotten is how many people died during the summer months prior to air conditioning. 

The Moore Manor is no more after Attorney Carlos Moore last his home in foreclosure last week.

JPD issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics issued the following statement.

Check out what was once downtown on Capitol Street. 

Check out what "Lawrence Goodman" posted on his public Facebook page.

One Corey Ferraez blamed Jackson Jambalaya for the alleged closing of his bank account when he appeared before Perry County Chancellor on July 14.  

 Relax.  JXN Water Manager Ted Henifin is not going anywhere.  WLBT reported: 

 Attorney Lawrence Blackmon asked for donations after Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson fined him no less than $6,300 on 63 counts of contempt of court Friday.  

 JPD issued the following statement. 

"Beyond this place of wrath and tears, Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years, Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."* Strong words yet completely wrong preached the late Dr Frank Pollard as he recited the poem Invictus in his 1997 sermon on grace.  Grace is a radical, risky idea that makes no sense yet it is an undeserved privilege sermonized Dr. Pollard.  Watch what else he had to say about grace.  

“I’m not sure if big democracy is that effective anymore,” said Jamie Dimon, “but small (local) democracy works.” Dimon, the highly successful CEO of the world’s largest bank, JP Morgan Chase, was addressing over 400 attendees at Mississippi Today’s “All in on Mississippi” forum.

 The gang is back on the big screen next month.   Turtle break-dancing, anyone? 

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.  

The Democrats, media, and others suffering with Trump Derangement Syndrome are drowning attempting to extricate themselves from their own clever plans to beat President Trump.

 Unknown to many, Jackson Academy has been working on changing its logo that appears on the varsity football helmets.  The Kingfish has many sources in many places.  One source sent the new logo to JJ.  Will it be rolled out for jamboree? Check it out.  

Empower Mississippi's Grant Callen sits down with former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn to trace his journey from Clinton’s small-town roots to state leadership. Gunn shares how a personal tragedy at Ole Miss Law upended his life, yet God’s faithfulness sustained him, strengthened his faith, and taught him resilience. From his 2003 House race to winning the Speaker’s gavel, he reveals lessons from the political trenches. They dive into his proudest wins: helping overturn Roe v. Wade, driving education reform, and changing Mississippi’s flag. Is a 2027 gubernatorial run next? Tune in for his answer and a vision for a thriving Mississippi where everyone can rise

 Before there was a Thalia Mara Hall, Jackson had its own opera house on East Capitol Street.  Built in 1901, the Century Theater seated over 1,400 people and hosted many luminaries over the years.   

The Century Theater in 1901

When Javier Milei burst onto the scene as a presidential candidate in Argentina in 2023, brandishing a chainsaw, many dismissed him as unhinged.  His radical libertarian platform was presented by the media as evidence of Argentina’s tragicomic decline. Argentina was poorer in 2023 than it had been two decades earlier. That year, the economy contracted sharply, inflation spiraled, and public finances remained in disarray, propped up by repeated IMF bailouts.

 A star graduate of the Hinds County Catch & Release Program is finally in prison.  

 Our friends over at the Karterpound Instagram page posted a video of what the police have to deal with out there on the streets of Jackson.  The video is linked because of its graphic nature and nudity.  Click here if you dare.

We sure do miss the ZeroBear and hope he is doing well.  In honor of his work, check out this recipe for fried ravioli bites.