Jackson Jambalaya

 The Flowood Police Department issued the following statement and mug shot. 

"Let's look at this (grace) like this.  Eudora Welty can write a book in Jackson and it is acclaimed all over the world.  That's called talent.  There are people in our state who can sign their name to some papers and they will acquire businesses worth billions of dollars.  That's called capital.  The Wright brothers could take some bicycle parts, wire, metal, and canvas and build an airplane.  That's called genius. Michelangelo could take some brushes and paints and paint a beautiful thing on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. That's called art.  A mechanic can take a broken-down car and put the motor back together.  That's called skill. 

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement. 

Even amidst a new legislative session and mid-term elections, Republican rumblings about next year’s elections grow as precipitous events loom.

Update: A suspect has been arrested.  Sources told JJ the suspect is a 19 year-old white male.  Security cameras captured him on video.  He allegedly burned himself and had to go to the hospital.  The Jackson Fire Department, ATF, FBI, and Homeland Security are investigating.  

A fire took place at Beth Israel Congregation this morning.   The Southern Jewish Life website reported: 

 Some ne'er do wells hit the ruins of Last Call Sports Bar & Grill yesterday.  The establishment posted on Facebook: 

 What a mess! Now we have to pick sides again. Now we have to blame the other side again for what they started. It is their fault, you know. If they hadn’t done that in the first place, we wouldn’t have had to fix everything that’s happened as a result. We told you so, and now we’re in a mess just like we warned about. And they’re blaming it all on us and not taking any responsibility for what they’ve done. Rinse, wash, and repeat.

 Mississippi's annual PGA tournament is no more.  The PGA issued the 2026 fall schedule today. 

 A Hartsfield Academy parent sued the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools after MAIS banned him from his son's basketball games.  MAIS banned several parents for the remainder of the basketball season after a confrontation between players, fans, and families at the end of the game. 

As we kick off 2026, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy is more energized than ever.  We are excited about the successes our state has seen – and we have a plan to build on that momentum with further free market reform!

 Red Mountain Entertainment announced 90's rock band Bush is coming to Brandon in April.   Bush puts on a pretty good show so get your tickets.  

The official chef of Jackson Jambalaya, ZeroBear PolyBear, asks the eternal questions: Which came first, the chicken or the dumpling? Tis a question that puzzled many a philosopher.  While you ponder the conundrum, check out the Bear's chicken & dumpling recipe posted below.  

 You REALLY can't make some things up. 

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 That's right, The Labyrinth, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly returns to the big screen next week. Leland's Muppet Master, Jim Hensen, and George Lucas collaborated on the production.   Showtimes are posted below. 

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

 JJ's breaking the news of a lawsuit filed against Jackson Academy for retaliation against a family for questioning whether the school was recruiting set off a media frenzy yesterday as all three tv stations, Tik-Tokkers, and even ESPN radio's Jake Wimberly covered the story.  

 Update: A Jackson Municipal Court judge denied bond for Jones.  A police officer's affidavit states: 

A video making the round shows the carjacking of a man that took place in Jackson this week. 

Are you ready for a football game? 

 Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

 Leave the gun but take the cannoli.  That's right.  The Godfather will be back at the bijou before you know it.  Get your tickets now.  Showtime is posted below. 

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement. 

 The former Head to Trading for Cargill, Jeff Kazin, tweeted a rather eye-opening tale of his experience in Venezuela: 

 Posted below are the Mississippi Bar's sanctions in 2025. Who got reprimanded, suspended, or disbarred? Check out the list below. 

Most people who aren’t from around here don’t realize how much Mardi Gras matters in my hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

 JXN Water Manager Ted Henifin issued the following response to the resolution passed by the Jackson City Council yesterday. 

As Mississippi approaches its pivotal 2026 mid-term elections, the national spotlight is already trained on our U.S. Senate race and potential kitchen-table issues in the state’s congressional districts.

 The beleaguered Public Employees Retirement System might be getting some help from the Mississippi Legislature.  

 Want a Barbour jacket yet don't want to spend $450 on one? You are in luck as Allen Edmonds placed them on sale for less than $300.  

 UMC issued the following press release. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is building a strong foundation for improved maternal and fetal health by investing in foundational care that supports women and families from pregnancy to childbirth.

Did Jackson Academy kick out a student because his father questioned alleged recruiting and poaching of football players from other schools? Such accusations are made in a lawsuit filed yesterday in Hinds County Court.  

 Did you notice that Ole Miss powder blue hoodie Maduro wore after he took up residence in the United States? 

Update: Resolution passed 4-1.  Council members Parkinson, Grizzell, Hartley, and Brown-Thomas voted for the resolution while Foote voted against it.  The entire discussion took place in executive session. 

The Jackson City Council wants to silence JXN Water Manager Ted Henifin and handcuff his operation of Jackson's water/sewer system while focusing on what else but equity and affordability.  Such is the gist of a resolution it will discuss and likely approve today.  

 Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement. 

 You may not give a damn but Gone With the Wind returns to the big screen for one night in April.  Watch Atlanta burn down, Rhett telling off the bluebloods, and one of Hollywood's greatest romances again.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 What is usually a boring subject has turned into a political firefight in Madison County.  Sparks flew again at this morning's meeting of the Madison County Board of Supervisors.  The cause of it all: Supervisors Karl Banks, Gerald Steen, and Paul Griffin approved road-funding plan that completely left out Madison the city over the heated protests of Supervisors Trey Baxter and Casey Brannon. 

The Mississippi Bar suspended controversial attorney Abby Robinson from the practice of law for two years on December 30 after receiving multiple complaints from judges and lawyers alike. 

It's all about the effort, right?

 JJ reported last night on two brawls that took place at Northpark Mall and Skylone in Ridgeland yesterday. The two incidents were related. 

 Check out this little item on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. 

If your life is a sentence, how is it punctuated? Is it a long sentence that says little or a short sentence that says much? Does your life sometimes need a comma, a pause that gives you a chance to reflect and prepare for the future?   The late Dr. Frank Pollard asked these questions and more as he joined the Apostle Paul in looking at how he "finished my race."  Skip the New Year's resolutions as you never keep them anyway. Put The Purpose Driven Life to the side and  enjoy Dr. Pollard's New Year's sermon posted below. It is one of his better sermons and says more, so much more.     

 Chinese leaders at a December meeting led by Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated their consistent focus on “pursuing progress while ensuring stability.”

 A brawl broke out at Northpark Mall in where else but the food court. 

It is 1986 in Jackson.  What is there to do on a Saturday night? 

The plot thickens up in Oxford as 24/7 Sports announced several former Ole Miss assistant football coaches will stay at LSU: 

 A federal grand jury indicted now-former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and others in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York.  

 Pops Saloon will remain closed for the weekend following a New Year's Eve shootout at the Jackson nightspot.  Pops announced on Facebook: 

As I write this “end of the year/beginning of the year” column, please remember President Biden still had one month left in his term at this time last year. Wow! What did he do with that time? Think thousands of auto-pen pardons and commutations.

 The scene speaks for itself.