Jackson Jambalaya

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba complained the rental fees for Thalia Mara Hall were too low at his press conference last week.  Hizzoner said the fees were "insufficient" and inexpensive" as he claimed someone could rent the hall for only $1,200.  

Five Jackson daycare centers swindled (allegedly).  

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Some restaurants crash, some fade away, and others somehow, some way, get back on top.  Thanks to a team of investors and chefs, the storied Mayflower Cafe might just be be on the cusp of a renaissance. 

An Oxford woman sued U.S. Beverage in federal court after she allegedly discovered two mice in a can of soft drink after she consumed the beverage.

 Things were happening last night at Club Cazuela on Fortification Street.  It almost reminds one of The Dock.  

 Add Virgi Lindsey to the list of Jackson City Council members who didn't take the bait when the feds came calling earlier this year.  WLBT reported: 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement yesterday. 

This year has been the year for core values around here. One would think that New South Restaurant Group, a business that has been opening and operating restaurant and bar concepts for the past 37 years, would always have been an organization that eats, sleeps, and breathes, core values. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. In 2024 we have finally fully arrived.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement Monday. 

As Mississippi legislative leaders contemplate additional tax reforms in the coming 2025 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature, the spotlight has been on additional state income tax cuts and yet another examination of reducing the state’s highest-in-the-nation 7% grocery tax.

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

 The oral arguments in Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance v. Carlos Moore are about to begin.  Tune in here.

Posted below is the audio recording of former Jackson Ward 2 City Councilwoman Angelique Lee's change of plea hearing on August 14. 

 Mississippi Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

Worried there might not be a Broadway season in Jackson this year?  Never fear, JJ is here.  Tickets are now on sale for Broadway in New Orleans.  Check out the offerings.  

or The Surrender of Lee at the Federal Courthouse

Former Jackson Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee stood in the well of justice last Wednesday in federal court as she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.  However, Lee's guilty plea is merely the tip of the spear for the Justice Department as it takes on Jackson corruption.   

 Broadway in Jackson issued the following statement. 

 Road trip, anyone? 

Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

 The Daiquiri Bar posted the following message on Facebook. 

"I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You'll be left in a Lurch."  The late Dr. Frank Pollard yet again wove a sermon out of the Good Book and Dr. Seuss as only he could.  The them in the 1996 sermon posted below is what to do when you are down.  Enjoy. 

Sixty years ago on June 28, 1964, the New York Times front page declared, “MISSISSIPPI: A PROFILE OF THE NATION'S MOST SEGREGATED STATE.”

 If you like Broadway, a real treat popped up on Youtube recently.  The 1999 version of Oklahoma, starring Hugh Jackman, is available for free on Youtube.   Of course, this might be the only Broadway you get to see in Jackson for the rest of the year.  Enjoy.  

The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

Jonathan Turley’s book “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” is described by the publisher as “A timely, revelatory look at freedom of speech—our most basic right and the one that protects all the others.” What happens when the government polices our spoken words or even our thoughts and beliefs?

It's the same ole, same ole at City Hall this morning. 

 Need something good to watch this weekend? Check out these movies streamed on Youtube for, dare we say it?, Free! There are some real gems below. 

Elections are underway for the Mississippi Supreme Court. Five candidates are competing for a seat in the Central District, some of whom I heard speak at the Neshoba County Fair recently. There’s a similar election taking place in south Mississippi. It’s easy to take it for granted that ordinary people are able to elect judges in our state.

 Disgust! Outrage! More Outrage!  Such were the reactions of the politeratti in Mississippi after State Auditor Shad White's book, Mississippi Swindle, hit bookstores last week.  This tome was no milquetoast corporate writing but a no-holds barred account of the DHS scandal.  No punches were pulled as the State Auditor threw more than a few at former U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and others.  Needless to say, they took none too kindly to their characterizations in the book.  While they fired back in fury, the politeratti gasped "How could he?" 

 Check out what Hizzoner will be up to down in Puerto Rico in a few days.  

Here is my Favorite

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

 Someone got really stupid in Charlotte a year ago.  

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement yesterday. 

It appears the Lumumba administration is practicing the accounting that made Worldcom and Enron famous - for the wrong reasons.   WLBT's Anthony Warren reported: 

 Posted below is the audio recording of the initial appearance of former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee in U.S. District Court.  Comment in the post immediately below. 

FBI paid for shopping spree, wants shoes back!

Update (3:10 PM) Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery at her arraignment.  U.S. District Judge Daniel Patrick Jordan set her sentencing for November 13. 

Former Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee is appearing in U.S. District Court at 1 PM today for her initial appearance after the Justice Department entered a Bill of Information.  The bill charges Lee with conspiracy to commit bribery.    

Young boys dream. In my early years, while friends fantasized about being astronauts, soldiers, and firemen. I wanted to be Darren Stevens on the television show, Bewitched. The prospect of being married to a beautiful witch who could conjure up Benjamin Franklin in the middle of her living room with a twinkle of her nose was appealing to me as a six-year old boy. Though what truly intrigued me about that show was Darren Stevens’ job as an advertising executive. Even at that early age, the prospect of coming up with creative ideas and pitching them to a client appealed to me.

Jackson Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee resigned her position this morning.  

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

Six months ago, the gross national debt of the United States exceeded $35 trillion. That total includes money the federal government owes itself, so many in government and finance rely on the lower net national debt number of about $27 trillion if that makes anyone feel one iota better.

 Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Attorney Malcolm Harrison issued the following press release. 

Check out what SuperSaver in south Jackson had for $1 a case yesterday.   

The Lafayette County District Attorney withdrew an indictment for sexual battery against the owner of a popular Oxford bar in April.  

 What happens when two dudes snag a WWII U.S. Army jeep and take it to the shop? 

 Someone had a bad day over at Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his weekly briefing right now.  The presser is live-streamed below.