Jackson Jambalaya

 A 2020 report on French Quarter security specifically warned against the type of terrorism that took place on Bourbon Street last week.  

 Jackson Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsey announced she will not run for re-election this year after serving two terms on the City Council.  

 What can one say? It's the Latoya Cantrell Administration.  The Morning Advocate reported: 

"If we get somewhere in life and don't have a target, if we don't have a goal, we're going to self-destruct.  If in life we have a goal, a major wonderful goal that is the aim of our life and we get there, we are probably going to self-destruct.  Do you doubt that you observed around you so many people who got what they thought they wanted who got there and all they found was emptiness and a reason to self-destruct," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard on January 4, 1996.   It is the New Year and New Years mean new goals.   Listen to the rest of what Dr. Pollard had to say in the sermon posted below.  This one has some good stuff.  

Over the next three months, legislators will focus on a $7 billion General Fund budget to run state government for FY 2026. Interestingly, that’s only about 25% of the total $28 billion budget they will ultimately be called upon to approve.

Is the Associated Press even going to cover Mississippi? 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

End of the year columns summarize the past, project good expectations for the future, or garner a little bit of each. Former President Obama accurately prophesied the future in 2020 when he allegedly warned, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to [screw] things up.” President Biden vastly under performed the past four years. Turn the page.

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

 Meet the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorism attack.  May their souls rest in peace. 

 The session is almost upon us as legislators will invade Jackson in the next few days.  Empower Mississippi's Will Ervin, yes the Will Ervin discusses the issues expected to dominate the capitol this year, including tax reform, medicaid expansion, ballot initiative, and school choice.  

 It appears we are going to have ourselves a race for Mayor in Brandon.  State Representative Fred Shanks issued the following statement yesterday: 

I understand Abe Lincoln once said, “God must have loved the common man because he made so many of them.” It would be easy to take offense at that if it weren't so true!

 The FBI tweeted the following photos and statement. 

 The FBI briefed the media a few hours ago on the Bourbon Street terrorism attack.  The presser is posted below (Start at 22:00).  

 Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce issued the following statement. 

For the past 25 years, my final column of the year has always been a list of the top 10 most memorable meals I enjoyed in the previous year. The list isn’t about the fanciest, most exclusive, or faraway dining experiences I’ve had—it’s about meals that stuck with me for one reason or another.

 Check out the Sugar Bowl ticket prices.  

As they gather to convene the 2025 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature on Jan.7, state lawmakers face several thorny issues from a political and policy standpoint. In other words, the problems are hard to solve in and of themselves even without considering the political consequences of the solutions they choose.

Update: WDSU List of Known Victims  

These folks somehow escaped the grim reaper this morning on Bourbon Street. 

Death toll increases to 15.  

The FBI press conference on the French Quarter terror attack is live-streamed below. 

 Videos appearing on X that shows how the Ford Lightning truck got on Bourbon Street as well as what happened when it crashed into a crane. 

 Here is one Shamud-Din Jabbar on where else but social media. 

Sugar Bowl postponed to tomorrow night.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issue the following statement. 

Newspaper reports terrorist was ISIS

What should have been a celebration of the new years turned into a night of terror in the French Quarter.

 The suspect shot during the incident at Renaissance today was accused earlier this year of being involved in the murder of a 14 year-old.

 A chase at Renaissance ended in the shooting of the suspect. Ridgeland Police issued the following statement. 

 The Mississippi State Department of Health released the top 25 names for boys and girls born in Mississippi this year. Who is number one? Who didn't make the cut?  Only one way to find out. Scroll on down. 

The Mississippi Secretary of State just released the 2025-2029 edition of the Blue Book.  It contains everything you might want to know about Mississippi government from the Governor to the dog catcher.  Available here.

 JPD caught a carjacker and is looking for some more.  WAPT reported: 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement yesterday. 

Stephen A took a break from skewering the Cowgirls to have a meltdown over what else but...... Dragonball Z.   

Some people just can't stand to see others do well.   The Mississippi Valley State University marching band got some good news recently.  The university issued the following statement and tweet: 

 A Rankin County woman's federal lawsuit against former MHP trooper Ivana Williams was dismissed with prejudice today.   

 A Lyft driver was carjacked and beaten Saturday afternoon in West Jackson.

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

"He drew people to him because he was so open. Jesus would come into your house and he would sit with you on Sunday afternoon and watch the Saints game,  at least as long as he could (KF: Yes, the Saints could try even his patience). Remember, he's human and he would play with your kid. He'd listen to your jokes and laugh. He'd tell some jokes of his own and when you talked to him, he would listen as though he owned time and it made it himself and had all of it there was in the world. He was common. He was ordinary," said the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he described Jesus Christ in the 1996 sermon posted below.  Listen to what else Dr. Pollard had to say.  

As Mississippi legislators prepare to open their 2025 session, they find themselves under siege from well-funded school choice proponents. Two non-profits are principals – the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP) and Empower Mississippi (EM).

 Numerous people on social media accuse a Madison County woman of running a puppy mill.  WLBT reported: 

 Thinking of donating shoes to the residentially-challenged who seem to populate major intersections now?  You might want to think again.  

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

 Former Clinton and Mississippi State University football star Dontae Walker passed away last night.    A football star, he got in trouble with the law but later turned his life around, gaining the redemption he sought.  Condolences to his family and friends.

The Chick Fil A restaurant in Region's Plaza is closing January 31, 2025.  The closing probably should not come as a surprise.  The restaurant is only open 7-3 on weekdays.  It was probably only a matter of time. 

Remember when Japan was predicted to overtake America? 

 Please keep an eye out for this lost little mutt in the Crossgates area.  

 Apparently our little post about the former Elite restaurant got someone's attention.  Check out how the storied Jackson landmark appeared yesterday. 

Let's go back in history to circa 1950s style elementary school lunch days at Clinton Blvd. Elementary School, before it was pulled out of the county school system into the Jackson Public School System and immediately renamed as Mary Ida Raines Elementary.

 Portnoy takes on one of the most annoying features of modern civilization.  

 Tune in to the Empower Mississippi podcast with Grant Callen.  This week's guest is none other than Jason White, Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.  The time of the session draws nigh so if you want to hear what is coming down the turnpike, check out Speaker White has to say.