Jackson Jambalaya

In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with State Representative Sam Creekmore, chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about the major healthcare issues facing Mississippi. From certificate of need reform and rural hospital access to mental health, ibogaine research, and scope of practice, Creekmore explains how he is thinking through the state’s most pressing health policy debates.

 The plaintiffs name has been changed to GW as she was a minor when the alleged incidents occurred.  Her parents are referred to as W. 

What should have been a senior year of fun turned into a nightmare for a member of the Newton County High School girls soccer team after a coach allegedly pressured her to strip to her bra and panties to run around the soccer field in front of her teammates - and their smartphones.   

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Landlords can go to prison if they embezzle tenant's money meant for utilities after the legislature passed HB# 1404 today.   

 I think we all know what the phone problem was by now.  

The fight to control the future of Jackson's water system is going to a conference committee at the Mississippi Legislature after the House declined to concur with the Senate on HB# 1677 yesterday. 

The British police are at it again.  

 The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board issued the following statement. 

 MILAN—There's a moment — right before the northern lights appear — when the sky looks like it's deciding whether, or not, to show you something. Then it does, and you understand why you traveled 4,000 miles. Twenty-five Americans stood beside me in the snow. Nobody spoke. The northern lights don't require commentary.

 Our favorite little transplant is back with another video about the culture shock she experienced moving here from Southern California.  

 After the March 10 primaries, Mississippi now enters the home stretch of the 2026 mid-term elections, amid renewed fighting in the Middle East, new global and domestic economic challenges influenced by that conflict, and American partisan differences that have not been deeper or more pronounced since the late 1960s.

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Well, well, well, Trinidad Chambliss wants to beat up on the NCAA some more after whipping the organization in court a few weeks ago.  

 Fifth Circuit Judge E. Grady Jolly passed away.  He will rejoin his wife, Epicurious, where they will undoubtedly pass judgment on the fare offered in heaven.  His obituary is posted below. 

 Watch the road when you are driving out there. 

 Break out the weed.  Lil Wayne is coming to Brandon this summer.  

 Note: Since the complaints are identical but for the plaintiffs, thus the plaintiffs and complaints will be referred to in the collective unless specified otherwise. 

Liquor store owners are mad as hell and they are not taking it anymore as they continue to suffer from the implosion of the ABC warehouse. Buckshots, Aloha Wine & Spirits, and Rosetti's Liquor Barrel sued Ruan Transport in Harrison County Circuit Court earlier this month.  Ruan Transport manages the ABC warehouse in Gluckstadt.  All three plaintiffs are Gulf Coast package stores.  

Several members of group of Iran women's soccer team that defected to Australia last week are returning to Iran after their families disappeared.  The New York Post reported: 

 College football stars will have to pay taxes just like the rest of us in Mississippi.  

 A TikToker from Southern California moved to Mississippi.  Needless to say, it's been quite the experience for her. 

What do JXN Water and the Amazon Data Centers have in common? Why are decisions by JXN Water’s Interim Manager (Water Czar) and the Federal Judge who appointed him now suspect? Why do Entergy’s residential customers now fear higher rates due to the secret Amazon data center deal?

State Treasurer David McRae issued the following statement. 

Update: Stokes no-show, item tabled. 

The Jackson City Council's Zoning Committee will take up Fondren Taste's application for rezoning so it can place hotel rooms on the second floor of its "restaurant."  

The good news is Ole Miss beat LSU.  The bad news is..... the news was announced by the Walton County Sheriff's Office in Florida.   The WCSO announced on Facebook: 

Former Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks wants to sever his trial on federal public corruption charges from the trial for Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.   

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 It appears someone is finally going to move into the old Backyard Burger building on Old Canton Road. 

What would happen if MAHA professionals ran a hospital? 

 We celebrate the 250^th anniversary of U.S. independence this year. In two years, we will celebrate the anniversary of the sacred document that sustains that independence – the United States Constitution. Hopefully, it will still remain the law of the land.

The classic version of Ben-Hur, not that shallow CGI crap from a few years ago, returns to the theatre next week. Watch the chariot races as Charlton Heston said they were meant to be seen - on the big screen.  Ben-Hur is not a movie but a spectacle, a spectacle rarely seen in cinema today.  Get a ticket.  Showtimes are posted below.

 Looking for a good source of information on The Wah in Iran? Check out Open Source Intel on the X formerly known as Twitter.

 State Auditor Shad White promoted school choice in a Wall Street Journal column earlier this week: 

 Note: This column was distributed Sunday. 

Of all the challenges any nation might face, war is the most dangerous. So why, some are asking, would President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu launch a war against Iran out of the blue with no particular reasons?

 The Rankin County Prosecuting Attorney has a little warning for y'all. 

Tired of country music shows? You're in luck.  Christian rock band Need to Breathe is coming to the Brandon Amphitheater.  

 A group of Jacksononians launched an effort to help those struggling to pay their water bills. 

A Leflore County Chancellor served up some home cooking to the NCAA last year as he ordered   the organization to provide another year of eligibility to two members of the Mississippi Valley State University's men's basketball team.  

 Imagine if you had to wait weeks to get a new phone? Actually, that’s exactly how things were in the 1970s. Back in the day, when one corporation—AT&T—had a near-monopoly on phone services (roughly from the early 20th century until 1984), you’d often face a wait of weeks to get a new phone installed. 

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

It's time for a little bit of fiesta in the kitchen.  ZeroBear PolyBear blessed us with his recipe for Taco Frittata in a downloadable format.   Judging by the recipe, it looks like it will be some good eatin's.  Enjoy. 

Update: The synagogue told WLBT the fencing is temporary and was erected for construction.   

It is a dark day in Jackson when a place of worship has to hide behind a fence.  

A member of the Simon Royals royalty is now in custody.  

 It is almost here.....

 It's never a good idea to attack a military recruit who just happens to be an MMA fighter.  Not a good idea at all. 

 The legislature moved one step closer to creating the Jackson Metro Water Authority yesterday after the Senate passed HB# 1677. 

 Our little TikToker decided to take a few pokes at Kenneth I. Stokes.  

 Lieutenant Governor Gilbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

 The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement.