Jackson Jambalaya

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Gene Taylor and Travis Childers qualified. Time to have some fun. Gene is also a GOPer now.

Update: Ricky Cole just issued the following press release:

Irby Ford issued the following press release:

The Jackson Police Department issued the following press release:

Jackson City Councilman De'Keither Stamps wants to tell Jackson restaurants what they can serve to children.  He said at this morning's meeting of the Jackson city council that the city should require fast food restaurants to offer a "healthy" choice to kids.

The Black Caucus of the Mississippi Legislature asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to come on down to Mississippi and do something about voter ID:

We will have a special election in the next 45-60 days or so.  Who do you think should run?  Should Harvey come back to offer some stability?  Does Lee want a rematch? Is Regina the choice of the Bennie Machine or is it Junior? Is there a dark horse candidate no one has? Yarber? Stokes? Interesting issue: Does a candidate offer his own platform or pledge to continue the legacy of Mayor Lumumba? Does John Horhn have a chance?  DeKeither?   Vote in the poll.

Results are in and although JJ led the results I'm going to declare WLBT the winner. There is a built-in bias after all since this is a JJ poll.  WLBT doubled the votes of the nearest competitor, WAPT.  The Clarion-Ledger was next but what was interesting was Twitter was only 15 votes behind the newspaper.  Could media be entering a phase where readers no longer watch the news or first go to the media website but instead scan Twitter for headlines? What will that mean for news coverage in Jackson? Here are the results.

Here are is latest edition of Questions for the Prime Minister. Good stuff.

Everyone has heard about the noose placed on the statue of James Meredith at Ole Miss. The feds are a'comin', the students are thrown out of school, and the frat was suspended. Check out how Ole Miss treated a similar incident 12 years ago. The Clarion-Ledger reported in 2002:

Here are some more columns from the original Epicurious.  There are some real gems in this collection.  She praises Crechale's and Keifer's while she body-slams Cerami's back in 1983.  This collection was copied from microfiche so advanced apologies are in order for the use of various angles.  Enjoy. 

The Madison Police Department issued the following press release:

Sorry, not trying to be tasteless but I am literally getting bombarded with questions on succession. Here is the law on mayoral succession: 

You may remember the slight bout of unpleasantness that took place two weeks ago in the chambers of the Jackson City Council.  Some questions arose over the public-private cooperation on the District at Eastover project.  Developer Ted Duckworth said the city was "Mickey-Mousing around".* The Mayor met with Mr. Duckworth and co-developer Breck Hines two days later.  The Mayor then had a few things to say at the following city council meeting.  Earlier post.

Spent some time digging around the Clarion-Ledger archives last night as I never read the columns by the original Epicurious.  She had some serious, serious game. Incidentally, the new microfiche machines at Eudora Welty are very nice. Makes the ones at the Dept. of Archives look as if they were made in the dark ages.  Here is one she wrote about the Silver Platter. Damn. Won't see this in EatJxn or the Clarion-Ledger today.

The House Education Committee will address bills that will provide tuition for children with special needs at 1:00 PM.  Parents of children with special needs will hold a press conference at 11:00 today on the second floor of the Capitol in the Rotunda.  Here is some basic information about the bills:

Check out this Clarion-Ledger editorial from 32 years about about the water system:

Looks like we got some trash from Florida.  The Madison Police Department issued the following press release:

Update: Case goes to trial in May. 

Special Circuit Judge Henry Lackey scheduled a hearing last week to ask Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham why he had not complied with any discovery requests in a civil lawsuit filed by the state. The State Auditor and Attorney General sued Mr. Graham in February 2012 seeking repayment of  $23,818 they claim he bilked from the city of Jackson while he worked at JPD.  Hizzonour must have gotten his attention because the responses to discovery were served the very next day.

Candidates for a minor Darwin award. 

Here are his funeral arrangements and obituary:

 This post is a paid advertisement by Mississippi Conservatives PAC.

The Mississippi Conservatives PAC released the following press release and commercial:

The Madison Police Department issued the following press release:

The FCC tabled plans to "study" how the media covers news or in the words of the FCC, the "Critical Information Needs" of America.  The idea might be dead  but it should not ever be forgotten. Here are some highlights of the 78-page study:

Came across this column about the Ukrainian crisis in The Independent (UK) a few minutes ago:

He would have been 47:

Karl Denninger makes some penetrating observations about Netflix in The Market Ticker blog.  Simply put, Netflix has done quite well for itself - by unloading its operating costs onto carriers such as Verizon.  That is changing and Netflix's future as well. 

Judge Grady Jolly penned this wonderful eulogy about his now-deceased wife, Betty Carol Simmons Jolly, that was published in the Clarion-Ledger. She was more commonly known as Epicurious, the food critic for the newspaper who lavished praise on restaurants when deserved and also crucified them when it was deserved.  Remembering her is remembering how good newspapers used to be and how far they have fallen. 

The Mississippi Department of Health issued the grade of "C" to the following restaurants or establishments providing food service since December 20, 2013.  The grade is the lowest one the state can give. 

Yes, you read that right.  Beeeeeeeeeeeerrrrt Case is going to WAPT.  There will be no players to be named later. No draft choices in exchange.  The old warhouse still has some horsepower in him as he pushes back the sun to perform for yet another day. WAPT issued the following statement on its website:

The Greater Belhaven Neighorhood News online newsletter made the following announcement today:

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership issued the following press release:

What the hell is going on in Madison County?   A $1.2 million contract to "study" moving the airport and no one has a copy, no minutes, no nothing??????   The Madison County Journal experienced a bout of actual reporting and published this story:

Ridgeland Police issued the following press release:

Kelley Williams, Sr. writes in Bigger Pie Forum that another state-backed energy project failed:

It's our favorite time of the year at JJ:  Mardi Gras.  15 years ago you couldn't buy a King Cake in this town at any price.  There are now a plethora of them for sale in the Jackson area.  A couple of friends and I decided to conduct a taste test of four of them.  

Former Department of Marine Resources' Bill Walker will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government.  A federal grand jury indicted him for one count each of conspiracy, conversion to own use the property of another, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and mail fraud. 

Looks like the Purple Gang continues to take over Jackson city government. Meet the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the Lumumba Administration:

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Schuler Smith issued the following press release:

Billy Hewes' former campaign manager Morgan Shands will have to repay $370,116 to American Legion Post 1776 in Cleveland, Mississippi over the next ten years, after reaching an agreement with Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.  The Secretary of State determined he spent several hundred thousands of dollars in American Legion funds for his own personal benefit.

Brian Perry appeared on second half of the show as a representative of a pro-Thad Cochran PAC. First segment was a recap of JJ posts. Second segment discussed Representative Cartman Hamilton of Olive Branch and the Senate bill involving private school tuition for special needs children.

The city of Madison issued the following press release:

It was a busy day at the Reservoir yesterday, as the Parks Committee for PRVWSD tackled alcohol permits, user fees for special events, and camping on the river. Campers will be required to obtain permits if they wish to camp upriver. The district will probably charge more money next year for events such as Pepsi Pops and the Dragon Boat Regatta. The district will also look to crack down on alcohol use at these events, although an alcohol permit can be purchased. The video is posted below.

Desoto County resident Heather Fox sent this little column on Desoto County schools and legislators to JJ:

Federal prosecutors notched another guilty plea on their conviction stick today in the DMR case.  Scott Walker filed an intent to plead guilty notice in U.S. District Court:

The Mississippi Democratic Trust issued the following press release:

Oh, hell no. Not going to catch me trying this stunt. 

Here is some more lawyer porn. St. Andrew's filed a response to Precious and Crystal Martin's motion to compel. Here are some excerpts from the response:

The New York Times reports the commies in New York are also questioning the Common Core curriculum:

Its ALOT to read but here are the studies and supporting documents provided to the Madison County Board of Supervisors for the Lost Rabbit Settlement.

A new poll is up. We asketh the question: Where do you get your local news? We have run this poll before, but this time I added some twists to it: Facebook and Twitter. I probably get more local news from Twitter than anywhere else. It's replaced the news readers to some degree. I almost left out the actual tv stations and instead posted "Local TV stations on-air" and "Local tv station websites" but chose not to do so. Anyway, vote early and often.

Whole Foods is here. It's open. Many of you have now visited the store. What did you think of the store? No trolls, please. If you took pictures of the store and want to post them, send them to Kingfish1935@gmail.com. No name will be mentioned unless express permission is given.

Kior halted production at its Columbus plant in December to "make improvements" and has not plans to resume production during the first quarter of 2014.  The company operates a plant in Columbus and plans to open a larger one in Natchez. The legislature approved $75 million in interest-free loans to Kior in a 2010 special session. The plants are supposed to convert woodchips into crude oil and gasoline. The project was supposed to create 1000 direct and indirect jobs in Mississippi as well as constructing up to five plants. Bloomberg reports:

Meet some of Oxford's finest.

Representative Bryant Clark put on some moves this week in the legislature that left one member saying "it was the slickest move he had ever seen."

A hearing will be held in Hinds County Circuit Court on Tuesday regarding discovery issues in Martin v. St. Andrews et al at 9:00 Am. The notice states:

All the stimulus and no velocity? Rick Santelli says on CNBC the recovery started but questions whether it is sustainable:

The Senate just passed two bills that will strengthen domestic violence laws if enacted.  Senator Will Longwitz sponsored both bills. They will now move to the House for passage.

Looks like our lil' ole senate race made the national media again this week:

Had a few things to say about the Duckworth controversy and Speaker Loome's teacher pay raise for the first part of the show.  Second part of the show was supposed to be State Senator Chris McDaniel but his communications director subbed for him. Bumpers were Sponge speech from Inherit the Wind, Edge of the Blade by Journey (Only good song they ever made), and a clip by the original Kingfish, Huey P. Long.

Paul Harvey on policemen

Ali Shamsid-Deen wants a rematch against Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill. Qualifying list of candidates.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following press release:

It looks like Larita Cooper-Stokes will face some competition.  State Representative Kimberly Campbell qualified to run against her for county court judge in Hinds County.  Bio.

Update: City went to site and located the water line Friday.

A frustrated Ted Duckworth spoke his mind to the Jackson City Council at its regular meeting yesterday, as he said a lack of cooperation from the city is delaying construction at The District at Eastover. (18:00 in the video posted below.)

5:05 and you know what that means:

Argentina.  A civilized country slowly descending into progressive chaos.  The Wall Street Journal reported:

Check out this video of The Queen talking about Lost Rabbit a few weeks ago at her state of the city address that is on the Clarion-Ledger website:

Leftenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:

Earlier post with copy of complaint

St. Andrews vigorously objected to several questions about other students sought in discovery by Precious and Crystal Martin. The Martins sued Saint Andrews for breach of contract, as they claimed the school did not protect their son from bullying. The school filed a motion for a protective order to prevent the Martins from obtaining information on other students. A hearing is set for 9:00 AM on February 18. Judge Jeff Weill will preside.

It's that time of year: the annual publication of campaign finance reports.  Thought you might like to see who has what.  If you want to dig into the details of a particular report, go to this page. 

Health care industry expert Bob Laszewski points out only 11% of those purchasing insurance under Obamacare were uninsured.  He asked in an earlier post ""But what if most of the uninsured literally don't buy Obamacare?"

Lot vacant for twenty years.  Economically depressed area. Black community.  Major grocery store chain wants to build store on said vacant lot. What  could possibly go wrong?  The Oregonian and Jackson's own Casey Parks (Once of the JFP) reported:

Switch up from politics for a second. Here is an interesting interview on Fox Business this week concerning a new type of entrepreneur. Producing viral videos for corporate America. 

Sentencing for Claiborne Frazier, Austin Frazier, and C.E. Frazier, Jr.  is postponed until March. A February 4 court filing states:

The Apothecary issued the following press release:

Note: See Twitter feed @kingfish1935 for tweets from the meeting today.  

A spirited discussion on user fees for the MSWIN system took place before an overflow audience at the regular board meeting of the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission Thursday afternoon at the state fire academy auditorium.  Police chiefs, Sheriffs, and other first responders clearly and loudly told the commission they were opposed to paying user fees for the MSWIN system.  More than a few audience members said they could not afford to pay such fees and would quit using the statewide radio system if the commission ever charges user fees.

The good news is we might get Larita Cooper-Stokes off of the Jackson City Council. The bad news is......

Baker-Donelson just issued this press release:

Looks like more corporate welfare is coming to Mississippi in the form of some "destination shopping".  The Desoto Times reported a few weeks ago:

Came across these designs for a new state flag online. What do you think? Like 'em? Keep the current one?

Senator Angela Hill appeared on the show today to discuss all things Common Core. Enjoy.

The scrum between Senator Thad Cochran and Senator Chris McDaniel heats up as the pro-Thad PAC Mississippi Conservatives fired a round of visual artillery with this ad:

Want to see how cities and counties go broke? Watch this video.  Hinds County Supervisor Kenneth Stokes had a gentleman make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors Monday about cashing out the towers owned by the the county.  The county enjoys a revenue stream from lease payments made by wireless carriers such as C-Spire and AT&T.  What Mr. Stokes' little crony proposed the county do is get all of their money up front instead of over the life of the lease (usually 15-20 years.).  Just one thing was not mentioned. 

Senator Will Longwitz issued the following statement after two bills on domestic violence passed. Just remember, folks, you can beat your wife and get half the fine you can get if you beat your dog.

Smearing and trying to rob Howard Ballou and his family didn't work. Now the no-good for nothing sons of Dr. Martin Luther King are at it again.  They want to sell their father's Nobel Peace Prize and Bible. You read that correctly.  The AP reports:

Can't make this up. County cancels a $120,000 contract to cut the grass and perform other minor services at the county radio towers as the Sheriff said his inmates could cut the grass.... for free. Never fear.  A preacher/"contractor" shows up at Hinds County yesterday with his hand out for some gummint money:

A proposed settlement might move the stalled Lost Rabbit development forward if all parties agree to its terms. The development at the end of Hoy Road in Madison has been bogged down in lawsuits after the Lost Rabbit Public Improvement District (PID) dissolved and defaulted on $18 million in bonds sold to Allstate Insurance Company. No properties have been sold in Lost Rabbit during the last five years.  County officials stressed the study did not include any plans for the construction of apartments in Lost Rabbit. The parties agreed to the settlement in principle subject to final approval by their respective legal counsel.

Speakah Philip Loome issued this press release today:

The Clarion-Ledger finally tackled a subject near and dear to our hearts at JJ: government-paid legal fees. One of the open secrets of Mississippi government is the hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees cities and counties pay to their pet lawyers. The newspaper reported:

Chris Keiffer reports in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal a new education PAC has been created:

Hike the minimum wage.  $10 an hour, $15, an hour, heck, lets make it $20 an hour.  That should really spur the economy.  Just one problem.  Raising costs for businesses puts pressure on them to cut costs elsewhere.  No problem.  There's an app for that.  Michael Saltsman writes in the Wall Street Journal:

"I'm not your mama on Thursday, I'm your landlord."  This lady is too funny. Raw but funny. 

This is scary.  Apparently being a successful or having a job makes one a target for the Occupy Crowd. The New York Times reports:

Rankin County Constable Tim Gardner resigned his position.  A special election will be held in November.  Guess who qualified for the election? Charles Lindsay.