Jackson Jambalaya

Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill sent this press release to JJ: 

Enjoy this sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard if you couldn't make it to church this morning. 

The New Year promises to be a pivotal year for Republican leaders in Mississippi. With “job creation” tax cuts in place at both the state and federal levels, voters will be looking for Mississippi’s moribund economy to take off.

Major protests are underway in Iran today.  If you want to keep up with it, here are some links but frankly, Twittter seems to be the best source for news on this story.

A former employee sued Hinds County Tax Collector Eddie Fair for sexual harassment in November in U.S. District Court.   The complaint and answer are posted below.  The case is assigned to Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III.  The complaint provides a succinct statement of the alleged facts on page 14 in the documents posted below. 

Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statements yesterday.

Just thought I'd let you guys know that Allen Edmonds is having a pretty good sale on their shoes right now.  Some of them are 50% off.  Check it out for yourself. Two things guys can always save money on: suits and shoes.  Enjoy. ;-)   If there are any other good holiday sales right now, feel free to post in comments.

MDOC issued the following statement and pictures.

JJ thought this little exchange between Dr. Randy Easterling and Representative Joel Bomgar deserved its own post.  It took place at the December 15 meeting  of the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure.  The Board had just approved the "opioid amendments" and allowed members of the audience to make public comments if they wished to do so.  Mr. Bomgar voiced his concerns to the Board and Board member Dr. Easterling responded. See for yourself what the bureaucrats think of you and your elected leaders.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Vanity Fair mistakenly produced a satirical video about Hillary Clinton this week. The word "mistakenly" is used because Vanity Fair predictably caught hell from the same people who probably _______ every time Alec Baldwin parodies Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.  Did Vanity Fair go too far? We report, you decide.  Watch the video for yourself.

The Mississippi Society of Orthopedic Surgeons futilely protested the opioid amendments proposed by the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure.  The Board passed the amendments earlier this month.  Society President Dr. Kurre Luber said the amendments would violate federal guidelines and force patients to suffer needlessly.  A copy of the letter was obtained through a public records request and is posted below. Dr. Luber minced no words in addressing the Board:

 UPDATE:  The decedents in the latest death investigation have both been identified.  They are 31-year-old, Casey Ross Vaughn (W/M) and 33-year-old, Laura Francis Peyton (W/F).  Judging from Facebook posts, the two were in a relationship together.

Remember that $13 million biosolid removal contract that was the subject of a pretty good scrum between Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber and the City Council? Well, it appears the contract might have been as over-inflated as George Jefferson's mouth.  The city of Jackson will save $5 million on a controversial biosolid contract.  The contract generated a great deal of controversy as Mayor Tony Yarber twice tried to get the contract awarded to a company affiliated with supporter Socrates Garrett.  The City Council rejected the contracts and eventually awarded it to PSI-GA. 

Lord Protector of the Realm, Jim Hood, issued the following proclamation.

JPD issued the following statement.

State Representative Joel Bomgar (R-Xanadu) told the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure last month that cutting off opioid prescriptions will kill more Mississippians. He said Mississippi ranked in the top five states for opioid prescriptions but in the bottom ten states for opioid overdoses.  He said over 200,000 Mississippians use opioids yet little provision was being made for them once the Board's opioid amendments become law.

What do oysters stewing, voodoo dolls, and crawfish have in common?

JPD issued the following statements.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following press release.

JJ noticed that the Clarion-Ledger used to treat Christmas somewhat differently than it does today while digging through the archives on other projects.  There has been some debate on whether there is a "War on Christmas."  JJ is not going to enter that debate but instead would rather just show how Christmas has become secularized on the front page on the local newspaper.  See for your self. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey posted the following message and pictures on Facebook.

JPD issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Secretary of State wished everyone a Merry Christmas:

Yes, these things used to happen in Jackson.  Dear Entergy, please consider bringing this tradition back. 

Posted below are letters sent to the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure in response to the proposed opioid amendments.  The Board approved the amendments recently at a meeting that was held after notice of the meeting was posted less than 48 hours before it took place.  No mention was made during the discussion of what the medical community in Mississippi thought of the proposed regulations.  One wouldn't have guessed that over 150 people attended the November hearing that was held on the opioid amendments or that the vast majority of a horde of letters submitted by doctors opposed the new regulations.

Well, JJ obtained a copies of all of the letters and is posting them in batches so readers can more easily digest them. JJ is going to rub the noses of the legislature and Occupational Board in what the real medical professionals have to say about this issue instead of the REMFs who populate Lakeland Drive and Woodrow Wilson. It goes without saying that these letters will not be seen anywhere else in the media.

Since it is Christmas Eve, here is a Christmas sermon given by the late Dr. Frank Pollard.  Enjoy it if you can't make it to church this morning.

Immaculate. Simply immaculate.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

Mugshots owner Ron Savell issued the following statement.

JJ discovered a real gem on Youtube.  Posted below is a recording of Bob Dylan performing in Jackson in 1978. Pour a drink and enjoy. 

It is generally considered to be a well-known rule of thumb that when dealing with the Danny's family of strip clubs, get your money up-front.  One local attorney ignored this rule and is now forced to sue so he can get paid.

Dr. Larry Cooper and John May were arrested for hindering prosecution, accessory after the fact-murder, and conspiracy.  They are both in custody at the Yazoo County Correctional Facility. 

Note: JJ obtained a copy of the poll and crosstabs. This post was bumped up after it was originally posted on December 21.  

WLBT reported a Mason-Dixon poll said The Hair led the Tater in the race for Governor:

MDOC issued the following statement.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statement.

Apple admitted to slowing down older Iphones as their batteries degrade.  The Verge reported yesterday:

This bit of parody from 20 years ago is still funny today and shows how everything moves in circles.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

There are over sixty trauma centers and emergency rooms in Mississippi but if the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure has its way, only two will be able to offer telemergency medicine. The Board wants to limit the practice of such medicine only to hospitals that have emergency rooms and provide air ambulance service.  Only two hospitals in Mississippi, UMMC and North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, meet this new definition.*

I came across this beautiful performance of Feed the Birds on Youtube.  Some of the readers might enjoy this video since ABC broadcast Mary Poppins a couple of weekends ago.  ABC aired the classic for the third year in a row after a 13-year hiatus from network tv so the ratings must be pretty good.  Enjoy.

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement. 

Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance will retire at the end of the year.  City sources say Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba met with Chief Vance for several hours at City Hall yesterday.  The Mayor did not submit Chief Vance's name for confirmation within 180 days of the beginning of his term as required by law.  Chief Vance was also seen at PERS this morning.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement.

Sorry I'm late to the table as I was a bit under the weather last night. Mississippi Secretary of State Hibbit Hosemann issued the following statement.

Theres Apel got the scoop of the week as she reported on how a brave little boy captured the Grinch before he could steal Christmas.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure approved several amendments to its prescription regulations to combat opioid abuse.  The amendments drew no small amount of criticism from doctors as they substantially change how they can prescribe opioids.    The Board approved the amendments on a unanimous vote even though the meeting was a work session. 

There are two items of interest on the agenda for today's meeting of the Jackson City Council.

The city of Jackson issued the following press release.

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid refused to provide a copy of a $23 million no-bid information technology contract that was cancelled by Governor Phil Byrant.  JJ reported in October that the Division tried to issue the contract to Cerner. The Division did not issue a RFP for the contract.   Lobbying reports state that the Division's Executive Director visited the company's out of state headquarters several times while enjoying a nice tab of food and drinks.

The Jackson Zoo issued the following press release.

Posted below is a video clip of Friday's meeting of the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure.  We report, you decide.  Enjoy.

State Representative Tom Miles (D-Chicken Coop)  posted the following message on Facebook:

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1987 sermon given by the late Dr. Frank Pollard. 

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure adopted proposed amendments to regulations that govern prescriptions this afternoon on a unanimous vote  today at a work session.  The Board discussed the amendments but made few changes to them during the 2 1/2 hour session.  A motion to exempt psychiatric patients from drug testing failed on a vote of 5-4.  Video will be posted later.  The amendments will be submitted to the Secretary of State for public comments. After that public comment period expires, the Occupational License Board will review the the amendments and can amend the amendments.  That board meets every quarter.  The amendments will be returned to the Board of Medical Licensure if the Occupational License Board amends the amendments.  Did everyone get that?

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement. 

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

MDOC issued the following statement and pictures.

First Consul Phil Bryant issued the following statement.

Buried deep in proposed opioid regulations for Mississippi doctors is a little section that will drastically affect the practice of telemedicine in Mississippi.  Telemedicine is a subject that is near and dear to the Board's heart as its attempt to clamp down on the spread of telemedicine failed two years ago.  The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure is trying to overhaul its regulations on prescribing opiods.  However, there is one section that appears to have nothing to do with prescribing narcotics and everything to do with limiting the practice of telemedicine.

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure announced yesterday that it will meet Friday at 1:00 PM.  The only topic on the agenda are the proposed "Opioid Amendments."  The same amendments that drew heavy opposition from Mississippi doctors. 

Jackson Municipal Court Judge Ali Shamsideen said on WMPR last summer that Jackson doesn't have a problem with suspects committing more crimes while they are out on bond.  Um, tell that to the woman who was carjacked this week.  WLBT reported this morning that U.S. Marshals arrested Justin Darby for carjacking. WLBT story.

Posted below is a video for the plane porn junkies.  Enjoy.

JPD issued the following statement.

The latest JPD crime stats are posted below.  Some quick observations:

Youtube TV is now available in the Jackson area.  Youtube promises "cable-free live tv" to subscribers.  The video posted below provides more information.

Here are the "C" ratings for Jackson metro area restaurants issued since January 1, 2017.  The Mississippi Department of Health inspects and grades each restaurant.  The department inspects the restaurant again within ten days after the "C" is issued.  The restaurant listed below all passed their follow-up inspections unless otherwise noted.

From our pothole to yours.....

The State Health Officer warned the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure that the proposed drastic changes to opioid prescription regulations will cause opioid deaths to rise even further.  Dr. Marry Currier spoke her concerns to the Board at a November 15 hearing that was held to discuss the new regulations. The Board proposed several amendments to Regulation 2640 that will substantially change how opioids are prescribed.  The amendments have not yet been adopted. A link to them is posted below.

Marshall Ramsey was on his A game today in this cartoon published in the Clarion-Ledger.

Judge Tomie Green is at it again.  Read this bond order all the way to the end.

JPD issued the following statements. 

Ole Miss star quarterback Shea Patterson is transferring to Mee-chigan. He tweeted:

A familiar face is back in town at the Mississippi Department of Human Services.  Janet Mann assumed the position of Deputy Director on November 1.   Mississippi politicos will remember Ms. Mann served as Chairwoman of the Tax Appeals Board under Governor Haley Barbour. 

State employees are getting ready to fight:

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

Despite Republican leaders’ wayward fall from debt frugality into tax cut frivolity, shifting teams now to Chuck and Nancy would be a fiscal calamity. "Chuck and Nancy" is a Trump euphemism for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached on sexual sin in this 1986 sermon he gave at First Baptist Church (Jackson). 

More than a few Mississippi doctors objected to proposed opioid prescription regulations.  The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure proposed new regulations that will overhaul how physicians prescribe and administer narcotics.* JJ obtained copies of the comments through a public records request.  Several are posted below.  More will be published in future posts. Earlier post covering proposed regulations.   Words such as dangerous, idiots, absurd, ridiculous, and burdensome are used.  Keep reading.

Pete Perry appeared on WMPR's The Talk of the Town last night.   It's almost like a damn monster movie.  Listen below.  The recording starts about two minutes into the show.   The subject was the controversy surrounding the opening of the Civil Rights Museum.  A boring time was truly had by all. 

The Mississippi House of Representatives issued the following press release. 

Enjoy these scenes from Mayes Lakes today.

Here is something you don't often see down South.

76 years has not erased the horror that was the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  The Japs ran roughshod over China and throughout the Pacific for years.  They decided to knock out the U.S. Pacific Fleet using tactics that had worked on the Royal Navy and against Russia nearly forty years earlier.  Thus the Day of Infamy.  Take a moment to remember the souls of those who died that day and those who fought back.  JJ took the liberty of posting videos of that fateful attack.

The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure wants to make it tougher for doctors to prescribe opioids.  The Board proposed the new regulations in response to recommendations made by Governor Phil Bryant's task force on opioid abuse that were released in August.* Earlier post. The rules will limit surgery patients to opioid prescriptions for only two weeks.  Weight loss and pain management clinics face new rules.  More paperwork is recommended for the doctors.  

The Justice Department will join the fight against crime in Jackson.  U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst issued the following statement today as he was surrounded by numerous community and law enforcement officials at the federal courthouse in Jackson today.

U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst announces Project Eject

The LSAT may one day be a thing of the past.  Some law schools are dumping the dreaded rite of passage into law school in favor of the GRE.  The Wall Street Journal reported:

JPD issued the following statement and video of an attempted robbery on Old Canton Hill.

It is finals week across college campuses in America.  Sometimes the pressure gets to the co-eds as seen in this 2010 classic video shot at LSU.

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following press release.

Three Hinds County Election Commissioners might have to pay $250 fines for violating the Open Meetings Act.  The Mississippi Ethics Commission recommended fining Commissioners Yvonne Horton, Toni Johnson, and James Reed after it determined that they held a meeting without notifying the other Commissioners nor the public.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

You simply can't make this up.  Gunfire, ballot burning, running cars off of the roads, the 2014 Senate election had nothing on this stuff. The Clarion-Ledger reported on December 5, 1933:

Jackson community activist Enoch Sanders, Sr. made a special encore appearance at the Jackson City Council yesterday:

Crimestoppers issued the following bulletin.

Looks like a certain Mee-chigan coach is attempting to poach some Ole Miss football players.  Chase Parham tweeted this picture today:

Mississippi Democrats are none too happy that President Trump is visiting Jackson this weekend to speak at the opening of the Civil Rights Museum.  This letter calling for a boycott of the ceremonies is one example.

Fireworks erupted yesterday at the regular meeting of the Madison County Board of Supervisors.  Supervisor Gerald Steen was well, being Gerald Steen, and Supervisor Sheila Jones called him out.  The video is posted below.

 The Mississippi State Department of Health announced yesterday that parents can now  check the disciplinary history of any daycare center in Mississippi department's website.  However, it appears the bureaucrats's boasting is just that- boasting.  

Saturday Down South had a bit of fun with the college football drama that took place over the weekend.  Enjoy.

A “Tax Shift” is devastating to working people, but is usually pretty hard to spot.  Simply put, it is passing laws in the Mississippi Legislature to make one group of taxpayers pay less, and another group of taxpayers pay more.

UMMC issued the following statement.

This video was shot recently in North Jackson.  

Check out Capitol Street.

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

The Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police didn't live high on the hog- he was the hog.  Mike Edmonson is in quite a bit of hot water, as the state legislative auditor investigates his tenure as Superintendent.*  He recently retired. The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate forgot it was supposed to worship the boys in blue and got its mitts on a copy of the audit. It published some of the findings.  They would be quite entertaining to read if they didn't involve taxpayer money.  The newspaper reported:

The Madison Police Department issued the following statement and mug shots.

JPD issued the following statement yesterday.

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson).  He preached from Ephesians 1: 9-11. 

What does one do when he walks into Waffle House only to find the cooks literally sleeping on the job? WIS reported:

Ole Miss announced at a press conference yesterday that it will appeal the post-season ban levied against the football program yesterday.  Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter vehemently disputed the NCAA's charge that Ole Miss lacked institutional control of the program.  "We are outraged at the unfair characterization of our football program and the university culture involving athletics," said Mr. Vitter.  The video of the press conference and remarks by Ole Miss officials as well as a question and answer session with the media is posted below. 

The NCAA sanctioned Ole Miss today.  The final report against Ole Miss was released this morning.  Bowl bans, show cause orders, scholarship reductions, and forfeits populate the list of sanctions against the storied football program. Players will be able to transfer to other programs.  The report states that Ole Miss "fostered an unconstrained booster culture" smack-dab in the middle of the first page:

 Update: Mr. Yarber's lawyer, Judy Barnett, stated "My client did not pay any money toward the settlement.  The agreement between Yarber and Bracey was a non-monetary settlement agreement to not discuss this case again.  My client took a DNA test that proved that the "evidence" Ms. Bracey had was not from my client and that settled the lawsuit."


The city of Jackson settled Kimberly Bracey's sexual harassment lawsuit for $10,000.  Mrs. Bracey was the executive assistant for former Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber.  She sued then-Mayor Yarber and the city of Jackson in August 2016.  The complaint alleged that Bracey had an affair with the Mayor and included more than a few lurid details.   The city also agreed to pay $10,000 towards Mr. Yarber's attorney fees.   U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan, III dismissed the lawsuit on November 9.  JJ obtained a copy of the settlement agreements through a public records request.  They are posted below.

Ole Miss will learn its fate in a few minutes from the NCAA.  The university will release the news later today.  Speculate away in the comments section.