Jackson Jambalaya

If you didn't get a chance to watch it, check out Dave Chapelle's New Year's Eve special on Netflix.  Here are a couple of clips from the show.  

One of the leading pediatricians and experts on child development in Mississippi, Dr. Susan Buttross, questioned the opioid amendments that were later passed by the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure in December.  Add Dr. Buttross to the ER docs, orthopedic surgeons, ob/gyns, pediatricians, and a plethora of doctors who oppose these amendments to the Board's prescription regulations.Dr. Buttross submitted this letter to the Board on October 17, 2017.

Two former Mississippi Department of Public Safety employees accused the Department of firing them in retaliation for reporting the a bogus ticket-writing scheme by troopers to the federal government.  The accusations were made in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on October 16, 2017.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

A Hinds County man was arrested and charged with killing his cousin a year ago but was sent home on his own recognizance by County Court Judge Melvin Priester, Sr.    A grand jury indicted Lawrence Jerome Wilson on January 12, 2018 for the 2016 murder of his cousin, David Winter.

It appears former Governor Haley Barbour was detained at the Jackson municipal airport Earlier this month for possessing a firearm.  The Hattiesburg Patriot broke the story.  Airport officials told JJ that Mr. Barbour was "detained" and was not arrested.  JJ submitted a public records request for the incident report. 

Time stands still at Canton Municipal Utilities as the company paid old legal fees for CMU Commissioners even though the statute of limitations for paying invoices had expired.

Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney issued the following statement.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

Check out House Bill #1011 by Representative Joel Bomgar below:

The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith is postponed until March 19 in Rankin County Circuit Court.  The order is posted below.

Just got word that the indictment against Wayne Parish was remanded to the file by Judge Winston Kidd. Parish is free.

Some high-powered help tried to move convicted wife-beater Bryan Clark to the county jail in his home county.   Clark is serving a 10-year prison sentence for aggravated assault domestic violence.  His family owns Clark Oil & Gas and his uncle is the CEO of Butler Snow.  Documents obtained through a public records request show several officials worked to get him transferred to the Wayne County jail. However, Clark was removed from the Wayne County jail after little more than two weeks when the victim's family discovered the home-cooking. 

It looks like we will have to wait another 15 months before we see the final season of Game of Thrones.  Maisie Williams told the Metro:

Will Wayne Parish go on trial tomorrow in Hinds County? District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith has not asked for a continuance in the case and this September 28, 2017 order states kickoff is at 11:00 PM tomorrow:

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1988 sermon given by the late Dr. Frank Pollard at First Baptist Church (Jackson). 

State Senator Sally Doty kicked off her campaign before a hometown crowd at the Brookhaven Military Memorial Museum yesterday.   Senate Pro-Tem Terry Burton and State Representative Becky Currie introduced her.  The video is posted below.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

 Update (1/28/18): Deceased is Crystaline Barnes.  She was indicted in 2014 for burglary but the case was remanded to inactive docket in 2016.

JPD issued the following statement. 

Good news is coming to downtown Jackson.   The Mississippi Business Journal reported Wednesday:

The right-wing rag, the New York Times, reported that local political guru and spiritual advisor Burns Strider, has a female problem:

YEEHAAAAWWWW!!!!!!  So a police chase in Carthage began when  a man fled a DUI checkpoint in March 2017.  The defendant accused the police of shooting at his vehicle and then choking him after he was handcuffed even though he was not armed.  JJ obtained a copy of several police bodycam videos that show the chase and what took place once Tyricqwon Burks was arrested and handcuffed. The video is posted below. 

Attorney Generalissimo and Lord Protector Jim Hood issued the following statement.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety complained that this website was "targeting" the agency with it's coverage.  DPS made the accusation in a response to a public records complaint this correspondent submitted to the Ethics Commission last year.  JJ attempted to obtain copies of correspondence and payment demands from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from DPS.  DPS said the records were part of an "investigation" and exempted from the Public Records Act.  The Ethics Commission ruled against the agency in December.  DPS provided the records.  Earlier post about Ethics Commission opinion.

A little change to the nurse practitioner regulations is sure to ruffle some feathers in the medical community.  The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure is considering removing the limit on how far nurse practitioners can work from their supervising physician.

Update (12:30 PM, 1/25/18): The identities of the female and male in yesterday’s death investigation at the Crown Motel have been confirmed.  They are 35-year-old, Chrystal Burrage and 41-year-old, William Wade, Jr.  She was a clerk at the city of Jackson.

Toys R Us announced today it will close 180 stores nationwide.  The East County Line Road store escaped the ax but the Pearl location was not so lucky. 

The Securities & Exchange Commission suspended Tony Stovall from working in the securities industry for six months.  The SEC said he gave "improper gifts" to Rolling Fork's municipal financial advisor, Porter Bingham of Malachi Financial Products,  in exchange for his recommendation that the city hire him to underwrite its bonds in a 2015 offering.  Mr. Stovall received $130,000 in fees from the transaction.  The SEC sued  Mr. Bingham, and Malachi Financial Products  earlier this month for fraud in the Rolling Fork bond sale.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering said there would be news "next month" on Pelahatchie's alleged misspending of asset forfeiture funds.  Mr. Pickering made the statement while appearing on the "J.T. Show" yesterday on WFMN.  The audio recording is posted below.

How did this video escape notice? Check out this twist on a blast from the past.  Talk about some pipes.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following statement on MAEP.

Correction time: JJ goofed.  The opioid amendments were not, repeat, NOT withdrawn.  The SOS told JJ that the withdrawal notice posted below applies to proposed rules that were filed earlier.  The second notice posted below refers to the opioid amendments approved by the Board of Medical Licensure on December 15, 2017.   The withdrawal apparently referred to reg 2640 amendments filed on 9/22/2017.  The second notice posted below refers to the amendments approved in December.  JJ apologizes for the error. Feel free to throw stones in the comments. 

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure withdrew its proposed "Opioid Amendments."

U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst issued the following statement. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement and pictures.

Update: The police report is posted below with much more information.  Mr. Moore must be complimented on his taste in pistols.   The police report was obtained through a public records request. 

Madison County deputies arrested Tonarri Moore Saturday night and charged him with possession of a stolen weapon and a felon carrying a concealed weapon. 

Former Mint and Julep's owner Patrick Kelly pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in Madison County on January 12.  Kelly was accused of pocketing an employees garnished child support payments.  However, the District Attorney agreed to allow Kelly to enter a pre-trial non-adjudication program.  He will serve a supervised probation term of five years.  He paid full restitution to the victim.

Here are the funeral arrangements for Percy King.

State Senator Sally Doty announced at Mississippi Republican Party headquarters that she is running for Congress in the Third district.

Doris "Mama" Clower passed away this weekend at the golden age of 91. She was the widow of Jerry Clower. Jerry Clower honored her in this monologue.  Her obituary is posted below as well.

Gas station sign in Jackson:

This funny Bird & Fortune skit is all too applicable to the Bitcoin craze.  Enjoy.

The Pelahatchie Board of Aldermen blew off a Friday night meeting.  The scheduled meeting did not take place because only one alderman appeared for the meeting as did Mayor Ryshonda Beechem.  The other aldermen as well as the City Clerk and her deputy played hookey. 

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1986 sermon from the late Dr. Frank Pollard. Funny line from sermon:"I grew up so far out in the country that they really thought that when the choir got robes and they sang Amens to songs they were liberal."

It appears the accused killer of the Snake King and his son is behind bars:

Percy King was shot and killed in his front yard this morning.  Mr. King was known as "The Snake Man" as he thrilled thousands of children in Jackson over the years. The possible suspect is in custody. 

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann's truck was stolen from his home today.  Mr. Hosemann posted this message on Facebook.

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith blamed JPD for the reason why Nicholas Coats was not indicted in the murder of Chelsie Kirschten.  Coats was arrested and charged with murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle in her death but he was released from jail on January 10.  Judge Bill Skinner's  October bond order stated that he should be released after January 2 if he had not been indicted.  WLBT reported:

No lockbox is strong enough to protect a honeypot of money from politicians and such is apparently the case in Pelahatchie.   JJ has learned that State Auditor is investigating the city of Pelahatchie for misspending asset forfeiture funds.

or Victor Mason: FIGJAM!!!

Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason sent this letter to his employees today.

Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest announced today in a packed Rankin County courtroom that he is running for Congress.  The video is posted below as well as a campaign statement.

Whit Hughes announced he is running for Congress yesterday.  Mr. Hughes held a brief press conference at Mississippi Republican Party headquarters before he qualified yesterday.  The video of his announcement is posted below.

Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn and House Minority Leader David Baria issued the following statements after the House passed a "rewrite" bill of the MAEP formula.

Doctors are not the only Mississippians opposing the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure's proposed opioid amendments.  Posted below are several letters that patients sent to the Board.  Patients that are genuinely fearful that their lives are going to take a painful turn for the worse even if the opioid amendments become law.

Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest issued the following statement.

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Hoodied Hoodlum plying his trade in Clinton

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following statements about the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission and the Board of Cosmetology.

State Representative Andy Gipson issued the following statement on the 3rd District Congressional race.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and Secretary of State Hibbit Hosemann issued the following press release.

Update (8:30 AM 1/16/18): The October 3, 2017 bond order for Coats states that he was to be released if not indicted by January 2, 2018.  He still has not been indicted so he was released per Judge Skinner's order.  Dixon's October 30, 2018 bond order does not state a "release by" date if there is no indictment.  Hinds County rules of court requires the accused to be indicted within 90 days or be set free. See order posted below.

Original post. Accused killer Nicholas Coats was released from the Hinds County Detention Center on January 10.  Coats and Lidarius Dixon were charged with murder in the death of Chelsie Kirschten.  Coats was also charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle.  The 23 year-old waitress was killed on  August 17 when she was stopped at the intersection of Fortification Street and North State Street.

BPF is publishing a multipart series on the Medicaid program. This being the first in the series, our goal is awareness and education regarding a large part of the state’s budget.Medicaid 101: Part I

The rising cost of healthcare in the United States is a concern not only for individual citizens, but also for the business community and the state and federal governments as well. One of the major issues that will be addressed during the 2018 legislative session is the reauthorization of the Medicaid program in Mississippi. Most people, legislators included, roll their eyes when they hear the term Medicaid. It is a complicated program but it might be worth deconstructing it a little bit to help folks understand it maybe just a little better.

 Governor Phil Bryant issued the following statement. 

Since the Mississippi Hospital Association is fighting mighty hard to get a share of Medicaid money -meaning our money- perhaps it's time to take a look at its 2016 990.    Here is a snapshot of MHA finances*.

It appears a lobbyist got a case of the stupid before the Gulf Coast legislative reception last week.  The annual reception is one of the larger parties held each year for legislators during the session. Harrison County Supervisor Beverly Martin posted this message on her Facebook page yesterday:

And we aren't talking about um, implants.

The late Frank Pollard asked "how far will you go" in this 1986 sermon at First Baptist Church (Jackson).  This is one of his better sermons with some nice lines: 

The city of Jackson issued the following water update. 

The Clarion-Ledger published a big, huge expose on "sugar babies" at Ole Miss.  Yup.  Young, female college students are hooking up with older men through the internet in exchange for um, monthly support.   Sarah Fowler reported:

If you have ever traveled via I-12 or I-10 through Baton Rouge, then you know there is a certain stretch of interstate that bedevils everyone regardless of direction.  Well, it appears something is gonna be did. 

Canton Municipal Utilities paid nearly $100,000 to two companies for marketing and "community outreach" services for 18 months even though the Board of Directors never approved a contract for the services.

MDOC issued the following statement.

Mississippi Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn issued the following statement.

The city of Jackson issued the following water update. 

A clerk was shot during a robbery of a Ridgeland liquor store tonight.   Two men robbed Lake Harbour Liquor tonight. The victim was shot in the torso and getting treatment at a local hospital.  The injuries are not life-threatening.  The two suspects entered the store and grabbed an unknown amount of money from the cash register.  Police are trying to obtain a description of the suspects.

Sometimes it is forgotten in the debate over opioid regulations that people are at stake. Real, live, honest to goodness regular folk.  One such woman stood up and told the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure at its December 15, 2017 work session what its opioid amendments meant to her as a patient.

This column is reprinted from State Representative Robert Foster's Facebook page with his permission.

Everyone hears about how corrupt Mississippi is and how low we are ranked in healthcare, but most do not know just how corrupt or why our healthcare is so bad. Healthcare corporations are some of the most powerful lobbyists in this state, who also have very deep pockets. They will not like what I am about to share- and will provide manipulated statistics and false information in an attempt to discredit me. None of that matters because the truth is the truth and I answer to the people of Mississippi, not to them.

The city of Jackson issued the following water update last night.

From the Richland Police Department's Facebook page:

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

A Millsaps College/Chism Strategies polls says Gilbert is the most popular Republican and voters oppose raising gas taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements. Some highlights from the poll:

Awesome game last night.  Just wow. 

The Roger Wicker for Senate campaign released the following poll. 

Mississippi Sports Medicine Clinic opposed the opioid amendments in a letter sent to the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure.   The Board approved new regulations that will make it tougher to prescribe opioids and impose new requirements for doctors who choose to do so.*  18 doctors signed the letter.  The letter was obtained through a public records request.

The Clinton Police Department released the following video and statement.

The Kingfish won a public records fight against the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The Mississippi Ethics Commission ordered DPS to provide this correspondent with a copy of all correspondence between the agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 regarding the DUI enforcement grants.  DPS refused to do so as it claimed they were part of an "investigation."

JPD issued the following statement. 

The city of Jackson issued the following update.

UMMC issued the following statement. 

It's Spring Break time at the Mississippi Legislature.

Posted below is the obituary for John Ingram. He was a popular manager at Parlor Market and later Hal and Mal's. He meant quite a bit to quite a few people and deserved to be remembered.  

Today, registration opened for the fifth annual College Savings Mississippi Art Contest. Running January 8 through February 28, 2018, students across Mississippi can compete for over $3600 in Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) scholarships by submitting an original piece of art on the theme, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The Silly Season begins in Mississippi's Third Congressional District.  Congressmen Gregg Harper shocked the Mississippi political world when he announced he would not run for re-election last week.  His decision means there will be primaries on June 5 and a general election on November 6.  It is a safe bet that there will probably be a run-off in at least the Republican primary.  Cellphones nearly blew up over the weekend as hopefuls called donors and campaign managers while poring over their maps.  Here is a list of those who are rumored to be running or who have already announced. 

Add the pediatricians to the ER docs, Ob/Gyn's, orthopedic surgeons, and a multitude of other Mississippi doctors who oppose the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure's opioid amendments*.  Here are some excerpts from some of their letters.

The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard.  He preached from 2 Timothy 4:7-8 in  his sermon How far are you going?

Stagnant tax policies and anti-tax fervor coupled with the Legislature's inattention to changing business patterns will play havoc with local government financing over the coming years.

A robbery attempt didn't turn out too well for this punk in Houston. The action gets real fun for him at 1:50 and 5:10.

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

JPD issued the following statements.

The city of Jackson issued the following update on the water problems. 

Once upon a time in Mississippi, life did not mean life when someone went to prison.  Eula Roundtree served only ten years of her "life" prison sentence after she was convicted of killing  Dr. Clara Porter in cold blood in 1987.  The Parole Board saw fit to set her free in 2000.  This case is a prime example of why the "85% rule" and other "truth in  sentencing" measures were passed by the legislature in the early 1990's. 

The headline for this post seems rather strong but that is indeed what happened in Sharkey County.  Rolling Fork was just another small town in Mississippi that made the mistake of running into some bond pimps who promised golden showers but instead gave the town a golden fleece. That mistake cost the town of two thousand people several hundred thousand dollars. That's quite a pretty penny for a city with a budget of less than $2 million.

Jackson Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay posted this message about Jackson's water problem on Facebook Wednesday:

JPD issued the following statement. 

UMMC issued the following statement.

Reliable sources told JJ that Michael Guest, yes, that Michael Guest, will run for Gregg Harper’s congressional seat. Who else will run or should Run?

JJ has learned that Mississippi Representative Gregg Harper will announce that he will not seek re-election. 

Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement:

Four people qualified to run in the February 20  special election to replace former Representative John Moore :

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

Mississippi ER doctors publicly opposed the Board of Medical Licensure's "opioid amendments."  The Mississippi Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians said in an October letter sent to the Board that the amendments "will not improve safety and will have unintended negative consequences."   The two-page letter is posted below and makes some points worth reading. The letter was obtained through a public records request. 

Nothing like Corvette porn.  Enjoy this vintage video about the '63 Sting Ray.

The city of Jackson issued the following update.

The Pearl Police Department issued the following press release. 

The SEC is going after the Bond Pimp.  The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Porter Bingham and his company, Malachi Financial Products, in U.S. District Court yesterday for fraud.  It accused Bingham and his posse of ripping off the city of Rolling Fork (MS) by submitting phony invoices that were paid on a bond deal.

Local gynecologists and obstetricians opposed the "opioid amendments" approved by the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure last month.  Posted below are letters from the Mississippi Section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Jackson Healthcare for Women submitted to the Board in October.  The two letters are short and sweet but they show what the medical community serving women in Mississippi thinks of these proposed regulations. 

The city of Jackson issued the following press release.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following press release and mug shot.

Jackson Urban Praetor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement:

The Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure submitted its proposed "Opioid Amendments" to the Secretary of State Friday.  They are posted below. The Board proposed the amendments after the Governor's task force on opioid abuse issued several recommendations in September.  The amendments have been strongly opposed by many doctors and several health-care provider organizations.  A hearing was held on November 15.  The Board approved them on December 15 at an unscheduled meeting after giving a public notice less than 48 hours prior to the meeting.

The Madison Police Department issued the following press release and mug shots.