Jackson Jambalaya

Here is a scene that should have made it to the screen version of Apocalypse Now.  Abandon all hope.....

Not yet tired of Trump? Bill O'Reilly takes on the whole impeachment mess in his latest Youtube show.  Enjoy.

What are the folks at SEC Shorts up to this week?

Mississippi’s defined benefit pension fund, the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS), needs serious reform if it is to be the robust and financially stable system its retirees and current employees are counting on.

Bill Maher proposed a "honky tax" to erase white shame Friday night.  Pretty funny.

The Honorable Kenneth Stokes announced on his radio show today he is taking a break from the City Council and his radio show for 3-6 months.  He cited health problems as the reason for the sudden hiatus.

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1990 sermon from the late Dr. Frank Pollard.  Subject: What to do when faith fizzles.  Enjoy.

Choosing to appease the insatiable desires of grasping businesses and consumers, politicians spew ever more promiscuous policies from our nation’s capital.

Auburn is literally making the Mississippi State Bulldog its bitch tonight....

The Jackson-Hinds County Library System told Jackson it could keep the defunct Charles Tisdale Library on Northside Drive.  Rickey Jones, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the system, told the Jackson City Council in a September 9 letter:

JPS tweeted the following statement.

SEC Receiver Alysson Mills asked U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves to approve a subpoena for records of Southern Bancorp Bank of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  The subpoena is posted below.

Jackson Ward 2 City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr. provided a rather interesting update on yesterday's meeting of the Jackson City Council on his Facebook page:

The General Manager at WLBT made waaaaay too much sense about Jackson and the mushrooming convention centers.....

It's a story......

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation issued the following Silver Alert.

There is a ruthless killer on the loose in Mississippi. From dark alleys to dimly lit streets, to winding dirt roads leading to single family homes and through gated neighborhoods to the wealthiest in town, this killer has no mercy and finds its victims of all races, creeds and incomes. The state of Mississippi has yet to stop this merciless killer and with each passing year, the lives of so many more are ended. The killer is a chameleon of sorts, taking on different forms and fashion and unrelenting in its pursuit of victims. The culprit lurks not in the form of a vicious villain roaming the street, but quietly nestled in bottles and syringes as prescription pain killers, synthetic opioids and illegal drugs such as heroin.

It is probably a safe bet Ole Miss fans don't really miss Shea Patterson.  He has had less than a stellar career at Meechigan since he transferred there from the Country Club of the South.  His brother threw a tantrum on Instragram yesterday:

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

Rankin County issued the following statement and maps.

Here are the "C" ratings for Jackson metro area restaurants issued since January 1, 2018.  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. More information can be obtained at the MSDH restaurant inspection web page.

JPD issued the following statement.

With just over six weeks to go before the 2019 general election in Mississippi, there are few Mississippians on either side of the partisan divide who don’t concede that the gubernatorial campaign is closer than any over the last 20 years.

Make this man the next Mayor of Jackson... or Governor of Mississippi.  Totally far out. 

A Northeast Jackson socialite was indicted for check forgery in July.  A Hinds County grand jury indicted Ellen Anglin for forging a $2,503 check a year ago at Fort Still National Bank.  She made the check payable to her mother (who recently passed away.).    The indictment is posted below.

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

Only in Jackson.  Only.

Mississippi’s defined benefit pension fund, the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS), has enjoyed above average returns on the plan’s investments in recent years.

Grabbing a cop's weapon is never a good idea....

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

A Clarke County District Attorney candidate got himself in a little bit of trouble.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following photos and statement.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

SEC Shorts this weeks takes on the Notre Dame Fightin' Floppers. Enjoy.

JPS finally got some good news as its rating improved from F to D.  MDE released the annual school ratings last week. JPS faced a state takeover two years ago after repeatedly earned an F rating.  The number of A-rated schools rose while the number of failing schools substantially fell.  However, most of the positive news was in elementary schools while most high schools still failed. 

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

Suffer the open-carry zealots.  Tom Knighton over at Bearingarms.com takes them on in a piece criticizing open-carry:

Former Ole Miss qb Jevan Snead passed away.  KVUE reported:

Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following statement. 

Any sermons that opens with a football can't be half-bad.  If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this sermon that the late Dr. Frank Pollard presented in 1990. 

Standing on the promises....

No, not those promises, but the promises of politicians.

Consider these current promises from the Democratic candidates for president.

Season 3 is just around the corner....

Recognize this dude?

Will Jim Barksdale be the next Chancellor at Ole Miss? The Daily Mississippian reported today:

Copper thieves continue to darken Jackson.  Have you noticed how dark the interstates surrounding Jackson are lately?  Many of the interstate street lights do not work because copper thieves stole the wiring out of the lamps.

The highly-regarded Jackson community activist Enoch Sanders encouraged Jackson residents to give information to the police when crimes are committed:

JPD made an arrest in the murder of Charles Ponthieux. JPD tweeted a few minutes ago:

The Greater Belhaven Foundation posted the following update about forming a community improvement district today:

The press releases are flying out today.  Madison-Rankin District Attorney John Bramlett issued the following statement.

UMC issued the following press release authored by Ruth Cummins. 

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

Bill Maher takes on the "like" culture in this pretty funny clip from last week's show.  Enjoy.

Batte Furniture will soon close.  The 136 year-old furniture store announced on Facebook today:

WLBT reported last night that the company awarded the bid to operate the Jackson Zoo does not have a required USDA Class C license:

There is a fire at the site of the new Mississippi Trademart. A picture is posted below.  JJ is trying to obtain  more information. 

We’ve spent most of the 2019 Mississippi general election cycle talking about the future of public healthcare and the state’s rural hospitals, the deteriorated condition of the state’s infrastructure system, and the needs of public education at all levels – with all three of those issues tied directly to the future of jobs and economic opportunity in the state moving forward.

The folks at SEC Shorts nailed it yet again.....

 JJ is going to dive into the weeds on local school district ratings over the next few days but posted below is a quick snapshot of their ratings that were released today. The usual suspects got A's while JPS improved to a D.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District issued the following statement.

Crimestoppers issued the following statement.

The wife of Edgar Egbert is asking for donations on Gofundme.  Her husband allegedly shot two Madison County Deputies two weeks ago.  One deputy, Brad Sullivan, is still in the critical care unit.   The screenshots are posted below. 

The Jim Hood for Governor campaign issued the following statement. 

Sometimes something happens that shows all is right with the world:

Buffalo Wild Wings - Ridgeland announced a fundraiser to help Madison County Deputy Brad Sullivan:

The man accused of killing Percy King and his son sits in the Hinds County jail as he awaits a mental evaluation.  

The Jackson Public School district continues to shrink as its student population fell to 21,600 for the 2017-2018 school year.  It's a far cry from ten years ago when over 30,000 kids attended JPS.  Although the student population fell by a third, have JPS finances changed with the times? Time to take a look at the books.

Medicaid expansion advocates are now trotting out the former Arkansas Surgeon General.  Arkansas rolled out an experimental Medicaid expansion program that used private insurance instead of Medicaid.  Dr. Joe Thompson recently penned a column touting the program's "success" in the Clarion-Ledger:

If the Devil's heat keeps you from getting to church this morning, enjoy this 1990 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson). 

Let us prey.

No, not "pray," but "prey," like in prey upon the poor, elderly, ignorant, and ordinary citizens.

More preying of this sort seems to be an in thing in Washington these days.

Good meets evil, ying v. yang, right v. left...... Richard Pryor meets Maya Angelou....

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement and video response to Attorney General Jim Hood.

Do NOT try this at home!  These are professional idiots.

Josh Morgenman truly has an appetite for destruction.  The hurricane chaser rode out Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas.  His video posted below shows the approach, impact, and aftermath of Dorian.  Things start going to hell around the 8:30 mark in the video. 

The Ridgeland Police Department posted the following bulletin on Facebook.

Two great classic movies return to the big screen in Jackson this month.

Too many people go on a dream vacation only to come home to the nightmare of discovering their house was robbed.  Unfortunately, many such burglaries occur because the selfie generation is careless on social media.  It's all about "look at me", consequences be damned.  However, insurers are beginning to take notice.  Some insurers in England are rejecting burglary claims if the homeowner posted he was away on a trip on social media.  The Telegraph (U.K.) reported nearly a year ago:

Gibbit Hosemann and Jay Hughes square off tonight in a debate televised on WJTV at 6:30 PM. 

State Auditor Shadrick Meeshack White issued the following statement.

A JPS audit states JPS continues to shrink.  The JPD student population fell to only 21,600 students for the 2017-2018 school year.*  Over thirty thousand students attend Jackson public schools just ten years ago.  While the student population fell, JPS continues to collect more property tax revenue than ever while it operates at a $5 million loss.

The city of Jackson issued the following statement.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

Meanwhile, over at the Jasco....

This is no drill.  The Mississippi Department of Public Safety announced some good news today about Driver Services Bureau:

For a brief scary moment yesterday, it appeared there might be a repeat of the Kingston Frazier case.  JPD tweeted yesterday:

Nationally, the demographics of America’s state legislators are far different than Mississippi’s numbers indicate, according to data available from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Starkville Police Department tweeted an update on the Saturday night brawl that took place in front of St. Joseph Church in the Cotton District:

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

UMC issued the following press release authored by Ruth Cummins.

The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement on Facebook.

It's back to the 1950's this weekend in Starkville.  Mississippi State University is rolling back prices to the 1950's.  MSU-KSU tickets are going for four bucks on Seatgeek and $6 on Stubhub.  Meanwhile, MSU Athletic Director called out Aramark for poor service during Saturday's game:

The best combat reporter in the world popped up in Hong Kong.  Michael Yon is on the scene where the Chicoms are battling freedom-loving Hong Kong citizens.  He provides periodic updates on his website but the real action is on his Facebook page.  He posted video of the Chicoms targeting journalists yesterday.  Their minions known as the Hong Kong police threw tear gas onto a fairly empty street, well, empty for all but some reporters.

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.

The Justice Department issued the following press release. 

The Honorable Kenneth Stokes and Reverend P.J. Williams yukked it up about having a white Mayor in Jackson, paying everything to white folks, and other high-brow subjects in this week's edition of Down With the White Folks.
REEEEEEEEEEV!!!

The Southern Poverty Law Center tried and failed in its efforts to shut down Mississippi's charter schools.  The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled last week charter schools are constitutional.  Charter school opponents have used the courts with some limited success to stop charter schools in other states. 

Matthew McConaughey is in mourning.  SEC Shorts managed to get a spy over to Austin where it found the famous actor locked up in the press box:

There will be a blood drive in support of Deputy Brad Sullivan on September 11, 2019.  There will be TWO BUSES. It will be held in the old Tulane parking lot on highway 51 in Madison. The direct address is 2115 Main Street. There will be signs directing donors where to park. Donation times are from 9:30 AM- 3 PM.

Nice little fracas took place in Starkpatch last night.   Check out the video posted below.  Really nasty sucker punch at :56. 

Weight Watchers changed its name to WW. Can't offend the body positive lobby.  Needless to say, Bill Maher had fun with it Friday night.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached on dealing with weeds in this 1990 sermon.  If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy.

What issues will matter most to voters when choosing Mississippi’s next governor?

This will make someone mad.  First up is Tommy Chong....

Need that Game of Thrones fix but weren't happy with the ending?  The Mauler picked The Bells to pieces just for you:

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker issued the following statement: 

Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following statement. 

Ole Miss finally rolled out the party decks for football games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.  Hottytoddy.com reported:

This is the last call to support  Jackson Jambalaya in its annual fund-raising drive.

Thank you very much for your support of Jackson Jambalaya and reading the blog over the years. We've come a long way since we started up in 2007. This blog couldn't have gotten as far as it has without support from the readers. You've donated money, provided tips, and helped provide information when it was needed.

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker issued the following statement.

As the Mississippi summer heat blankets the last days of August, the 2019-2020 school year is in full swing for students across Mississippi. From preschool to Pre-Med students, the lazy days of summer are long gone and being replaced with busy days of routines, homework and fall activities.

Time to clear the air about the Jackson Zoo.  It's no secret that Yours Truly sits on the Board of Directors for the Jackson Zoological Society.  The Society operates the Jackson Zoo.  A certain weekly newspaper primarily known for publishing wedding photos made some rather scurrilous allegations about the Board.

The first season of Cobra Kai is now free on Youtube for a limited time.  If you enjoyed The Karate Kid all those years ago, here is a sequel that for once didn't mess things up.  Enjoy the trailer.

The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board of Commissioners wants to turn former CEO Carl Newman into the Man in the Iron Mask.  JMAA sued to stop the state's "takeover" of the airport in U.S. District Court. Mr. Newman suddenly resigned in March after the Commissioners voted to hire a consultant to review his performance.  The Board did so immediately after he refused to fire the Director of Human Resources. 

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation issued the following statement.

The city of Pearl issued the following statement. 

A pet hotel managed to do one thing it should never do: lose a dog.  WJTV reported:

The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement.

Jackson's fight to keep control of its airport took a big step backwards two weeks ago.  The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Jackson couldn't obtain the communications of several legislators deemed instrumental in the passage of the "airport takeover" bill in 2016.

Mississippi’s 2019 gubernatorial ballot is now solidified and while the issues remain basically unchanged since the primaries, the framing for the Nov. 5 will be different.

Lawrence of Arabia returns to the big screen tomorrow.   Order your tickets now at Fandango.  This is simply a must-see for those who love the cinema.  Stellar cast: Peter O'Toole (sober version), Sir Alec Guinness (minus the light saber), Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Claude Raines, and our favorite supporting actor in any movie: Jack Hawkins. Showtimes are posted below.

Failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Waller, Jr. Will not endorse Tate Reeves for Governor.

The Capital City Convention Center needs a bailout if it wants to keep the doors open until October 1.   The convention center asked the city of Jackson for a $131,411 bailout.  The Jackson City Council tabled the request for further discussion today.

Jackson Ward 2 City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr. provided an update on the budget hearings on Facebook last week:

The Tennessee Volunteer Band showed more heart than the football team did Saturday....

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following press release.

Nothing like a holiday on a hot day.  Since it might be too hot to enjoy outdoors today, here is a blast from the past: California Jam.  A line-up of legends rocked 200,000 fans at the Ontario Motor Speedway. Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, and Black Oak Arkansas are in the three hour video posted below.  Funnel a few drinks and enjoy.

JPD issued the following statement.

Will guaranteed incomes help the poor escape poverty? An experiment taking place in Jackson is attempting to found out if such is true.  The Washington ____ reported yesterday:

Meet the JSU Mascot, last seen getting a penalty for his team.....

The folks at SEC Shorts don't usually post a new video so soon after the last one but well, Tennessee did lose to Georgia State yesterday...

Interesting tidbits from the Republican primary runoff won by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves by a 54% to 46% margin over former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller:

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1990 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson).