Jackson Jambalaya

A Dune teaser video dropped today.  A full trailer will be released on September 9.  Don't get your hopes up but this production might actually be pretty good.  Please let it be so. Enjoy.

Social media was ablaze with the news the Health Department cited several local restaurants for Covid-19 violations Friday night.  JJ did some digging and got some more information about what took place.  The Health Department stated in an email sent to this website:

Perhaps Clarion-Ledger Editor Mary Irby should leave her Hattiesburg perch and pay a visit to her newsroom.  Check out this news story from the Clarion-Ledger website today:

JPD issued the following statement. 

It's a new day at the Clarion-Ledger.   Hattiesburg resident and Clarion-Ledger Editor Mary Irby-Jones made the solemn pronouncement on the pages of the state newspaper on August 20. Don't take my word for it.  Read her words for yourself.

The Mouse has had enough.  Go woke gets broke at Disney.  Our fearless Hollywood seer announced the news on Youtube several days ago.  Enjoy.

Journalist Tim Poole called out the media for trying to well, for  lack of a more formal phrase, to stir up crap.  What drew his ire was an op-ed column in The Week that wondered out loud if we are heading towards bread riots.  You can't make this up. 

JPD issued the following statements. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

The late Dr. Frank Pollard tackled the subject of depression in this 1991 sermon.  If you didn't make it to church this morning, enjoy Dr. Pollard's sermon. 

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming was a 1966 comedy about an accidental Russian invasion on the west coast. The Guatemalans are coming, the Guatemalans are coming was the comedic response when our president in 2018 projected an immigrant invasion on the Mexican border. Of the two it turns out the Russian invasion was no joke.

Warren Strain finally came home.  His wife announced on Facebook:

Check out what is playing at Tinseltown:

Bunker shots. Sooner or later, you will wind up in the bunker.  Don't get discouraged when that happens.  Golfing legend Paige Spririnac shows how to get out of that nasty sand trap. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 599 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 14 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 81,294. The virus has caused 2,413 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 42% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 62,707 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.93.

The Greater Belhaven Foundation is plugging along in its effort to sock Belhaven property owners with a tax increase.  The Foundation stated in an email today:

Who could forget this classic moment at WLBT back in 2007?

The city of Jackson will hold a virtual town hall  at 11:00 this morning.  The Zoom information is posted below.

Credit: Library of Congress

A gusher of water erupted this evening in front of the old Clarion Hotel on I-55 Frontage Road in North Jackson.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 585 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 26 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 80,695. The virus has caused 2,399 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 42% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 62,707 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.95.

Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health has received at least 53 complaints about restaurants in the Jackson metro that have violated Covid-19 guidelines.  JJ obtained a list of complaints through a public records request.

Good news on the Covid-19 testing front.   The Wall Street Journal reports today:

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement. 

Is this video really a joke?

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 904 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 58 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 80,110. The virus has caused 2,373 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 42% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 62,707 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.95.

A little girl riding an inflatable unicorn was rescued after she was swept out to sea in Greece Tuesday.   The Greek City Times reported:

Danny Craft reports his trailer was stolen on Winchester yesterday:

State Auditor Shad White and Education Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright are having a bit of a go at it right now.  The fireworks began when Mr. White questioned the use of CARES Act funds for technology expenses such as computers in a letter sent to Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn and Leftenent Governor Delbert Hosemann last week:

With the Republican National Convention wrapping up this week and the Democratic National Convention just behind us, the stretch run has essentially begun in the 2020 presidential campaign. There are just 10 weeks left in this election.

The wheels of justice are turning slowly but surely against a man accused of shooting Madison County Deputy Brad Sullivan. A Madison County grand jury indicted Edgar Egbert for attempted first degree murder, kidnapping, and felony evasion on August 5. 

Check out the final two choices for the Mississippi State Flag:

Sales tax revenue fell for most cities in the Jackson metro area for the fiscal year that ended June 30.  Such losses were expected due to the pandemic and related shutdowns.  However, the news was not gloom for all as sales tax revenue increased for Clinton, Pearl, and Madison. 

Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

The CDC reported Friday 69% of child care Covid-19 infections in Rhode Island had no secondary transmission.  Rhode Island child care centers reopened after a 3-month shutdown. 

The Daily Mississippian is none too pleased with the start of classes at Ole Miss:

Google "Wizard of Oz".  Click on the pair of red slippers on the far right side of the page, then click on the tornado.  You're welcome.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 511 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 8 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 78,405. The virus has caused 2,248 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 42% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 62,707 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 1.02.

Photographer Rick Guy took all photos in this post. 

"It's sheer beauty, a moment of sanctuary from the outside world."  Such is how Executive Director Betsy Bradley describes an Impressionist exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Art.  The works of masters such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, and even Picasso transform the museum's walls into murals of wonder rarely seen in Jackson. 

The Going Out of Business sale is gone.  The "store closing" signs disappeared from Books A Million.  It appears the bookstore will continue to operate in Northeast Jackson.  An employee said the store is no longer closing.  Good news. 

This post is a reprint of an article written by James Finn of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Journalism.

To say there is a debate over the wearing of masks is an understatement.  One of the better "Braniac" Youtube channels, Thoughty2, delved into the mask debate and laid out the facts as known today.  He covers all bases and yes, he deals with both the 1918 flu and Dr. Fauci's little comments back in March.  Enjoy.

Is this a funny sketch or is it actually a depiction of reality? 

A brawl took place at Tinseltown theatre in Pearl last night. A bunch of parents dropped off their kids and well, see for yourself what took place.

What's missing from these two editions of the Clarion-Ledger?

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1991 sermon presented by the late Dr. Frank Pollard.  He was probably the best preacher to grace Jackson in the past half-century. 

The fight between House Speaker Philip Gunn and Gov. Tate Reeves that stalled passage of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) appropriation bill could be a harbinger of Gunn-fights to come.

A well-known Jackson geologist claims his CPA embezzled several hundred thousand dollars from a company they own together.  Charles Williams, Jr. made the allegations in a lawsuit filed against William Nation, CPA in Hinds County Court yesterday.

The IHL Board of Trustees approved the sale of the former Brandon and Flowood Courthouse Racquet Clubs yesterday.

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

Yours truly subbed for KIM Waaaaaaaade Monday.  Topics discussed were the Hinds County catch & release program, Clarion-Ledger, and a few other sundries.  The first hour is posted below.  

Jackson went plumb crazy yesterday as multiple shootings took place in very public areas.

You can't make this up.  HBO slapped a warning on yet another movie: Blazing Saddles.  Yup.  Apparently AT&T thinks you are too fragile to watch the classic comedy without a warning.  Watch the warning for yourself.

Lord Protector Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 894 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 27 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 75,449. The virus has caused 2,190 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 45% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 56,577 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.91.

Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following statement. 

Jackson Urban Praetor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement. 

The creator of the "Stennis Flag" is none too happy with the Final Five choices for the new state flag.  She posted this little screed on Instagram although it has since been removed.

Green Oak Nursery owner Karen McKie discussed the crime, vagrants, and lax city enforcement that plagues the area around her business on the Kim Wade radio show Monday.  Yours truly subbed for the Radio Strongman as he endured yet another re-education camp.  The show is posted below.  Enjoy.

Federal agents arrested Tim Norman yesterday for conspiracy in the 2016 murder of his nephew.  Norman is the manager of the Jackson Sweetie Pie's restaurant and grandson of the company founder.  Norman allegedly took out a fat life insurance policy on his nephew and then paid a stripper to kill him.  If the allegations are true, the video below shows a stone cold side to the accused.

As the national debate roils over whether or not President Donald Trump and some of his appointees are actively setting up the U.S. Postal Service as an intentional impediment to mail-in voting and other early voting efforts, Mississippi is essentially on the sidelines as one few states that haven’t embraced both “no excuse” mail-in voting and early voting initiatives.

 Federal Agents arrested James "Tim" Norman, the manager of Sweetie Pies, for conspiracy in the murder of his nephew in 2016. An FBI Special Agent stated in an affidavit:

Check out the five finalists for the new Mississippi flag.

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

WJTV reported some rather disturbing news from Madison County last night:

“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” Pablo Picasso

Check out these old commercials from the 90's that popped up on Youtube.

It's time for an SEC road trip!

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 276 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 11 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 72,412. The virus has caused 2,095 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 45% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 56,577 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.97.

Just some pictures of a few good ole Virden Addition boys who are  just a meanin' no harm on Instagram.

Want to know why people no longer trust medical authorities? The World Health Organization provides a perfect example of such skepticism when it advised people to avoid going to the dentist during the pandemic.  WHO stated in an August 3 guidance:

Did you know that Hawaii has its own Karens?

 At the end of every session, our office takes an inventory of the legislative changes for which we successfully advocated and the items we need to put back on the to-do list.

Rioters rampaged in Chicago's Miracle Mile last week.   Unfortunately, one of their targets was the Ronald McDonald House.  Sick children and their parents were inside when the attack took place.  Thankfully, no kids were harmed.  ABC7 reported:

A Hinds County grand jury indicted Lincoln Lampley, Desmond Barney, and Anthony Fox for second degree murder in the death of George Robinson on January 13, 2019.

The Jackson Zoo issued the following statement.

What do Johnny Carson and the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church (Jackson) have in common?

As of April 30, the pandemic shut-down pushed Mississippi’s unemployment rate up to 15.7% with 187,800 unemployed residents. Two weeks later Gov. Tate Reeves thrust John Rounsaville into the middle of this economic crisis, putting him in charge of the Mississippi Development Authority.

Play stupid games......

A Madison County grand jury indicted Dacoda Ray for two counts of sexual battery.  It's a pretty sick case.  More information is in the indictment posted below.  There are some graphic details in the indictment.  Consider yourself warned. 

Today's edition of Flashback Friday honors a Black woman who walked the streets of Jackson a century ago.  Lacking in riches but rich in the Spirit, Nancy Hill was a Jackson icon.  She was the Junior League before there was a Junior League.  The midwife birthed over half of the babies in Jackson while raising over 100 orphans during her years.  It was a common sight to see her leading a mule pulling a sled, yes, a sled, filled with little tykes around town.  She could walk into the Governor's office uninvited - and did.  Complaints against her were laughed out of court.  When her life finally faded, she became the first Black to be buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

The Million Dollar Man's son apparently has a million-dollar home that the Feds want.  The U.S. Attorney filed a Lis Pendens action in U.S. District Court against the Reunion home of Ted Dibiase, Jr.  on June 22.  However, the underlying case is sealed.  

Dacoda Ray is back in jail.  

How dumb can a criminal be? Pretty dumb if he wears his ankle bracelet with GPS capability when he carjacks someone. Such stupidity was on display in the courtrooms of Hinds County yesterday as two judges stuck Marcus Thompson, Jr. behind bars yesterday after JPD arrested him for aggravated assault in two shootings. 

Jackson City Council President Aaron Banks issued the following statement. 

Want to go road-tripping to the Mississippi Delta? Steve Azar gives some tips on such trips in this interview with Bigger Pie Forum.  Enjoy.

The Desoto County Coroner and the Mississippi State Department of Health are going at it over what constitutes a Covid-19 death.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

It appears JPD is short a few police officers.  WAPT reported:

Steinmart issued the following statement.

Magnolia Mayor Anthony Witherspoon caused a bit of a controversy recently when he allegedly screamed at and shoved a Magnolia Gazette reporter.  Earlier post.  This is not the first time the Mayor has been accused of having an anger problem.  The reporter should be thankful the Mayor only shoved him as Witherspoon was convicted of manslaughter after he shot his first cousin in the back 27 years ago.

A British study determined there is little evidence the Covid-19 virus is transmitted in schools.   The Sunday Times (U.K.) reported Sunday:

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 1,081 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 45 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 69,374. The virus has caused 1,989 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 45% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 49,836 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.91.

MSDH has not yet released the big chart today. However, the Rt factor dropping to 0.91 is good news as it has been at or below 1.0 for at least a week.

The city of Jackson refuses to respond to a public records request for a permit allegedly issued for a streetball tournament.

Whack-A-Mole was a popular arcade game back in the mid-1970s which required players to use a mallet to strike randomly appearing toy moles back into their holes. The game’s heyday has come and gone, but the game’s concept remains a part of the nation’s lexicon in problem-solving.

In no venture is a round of whack-a-mole more descriptive than in the nation’s attempt to deal with the nuances of illegal immigration – as repeated efforts to resolve the problem are futile and produce new and varied reoccurrences.

Joe Rogan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson, a really smart guy, delved into the theories of one Nikolai Tesla nearly a year ago.  Actually, Mr. Tyson did  the delving as Joe was just along for the ride.  ;-) 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement. 

Hinds County District 2 Supervisor David L. Archie and the man he beat last year, former Supervisor Darrell McQuirter have a showdown today at the Mississippi Supreme Court.  Watch it live at 10:30. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.

Andrew Schulz took on TikTok,  Ellen, and a few other items of interest in this week's screed.  Enjoy.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 476 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 16 new deaths.* The total number of cases is 67,649 . The virus has caused 1,912 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 45% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 49,836 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.97.

This post is a reprint of an article published in Kaiser Health News.  Sarah Varney is the author.

For a world crippled by the coronavirus, salvation hinges on a vaccine.

But in the United States, where at least 4.6 million people have been infected and nearly 155,000 have died, the promise of that vaccine is hampered by a vexing epidemic that long preceded COVID-19: obesity.

The struggle of Green Oak Nursery to survive in Northeast Jackson is a perfect example of the challenges businesses face in Jackson.  JJ reported last week the nursery was plagued by thievery.  No object was safe outside the store even if bolted down.  However, Green Oak is involved in another fight and that is a fight against blight.

Football season might or might not take place but never fear, the folks at SEC Shorts are here with yet another sketch that hits too close to home.  Enjoy.

Christmas won't be quite as merry this year.  For decades, the ornaments of Gay Street decorated many a Christmas tree in Mississippi.  Sadly, the renowned artist recently passed away.

Tis the question posed by the late Dr. Frank Pollard in this 1991 sermon.  If you can't it to church this morning, enjoy one of the best preachers to ever grace this state.

Some applaud, some slight Gov. Tate Reeves for his recent firm, but skittish, steps to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus in Mississippi.

JPD issued the following statement.

Note: This post went up after it already made the rounds on the media's FB pages.  It's out there.  Having said that, the coroner is an RN, not a doctor.  Keep that in mind when reading the post. 

Social media erupted again this morning when the Desoto County Coroner accused the Mississippi State Department of Health of forcing him to state the cause of death as Covid-19 even if it was not so if the deceased was infected with the virus.  Desoto County Coroner and Medical Examiner Josh Pounders (R.N.) stated on Facebook:

Who knew this guy was a prophet? Enjoy.

Covid-fovid, we are going to have us a pandemic Mississippi State Fair.  WAPT reported yesterday:

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 1,036 new cases of the Wuhan virus yesterday as well as 23 new deaths. The total number of cases is 65,436 . The virus has caused 1,848 deaths. Nursing home deaths comprise 45% of overall Covid-19 deaths in Mississippi. There are 42,391 recoveries. More information and a complete list of infected counties can be found at the MSDH website. The Rt factor is 0.98.

Madison County Sheriff Randall Tucker issued the following statement. 

The Speaker and the Governor are going to war again.  Mississippi Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn and his main Butterbar Jason White sued Governor Tate Reeves yesterday in Hinds County Chancery Court in an effort to overturn several so-called line item vetoes.

Is this a legit protest or is our friend Adofo Minko literally talking s*** about s***?  He posted these two flyers online. 

It is now August and that means the return of our friends at SEC Shorts.  If they've ever been needed, it's definitely now.  Enjoy.

The Cipher intends to sue a whole bunch of folks after he was arrested last week.

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

Nestled away on Ridgewood Road is JJ's Yard of the Month.  Such items used to be a regular feature of the newspapers but sadly, they have been cast away in favor of more modern features.  Consider this post to be an experiment of sorts as JJ is going to try this feature out for a few months.  Photographer Rick Guy shot these photos.  Enjoy. 

Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following statement. 

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

Celebrate the life of Charles Evers at what else, a block party Friday:

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

The hot topic right now is whether schools reopen.  Understandable because kids needs to be in school but no one wants to see families suffer as Covid-19 rages across Mississippi.  Science Magazine reported some encouraging news last month about children going to school during the pandemic.  The magazine stated:

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.

Mississippi voters will face the question of legalized medical marijuana use on a broader scale on the November ballot. Medical marijuana is already legal in Mississippi in the narrowest of senses.

Andrew Schulz took no prisoners in his latest diatribe on hydroxychloroquine. 

The Mississippi Supreme Court issued the following statement. 

Last week was one of the most surreal, yet rewarding, weeks I have spent in my 38-year restaurant career. Tuesday through Saturday nights we said farewell to a dear friend— the first the first restaurant concept I ever opened, the flagship of our company, the place where so many life events have been celebrated with my family, and with other families throughout the region and across the country— The Purple Parrot.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba blamed the recent spike in shootings and murders on Covid-19 in a WJTV interview yesterday.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following statement.

Governor Tate Reeves posted the following statement on Facebook.

Our boys returned home from the International Space Station yesterday.  Truly a sight to see as they christened America's return to space. 

Protestors attacked St. Richard Catholic Church Saturday night.

JPD issued the following statement.

Another business is threatening to leave Jackson thanks to unrelenting crime. Thieves repeatedly hit Green Oak nursery on Old Canton Road as shown in the video posted below.

Bill Maher said something that desperately needed to be said as he called out our leaders for refusing to talk candidly about Covid-19.

Dragon returns to Earth in a few minutes.  Watch the splashdown off of the Florida coast below.

If you can't make it to church today, enjoy this little gem of a pastor from Jackson's past. 

There are the cold-hearted and the warm-hearted, the kind-hearted and the cruel-hearted, the soft-hearted and the hard-hearted among us. Do hearts matter when it comes to leadership?

JPD issued the following statement.