Jackson Jambalaya

Former JPD officer Anthony Fox is on trial this week in Hinds County for the alleged beating death of George Robinson. Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten presides over Fox's trial.  Therese Apel has been covering the case every day from the courtroom on her website. 

 Jackson Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth I. Stokes said today's radio show will probably be his last one.  The show was vintage Stokes as he said the Mayor is "dumb as a rock", griped about police chases, and raised hell about what else about water.  Oh, and he shucked the corn on who might run for Mayor.  Enjoy.

The late Dr. Frank Pollard had no qualms about preaching about a word often avoided, "judgment", in the 1994 sermon posted below.  Enjoy the remedial sermon. 

Hospitals in Mississippi face unprecedented financial pressures. Now two more have been forced to seek out new owners. The City of Greenwood and Leflore County have put jointly owned Greenwood Leflore Hospital up for bid. Jackson County supervisors will hold a public hearing on August 17 after voting to consider putting county owned Singing River Health Systems (SRSH) up for bid.

 JJ came across a real classic on Youtube starring a young Paul Newman that you might enjoy watching if you have nothing else to do on a Saturday night.  

or Briarwood Bum makes good.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement this afternoon. 

 Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads suspended Police Chief Ricky McMillian for a week.  WAPT reported:

 Several Jackson residents complained on social media that JPD's 911 service refused to take their calls.

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves denied a motion for reconsideration as he announced he is taking over the Raymond Detention Center.  Judge Reeves said Hinds County is simply not capable of managing its jail: 

 The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board of Commissioners attempted to hold a meeting yesterday but were unable to do so due to the lack of a quorum. 

JPD arrested Monte Reeves for aggravated assault and shooting into a vehicle two days ago.  Reeves is the husband of perennial Jackson Mayoral candidate Charlotte Reeves. 

 A new front opened in the war between Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi and UMC yesterday.  After suffering several months of UMC attack ads, Blue Cross sued UMC Vice-Chancellor Dr. Louann Woodward, Associate Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Jones, and Communications Director Marc Rolph for defamation in Rankin County Circuit Court.  

 Good news for Hubig's affianados.  The legendary New Orleans treat will rise from the ashes after its factory burned down ten years ago.  The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate reported last week: 

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

A memorial was created for Brad Pennington where he walked his last route.  Break out some tissues. 

A sinkhole developed on Old Canton Road by Parkway. The sinkhole appears to be two to three feet deep but also takes up almost the entire lane on Old Canton Road.  As the pictures below show, traffic passes only a yard or so away from the sinkhole.  Atmos installed a second plate and is supposed to repair the hole tomorrow. 

 Nancy New picked up where Brad Pigott left off Monday as she subpoenaed a plethora of documents from former Governor Phil Bryant, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, IHL,  and the USM Athletic Foundation.  She is a defendant in a clawback lawsuit pursued by DHS and the Mississippi Attorney General in the DHS scandal.  

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement yesterday. 

Last week I spent seven days in the Florida Panhandle on “vacation.” I used the word “vacation” because that is the easy, go-to, and common nomenclature one uses when describing time off from work. The problem with using that term is that I never really take time off from work. I'm not complaining, I like it that way. I love what I do. I don't fish, hunt, play golf, or gamble. I love restaurants, food, and the restaurant business. If I have any hobbies I would have to state— other than the restaurant business, which is also my hobby— that movies, music, and football are what I enjoy in my pastime. But I am a spectator in all those activities. I am an active player in the restaurant business.

The ATF arrested Kent Newhouse on July 21 for manufacturing machine pistols at his home just a few feet away from where children play golf at the Country Club of Jackson.* Newhouse is the son of former Clarion-Ledger publisher John Newhouse.  

 Jackson Chief of Staff Dr. Safiya Omari stood in for Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba today at his weekly press conference.  The presser is streamed below.

Do you need a local guest speaker but don't know where to look?  Fortunately there is a website just such things.  Check out the list of Mississippi keynote speakers and their going rates.

That little ammonia leak wasn't quite so little as it managed to crash the entire Jackson water treatment system for several weeks.  The EPA wants answers and gave Jackson a deadline but the only part Jackson heard was dead as in drop dead.  

 The Jackson State University issued the following statement. 

Suppose it is the middle of a city election and a voter wants to see who gave what to whom.  He goes down to City Hall and asks to see the campaign finance reports.  Unfortunately for him, he meets a clerk who tells him in typical bureaucratic fashion to file a public records request, wait a week, and pay a fee as well as a player to be named later.   Frustrated, he says fuggedaboutit and goes home.  However, the Ethics Commission ruled in March he has a right to see those reports right there on the spot - for free.

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

How did Mississippi lawmakers spend BP money? 

This story was originally published by Propublica.  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. The Sun-Herald's Anita Lee, yes, THE Anita Lee, authored this story. This story is loooong but well worth reading.  Get a Fuentes Maduro.     

Business leaders hoped the state would use money from the 2010 oil spill to transform Mississippi’s coastal economy. Instead, lawmakers are using much of it to fill gaps in local government budgets and fund projects with few metrics for success.

 Posted below is the contract between Bradley Pigott, Esq. and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.  For some strange reason, there is a great deal of interest in the contract so JJ obtained a copy of it.  

UMC is sparing no expense as it wages war against Blue Cross.  The hospital spent $278,796 on ads attacking the insurer in commercials, digital media, and on billboards after they divorced in April. 

 Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners Executive Director Chris Hutchison is now former Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners Executive Director after Friday's Board meeting.  

 This post is a reprint of Anna Wolfe's story in Mississippi Today. 

Mississippi Department of Human Services Director Bob Anderson said he took attorney Brad Pigott off the state’s ongoing civil lawsuit in the welfare scandal because Pigott didn’t consult with the agency before filing a recent subpoena that named the former governor.

 When does is freedom slavery and slavery freedom? The question is not a review of 1984 but a question the late Dr. Frank Pollard asked in his sermon posted below.  Mixing Seneca, yes, the Stoic philosopher, with the Gospels, he preached how the freedom to indulge turns into chains of bondage.  Enjoy. 

 The upcoming November 8^th general election features contested elections in all four congressional districts.

 Want to guess that movie will be at the theatre next week? 

 Why are we incapable of understanding each other? Why can’t we agree on reasonable expectations and goals of governing for the good of the American people? We have become divided by a common language. We cannot even agree on what things are good and what things are bad, much less compromise to get a little of each so we can achieve some good. 

Agency says it did not fire Piggot 

 The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement. 

Update (9:30 AM): Attorney Carlos Moore tweeted he will represent his former nephew by marriage: 

I have been retained to represent Tim Herrington along with Kevin Horan. Although he has been charged with a serious crime he is presumed innocent. We will vigorously defend him and look forward to clearing his good name.

 The Oxford Police Department issued the following statement. 

 This post is a reprint of Anna Wolfe's story that appeared in Mississippi Today. 

The state welfare department has fired Brad Pigott, the former U.S. attorney it contracted to claw back millions in misspent federal funds from dozens of people in Mississippi’s sprawling welfare scandal.

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

 Pearl Mayor Jake Windham will hold a press conference at 1 on the police chase that took place yesterday.  The city issued a statement that is posted below. The video is posted below.

 Lynn Fitch's attorneys apparently need to take some classes in Mississippi Government 101 after the Mississippi Supreme Court embarrassed her office Wednesday.  

Bobby Cleveland's legacy will continue at the Rez after the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District voted yesterday to change the name of Lakeshore Park to Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore. 

Updated with Jackson Mayor's statement.  

The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement. 

 State Beancounter Shadrack White issued the following statement. 

 Well, the nutjobs finally managed to get Dave Chappelle cancelled.  The comedian was scheduled to perform in at the First Avenue in Minneapolis last night but the outrage mob managed to get his show cancelled just a few hours before it opened.  The theatre tweeted this statement:

 The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement. 

 An Alabama woman died at UMMC July 12 after suffering an attack by a pack of dogs in April.  WHNT reported: 

A night of partying turned into a nightmare in Florence several months ago.  The Attorney General arrested Rankin County Tax Assessor John Sullivan for an alleged rape that took place at his home after Byram police arrested him for drunk driving just a few hours earlier. 

 The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement. 

 Topgolf issued the following statement. 

It's always interesting to me how we enjoy some foods only during certain times of the year or on certain occasions. We love the dishes and meals, yet we reserve them for a specific time, place, or holiday. My grandmother didn't believe in that rule. Sunday lunches at her house were always an event. It’s also where my love of food and for dining began. There was a particular rotation that she followed. One Sunday a month we would have leg of lamb. The next Sunday we would have roast beef. The third Sunday we would basically have a Thanksgiving meal whether it was November, January, or June. 

For both U.S. and Mississippi farmers, China is the primary export market for their crops and current forecasts anticipate record sales – if conditions in the forecast models hold. That’s a big “if.”

Jackson Women's Health Organization called it quits.  The abortion clinic fought in court to reopen after the Dobbs decision forced it to close its doors several weeks ago.  JWHO sued to stay open but lost in Hinds County Chancery Court.  The clinic appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court but withdrew its appeal today.

 Just another day in Jackson......

Ruth Cummins authored the following essay for UMC. 

Maggie Stanford is putting in 40-hour weeks in a University of Mississippi Medical Center laboratory, in part to answer a question: Do I want to be a career researcher?

 Convicted felon and former prosecutor Ivon Johnson worked as Hinds County Supervisor Bobcat McGowan's assistant  for over two years.   

160 customers may lose their deposits after a Gluckstadt generator installation company asked a bankruptcy court to liquidate its business last week.   

Apartments will not be coming anytime soon to Highland Colony Parkway after a developer notified the city of Ridgeland he is taking a 30 acre-mixed use development back to the drawing board. 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding is weekly press conference.  It is streamed below.

JPD took a break from stopping criminals to harass a private citizen recording a crime scene with his cellphone yesterday even though he has a right to do so.  

 A preliminary investigative report on the Uvalde massacre damns the police and a multitude of failures that allowed the killer to mow kids down at will as police dithered and slithered in the hallways of Robb Elementary.  

Check out the trailer for Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The video is posted below.  Enjoy.

Update: The crime scene is now a homicide. 

A car was shot up on I-55 exit at Northside Drive. 

To take the way of Abel or the way of Cain is to choose between profit and righteousness. Thus preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard in the 1994 sermon posted below.  

Mississippi does not fare well on most national rankings. That trend continued as WalletHub.com published a series of rankings on multiple categories that compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Mississippi ranked at or near the bottom on most.

What do you think? Years ago a good friend said, “I’ll see it when I believe it.” Everyone sees what they believe, but no one can see what they don’t believe. We believe what we have learned. 

Will Nancy New bring down a former Governor or is she merely a convict trying to cast blame on anyone and everyone? New and her son Zach defrauded the government of millions of dollars in TANF funds while bribing public officials. Earlier post on guilty plea.

 Gas prices slightly fell but at a cost.  Check out refinery capacity. 

 The movie that beat The Godfather at The Academy Awards returns to the bijou tomorrow and Wednesday. 

 Special Chancellor Larry Roberts called Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's arguments "nonsensical" in his order striking down the Mayor's veto of negative votes.  

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

Things aren't looking too good for the Rankin County Tax Assessor.   The Attorney General charged John Sullivan with rape in April after Byram police arrested him for a DUI in March. However, WLBT obtained the police report and video of his DUI arrest and found he was um, counseling several young women when police pulled him over.   He later discussed baptizing them earlier that evening. WLBT reported: 

 Richard's Disposal wants to get paid and wants to get paid $1.6 million.  The New Orleans garbage collection company sued the city of Jackson in U.S. District Court yesterday for payment.   

 State Bean-Counter Shad White issued the following statement. 

Trashing the veto......

Another tree fell in the Lamar Adams case.  Jon Seawright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in U.S. District Court yesterday.  Seawright was a partner at Baker Donelson but has not been associated with the firm for a year and a half. 

The attorney waived indictment and accepted a bill of information.  The bill of information states Seawright conspired with co-defendant Brent Alexander to sell phony timber investments from 2011 to 2018 through their company, Alexander Seawright Timber Fund, LLC (ASTF).   The bill states: 

Special orders don't upset us over at Ellis Avenue, have it your way.....

Annie Oeth authored the following UMMC press release. 

Inflation stepped up the pace last month as it rose to 9.1%.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated in a press release today: 

 JPD issued the following statement. 

 There is something deep inside of me that enjoys hosting people. It borderlines a compulsion or obsession. I've been that way since I was a little kid. Whenever I heard a new song on the radio, in my youth— and I had enough money to purchase a 45 single— I would ride my bike to the record store, by the record, and then spend the next week trying to get my friends to listen to it. I love turning people on to music. Six decades later, I still do it. A lot. Conversely, I also enjoy learning about new music from friends who have similar tastes.

William “Bill” Renick, Sr., of Ashland is a solid choice by President Joe Biden to represent Mississippi’s interests on the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors.

 Needless to say, it's been a rather violent 24 hours in Jackson.  Check out the three press releases issued by JPD recently.

 The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

A Rankin County grand jury indicted Tyler Swaggerd for two counts of exploitation of a child. Flowood police arrested Tyler Swaggard in December after several complaints were made by youth members of the church.  

Please help Adam Williams.  The Crazy Cat waiter was recently carjacked and shot but thankfully survived.  However, he does have bills even though he was fortunate enough to have insurance.   Crazy Cat owner Jon Lansdale posted on the Gofundme page: 

Carlos the Clown is in trouble yet again but this time in his role as a Grenada Municipal Court Judge Pro-tem.  The Commission on Judicial Performance fined Mr. Moore $1,500 after he used his position as a judge to pressure officers for a private client. 

Update (7/12, 8:20 AM): Mayor Lumumba postponed the presser.  

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba will hold a press conference tomorrow at 12:45 at City Hall to discuss the garbage contract.  

"Many call but few are chosen", The Book of Bear, 5:15 

Carolwood residents must continue to see flooding washout their yards after the Clan of Calhoun revoked funding for the repair of White Oak Creek last week. 

 Hinds County spent $150,000 in ARPA funds to rehab Grove Park.  Naturally a ceremony was held.  Check out what Jackson Ward 4 Councilman Brian Grizzell did with the photo he posted on his Facebook page. 

 A Madison County jury acquitted massage therapist Elecius Franklin of sexual battery in May.  

 Meanwhile, over in Krygystan a few days ago......

 It's time for another edition of Sunday Sermon.  Every Sunday, JJ posts a sermon by one of Jackson's finest preachers, the late Dr. Frank Pollard of First Baptist Church, for readers who couldn't make to church today.  Dr. Pollard preached from Proverbs 12 today.  Enjoy. 

 Remember back in July 2019 when Gov. Tate Reeves campaigned against increasing Mississippi gas taxes by 10 to 12 cents per gallon? 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

Beaten but not broken, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba promised to fight for his right to veto no-votes of the Jackson City Council.  

The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

James Caan passed away yesterday.  Here's to you, Jonathon. 

Chancellor Slaps Down Lumumba, tyranny in Jackson

The war between Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the City Council resumes today in Hinds County Chancery Court.  Special Guest Star Chancellor Larry Roberts will decide whether the Mayor can veto negative actions of the Council.   Watch the proceedings below as yours truly live-blogged the hearing. 

 or when is a veto not a veto? 

The Jackson City Council and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba face each other in the courtroom today.  The issue: Can a Mayor veto a negative vote of the City Council? 

In a desperate bid to survive, Mississippi's only abortion clinic appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court yesterday after a Special Chancellor upheld Mississippi's trigger law and six-week abortion ban.  The trigger  law shut down the clinic this week.   The appeal is posted below. 

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement.

 The Lumumba Administration is holding a press conference on the water crisis right now.  It is streamed live below. 

 Hog-tied, terrified, and completely at the mercy of soulless savages is the nightmare of all who are grayed by the passage of time.   Such horror befell a Northeast Jackson elderly couple two years ago as their son's girlfriend directed a little gang of thugs to carjack her boyfriend and rob his wealthy parents at gunpoint in their home two years ago.  Thankfully, the wheels of justice are turning in the right direction. 

Nothing like media privilege, right, WLBT?

 Senator Roger Wicker penned this column. 

Fishing for red snapper is a popular pastime on the Gulf Coast, one that brings together fishermen, boat makers, bait suppliers, and restaurant owners. This prosperous industry centers on three months of open fishing during the summer.

To my dismay, regulators in Washington are now proposing a rule that could cut Mississippi’s season down to two weeks without any sound science. If they succeed, the Gulf Coast will needlessly suffer.

 The Jackson City Council and Lumumba Administration discussed reopening the Grove Park golf course Tuesday.  Water plants are falling apart, the roads need work, everything is under a consent decree, yet Jackson's Solons want to waste money reopening a golf course it closed five years ago.  

 The step-mother of an 11 year-old boy shot in the back yesterday posted this message on Facebook today. 

 JPS hired who else but a disgraced CFO  to run the school system.  Check out the JPS press release:

 The Mississippi V.A. threw in the towel on staying in West Jackson.  This little request for quotes for professional services appeared in the Bureau of Buildings, Grounds, and Real Property Management's website.

 Last Friday I wrapped up a photo shoot for my new cookbook, “Mississippi Mornings.” It's a book I've wanted to write for almost a decade, and one I've been seriously contemplating for five or six years. Recipe testing finally began this past February and we got about halfway through the roster before I had to head to Europe for work. A week after my return in May we began recipe testing again. 

 Last week’s Republican congressional primaries in Mississippi’s Third and Fourth congressional districts pointed up some political realities that should prove instructional for current office holders and those who might challenge them.

 Knucklehead ______'ed around and found out.  

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

Mississippi's only abortion clinic struck out in Hinds County Chancery Court today after Special Chancellor Debbra Halford denied its request to bar the state from enforcing a ban on almost all abortions.  The order is posted below.

 The wheels of justice won't turn for awhile as sentencing was postponed for convicted fraudster David Lane.  

Watch Hearing below

Update: The hearing concluded after 45 minutes.  Chancellor Halford said she would rule on the request for an injunction at a later time. 

The fight over Dobbs continues today in Hinds County Chancery Court as Mississippi's only abortion clinic squares off with the state of Mississippi in an effort to stay open. 

SEC Receiver Alysson Mills filed her status report in the Lamar Adams case last Friday.  The report is posted below.

Some people enjoy Independence Day with barbecues and fireworks.  Others like to well, wreck ____ as seen in the pictures below. 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

Just a slow Hornet moving along. 

 This little item appeared on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council. 

As Jackson suffers more water problems, where is Jackson's leadership? 

More than a few readers miss church during a holiday weekend.  Fireworks often beats fire and brimstone.   If you need a make-up sermon, enjoy the 1994 sermon presented below by the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he preached from Jude.  Yes, Jude, the shortest book in the Bible.  

 Interesting election results last week. One incumbent congressman, Steven Palazzo lost, while another came back and won, Michael Guest.

Did you know that in 40 states Michael Cassidy and Palazzo would have won?

 This post is a reprint of a story published on The Taxpayers' Channel website on June 23. 

This morning, a hearing was held by the Express Grain bankruptcy court on a motion filed by UMB Bank and Express Grain seeking clarification of the court's Sale Order. One of the issues needing clarification involves the 16th section land that part of the oil mill rests upon. The 16th section land is not owned outright by EG, but rather is subject to 99 year leases from the county and the public school district. Those leases expire July 2, 2046, and this creates some legal questions about the conveyance of EG's property to its new owners.

Media report the number of people killed overnight or every weekend in Chicago and other large cities, but usually not their names. Only those who know and care about those who are killed know their names. No one else wants to know. 

Apparently the ARF rescues JPD as well as dogs.   Thieves stole a not so undercover truck out of the JPD impound lot this week but it turned up at the ARF albeit with some minor alterations.  

 The Flowood Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Would anyone like to take a guess what movie comes back to the big screen next week? 

A hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction is scheduled for July 5 at 10 a.m. in the matter of Jackson Women’s Health Organization v. Dobbs et al, Cause No. 25CH1:22-cv-739 before Special Chancelor DebbraHalford in Courtroom No. 3 of the Hinds Chancery Courtroom

 Just another day on Northside Drive.

 MDOT issued the following statement and video. 

 Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

UMC issued the following statement. 

 Murders often go unsolved as murders continue at record paces in Jackson.  CBS News took notice and came to Jackson last month.  The mothers of murder victims met with Jim Axelrod in what can only be described as a heartbreaking.  The tears still flowed long after the blood dried as the weeping women await justice in a city where too often justice is unknown.   The video is posted below. 

Freakfest in Madison County is no more after a Chancellor barred the "event" from taking place this weekend.  A flyer promoted "Thee Biggest Pool Party & Adult Show" to take place at 965 Highway 16 W near Canton Sunday at noon.  People were going to par-tay until the Madison County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff found out about the diabolical floor show and decided to put a stop to it all.