Jackson Jambalaya

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

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre nagged former Gov. Phil Bryant for help funding a new volleyball facility at his alma mater and a pharmaceutical start-up he had invested in.

 U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate entered the stipulated order i.e. consent decree in United States v. City of Jackson yesterday.  The order stops the complaint filed against the city yesterday. 

Note: Comment in one of the posts below.

The legislature met in special session last week and voted $247 million in state incentives (sweeteners) for Steel Dynamics’ new $2.5 billion recycled aluminum plant and other investments.  The plant is to be built in The Golden Triangle. (Starkville-Columbus-West Point area) in Northeast Mississippi.  The justification for the incentives is jobs, related investments, and other economic multiplier effects.

 The Department of Human Services issued the following statement. 

 It has been said that the four seasons in Mississippi are— almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. I have friends who believe that the four seasons in Mississippi are— dove season, duck season, deer season, and turkey season. There are also people who would argue football season, basketball season, baseball season, and football pre-season. 

 Lord Protector Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Water Tsar has full power to "adjust" rates. 

The EPA submitted a proposed consent decree to the U.S. District Court in Jackson for approval.  The EPA filed an enforcement action against the city of Jackson for its failure to properly maintain its water system over the last several years.  

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement.

 Coach Prime confirmed the University of Colorado offered him its head football coach  job during a weekly press conference yesterday. However, the JSU Head Football Coach said Colorado was not the only school trying to hire him away from JSU.   

 Auburn hired you-know-who as its next head football coach.  Sports Illustrated reported:

A horrific story of savagery unfolded today in Jackson Municipal Court during the initial appearances for suspects accused of killing a 12 year-old boy.   

 And..... This car can be yours...... If the price is right!

Chauncey Reed is trying to use JPD Sergeant Mike Tarrio's death as a get out of jail free card.  Reed's attorney Kevin Camp filed a motion to dismiss Reed's indictment for first degree murder and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer ten days ago in Hinds County Circuit Court.  

 It's that time of year and you know what it means: It's time for my award-winning egg nog recipe:

Out with the old, in with the new, right? 

Suspects are 14 years old. 

JPD issued the following statement. 

A man fell overboard on a Carnival Cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico.  Such episodes usually end in tragedy but not this time.  The Coast Guard found him alive and well after he tread water for probably 15 hours.  Watch the rescue. 

Giving is a topic often avoided in church but the late Dr. Frank Pollard used the parable of the Nazi mirror to illustrate how giving relates to sharing and trust.  Enjoy the 1994 sermon posted below.   

 “What’s your plan: to watch Rome burn and to let hospitals close?” a Louisiana healthcare expert asked regarding Mississippi’s hospital crisis. 

This video aged really well.  Chicago Mercantile Exchange CEO Terry Duffy called out the FTX fraud at a Congressional hearing back in May. He told SBF he was a "fraud" to his face back in May. However, this is Congress where no good deed goes unpunished. Big tech's stooge, Representative Ro Khanna (He is not a Star Wars character)* threatened him with criminal prosecution as he accused him of, get this, lying to Congress. You can't make this up.

There was a time in America when the legislative branch and the executive branch in our federal government agreed to proclaim a day of thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God. On October 3, 1789, President George Washington made that proclamation.

Posted below is a story that fell through the cracks.  It happens.  William "Napoleon" "Polo" "The Cipher" Edwards waits for his reckoning with justice behind bars after he was accused of killing Bobby Davis on May 1 in Clinton.  His preliminary hearing on October 5 in Hinds County Circuit Court yielded a great deal of information about the case.  JJ purchased the transcript and posted it below.  If interested in the case, the transcript is worth reading. 

Posted below are the plea agreements for Canton Alderman Eric Gilkey and former Canton Alderman Andrew Grant.  Both men pleaded guilty to one count of general conspiracy.  A federal grand jury indicted Rudolphus Warnock, Eric Gilkey, Cleveland Anderson, and Andrew Grant for conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud as they allegedly worked together to rip off Canton Municipal Utilities.  The grand jury indicted the defendants on December 8, 2021 but the indictments were not unsealed until Monday after a change of plea hearing was held for Gilkey and Grant.  More than a few people are following this case so the plea agreements are posted for their benefit. 

Do you think this guy still has nightmares of that Thanksgiving Day? 

Do you want to eat dead, burnt bodies? 

 or funny of the day.   Someone complained about not covering Elizabeth Holmes. Well, here ya go.

The pictures on the photographic merry-go-round at the Jackson Municipal Airport are going to need some changing after this week.  A commissioner quit after he was caught living in Rankin County while Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba did not renew the term of another commissioner.  WLBT reported last night: 

 While the media makes excuses for SBF (Looking at you, Forbes and NYT), Coffeezilla uses the F word in his latest breakdown of the FTX scandal.  

 What happens when a California couple moves to Texas? 

The coverup culture continues at the Mississippi Highway Patrol.  Unfortunately, it appears James Fischer is the latest victim of troublesome troopers protected by MHP brass.  MHP has no arrest report for James Fischer even though dashcam video showed Trooper Jason Young arrested Fischer and impounded his vehicle on June 14 in Desoto County.  It is not known if Fischer had to wear an iron mask. 

 The Justice Department issued a press release on the indictments of several Canton aldermen and Rudy Warnock last night.  The press release is posted below.  Comments are closed on this post.  Comment on the earlier post if you feel the need to do so.

L. Frank Baum nailed it when he penned the line, “There’s no place like home,” in his novel about the man behind the green curtain in land of Oz. Five truer words may never have been spoken. Home is where our lives grow fuller and richer. It’s one of the main sources of joy for me.

 Mississippi remains the focus of a 2016 U.S. Justice Department lawsuit which alleges, among other things, that the state “violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) by failing to provide adults with mental illness with necessary integrated, community-based mental health services.”

 You can't make this up.  Sistah Rukia and her friends called for the use of federal troops to force the state to pay for all repairs to Jackson's water and sewer infrastructure at a rally yesterday.  WAPT reported: 

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Coach Prime had a few words to say to his young charges before they took off for the holiday.....

 The Capitol Police Department issued the following statement. 

 This post is reprinted with permission of the Taxpayers Channel (Greenwood). 

At today's special meeting, the Board of Supervisors heard statements from GLH CEO Gary Marchand, Mr. Sam Odle (the consultant hired by the board), Congressman Bennie Thompson, State Senator David Jordan, and State Legislator Solomon Osborne.

 The Mississippi Department of Transportation issued the following statement. 

A federal grand jury indicted Rudolphus Warnock, Eric Gilkey, Cleveland Anderson, and Andrew Grant of conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud as they allegedly worked together to loot Canton Municipal Utilities.    

Link to Dr. Taylor's bio.

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

The Clown is on the prowl and this time has UMMC in his cross-hairs.  Former UMMC police officer Douglas Yates sued UMMC and several campus security officials in U.S. District  Court Thursday for race discrimination and retaliation after he became separated from the hospital earlier this year.  Grenada attorney Carlos Moore represents the Grenada resident.  

 Sometimes it is painful to update the resume but it must be done.  

 The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce issued the following statement. 

It appears the Aggies have had enough. 

Is failure truly failure or is it a sifting? The late Dr. Frank Pollard pondered this question in the 1994 sermon posted below.  Enjoy.  

 As expected, the top priority in Gov. Tate Reeve’s proposed budget for FY 2024 was elimination of the state income tax. The Governor noted that “Mississippi now has the 5th lowest marginal tax rate in the entire nation,” but apparently that is not good enough. “Mississippi must take further steps to remain competitive and to attract new investments to the state,” he said.

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 The American Bar Association issued the following statement. 

 The Mississippi Supreme Court scheduled the execution of Thomas Loden, Jr. for December 14.  Loden raped and murdered a 16 year-old girl on her way home from work in 2000. 

 Over the past 3 to 4 years many of my Christian friends have summarized our conversations saying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Some might see that as a sign of hope, while others, particularly secular friends would see that as a sign of hopelessness. Frankly, I see it as a sincerely hopeful sign. Maranatha!

 Remember that $600 million hack of FTX that recently took place? Well, it turns out the Bahamas government and SBF were behind the hack.  FTX CEO filed a motion to transfer the FTX bankruptcy cases to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware yesterday.  The Court approved the transfer this morning.  Although the motion attracted little attention, there are some real nuggets of information in the filing: 

The Pelahatchie Pig Lady, aka Cheri Bowen, will pay the SEC an amount to be determined at a later date after the agency sued her for participating in a ponzi scheme.  The ponzi scheme involved the selling of bogus cryptocurrency.

 A woman's son was carjacked in Jackson two days ago.  Unable to get help from JPD, she took to the pages of where else but Facebook: 

Byram police arrested a grandfather for shooting his grandson several times earlier this week.  However, BPD refused to release the name of the suspect because it was "domestic violence."  The suspect is Julian Lafrance.  

 Was FTX merely a playpen for children to play with other people's money?  Newly-annointed FTX CEO John Ray, III filed a rather damning report with the bankruptcy court in Delaware this morning.  The report makes clear the FTX companies were nothing more than piggy banks for SBF and his favored few.  Some highlights are: 

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

 The Jackson City Council is meeting right now about the proposed consent decree.  It is streamed below.  Watch but don't listen.  

 The Jackson City Council is supposed to vote on an EPA consent decree for the city's water system but there is just one problem: the City Council has not yet seen the decree.  WJTV reported last night:

Worldcom, Enron, Lehman Brothers, and....... FTX.   Don't understand what is going on in the FTX implosion? Check out Coffeezilla's breakdown of the FTX takedown.  

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

 The Byram Police Department issued the following statement. 

BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY— Yesterday I was having a conversation with one of my travel guests who was talking about being homesick when she was sent to camp as an eight-year-old. I tried to remember a time, over the past 61 years, when I might have been homesick. I have a vague memory of visiting some cousins in the Washington D.C. area, when I was six or seven, and not wanting to spend the night there. It had nothing to do with them. They are wonderful people, it's just that I was missing my mom and brother who were staying across town with my aunt and uncle.

 Former MHP Trooper Todd Cox  was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic violence and felony evasion on November 9 in Rankin County Circuit Court.

 Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn’s GOP Caucus announcement that he was not seeking re-election in 2023 brings to a close a tenure as the state’s first Republican leader of the House of Representatives since Reconstruction.

 Good job, Kentucky Fried Chicken, good job.  You can't make this up.  The New York Times reported: 

 This post is reprinted with permission of the Taxpayers Channel (Greenwood). 

In the ongoing saga of the bankruptcy of Express Grain Terminals and its companion companies, Express Processing and Express Biodiesel (together, "EG"), new details have emerged regarding the money that UMB Bank has lost in the whole debacle.

 Madison-Rankin District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mug shot. 

Is State Senator Christopher McDaniel going to run for Lieutenant Governor? 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba wants the state to support the Jackson water system for a little while longer.  Mayor Lumumba asked Governor Reeves in an email yesterday:  

Attorney Generalissimo Lynn Fitch issued the following statement.

 The Mississippi Institute for Justice issued the following statement. 

 The city of Pearl got some new hardware for police chases. 

Former MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps may be gone off to prison but he is not forgotten.  CNBC's American Greed focuses on the Chris Epps scandal tomorrow night.  The preview is posted below. 

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 Many try but few are chosen.  Who is worthy?

 Enjoy Chris Fowler's  rather low key recap of college football last night as more chaos entered the college football world yesterday. 

 During lunch at the North Jackson Rotary Club last Tuesday, State Auditor Shad White talked of his agency’s efforts to catch people who steal taxpayers’ money, a la Nancy New and the TANF scandal. 

Regionalization for the various water and sewer systems in the Jackson metro area has been discussed as a possible solution for Jackson's water problems.  Mississippi Today's Geoffrey Pender reported in September: 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement.

Reading through columns from the fall of 2020 before that year’s election, I hoped to get some ideas about what to write this week. What a hoot! A column in September was titled “Most important election in our lifetimes.” In October, “Censoring for the good of the people.” In November a few days before the election, “What if the LEFT wins,” and after the election, “The new standard.”

Get ready for some action.  The John Wick 4 trailer dropped. 

His eyes were absent of fear as he sped past for the third time in his pilfered Jackson police cruiser, almost oblivious to the chain of screaming squad cars following like flies after a Chicago meat wagon.

Did MHP Trooper Jason Young retaliate against James Fischer for his Facebook posts about the trooper?  Fischer created a Facebook page about the trooper after Young cited him for careless driving and impounded his vehicle.  A few months later, the trooper said "I'm going to see this mother****** today" and see him he did as he arrested Fischer and impounded his vehicle.  JJ reported on this case earlier this week but dug deeper and discovered some rather disturbing facts. 

 You can't make this up.  A homeless man stole a JPD cruiser in front of the King Edward Hotel tonight.  He led at least a dozen police cars on a nice little chase after he spun around a few times on Capitol Street. A video of a part of the chase is posted below. The chase ended when he crashed on Woodrow Wilson by the McDonald's. 

The city of Gluckstadt issued the following statement. 

The Capitol Police nabbed a suspect in the assault and carjacking of a UMMC employee in the hospital parking lot.  Good job, woof, woof.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 The University of Mississippi Medical Center issued the following email to its employees today. 

 Speaker of the House Philip Gunn issued the following statement. 

 Sometimes everyone really does get a trophy.....

 The family of former Hinds County Circuit Clerk Barbara Dunn issued the following statement. 

Barberino-Tavarnelle, Tuscany— For the past 11 years I have spent considerable time in this region. Specifically in the two towns of Barberino and Tavarnelle in the Tuscan countryside exactly halfway between Florence and Siena.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba asked President Joe Biden to extend Jackson's state of emergency for its water system for another six months in a November 3 letter. 

 The 2022 midterm congressional political advertising spend is projected at over $9.7 billion, up from the $5.95 billion spent in the 2020 congressional election cycle. The tracking was reported by AdImpact Politics.

 Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones announced on Facebook: 

 JPD issued the following statement. 

 An escape is in progress at the Raymond Detention Center.  Several agencies have been called in to assist with drones and dogs. 

 Ruth Cumins authored the following press release for UMC. 

Geremias Lux Pu has battled cancer over and over, but that hasn’t diminished his will to live and resolve to kick the disease as many times as it takes.

Todd Mardis attempt to seek therapy at a swanky spa in Houston several weeks ago failed when Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow rejected his request to leave the state of Mississippi for the treatment.   Flowood police charged him with aggravated domestic violence in the brutal beating of his wife in October.  He remains free on a $750,000 bond but can not leave the state without the Court's permission.  Dr. Alyssa Killibrew  recommended his treatment at the facility to the Court.  His motion to modify the conditions of the release stated: 

 Surprise, surprise. Disgraced former MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps wants to get out of prison.  Epps filed a motion for compassionate release last year.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate will hold a hearing on December 1.  The court docket states: 

 Coach Prime was not happy with a 21-7 halftime lead Saturday against Texas Southern.  Nope. Not happy at all.

If Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson thought he could intimidate Governor Tate Reeves with a congressional investigation he is sorely mistaken as the Governor took off the gloves and put on the brass knuckles as he responded to the Congressman's attempt to place the all blame of Jackson's water system collapse at the feet of state government.

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his weekly press conference right now.  The presser is streamed below.

 JPD issued the following statement. 

Is Trooper Jason Young a power-hungry cop or a pursuer of justice? A video making the rounds accuses the MHP trooper of targeting a driver in Desoto County because he dared to complain on Facebook about a ticket he received.  The video is posted below. 

It is important to know that when despair replaces all hope, there are still people who care about you. 

The Pirate apparently had enough last night.

Helluva game last night but the Tigers prevailed in overtime on a gutsy call. Check out Fowler and Herbstreit's more relaxed recap of college football yesterday on the plane last night.   Now will SEC Shorts actually do something about the Aggies? The implosion is comedy gold.  

What do seeds, light, aliens, and funny money have to do with each other? Watch below as the late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist Jackson) tied them all together in the 1994 sermon.  The sermon starts with some promotion about missions so start at 8:00. Enjoy.  

 So it comes to a head once again. Earlier this year common sense won over nonsense when the Legislature chose not to fully eliminate personal income taxes. Instead, it moved to phase out the 4% tax bracket plus a few other changes.

 This young dude named Chappelle just might make it big one day.

The city of Jackson will get some desperately needed funds for its water and sewer system.   The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality awarded $35.6 million in ARPA funds to five water and two sewer projects in Jackson yesterday. 

America is a fighting nation. Candidates promise to fight for constituents. Lawyers promise to fight for clients. Whole organizations have been created to fight for or against whatever. We fight for some things, and we fight against other things. Why? We fight to win!

 This post is reprinted with the permission of the Taxpayers Channel (Greenwood). 

A few moments ago, Greenwood Leflore Hospital announced that UMMC has terminated and withdrawn from negotiations to lease the hospital and operate it going forward.

 More and more major customers are leaving Jackson's sputtering water system.  WAPT reported: 

 The Jackson Police Department is participating in a study at the Center of Evidence-Based Policing & Reform at Ole Miss.  The video posted below even includes an introduction by none other than Morgan Freeman.  Yes, The Voice even got involved in the project. The short video shows where JPD is going.  Check it out.

Jackson State University issued the following statement. 

The financial markets continued to batter PERS as its investments were -5.2% in the first quarter of the 2023 fiscal year.  PERS suffered a -8.5 rate of return for FY 2022. 

Apparently no vehicle is safe in Jackson, not even one belonging to JSU "royalty."  Thieves broke into Shilo Sanders' vehicle that was parked right outside the JSU football practice facility yesterday evening.  Young Sanders discussed it with his father and showed the damage in the video posted below.   

The Justice Department issued the following press release. 

Great news.  Hubig Pies are one step closer to becoming a reality again and yes, they will be available for sale online.  WWL reported on the return of the New Orleans favorite:

 The downward spiral continues for former NFL player Quinton Culberson.  A Hinds County grand jury indicted him in October for burglary of a church, business burglary, grand larceny, and auto burglary.  The charges are just one more episode in a string of arrests and substance abuse problems over the last ten years.  

 To Kill a Mockingbird.  No words are needed to describe the Hollywood classic.  Although you've watched it for years on your tv screens, you have a chance to see it on the big screen for (in my best tv used car salesman voice) for two days only.  Showtimes are posted below.

 One step forward, two steps back is the best way to describe Jackson's effort to shut down a dilapidated hotel on I-55 frontage road in North Jackson.   WLBT reported:

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release. 

 Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

 This post is reprinted with permission of the Taxpayers Channel in Greenwood. 

Today, the city council heard from Tray Hairston, a financing attorney from Butler Snow.

Mr. Hairston came to explain the way that the city could finance the $4.5 million that it has to pay in order to repair the hospital, and to pay off the multi-million dollar short term loan to the hospital from Medicare.

GLH is practically broke, and may well have to shut down completely by the end of November. The city and county have been negotiating with UMMC for a friendly takeover, but several "deal breakers" have arisen. Now UMMC is demanding that the city and county pay for $9.1 million in repairs and Medicare loan repayments, since UMMC isn't responsible for them.

 The Mississippi Department of Transportation issued the following statement. 

BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, ITALY— Is it possible that one can fall in love with a town? I love my hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi— deeply— and can’t see myself living anywhere else. Ever. But I am a sixth-generation citizen in that part of the world. My roots are deep there. My history is long there. My businesses are there. Most of my family and friends are there. I didn’t fall in love with it. I’ve always loved it. To fall in love with a place one wants to travel to, time and time again, is rare to my thinking.

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 When I learned that Jerry Lee Lewis, the volatile rock-and-roll legend who lived most of his life in Nesbit, Mississippi, had died at the age of 87 last week, I opened YouTube and searched for The Killer’s 1977 rendition of an old Sonny Throckmorton song I know by heart called “Middle Age Crazy” about a man foolishly trying to hold on to his youth.

 Hope and change, Hope and change.....

Rankin County deputies arrested a former MHP trooper for witness tampering.  Violating a no-contact order, Todd Cox tried several times to get his wife to drop aggravated domestic violence charges she filed against him in May.  

Cox listens to Judge Morrow

 Coach Prime used the shooting death of rapper Takeoff to teach his team some valuable lessons.   Check out what he had to say as he laid down the law on his young charges. 

 U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves appointed Wendell France, Sr. to be the Receiver of the Raymond Detention Center yesterday.  Judge Reeves took over the jail in June after he ruled Hinds County was not capable of managing the facility.

 The Department of Human Services issued the following statement.