Jackson Jambalaya

 Medical marijuana will not be coming to Clinton after voters rejected it at the polls today.  

 The Mississippi House of Representatives Public Utilities Committee approved SB #2889 this afternoon.  The bill creates a public utility district to operate Jackson's water and sewer services. 

State Representative De'Keither Stamps (D-H.D. Gibbes & Sons) had a few things to say at church Sunday.  

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

 It appears Medicaid will continue to offer postpartum coverage for 12 months after Speaker of the House Philip Gunn surrendered yesterday.  The Speaker killed a bill providing such coverage last year after it passed the Senate.  However, Governor Tate Reeves announced Sunday he supported the additional coverage.  

The city of Clinton will hold a referendum tomorrow on whether to allow medical marijuana.  Mayor Phil Fisher held a special town hall Friday to give citizens a chance to discuss the issue with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.  All aldermen except James Lott appeared.  The video of the town hall meeting is posted below.  Voting will take place at Traceway Park. 

 The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

 A 17 year-old man showed up at UMMC this morning with a gunshot wound before succumbing to his injuries.   

 Jackson Water Manager Ted Henifin inked a six-month contract with Jacobs Engineering last week to operate Jackson's water treatment plants.  WLBT reported Friday: 

More U.S. intelligence concludes the Covid-19  pandemic originated in a lab.  The Wall Street Journal reported: 

 The 50th anniversary tour of the Doobie Brothers is coming to Brandon in August.  

 A homicide took place on Jefferson Street near High Street.  The Capitol Police is working the case.  One individual was shot to death while another shooting victim was taken to the hospital.  More information will be posted as it becomes available. 

Update: The deceased was a participant in the Fondren shootout several weeks ago. 

Lord Protector Tate Reeves issued the following statement on Facebook: 

Weakness is strength. Death before life.  No, those are not passages from 1984 but are messages in the late Dr. Frank Pollard's 1995 sermon posted below.  If you can't make it to church, enjoy the sermon preached from Romans 6: 7-14.

 State Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd of Oxford, who chaired the Senate Study Group on Women, Children and Families last year, wants to improve Mississippi’s First Steps early intervention program. “We’re not doing a good job on this,” she said on SuperTalk radio.  

Annie Oeth authored the following press release for UMC. 

Mayor attacks amended HB #1020. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement: 

Check out today's idiot. Naturally he was wearing an Oregon sweatshirt and sporting the Austin version of the New Iberia haircut.  Props to the Good Samaritan and condolences to the deceased's family.  At least justice was served. 

The infamous HB #1020 underwent some major surgery yesterday in the Senate Judiciary "A" Committee.  The bill was the subject of protests and national media coverage as it expanded the CCID and replaced elected judges with appointed judges within the district.  

This post was originally published on February 24, 2021. 

It was a press conference for the ages as Kenneth Stokes called the Jackson Mayor "Lying Lumumba".  However, the Ward 3 Councilman was just getting warmed up as he said the Mayor was incompetent and had "a relationship with dope boys."  Make no mistake, this was Kenneth Stokes completely unvarnished and unleashed.  

 Suppose you are going to be in Qatar for a few days but here is a dilemma: what do do, what do to? Fortunately, there are a plethora of Youtube videos that provide quick little primers on visiting the oasis of the Middle East.  A couple of such videos are posted below.  Enjoy. 

 It appears quite a few Jackson residents might see their past due water bills wiped free.  WAPT reported: 

 A highly-charged Reservoir homicide case ended in a minor conviction.  Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Deshawn Douglas to serve ten years in prison after Douglas pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence.  However, Douglas will probably be released after serving 25% of his sentence.  

Annie Oeth penned the following essay for UMC. 

Kaeden Thigpen’s right foot hurt so much that the high school student couldn’t wear a shoe.  He has a chronic pain condition called complex regional pain syndrome.

 Check out this little blurb from you know who's press conference last week.  Interesting use of a particular word. 

Briarwood 1 owner Mike Kohan filed an emergency petition for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against in Hinds County Chancery Court on February 15 after Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeff Reynolds ordered his arrest on February 14.  Coincidentally, a cleanup crew recently started work at the building. 

The year was1968. It was my 7th Christmas. Also, the first Christmas after my father died. The only thing I asked for that year was an Easy Bake Oven. When my mom took my brother and me to visit Santa Claus at the Maison Blanche department store in New Orleans (because that’s where the real Santa always was, those others in the stores back home were just helpers) I told the Big Guy that the Easy Bake was the only thing on my list, and all I wanted. When my older brother found out what I asked for he thought it was hilarious and wondered why I wanted a “girl toy.”

 Like most of the rest of the country, I was saddened to learn over the weekend that former President Jimmy Carter had decided after a prolonged battle with cancer and advancing age to end the fight on his terms and enter hospice care. May God grant him peace and comfort.

 The Capitol Police arrested Kenneth Gross for the murder of Joseph Reddix today.  An investigator's affidavit states: 

Need help with your water bill? Never fear, Sista Rukia is here.  

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

Consultant said Ecode used for fraud in 2015. 

U.S. District Judge Wingate caught the courtroom by surprise when he outed the "Ecode" program at a hearing on Jackson's water system Friday.  He was not merely ruminating in the penumbras as he said Jackson had a history of giving free water service to friends and family of the favored few.  A 2015 Raftelis report described the program in some detail.  

That's right, Jackson's radio strongman, KIM Waaaaaaaade has his own little online tv show. Kim takes on Jackson crime, HB #1020, and a few other pet topics.  If you're familiar with his radio show, you know what's coming.  Enjoy.    

 Well this little sewage overflow has been taking place for several months.  Nice.  

Rednecks unite.  Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming to Brandon. Red Mountain Entertainment announced: 

Buckle your chinstraps.  The final John Wick 4 trailer dropped a few days ago, with a nod to The Warriors. 

Judge Wingate drops bombshell on "Ecodes"

Jackson Water Manager Ted Henifin told U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate that Jackson's water system is still "tenuous" although progress has been made in stabilizing the system.   The Receiver of Jackson's water system also hinted he might sue to block any proposed legislation that bar him from creating a water billing system based on property values. 

What do spiders, pigs, and sheep have to do with freedom?  The late Dr. Frank Pollard explains it all in the 1995 sermon posted below.  Enjoy today's sermon if you missed church this morning.  

Mississippi's favorite scourge threatens to afflict politics again this year. 

 There was a ruckus among us at the Wingstop in Ridgeland a few days ago. 

 Some Jackson dirt, er, make that dirty water, came out in federal court today as U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate outed a long-time practice of giving free water service to friends and family of the favored few.

Six Rankin County deputies stand accused of torturing two men and shooting one through the mouth after they were handcuffed.  Attorney Malik Shabazz made the allegations at a press conference near UMMC Wednesday. 

 Annie Oeth authored this press release for UMMC. 

Lord Protector Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

The Clown gets to take a break from the bench.  The Mississippi Supreme Court suspended Grenada Municipal Court Judge Pro-Tem  Carlos Moore for 60 days without pay after he he used his position as a judge to pressure two police officers for a private client.  

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

It's Mardi Gras season and you know what that means.  Randazzo's King Cakes are back at Nandy's Candy.Want the real thing? Swing by and get one.    Available flavors are cream cheese, traditional, and a limited amount of additional flavors.  You can call to reserve one as well. Enjoy.  

 The Brandon Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Check out what the retirees thought after the PERS Board of Trustees voted to increase the employer contribution rate from 17.4% to a record 22.4% last December on their Facebook page: 

These buildings can be yours IF the price is right.  

A hearing took place in the Frances Fortner wrongful death lawsuit in Hinds County Circuit Court today. WLBT reported: 

It looks like 2023 will go down as the year of the king cake— at least in my book. I have bought more king cakes, eaten more king cakes, and sold more king cakes this year than all my previous years put together, and probably by a factor of 20. 

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Hurricanes have pounded the Mississippi Gulf Coast often over the last half-century and most Mississippians know that score by the shorthand of the names: Camille, Katrina, Elena, Georges, Ida, Rita and too many others to remember.

 The owner of the Briarwood 1 building moved one step closer to going to jail after Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeff Reynolds issued an arrest warrant for Michael Kohan today. 

UMC  issued the following statement. 

JJ wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day....

A bill transferring authority to hike PERS contribution rates from the PERS Board of Trustees to the Legislature died on the calendar last week. 

The Oxford Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Some people just can't leave well enough alone.  MSN reported: 

 I'm not going to lie. I can't believe I am writing this post.  Hallmark Cleaners is closing all of their stores by the end of the month.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his weekly press briefing right now.  The presser is streamed below.  This post will be updated as necessary. 

Jackson Water Manager Ted Henifin said in his quarterly report that the main cause of the Christmas water crisis was failure at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant.  It was yet another shutdown in an ever-lengthening list of shutdowns at the plant.  

A delta devil must have gotten into a MVSU cheerleader during the Alabama A&M-MVSU men's basketball game yesterday. 

 The Jackson Ward 3 Councilman was back to his old self on the air today as he prayed, ranted, and took shots at Mayor Lumumba.  The last ten minutes were particularly lively.  The radio show is posted below.  Enjoy.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. The late Dr. Frank Pollard weaved the story of how America's favorite hymn came to be into the message of hope he delivered in 1995.  The pastor also made a few remarks about those who use the good book to tell others how to live instead of worrying about themselves.  Enjoy the sermon posted below. 

 “I’d bet I hadn’t talked to this dude since well before he was fired by Ole Miss,” tweeted Gov. Tate Reeves.

 The owner of the Briarwood 1 building wants another day in court as he fights to stay out of jail.  

 Live from downtown Jackson today at 3:

 Today's tidbit involves what else, the city of Jackson's water system.   Jackson obtained a $27.9 million SWDRF loan from the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2021.  Guess how much the city spent? 

 For all the talk of making Mississippi more business friendly, the state legislature seems to want to do the opposite.  Two examples stand out, though there are others.

 A shootout took place in The Fondren last night.  The Capitol Police issued the following statement: 

Even discussing the "thirteenth check" is political suicide in Mississippi.  Unfortunately for the ostriches, the PERS COLA rose to a record $850 million in 2022.   

 The Justice Department issued the following press release. 

Cleveland Anderson intends to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.  The Canton Alderman filed the notice of his guilty plea in U.S. District Court today. 

Jackson restauranteur Jeff Good posted the following message on Facebook. 

Marlin King served as Jackson's Public Works Director from October 2021 until he was reassigned at the end of August 2022 when Jackson's water system crashed. 

The bill to create a public utility district for Jackson has created no small amount of controversy.  Lost in all the screaming over incompetence and "colonialism" is public utility districts are quite common nationwide as many major cities divorced their public utilities so they could operate semi-independently.  Heaven forbid Jackson should use something proven to work elsewhere.  Got to protect those sticky fingers and sweetheart deals, right.  

BLACKBERRY FARM— A portion of Newton’s Law of Motion states, “An object in motion remains in motion at a constant speed, and in a straight line, unless acted on by an unbalanced force.” I am not sure if Blackberry Farm has ever been described as an unbalanced force, but for the past 25 years, that is what it has been for me.

The Senate approved a bill that will transfer control of Jackson's water and sewer systems from the city to a new public utility district governed by a nine-member board of directors.  The bill passed on a 34-15 vote that broke down along party and racial lines.  

Back in 2014, Mississippi politicos underestimated Tea Party zealot State Sen. Chris McDaniel and it almost resulted in one of the state’s most shocking political upsets. At the outset, most thought McDaniel was taking on then-incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran as an exercise in building name recognition for a future race.

 The House is debating HB #1020 right now.  Watch below. 

 The legislature continues to tighten the handcuffs on Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba as the Senate passed a bill that will abolish vetoes of no votes.  

 Check out this little passage from the Clarion-Ledger's newest cub reporter, Wicker Perlis, in a story about the Jackson garbage fight: 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement and mug shots.

The Mississippi State Department of Health attempted to slap the EPA with a dose of reality as it responded to the agency's investigation of the NAACP's discrimination complaint. The NAACP accused Mississippi of intentionally depriving Jackson of money it needed to provide safe drinking water.  Simply put, the Health Department asked how it could discriminate against Jackson when it gave the city every dollar it requested. 

 This could have ended real badly for everyone.  Posted on Facebook: 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding is regular press briefing.  The press conference is streamed below.  

UPDATE (12:55 PM): There is a strong chance ABC is referring to Hinds County as it did not apply for the funds.  Jackson obtained $47 million. 

 ABC News' Rachel Scott reported Jackson did not apply for its share of over $400 million in water infrastructure funds Congress awarded to Mississippi last year.  The revelation came on yesterday's edition of ABC's This Week.  Check out the story posted below. 

 Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following press release. 

Update (2/6/23): MBI is investigating the death.  

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones issued the following statement. 

 Kenneth I. Stokes was on a roll this morning.  The legendary Jackson City Councilman made a rather interesting claim about the relationship between Mayor Lumumba and the state.  He lamented the killing fields of Jackson and admitted he stayed at a hotel in Ridgeland during the New Year's holiday so he could avoid the gunshots.   The show is posted below. I'd report more of what he said but I'VE GOT TO GO!!!

All too often preachers are known for well, preaching fire and brimstone sermons but the late Dr. Frank Pollard said there is another way.  He preached on how a 18 year-old sickly preacher taught the real meaning of the Good Book to an already famous preacher, D. L. Moody.  It's as if someone figured out people might respond better to a message of love than fear.  Enjoy the 1995 sermon posted below. 

 The Mississippi incumbent protection act worked like a charm. The bill authored by Rep. Jody Steverson of Ripley and adopted in 2021 moved the qualifying date for most state, district, and county elections to February 1^st. 

The transcript and video of Governor Reeves' annual state of the state address is posted below. Highlights: 

- Pushed parents bill of rights in schools

- Reform certificate of need laws

- Touts economic & educational success

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn.
 
To the members of the legislature and other elected officials here tonight, thank you. Thank you for your continued partnership and thank you for the tireless work you do on behalf of our great state and her people. 

 Once upon a time, Hollywood produced award-winning "art movies" such as Lust for Life.  The Vincent Van Gogh biography was nominated for four Oscars as Anthony Quinn took home the award for Best Supporting Actor.  However, it was Kirk Douglas's performance as the tormented artist that deserved an Oscar. 

 Well, we finally got around to shooting down Red China's "weather" balloon.  Finally.  Watch the fun.  Hoorah. 

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

 January 7, five Memphis police officers in a specially trained street crime unit pulled over Tyre Nichols (29) for allegedly driving recklessly, jerked him out of his car and pushed him down onto the ground where they surrounded him, beat him with their fists and batons, kicked him, and sprayed him with pepper spray while their body cameras and a public camera captured the attack. Tyre Nichols died three days later on January 10, from this brutal attack. 

The USDA said two animals died while others suffered from neglect in several inspections at the popular McClain Lodge on Holly Bush Road in Rankin County.  

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Uh-oh, Trey Lamar is thinking again.  He managed to get a bill passed that requires Jackson to spend all of 1% sales tax funds on water infrastructure.  WLBT reported last night: 

Attack fractured skull, left victim permanently deaf! 

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

The race for Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham's seat began yesterday and the incumbent wasted no time in trying to get his opponent thrown off the ballot.  

 Aplos CEO Alex Eaton issued the following statement. 

To say the Hinds County criminal justice system has been dysfunctional has been an understatement as "catch & release" and "blessings" are favored descriptions of what passed for Hinds County justice over the years.  A frustrated legislature is taking action this year in the form of HB #1020.  However, 1020 didn't use a sledgehammer for the proverbial nail but instead uses a chainsaw to fix problems no one knew existed while polarizing the races even more.

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

The Democrats are at the gate and there are a few surprises at who showed up for to race.  State Senator David Blount has gotten might comfortable in his seat but Mayor Lumumba shook things up for him a little bit.  Pastor Dwayne Pickett, yes, the Pastor Dwayne Pickett qualified to run against Belhaven's Great White Father.  

Never let it be said Marshand Crisler is a quitter. Despite getting drummed by five thousand votes in November 2021, he wants a rematch with Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones. Check out the rest of the Hinds County ballot as there are a couple of surprises. 

 To be successful in the restaurant business it takes total commitment and sacrifice. It's brutal way to earn a living. But for those of us who are bit by the bug, and are totally obsessed, we couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

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

 Statewide elections will be on the ballot later this year for all state eight statewide executive branch offices, all state district offices and for all 174 posts in the Mississippi Legislature in addition to county offices and county district offices in all 82 Mississippi counties including district and county attorneys.