Jackson Jambalaya

 We somehow missed this little musical gem last month.  National songbird Rene Fleming turned in very lovely performance of a classic at Independence Day's Capitol Concert. Enjoy. 

 This post is authored and sponsored by the Tate Reeves for Governor campaign. 

Mississippi Today is preparing to release a false hit piece on Governor Tate Reeves' brother. Their mischaracterization, per outreach from Mississippi Today received by the campaign, is that Todd Reeves' communications are under scrutiny by the state auditor related to the TANF case based on texts that were "gathered" by the state auditor. Apparently, Mississippi Today initially received these texts from an anonymous source, possibly by illegal means, but went to court to have the State Auditor provide them through a public records request. The auditor's office denied that request under their broad exemption for records that are related to investigations as is their standard policy. The texts in question, which are revealed in full here, show Todd Reeves connecting Brett Favre and Auditor Shad White to help coordinate the repayment of funds. There is nothing that implies Todd was involved beyond helping the state to recover misspent dollars. 

Hinds County District 2 Supervisor is holding a press conference right now. He is challenging the results of his election where he lost by a 2:1 margin. Enjoy.

 Bigger Pie Forum authored and sponsored this post. 

As the Mississippi Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Board contemplates recommendations to bolster the state’s struggling pension system, it is important to recognize that soaring retirement costs have far-reaching impacts.

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 One JXN issued the following press release yesterday. 

Danny Blanton is back on the street after the Mississippi Parole Board released him from prison last week.  He served less than year in prison after his conviction for a fourth-offense DUI. 

 Northeast Jackson residents are about to get some relief.  

 I know what you’re thinking. Ol’ St. John is about to ramp up all that recovery talk again. Granted, many of you already know that story— and it’s probably over documented, that— I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict with 40 years of sobriety and clean time. I have never shied away from that fact, and never will. 

 The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 27 declined to consider the appeal by the family of a Mississippi attorney implicated in a 2014 GOP primary Senate race scandal who later took his own life. The ruling was a split decision with one notable dissent from Judge James C. Ho. 

 Justis Gibbs put a good ole-fashioned butt-whupping on Rukia Lumumba in the race for HD #72 tonight.  Read and weep.

Update (11:30 AM): District Attorney Jody Owens said he will pursue another trial as soon as possible.  

William "Napoleon" "Polo" "The Cipher" Edwards may yet get to fight another day.  The jury said it could not reach a verdict in his case. 

 What happened to Hinds County's money? Where is it spent? How much is spent? JJ would love to tell you but there is just one problem. 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement yesterday. 

 Hartfield Academy is back in the playoff game.  WLBT reported: 

Things didn't go so well for some climate change protestors in Nevada.

 The city of Clinton issued the following statement. 

 If you have absolutely nothing else to do and have some rye handy, watch the closing arguments in the trial of William Edwards below, courtesy of WLBT. 

Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Update (12:00 PM): The defense rests. 

Update (11:30 AM): Defense calls Polo's wife to stand.  She testified they separated in August 2020. They have three children. 

The trial of William Earvin (No relation to Magic) Edwards resumes today in Hinds County circuit court.  The proceedings are streamed below courtesy of WLBT.  The prosecution rested Friday.  The defendant will tell Judge Faye Peterson today whether he will testify.  

The Friends of the Children's Hospital issued the following press release.

 Will Polo testify?  The murder trial of William "Napoleon" "Polo" "The Cipher" Edwards resumes today in Hinds County circuit court. The prosecution rested Friday.  Edwards had not decided on whether to testify.  His attorney, Tom Fortner, is probably screaming at him to stay off the witness stand but this is Polo Edwards.  Part of him is probably screaming equally as loud to take the stand as we all know he can't resist the spotlight, even if it sends him upriver.  Will he or won't he? Stay tuned. 

What do whiskey and Red Ryder BB guns have to do with prayer?  Is prayer about nagging or badgering? What exactly is prayer? The late Dr. Frank Pollard explains it all in the 1995 sermon posted below.  If it's too hot for you to get to church, enjoy.  

A major issue confronting state leaders is Mississippi’s lowest-in-the nation labor force participation rate – 54.5% compared to the national average of 62.6%. A popular political notion is that there are many able-bodied adults drawing SNAP benefits who do not work, but should, and contribute to that low participation rate.

 A TKO may not be a KO but it still counts as a win.  Former Jackson State University President William Bynum won his appeal of a prostitution conviction after the arresting officer failed to appear in court.  However, his victory might be short-lived as the city of Clinton wants a rematch. 

Vivek Ramaswamy is a 38-year old American entrepreneur who is running to be the GOP presidential candidate in 2024. He is a star who is beginning to shine brightly because he’s cutting through all of the politics that have been ruining America for more than a hundred years. 

 Mississippi Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson issued the following statement. 

 Yup.  Not even Queen and Freddie Mercury can escape cancel culture for this song.  The horror. 

 The hits keep coming for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department. Brandon police arrested Rankin County Deputy Joe Quinn for a first-offense DUI last Friday night.  

For whatever reason, black plums are in season for only a couple of months each year and we are now in the later part of this year's season. Being able to find what I need to make a black plum tart at Kroger (or your favorite grocer) is one of the reasons why I am not as happy a guy when they are gone. 

Update (10:20 AM): The state rests.  The defense moved for a directed verdict. 

And we are back.  Welcome to the fifth day of Polo's trial.  The trial is live-streamed below, courtesy of WLBT. 

 Shadow Robinson's daughter cleared the air in a recent social media post.  

 This post is authored and sponsored by the Mississippi Energy Institute. 

There's one issue that may be both the most long-term, economically-impactful issue for Americans and the issue that best contrasts the eventual Republican and Democrat Presidential nominees, whoever they are. It's energy, and among all the topics and issues covered in the 8/23 debate, it was hardly mentioned. 

 The trial of William "Polo" Edwards continues on its fourth day.  This afternoon's session is live-streamed below courtesy of WLBT. 

 Managed to run into Jason Turner Overdrive and his padnah William Russell doodling away at The Bean Parlor Tuesday.  Check out their work.

 The owner of the run-down Hotel 0 on I-55N in Jackson just might catch a break in Hinds County Court after the city of Jackson ordered him to demolish the eyesore last month.

 The cross-examination of Shadow Robinson is underway.  Can Tom Fortner crack the witness?  Watch below to see what happens today. 

You can't make this up.  Check out Jackson's ad for a public works director on LinkedIn.  

 The trial of William "Polo" Edwards broke down yesterday as the prosecution's star witness, Shadow Robinson, had a meltdown on the stand. 

 Shadow Robinson is testifying in Polo's trial.  Watch it all below, courtesy of WLBT. 

Michael Oher filed a motion to compel an accounting against his conservators, Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy Monday in the Probate Court of Shelby County.  

The hunt is on for a saboteur.  JXN Water Manager Theodore Henifin said someone is intentionally sabotaging Jackson's water system by opening fire hydrants.  

“If these old walls could speak
Of things that they remember well,
Stories and faces dearly held” – Jimmy Webb

As human beings we like to assign humanoid characteristics to inanimate objects. The late great comedian Richard Pryor was a master of it. He often brought various body parts and pieces of furniture alive in his act. This morning I caught myself doing it when the oft used and cliched phrase, “If these walls could speak,” popped into my head.   

 The second day of William "Polo" Edwards' trial is underway.  Watch it below, courtesy of WLBT. 

 The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement. 

Mississippi’s TANF spending scandal must continue to be investigated and should go wherever the law and the program rules take the probe. Let the chips fall.

Want to get some culture? Check out Rene Fleming's Cities that Sing: Paris at Malco Grandview Saturday. 

Remove "Interim" from JPD Interim Police Chief Joseph Wade's title.  Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba named the interim chief to be the permanent chief of the Jackson Police Department today.  

 A juror fell asleep for 40 minutes during the "Polo" Edwards trial today.  You can't make this up.  Watch Judge Peterson discusses the episode at 1:12:00. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

The motions have been heard, discovery has been completed, and the jury is on hand.  All that remains is the trial of one Willam Earvin Edwards.  Known as the Cipher, Napoleon, and just plain Polo, it is now time for him to run the gauntlet of justice.  Watch the proceedings below, courtesy of WLBT.  The proceedings can be seen on the county website as well.

 A punk in Atlanta you know what and found out the hard way.  

 A Hinds County grand jury indicted three people in March for the murder of Markell Noah on November 25, 2022.  Noah was only 12 years old.  

Markell Noah, R.I.P.

 The Jackson Zoo just can't seem to catch a break. WLBT reported: 

 And this can be yours IF the price is right. Hell, there may not even be a price. 

 The Mississippi Book Festival issued the following statement. 

 The trial of William "Polo" "Napoleon" "The Cipher" Edwards for the murder of Bobby Davis begins this week in Hinds County Circuit Court.  Circuit Judge Faye Peterson will preside.   Jury selection takes place today.  Opening arguments will be made tomorrow morning. This post will be updated as the trial progresses.  Stay tuned. 

 Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following statement. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba presented a tax increase as one of the options to balance the budget to the City Council Wednesday.  

The parable of the ten minas is well-known and often used as a lesson on wasting one's gifts.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard used it to ask what does one do with the gift of salvation once it's received.  Put it on the shelf? Place it in a handsome little box to be admired from time to time?  Dr. Pollard answered these questions in the 1995 sermon posted below.  Enjoy his homily.  

 Do the Republican primary results show Gov. Tate Reeves in trouble for the general election? The relatively high 25% vote attained by his two little known opponents has sparked rampant speculation.

 If you are literaried out from the Book Festival and want something just a little bit harder, check out what is playing at Tinseltown tonight at 8 & tomorrow night at 8:15. 

Sean and Leigh Ann Touhy will terminate their conservatorship with former Ole Miss and NFL football star Michael Oher.  "It is our intent to offer to enter into a consent order" and terminate the conservatorship, said Tuohys' attorneys, Randall Fishman and Stephen Farese, at a press conference Wednesday.   

 This past Sunday our church, First Baptist Church of Starkville, hosted the Mississippi State University football team. Our pastor, Andy Brown interviewed Coach Tommy Bowden who was our guest speaker. Of course they began talking about football stories from the legendary Bowden family. Some time during the interview Coach Bowden began talking about the importance of making good decisions. 

 This post is a paid advertisement by the Tate Reeves for Governor campaign. 

Democrat Brandon Presley is working hard to distract from his comments in support of sex change procedures for children. The truth is obvious: Brandon Presley was asked whether he opposed or supported the REAP Act in Mississippi and whether he would have signed it. As Mississippi Free Press reported:

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Erikk Greene spelled out some hard truth to the School Board Tuesday.  It was truth no one wanted to hear but truth that needed to be said. 

This post should demonstrate that I cook lots of stuff with no idea what I will have when the grub hits the table. Oh well, I don’t think never said I was an expert in this cooking stuff. If I did, I was lying to you good folks.

Lost in the shuffle here at JJ was Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey's August 3 press conference about the Goon Squad.   The press conference video is posted below, courtesy of WLBT. 

 The Jackson City Council discussed closing the Jackson Zoo during a budget hearing yesterday but not without resistance from Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's administration. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 The name William "Polo" "Cipher" "Napoleon" Edwards just can't stay away from his former Sugar Mama.  WLBT reported: 

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

 Let's circle back to Flag Island....

 The voters of Hinds County are making it clear they are tired of the foolishness that has gone on at the Hinds County Board of Supervisors over the last four years.  They threw out David L. Archie by a 2:1 margin and threw out his nemesis Credell Calhoun as well.  Deborah Dixon barely got 50% of the vote but it was enough to avoid a runoff and send Calhoun to the house.  

 It appears the Nissan Titan is going the way of the Edsel.  The Car Connection website reported: 

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

 Sean and Leann Tuohy issued the following statement through their attorney, Martin Singer. 

 WATERCOLOR, FLORIDA— Once a year I bring my wife, our kids, and their friends to the Panhandle of Florida to “vacation” for a week. A longtime reader of this space already knows that I don’t vacation well. I provide food and lodging for the family and enjoy spending long periods of mostly uninterrupted time visiting with them. But I don’t do well at sitting still and relaxing. Never have. Never will. Never wanted to, for that matter.

One factor that surfaced in the hotly-contested Mississippi Republican primary election for lieutenant governor between incumbent GOP Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann of Vicksburg and challenger State Sen. Chris McDaniel of Jones County was Mississippi’s open primary laws that continue to allow so-called “crossover” voting.

One of the best movies ever made was released 44 years ago today.  

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement and mugshots.

 Ok, the Google AI bots are flagging the post below due to the nature of the post.  So...... just the indictment, booking sheet, and lawsuit are posted below.  Sad one has to do this but this is what happens when control is given to AI.  Jerks. 

 Well, that didn't take long.  Sean and Leigh Ann Touhy responded to Michael Oher's claims they tricked him  with a phony adoption.  The New York Post reported: 

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Former Ole Miss football star Michael Oher says Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy hit him from the blind side as they tricked him into signing a conservatorship that gave them his contract rights instead of what he thought was an adoption. Such was no small distinction as Oher became the subject of the hit movie, The Blind Side, staring Sandra Bullock.  The movie grossed over $330 million.  Oher claims the Tuohys reaped the rewards of Oher's life story while Oher received nothing.  

 It's pretty bad when Beavis & Butthead make fun of you, right? 

Mississippi Commissioner of Public Safety Sean Tindell and Attorney General issued the following statements. 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 The Goon Squad is pleading guilty to various state charges in Rankin County Circuit Court right now.  The hearing is live-streamed below.   An earlier post covered the state's prosecution and sentence recommendations.  The defendants agreed with the recommendations.  

 A fracas took place on storied Flag Island yesterday.  

Lord Protector Tate Reeves posted the following statement on social media. 

 Eating birds raw, Billy Graham, and neurosurgeons.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard used them all as he discussed angels in the 1995 sermon posted below.  Are they winged beings of cartoon fare, spirits, protectors, or something else?  Enjoy Dr. Pollard's preaching as he answers the question "What are angels?"

 Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following statement. 

 The third try wasn’t the charm for State Sen. Chris McDaniel. Mississippi Republicans decided to stick with what they’ve got in last week’s primaries.   

 Check on your people. There was a shooting in the food court at Northpark Mall this afternoon.  

 JPD issued the following statement yesterday. 

 Former President Donald Trump is the only issue voters will vote on in the 2024 presidential election. Some might object that he has to win the GOP nomination first, and technically that’s true. The Republican party has attracted some solid conservative candidates for president, but Trump’s base overwhelms support for any other candidate.

 Despite Judge Wingate's butt-whupping a few weeks ago, the Sisters of Rukia launched another attack on JXN Water Manager Ted Henifin yesterday as the Poor People's Campaign and People's Advocacy Institute filed a complaint against Jackson's water receiver with the EPA.  The complaint is posted below.  

If you ever watched the PBS TV show “Yan Can Cook”, you should already know Martin Yan Can Cook. This dish is one of the reasons I know that statement to be an unquestionable fact.

 Malcolm Johnson.  Yup.  Malcolm the Motormouth managed to make the runoff in the Hinds County District 5 Supervisor election.  He managed to beat out Ashley Floyd by a mere 24 votes.  He will face off against incumbent Supervisor Bobcat McGowan. 

 Warning: Video shows graphic violence. 

The following video of a violent confrontation allegedly over a, wait for it, deer is making the rounds.  The episode supposedly happened in Satartia.  

If you're looking for a good reason to go see a flick at the bijou, check out the trailer for Golda below.  The movie appears for one night only on August 23 at Malco Grandview at 7.

 What would Hinds County be without some David L. Drama? The Hinds County District 2 Supervisor might have lost by a 2:1 margin Tuesday but he had a ready-made excuse: election fraud.  Yup.  Archie thundered at a press conference that morning that Toni Johnson fixed the election even though she is no longer an election commissioner.  However, Johnson was having none of it as her attorney, Lisa Ross, showed up to face down David L. and face him down she did. 

 A jury found Rankin County Tax Assessor John Sullivan to be not guilty of indictments for sexual battery and simple assault.  WLBT reported: 

 Jackson continues to shrink.  Business Insider reported: 

 He's not the candidate we need but the candidate we deserve. 

The votes are in and the message is clear: Hinds County voters had enough of the clown show that takes place every other week on President Street.  The election and precinct reports for Hinds County are posted below as well as some highlights.  

A few weeks ago, I wrote that 2023 will go down as the summer of watermelon. I mentioned how I like to put salt on watermelon. I put salt on a lot of atypical things. Many times, it's on sweet things. There have been a lot of sweet things in my life lately as we just opened a bakery last week. One of the daily offerings is a pecan sticky bun. Most know that delicious pastry as brioche dough, wrapped in cinnamon, and cooked in a muffin tin with caramel and pecans in the bottom of the tin. Once removed from the oven it is flipped and the caramel topping drips down the sides of the sweet roll along with a few of the pecans. This particular pastry needs no further adornment. But I like the pairing of salty and sweet. I sprinkle a little bit of salt as I believe it enhances the flavor substantially. 

 Mississippi’s August 8 primary elections may well mark the last statewide primaries that won’t be significantly influenced by demographic and generational impacts on voter behavior and partisan outcomes on key issues.

 DOWN GOES ARCHIE!!!

The primaries are finally over.  Will there be runoffs? Will the losers quietly go home or throw tantrums? Will Pickett party at the M Bar or will his candidacy get Blounted? What will happen in HD #72? Can the Mayor pull it out for Sista Rukia? Last but not least, will the challenger from Ellisville beat Northeast Jackson's finest in the Leftenent Governor race? Stay tuned as we live blog the results while yours truly is coherent enough to do so.   

Election Day is FINALLY here.  We've had some drama lately but nothing like years past.  Consider this the election thread.  Yours truly will live blog the elections tonight.  Fire away. 

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

Posted below are photos of the infamous Goon Squad "challenge" coin.  

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement about the Michael Corey Jenkins case: 

 The Mississippi Energy Institute authored and sponsored this post. 

A bill passed by the MS Legislature this year to regulate interstate electric transmission projects is looking better and better. 

Alleged Belhaven Heights drug dealer Jennifer Leigh Williams is back in the slammer.

 Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson issued the following report. 

Check out this post from June 5, 2012:

 No, Jackson is not suffering from another Chi-com engineered virus but rather a flu of the good ole fashioned labor variety.  

 Check out the picture below.  

What do Hamburg, Charlemagne, and a famous poet have to do with the parable of the shrewd manager?  The late Dr. Frank Pollard explains it all in the 1995 sermon posted below.  Enjoy. 

 “It's becoming ever more dangerous to give birth in America, especially for Black women, older women and those living in rural areas, according to a pair of new reports from March of Dimes and Milken Institute,” reported Axios.com.

The second punch of a one-two combination of justice landed against the Goon Squad in Rankin County Circuit Court late Thursday afternoon.

Readers have often asked me how we’ll know whether we’re in the end times. Would you like to know what to look for, specifically in the seven years of tribulation prophesied in the Bible? Let’s take a look-see.

Othor Cain managed to obtain the mugshots of five of the Goons.  Thanks to Mr. Cain for giving JJ permission to post them below. 

I have no idea who offered the first "Meat and Three" option in their cafe, but southern cuisine owes that person a huge Thank You because their idea of simple, preplanned meals opened up a world of good eating possibilities. 

 Just a picture of Not-so-Christian Dedmon. 

The Mid-South Association of Independent Schools issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Kingfish note: This is not a case of the A.G. piggybacking off the feds.  MBI turned it findings over to the A.G.  The A.G. in turned prosecuted the case in tandem with the federalis.  It was agreed the Federalis would go first today.   The A.G. has participated or been present in negotiations between defendants and feds.  

Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

 The Court is in recess right now so here is a quick update. 

The Goon Squad stood before U.S. District Judge Tom Lee in chains as they pleaded guilty to various counts of obstruction, violation of civil rights, and other charges in the torture of two Braxton men on January 24.  

 If you are reading this post, it means I am sitting in a federal courtroom in downtown Jackson watching several former Rankin County deputies plead guilty to bills of information in the Michael Corey Jenkins case .

 Update: There is indeed a Rest of the story.

Some people just have to mess around and find out. 

 JXN Water issued the following statement. 

 Steal $50,000 worth of catalytic converters.  Get caught.  Do not pass go but stop at Community Chest where one gets the Get Out of Jail Free card from Madison County Circuit Judge Brad Mills.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding a press conference right now on the 911 system.  It is streamed below. 

 I am opening a bakery today.

 Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement Monday. 

  Leaving the historic Neshoba County Fairgrounds headed into the August 8 Mississippi primary elections, the marquee race is the choice Republican voters face in the race for lieutenant governor between incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and GOP State Sen. Chris McDaniel of Jones County. 

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

 Judge bans cameras from courtroom. 

John Dowdy and Marshall Fisher watched sadly as Madison County Circuit Judge Brad Mills sentenced Dowdy's son, John Dowdy III, to serve 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a large amount of MDMA with the intent to distribute the illegal drug.   However, he will be eligible for parole after serving only 25% of his sentence. 

A Northeast Jackson eyesore continues to fester while two "scumlords" slug it out in Madison County Circuit Court. 

Old Canton Road property. Photo taken last week.