Jackson Jambalaya

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 The Mississippi Center for Public Policy issued the following press release. 

It appears someone got some shuteye at the Gluckstadt Sonic before taking out Gluckstadt's railroad crossing Wednesday night.  

The first experience that comes to mind is the ending of one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams.

 
"Hea, Dad? You want to have a catch"

 The Police Activity Youtube channel just dropped nearly 30 minutes of police body cam footage shot immediately after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.  The video can be watched at Youtube.  

 One of the all-time great movies is coming to Jackson for not one but TWO days in August.  Yes, Lawrence of Arabia, the same movie spoofed in Full Metal Jacket, is showing August 11 and 12.  Peter O'Toole, Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, Omar Sharif, and Obi Wan Kenobi make up what is truly an Allstar cast.  Throw in a killer soundtrack and what you have is a cinematic masterpiece.  

 Just when you think the news from Butler can not get any worse, a new tidbit of information comes out that casts the Not-So-Secret Service in a light that is none too flattering. Whistleblowers claim that  not only did the Secret Service not deploy a drone at former President Trump's rally, the Secret Service rejected offers of drone assistance from local law enforcement agencies.  

It'a all a conspiracy.  Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba blamed this website's coverage of the Smith-Wills Stadium lease on - wait for it - a grand conspiracy.  Yup.  Move over birtherism and trutherism, we now have us a new one.  Watch the video.  

The Mississippi Supreme Court hearing for Carlos the Clown has been rescheduled for August.  Presiding Judge Leslie King decreed yesterday: 

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

Another domino fell in the DHS scandal today when Brett Favre's business partner, Jacob Vanlandingham, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in U.S. District Court today.   

 An account of a pit bull attack in Ridgewood Park appeared on social media this week.  Actually calling it a "pit bull attack" is somewhat misleading as the attack involved not one, not two, not three, but four pit bulls.  Of course, the victim got no help from JPD.  She posted: 

The easy political comparison to President Joe Biden’s decision to with withdraw from the 2024 U.S. presidential race is to point to incumbent Democratic President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s decision not to seek the presidential nomination of his party in the 1968 campaign.

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned her position.  The Wall Street Journal reported:

Although it's small consolation, the state of Mississippi will pay Anthony Fox $75,617 for his wrongful incarceration.   

Drugs and mental health cases continue to plague the streets of Jackson as exhibited in the video posted below.   This episode took place on Woodrow Wilson. Warning: Psychological & physical nudity present in video.

Just watch this clip from the Secret Service hearing this morning.

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

 The husband of the missing Latasha Coleman was killed in a shootout yesterday at the McDowell Road Shell Station in Jackson.  However, Mrs. Coleman probably would. not have been missing and presumably killed if not for Hinds County Court Judge Johnny McDaniels.  

 It looks like we got ourselves a porch pirate in Belhaven. 

 The Jackson Police Department issued the following statement. 

 President Joe Biden announced he is withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential election.   

"I think in our seecular society we've so secularized our approach to God and everything else that gradually what used to be the Lord's Day become part of a weekend. What used to be something we said, "Lord, I love you", now we're literally saying "Lord, I love you less. I love me more. My pleasure is more important than your worship.... Maybe we need a new hymn book for modern Christians. Instead of singing "I surrender all", we sing "I surrender some." Instead of singing "There shall be showers of blessings, it shall be "sprinkles of blessings". "Fill my cup, Lord" should be changed to "fill my spoon, Lord. "Have thine own way" might be changed to "Maybe some of the time," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he discussed the holiness of the Sabbath.    The 1996 sermon is posted below. 

“Three months before the end of his presidency, Donald Trump quietly issued Executive Order 13957, allowing the conversion of some federal civil service jobs to excepted service under a new classification, Schedule F,” reported a Spring 2024 Cato Institute publication. “If a position was reclassified, the president could fire its occupant at will and install a successor without going through the civil service hiring and placement process.

It's been thirty years since Scamba, I meant Simba, graced the cinema. Yup, the Lion King will be playing at local theatres next week. Nature, diversity, ghosts, and Darth Vader. What else do you need for the perfect movie? The showtimes are posted below. Be sure and check the AM's and PM's as they are kid-friendly.

 Falkor escaped The Nothing and returns to the big screen next week. If you want to watch this blast from the past, check out the showtimes posted below.

 The oral arguments in Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance v. Carlos Moore, Municipal Court Judge are postponed.  The proceeding was scheduled for Tuesday but Mr. Moore asked for a continuance due to a death in the family of his attorney, Terris Harris.  

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement.

 United States Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement. 

Rest in peace, hero, rest in peace.  You were what we should all aspire to be.   

Last Call is apparently not just for alcohol.   

Had Donald Trump tilted his head the other way, the bullet that clipped his ear would have killed him. America was half an inch away from a major civil crisis.

 The Hinds County Economic Development Authority issued the following statement. 

For no good reason that I can remember, I recently decided to give my good friend ZeroBear PolyBear a shot at authoring one of my weekly posts. Here it comes:

 Maggie, Bert, Walt, Woody, Rube, and the rest of the gang are back in this edition of Throwback Thursday.  Enjoy. 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 State Treasurer David McRae today announced Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) investments earned 9.5 percent in FY2024, far exceeding the 5.75 percent targets.

 Rudy Warnock filed an unopposed motion to continue his trial scheduled for August 5.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has not ruled on the motion. 

The City of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 Think comparing Butler to Uvalde is a wee bit extreme? Guess again.  The Daily Muck reported some rather chilling information about Secret Service negligence and incompetence that took place Saturday: 

 Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

The late Dau Mabil's widow won another round in the fight over an independent autopsy  of his remains.

 It's time for Jackson Jambalaya's annual fund-raising drive.  Your support makes this website possible and it would not have made it this far without you. JJ led the way in reporting on the Jackson water crisis and covered stories the media would not touch, right.  However, the need for your support remains as strong as ever. 

One of the more unique and unusual pleasures of my life is sitting in the stillness of one of our restaurant dining rooms at dawn before anyone arrives. I like to go in early, before anyone is there, and just “be” in the space. There is something about the solitude of that act in those rooms that inspires me.

The Mayor often makes up facts as he goes along (state doesn't pay its water bills, anyone?) and Monday's press conference was no exception. 

If we are the American people we are supposed to be we are this week pausing from the caustic political exchanges on social media and thanking God for the fact that the assassination attempt at the campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania did not end in a state funeral.

Check out what Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle told ABC News.

 We finally got some merch here at Jackson Jambalaya.  Check out JJ's state of the art new fangled quality prime 30 oz tumblers, complete with the JJ logo.  

 The Woodlands office plaza on East County Line Road apparently has a new tenant.  

 It appears the Mayor is trying to throw a nice little contract for grass-cutting for his pal, Richard Bradley.  Check out Item #14 on the agenda for today's meeting of the Jackson City Council. 

Dau Mabil may be gone but he is not forgotten as his widow and brother square off in court yet again.  Bul Mabil, Dau's brother, wants to commission forensic pathologist Dr. Matthias Okoye to perform an independent autopsy of Dau's remains.  Karissa Bowley, Dau's wife, contested the selection, stating Dr. Okoye has a "clear history of incompetence."

The story of Secret Service and law enforcement incompetence gets even worse.  The Beaver Countian reported: 

 OK, you are a new hot-shot developer.  You're going to meet some out of town investors and want to dress to impress.  Indeed, one investor mentioned something about going to a high-class gentleman's club loaded with um, high-priced talent. For that excursion,  you definitely want to do some stylin' and profilin'.  Fortunately, Allen Edmonds has you covered.  

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

The University of Mississippi Medical Center issued the following statement. 

 This little tidbit about the Jackson garbage crisis popped up on social media recently.  Take it for what it is worth.  

 Bill Maher had a few things to say about yesterday's events in Butler, Pennsylvania during his comedy show last night.  

He and his son's name have been turned from words to be gloried into curse words or words of anger.  Such curses flow from too many lips as water, easily said, easily forgotten.   Citing Exodus 20:7, the late Dr. Frank Pollard preached the Lord's  name is to be respected instead of thrown into the gutter.  Enjoy the 1996 sermon posted below. 

 The man who fell yesterday at the Trump rally died a hero's death protecting his family.  His daughter posted this message on Facebook. 

Want to look at comparative data on state tax revenues and not just listen to what politicians say? How about the state’s financial health? Or Medicaid spending? Or population growth?

Update (7/14): The Daily Muck reports Marsaw is fired.  

The screenshots posted below say it all.

 Former President Donald Trump and the Secret Service issued the following statements. 

Update: Shooter dead, attendee killed.  District Attorney said another bystander is in critical condition. 

Someone took a shot at former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally a short while ago.  The Secret Service stopped the assassination attempt.  Mr. Trump was only grazed in the ear and pumped his fist to the audience as the Secret Service took him away.  No arrests have been announced.

Need something good to watch this weekend? Check out these movies streamed on Youtube for, dare we say it?, Free! There are some real gems below.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

The 2024 race for the presidency was shaping up to be a replay of the 2020 campaign. Then, Biden changed everything. Or, maybe not. Maybe everyone finally saw through the lies that had hidden the truth for years.

Glow in the dark condoms, hallucinogenic toads, the homeless, and an Amazon battalion.  What do they all have in common? Let's go back to 1990 and find out. 

The Veterans Affairs executed a lease with Tim Bennett's Kusche Sports Group, LLC for the lease of 234 parking spaces in July 2021. The contract is scheduled to pay Kusche $5.5 million over 15 years although the company must provide shuttle service and maintain the parking lot. 

America faces an axis of aggression. China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are not only actively undermining US interests. They increasingly seem to be working together.

Until the fourth of July comes again, well maybe it's only 51 weeks now but there is no real reason to panic over what we will eat for the next Independence Day celebration meal. As for me, here is the one I fixed for 7/4/2024. Worked pretty well so I might just do a redo for 7/4/2025.

 The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation issued the following statement and pictures. 

Students will have to lock up their cellphones when they return to school in Marshall County in a few weeks.  WREG reported: 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

Hopefully Daniel Wayne Callihan is moving one step closer to his execution.   The Hinds County grand jury indicted Callihan for capital murder, kidnapping, three counts of sexual battery, and possession of a stolen vehicle.  

Credit: KPAL

 JXN Water issued the following statement. 

 Annie Oeth authored the following press release for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

 Sometimes breaking up is hard to do......

Slick sketches and resumes were submitted to the city of Jackson by Facilities Solution Team in response to Jackson's request for a statement of qualifications for a Convention Center hotel.  Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Sherik Smith are partners in the company.  Two other companies submitted SOQ's as well.    

Facilities Solution Team's Convention Center Hotel Rendering

The older I become the more I appreciate crossroads in life. All of us reach different crossroads at various times during our lives. I can look back over the course of my 62 years and clearly see where I made wise and healthy decisions that impacted my future, and other times when I made the wrong choice and headed down an unwise and unhealthy path. It’s life. We make mistakes. I don’t beat myself up about them. I learn and move on. The best we can hope for is that— as we grow older and reach life’s challenging crossroads— we make wiser decisions more often than we make stupid ones.

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

The most recent federal court ruling ordering Mississippi to make changes in state legislative districts based on federal Voting Rights Act violations isn’t your grandfather’s federal court order on legislative redistricting or even your father’s. The new voting rights ruling in the case Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, et al, v. State Board of Election Commissioners, et al, differs.

 It is a sad day up in Greenwood.  The Crystal Grill posted the following message on Facebook: 

The bridges might be falling apart but such means little to those who run Hinds County.  The Office of State Aid Road Construction informed Hinds County it will revoke $1.4 million in state aid for bridge repair after the county failed to spend the money.   

JJ discovered more weaseling concerning the lease of Smith-Wills Stadium.   Although the 2019 lease required Kusche Sports Group to obtain a $5 million performance bond and submit a copy with the city of Jackson, the city has no such copy.   

Waffle House made some drastic changes in Vicksburg: 

 The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued the following press release. 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his weekly briefing.  The presser is live-streamed below. 

 The Goon Squad may be gone but 135 Conerly Road in Braxton is not forgotten nor has it been quiet amid allegations of domestic violence and crack use.   

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 It's been 28 years....

"The most popular religion in the world is the worship of success, the worship of lust, the worship of power, the worship of the world instead of loving the Lord God with all heart and soul and mind and strength and it's showdown time, I think," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard in the 1996 sermon posted below.  

The late Democratic Cong. G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery was a mainstay of the Congressional Prayer Breakfast. At Sonny’s memorial service in 2006, former Republican Congressman and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren called the breakfast “an island of fellowship.” Another former Republican congressman, Ed Pease, called it “an oasis for the spirit.”

Nine women bond through the ups and downs of life as they train to become Women's Airforce Service Pilots during World War 2. 

This past Sunday our church sang “America the Beautiful.” I love to sing the old patriotic hymns around July 4th. We sang several together and most in our congregation could sing the old hymns by heart.

 Meanwhile over by St. Dominic Hospital.....

 It's not quite time for college football season but it's always time for a good college football game.  Posted below is a little gem that recently popped up on Youtube: Archie Manning's last game against LSU.  The Fightin' Tigers had Bert Jones and some other all-time greats on their side, including a mouthy wimp named Art Cantrell while the Rebels had Archie.  Manning hadn't played in a month due to a broken arm but he suited up and gave it all that he had.  Enjoy the game. 

 You can tell a lot about someone’s politics given what they might have to say about the conviction of Donald Trump.

 Rest of City Council remains silent.

 As Timothy Bennett weasels out of his Smith-Wills rent, Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote charged up the hill in an attempt to hold the Lumumba Administration and Bennett accountable at Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council. 

Huh? No catchy title? What's got into you Mr. PolyBear?  

 Correction: We screwed up. JJ initially reported Simpson County in the first sentence. 

The Smith County Sheriff's Office issued the following statement. 

Looking for a good deal on an iPad Pro? 

 The wheels of justice are moving swiftly indeed for Wayne Callihan and his girlfriend, Victoria Cox.  Callihan stands accused of murdering a mother in Louisiana, kidnapping her two young daughters, and killing one of them in Jackson.   

Credit: KPAL

Leftenent Governor Dilbert Hosemann issued the following statement. 

In a poll of national food critics I believe New Orleans would be listed among the top three food cities in America. To my taste— and I’ve eaten extensively in most of America’s top restaurant cities— New Orleans is number one. Period. No question. End of discussion.

Last year and likely next year as well, the Mississippi Legislature was focused on the question of Medicaid expansion. The tenor of that debate focused on the perceived impact on the bottom line of beleaguered Mississippi hospitals under an expanded Medicaid program, particularly those in rural areas of Mississippi.

 The Byram Police Department issued the following statements. 

 The Jackson City Council elected Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsey to President of the City Council and Ward 4 Councilman Bryan Grizzell to the Vice-President position.  

Madison-Rankin District Attorney issued the following statement. 

 A high-school junior will be going to the Olympics.  USA Today reported: 

What could possibly go wrong with this kid? 

 El Presidente loves him some watermelon, especially if it's from Smith County.  

 Mississippi Speaker of the House of Representatives Jason White issued the following statement. 

 Debt? What debt? The Jackson City Council approved a measure earlier this year that granted relief to Kusche Sports Sports Group lease of Smith-Wills Stadium.

What happens when some new kids show up at school?

 Check out Item #43 on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson City Council. 

"Killing is your ultimate power, dying is my ultimate power. My sermons are all over the land. If you kill me, my sermons will be sprinkled with my blood," said Pastor Josef Tson to his Romanian torturers before he was exiled in 1981.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard recounted how this particular sheep survived among Ceaușescu's wolves solely through faith as he wove Tson's story into the 1996 sermon about the Ten Commandments posted below.  Enjoy. 

Hostile nations make war on the U.S. every day, attacking critical military and civilian infrastructure. If they were using traditional weapons, we know that our military preparedness would yield a quick and deadly response. Sustained attacks in this new digital world, however, don’t get that intensity of response. Our preparedness continues to be lacking.

 The Justice Department issued the following statement Thursday. 

 Jon Stewart had a few things to say about the Presidential debate on the Daily Show. 

The usual suspects have been moaning and bemoaning Louisiana legislation that requires a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments with “large, easily readable font” to be displayed in every classroom at any school receiving state funding from kindergarten through university-level. Before Governor Landry signed the bill he reportedly said, “If you want to respect the rule of law, you gotta start from the original law giver, which was Moses. He got his commandments from God.”

 The Clown returns for an encore performance.   

Mississippi is almost surrounded by states that have school choice. Why don’t we?

 Pearl Mayor Jake Windham issued the following statement. 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba whipped out the race card and accused the state of trying to make Jackson "less black" in a conversation secretly recorded by former Deputy Public Works Director Mary Carter.  The recording was revealed in Ms. Carter's federal civil trial this week. 

 We could eat fancy smanchy, but this is better.

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

 The Mississippi Public Service Commission issued the following statement. 

 An obviously mentally-disturbed naked woman busted out the windows of Liberal Trinity Church of God recently.  A Facebook videographer captured the act of destruction on video.  

 The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement yesterday. 

Update: City wins. 

Former Jackson Deputy Public Work Director Mary Carter will learn her fate in federal court today.  Ms. Carter sued the city of Jackson for wrongful termination after she was fired in 2022.  She claimed she was fired for talking to the media about the Public Works Department.  WLBT reported last night:  

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

A Pearl man accused Pearl Police of police brutality after a Pearl police officer tased him in his home during a neighborhood disturbance on Father's Day. However, Pearl police said body cam videos tell the real story of what took place.  Leon Seals (not the Constable) posted these two videos on Facebook: 

The third season of the Hulu original program, “The Bear” will air this week. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, it’s an intense, frenetic, high-paced show about disfunction, passion, commitment, growth, failure, and success. Or more succinctly, it’s about the restaurant business.

After suffering a blistering attack on her credibility Monday, former Jackson Deputy Public Works Director Mary Carter fired back at her former superiors yesterday in federal court.  WLBT's Anthony Warren reported: 

Perhaps better than anyone before him, the late U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis understood what Mississippi’s military infrastructure meant to the state in terms of jobs, influence and improving the daily lives of the people of the state.

 A car caught fire at the Meadowbrook exit during afternoon rush hour.    

Pike County Circuit Judge David Strong ordered forestry consultant Jeff Taylor to pay Ridgway Management $306,747 by July 9 yesterday.  Ridgway accused Taylor of pocketing the money it was owed under a timber harvesting contract.  

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Things didn't go so well for former Jackson Deputy Public Works Director Mary Carter in federal court yesterday when her former boss said she was lazy and refused to do her job.  WLBT's Anthony Warren reported: 

Jordan Cummins will spend the rest of his life in prison after Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson pronounced sentence upon him today.   A jury convicted Cummins of two counts of first-degree murder last week.  The sentencing video is posted below.

 It appears we might have a dark Christmas this year.  Check out what is coming to the theatre Christmas Day. 

 Some rather bold thieves hit the Tyson chicken plant recently.  

 Two gentlemen engaged in a friendly debate on Flag Chapel Road last week.   Got to love Jackson.  

 Fed up with out of control brats in public, Bill Maher said it's time to bring back "trad dads" who don't "kowtow to brats."  Enjoy the monologue. 

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear," said the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he recited a poem* in the 1996 sermon posted below.  Leading by example instead of by word is so easy yet so hard.  Enjoy the preaching.  

Have you been calumniated lately? For those of us who dare venture into the public domain as commentators, such has become par for the course. But perhaps nothing dissuades good men and women from becoming candidates for public office more than the risk, no likelihood, of calumny.

 Check out the Cock of the Walk parking lot at 7 last night.

The State Medical Examiner's Office determined Dau Mabil did not die of foul play.  However, Mabil's brother attacked the autopsy, alleging Dau's in-laws killed him.  The autopsy report is posted below.

Many Americans have been anxious about millions of immigrants coming into America from nearly every nation on earth during Biden’s administration. Last week eight people from Tajikistan were arrested in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles on immigration violations. Authorities are still investigating whether any of them have links with the Islamic State (IS). How many terrorists have crossed the border in the past four years? Where are they? Have they formed terrorist cells?

Red Mountain Entertainment issued the following press release. 

Was Jackson short-changed more than $500,000 on the Smith-Wills Stadium lease?  Tim Bennett's Kusche Sports Group is supposed to pay the city at least $125,000 per year but since this is Jackson, he has only paid $32,500, a mere drop in the rent bucket.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Do you remember having spinach on your elementary school cafeteria lunch plate? Well, this ain't some kin'da school lunch spinach!

Some people  just can't handle losing.

 Many of us enjoyed dining at Cock of the Walk at the Ross Barnett Reservoir over the years but unfortunately the establishment fell on hard times recently.  Now, we can all avoid the restaurant when it reopens or gripe online but we should instead do something constructive.  Yup, we need to get together to help out Cock of the Walk and we are going to do it in a fun way.  Here is what we are going to do.

Mississippi’s Department of Education was quick to trumpet signs of an improvement in education standards. According to a gushing press release they put out, Mississippi has risen up the national education rankings from 48th to 30th over the past decade

Perhaps the Mississippi High School Activities Association should pay attention to how they do things in Texas.   Exhibit 1: Texas high school sophomore Beth Leachman.   KSAT reported: 

 Cock of the Walk at the Reservoir is temporarily closed after it flunked a Health Department inspection.  

Jackson's biggest eyesore may soon come down.  Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey Reynolds ordered the city to demolish the Hotel O on I-55N Frontage Road on June 13. 

By the time this column is published Father’s Day will be several days in the rearview mirror. That may be the case when it comes to the calendar, but I’m still basking in the afterglow of that fine day.

In the rural South, we are conditioned to a self-image of small communities like fictional Mayberry where crime and violence are almost non-existent and the real dangers from gun violence lurk on the streets and back alleys of Chicago, New York, Detroit, and Los Angeles.

 Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Commissioner Andrew Gipson issued the following statement. 

The only constant in life is change, even at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.  Troopers groused last year when DPS Commissioner Sean Tindall opened up MBI Investigator positions to non-troopers a year ago as the troopers thought those were "their" positions as the entitlement mentality permeates their ranks. Fortunately, the Commissioner hired quite a seasoned crew as he deemed experience was more important than trooper school.  The horror. 

 This little incident supposedly took place around the Battlefield Park area a year ago.  Packin' does not mean protected as this guy found out.  

 The Jambalaya with The Kingfish podcast is back from the dead as Jackson attorney Trent Walker discusses the Goon Squad case with yours truly.  Mr. Walker represented Goon Squad victims Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins and had quite a few things to say about the subject. It is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and Samsung.  Enjoy. 

 Check out how Jerry Seinfeld handled a Hamas heckler in Australia recently.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his regular briefing.  The press conference is live-streamed below.  The Mayor's notice of the press conference said he would make an "important announcement."  

Is timber fraud taking place in south Mississippi? Two lawsuits accuse timber consultant Jeff Taylor of bilking the plaintiffs of nearly $1,000,000 in timber-related deals.   

 Country music star Dwight Yoakam is coming to Brandon this fall.  

Just a little bit of humor for Father's Day.  

"It's one thing to teach a child to light a fire but another thing to teach him not to burn a house down with it.  It's one thing to teach a child ballet but it's vital to teach her to walk straight.  It's one thing to teach a child how to play a piano, it's important that you learn not to steal things with those fingers," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he asked what it means to be a father.  Enjoy his 1998 Father's Day sermon posted below. 

Mississippi recently edged further off the bottom on one national ranking, but stayed at the bottom on others.

 Looking for something to do tomorrow for Father's Day?  Field of Dreams is playing tomorrow at Tinseltown at 2 of the clock.  There are plenty of tickets available. 

The old Alta Woods Church on Terry Road caught fire this afternoon.  

Why do people hate Donald J. Trump? Let’s face it: Hatred for Trump is the key issue of many of those who oppose him.

 A collection agency sued Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba in Hinds County Court for $6,557 in April.   

JPD Chief Joseph Wade delivered some rather shocking news after Daniel Callihan was apprehended yesterday.  Chief Wade said the presence of small animal cages where Callihan was caught showed the presence of a "human trafficking" operation. The revelation was reported by national media such as CNN.  However, there might be a more simple explanation for the cages. 

Before I came to Mississippi, I was a Member of the British Parliament for 12 years for Clacton.  Donald Trump's friend, Nigel Farage, has now decided to run for election in Clacton on July 4th.

 Daniel Callahan is being held at the Rankin County Detention Center.  

 Check out what Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba I said at the June 4 City Council meeting at New Hope Baptist Church. 

You probably already know I love my mom. Out of great love for her, I never cooked a Braciole for her. However, after thinking about it, I have decided she might like it especially if I included some cornbread, purple hull peas, and creamed sweet corn.

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 Update: Gone

The owner of the old Northeast Courthouse can't seem to get any help from the city of Jackson.  The problem? A submerged car in the creek next to the property.  

 The University of Mississippi Medical Center issued the following statement. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is enhancing its educational infrastructure by establishing a multidisciplinary teaching campus in Ridgeland’s Colony Park.

While Jordan Cummins stands trial for two counts of murder, his mother, Angie Kellum,  managed to get herself arrested in the courtroom.   

The Justice Department issued the following statement.

 Jordan Cummins faces justice this week as he stands trial for the murder of Josh Spann and Auden Simpkins.  The homicides took place on Jefferson Street while the St. Paddy's Day Parade took place on March 25, 2023.  The trial is live-streamed below courtesy of WLBT. 

This month kicked off my 44th year in the restaurant business. The first seven years were spent working for other people. Mostly as a server while I worked my way through college. But for the past 37 years I've owned restaurants. I love my line of work and consider myself overly blessed to have a career in which I am making a living doing what comes naturally and easy to me. My livelihood is what I’d be doing on the side— and as a hobby— if I had another career. Ultimately, I truly love what I do.

 Is this mom too strict?

The nation’s commercial gaming industry achieved record-breaking revenue for the third consecutive year in 2023 with 10.3% year-over-year growth – but revenue in Mississippi was down 3.5% or $91.28 million according to the American Game Association’s State of the States 2024 report.

The Head Goon is not taking his federal conviction lying down even though he pleaded guilty.  Read below. 

 A fire broke out at the Palace of Versailles but it has been brought under control. Tourists were evacuated from the building. 

 The Blue Collar Boy is coming to the Brandon City Hall in October. 

 Time for some harmless speculation.  Look what popped up on the U.S. District Court docket on June 6 and June 7.  

 Annie Oeth authored the following press release for UMMC. 

Kobe Abron grasps a Spider-Man figurine with his right hand, holding it firmly between his newly created thumb and fingers as his grandmother cheers – a normal function for most toddlers but elusive for Kobe until recently. 

 Sometimes these "content creators" have to learn things the hard way.....

 Marshand Crisler will go to trial in November.  The docket in his case states: 

A 23 year-old Jackson man (allegedly) entered Northwest Rankin High School with the intent to recruit students for sexual videos in January.  

Our students and schools are excelling in Mississippi.

 Check out what is going on at the Top Golf site.  At the current rate of progress, it might be open by Turkey Day.  

 It appears a female golfer was slighted by the good ole boys at a golf tournament up in Cleveland.  Her mother posted on Facebook: 

The Babylonian king took the best and brightest from Israel, hoping to re-educate them in Babylonian ways. Brainwashed subjects make for good subjects, after all.  However,  Daniel and his brothers never forsook their upbringing, relying on a faith that was well-rewarded.  What does that mean for us today?  Watch the late Dr. Frank Pollard explain it all in the 1996 sermon posted below.   Enjoy. 

My new, seeming BFF is a pesky and excitable fellow. He sends me emails and texts with lots of capital letters and exclamation points nearly every day.

 Need something good to watch this weekend? Check out these movies streamed on Youtube for, dare we say it?, Free! There are some real gems below. 

 It appears Ivana Williams hit the media jackpot.  

Are the pieces of the puzzle surrounding the recent FBI raids in Jackson starting to fall into place?  Out of state "investors" spoke to several Jackson City Council members about building a Convention Center hotel this year.  WLBT reported last night: 

I can remember going to the A&P grocery store on Capitol Street, with my mom, shopping for the same ingredients we will use for today's recipe. 

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

 The Battle of Briarwood 1 is over.   The building is no more, the property is cleaned up, and the enemy is on the run.  

 It appears the Sinyards got off with a slap on the wrist and a foot massage too after bilking the Veterans Administration of millions of dollars.  

 The Ballad of Rudy Warnock was continued yet again in U.S. District Court.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate postponed Warnock's bribery trial to August 5.   

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 The liquor flowed while the steaks were consumed as good times were had by all at a Ridgeland fine dining restaurant on the night of March 1.  Unfortunately, the fun soon turned into horror for the owners as "burglary tourists" hit their Bridgewater home while they were at the restaurant. 

BROOKLYN— Growing up I had relatives in New York. My maternal grandmother and grandfather lived here for 10 years or so. He worked on Madison Avenue for the entire decade of the sixties. My first visit here was as a three-year-old in 1964 during the World’s Fair. I don’t remember any of it other than a vague recollection of the song from Disney’s “It’s A Small World” which was introduced at the fair instantly becoming the king of ear-worm songs in the history of all ear-worm songs.

See him while you still can.  Country music star Sturgill Simpson is coming to Brandon.  

The 34 guilty verdicts in the New York state court trial of former President Donald Trump on felony charges of falsifying business records of alleged “hush money” payments to an adult film actress as part of a scheme to influence the 2016 election has opened the floodgates on a river of partisan political hyperbole from both sides of the aisle.

 The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation issued the following statement.

 Ibrahim Khoder's problems took a turn for the worse when the Hinds County grand jury indicted him for perjury on April 5.  Khoder is the alleged owner of the notorious Hotel O on I-55 N Frontage Road. 

 Meanwhile, over at the intersection of Watkins Drive and Mayes Streets, someone apparently got tired of the summer heat (Warning: Partial Nudity)

A school choice revolution is sweeping America. Mississippi is now sandwiched on either side by states that give families control over their child’s share of state education dollars.

 The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement.