Jackson Jambalaya

Yet another member of the Jackson City Council got into a little bit of trouble.  

  Get out the popcorn as Nancy New dished more dirt on former Governor Phil Bryant.  The Anna Wolfe reported at Mississippi Today yesterday:

Was AI involved in this typo? 

Tonarri Moore sure does have a habit of getting in trouble with the law.    Moore pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court yesterday to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.  

 Squat trucks may soon be a relic of the past if State Representative Freddie Shanks has his way.  Mr Shanks authored a bill that will ban the controversial fad in Mississippi.  HB #349 states: 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement and report. 

The Justice Department announced today its findings that conditions of confinement at three Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) facilities violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

There are many emotions associated with parenthood. Joy and amusement come to mind immediately. The early responsibilities of parenting can bring worry and guilt. There can be irritation and disappointment as well. The unique thing about being a parent is that sometimes one can feel several of those emotions— contradicting as they may be— at once.

The Mississippi Adequate Education Formula had its genesis almost 30 years ago in politics – the politics of avoiding being forced to equalize public education funding at the tip of the spear of a federal lawsuit.

Topgolf will be here sooner rather than later.  Topgolf President Todd Waldo announced the good news at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Prado Vista project Monday.  

The deadline for entering the 2024 College Savings Mississippi Art Contest is fast approaching: 

Tonarri Moore is pleading guilty right now to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in U.S. District Court.   

Failure usually carries a cost and the Jackson garbage shutdown a year ago is no exception.  The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality fined the city of Jackson $900,000 for the city's failure to collect garbage for two weeks.  

 The Bonefish has been de-boned. 

Lord Protector Tate Reeves gave his State of the State address this evening.  The video and transcript are posted below. 

 The son of Mississippi Congressman Michael Guest got himself into some trouble.  The Nashville Scoop reported: 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

80's rockers REO Speedwagon and .38 Special are coming to Brandon.   Red Mountain Entertainment announced: 

There have been quite a few columns and articles in local media promoting Medicaid expansion in Mississippi.  Russ Latino published a column opposing said expansion over at the Magnolia Tribune website.    Mr. Latino opined: 

 Rachel Vanderford authored the following press release for UMC. 

They can bring reward and at other times punishment.  Sometimes they are just messengers.  They can rescue.  They protect.  They are the Swiss Army knives of heaven.   What are we talking about? Angels, of course.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard discussed their role in the heavenly scheme of things in the 1995 sermon posted below as he preached from Hebrews 1:3-9 (Scripture posted below).  Although they are indeed powerful, Dr. Pollard said they are to be respected but not worshipped.  See what else he had to say on the matter.  

WalletHub analysts have dubbed Utah and Mississippi as the states that least resemble the U.S. as a whole.

There is nothing like a redneck movie from the 70's.   Exhibit A: Moonrunners.  It was a pilot movie of sorts for the Dukes of Hazzard.  It's got it all: liquor, law-breakin, lovin', and Uncle Jesse smoking dope.  Did I mention a song by Waylon Jennings that can't be found elsewhere?  It is not available on any of the streaming websites but someone posted it online. It's posted below.  Enjoy. 

This post is reprinted with permission of the Taxpayers Channel (Greenwood).  It was first published on February 22. 

Early this morning, the United States Federal District Court of the Northern District of Mississippi filed and accepted a guilty plea agreement by former Express Grain president John Coleman for fraud in the company's collapse and bankruptcy.

In 1994, during my “quiet time” of Bible reading and prayer God gave me this verse of encouragement that has blessed me everyday since. Recently a friend at church asked me whether I had watched one of Jonathan Cahn’s latest videos about the Israeli-Hamas war. I have read several of Cahn’s books, but have never watched any of his videos.

 JXN Water issued the following statement. 

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.  

 The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following statement. 

I was just a small tyke in 1951; too young to remember when Chef Paul Blange created the dessert known as Bananas Foster. This famous dessert came about as his response to a request by his boss Owen Brennan, of Brennan's Restaurant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for a dish featuring bananas. Evidently Owen went Bananas with his first taste and a food legend was born.

A.G. sues State Auditor

Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

 A bill will ban Satan, er, make that Satanic displays from the Mississippi Capitol. 

 Does the Greater Jackson Arts Council even exist anymore? 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 Meet Lazavian Gibbs, otherwise known as the um, Foreskin Felon.  The Laurel Leader Call reported: 

 Mark Mayfield's family struck out at the United States Supreme Court. 

 The city of Pearl issued the following statement. 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann recently identified the long-term financial stability of the Mississippi’s Public Employees Retirement System as “the major issue” facing lawmakers in the 2024 regular session – and rightly so.

 The Mardis cake is baked but there are some loose ends that need to be tied up  before JJ turns away from this story hopefully forever.  

 The Hinds County Board of Supervisors were supposed to hold its regular meeting this morning.  However, no meeting was held because three supervisors did not show up.  No quorum, no meeting.  

 This article first appeared in Mississippi Today and is published under a Creative Commons license.  Geoff Pender authored this story. 

 Change is a'coming to the M'ssippi Bureau of Narcotics. Command issued to following email to all MBN employees. 

Jackson City Council President Aaron Banks will fight his DUI charges.  WLBT reported February 15:

District 3 Supervisor Gerald Steen spoke to the Madison County Republican Women last week and, predictably, talked out of both sides of his mouth. 

No, we don't mean that Dr. Smith but the Mississippi Museum of Art's new exhibit.   

 The video says it all. 

Was there a ruckus at Urban Air last night? WAPT reported: 

Someone is conducting a poll in Mississippi this weekend.  Check out the questions. 

How to save a capital city is a question vexing many in Mississippi right now.  However, the late Dr. Frank Pollard addressed this very subject waaaaay back in 1996 in the sermon posted below.  Preaching from Acts 19: 1-7 (Scripture posted below as well),  Dr. Pollard replaced Jackson with Ephesus.  The lessons are two thousand years old but still applicable today.  Enjoy. 

 Saw Microsoft Copilot ad during the Super Bowl. Decided to give its GPT-4 AI a try.

Okay, genius, I thought. Try this. “How can Mississippi get more people out of poverty?”

Things got slightly out of hand between Southern Miss and Arkansas State in lady's basketball this week.  Props to the DJ for playing "Set It Off." 

 The Order of the Sisters of Rukia Lumumba are not too happy with Judge Wintage.  The Poor People's Campaign issued the following statement yesterday: 

 In the 2016 campaign for president, Hillary Clinton and her campaign proposed a plan “to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security services” according to Special Counsel John Durham’s report released last May.

Looking for something to watch this weekend? Check out these movies presented on Youtube for free. 

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

John Coleman, former president of the now-bankrupt Express Grain, has a scheduled hearing in federal district court to enter a change of plea in the criminal fraud case in the Express Grain collapse.

While on a promotional tour for her famed cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", Julia Child made her first appearance on Public Television, appearing on a book review show called "I've Been Reading". The year was 1961. She arrived for the filming with a hot plate, giant whisk, and eggs. Then she made an omelet on the set. Little did Julia know her appearance would lead to gigs on Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, and even Dave Letterman. Oh, I forgot, she also hosted shows on PBS called Cooking with Julia, The French Chef, and many others. Many of these shows occurred BFN (Before Food Network).

The Hinds County Catch & Release program is chugging along just fine, thank you very much.  Exhibit A: Kylin Russell of the Adkins QT shootout fame. 

The Madison County grand jury "no-billed" former Ole Miss football star Jerrell Powe, Colburn McLelland, Angie McLelland, Cooper Leggett, and Gavin Bates. 

Jackson Municipal Court Judge Jeff Reynolds had enough and issued a warrant for the arrest of Hotel O owner Noah Ali Mehmet Muthana.  

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 The Clinton Police Department issued the following statement. 

Ivana Williams is probably not feeling cute after Mississippi Highway Patrol fired the trooper yesterday.  Colonel Haynes terminated Williams' employment after a hearing was held Friday.  Attorney Matt Eichelberger represented Williams at the hearing. 

 It took me 60 years to start eating like an adult. I am 62 so I’ve only been eating responsibly for a couple of years.

 Brandon Presley’s new post-election employment in the private sector solar energy business has some interesting political framing. The announcement of the 2023 Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee and longtime Northern District Public Service commissioner’s new gig made a splash in green energy circles around the country.

 State Treasurer David McRae today announced the state's 529 program has rebranded to become Mississippi College and Career Savings. The name change better reflects the true capacity of the program, which can be used for traditional four-year colleges, as well as vocational programs, apprenticeships, and other career training.

Adkins Drive Shooter Arrested

Governor Tate Reeves, Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindall, and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba are announcing a major crime initiative right now at a press conference.  The presser is live-streamed below. 

 Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

 A trooper tried to execute one of them fancy u-turn maneuvers on Highway 80 west over in the Lauderdale County area and well, it did not go so well for all concerned. 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he is running for re-election in 2025 at his regular press conference today.  Some highlights of the press conference are: 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

Jackson State University went into lockdown after a man carrying an AR-15-style firearm was seen walking near campus. 

 Who knew this Seinfeld clip would be so prophetic. 

What is a salvation experience? What is an attendance ministry? Why should one go to church?  Can one witness without witnessing something? The late Dr. Frank Pollard answered all of these questions and more as he preached from Acts 2 in the 1996 sermon posted below. Enjoy.

Where are we going and is that where we want to go?

 Yet another Yankee makes a pilgrimage to the Mississippi Delta and is shocked, shocked mind you, at what he sees.  

Recently I began reading my own columns from late 2020 and early 2021 to reminisce. “[T]he LEFT peacefully protested as cities burned, protesters ransacked, looted, and destroyed local and chain stores, and attacked and vilified police while mayors and governors empathized with outraged mobs.” The media glorified BLM and Antifa as righteous revolutionaries.

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 Hizzoner took a trip to the grocery story with JPD brass in tow.  Notice anything? 

Update: The Madison County Circuit Court set the defendants' bonds at $100,000 per charge. 

Madison County deputies arrested four individuals after busting a drug operation in the Oakfield neighborhood yesterday.  

I have heard there are one or two people out there who do not like gumbo. I am so sorry for you. However, this is America. Good men and women have fought our enemies to assure you have the right to make your own decisions about what you eat, regardless of what the abolitionists might say.

Stephen Colbert remembered his good friend, yes, good friend, Toby Keith last night.  Enjoy.  

 Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher welcomed back Clinton police officer Anthony Fox at a press conference today.   The presser was vintage Fisher as the former General defended his man while blasting the Hinds County criminal justice system as Fox and his family flanked Mayor Fisher. 

The Briarwood 1 building is no more. 

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 Former police officer Anthony Fox is a free man.  The Mississippi Court of Appeals reversed his conviction for culpable manslaughter last week.  The Court issued a mandate to set him free today.  

 Surely there is a song about going the wrong way down the road....

A federal lawsuit accuses Fletcher Cox and some Yazoo good ole boys of working together to prosecute Jamiah Alexander on bogus charges because she allegedly had an affair with the football star from Yazoo City.  Cox was an All-American Defensive Tackle at Mississippi State University and has played in the NFL for twelve years. 

This week's recipe: Black & Blue Burger

Since 1999 I have written every week in this space, a thousand words a week, never missing a week. That’s over 1,300 columns and more than 1,300,000 words in print. I mostly write about food, restaurants, travel, food in the South, and growing up in the South. Over those years I have made great efforts not to write about our restaurants in any kind of specific, self-promoting way.

 The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement. 

 Discussing Medicaid and the role the program plays or should play in expanding healthcare opportunities for Mississippi’s working poor produces the kind of headache usually reserved for those who eat ice cream and wash it down with hot coffee – or those who watch TV news coverage of the Medicaid expansion issue on Fox News and MSNBC back-to-back.

 A house on 910 Ash Court in Ridgeland burned down Thursday.  Unfortunately, the family lost everything they own.  The matriarch of the family has been a nurse for 18 years and has four children.  They were renting and did not have insurance.  A  Gofundme page has been established to help the family.  Feel free to help.  

Warning: Violent video posted below

Posted below is a video of a shooting on Adkins Drive.  When exactly did this happen and why is the video suddenly circulating? 

The Siemens deal literally blew up Jackson's water system ten years ago. Unfortunately, Jackson was not the only city that fell for promises of gold while getting buckets of _____.  Sarah Fowler reported yesterday: 

 Construction equipment appeared at the Top Golf site yesterday. 

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.

Update: A hearing on the TRO request will be held February 7 in Rankin County Chancery Court. 

Hitting kids with rulers, posting pictures of children kissing on social media, and stealing customers are just some of the allegations made in a lawsuit filed against a former owner of a day care center in Brandon. 

Mississippi saw some spectacular inauguration events over the past couple of weeks. Governor Reeves was sworn in for a second term, the House got a new Speaker, Jason White, and our lawmakers came together for the start of the new legislative session.

WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS POSTED BELOW!!!

Update: JPD arrested Jaylon Proctor.  He is currently hospitalized. 

 A shootout took place on Bellwood Drive this morning.

Although the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for 123 days in 2019 relieved Mississippi River flooding, it was a disaster for Mississippi fisheries on the Gulf Coast as the massive freshwater intrusion ruined their harvest.  The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on January 24 it will provide $2.9 million in relief to those fisheries: 

UPDATE (3:10 PM) Brandon Police Chief Joseph French said all suspects surrendered.  The boys were charged with simple assault while a girl was charged with conspiracy.  The  Rankin County Youth Court will adjudicate the charges. 

A group of young men beat up another young man in Brandon Saturday night.  The uncle of the victim posted this video on social media. 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement Friday. 

"Judas is more like the average American professing Christian than the other Apostles."  Stern stuff but the late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist - Jackson) rarely minced words when preaching as he did on New Years Eve in 1995.   If you didn't make it to church today, enjoy the remedial sermon posted below.  It's one of his better ones.  

 Democrats said they will accept some conservative policies on the border immigration crisis to get funding for Ukraine. Republicans ought to be jumping on that offer like ketchup on french fries.

 Meet the Reverend Bankroll.

 The Hinds County Election Commission Follies returns.  The Commission told the Republican and Democratic parties it will not operate the Presidential primaries in March.  WLBT reported: 

 A scrum over prior-authorization is taking place in the Mississippi legislature thanks to one J. Walter Michel. Sarah Ulmer reported: 

The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 One of the all-time musicals comes to the big screen next week for two nights. It stars Audrey Hepburn, need we say more?  Check out the showtimes for My Fair Lady at Malco Grandview & Tinseltown below. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

There were lots of firsts for Jackson at Westland Plaza. 

Madison County Detention Center security cameras recorded Barry Gilmer's (alleged) beating of a female detention officer last Friday.  Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker would not release the video as the case is still under investigation but allowed this correspondent to watch the 20-second video and take notes. The video shows most of the attack, blow by blow, as the honorable esquire (allegedly) beat the female guard, breaking several of her bones. 

 Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Madison-Rankin District Attorney Bubba Bramlett 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 blueberry, strawberry, and Bavarian cream.  You can call 601-362-9553 to reserve one as well. Enjoy.  

Former Mississippi Congressional candidate Michael Cassidy faces a felony hate crime charge after he destroyed a Satanic statue in the Iowa state capitol. The Polk County (Iowa) Attorney's Office issued the following statement: 

 Grenada attorney Carlos Moore saved the Mississippi Commission on Juidicial Performance the trouble of kicking him off the bench.  The Clarksdale Press Register reported: