Jackson Jambalaya

 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. 

 Rankin County Sheriff issued the following statement. 

The Rankin County grand jury indicted Carly Gregg for first degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence on May 22. Gregg stands accused of shooting her mother to death and wounding her stepfather on March 19.  

 Somehow, I don't think she is joking one little bit.  Can't say I blame her.  

Newton #1, Humphreys County dead last 

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

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

 Honor thy father and mother.  It's one of the best known commandments and is dragged out every year for the usual Mother's Day and Father's Day sermon.  However, the commandment means more than just giving parents their due.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard (First Baptist - Jackson) explained how it means parents should honor their children as well.  Watch his 1996 sermon posted below as he explains how the Fifth Commandment translates into freedom for all. 

War is at hand, preferably cold but potentially hot.

 George Robinson's family suffered another loss after they tried to renege on a settlement agreement with the city of Jackson.  The city settled with the family for more than $17,000 in mediation.  However, the family's attorney, Dennis Sweet, said his clients were backing out of the agreement when the City Council made the agreement public.  However, Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson ruled yesterday the family was stuck with the agreement.  Signed words mean things after all in Hinds County.