Jackson Jambalaya

Socrates throws his hat in the ring!!!

 The Mayor qualified riiiiiight before the deadline today. 

 State Auditor Shadrack White issued the following statement. 

Wow!  What a start!  Donald Trump began his Presidency with a blizzard of Executive Orders.  He’s not holding back on advancing a conservative agenda. An emergency has been declared to secure the southern border.  DEI hires in the federal government are being fired.  The renewable energy boondoggle is over.  Mass deportations have begun. 

Engineer: Fire curtain wont' be installed until April

Thalia Mara Hall may not be opening anytime soon after it flunked the State Fire Marshal's inspection yesterday.  Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement: 

Can there be such a thing? This is America! Why not!

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 David L. Archie qualified to run for Mayor of Jackson.  This race is turning into a damn monster movie. 

 Radio Strongman Kim Wade, yes, KIM Waaaaaaaaaaaade qualified to run for Mayor of Jackson today.  

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced he will qualify for re-election by the close of business tomorrow.   However, there is one small problem with qualifying: campaign finance reports.  The partisan Magnolia Tribune's Russ Latino spelled out the Mayor's dilemma in a penetrating analysis published this week: 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

The Empower Mississippi podcast dives into criminal justice reform this week.  Conservative activist Doug Deason discusses his work with Jared Kushner to get the First Step Act passed in this interview with host Grant Callen. The goal of their reforms is not to go soft on crime but to covert criminals into productive members of society when they are released.  Learn more in the podcast posted below. 

 Actually Mississippi fourth-graders are.  The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following press release on the state's performance on the NAEP tests.  

 There is reality and then there is reality as reported by the media.  Believe it or not, sometimes the two realities are not the same.  Exhibit A: Mississippi Today's coverage of the food fight between State Auditor Shad White and State Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman John Polk last week during a budget hearing.  

 Mary McPhoney's was apparently not the only Gulf Coast restaurant passing off foreign seafood as "fresh from the gulf" as shrimp testing of Biloxi restaurants revealed many were doing the same.  SeaD Consulting reported: 

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

The death last week of Patrick Hayes “Pete” Johnson of Clarksdale at age 76 brings to mind a very capable, affable and decent man whose life story chronicled an almost gothic illustration of how much Mississippi politics has changed over the last century – and then again, how much it really hasn’t changed.

 This little flashback popped up in Google photos memories today. 

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

A man identifying as a woman broke records in the 200m and 400m events at an indoor track meet in New York Friday.  Progress!

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

Got to love it when good ole boys do good ole things, even in Ocean Springs.  GC Wire reported: 

Thalia Mara Hall to open Friday 

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

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement.

 A man kidnapped his girlfriend from the Nissan plant in Madison County.  Her body was found near I-55 in Holmes County.  

 Some teams just can't handle a bad report card.  

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Why was John the Baptist Great? The scripture says Christ referred to him as the greatest man who ever lived. Was it because he was a great speaker? Was it because he was a great prophet or lived a simple life? The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached in the 1997 sermon posted below he was great because of none of those things.  He was great because he knew who he was.  He was great because he knew where he came from.  He was great because he "knew who to point to."  Dr. Pollard explained we can be great as well.  

Congress is about to horn in on our tax cut debate. Up against Congress’ $4 trillion plus issue our $2.2 billion in tax cuts looks tiny.

 The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement. 

Every semester I lead my students in a discussion about ethnocentrism. The American Heritage Dictionary defines ethnocentrism as, “A tendency to evaluate other people, activities, cultures, etc. primarily from the perspective of one's own as being superior.”

 The Rose Anvil channel provides a much-needed public service.  Weston Kay literally cuts boots in half and dissects their innards. The dissection can be rather cruel to well-known manufacturers as their shoddy work is exposed.  Kay took on the Alden 403 "Indy" boot.  The boot has a cult following as it was worn by Indiana Jones, hence the nickname.  The boots start at $680.  Are they worth it?  Watch and see.  

The Mississippi Supreme Court issued the following statement. 

 The Mississippi Insurance Department issued the following statement. 

 More candidates have qualified to run for office in Jackson's municipal elections this year. Read and weep. 

While the Mississippi media breathlessly covered the indictments of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mississippi Today covered them as well but took a different approach, one that painted a rather unflattering picture of the FBI.   

 Sounds a little pompous to me but it is what it is.

 State Auditor Shad White and State Senator John Polk (R - Meat Market) squared off during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting yesterday.  Tempers flared, fireworks erupted, and verbal fisticuffs ensued for nearly a half hour as they went at it.  

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Daniel Barrett authored the following press release for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

Will Jackson Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks get more time to fight his public corruption indictments? 

An Oktibbeha grand jury declined to indict a Mississippi State University football star for aggravated assault after (allegedly) injuring a fellow student through an unprovoked attack. 

 Some Christian Rock is coming to Brandon in June.  Red Mountain Entertainment announced: 

A bitter cold has settled into the Pine Belt of Mississippi this week, and it’s the kind of chill that makes you appreciate the sweltering days of August. Down here, cold weather feels like an event, something that calls for a hearty soup on the stove and extra layers by the backdoor. As the temperatures drop, I’ve found myself thinking about my daughter more than ever. Maybe it’s because the weather brings back a memory—a snow day, of all things. Or maybe it’s because we’re only weeks away from her wedding, and I can’t seem to keep my emotions in check.

 The weather can be hard on pipes.  Exhibit A: North State Street. 

After the last orchestra note fades and the final glasses of champagne are consumed at the inaugural balls, President Donald Trump’s meter will begin running by those on both sides of the contentious illegal immigration issue.

 The Justice Department (Northern District of California) issued the following statement. 

 A Madison County grand jury indicted four foreign nationals for the burglary of a Bridgewater home last year.  The victims own a fine-dining restaurant in Ridgeland.  The "burglary tourism" occurred while they worked at their restaurant.  

 This is a sight one doesn't see every day on Bourbon Street. 

 The Mississippi Supreme Court issued the following statement. 

 Check out the new trailer for season 2 of 1923.  It looks to be pretty good.  The only question is how many times will Taylor Sheridan appear.  

 Bill Maher went scorched earth on California politicians Friday night.  You can guess the subject.  

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement Saturday. 

 The re-opening of Thalia Mara Hall has been delayed to the end of January.   

 Paul Gallo passed away last night. Condolences to his family and friends.  Enjoyed listening to that booming baritone voice in the mornings for years even when he did take over the conversation. ;-). He will be missed.   SuperTalk Mississippi paid him tribute in a heartfelt memorial: 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Dave Chappelle opened Saturday Night Live last night.  'Nuff said.  

The Good Book says we are to be a light to the world.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard preached some Christians are a beacon while others are just fireflies, lighting up whenever it suits them.  However, what is light?  The New Testament mentions "light" 73 times but what does being a light mean? Dr. Pollard answers that question in the 1997 sermon posted below.  Enjoy. 

The tax train zoomed through the Mississippi House of Representatives. What Ways and Means Committee chair Trey Lamar calls “one of the most transformational pieces of legislation that this state has ever seen” got referred to his committee on Friday January 10th and passed out of the House the next Thursday.

 The Pelahatchie Police Department issued the following statement. 

Have you sensed a change? Remember the lead up to the 2024 election? Everybody was predicting how close it would be. Neck and Neck. Too close to call. Of course there were the usual claims and counterclaims, and fact checkers were canoodling to find just the right nuance to sway voters one way or another.

Update (2:50 PM): Cadence announced its systems were fixed.  Customer accounts are fully operational.  See statement at bottom of post. 

Cadence Bank is having um, system issues, the kind of system issues that won't allow it to accept deposits.  The problem began Wednesday.  Cadence sent this email to bank customers Thursday: 

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

Jackson Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth I. Stokes announced he will not run for Mayor. 

Will measles or polio make a comeback in Mississippi?  Mississippi led the national in childhood vaccinations for years.  However, a new law allows parents to exempt their children from required vaccines.  WLBT reported: 

How much do you imagine it costs to send a child to public school in Hinds County every year? $5,000 per year? Maybe $10,000? $15,000?

 Richard's Disposal managed to miss a few neighborhoods in Northeast Jackson yesterday yet again.  Good job, Richard's, good job.  

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

Let's talk about sandwiches, starting with the historical legacy of a famous English Dude who made Time Magazine's Man of the year in 1762.

 The wheeling and dealing is going on at the capitol as the legislature is in session. A power broker of the House, State Representative and Trey Lamar breaks it all down in Empower Mississippi's latest podcast.  

 The Clown may be the court fool but he will no longer serves as a judge.  The Mississippi Supreme Court permanently suspended Grenada attorney Carlos Moore from the bench. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 The Baptist Medical Clinic in Northeast Jackson will close.  WLBT reported: 

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 Check out what Jackson mayoral candidate Zachary Servis suggested on Facebook: 

 Mississippi Today received quite a bit of assistance from Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba when his indictment was unsealed in November. 

Most of my life, I wasn’t a fan of Mardi Gras king cakes. Even during the decades when I consumed bucketsful of sugar—cereal straight out of the box, candy by the case—I still thought king cakes were over the top. Too sweet, too dry, too artificial. The filled ones I came across were like oversized jelly donuts with what seemed like overly sweet and gelatinous, pre-made canned filling, a thick, crackly layer of icing finished with so much colored granulated sugar it looked like someone emptied out the craft cabinet.

Mississippi is sporting a growing ability to recruit and land high-technology economic development prospects. One thing that Mississippi has not been known for is national expertise in computer science and cybersecurity. But as of last week, that reality changed when the U.S. Air Force announced that Keesler Air Base in Biloxi, Mississippi is now the national hub for cyber operations training in that branch of service.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement, video, and artist renderings of the new park development, the Post at Farish Street, today. 

 Wille Nelson and family are coming back to Brandon in April. 

Top Golf took Ridgeland by storm when it opened December 20. While the rest of the media covered the grand opening in typical corporate fashion, the Kingfish covered it from a different angle.  JJ commissioned two Ole Miss students who just happen to be DJ's to cover the festivities from a different perspective.  Watch ZoZo and Mad Dog as they explore Top Golf. Enjoy. 

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

Thalia Mara Hall to open on January 18 as scheduled!

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba held his regular briefing this afternoon.  The presser as well as observations are posted below. 

 So I'm sitting in the middle lane of North State Street (Northbound) stopped at the UMC crosswalk Saturday.  Stopped in the right lane next to me was a minivan with a vanity plate that said "VOTEDEM."  

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

 All good things must come to an end, even down South.  

Watching this clip makes Buck and Aikman sound like nails on a chalkboard.

 It's the dawn of the New Year when hopes are birthed and goals are made.  Unfortunately, they all too often fade away as the new year ages.  What one needs is what the late Dr. Frank Pollard called "staying power."  Using the examples of Demus, Judas, and Paul, Dr. Pollard preached on the building blocks of staying power - while reciting all of Kipling's classic poem, If.  Enjoy the 1996 New Year's sermon posted below. 

The math for tax cuts gets a “bit tricky,” wrote the Magnolia Tribune in an article about cutting the sales tax on groceries. “Add in another likely attempt to fully eliminate the state income tax, and the path for more taxpayer relief is clouded at best.”

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.  

 Millsaps College suspended a professor because he allegedly emailed his personal opinions to students on his Millsaps email account. The Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression issued the following statement on its website: 

 Check out the city's new animal shelter. 

Uvalde "police" could learn a lesson from the New Orleans Police Department.  NOPD released body cam video of the response to the Bourbon Street Massacre.  

 A little firebug thought he was going to do some more of the Devil's work in Los Angeles.......

 Mold, rats, crumbling buildings.  Hotel O?  Nope.  Such describes Jackson's fire stations.  The long-suffering firefighters have had enough and are speaking up.  WAPT reported: 

The patty melt is one of several rye sandwiches, all of which taste really good and are easy to make. That's all I need to say.

 Check out the original opening scene of Lethal Weapon.  For some reason, this clip made it to the cutting room floor. 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Mississippi gazillionaire Tommy Duff is entering the political fray.  

 Well, well, well.  Someone tried to prank Kenneth I. Stokes.  

 First Consul Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

 Legends tell the tale of a long-lost casino up in Tunica, Ms.  Although it has eluded treasure-seekers and archeologists for many years, a team of determined YouTubers explored the wilderness of Tunica County in an attempt to find the ghost casino. The video of their search is posted below.  

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," John 13:15. 

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

Just another night at a local establishment.  

For most of my early life, barbecue wasn’t much of a staple. Not because I didn’t like it—far from it—but because there simply weren’t a lot of barbecue options in Hattiesburg, Mississippi during the 1960s and 70s. There was a popular legacy restaurant called The Wagon Wheel, and it was beloved by locals, though many folks raved more about their yeast rolls than the actual barbecue. I’m sure I ate barbecue there at some point, but I wish I had eaten more. We just didn’t eat out much when I was a kid, and by the time I became interested in restaurants and food, The Wagon Wheel had served its last meal.

 There's still some fight left in Leroy Walker and Socrates Garrett.  Retro Metro filed a notice of appeal in U.S. District Court on December 19 after it failed to get the Court to enforce its Metrocenter lease against the city of Jackson. 

Native Mississippian Wilson Golden is a proud “yellow dog” Democrat. A Marshall County product with strong ties to Clarksdale and Greenville, Golden’s connections to the presidential campaigns of former President Jimmy Carter are significant.

Even though he's past 40 years old, the Mayor still got some moves.  Respect.   

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

If you are an artist in twelfth grade or lower, enter a contest to win a $1,000 college scholarship. 

Apparently the 23 year-old Mayor of Bogalusa loves to part-ay.  The Louisiana State Police issued the following statement. 

 Jackson leads the country yet again in the murder rate as we just can't get enough killin' here in the Bold New City.  WLBT's C.J. Lemasters reported: 

A complaint tribunal of the Mississippi Supreme Court suspended Grenada attorney Carlos Moore for a year after it found he was incompetent as a lawyer.  Yes, the Clown hit for the cycle as he managed to get suspended by both the Bar and the Commission on Judicial Performance . 

The Mississippi Center for Public Policy offered up the following blueprint for continuing the state's economic success. 

 A 2020 report on French Quarter security specifically warned against the type of terrorism that took place on Bourbon Street last week.  

 Jackson Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsey announced she will not run for re-election this year after serving two terms on the City Council.  

 What can one say? It's the Latoya Cantrell Administration.  The Morning Advocate reported: 

"If we get somewhere in life and don't have a target, if we don't have a goal, we're going to self-destruct.  If in life we have a goal, a major wonderful goal that is the aim of our life and we get there, we are probably going to self-destruct.  Do you doubt that you observed around you so many people who got what they thought they wanted who got there and all they found was emptiness and a reason to self-destruct," preached the late Dr. Frank Pollard on January 4, 1996.   It is the New Year and New Years mean new goals.   Listen to the rest of what Dr. Pollard had to say in the sermon posted below.  This one has some good stuff.  

Over the next three months, legislators will focus on a $7 billion General Fund budget to run state government for FY 2026. Interestingly, that’s only about 25% of the total $28 billion budget they will ultimately be called upon to approve.

Is the Associated Press even going to cover Mississippi? 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

End of the year columns summarize the past, project good expectations for the future, or garner a little bit of each. Former President Obama accurately prophesied the future in 2020 when he allegedly warned, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to [screw] things up.” President Biden vastly under performed the past four years. Turn the page.

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

 Meet the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorism attack.  May their souls rest in peace. 

 The session is almost upon us as legislators will invade Jackson in the next few days.  Empower Mississippi's Will Ervin, yes the Will Ervin discusses the issues expected to dominate the capitol this year, including tax reform, medicaid expansion, ballot initiative, and school choice.  

 It appears we are going to have ourselves a race for Mayor in Brandon.  State Representative Fred Shanks issued the following statement yesterday: 

I understand Abe Lincoln once said, “God must have loved the common man because he made so many of them.” It would be easy to take offense at that if it weren't so true!

 The FBI tweeted the following photos and statement. 

 The FBI briefed the media a few hours ago on the Bourbon Street terrorism attack.  The presser is posted below (Start at 22:00).  

 Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce issued the following statement. 

For the past 25 years, my final column of the year has always been a list of the top 10 most memorable meals I enjoyed in the previous year. The list isn’t about the fanciest, most exclusive, or faraway dining experiences I’ve had—it’s about meals that stuck with me for one reason or another.

 Check out the Sugar Bowl ticket prices.  

As they gather to convene the 2025 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature on Jan.7, state lawmakers face several thorny issues from a political and policy standpoint. In other words, the problems are hard to solve in and of themselves even without considering the political consequences of the solutions they choose.

Update: WDSU List of Known Victims  

These folks somehow escaped the grim reaper this morning on Bourbon Street. 

Death toll increases to 15.  

The FBI press conference on the French Quarter terror attack is live-streamed below. 

 Videos appearing on X that shows how the Ford Lightning truck got on Bourbon Street as well as what happened when it crashed into a crane. 

 Here is one Shamud-Din Jabbar on where else but social media. 

Sugar Bowl postponed to tomorrow night.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issue the following statement. 

Newspaper reports terrorist was ISIS

What should have been a celebration of the new years turned into a night of terror in the French Quarter.