Jackson Jambalaya

 Let the good times roll, at least in the Mississippi House of Representatives.  Michael Goldberg reported in Mississippi Today:

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

 It is a new day for squatters in Mississippi - and not for the better for them.  Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill that will make it much easier for law enforcement to prosecute squatters and phony realtors.  

 Well, well, well, look what our little Mayor did when he voted Tuesday. 

 Mississippi’s economy is on fire! Host Grant Callen discusses the state's economic surge with MDA Executive Director Bill Cork.  Mississippi enjoyed the second highest GDP growth last year as well as record employment.  Mr. Cork discusses how Mississippi landed projects such as Amazon's $10 billion data centers, workforce development, and how it overcomes historical challenges to be a magnet for hyperscale companies.  Enjoy the Empower Mississippi podcast posted below.

 Check out what Theo Von and Mike Rowe said about Jackson during a discussion on tariffs. 

 The PBS program Somewhere South explored the legacy of the Chinese grocers that were part of the woven fabric of the Mississippi Delta . 

 The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. 

 JJ has a new batch of 30 oz tumblers in stock.   Get one before they sell out. In honor of Lumumba's loss, the price is slashed to $35.  The tumblers are dishwasher-safe.  Email kingfish1935@gmail.com to get one.  

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— Two full days off. That’s a rarity over here, and I don’t take it lightly. I spent those two days doing the kind of work I love—getting several long-simmering projects moving forward back home, catching up on Zoom calls with the restaurant teams covering new and current projects, and even watching a couple of movies with my wife, who’s here with me this spring helping lead the charge. We took time for an outstanding Easter lunch with our friend Marina and her family, then ended each day watching the sunset—cool, crisp, quiet, and better felt than explained.

The pages of Facebook got a little heated Monday as  Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson, yes, the Dorsey Carson endorsed John Horhn for Mayor.  However, Mr. Carson did not merely endorse the good State Senator but penned an epistle that although not worthy of Paul, was enough to stir up a hornets nets of Lumumba supporters.   To say they were outraged is an understatement. Just read, after fixing a drink, of course. 

Cyber attacks, including data breaches and hacking, are increasingly common. Cybersecurity is a costly and evolving field where law enforcement and government officials compete against skilled criminals who use technology to cause disruption and chaos.

 What will happen tonight? Can Octavian recover from his shellacking two weeks ago? What will happen in Canton tonight?  Will the Republicans steal Jackson? And what does all this have to do with Gasoline Alley? Tune in below for election night results.

The Willie Morris Library ran out of ballots a short while ago with a parking lot packed with voters.   

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

 Big Mama had a few things to say about today's election last night and as usual, she did not hold back as she called out quite a few sweetheart deals and other shenanigans.  Some preview: She called out the Hondo Lumumba deal on ankle monitors and created a new proverb: "Some of you are so determined not to be a slave to a white man that you will be a slave to a black man that is making a fool out of you."  Damn.  This is some good political theater.  Watch the rest below.  

This post was originally published on September 29, 2022. 

 Last week's post How Jackson's Water System Collapsed generated a great deal of traffic although it is a rather thorough article.  A few readers asked if JJ could post a "bullet points" version so they could better discuss the article with their friends.  Ask and ye shall receive.  Feel free to use them when out in the field engaging the enemy. 

What would a Canton election be without some Blackmon drama? 

 So much for "Down with the White Folks" as the Lumumba crew has moved on to attacking the Black Power Structure.  Check out this Facebook tantrum thrown by one of the Mayor's biggest supporters Saturday: 

Fowler GMC issued the following statement after the operator of the Facebook page Preds v. Prey busted an employee interested in young children in a private undercover sting operation: 

 The city of Jackson lost nearly half a million dollars in sales tax revenue compared to last year YTD.  A large number but Ridgeland managed to not just beat but blow away that number with sales tax collections that was $2 million less than it was a year ago. 

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

And...... Candace Owens opened her mouth and removed all doubt.  

 Is Lemonis on the hot seat?  

The Summit with the Rat Pack it wasn't but Kid Rock, Bill Maher, and The Man in Orange made for an interesting time at the White House recently as they all sat down for dinner together. Hell, it sounds like a damn monster movie. Maybe they  should  have sold tickets.  Bill Maher tells us exactly what went down that night.  Enjoy. 

 Just a two good ole boys..... just a meaning no harm...

I don't live as badly as other people live.  I am a good person.  I behave much better than those people who go to church.  I'm not a sinner.  Thank you much but I don't need your word.   Such statements are made all the time but the late Dr. Frank Pollard had an answer: Easter is for you, for those who think they don't need it.  Preaching from Romans, Dr. Pollard discussed the true meaning of Easter.  To hear what he had to say, enjoy the 1993 sermon posted below.  

When does the U.S. national debt matter?

 Well, well, well, it seems a simple post by local restauranteur Jeffrey Good stirred up a hornet's nest among Mayor Lumumba's supporters online.  Mr. Good posted this statement on Facebook on March 23:

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is so engrained into our culture we often forget its majesty.   JJ stumbled across a real treat online and posted it below.  The legendary Leonard Berstein collected Beethoven's various attempts at composing a finale for the first movement  and played each one on live tv.  Enjoy. 

Palm Sunday is the first day of Christians’ Holy Week. Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, is the last day of Holy Week. During this week Christians around the world celebrate the Life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Week corresponds with the Jewish holidays of Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits.

A little scrum broke out today on social media about the failure of Jackson's animal shelter.  A woman innocently asked: 

A friend who is an expat living in France.  A health care professional, JJ asked her to compare her experiences with the health care systems of France and America.  

 Hizzoner made a rather startling claim in a WLBT interview recently: 

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement yesterday.  

 This post first appeared in JJ on April 18, 2023. 

Check out what Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba does when the City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance today. 

All good things must come to an end.  First Lee Corso, now ZeroBear Polybear.  The Zero graced the pages of Jackson Jambalaya with his recipes for the last two years.  His posts were a reader favorite and a welcome break from the news of the world.   He managed to wrap each recipe in a homespun homily, a literary garnish if you will.  Sadly, he has to step away from his labor of love due to health problems.  He will be very much missed and we all hope he gets better.  A collection of his recipes will remain on the right side of the page (although it needs to be updated). Thanks for it all, Zerobear.  You are a class act. 

The Justice Department issued the following statement: 

Trace Howell will have to wait a little while longer to get justice from Demonte Russell after Starkville Municipal Court Judge J. Brian Kelley postponed Russell's assault trial yesterday.  

 Lee Corso is retiring from College Gameday.  Yes, he was up in years and probably should have retired years ago but he was still fun to watch.  The College Gameday episode at Indiana last year was heartwarming as he met his old players from when he coached there.  He was a one of a kind and can't be replaced.  Cheers Coach and thanks for the memories.  

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following press release. 

This post was first published on April 1.  It seemed appropriate with the approaching election.  

It is a tenet among a certain crowd to blame the "state" for all of Jackson's problems.  One Jackson politician even went so far as to say the legislature was hollowing out Jackson.  Such themes play well to their audiences but as usual, ignore reality as it was Jackson who hollowed out Jackson through negligence, corruption, and good ole fashioned incompetence.  Think yours truly is being too hard? Let's take a look under the hood. 

Time will tell what happens with the tariffs upheaval and long-term impacts on the U.S. economy, but a friend in DC, Tim Stewart with the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, describes it this way:

 Congressman Bennie Thompson issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

This post is a paid advertisement.

or The Tracphone Blues

Heaven knows this Mayor's race could use some humor.  Enter one Zach Servis.  

 PETROGNANO, Italy — Something unexpected happened over the course of the last 13 years. A quiet village in the Tuscan hills—Barberino-Tavarnelle—became a part of my story. Since 2011, spread across weeks and months at a time, more than two and a half years of my life have unfolded here. That was never the intention. But some of life’s best chapters begin that way—unplanned, unannounced, and slowly embedded into who we are. What started as a place to visit has become a place to return to again and again. A place filled with meaning, memory, and dear friends who now feel like family.

 Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 On March 11, The White House released a statement quoting President Donald Trump four times as saying that Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security will not be cut by his administration.

 A video of a Ridgeland police traffic stop that has set social media afire does not exactly tell the whole story.  

 Nothing like some action in South  Jackson.....

 Jackson developer and investor Gabriel Prado issued the following statement. 

Gabriel Prado watches John Horhn speak

Monte Reeves is now a convicted felon after he pleaded guilty to mayhem.   

 The Justice Department issued the following statement. 

 Or The Fall of Anakin Skywalker.  

Yup.  The Revenge of the Sith returns to the big screen for a 20th anniversary showing from April 25-30 at Tinseltown, Northpark, and Legacy in Flowood IN 4K!!!

"This will not be the planetarium you remember as a child."  

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is holding his regular briefing.  It is live-streamed below. 

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

It won't be Ali-Frazier but July 13, 2026 is the day the wheels of justice turn for Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Ward 6 City Councilman Aaron Banks, and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.  

Check out these um, action figures of a local variety.  

So much truth in that headline and it was uttered by none other than WLBT's Maggie Wade as she appeared on Late Night with Rita Brent last week at Duling Hall.  Enjoy the show as she talks about how she got into the tv bidness, her take on the news, and even dished the dirt on those nasty emails she gets from time to time. 

All must go through the storms.  The testing will happen, regardless of class or station.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard asked "What is the foundation of your life? What are you building your life on?" as he concluded his preaching on the Sermon on the Mount. Indeed, he pointed out how the safest place to be in San Francisco during a quake is the Golden Gate Bridge as its two pillars are built into the foundation.  It's one of his better sermons so enjoy his homily.  Oh yes, he takes a humorous poke at preachers who love to prattle on for 45 minutes.   

At long last PERS reform is upon us. But will it work?

 It's David L. Archie.  Nuff said.  

 Will Mississippi State University star football player Demonte Russell face justice next week? 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

Governments are in the business of making and spending money just like everybody else. That’s where tariffs come in. Nations control who can buy and sell within their borders by charging tariffs or taxes. In fact the USA has charged tariffs from the beginning of our nation to the extent that we didn’t even have a national income tax until 1913 when the Sixteenth Amendment was ratified. Before that money to fund the government came primarily from tariffs on foreign nations.

 Update: Winstead charged with capital murder. 

U.S. Marshals arrested former Yazoo City Police Chief James "Jay" Winstead tonight.  

 Damn, they done did it again.  A trans athlete clobbered the competition in the women's triple jump event at a California track meet in March.  The New York Post reported on March 4: 

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

DeArchie Scott dishes the dirt on charter schools with host Grant Callen in Empower Mississippi's lastest podcast.  Mr. Scott founded Ambition Prep, Mississippi's top-rated charter school (It is not known if the school could take it anymore.).  The west Jackson school's most recent rating was a "B".  Mr. Scott shares his journey, the innovative two-teacher model, and his vision for the future of education in the state. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this conversation is for you. Tune in!

Mississippi was the second fastest growing state in the last quarter of 2024, according to new data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Output per person in the Magnolia state increased faster than any state besides Arkansas.

 What happens when Maggie Wade, yes the Maggie Wade, teams up with Rita Brent? 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, II issued the following statement.

This is an old recipe that is always a hit. Yes, it is lengthy to put together, but you can simplify. It just won't be as good as mine. I like to make it from scratch, but I really like the process, so that doesn't bother me. When completed, it is what I would expect from a nice Italian cook, like the dish Mama Giordano always made when the priest was coming over. 

 Big Mama had enough of David L. Archie's foolishness and called him out a few nights ago.  Needless to say, she didn't hold back one bit.  

 The Capitol Police issued the following statement. 

Foote only Council member to speak out against pay raise.  

The Jackson City Council will vote on a pay raise for itself and the Mayor at its next meeting.  

 Sometimes, you don't get the Great White Whale.......

There will be some fresh faces at the Mississippi Real Estate Commission after the Senate rejected the nominations of long-time Executive Director Robert Praytor and Board Nominee Joe Stedman.  

This little conspiracy theory about the Jackson Mayor's race and the federal indictments are making the rounds on social media. 

 The old Regency hotel by the fairgrounds moved one step closer to demolition this week.  

The killer of Bradley Dew is free. Yes, free.  Free to walk the streets. Free to laugh. Free to kill again. Lamar Phillips is free thanks to the Mississippi Parole Board, even though he killed not one but two people.  Dew was a star football player at Millsaps, gunned down for fun as he drove home from work late one night in 1992. The case has been nothing but a series of outrages as the police, law, and Parole Board all worked together to deny justice to his family. 

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— Since 2017, over 1,350 people have traveled with me on more than 55 trips to seven European countries and 40 European cities. What started as a single, one-off trip hosting a few people interested in the people and places I had discovered in Tuscany has turned into a second business that occupies almost four months of my year. That’s 14 weeks spent hosting American travelers in Europe—an incredible blessing I never take for granted. It’s work I’m deeply grateful to do.

 How realistic are calls among his political followers for a third term in office for President Donald Trump?

A young man took it upon himself to vlog from the Jackson Zoo.  Although he often spoke in a um, street vernacular, he toured the "zoo" in a rather entertaining fashion.  Check out his video. 

 Gimme some of that "free money."  Check out this passage Bonnie Bolden's story published in the Clarion-Ledger today. 

 Louisiana can teach Mississippi some lessons on how to handle tort reform.  The Times-Picayune reported: 

 Rachel Vanderford authored the following press release for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

The Madison County Board of Supervisors suspended with pay Madison County Justice Court Clerk Cheryl Horn as it investigates her office during its regular meeting today.

 The city of Jackson issued the following statement. 

 David L. Archie was on fire last night as he made it clear he didn't want white folks voting in the upcoming Jackson Mayoral Democratic primary runoff last night on WMPR.  Simply put, David L. was going OFF, especially in the last 15 minutes of the show.  Listen for yourself.  Enjoy. 

 A Jackson man was not too happy when he came upon a collapsed road. 

 Posted below are the actual campaign finance reports for Jackson Mayoral candidates Chokwe Antar Lumumba, John Horhn, Marcus Wallace, Kenny Gee, Socrates Garrett, Delano Funches, Tim Henderson, LeKeisha Crye, and Wilfred Beal.  Have fun.  

 Nature's fury knows no equals and what took place last night in Clinton was no exception.  

 Are you a hog or a sheep?   The sheep heeds the shepherd who in turn protects the sheep.  The hog, well, it can fall in the mud and wallow in the filth because that "is his nature."   Not so for the sheep.  If it falls into the mud, it quickly gets out and cleans itself up "because this is his nature" as well.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard explained the difference between sheep and swine in the 1997 sermon posted below as he preached from John 10: 27-30.  The sermon and scripture are posted below. 

“Play nice children!” Unfortunately, there was no adult in the room when childish legislators’ rhetoric dissolved into “You did it, no you did it.”

What happened to the M16 in Vietnam? A Youtuber attempted to answer that question as he went into a deep dive on the M16's problems in Vietnam.  While the rifle held much promise, it performed poorly thanks to some sabotage within the U.S. Army. 

A bit of fun for ESPN rowdy Pat McAfee turned Mary Kate Cornett's freshman year at Ole Miss into a nightmare after he ran with some YikYak gossip on his show.  After going through hell for several weeks, the young woman is discarding the powder puff and bringing out the bulldozer* as she prepares to fight back. 

Jeff Childers writes a daily newsletter titled Coffee & Covid on substack.com in which he opines on the news of the day. Childers is a lawyer and a keen purveyor of national politics. In last Saturday’s edition he wrote a section on what he’s labeled as “THUNDER DOME.” Independent and Emmy winning investigative journalist Catherine Herridge posted this scoop on X Friday: “I've learned that @CIADirector Ratcliffe has invited @elonmusk to CIA on Monday to discuss government efficiency @DOGE at the Agency. ” Wow! That one post is packed with explosives!

 The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report on the fatal UMMC helicopter crash that took place on March 10 in northern Madison County.   Although the report does not state a reason for the crash, it provides a great deal of information. 

Previous District Attorney hid case. 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, II issued the following statement. 

Madison County Circuit Court Judge Brad Mills dismissed former Governor Phil Bryant's defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today, Mary White, Adam Gaunacheau, and Anna Wolfe. 

Some people can't stay out of trouble.  Madison police arrested Clayton Cochran again for violating a protective order regarding his ex-wife.  Cochran is the son of the late Senator Thad Cochran. 

What a win!  This week, Mississippi made history as the first state in the U.S.—aside from oil-rich Alaska—to pass legislation eliminating the income tax. While nine other states have never had an income tax, Mississippi is blazing a trail by actively dismantling it.

A Rankin County grand jury refused to indict former Pearl Police Chief Dean Scott for defrauding the government.  WLBT reported: 

In honor of Pippin, and lest we forget the suffering he was forced to endure after he learned there would be no “second breakfast”.

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

While Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba blamed his thrashing in Tuesday's Democratic primary on "Republicans", the reality tells a different story, right.  It didn't matter who voted: black or white, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, Prep or Provine, they all voted against the Mayor as State Senator John Horhn beat him by more than 2:1 in each ward in an electoral ass-kicking. 

 A Rankin County grand jury indicted former Richland Mayor William Patrick Sullivan of the Fightin' Sullivans clan for false representation to defraud the government on March 18. Sullivan moonlit as a mapper in the Rankin County Tax Assessor's office.  His brother just happened to be the Rankin County Tax Assessor.  The indictment states: 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 A Canton fireman received an electrical shock this afternoon and rushed to the hospital.  

Mississippi's best restaurants will soon found out if they are among the best. The MICHELIN Guide announced it is sending inspectors to Mississippi and other Southeastern states:  

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY—I wear a cap most days with a single word stitched across the front. “Onward.” A guest of mine here in Tuscany asked me what that meant. Was it a company name or a clothing brand? I told him it was just a word that’s meant something to me for a long time. More than a motto or a slogan, it’s a way I’ve learned to move through the world. It’s kept me pressing forward when standing still would’ve been easier.

Update: The Lumumba administration said it did not mislead WLBT about Mayor Lumumba's election night plans last night.  An official said Mr. Lemaster asked her where the Mayor was going to watch election returns.  The official told the WLBT reporter he would be at home watching the results, which he did.  The reporter did not ask where the campaign's election night watch party was held. When the outcome was pretty much decided, the Mayor went to the watch party held at a venue adjacent to The Orchid on North State Street.  There was no effort to mislead WLBT or any other media.  The headline has been changed to reflect the new information.  The original post remains below. 

Original post: Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba pulled a little stunt with WLBT last night despite losing the Democratic primary.  Nothing like a good tantrum, right.  Oh, did we mention he probably misused city resources? 

On April 2, President Donald Trump is scheduled to unveil details on his plan to impose “reciprocal” tariffs on U.S. trading partners that are believed to be aimed at most of the $3.3 trillion in American imports.

Smith wins Flowood, Lee stays put in Brandon, Canton going to runoff 

The polls are closed and it's time to count the votes.  JJ is live-blogging the results so tune in below.

It is a tenet among a certain crowd to blame the "state" for all of Jackson's problems.  One Jackson politician even went so far as to say the legislature was hollowing out Jackson.  Such themes play well to their audiences but as usual, ignore reality as it was Jackson who hollowed out Jackson through negligence, corruption, and good ole fashioned incompetence.  Think yours truly is being too hard? Let's take a look under the hood.

 What happens when ballots get repo'ed? The Columbus Packet reported on Facebook: 

 Given today's political climate, this clip seemed appropriate. 

 JJ has not covered the Canton in a while but former CMU Commissioner Kinoy Brown seems to have figured out the Mayor's race.  Watch him break it all down in only a few minutes.   He starts rapping about the Blackmons at 8:30.  Good stuff.