Jackson Jambalaya

 Comelia Walker washed out in her bid to overturn the results of the Canton Mayoral Democratic primary election held on April 22.  Walker lost to Canton Ealdorman Tim Taylor by 43 votes and challenged the election in Madison County Circuit Court.  

Our annual pilgrimage to Saulsbury for Memorial Day stirred up familiar memories of people and places, of family and friends who are still here or long departed. We’re thankful for all who served. Juxtapositioned between family stories and current events we caught up with cousins about the past year and coming months.

Not familiar with MPACT? This program lets families lock in today’s tuition rates and PREPAY their child’s college tuition! The 2024-25 rates expire at month’s end, so the time to sign up is now. 

 Check out the aftermath of Lanier High School's graduation this week. 

On a brief return to Britain, I was concerned to see that London has undergone a dramatic demographic change.  The city of my birth is visibly more Muslim than it was even four years ago.  On the Tube, I saw more hijabs than baseball caps.  The Muslim niqab— with its full face covering—is no longer rare.

 David L. Archie has only been on the city payroll for a few days.  JJ submitted a public records request for Mr. Archie's employment information with the city of Jackson.  The records provided state: 

 The Jackson City Council Ward 1 race is shaping up to be quite the dogfight.  Facing the two-time defending champ Ashby Foote are Jasmine Barnes and Grace Greene.  Although Mr. Foote has raised the most money, his opponents are not too far behind.   The campaign finance reports are posted below. 

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

Rudy Warnock will get a new judge for his federal bribery indictment.  U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate recused himself from the case yesterday: 

It's time to show you the money.  The campaign finance reports are in and John Horhn has raised over $350,000 in his mayoral campaign.  However,  his opponent, Rodney Depriest,  raised over a respectable $82,000 as well.  Of course, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has not filed his report that was due April 15.  Some animals are more equal than others.  

 Check out the reports posted below. 

 Well, even a failed Mayoral candidate should be able to shake her ass once in a while, right. 

 The Parole Board just can't seem to find its way to providing any records on its decision to release killer Lamar K. Phillips.  Phillips killed Millsaps College student Bradley Dew and another man in separate shootings in 1992.  Although sentenced to life in prison, the Mississippi Parole Board granted him parole earlier this year.  

 St. Joseph (Greenville) alum and Baylor football player Alex Foster was murdered in Greenville this morning.  Baylor announced: 

On May 25, 1983, I was 21 years old—lost and heading nowhere fast. That night, I was fspeeding down 4th Street in my hometown of Hattiesburg, headlights off, 90 mph, foot on the gas. It was 2 a.m. Three police cars chased behind me, blue lights flashing. Reckless. Irresponsible. Dangerous. I don’t remember much else—except the DUI. I was due.

As a journalist, writer Rick Bragg has covered most of man’s inhumanities to man–war, poverty, mass-casualty terrorist attacks, drug crime, riots, school shootings, outrageous politicians, overt and often violent acts of racism, hurricanes, tornadoes, graft and corruption and garden-variety injurious behavior.

The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Sinatra Jordan is a free man after the Hinds County District Attorney dropped most of the charges against him.  

 Butler Snow might be in a wee bit of trouble over in Alabama thanks to its attorney's alleged misuse of AI.  The Guardian (U.K.) reported: 

Update: Derek Emerson will open a restaurant at this site.   

Eudora's is no more.  The restaurant issued the following statement yesterday. 

 Check out the latest The Jambalaya with the Kingfish podcast.  Fondren icon Chane rapped with yours truly about dogs, his story as an artist, selling t-shirts on the streets of New York City, the Fondren, Jackson's troubles, and growing up in South and West Jackson.  The podcast is posted below and you can subscribe on the various platforms.  Enjoy.  

 Opera singer Angel Blue killed it in her singing of the national anthem last night.  

 Greenville High School was taking no chances during its graduation ceremony.  Check out these photos Damien Brown posted on social media. 

Notice anything missing from the sports page on the Clarion-Ledger website? 

Christ's washing of his disciples' feet.  Seen as a lesson in humility for all, it is also the scene of a great tragedy.  The tragedy of Judas Iscariot.  With the betrayal imminent, Christ begged his apostle not to do what he was going to do.  The moment of truth passed, he bade Judas to go do as he must.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard tied it all in together in the 1997 sermon posted below.  Enjoy. 

A major conservative victory in the Supreme Court in 2022 may rebound against President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging executive orders.

Jon Stewart eviscerated the Conscience of CNN, Jake Tapper, for his "brave" reporting of Joe Biden's medical condition while he was president.   Mr. Stewart pulled no punches as he asked why the newsman saved his reporting for a book several years later instead of well, the news as only he can.   Enjoy the garroting.  

Hide your daughters and wives.  The Mississippi Legislature is coming back to town next week.  Apparently the House and Senate reached a budget agreement.  Something they could have and should have gotten done in the three-plus months they were at the Capitol.  

All President Trump knows is how to win. That's good for America and ultimately good for the world. But it's infuriating for those with Trump-Derangement-Syndrome.

The bodies are starting to turn up in the Lumumba administration.  The administration fired Director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Recovery, Keisha Coleman but she blew the whistle on how the administration operates behind closed doors.  

What is the secret of America’s success? Federalism. Thanks to the genius of the Founders, each state is allowed to do things differently, which enables innovation. It is so exciting to see Mississippi now leading the way with bold, free-market reforms that have begun to unleash growth, providing a model for other states to follow.

 Jackson Mayoral candidate KIM Waaaaaaaade threw his support behind fellow candidate Rodney Depriest.  

 More terrorism took place in America Wednesday night when a left-wing activist brutally murdered two young Israeli employees outside of a Jewish museum.  In true terrorist fashion, he shot them in the back and repeatedly shot the woman in the back as she tried to crawl away.  Elias Rodriguez might get his chance to become a martyr because the Justice Department said the death penalty is indeed on the table.

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

 Barbi Bassett struck out in federal court Monday after U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III dismissed her lawsuit against her former employer, WLBT.  WLBT fired the popular weatherwoman in 2022 after she said "grandmammy" and "fo shizzle my nizzle" on the air in six months.  

Credit: Vicksburg Daily News

State Senator and all around good guy Brice Wiggins (R-The Paddock)  appeared on the latest Empower Mississippi podcast with host Grant Callen.  Get the scoop on the latest goings-on at the Capitol.  Will the Mexican stalemate between the House and Senate continue?  What does he think of HB #585 and other criminal justice reforms?  This and much more is discussed.  Tune in below.  

 Rednecks gonna redneck, even in Missouri.   KOAM reported: 

 Zach Servis managed to get himself thrown out of the Jackson City Council meeting last night.  What, pray tell, did the diabolical young man do? 

Warning: Graphic Violence in Video  

Some hoodlums targeted and shot a woman at the Brooklyn Mart convenience store in Canton yesterday.  Thankfully, she survived.  

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 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba managed to hire two cronies before the City Council put a stop to his shenanigans yesterday.  

A few years ago, when both of my kids left for college, I wrote each of them a letter. Nothing fancy. Just something I hoped they’d find helpful once the room quieted down and the door had closed behind me. I slipped it into the top drawer of their dorm room desks and left it there.

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement yesterday. 

 State Senator John Horhn is holding a fund-raiser at Hal & Mal's tomorrow. 

 Since the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that calls for a $2.3 trillion cut to mandatory spending over the next decade. Republican lawmakers are working to make $880 billion of those cuts in the Medicaid program.

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

Taste of Mississippi has come and gone but it has not disappeared in 2025.  JJ sent two Ole Miss DJ's as special correspondents to cover the event.   Check out ZoZo and MadDog as they get a full taste of Taste of Mississippi.  

Jackson has much upside potential but it won’t be unleashed until blight and abandoned properties are under control. 

 Warning: Graphic violence 

Although there are no cornfields at Rebelwood Apartments,  it was a scene from Casino last week at the troubled apartment complex.  

 Well, well, well, look who popped up in a new job at City Hall.  WLBT reported: 

The kids think they are sooooooooo smart......

 Yes, the real Dilbert.  Dilbert creator Scott Adams announced he is dying.  Damn.  Great cartoonist.  Loved his out of the box thinking. He will be missed.  

AG tried to play prosecution and defense 

Attorney General Lynn Fitch appointed 12 Circuit District Attorney Lin Carter to prosecute Capitol Police officer Michael Rhinewalt and former Capitol Police officer Jeffery Walker for aggravated assault. 

 John Hopkins Elementary School went on lockdown this morning after some parents started fighting.  

 Netflix dropped the trailer for its documentary, The Fall of Favre, today.  

The song remains the same for Jackson and Canton public schools are the release of the third grade reading test results.  Jackson continued to underachieve as it had the 11th worse reading-gate score in the state as it ranked lower than last year.  More concerning is their failure to return to their performance  prior to the Covid-19 shutdowns.  Coincidentally, they also shut down longer than the other public school districts.  

 Meanwhile, over at the corner of High and North State streets....

 Thad "Clayton" Cochran still resides in the Madison County Detention Center after he was apparently unable to post bond.  Cochran is the son of the late Senator Thad Cochran. 

The Garden of Gesthemane was a crucible of sorts for Christ and his disciples.  The late Dr. Frank Pollard pointed out there were many gates out of the garden.  One led to self-sacrifice, requiring little else but faith.  There was the gate of the cynic, who criticizes every and all.  The sleeping disciples took another gate, living in their own little bubble.  Last but not least, Dr. Pollard saved his fire for those who leave through the gate of the fiercely sure as he called out purists who go looking for a fight instead of serving others.  The 1987 sermon is one of his better ones.  Enjoy. 

We should learn to “see, understand, and respect other people in all their depth and dignity,” writes David Brooks in his best-selling book How to Know a Person. My friend George says he has been struggling to do that with friends and family members who have different beliefs and political views than his own. This is hard, he explains.

Carlos Marcello.  The Godfather of New Orleans.  For decades he was untouchable as he controlled Governors and the police as they helped him further his schemes. He was long suspected of being involved in the Kennedy assassination.  Former mobster Michael Franzese took on the subject of Mr. Marcello in his latest video about the mob.  Enjoy.  

 The Order of the Sisters of Rukia issued the following statement yesterday. 

Jesus said, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you; and more shall be given you besides." Mark 4:24

 They did it.  Yes, the Starbucks Baristas went on strike over a dress code.  How inhumane.  NBC News reported: 

 It appears Jackson mayoral candidate Zachary Servis has a performed a public, um, service for us.  He announced on Facebook:  

 Or...... the ultimate FAFO.   Amazing what happens to tough guys when they get around real tough guys. 

The kids might be all right, after all.   Anyone want to guess what topic grows popular among those in junior high?  The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday: 

 If at first you don't succeed, sue, sue again.  In this case, Barbara Blackmon, errrr, make that Comelia Walker refuses to admit defeat as she yet again challenges her loss at the ballot box in Canton's Mayoral election.  

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

Union County Best, Yazoo City Worst

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

Attorney Bridget Todd only handled two criminal cases before she represented Carly Gregg last year.

 Who needs tv when the real action is in the Northwood shopping center on North State Street? 

 Received major blessing from Tomie Green

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement. 

 A trans athlete is tearing it up on the softball fields up in Minnesota.  The Daily Muck reported: 

 Rankin County Supervisor Steven Gaines issued the following statement to WAPT: 

What was said about the best plans falling apart when the battle starts? It appears that old adage applies to the demolition of the old Coca-Cola plant on Highway 80 in Jackson.  

Among other bones of contention between the Mississippi House and Senate during the 2025 regular session was the issue of mobile online sports betting. As it did in 2024, the issue died an ignominious death in a conference committee that could not reach consensus on a Senate-approved bill prohibiting so-called “sweepstakes” gaming that had mobile online sports gaming tacked on as a Hail Mary to move the stalled issue.

 Nissan announced it will close seven plants in the following statement. 

Barbi Bassett will get her day in court this summer as she takes on her former employer, WLBT.  U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III scheduled her trial: 

 Jackson Mayoral candidate Zachary Servis held a forum at the Willie Morris library last night when he was ambushed in the parking lot by a member of the Order of the Sisters of Rukia.  Watch to see what happened. 

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

 Well, well, well. Leftenent Governor Delbert Hosemann wants to make a go of it for Governor.  

 The Trump Administration is doing something about those vehicles that stop and start every time you idle your car.  

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

 State Auditor Shad White struck out in his efforts to get Brett Favre's defamation suit against him at the Mississippi Supreme Court last week. 

 One may not have to worry whether the Jackson Zoo will remain open if it's animal population continues to shrink.  Inventory reports obtained through public records request show the zoo's collection is only a third of what it was just seven years ago.  

 Bill Maher laid down some truth for the best and brightest in our schools Friday night.  Well, make that they think they are our best and brightest.  Enjoy. 

She was a woman frowned upon in her day.  She wasn't rich nor a member of whatever passed for high society two thousand years ago.  However, she did have two things immeasurable: faith and an overwhelming love for her child.   Preaching from Mark 7: 24-30, the late Dr. Frank Pollard used this story in praise of mothers waaaaay back on May 9, 1993.  Enjoy. 

Mississippi still hugs the bottom as the 48th best state, according to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report “Best States” rankings. The state has come in 48th or worse since U.S. News started the rankings.

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

Madison Police arrested Thaddeus "Clayton" Cochran for the third time in a little more than two months yesterday.  Cochran is the son of the late Senator Thad Cochran.  

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

We were talking the other day and he said, “I have to say, our society has changed dramatically since the first decade of this century. It is a very challenging place for a person of faith. So I want to be close to Jesus, and that is difficult for someone like me.” Well, it’s difficult for most if not all of us.

Clarksdale + Walmart = __________. 

President Trump has established a baseline 10 percent tariff on nearly all imports.  Additionally, the White House announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on 57 countries. A week later, on April 9, the administration then paused these reciprocal tariffs for 90 days.

 Cecil McCrory is a free man.  The Rankin County resident pleaded guilty to money laundering in the Chris Epps scandal in 2017.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 India put one up on the scoreboard for the good guys after it killed the mastermind of the Daniel Pearl murder.  The Jerusalem Post reported: 

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba still has not submitted his campaign finance report that was due April 15.   Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. 

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Well, well, well.  Some video of a bathroom brawl that took place before a shooting in the same bathroom at a Vicksburg restaurant popped up on social media.  Happy Cinco De Mayo. Meanwhile, the police chief was dining in the restaurant when it all went down.  It is probably a safe bet they were not arguing over whether France should have won the war.  

 Magnolia Tribune owner Russ Latino appears on the Empower Mississippi podcast with host Grant Callen to discuss state politics, the impasse between the House and Senate, the 2027 race for Governor, and of course, President Trump.  

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

Less than half of the housing in Jackson, Ridgeland, and Canton is owner-occupied according to the U.S. Census. 

 Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson resigned his position.  The IHL Board of Trustees is meeting in executive session to determine a course of action right now.  

Update (7:10 PM): IHL issued the following statement: 

Rachel Vanderford authored the following press release for UMC.

 Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down announced some terrible news today. 

 The Ridgeland Police Department issued the following statement. 

 What is going on at JSU? 

There’s a quiet fear I carry that never really goes away. It doesn’t keep me up at night, but it walks with me in the background of every day. It’s not a fear of failure. I’ve failed plenty. It’s not a fear of hard work. I love to work. That’s never been the issue.

 The Goon Squad might have claimed another casualty after a Rankin County Supervisor stepped in it last weekend.  Barksdale Today reported: 

In the lonesome isolation of the small, rural Clark Cemetery in the Pea Ridge community in northern Scott County, the grave of Shondra Denise May is difficult to miss and almost impossible to forget.

 The Mississippi Board of Animal Health issued the following statement. 

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

Mississippi filmmaker Amile Wilson appeared on the podcast to discuss the film industry in Mississippi, how it works, the local arts scene, and a small dash of local politics.  Enjoy.  

WJTV interviewed JPD Chief Joseph Wade about the party that disrupted the Sheffield neighborhood Saturday night.  

It appears someone decided to hang out at Renaissance Friday evening.  

MSDH: Oops! 

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

 The Greater Jackson Arts Council is no more after Secretary of State Michael Watson shut it down last year.  

 This is the Keifers parking lot Saturday at 6:30. 

As residents tried to sleep last night, Sheffield Drive turned into a party zone from hell.  Check out this video shot after 10 last night. 

"Little boat, you're mine and I'm so glad to have you back.  You're mine because I made you and you're mine because I love you and lost you. I bought you back and you belong to me, thrice, little boat."  So goes the parable of the boy and his little sailboat as related by the late Dr. Frank Pollard as he preached from the first chapter of Ephesians in the 1997 sermon posted below.  See how he used the parable as he studied what he described as one of the most beautiful, poetic books of scripture.  Enjoy. 

With apologies to Art Linkletter’s “kids say the darndest things”:

 Here we go again.  Yet another athlete born male but identifying as female smashed the female competition.  The New York Post reported: 

 Over at Margarita's last night........

President Trump’s first 100 days of his second term ends on April 29, 2025. How has he fared? The RealClearPolitics Poll Average of 16 polls rates President Trump 45.4% Approve and 52.1% Disapprove, a -6.7% variance. Let’s just say the first 100 days have been fast and furious, and the issues in those polls resemble the 100 day pace.

 Get ready for watery tarts with swords, killer rabbits, and holy hand grenades.  Yup.  Monty Python and the Holy Grail returns to the big screen next week in all of its juvenile glory.  

 One of the Mayor's true believers is at it again on social media.  

Mississippi is on the move. Over the past five years, economic output rose more than it did over the previous fifteen.

The victim of an alleged assault by a Mississippi State University football player is taking his fight for justice to court . 

 The Madison County Police Department issued the following statement. 

 Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement. 

 Meanwhile over at Northside Drive.....

The wheels of justice are finally turning for Corey "Cornbread" Lepard after his indictment for capital murder was served on him last month. The Face of Many Tattoos stands accused of killing an elderly man for his motorcycle and bragging about it in 2022.   

 Madison Timber Receiver Alysson Mills submitted her required 90 day status report to U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on March 31.  The report documents her slog to recover funds for the victims of Lamar Adams.  The report announces trials are scheduled for April 2026 in the clawback lawsuits against UPS and Baker Donelson.  

 The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement.