Jackson Jambalaya

 The late Dau Mabil's wife said she she did not receive notice of a hearing concerning her husband's remains that was held in Hinds County Chancery Court yesterday.  

A prison guard (allegedly) beaten by Barry Gilmer while he was in jail sued the attorney for damages related to an alleged assault that took place in the Madison County jail.  She suffered a broken collarbone, broken rib, and multiple contusions to her face when Gilmer allegedly attacked her as she served him his breakfast in the medical unit.  

Let's go ahead and get this out of the way. It ain't Isola, but Tuscany does have its charm. In his online gathering of information and trivial fact, Mr. Wikipedia tells us the region of central Italy, is known for scenic landscapes, rich history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture. Oh, and just like my granny's kitchen, it is known for excellent cuisine. 

 The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement. 

Lawrence County Sheriff says no foul play.  

A Hinds County Chancellor ordered the state crime lab to conduct an autopsy on the body of a man found floating in the Pearl River recently.  The identity of the deceased is the missing Dau Mabil. 

Every year, Mississippi lawmakers debate the amount to spend on education. As important, perhaps, is the question of how to spend the money.

Update: The Chancellor ordered an autopsy of the body. More to follow. 

 If you are reading this, it means I am sitting in chancery court watching an emergency hearing on the Dau Mabil case.  

The Mississippi Board of Cosmetology issued the following statement. 

 It will soon be a new day at the Mayflower Cafe. 

 The infamous David Luke Lane caught a break in federal court after U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate reduced his prison sentence.  Judge Wingate's April 16 order states: 

 Do you have what it takes to be a Trooper at the Mississippi Highway Patrol? Watch this video to see if you do? If so, email MHP at horndog@mhp.ms.gov for an application.  

Music has been a constant companion throughout my life. It has accompanied me in times of joy and sorrow and never let me down.

As Mississippi legislators head to conference on the state’s first sincere consideration of some form of Medicaid expansion, we’ve heard alarms sounded by the right and the left on why the state alternately should or should not expand Medicaid coverage for the state’s working poor.

It was a true tale of evil that was told in a Rankin County courtroom this morning as Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow held a preliminary hearing for Carly Gregg.  The 14 year-old Gregg stands accused of murdering her mother and shooting her stepfather at their home on March 19.  

Posing for the camera?

Head Goon Brett McAlpin filed a notice of appeal with in U.S. District Court yesterday.  

 JXN Water issued the following statement. 

 The war of words between Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba escalated yet again today at the Mayor's weekly press conference.  

 State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement. 

The Ivana Williams scandal claimed yet another um, scalp. The Mississippi Highway Patrol fired Master Sergeant Jeremy Lott after discovering the two troopers exchanged nude photos. MHP terminated Williams in February for sending nude photos of herself to other troopers as well as committing other infractions.  A synopsis of her case is published at the end of this post.  

Looking for a deal on a "starter rifle" for the kids? Palmetto State Armory knocked down the price of several models of the Ruger 10/22 rifle as it placed them on clearance.  

Eat, drink, and make merry.  Such is the way of our world as it worships the hedonistic lifestyle.  We will live forever after all, right?  The late Dr. Frank Pollard said we will indeed live forever but a judgment will determine what that forever will be.   Enjoy the 1996 sermon posted below as he discusses "soul insurance."  

The dog is awfully close to catching the runaway car – the dog being the Legislature and the car being PERS.

William Shatner appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last night.  Needless to say, Captain Kirk stole the show even though he is the oldest person to ever appear on the program.  See for yourself.  Enjoy. 

 More drama at the Hotel O, brought to you by Noah Muthana and Ibrahim Khoder. 

At the risk of sounding a bit too simplistic, the most popular candidate in the 2024 presidential election will win. Those who’ve listened to some of the talking heads know seven swing states will likely decide which candidate wins the Electoral College. The seven swing states are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina.

Fallout from the Ivana Williams scandal continues to spread at the Mississippi Highway Patrol. MHP fired Master Sergeant Julius Hutson on April 2 after it discovered he asked Williams to send him nude photographs of her to his phone even though he was her superior.  Williams sent him several nude photos.  MHP terminated Williams in February when it discovered she sent nude pictures of herself to several troopers.  

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety issued the following statement.

 It appears MHSAA does not want Mississippi athletes competing at the national level.  Check out Rule 7.22 in the 2023-2024 handbook. 

I do not claim to know the origins of the dish most of us call Shrimp and Grits. Some say it came from the coastal areas of Louisiana and others say the Tide Water or Low Country region of the Carolinas. Does it matter? All I know is the dish is mighty fine eating and I have a pretty good way of making it.

 JPD arrested Ibrahim Khoder this week and charged him with committing perjury in the Hotel O case.  

Hotel O. More pictures posted below.

 Mississippi is now entirely surrounded by states that have either passed, or are in the process of passing, laws that will give every family school choice.  A proposal to do something similar in our state never even made it to a full vote in the legislature.

 Let's step back into the 1980's.  The scene: everyone's favorite restaurant.  Notice anything different? 

Insurance Commish Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

Murder suspect Marcus Johnson was arrested in Louisiana yesterday.  JPD issued the following statement Tuesday: 

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba claimed last week Jackson would have to raise garbage collection fees because JXN Water is doing a poor job of collecting payments.  Well, JXN Water said not so fast, my friend, and issued the following statement: 

 Attorney General Lynn Fitch issued the following statement. 

The Goons were sentenced this morning in Rankin County Circuit Court.  The proceedings are posted below, courtesy of WAPT. 

BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY— Naples is the birthplace of pizza. It’s an ancient and historic seaside city that can be a little scary at times these days, but it is Ground Zero for the savory pie the world has come to love. The Neapolitan version has been around Southwestern Italy for more than 500 years. Pizza eventually travelled across the Atlantic and through Ellis Island in the late 1800s. The first restaurant to sell pizza in America was Lombardi’s in New York.

It is a truism in the Mississippi Legislature that a bill can die three deaths before it is truly dead.  Such applies to the PERS "reform bill" the Senate killed last week. 

After more than 40 years of reporting and writing about crime and punishment in Mississippi, I’ve seen the pendulum swing from “get tough” to “out of sight, out of mind” to “who’s making money off the system now?”

 The House & Senate are squaring off over the MAEP formula.  

 Can you spot the mistake in this Clarion-Ledger story about the airport takeover that was published last week? 

 The Pearl Police Department issued the following statement and pictures. 

 Generation Z is saying to hell with four-year degrees and student loans as its members instead "pick up the tool belt."   The Wall Street Journal reported April 2: 

 Well, we kind of missed the eclipse yesterday thanks to some clouds that refused to cooperate with our plans.   Enjoy the heavenly event in all its glory in the videos posted below.

Wednesday will be yet another nail in the coffin for the Goon Squad as  Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff sentences them after they pleaded guilty to various state charges in August.  U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced them last month for their federal charges in the torture of Michael Jenkins, Eddie Parker, and Alan Schmidt.   The state charges and sentence recommendations are posted below. 

 Yet another business is leaving Jackson.  

 JXN Water issued the following press release.