All results / Entries

All Politics is Local

Run Off By The Primary Process

This primary election has been fascinating on many levels. In my last post I argued that the election hinged on two universal political rules: 1) Challengers must convince the electorate to fire the incumbent in order to have a chance at success, and 2) Incumbents wear out their welcome over …

All Politics is Local

MAY 18TH, 2013/Exit The Man in the Middle

I came to Jackson in 2007, and thus my introduction to the politics of the city was the spectacular flameout and slow death spiral that was the last half and ignominious end of the Melton administration. As I was absent during the years of his very public ascent and eventual election, it was difficult if not impossible for me to comprehend how this community could see in such a flawed man the capacity to lead. Jackson seemed like some sort of Bizarro world, a city called Noskcaj, where everything was inverted or backwards.

All Politics is Local

Destination City Hall: Who Will Occupy The New Center?

Whatever the result of the election, and I think we will all be up late tonight, my observation is that regardless of who wins, Jackson will be setting a new course, much different from the one Mayor Johnson had charted during his terms. The old center has not held, and the voters have already expressed their eagerness to forge a new one. The tectonic plates, having ground against each other for these many years, are shifting, and by tomorrow morning we shall read in the results which one is ascendant and which is descendant.

Politics Blog

Rep. Dixon Proposes Castle Doctrine Changes

State Rep. Deborah Dixon, D-Bolton, has introduced a bill that modifies the state's so-called Castle Doctrine, which establishes parameters for when homicide is justified (e.g. self-defense). Under Dixon's legislation, HB 179, the Castle Doctrine would only apply within 30 feet of the exterior of a dwelling. Outside of that 30-foot …

Music

A ton of new releases, JazzFest, and etiquette...

JazzFest and New Releases...

Jackblog

Pearl Man: Whites need Confederate emblem to balance negative 'black culture'

I received this stunning letter a couple days ago from a (white, I think) man in Pearl, presumably in response to my recent column about the abominable Mississippi state flag. I post it now without comment but will be back along with some thoughts later. Here it is, verbatim: Please …

Jackblog

For Sale: 142,000-square-foot Church, Used

A recent listing on online classified ads web page Craigslist shows that the old Broadmoor Baptist Church on East Northside Drive is for sale for $2.8 million. The building most recently went under the title of Wesley Biblical Seminary. I'm not sure who is looking to buy a church and …

SportsBlog

Mumme's the Word on New Belhaven Football Coach

See the following press release from Belhaven University: Belhaven University and the Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Hal Mumme will be the next Head Football Coach. Mumme comes to Belhaven from Southern Methodist University, where he served as an Assistant Coach and Passing Game Coordinator under Head …

Politics Blog

Breaking Down the Referendum Vote

The numbers are in, and it looks like the soon-to-be-law, one-percent local option sales tax won in every precinct last Tuesday. The results, which you can view here, show that the vote received the highest support in north Jackson, but enjoyed widespread support throughout the city's seven wards. The four …

Politics Blog

Legislature Quiet on Immigration, Abortion

The legislative session has not been without drama. But with the deadline to introduce general bills passing earlier this week, it seems like there have been relatively few bills related to traditional red-meat issues. Only one bill title mentions abortion and it was put forth by Rep. Nick Bain, D-Corinth. …

Jackblog

The Death Penalty for Statutory Rape?

Rep. John Moore, R-Brandon, has a bill that would require the death penalty in statutory rape cases where the victim is 13 years old or younger and when the defendant is 18 or older. Read the full text of Moore's House Bill 92 here.

Music

Best of Jackson and a ton of new releases...

Tons of new releases and Best of Jackson...

Politics Blog

Barbour Does His Caveman Impression, Disses 'Lady Mayor'

So the old-school Republican strategist Haley Barbour has stuck his foot in his mouth again, perhaps purposefully. He went on CNN to defend New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration, which is under fire for various corruption allegations, including a serious accusation by Hoboken, N.J., Mayor Dawn Zimmer. When Barbour appeared …

SportsBlog

Richard Sherman: 'Thug' = Racial Epithet

Richard Sherman surprised some NFL fans in his post-game interview with Erin Andrews after batting down a last-minute pass in the end zone to deny the San Francisco 49ners a game-winner and sending his team, the Seattle Seahawks, to the Super Bowl. (I thought it was basically funny, and chalked …

Politics Blog

Thompson Applauds House Farm Bill Vote

Here's the statement from the office of Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat who represents the Mississippi Delta in the the U.S. House of Representatives, on today's vote in the House to pass a Farm Bill. WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding his …

Jackblog

Finally, Jackson Getting New Belgium Beers

For the longest time, even though the alcohol content of New Belgium Brewing Co.'s flagship beer, Fat Tire Amber Ale, was low enough to be sold under Mississippi's draconian limits for beer, the company chose not to offer Fat Tire in the Magnolia State. If they couldn't sell all their …

Politics Blog

Lawmakers Solve Huge Problems Facing the State by Adding 'In God We Trust' to Seal

Soon, Mississippi's worst-in-the-nation status for everything from obesity to gun deaths to 4th graders being able to spell their own names will be wiped away thanks to an effort now underway in the Legislature. This morning, the state Senate passed a bill to add the words "In God We Trust" …

SportsBlog

More Super Bowl Numbers and Other Oddities

When working on this week's Super Bowl preview and prediction, I came across more information than I could fit in a single article for the paper. So, I figured with the big game just a couple of days away, why not share some of the rest of the information I …

Politics Blog

Jackson Advocate: LaRita Cooper-Stokes Running for Hinds Judge

It hardly seems like yesterday that LaRita Cooper-Stokes was running for Ward 3 councilwoman and then running again when a judge ordered a new election, which she also won. But it wasn't yesterday. It was spring 2012, after Cooper-Stokes' husband, Kenneth, won a seat on the Hinds County Board of …