may 2023 |
ALL TEXT BY ZOREK RICHARDS
|
|
May 30, 2023: WLOX: ‘Back to the Future’ star Christopher Lloyd wraps up filming in Jackson
In an exclusive interview with WLBT, Christopher Lloyd of the 1985 hit film “Back to the Future” discussed his latest role in a supernatural thriller called “The Movers.”
May 26, 2023: WXXV: Body-cam footage shows indicted ex-police officers laughing at man who died in their custody
Three former police officers who were indicted by a Mississippi grand jury joked around about a Black man who died in their custody, with one of them questioning whether to call an ambulance for the man immediately, body-camera footage shows. May 26, 2023: Clarion Ledger: If the federal government defaults, tens of thousands of Mississippians will lose jobs
A recent report by Moody's Analytics found that Mississippi would be one of the worst impacted states by a federal default, where the federal government is unable to meet its existing debt obligations because Congress did not raise its borrowing limit, the debt ceiling. May 26, 2023: Vicksburg Post: Vicksburg Warren School District names Dr. Toriano Holloway as new superintendent
The Vicksburg Warren School District announced Friday evening that Toriano “Tori” Holloway, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as Superintendent beginning on July 1. The hiring of Holloway was approved by the Board of Trustees in a meeting on Friday. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Holloway to our district. He is familiar with many of the programs we are already implementing in our district such as the Leader in Me and our Academy model and he has a proven track record of increasing student achievement. We believe we found a great leader in Tori Holloway,” said VWSD School Board President Kimble Slaton.
![]() May 21, 2023:
👉U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate extended his order that temporarily stops the Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice from appointing judges in the capital city of Jackson and the county where it’s located, both of which are majority-Black. The order could last until June 9, giving attorneys time to further develop arguments about citizens’ right to elect judges. National, state and local chapters of the NAACP challenged a state law that Gov. Tate Reeves signed in April. Officials pushing the new law said they were trying to curb crime. Opponents said the law stomps on local self-governance. 👉The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday announced that Mississippi’s unemployment rate reached a new record low in April 2023. April’s 3.4% unemployment rate marks the second consecutive month that Mississippi set a new record low.
![]() May 21, 2023:
👉Brett Favre has tried repeatedly to secure an order removing him from the civil case over welfare funds, arguing that he had nothing to do with the scheme to direct welfare funds to allegedly illegitimate causes. Favre also argues that the Mississippi Department of Human Services has sued Favre as a deflection to its own role in allowing the fraud to happen. (Sounds like a Republican). However, there’s only one way to secure an early dismissal from a civil case — by proving that there is no basis under the law to recover a penny from the defendant, even if the alleged facts are taken to be true. But Favre seems to be as obsessed with securing dismissal as he was with securing funding for a volleyball venue at the University of Southern Mississippi, as illustrated in a recent article from Michael Rosenberg of SI.com. 👉 A transgender senior in Mississippi opted to skip high school graduation Saturday when the district refused to allow any deviations from the gender-based dress code. The student, referred to in court documents as LB, was required to dress in "socks, dress shoes, pants, a button down shirt and tie" which is Harris County School District's dress code for male graduates. In an attempt to earn more leeway in choosing a graduation outfit, LB sued Harris Central High School Principal Kelly Fuller, the Harrison County School Board, Harrison County School District, and Superintendent Mitchell King. U.S. District Judge Taylor McNeel upheld the dress code in a ruling Friday. McNeel is a Trump-appointed judge who oversaw the first hearing on Thursday and expedited the entire process in order to rule in time for the ceremony on the weekend. More at Washington Examiner |
Matthew Barton
Nicole Boyd
Gary Brumfield
Robert Cole
Ricky Caldwell
Andre Deberry
Randy Denton
David Grady Hardigree
Walter Hopper
Chastity Magyar
Greta Kemp Martin
Michael McLendon
Chad McMahan
Robert Mitchell
David Olds
Andy Rishton
Alan Sibley
Lauren Smith
Joseph Thomas
Neil Whaley
Bart Williams
Dr John Witcher
Shuwaski Young
|
May 21, 2023: Magnolia Tribune: More hospitals drop out of the Mississippi Hospital Association
On Thursday, North Mississippi Health Services communicated its intent to withdraw at least four of the hospitals in its system from the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA), according to multiple sources close to the situation.
On Thursday, North Mississippi Health Services communicated its intent to withdraw at least four of the hospitals in its system from the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA), according to multiple sources close to the situation.
May 18, 2023 |

May 18, 2023:
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said that he has mobilized a National Guard unit to help with security at the U.S. border with Mexico, according to the Associated Press. “What happens at the border doesn’t stay there. Drugs and people are trafficked to every state in the nation — including Mississippi,” Reeves, a Republican, wrote on Twitter. “To keep Mississippians safe and limit the impact of our nation’s open borders, the Mississippi National Guard’s 112th Military Police Battalion has been mobilized and is supporting Customs and Border Protection officers and agents along the Southwest border.” My guess is that because he is up for reelection he is posturing to his base of right wing zealots.
The CEO of Mississippi Today has issued an apology over comments she made alleging former Governor Phil Bryant is behind the state’s infamous welfare scandal. “I misspoke at a recent media conference regarding the accusations against former Governor Phil Bryant in the $77 million welfare scandal.” Mary Margaret White said in a statement. “He has not been charged with any crime. My remark was inappropriate, and I sincerely apologize.” Hard to say whats going on since Republicans dont confess to anything anymore and instead threaten to sue people.
State Rep Earle Banks (D) pled guilty in U.S. District Court to falsely reporting gross income tax. Banks did not report over $500,000 of income resulting from the sale of real property. Banks also admitted that he was aware of his legal duty to report the additional income and that he willfully failed to report that income to the IRS on a 2018 Form 1040X tax return. Banks said that the United States Attorney’s Office has sufficient evidence to convict him at trial if he had decided to go to trial instead of pleading guilty.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said that he has mobilized a National Guard unit to help with security at the U.S. border with Mexico, according to the Associated Press. “What happens at the border doesn’t stay there. Drugs and people are trafficked to every state in the nation — including Mississippi,” Reeves, a Republican, wrote on Twitter. “To keep Mississippians safe and limit the impact of our nation’s open borders, the Mississippi National Guard’s 112th Military Police Battalion has been mobilized and is supporting Customs and Border Protection officers and agents along the Southwest border.” My guess is that because he is up for reelection he is posturing to his base of right wing zealots.
The CEO of Mississippi Today has issued an apology over comments she made alleging former Governor Phil Bryant is behind the state’s infamous welfare scandal. “I misspoke at a recent media conference regarding the accusations against former Governor Phil Bryant in the $77 million welfare scandal.” Mary Margaret White said in a statement. “He has not been charged with any crime. My remark was inappropriate, and I sincerely apologize.” Hard to say whats going on since Republicans dont confess to anything anymore and instead threaten to sue people.
State Rep Earle Banks (D) pled guilty in U.S. District Court to falsely reporting gross income tax. Banks did not report over $500,000 of income resulting from the sale of real property. Banks also admitted that he was aware of his legal duty to report the additional income and that he willfully failed to report that income to the IRS on a 2018 Form 1040X tax return. Banks said that the United States Attorney’s Office has sufficient evidence to convict him at trial if he had decided to go to trial instead of pleading guilty.
May 17, 2023 |
May 17, 2023: WAPT: Former Mississippi state senator killed in plane crash in Arkansas
The Washington County, Arkansas sheriff's office, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating a deadly plane crash that claimed the life of former Mississippi state senator John Morgan.
The Washington County, Arkansas sheriff's office, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating a deadly plane crash that claimed the life of former Mississippi state senator John Morgan.
May 14, 2023 |

May 14, 2023:
A federal judge temporarily blocked the appointment of four state court judges in the majority-Black county that is home to Mississippi’s capital city — appointments that drew protests from local residents who said white state officials were stomping on civil rights. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate issued the temporary restraining order at the request of the NAACP, and has set a hearing date (May 22) to hear the case to consider extending the order. The NAACP, its Mississippi chapter and its local chapter in Jackson filed a federal lawsuit April 21, hours after Gov. Tate Reeves signed laws to expand state policing in the capital city of Jackson, establish a court with an appointed judge and authorize four appointed judges to work alongside the four elected circuit court judges in Hinds County. From here its not clear if Reeves is actually trying to help Jackson or just help himself.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the appointment of four state court judges in the majority-Black county that is home to Mississippi’s capital city — appointments that drew protests from local residents who said white state officials were stomping on civil rights. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate issued the temporary restraining order at the request of the NAACP, and has set a hearing date (May 22) to hear the case to consider extending the order. The NAACP, its Mississippi chapter and its local chapter in Jackson filed a federal lawsuit April 21, hours after Gov. Tate Reeves signed laws to expand state policing in the capital city of Jackson, establish a court with an appointed judge and authorize four appointed judges to work alongside the four elected circuit court judges in Hinds County. From here its not clear if Reeves is actually trying to help Jackson or just help himself.
May 13, 2023 |
May 13, 2023: Magee News: Campaign Finance Late-Filer Report
Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 23-15-817, the Secretary of State’s Office is required to publish a list of all candidates for the Statewide or Legislative Office who failed to file a campaign disclosure report by the dates specified in Section 23-15-807(b).
Individuals who failed to timely file their campaign finance report by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, and still have not filed their report to date include:
• Robert Briggs
• Gregory Wash
• Bob Hickingbottom
• Kathy Leath Chism
• Lesley Smith
• Andre DeBerry
• Billy Nix
• Marty Evans Jr.
• Dwayne Pickett
• Micheal Carson
• Willye Powell
• Philman A. Ladner
• Brad Mattox
• Jimmy Russell
• William Tracy Arnold
• James “Jimmy” Wallace
• Gail Lyons
• Progeorlan M. Walker
• Cedric “Bam Bam” Burnett
• Brady B. Williamson
• Beth Luther Waldo
• Randy P. Boyd
• Andy Clark
• Jack Thomas Willis Jr.
• Jeff Hale
• Orlando Paden
• Kenji Holloway
• Kenneth Walker
• Tonya Wilder
• W. I. “Doc” Harris
• Robert Sanders
• Soloman Osborne
• Kevin Horan
• Cheikh Taylor
• Carl Mickens
• Justin James
• Kenny Rush
• Lindsey Kidd
• Karl Oliver
• William E. “Bill” Downs
• Rufus Straughter
• Kimberly Stevens
• Fred Shanks
• Dyamone White
• Kia Jones
• Roshund Harris-Allen
• Allan Cole
• Patty Patterson
• Ailean Stingley
• Rukia Lumumba
• Rickey Gene Smylie
• Mark Tullos
• Charles Young
• Billy Adam Calvert
• Troy Smith
• Richard Buford
• Charles “Chuck” Blackwell
• Robert Evans
• Steve Moreman
• Thompson Benton
• Bill Pigott
• Jacob Brogan
• Ken Morgan
• Dale Goodin
• Matthew Daves
• William “Bill” Cruse
• Jeffery S. “Jeff” Guice
• Jeffery Hulum
• John Dedeaux
Individuals who failed to timely file their campaign finance report by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, but have since filed with the Secretary of State’s Office:
• David Hardigree
• David Parker
• Jerry R. Turner
• Perry Bailey
• Terell Harris
• Earle Banks
• Synarus Green
• Omeria Scott
• Casey Eure
• Jeremy Lee
• Randall Patterson
• Jarvis Cook
• Dana Underwood McLean
• Sedrick Smith
Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 23-15-817, the Secretary of State’s Office is required to publish a list of all candidates for the Statewide or Legislative Office who failed to file a campaign disclosure report by the dates specified in Section 23-15-807(b).
Individuals who failed to timely file their campaign finance report by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, and still have not filed their report to date include:
• Robert Briggs
• Gregory Wash
• Bob Hickingbottom
• Kathy Leath Chism
• Lesley Smith
• Andre DeBerry
• Billy Nix
• Marty Evans Jr.
• Dwayne Pickett
• Micheal Carson
• Willye Powell
• Philman A. Ladner
• Brad Mattox
• Jimmy Russell
• William Tracy Arnold
• James “Jimmy” Wallace
• Gail Lyons
• Progeorlan M. Walker
• Cedric “Bam Bam” Burnett
• Brady B. Williamson
• Beth Luther Waldo
• Randy P. Boyd
• Andy Clark
• Jack Thomas Willis Jr.
• Jeff Hale
• Orlando Paden
• Kenji Holloway
• Kenneth Walker
• Tonya Wilder
• W. I. “Doc” Harris
• Robert Sanders
• Soloman Osborne
• Kevin Horan
• Cheikh Taylor
• Carl Mickens
• Justin James
• Kenny Rush
• Lindsey Kidd
• Karl Oliver
• William E. “Bill” Downs
• Rufus Straughter
• Kimberly Stevens
• Fred Shanks
• Dyamone White
• Kia Jones
• Roshund Harris-Allen
• Allan Cole
• Patty Patterson
• Ailean Stingley
• Rukia Lumumba
• Rickey Gene Smylie
• Mark Tullos
• Charles Young
• Billy Adam Calvert
• Troy Smith
• Richard Buford
• Charles “Chuck” Blackwell
• Robert Evans
• Steve Moreman
• Thompson Benton
• Bill Pigott
• Jacob Brogan
• Ken Morgan
• Dale Goodin
• Matthew Daves
• William “Bill” Cruse
• Jeffery S. “Jeff” Guice
• Jeffery Hulum
• John Dedeaux
Individuals who failed to timely file their campaign finance report by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, but have since filed with the Secretary of State’s Office:
• David Hardigree
• David Parker
• Jerry R. Turner
• Perry Bailey
• Terell Harris
• Earle Banks
• Synarus Green
• Omeria Scott
• Casey Eure
• Jeremy Lee
• Randall Patterson
• Jarvis Cook
• Dana Underwood McLean
• Sedrick Smith
May 12, 2023 |
May 12, 2023: WREG: Mississippi County sheriff closes alleged drug house
The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office says it has put a Blytheville drug house out of business.
Friday, Sheriff Dale Cook posted pictures of the guns and cash seized and the suspects arrested at a home on South 7th Street.
The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office says it has put a Blytheville drug house out of business.
Friday, Sheriff Dale Cook posted pictures of the guns and cash seized and the suspects arrested at a home on South 7th Street.
May 12, 2023: Fox 13: WATCH: Families want answers 5 days after police chase in North Mississippi ends in deadly crash
May 12, 2023: Port Arthur News: Port Arthur man who died in Mississippi crash was working to become an American citizen
A Port Arthur man died tragically in Panola County, Mississippi, earlier this year when his truck crashed through the side of the concrete bridge that spans the Tallahatchie River on Interstate 55. He left a much bigger legacy behind than just an untimely death. Carlos A. Perez, 50, was doing all he could to support family in Mexico, working as a scaffold builder, traveling throughout the United States for various jobs and working for BRAND USA, an industrial scaffolding service in Port Arthur.
A Port Arthur man died tragically in Panola County, Mississippi, earlier this year when his truck crashed through the side of the concrete bridge that spans the Tallahatchie River on Interstate 55. He left a much bigger legacy behind than just an untimely death. Carlos A. Perez, 50, was doing all he could to support family in Mexico, working as a scaffold builder, traveling throughout the United States for various jobs and working for BRAND USA, an industrial scaffolding service in Port Arthur.
May 11, 2023 |
May 11, 2023: Clarion Ledger: McDaniel financial docs leave more questions than answers, prompt criticism from Hosemann
At first glance, state Sen. Chris McDaniel appeared to lead incumbent Delbert Hosemann in January-April fundraising for the hotly contested Republican primary for Mississippi lieutenant governor.
However, McDaniel's official filing form, as it appeared on the secretary of state's website Thursday morning, failed to include a detailed breakdown of contributions, leaving much up to interpretation and prompting questions over its accuracy.
At first glance, state Sen. Chris McDaniel appeared to lead incumbent Delbert Hosemann in January-April fundraising for the hotly contested Republican primary for Mississippi lieutenant governor.
However, McDaniel's official filing form, as it appeared on the secretary of state's website Thursday morning, failed to include a detailed breakdown of contributions, leaving much up to interpretation and prompting questions over its accuracy.
May 11: 2023: Fox13: Mississippi chief justice removed from lawsuit over courts and policing in Jackson
The Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice is no longer a defendant in a lawsuit that challenges a state law dealing with courts and appointed judges in the capital city of Jackson.
Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas on Thursday dismissed Chief Justice Mike Randolph and Hinds County Circuit Clerk Zack Wallace as defendants.
The Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice is no longer a defendant in a lawsuit that challenges a state law dealing with courts and appointed judges in the capital city of Jackson.
Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas on Thursday dismissed Chief Justice Mike Randolph and Hinds County Circuit Clerk Zack Wallace as defendants.
May 6, 2023 |

May 6, 2023:
Tate Reeves officially kicked off his reelection campaign by revealing his IQ. First he played a just released campaign video where he shoots people (TPM reported it as: Mississippi Gov Launches Reelection Bid With Video Of Him As Clint Eastwood Shooting People Of Color
Then Reeves addressed his audience saying: “My friends, this is a different governor’s campaign than we have ever seen before in our state because we are not up against a local-yokel Mississippi Democrat, we are up against a national liberal machine. They are extreme. They are radical and vicious. They believe welfare is success. They believe that taxes are good and businesses are bad. They think boys can be girls, that babies have no life, and that our state and our nation are racist.” First "they" don't think "welfare is a success" (whatever that means), but believe there are people who go through tough times and may need a hand. On taxes, they believe that the wealthy should pay their share instead of overtaxing the poor and middle class like the Republicans want to do. The Republican party is owned by rich millionaires who buy Republicans (and now Supreme Court Justices) with "donations." And his campaign video makes it clear racism is a problem in Missisippi and usually by long-time Mississippi residents who have lived being racist so long they dont even see it in themselves.
Tate Reeves officially kicked off his reelection campaign by revealing his IQ. First he played a just released campaign video where he shoots people (TPM reported it as: Mississippi Gov Launches Reelection Bid With Video Of Him As Clint Eastwood Shooting People Of Color
Then Reeves addressed his audience saying: “My friends, this is a different governor’s campaign than we have ever seen before in our state because we are not up against a local-yokel Mississippi Democrat, we are up against a national liberal machine. They are extreme. They are radical and vicious. They believe welfare is success. They believe that taxes are good and businesses are bad. They think boys can be girls, that babies have no life, and that our state and our nation are racist.” First "they" don't think "welfare is a success" (whatever that means), but believe there are people who go through tough times and may need a hand. On taxes, they believe that the wealthy should pay their share instead of overtaxing the poor and middle class like the Republicans want to do. The Republican party is owned by rich millionaires who buy Republicans (and now Supreme Court Justices) with "donations." And his campaign video makes it clear racism is a problem in Missisippi and usually by long-time Mississippi residents who have lived being racist so long they dont even see it in themselves.
May 6, 2023: ABC News: Manhunt after mass shooting in Mississippi
Police say the shooter ran past security in a crowded restaurant and opened fire.
Police say the shooter ran past security in a crowded restaurant and opened fire.
May 5, 2023 |
May 5, 2023: TPM: Mississippi Gov Launches Reelection Bid With Video Of Him As Clint Eastwood Shooting People Of Color
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced this week he will seek a second term as a governor by posting a wannabe Clint Eastwood themed video, where all he does is shoot people.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced this week he will seek a second term as a governor by posting a wannabe Clint Eastwood themed video, where all he does is shoot people.
May 3, 2023 |
May 3, 2023: ABC News: Tori Bowie, Olympic sprinter, dies at 32
Tori Bowie, an Olympic sprinter from Mississippi, died at the age of 32, according to her management company.
Tori Bowie, an Olympic sprinter from Mississippi, died at the age of 32, according to her management company.
May 1, 2023 |
May 1, 2023: WTOK: Mississippi Senator attends White House meeting to discuss ways to combat revenge porn and sextortion
You may remember us sharing the story of the Starkville-area family reeling from the loss of their teen son because of sextortion. Now, the wheels are turning for lawmakers on how to turn that tragedy into action.
You may remember us sharing the story of the Starkville-area family reeling from the loss of their teen son because of sextortion. Now, the wheels are turning for lawmakers on how to turn that tragedy into action.