tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24474387830014043852024-03-28T21:30:52.076-05:00Jackson JambalayaA website of news, commentary, culture, & jackassery in the Jackson, Mississippi area. Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comBlogger23266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-43560185005705476442024-03-28T16:46:00.003-05:002024-03-28T16:46:46.029-05:00Let the Propaganda Begin<p> The Order of the Sisters of Rukia is at it again......<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3tKNyIMPpN4?si=i6Bq_tjE-161j3RL" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><p></p><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/death-at-the-faucet-the-untold-story-vip-premiere-tickets-869317781887">Get your FREE tickets here to watch the worldwide premiere. </a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzKONB4wOs72lKcxVInLKXUjJnYrqEXhvikBNXTr4-4Bh7_gw-x04tRPkKyz8RAXJQJDiQq41eePSTiVW040HNi6aMFZcLD5GU1L0_IQyucrpbdJZQjRDFatN3KFVxwwEDcnfBIAvxCvdrIgiN7ZD_1vLKN6WHS5_5OT180cA7A8XDhu2rSybF3NBp_o/s703/IMG_0758_20240328_160532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="562" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzKONB4wOs72lKcxVInLKXUjJnYrqEXhvikBNXTr4-4Bh7_gw-x04tRPkKyz8RAXJQJDiQq41eePSTiVW040HNi6aMFZcLD5GU1L0_IQyucrpbdJZQjRDFatN3KFVxwwEDcnfBIAvxCvdrIgiN7ZD_1vLKN6WHS5_5OT180cA7A8XDhu2rSybF3NBp_o/w512-h640/IMG_0758_20240328_160532.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Director Dee Brown's Statement </b></div><div><br /></div>
In Death at the Faucet: The Untold Story, we shine a spotlight on the dire water crisis plaguing Jackson, Mississippi – a city deeply rooted in history, with a troubled past and a resilient spirit. The film dives deep into the heart of this modern-day struggle for justice, as residents battle not only for their civil rights but also for their most basic necessity of life: water.<p></p>
On that fateful day, August 29th, 2022, Jackson's residents woke up to an unthinkable reality – a city-wide failure that left taps dry. And to add insult to injury, the water that did manage to trickle through the pipes was tainted, undrinkable, and harmful. It became painfully clear that this wasn't an isolated incident; it was a recurring nightmare that the community had long endured.<p></p>
As we embarked on this documentary journey, our goal was not only to unveil the layers of this crisis but also to shed light on the systemic issues that have perpetuated the city's water woes. We wanted to give a voice to the stories that often go unheard – the stories of everyday people living with the consequences of a failing water system.<p></p>
Beyond the crumbling underground infrastructure, we discovered a complex tapestry of economic disparities, political gridlock, and environmental challenges that have interwoven themselves into the fabric of Jackson's troubles. Our film explores the harsh realities faced by communities who have been disproportionately affected by this crisis, calling attention to the injustices and inequities that amplify their suffering.<p></p>
Through intimate interviews with residents and community leaders we peel back the layers, exposing the root causes and examining the disturbing truths that led to this state of emergency. It is a journey that reveals the relentless resilience of a community that refuses to be silenced, fighting for their right to clean, safe, and accessible water.<p></p>
As a filmmaker, my aim is to not only inform and educate but also to spark conversations and ultimately inspire positive change. Death at the Faucet: The Untold Story serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of the urgent need for long-lasting solutions to water crises that persist in communities across the nation.<p></p>
Through this documentary, we hope to ignite a passion for justice, empowering viewers to question the systems that have allowed this crisis to fester and to advocate for equitable access to clean water for all. By amplifying the voices of those affected and exposing the injustices they endure, we stand together in the fight for a better future.<p></p>
Join us on this journey as we uncover the untold story behind the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and together, let's bring about tangible change for our fellow citizens.<p></p>
Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-10858317812203028882024-03-28T13:37:00.002-05:002024-03-28T16:52:34.218-05:00Bond, No Bond in Murder of 14 Year Old<p><b>Update:</b> JPD arrested and charged <span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Siyaski Crawford with murder as well. Crawford is 15 years-old. </span></span></p><p>The accused killer of a 14 year-old Northwest Rankin Middle School student was denied bond yesterday in Jackson Municipal Court. However, his alleged accomplice received bond although it was set at a mere $1.5 million. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>JPD charged Maxle Mooneyham with tampering with evidence/obstruction of justice. A JPD affidavit states: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjuh50YKajwc9b0GNvjgmU1IHg6QLD1pckxwZc7_8-GvDO_64zwpJdk54xrSqx0s6RGW5_7nP_cYvVKhpaop8pfmuMEL1mF0bHUjXg6asU-1DGAeySb3Z9wBlui7J5psoBFlXN5MdeeLBITAJBt4NIbrDmTj3f6Ezv0EVs_dZRkQFLSItAs_D27E_Np4/s777/Mooneyham%20affidavit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="777" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjuh50YKajwc9b0GNvjgmU1IHg6QLD1pckxwZc7_8-GvDO_64zwpJdk54xrSqx0s6RGW5_7nP_cYvVKhpaop8pfmuMEL1mF0bHUjXg6asU-1DGAeySb3Z9wBlui7J5psoBFlXN5MdeeLBITAJBt4NIbrDmTj3f6Ezv0EVs_dZRkQFLSItAs_D27E_Np4/w400-h63/Mooneyham%20affidavit.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A Jackson Municipal Court Judge set his bond at $1.5 million. He must stay at home unless he goes to school. However, Mooneyham is no longer enrolled in the Rankin County School District. The defendant is 16 years old. </p><p>The Court denied bond for John Foote after JPD charged him with murder. The police affidavit alleges Foote</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWie5aB5yXV2dNESmG4nSVWyjCB1YOJJvvuG0937L0W4x0hwvDlVyqaocb8_tsRZ7LtOsUdISsrMK9PtC70ZsZG7qVKIamOq12qJua097UI-Py1jfrzk4pC78xQVZFBwqruh-rgf6DkWt9McltBaRivLUf4l_T-inQ69BXscYKUtwDUZWV_cG3xDRq1E/s765/Foote%20affidavit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="765" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWie5aB5yXV2dNESmG4nSVWyjCB1YOJJvvuG0937L0W4x0hwvDlVyqaocb8_tsRZ7LtOsUdISsrMK9PtC70ZsZG7qVKIamOq12qJua097UI-Py1jfrzk4pC78xQVZFBwqruh-rgf6DkWt9McltBaRivLUf4l_T-inQ69BXscYKUtwDUZWV_cG3xDRq1E/w400-h56/Foote%20affidavit.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-35520662719554734772024-03-28T13:09:00.010-05:002024-03-28T13:38:58.567-05:00Conviction in Shaken Baby Case<p><i> Rankin-Madison District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement and mug shot. </i><br /></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdqybesauU57ZUu6TvchW9dYrS5C6Mup8XESd908hN_FVG5mWkbQxwb-ydPDOv-5bLZMDxQBOgJxv-K8JG_AfGlzgGyoP3x3RhZgFGJM0O-VK9a5NdAPfRzqJc9YrOb6NVAUhNZ13EAEu87AYHmzsL1XQ9Jrc7CIXZpM0Nrw5MfZuh3GenVaymqcC6Pg/s450/BAF-SB2145-450x200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdqybesauU57ZUu6TvchW9dYrS5C6Mup8XESd908hN_FVG5mWkbQxwb-ydPDOv-5bLZMDxQBOgJxv-K8JG_AfGlzgGyoP3x3RhZgFGJM0O-VK9a5NdAPfRzqJc9YrOb6NVAUhNZ13EAEu87AYHmzsL1XQ9Jrc7CIXZpM0Nrw5MfZuh3GenVaymqcC6Pg/w400-h178/BAF-SB2145-450x200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_52540" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/718020481/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-26XwsYZ3bqHGfOkHW8FP" title="Wilson - Shaken Baby Abuse" width="100%"></iframe>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-67122685063629084292024-03-28T09:06:00.003-05:002024-03-28T09:06:48.516-05:00Oops!<p>Can you spot today's error in the <i>Clarion-Ledger</i>? <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizREBVHg3et3y0YWcIcMI9hPVrs2YK3G01QQlrmV7_0PxUm_ob_pMGrzc8cyhbtAIAq_dVrq0onyVeLhjWN_FkQCvZ0o-YsP6MG5B6fHdvKmGcw24jA2OQkBwwMBGvtuo4c7sHXN1L2erQfXqzSOESaPTZX5VNlyGFWcGL-_Ag4_8qrcjHNY7QV8oCZyI/s1332/Screenshot%202024-03-28%20at%209.05.01%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1332" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizREBVHg3et3y0YWcIcMI9hPVrs2YK3G01QQlrmV7_0PxUm_ob_pMGrzc8cyhbtAIAq_dVrq0onyVeLhjWN_FkQCvZ0o-YsP6MG5B6fHdvKmGcw24jA2OQkBwwMBGvtuo4c7sHXN1L2erQfXqzSOESaPTZX5VNlyGFWcGL-_Ag4_8qrcjHNY7QV8oCZyI/w400-h297/Screenshot%202024-03-28%20at%209.05.01%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-87702018273594448372024-03-28T00:00:00.002-05:002024-03-28T00:00:00.139-05:00Lord of the Flies: Rankin County Edition<p><i>The Jackson Police Department issued the following press release and mug shots. </i><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p> </p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.75" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_44664" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717858093/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-6vE5mM5xJBiN4Z6bcN7I" title="Press Release Update NAME CORRECTION Ridgecrest Homicide" width="100%"></iframe><p></p><br /><div>
<b>Kingfish note:</b> The victim was in eighth grade at Northwest Rankin Middle School and a member of the football team. </div>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-62041075507056401732024-03-27T15:09:00.005-05:002024-03-27T16:36:48.748-05:002023 PERS: Scoring Touchdowns but Still Losing <p> PERS just can't seem to catch a break. The PERS team scored several touchdowns in 2023 but fell behind on the scoreboard yet again as its funding level fell to a new low even though it enjoyed decent returns in the markets. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kz76b1oIDOJtqW7_pQHZjbWZPP7WG-i0SgHKmZDnBis0-witHKV_6ZnViJEt-tlVqsXghVc-bsUlliMWRi1J2TDd0BfaFIQXkbP4y9DDvnglBY8o3uIYDnf3hBuH1vgX-voBQ4a0Jsy9-NkRxJFhhqmo0lpjGV4aTT_vj5_GSemYWVTfT15nYSzQOac/s652/PERS%202023%20summary.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kz76b1oIDOJtqW7_pQHZjbWZPP7WG-i0SgHKmZDnBis0-witHKV_6ZnViJEt-tlVqsXghVc-bsUlliMWRi1J2TDd0BfaFIQXkbP4y9DDvnglBY8o3uIYDnf3hBuH1vgX-voBQ4a0Jsy9-NkRxJFhhqmo0lpjGV4aTT_vj5_GSemYWVTfT15nYSzQOac/w365-h400/PERS%202023%20summary.png" width="365" /></a></div><br /><p>The numbers actually improved for PERS. Retiree growth has long been a PERS-killer. More retirees means more payments. There were years when PERS enjoyed double-digit investment returns only to slide backwards as waves of retirees swamped the system time after time. However, there were only 1,428 new retirees in 2023, the lowest growth in over 20 years, thus giving PERS a much-needed breather. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpol2ZSAqDOJPNOk416rj1ZqupqD6z6xRHiXYPPZeptRFILC626fl3ykHbeLzpUTZ7dUUoTpVCka0I98x2u-Q4ZGzFVF5aOb73HjdjukhLtn-yqOUw1MCi0wpsK0NWJkYbRCrvTMwEvyVDGhTwbt-jfyZbdMD1XigdvnBNUD4qzh77PyNpbMDasGnPCs/s3114/2023%20MPERS%20Number%20of%20Retirees%20-%20PNG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="3114" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpol2ZSAqDOJPNOk416rj1ZqupqD6z6xRHiXYPPZeptRFILC626fl3ykHbeLzpUTZ7dUUoTpVCka0I98x2u-Q4ZGzFVF5aOb73HjdjukhLtn-yqOUw1MCi0wpsK0NWJkYbRCrvTMwEvyVDGhTwbt-jfyZbdMD1XigdvnBNUD4qzh77PyNpbMDasGnPCs/w400-h236/2023%20MPERS%20Number%20of%20Retirees%20-%20PNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The markets were kind to PERS as well as it enjoyed a 7.4% rate of return, exceeding the assumed 7.0% rate of return but below the once-assumed 8% rate of return. The annual rates of return since 2000 are published at the bottom of this post. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJVPpXDLi8aGvCca488bbB3PXBUWeh7YqC_9uu_D8Gh09VzgDm3_oUA5MV207xftWWMNvi_4On-3TNEtCAoFJBwIs-WsljxzAnkZcDdRsMW-wIgcugDDTAAkqLPhV_4lgbhCkDCCwrFp4KWMHgYsByVO4yA46675q6Bu2vXnWmr4BXai90BY_Jkj-WOI/s3114/2023%20MPERS%20Annual%20Rate%20of%20Return%20-%20PNG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="3114" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJVPpXDLi8aGvCca488bbB3PXBUWeh7YqC_9uu_D8Gh09VzgDm3_oUA5MV207xftWWMNvi_4On-3TNEtCAoFJBwIs-WsljxzAnkZcDdRsMW-wIgcugDDTAAkqLPhV_4lgbhCkDCCwrFp4KWMHgYsByVO4yA46675q6Bu2vXnWmr4BXai90BY_Jkj-WOI/w400-h236/2023%20MPERS%20Annual%20Rate%20of%20Return%20-%20PNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The positive market returns increased the PERS portfolio to $32.6 billion, a slight increase from 2022. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_BftCOMkf4WrAH7AOhWoDV22C9fk1gM4ms1kBb9jWvyr4xhTm0FJVK1l4-NUC7GxCp2NJCmWFAd0xxj-JrcvR71hL2odvWtveiCzL-mBxMpNqFHZ5jMRjDkVgReF-29RuYy_gawp-8-Mo_ajzDnlEne0AmZRUbX0VJ7b7CkY85k8dzUvBXFY0NOXU4Y/s3114/2023%20MPERS%20Total%20Assets%20-%20PNG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="3114" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_BftCOMkf4WrAH7AOhWoDV22C9fk1gM4ms1kBb9jWvyr4xhTm0FJVK1l4-NUC7GxCp2NJCmWFAd0xxj-JrcvR71hL2odvWtveiCzL-mBxMpNqFHZ5jMRjDkVgReF-29RuYy_gawp-8-Mo_ajzDnlEne0AmZRUbX0VJ7b7CkY85k8dzUvBXFY0NOXU4Y/w400-h236/2023%20MPERS%20Total%20Assets%20-%20PNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>All this good news caused something to happen that has not happened in decades. The deficit between employee contributions and retiree payments actually shrank. Yes, you read that correctly. The deficit by roughly $200 million, a much-needed breather for PERS. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSqhBDkKmvyHTAJ1wg-7Fka2NkMSSTvHRzCuF7rL4dp4794ru0Ss4uM7_gua1hwRyhluRKtG5Psro8bM1yl9Vt4IazVQOj3VG_iCeUgKb8-dyHiohbtk_fKOit9jkC1t8UrKPej1QISHnLYf0q64fV1yxQPPjeEZhg82aawM6C6UNFOCnya5EjrgLIEM/s3114/2023%20MPERS%20Difference%20in%20Contributions%20-%20PNG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="3114" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSqhBDkKmvyHTAJ1wg-7Fka2NkMSSTvHRzCuF7rL4dp4794ru0Ss4uM7_gua1hwRyhluRKtG5Psro8bM1yl9Vt4IazVQOj3VG_iCeUgKb8-dyHiohbtk_fKOit9jkC1t8UrKPej1QISHnLYf0q64fV1yxQPPjeEZhg82aawM6C6UNFOCnya5EjrgLIEM/w400-h236/2023%20MPERS%20Difference%20in%20Contributions%20-%20PNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Unfortunately, PERS might have been scoring touchdowns in 2023 but it was still falling short on the scoreboard as the funding level fell to its lowest level ever at 56.1%. Read the chart and weep. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mjs9HfZsQbY0YN8svwSd0CTcO0N8CqGjlrwoI1XodkJBwZPyl53P6527lT4DHLhpWm8nvEiw0LG38G7rMGyj46bT3GM4NBf7NGrdLBmx-dboDKkaPymN-FzMBm6civbrW2El8xPoNThtattTngeXvBZcWIREGRbytheT3QCaJ5IWCBB8T9iN813q-fA/s3114/2023%20MPERS%20Funding%20Level%20-%20PNG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="3114" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mjs9HfZsQbY0YN8svwSd0CTcO0N8CqGjlrwoI1XodkJBwZPyl53P6527lT4DHLhpWm8nvEiw0LG38G7rMGyj46bT3GM4NBf7NGrdLBmx-dboDKkaPymN-FzMBm6civbrW2El8xPoNThtattTngeXvBZcWIREGRbytheT3QCaJ5IWCBB8T9iN813q-fA/w400-h236/2023%20MPERS%20Funding%20Level%20-%20PNG.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>There are several reasons for the poor funding level. There are 17,328 fewer employees in 2023 contributing to PERS
than there were in 2012 while there are approximately 28,900 more
retirees than there were in 2012 as well. The imbalance has created a
structural imbalance in PERS as payments often swamp contributions and
investment income, thus driving down the funding level. </p><p>PERS consultants recommended for several years that PERS lower its assumed rate of return. PERS did so as it lowered the rate of return from 8.00% to 7.55% a few years ago. PERS lowered the rate of return to 7.00% last year. The lowering of the assumed rate of return bumped up the unfunded liabilities. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jmFvZg73TM1knfo41fSg5JWjFWUxwtNexjQ9M310-p1kycK7IGc9wNJjR-th7_Ewo7d7xC5pMim0w8_T3U8BzDzD3HBDcHf7k7S_B87_5bavUCUy3jzxW6PSgonRUHK3fQ2VAmyQ56x5PNYadzQ7BGxCDYMGBgTwbuaPPGEK1u8hPVlVKlehgpPqf38/s450/Breese_law_KF_webads_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jmFvZg73TM1knfo41fSg5JWjFWUxwtNexjQ9M310-p1kycK7IGc9wNJjR-th7_Ewo7d7xC5pMim0w8_T3U8BzDzD3HBDcHf7k7S_B87_5bavUCUy3jzxW6PSgonRUHK3fQ2VAmyQ56x5PNYadzQ7BGxCDYMGBgTwbuaPPGEK1u8hPVlVKlehgpPqf38/w400-h178/Breese_law_KF_webads_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities grew to $26.5 billion in 2023 from $21.2 billion in 2022. It was $14.7 billion in 2012. The change in the assumed rate of return generated some controversy. Some PERS critics argue the assumed rate of return should not change since the PERS portfolio has managed to outperform the assumed rate of return over the last ten years. However, such claims ignore how such returns work as it usually takes the portfolio several years to recover from one year of negative market returns.* <br /><br />Mississippi also had the highest assumed rate of return at 7.55% among public pensions. The former 8% assumed rate of return is almost unheard of today when it was probably the standard 15 years ago. New York cut its assumed rate of return to 6% and CALPERS is looking at lowering its assumption from 6.8% to 6%. <a href="https://equable.org/current-assumed-rate-of-return-for-state-pensions/">Table of other state assumed rates of return.</a><p></p><p>What does it all mean? It means PERS can not invest its way out of this mess as Steve Holland and friends said it could over ten year years ago. Even if the assumed rate of return stayed at 7.55%, PERS would have only caught a breather as its structural problems would continue to worsen. The PERS consultant, Cavanaugh McDonald, told the Board several times it could not invest its way out of the current dilemma. </p><p>The Board voted in December 2022 to raise the employer contribution rate from 17.4% to 22.4%. However, the Board agreed to phase in the increase over a three year period (2-2-1) the proposed increase generated a backlash. The Legislature is considering a bill that will force the Board to rescind at least part of the increase. The increase will cost the state $265 million and local governments $75 million. </p><p><br /></p><p>* Suppose PERS invested $100 in 2009. The rate of return was -19.4%. Let's just say it was 20% to keep things simple. The $100 is now worth $80. The return next year was 14%. The original investment is now worth $91. PERS got lucky the next year and earned a 25% return, bringing the worth of the investment to $114. Thus it took 2 years for PERS to make back that double digit loss. PERS suffered a negative return of 8.6% in 2022. The $100 investment would only be worth $91.3. The 7.4% return in 2023 increases it to $98, still below the original $100 investment.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt-X3Pg20JyBhup3mNPc_tSjyDCRBG3U4bh2ukvQ72PKsCW9i28WexVHtWa-GgG2VEEtUBc1rEamQNnXJgJcgrHu2kPVRifrCHX7-RokKd9NC8ceAZfE9dbMZZa2UZAqoRTplKMTITVeSP9rUsXZj0sNBuczQte3OgxQ5Zb0MEVgr3A0RiXcf3lBu0FU/s450/Bubba%20450x200email%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt-X3Pg20JyBhup3mNPc_tSjyDCRBG3U4bh2ukvQ72PKsCW9i28WexVHtWa-GgG2VEEtUBc1rEamQNnXJgJcgrHu2kPVRifrCHX7-RokKd9NC8ceAZfE9dbMZZa2UZAqoRTplKMTITVeSP9rUsXZj0sNBuczQte3OgxQ5Zb0MEVgr3A0RiXcf3lBu0FU/w400-h178/Bubba%20450x200email%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <b>Shares of employee population (2023 proportion) (2012 population) (2012 proportion)(difference between 2023 & 2012)</b><br /><p></p><p>State agencies: 24,922 (17%) (32,618) (20%)<b> (<span style="color: red;">-7,696</span>)</b><br /></p><p>IHL: 17,220 (12%) (11%) <br /></p><p>Public Schools: 61,095 (42%) ( 64,252) (40%) (<span style="color: red;"><b>-3,157</b></span>)<br /></p><p>Jucos: 5,835 (4%) (4%)</p><p>Counties: 14,671 (10%) (9%)</p><p>Cities: 15,526 (11%) (11%) <br /></p><p>Total 2023 Employee Population: 145,985 <br /></p><p><b>Total 2022 Employee Population: 144,416 (2012 Population: 161,744) (<span style="color: red;">-17,328</span>)<br /></b></p><p><b> <br /></b></p><p><b>Employer Contribution Rates</b><br /></p><p>2011: 12%<br />
2012: 14.26%<br />
2014: 15.75%<br />
2019: 17.4%</p><p><b>Annual Rate of Return since 2000</b><br /></p><p>2000: 8.4%<br />
<span style="color: red;">2001: -7.1%</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2002: -6.6%</span><br />
2003: 3.5%<br />
2004: 14.6%<br />
2005: 9.8%<br />
2006: 10.7%<br />
2007: 18.9%<br />
<span style="color: red;">2008: -8.2%</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2009: -19.4%</span><br />
2010: 14.1%<br />
2011: 25%<br />
2012: 0.6%<br />
2013: 13.4%<br />
2014: 18.3%<br />
2015: 3.5%<br />
2016: 1.16%<br />
2017: 15%<br />
2018: 9.2%<br />
2019: 6.8% </p><p>2020: 3%</p><p>2021: 32.7% </p><p><span style="color: red;">2022: -8.6</span></p><p>2023: <span style="color: red;"> </span>7.43%<br /></p><p><b>Five-year average: 8.13% </b></p><p><b>Ten-year average: 8.85%</b></p><p>Assumed Rate of Return: 7.00%</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6kkyGi5rVaw?si=LaK-8IHKmnOJXnxe" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><p></p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.75" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_80184" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717757282/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-NDof8SlbD24HFwn0dfVA" title="2023 PERS ANnual Acturial Report" width="100%"></iframe>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-15196321392644141742024-03-27T12:00:00.000-05:002024-03-27T12:00:00.138-05:00Birmingham-Southern College Closing <p> Birmingham-Southern College will close when the current semester ends in May. Reverend Keith Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the college, announced yesterday: <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><blockquote>
As Chair of the Board of Trustees of Birmingham-Southern College, it is my sad duty to let you know that BSC will cease operations on May 31, 2024.<p></p>
The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close the College after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program on which our future depended failed to win sufficient support in the Alabama House of Representatives. Without that funding, the College does not have the resources to continue.<p></p>
This is a tragic day for the College, our students, our employees, and our alumni, and an outcome so many have worked tirelessly to prevent. We understand the devastating impact this has on each of you, and we will now direct our efforts toward ensuring the smoothest possible transition for everyone involved. <p></p>
BSC leadership has already begun detailed planning for students who will be forced to transfer to other institutions as well as those who had planned to complete degree requirements this summer. Individual meetings will be scheduled when students return from spring break.<p></p>
BSC will also offer as much help as possible for employees, almost all of whom will be displaced by May 31, with the rest to follow over the summer.<p></p>
Between now and the end of spring term, BSC will continue normal operations, including classes, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. Forward Ever Day, the Grad Expo, Honors Day, Capping, and Commencement will happen as planned, and we are working on plans for meaningful events for alumni prior to closure.<p></p>
We know everyone will have questions, and we are committed to providing the answers. More information for students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College has been posted at www.bsc.edu and will be updated as details become available.<p></p>
Today is also a terrible day for Birmingham, for the neighborhoods who have surrounded our campus for more than 100 years, and for Alabama. Through this challenging year and a half, we have talked a lot about BSC’s more than $90 million annual economic impact on Alabama, with $68 million of that right here in our city. Beyond that loss – which is enormous -- the loss of a nationally ranked liberal arts college that has contributed so much to this state and to the world – and still had so much to give – is incalculable.<p></p><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What Happened in Montgomery?</b></div></b><p></p>
Over the last 18 months, BSC has exhausted every option to obtain the loan through the Distressed Institutions of Higher Learning Revolving Loan Fund, which was established by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in June 2023.<p></p>
The original Act put the State Treasurer in charge of the program, for which BSC met the statutory qualifications. After months of delay, the Treasurer denied the loan in October 2023.<p></p>
On February 6, the College’s legislative champions – Sen. Jabo Waggoner ’60 and Sen. Rodger Smitherman – introduced a bill to amend the 2023 Act. That bill, which moved the administration of the loan program to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, added a layer of review to ensure the state’s position, set the loan terms, and specified a time frame for approval or denial, passed the Alabama Senate on March 5.<p></p>
On March 20, through the efforts of Rep. David Faulkner, the House Ways & Means Education Committee approved a substitute bill that further strengthened the State’s position. Even so, conversations last week with House leadership confirmed that the bill did not have enough support to move forward.<p></p>
Upon receiving that confirmation, the board meeting was scheduled for today. While holding the meeting during spring break was not ideal, doing so allowed time for trustees to review all options and for those who live outside of Alabama to arrange to be present.<p></p>
The $30 million set aside in 2023 for the loan program remains unused.<p></p><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What Comes Next</b></div></b><p></p>
As Chair of the Board, as a proud alumnus, as the parent of three sons who attended BSC, and as a former member of the BSC staff, I want you to know that I share your heartbreak, anger, and frustration over the devastating loss of this 168-year-old treasure.<p></p>
I want you to know that Daniel B. Coleman has been a warrior for BSC since the moment he became BSC’s 16th president in December 2018. He envisioned a path forward for the College, worked tirelessly to convince others that BSC could overcome its challenges, and invested his considerable time, remarkable talent, and personal resources in the effort to save it. No one wanted that more than he did.<p></p>
The Board is also deeply grateful to the College’s senior leadership, who have displayed loyalty, resiliency, and integrity in the face of long odds. It takes uncommon strength to show up every day knowing that the deck is stacked against you, and each day you consistently put your best effort into every task that was before you.<p></p>
To the faculty, staff, and students who made the decision to stay and chose to join the fight instead of taking the easy path, I am overwhelmed with pride in the way you have carried yourself throughout these difficult times. While the outcome was not what any of us desired, the way you exemplified an indomitable spirit and expressed yourself with integrity consistently demonstrated the very essence of what we were working to preserve.<p></p>
It is for all of you that my heart breaks, while at the same time it is what you have personified that emboldens my hope for the future of a world with you in it. Throughout this struggle, you have fully lived into this College’s watchword.</blockquote><p></p>
Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-89191601536350406562024-03-27T11:00:00.027-05:002024-03-27T11:00:00.147-05:00Robert St. John: Birthplace PETROGNANO, ITALY— It’s true that there’s no place like home, and I deeply and dearly love my hometown of Hattiesburg and my home state of Mississippi. I could live other places, but I never will. My roots are in South Mississippi. I am a seventh generation citizen of the Pine Belt and I am Mississippi to the core. Texans are known for being proud of their home state. For me, I have Texas pride— times ten— for Mississippi.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlrjSB5iQtUr1qUqT9yLSAV7brglY-H5kd4KfnYtXsg7TAih239pjP_tNe0evjDU1Pnp0J0rs6RM8cgLOnezsPZMa6LkjX3eH2rVOZ0e3xbGyYeLXL_UPvRA2BKHpVA1NieQOmNJh4mAwWv3eowIy1Ob2yYnUEf0xlva3gINDGm4f8GccMq5hYCa7KgI/s4032/IMG_7510.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlrjSB5iQtUr1qUqT9yLSAV7brglY-H5kd4KfnYtXsg7TAih239pjP_tNe0evjDU1Pnp0J0rs6RM8cgLOnezsPZMa6LkjX3eH2rVOZ0e3xbGyYeLXL_UPvRA2BKHpVA1NieQOmNJh4mAwWv3eowIy1Ob2yYnUEf0xlva3gINDGm4f8GccMq5hYCa7KgI/w400-h300/IMG_7510.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p>
Though it’s strange, when I first traveled to Tuscany in 2011 as part of a larger and longer European journey, I felt at home. It’s wasn’t Italy necessarily, as I covered the country that month, from the southern tip of Sicily to the Dolomites. It was Tuscany, specifically.<p></p>
From day one, Tuscany has always felt a lot like the American South, and more specifically, my beloved Mississippi. When one breaks down the comparison, it doesn’t feel like much of a stretch. Tuscany is an agrarian society. Though, instead of cotton and soybeans, they are growing grapes and olives. The people are warm and friendly. Mississippi is known as the hospitality state. The Tuscans are family oriented, it’s the same back home. And the Tuscan people love sharing a meal. Sound familiar?<p></p>
Granted the landscape has more rolling hills, but the summer heat and humidity are comparable. Though Tuscans don’t know— or more specifically, they don’t put as much of a priority on— air conditioning. We love our central air units from May through September. I won’t make apologies for that.<p></p>
One would say that their history is rich and storied. What is new around here is considered very old back home. New Orleans just celebrated a 300-year anniversary, certainly old in our part of the world. But there is a 2,700 year old Etruscan tomb across the road from our villa, which is just one small historic detail in any direction on any road in this part of the world. Three hundred years ago is yesterday around here. The Via Roma which stretches through town, just a mile away from here, is so old that when Jesus was walking in Jerusalem, there were people walking on that road. It’s the same road I travel every morning as I head to the local bakery for breakfast. <p></p>
But we have an ancient history as well. In 8,000 B.C. there were nomadic natives in North America. There’s just no written history to chronicle their past. Our recorded history begins around 1492.<p></p>
I still feel at home when I come here. These days I host five tour groups in the spring and five in the fall. Last week I led a group through Spain and beginning April 24th, I’ll be leading a group through England and Scotland. In between I am hosting three groups in Tuscany. Last week, when we were leaving Barcelona and flying into Florence it almost felt like I was going home. I have probably spent close to two years here since 2011 (most of that since 2016) and I know the area well. <p></p>
But I am not home. Mississippi is my home and will always be my home. This is work. It’s filled with long hours and challenging situations, but I come from the restaurant business, a week of problems that could occur over here is equal to one bad dinner shift back home. And if one must work somewhere, this ain’t a bad place to work.<p></p>
Actually, Tuscany made me appreciate my home state more. I live in a state with the tag, “Mississippi the birthplace of America’s music.” I remember hearing that line back in the 90s and thinking, that’s a nice marketing slogan, but I didn’t give it much thought. I don’t think I even believed it.<p></p>
Back on the original trip in 2011 we were invited to a bed and breakfast in the Tuscan countryside that was hosting a dinner event with a live band. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard a British cover band sing American rock and roll in Italian. We were seated with two couples who were visiting from Milan. In the middle of a rousing chorus of “Sweet Home Alabama,” one of the ladies asked, “Where do you live in America?”<p></p>
“Hattiesburg, Mississippi,” I replied.<p></p>
“Like the river?” They all know the river over here, but many don’t know the state— we can be a landmass over here, too. <p></p>
“Yes, like the river that borders us.” But that doesn’t really give them any bearings. “I live one hour north of the Gulf of Mexico,” I say.<p></p>
“Ah, Mexico.”<p></p>
“Yes, but the Gulf. We are 90 minutes northeast of New Orleans.” That always brings recognition.<p></p>
“New Orleans. I love Jazz!” <p></p>
“Yes, that is where jazz was invented. And if you drive a little north of New Orleans, you’ll hit Highway 49. I was born in a hospital beside Highway 49. And if you follow that highway to the Mississippi Delta, it crosses Highway 61 and that is where blues was invented.”<p></p>
“Ah, blues! B.B. King. Muddy Waters.” They all know B.B.<p></p>
“That’s right. And if you believe Muddy Waters— and I do— when he sang “The blues had a baby and they named the baby rock and roll,” you can travel just a few hours east and hit Tupelo, Mississippi and that is where Elvis Presley was born.<p></p>
“Elvis!”<p></p>
“Yes, Elvis,” I say. They definitely know Elvis. <p></p>
I was halfway down Highwy 45 to Meridian to tell my newfound Milanese friends about Jimmie Rogers, the father of country music, when it dawned on me, in the public room of a bed in breakfast near San Donato, Italy— Mississippi IS the birthplace of America’s music. Europeans appreciated that way before we did, and we’re Mississippians.
To many Europeans, Mississippi is an exotic land filled with amazing music. After that epiphany I began to see Mississippi as a magical place filled with amazing music. Of all the cultural gifts one state could give to the world, several genres of music tops my list. I just couldn’t see the forest for the pine trees until that night.<p></p>
I have hosted several of my Italian and Dutch friends in Mississippi. They all love it. The comment I hear most is, “Everyone is so friendly.” That’s hospitality.<p></p>
Europeans I meet over here will often say, “I’ve been to America,” <p></p>
I always reply, “Let me guess, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles?” <p></p>
“Yes!” <p></p>
“You haven’t really been to America,” I say. <p></p>
A statement that is often attributed to William Faulkner— but it’s doubtful he said it— states, “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.” I don’t believe the source of that quote— whomever it was— was speaking glowingly about my home state at the time. But in 2024, I believe the world would be a lot better off with the cultural richness and attitudes of the friendly people of Mississippi.<p></p>
There is truly no place like my home.<p></p>
Onward.<div><br /><p></p><b>
Gnocchi with Butter and Sage</b><p></p>
Italians love sage. I do, too. One sees it in many meat preparations, but another common application is with gnocchi.<p></p>
1 pound Gnocchi<br />
8 TB Unsalted butter<p></p>
¼ cup Shallot, minced<p></p>
8-10 each Fresh sage leaves, chopped<br />
1 tsp Kosher salt<p></p>
1 cup Chicken stock (or vegetable stock)<p></p>
Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano as needed.<p></p><i>
Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the shallot and chopped sage and cook over low heat for 4-5 minutes, being careful not to burn. Add the gnocchi and continue, stirring occasionally for an additional 4-5 minutes. Let the gnocchi brown slightly. Add the stock and increase heat to medium. Continue cooking until most of the stock has evaporated and the gnocchi is hot, about 4-5 minutes.</i><p></p><i>
Divide among 6-8 bowls and finish each with shredded cheese as desired.</i><p></p><b>
Gnocchi</b><p></p>
3 ea Russett potatoes (about 1 ½ lbs)<p></p>
5 ea Egg yolks<p></p>
3 cups All-purpose flour<p></p>
1 TB Kosher salt<p></p>
½ tsp Ground white pepper</div><div><br /><i>
Wash potatoes thoroughly. Cover with cold water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Do not let water boil. Simmer potatoes for about an hour, or until tender. The skin will begin to crack.</i><p></p><i>
When tender, drain water and remove peel while still warm using a serrated steak knife. Hold potatoes in a kitchen towel to avoid burning your hands. Run potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer into a mixing bowl. Fold in egg yolks, 2 ½ cups flour, salt and pepper. Work quickly, forming into a smooth ball, and do not let potato mixture cool.</i><p></p><i>
Divide mixture into 6 pieces and roll each out on floured work surface using both hands until about ½ inch in diameter (using remaining flour plus more as needed).</i><p></p><i>
Using a dough knife or butter knife, cut each log into roughly 15 to 20 ½ inch pieces. </i><p></p><i>
Fill a large sauce pot with salted water and bring to a simmer. Place gnocchi 15-20 at a time into simmering water and remove when they float. Transfer onto a lightly oiled surface. </i><p></p>
Yield: 90-120 pieces<p></p>
</div></div>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-79602817929606846682024-03-27T10:15:00.000-05:002024-03-27T10:15:00.136-05:00Black Rock Blackened <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson issued the following statement. </i><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On March 26, 2024, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson and the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s Office issued a Summary Cease and Desist Order and Notice of Intent to Impose Administrative Penalty against BlackRock, Inc., a multinational investment company and the world's largest asset manager. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Securities Division is seeking to stop BlackRock’s alleged fraudulent actions and impose a multimillion-dollar administrative penalty.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BlackRock provides exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or pooled investments categorized as securities, and currently manages over nine trillion dollars in investments through 70 offices in 30 countries. BlackRock has recently asserted itself as a leader in the investment industry to promote environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors on portfolio companies. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Securities Division alleges BlackRock, through its ESG assertions, has repeatedly made false and misleading statements to Mississippi investors. These misrepresentations pertain to BlackRock’s involvement in pushing ESG factors on portfolio companies.</span></p><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><p style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Investment companies will not push their political agenda on Mississippians, especially through fraudulent and deceptive means,” said Secretary Michael Watson. “All citizens should have the opportunity to make informed and educated decisions when investing their hard-earned money. If not, our office will hold these bad actors accountable." </span></p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For funds marketed as non-ESG, BlackRock claims these funds do not follow an ESG investment strategy. However, BlackRock has issued several statements and actions in commitment of using all assets under its management to incorporate ESG considerations, including advancing the environmental goals of net zero carbon emissions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">BlackRock also informed clients they would see better long-term financial prospects and financial outcomes through ESG-backed funds, with little to no evidence to substantiate the claim. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.75" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_73868" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717677859/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-uYGestUGnn6NOf5VNVSv" title="BlackRock Inc., Et Al." width="100%"></iframe>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-43266266216281704662024-03-27T08:47:00.000-05:002024-03-27T08:47:00.941-05:00Sid Salter: Tom Lee Right Jurist for the JobMississippians watched along with the rest of the nation to see whether justice would prevail in the so-called “Goon Squad” cases in which six white former Rankin County law enforcement officers pleaded guilty to torturing and terrorizing two Black men for hours after breaking into a home without a warrant.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p>
The victims, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, were handcuffed, beaten, abused, and sexually assaulted with a sex toy. Jenkins had a gun placed into his mouth by one officer who pulled the trigger, leaving the victim with a lacerated tongue and a broken jaw.<p></p>
Federal prosecutors argued that there was a strong racial component behind the attack. The defendants included former Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield.<p></p>
Their guilty pleas received, the six former lawmen faced Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee, the 82-year-old veteran of a few months shy of 40 years on the federal bench in Mississippi’s Southern District, for sentencing. Over those years, Lee has managed any number of high-profile, high-pressure cases without flinching.<p></p>
Judge Lee is the scion of a family of distinguished Mississippi jurists from Scott County. His brother, the late Roy Noble Lee Sr., was appointed to a vacancy on the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1976 and served until 1993 – serving as chief justice from 1987 to 1993.<p></p>
The Lee brothers’ father, the late Percy Mercer Lee, preceded his sons as a lawyer, district attorney, Circuit Court judge, and later as a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1950 to 1965 – serving the final two years as chief justice.<p></p>
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. described Roy Noble Lee’s leadership of the state’s highest court: “Some of the most significant advancements for the judicial branch of government during the 20th century were implemented under his leadership.<p></p>
“He gave leadership to the enactment of legislation that created the Administrative Office of Courts and the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals, as he predicted, has been an excellent solution to allow timely disposition of cases and eliminate the backlog that had long plagued the appellate court.”<p></p>
Judge Tom Lee, from the very beginning of his federal judicial tenure, has been called upon to render judgments in difficult, sensitive cases. Less than a year into his tenure, Lee heard the case of veteran State Sen. Tommy Brooks of Carthage, who was convicted after an 8-day trial of trying to extort $50,000 from the Mississippi Horse Racing Association for his legislative support on a bill to make pari-mutuel betting on horse racing legal in Tunica and Jackson counties.<p></p>
Later in his career, Lee would oversee a Mississippi voting rights case that drew international headlines. In 2007, Lee ruled that activist Ike Brown, then the Noxubee County Democratic Party chairman, had violated the Voting Rights Act by engaging “in improper, and in some instances fraudulent conduct, and committed blatant violations of state election laws for the purpose of diluting white voting strength.” <p></p>
Brown appealed the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and a three-judge panel later affirmed Lee’s ruling in 2009, making the Brown case the first time that the Voting Rights Act was used to successfully allege voter discrimination by Blacks against whites. But Brown’s legal team called the prosecution a “concerted effort by the Bush Administration to interfere with the ability of Black voters to elect Black officials.”<p></p>
The Fifth Circuit Court panel ruled Brown’s “conduct was undertaken with discriminatory intent: Brown’s statements indicate that he was primarily motivated by race.” <p></p>
Lee’s sentences in the “Goon Squad” were tough but fair and sent a long overdue message to the small segment of law enforcement officers who thought a badge shielded their kind of “law enforcement” from punishment.<p></p>
Anyone surprised by Lee’s steady, even dispensation of justice in the “Goon Squad” cases has simply not observed the judge’s four decades of federal judicial service. Regardless of the complexities of the cases, Judge Tom Lee for some 40 years has followed the law and let the chips fall.<p></p>
<i>Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.</i><p></p>
Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-85965912148328926262024-03-26T18:30:00.001-05:002024-03-27T07:55:59.913-05:00Kosciusko Man Charged in Jan. 6 Incident<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> The Justice Department issued the following statement. </i><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Mississippi man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his alleged conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donald Walker, 48, of Kosciusko, Mississippi, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds and parading, picking, and demonstrating and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The FBI arrested Walker on Monday, March 25, 2024, in Jackson, Mississippi. Walker made his initial appearance in the Southern District of Mississippi. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, a man, later identified as Walker, is seen on Metropolitan Police Department body-worn camera footage approaching the police line and bike rack barricades established on the West Plaza of Capitol grounds. Walker is then allegedly seen locking his arm through a bike rack barricade and pulling it toward him as officers attempt to defend the police line and gain control of the barricade. Police then disperse a chemical irritant at Walker, and he is seen retreating from the police line.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walker then re-approaches the police line and again allegedly grabbed the bike rack barricade and attempted to wrestle it away from a police officer. Walker is again sprayed with a chemical irritant by police, causing him to retreat.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Court documents say that Walker later entered the Capitol building via the Parliamentarian Door at approximately 2:54 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi provided valuable assistance.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The FBI's Jackson and Washington Field Offices are investigating this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the 38 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,358 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 486 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://tips.fbi.gov&source=gmail&ust=1711567294824000&usg=AOvVaw3mCFkS1-qNwVvkDXiUetML" href="http://tips.fbi.gov/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">tips.fbi.gov</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</span></i></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-8053174061464493382024-03-26T17:06:00.003-05:002024-03-26T17:06:30.317-05:00How High Will Car Costs Go? <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> The Mississippi Energy Institute sponsored and authored this post. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you considered an electric vehicle for your next car, or maybe in the future? Maybe you own one of the 1.2 million EVs that was purchased in 2023, or about 7.6% of new car sales nationally, but chances are, you're among the vast majority of people who continue to prefer a gasoline-powered car or truck.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">President Biden and his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would rather you drive an electric vehicle. That's why, last week, they issued their final rule which will effectively require a majority of all light cars and trucks manufactured in the U.S. in 8 years to have zero tailpipe emissions, i.e. battery-powered electric vehicles. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">In other words, whether U.S. car and truck buyers want electric vehicles or not and whether it makes good business sense or not, U.S. automotive manufacturers will be required to significantly scale up EV production, scale back gasoline-engine production or both to comply with federal regulations. Against the advice of automotive manufacturers, the Biden Administration has taken this aggressive and creative approach to an effort to push gasoline and diesel vehicles out of the marketplace. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">To all of us individually and to the economy as a whole, the costs of this rule will likely be great. If it seems like vehicle costs have risen dramatically in recent years, it's because they have - on average 32% higher now than in 2018. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Existing federal regulations must be a big reason for that. About 12 years ago and also against the advice of automotive manufacturers, the federal government required very aggressive fuel mileage standards. To comply, U.S. auto manufacturers have been forced to light-weight vehicles and find creative ways to reduce fuel use. The hidden result has been sacrificed safety and durability, and the obvious result has been higher costs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This new rule will compound the problem of skyrocketing car and truck costs. Perhaps, the bigger problem is, the politicians and bureaucrats behind this know this rule will disrupt the U.S. automotive sector and significantly increase consumer costs, but they press forward nonetheless. Another thing they know is, the rule is likely illegal. The U.S. Supreme Court has already decided once that EPA, or any federal agency, is not allowed to make rules that have drastic economic impacts and fundamentally alter industry sectors without clear authority provided by Congress. How do we deal with federal agencies that care not about consumer costs or legality of rules?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if the rule is eventually struck down, how much damage will be done to the automotive manufacturing sector in the meantime? If consumers continue to demand mostly gasoline-powered vehicles, will investment in new manufacturing capacity shift to places like Mexico or overseas?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">To be clear, electric vehicles are not the problem. New products and options in the marketplace is great thing, driving innovation and competition. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem is totally absurd, ideological policies that force products into the marketplace. Regardless of the rule's fate in the courts at whatever point in the future that may be, this rule will cause economic damage ultimately paid for by consumers, you and me. </span></div><p><br /></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-63862003677895706102024-03-26T14:41:00.003-05:002024-03-26T14:41:37.350-05:00And Then There Were None<p> The city of Jackson will soon have no engineers in its employ. City Engineer Robert Lee (no relation) is moving on to bigger and better things as he tendered his resignation. </p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-17754668964453593022024-03-26T14:38:00.005-05:002024-03-26T14:38:57.555-05:00Sex, Lies, & Videotape: Federal Edition<p> Ivana Williams is becoming quite familiar with the various court systems in Mississippi. A Jane Doe sued former MHP troopers Williams and Brad McClendon in U.S. District Court yesterday. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The lawsuit is posted below. The facts are little changed from a petition for a temporary restraining order the plaintiff filed in Rankin County Chancery Court in December. <a href="http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2024/03/sex-lies-videotape-ivana-claims.html">Earlier post on complaint and Williams' response.</a> No hearing has been held on the request. </p><p>The complaint is posted below and pretty much repeats the Chancery Court petition. Jane Doe charges the defendants with disclosure of intimate images under 15 U.S.C. Section 6851(b), intentional infliction of emotional distress. invasion of privacy, defamation, negligent infliction of emotional distress, civil battery, civil assault, negligence per se - invasion of privacy, civil conspiracy, gross negligence, and fraudulent concealment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1oZWQ-NmcD3ej7E6LLrGf45A17iUUgHtqsnahlyIi2GVhE78lnQq03nwubXCLvzylwnCbT1F5IdjvSH4kcfsRPnJg6_m1JtzzhBTDX7EQ7WWP6PSIZ9R8zPPFh3GitJVd02gfsE67HvZE7nHv6S7ZT4Yu2vMif_CLn9o0wnbVsqBBAPt8IhpSW-9i1w/s450/BAF-SB2145-450x200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1oZWQ-NmcD3ej7E6LLrGf45A17iUUgHtqsnahlyIi2GVhE78lnQq03nwubXCLvzylwnCbT1F5IdjvSH4kcfsRPnJg6_m1JtzzhBTDX7EQ7WWP6PSIZ9R8zPPFh3GitJVd02gfsE67HvZE7nHv6S7ZT4Yu2vMif_CLn9o0wnbVsqBBAPt8IhpSW-9i1w/w400-h178/BAF-SB2145-450x200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Doe seeks $11 million in damages for medical treatment, psychological treatment, lifelong loss of income earning capacity, loss of wages, and loss of enjoyment of her life. </p><p>Attorney Toby Gammill represents the plaintiff. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III. </p><p>The Mississippi Highway Patrol fired Williams earlier this year after holding a termination hearing. Williams appealed her termination to the Mississippi Employee Appeals Board. <a href="http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2024/03/sex-lies-videotape-ivana-strikes-back.html">Earlier post. </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXI44WqXsJQ/XK9VhoY6q2I/AAAAAAAAjas/oLgxpYx6JJknzxuLoOnNeSunmZGLdi3YwCLcBGAs/s640/Trooper%2Bcute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXI44WqXsJQ/XK9VhoY6q2I/AAAAAAAAjas/oLgxpYx6JJknzxuLoOnNeSunmZGLdi3YwCLcBGAs/w362-h640/Trooper%2Bcute.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" title="Ivana Complaint Federal" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717424532/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-l5jk449qPqLT9XrdsT1U" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" scrolling="no" id="doc_2702" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-5088347518963343912024-03-26T09:38:00.004-05:002024-03-26T09:40:33.883-05:0014 Got Him 20<p><i>Madison-Rankin District Attorney Bubba Bramlett issued the following statement. </i><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Bruce Jermal Thompson, 27 of Canton, was sentenced to serve twenty years in the custody of Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of early release or parole.<p></p>
In February of 2019, UMC reported to Canton Police Department that they had a fifteen year old female miscarry a child while at the hospital. CPD began an investigation to determine who the father of the child was due to the mother still being under the age of consent. Their investigation and DNA testing confirmed that Thompson was the father. He was 22 years old at the time the baby was conceived, and the victim would have been fourteen.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3PbIocodQdXxnoNrZNY61Jv6IALt00ZXZ1pL-cQuo-9xmfFjxWDDF8jdly6eP778wPYt9hO2x0KtrUOBykXttKujObHhU-WGyRk_-hvfHF3RNFqmxCIlNKNKXNrgKdVDraZi2kvkbVIxmXomDlWYoA0CE9EWHCwS-HJnXHxSiJhQr7EBtpD78qo4Ep8/s600/Thompson,%20Bruce.sexual%20battery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3PbIocodQdXxnoNrZNY61Jv6IALt00ZXZ1pL-cQuo-9xmfFjxWDDF8jdly6eP778wPYt9hO2x0KtrUOBykXttKujObHhU-WGyRk_-hvfHF3RNFqmxCIlNKNKXNrgKdVDraZi2kvkbVIxmXomDlWYoA0CE9EWHCwS-HJnXHxSiJhQr7EBtpD78qo4Ep8/w320-h400/Thompson,%20Bruce.sexual%20battery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p></p>
Prior to the indictment being served on the Defendant, officers received a complaint from another juvenile’s mother that Thompson had been having sex with her child since the child was 12 years old. Thompson and the juvenile were cousins. Officers searched Facebook and text messages which revealed explicit text messages between Thompson and the underage female indicating that he had been engaging in sexual acts with the child since 2021.<p></p>
Neither victim wished to testify against Thompson, who pleaded guilty in each case. He was sentenced to serve twenty years on each case with that time to run concurrently. All time will be served day for day with no chance for early release or parole. Upon release, he will be required to register and report as a sex offender for the rest of his life.<p></p></div>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-18198075529137602902024-03-26T08:50:00.003-05:002024-03-26T09:27:39.151-05:00Destroyed<p> The container ship, Dali, destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last night. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFScgPHxkQDbCzORQZ7W10EewBFfIpH_u3X4sYYTRwBi3YQbPFBt72jxyo8Bths98ne1_YV4wDA7xKoFIpM1fDQWUhw8uM54Oet6sUhLWxTsBpWMX1kDgTwIiFM-Fyiu0CXffTnyl2I0k6D34sK3sx3VjpcZrb-rBGykAOiQwvNzvDBvDEqm0q3UpDH6w/s960/4YnKdYz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFScgPHxkQDbCzORQZ7W10EewBFfIpH_u3X4sYYTRwBi3YQbPFBt72jxyo8Bths98ne1_YV4wDA7xKoFIpM1fDQWUhw8uM54Oet6sUhLWxTsBpWMX1kDgTwIiFM-Fyiu0CXffTnyl2I0k6D34sK3sx3VjpcZrb-rBGykAOiQwvNzvDBvDEqm0q3UpDH6w/w400-h300/4YnKdYz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>It appears the ship lost power at least twice before is slammed into the structure. Two people have been rescued but there are believed to be between 7 and 20 people in the water. The Governor said at a press conference this morning, the crew had notified authorities of a power outage. A Mayday stopped more cars from coming onto the bridge. </p><p>The video has been edited and speeded up. </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><object id=""><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="500"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">A solid quick breakdown of the apparent multiple power failures on the 'Dali' ahead of impact with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD.<br /><br />I'm looking to credit whoever created this. (Dm) <a href="https://t.co/NV1zSQHYkU">pic.twitter.com/NV1zSQHYkU</a></p>— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) <a href="https://twitter.com/YWNReporter/status/1772546230310056446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></object></div><p></p>
Here is the longer, unedited video of the collision. <p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><object id=""><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="500"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> | Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse<br /><br />Reports of multiple people & cars in the water <a href="https://t.co/LbaUkOzyv5">pic.twitter.com/LbaUkOzyv5</a></p>— Breaking news 24/7 (@aliifil1) <a href="https://twitter.com/aliifil1/status/1772523806994595937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></object></div><p></p>
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NvW8lXqmaiad-GRn3WybLCyz7hAO9YhHtrXoF8pPH4QFpDTVm4_CCpBJARk88y0q_3fnLX35K0vNQw7Khsv_Kb2S_ImR1qg8Nh6U3tIC31_6_3r99GNkMOjTW_VyWaaRIT_iLSVhKiyYWtRR9Mz5gAJjLPbDu2SsKzmsduuiqN-f0qdobexw0Kt_XWA/s900/GJl3lXeWEAAwaGg.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="900" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NvW8lXqmaiad-GRn3WybLCyz7hAO9YhHtrXoF8pPH4QFpDTVm4_CCpBJARk88y0q_3fnLX35K0vNQw7Khsv_Kb2S_ImR1qg8Nh6U3tIC31_6_3r99GNkMOjTW_VyWaaRIT_iLSVhKiyYWtRR9Mz5gAJjLPbDu2SsKzmsduuiqN-f0qdobexw0Kt_XWA/w400-h308/GJl3lXeWEAAwaGg.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
Here is a current live stream of the aftermath. <p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/83a7h3kkgPg?si=jDirrwfVt5F7edr7" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><p></p><span><!--more--></span>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-90624692184752693142024-03-25T15:38:00.003-05:002024-03-25T15:38:15.812-05:00Road Rage in Madison <div><i>The Madison Police Department issued the following statement. </i><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><br /></div>On March 25, 2024, at 08:07 am, officers from the Madison Police Department responded to a call regarding a possible road rage incident in the City of Madison, MS. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a female driver had been exiting Interstate 55 southbound onto Hwy 463 when her vehicle was shot at by another motorist on the southbound exit ramp.<p></p>
Responding officers quickly gathered information about the incident, including descriptions of the vehicle and the suspect. Shortly afterward, an officer located a vehicle matching the description near Hwy 463 and Post Oak Road. Deemmareld Charlae Blackmore, a resident of Brandon, MS, was apprehended, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXYrj5LRGGG2oW6eWnQhrF9koHbIGnfKnmTqYGtKQG7gatNviVv-4yF65z9TTrw48R-ChqlR3PqvC9VCSjLUD0tV3AM5sisOehT5LFYpvMbv9xDR05zjMT4dklNa_5dNffUekLFIZa3gPBWnrIxm_0K4VkuBp3xYdBFCmb_3mDffCV0Eb5i9mHa73cmM/s560/Screenshot%202024-03-25%20at%203.37.37%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="560" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXYrj5LRGGG2oW6eWnQhrF9koHbIGnfKnmTqYGtKQG7gatNviVv-4yF65z9TTrw48R-ChqlR3PqvC9VCSjLUD0tV3AM5sisOehT5LFYpvMbv9xDR05zjMT4dklNa_5dNffUekLFIZa3gPBWnrIxm_0K4VkuBp3xYdBFCmb_3mDffCV0Eb5i9mHa73cmM/w400-h329/Screenshot%202024-03-25%20at%203.37.37%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><p></p>
Fortunately, the victim of the incident did not sustain any injuries, although her vehicle did suffer damage from the gunfire. The exact motive behind the incident is still under investigation. Deemmareld Blackmore has been charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in connection to the incident. Her case will be forwarded to District Attorney John "Bubba" Bramlett for prosecution following her Initial Appearance in The City of Madison Municipal Court.<p></p></div>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-67001042436120739712024-03-25T11:01:00.007-05:002024-03-25T14:09:13.239-05:00Madison County Scammed Out of $2.7 Million (Updated)<p>Madison County was scammed out of $2.7 million recently. Madison County Board of Supervisors President Gerald Steen announced the fraud after an emergency meeting of the Board was held in executive session this morning. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Mr. Steen said $2.7 was transferred to what was thought to be a current vendor. However, the funds went somewhere else. Madison County officials learned of the fraud on March 19 and immediately notified law enforcement, including state and federal authorities. Mr. Steen said "additional safety measures have been put in place." </p><p>Sheriff Randy Tucker said he is "confident the county can recover some of those funds." </p><p>No action was taken in executive session this morning. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.treasury.ms.gov/collegesavingsmississippi/Pages/Events.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="450" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD8ZIgEkE8RZ1UqE2wQwFzvkUtbdMkZBIRkMeSlLazcUGxnwLzSkT05j3kSdo05po3rWbCNeyGkfsfKBleeXBlttdYK1ao6rdephaEGw1AIN4nWqg0WFr35bTMUVqEc7K7ObrgHdPJxbNr7ZpLI2sgfeXlBcxXJSPNFFtbsH79eP6z3gETPYLzY6iy4Y/w400-h178/McRae-MPACT.png" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><b>Kingfish note:</b> Uh-huh. That was the press release, now for the story. </p><p> A person purporting to be Jay Hemphill of Hemphill Construction Company emailed the purchasing clerk for Madison County. The clerk forwarded the email to County Comptroller Na'Son White. The county has a contract with Hemphill Construction to build Reunion Parkway Phase III. However, Jay Hemphill has been deceased for over 30 years and no Hemphill has been at the company in over 40 years. <br /></p><p>The email stated what was owed and directed the county to send payments to a different bank account. The email contained multiple misspellings. The comptroller called to confirm and spoke to a man with a thick Middle-Eastern accent in Germany. (Yes, your reading comprehension is working just fine.). </p><p>"Jay" sent legitimate Hemphill invoices and used an email address that used a ".com" address instead of ".us." <br /></p><p>The county sent the following payments: </p><p>2-21-24: $128,990</p><p>3-13-24: $1,073,870</p><p>3-15-24: $1,538,383</p><p>Total: $2,741,244<br /></p><p>White tried to send another payment to "Jay" on March 11 but Renasant Bank returned the payment. She notified "Jay" of the return. "Jay" sent her new payment instructions. White graciously sent the March 15 payment ($1,583,383). </p><p>The scam was detected when Hemphill Construction called ton enquire about its payment. One can imagine what took place on the phone. The County Comptroller claims she paid Hemphill. Hemphill says no, you never paid us. The fraud was discovered but not before Madison County lost $2.7 million. <br /></p><p>The Attorney General, State Auditor, FBI, and Secret Service are assisting with the investigation. </p><p><b>The Board did not fire the comptroller nor the purchasing clerk today. <br /></b></p><p>Insurance will probably not cover the fraud. </p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com112tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-79514135347362517512024-03-25T09:23:00.003-05:002024-03-25T09:32:24.433-05:00Opening Soon<p> Gabriel Prado took that eyesore of a gas station on Briarwood Drive by the frontage road and is turning it into something a little bit more nice. Don Gabriel will open in the next few weeks. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2PND9ShvIRhWcaEEgstuI0nla-vrT5X3BttPxpgaexFRSfE4DqMuys1U6PTr7aOe3M2KjWPV_9-ZZhkmJz-yza0c7IblBRr5uPnLIgd-nXEUe8Iut90jLwMQm_8xALHzT2y81uzWQpxpVy8cnsjwFP-Lk0g0F7XEhU-r_oyYqqoSRrPgZN_Vngis8EQ/s4032/PXL_20240321_214005344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2PND9ShvIRhWcaEEgstuI0nla-vrT5X3BttPxpgaexFRSfE4DqMuys1U6PTr7aOe3M2KjWPV_9-ZZhkmJz-yza0c7IblBRr5uPnLIgd-nXEUe8Iut90jLwMQm_8xALHzT2y81uzWQpxpVy8cnsjwFP-Lk0g0F7XEhU-r_oyYqqoSRrPgZN_Vngis8EQ/w400-h225/PXL_20240321_214005344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnapeyRZLEfSanxaGEXPv6sUoeKImikEm8J-LG0EKchM1N47EFjL0cWzmHJ4tUeum0-oHX_XQBN_bvVSFtj9NXaPWOB7nuB_Hh43H9oTUXn9LwJS-IEB-GNRDtZdm9ah6rQdZAonFsVhMnN3HVGzY1aeYLFMM2oaqXKj5iLo5X2_g7MibVuGnPLJyuCo/s4032/PXL_20240321_213944289-EDIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnapeyRZLEfSanxaGEXPv6sUoeKImikEm8J-LG0EKchM1N47EFjL0cWzmHJ4tUeum0-oHX_XQBN_bvVSFtj9NXaPWOB7nuB_Hh43H9oTUXn9LwJS-IEB-GNRDtZdm9ah6rQdZAonFsVhMnN3HVGzY1aeYLFMM2oaqXKj5iLo5X2_g7MibVuGnPLJyuCo/w400-h225/PXL_20240321_213944289-EDIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjSCGDGP0uFYpvvW8E6HqlTH51ZniA7AyTBcWPl9CkhEXCDzbWICCo8EhYFso6r_Ugpin5PI3ontiD6MsjDpu7th22PMi_evXSEzqUpOEH_xHonHbW5a7eN1CHmB3UtXHA_oXe7Q9KijLLXY0-oLEdDFOYY6Wc0Pc4_ZOnO4TYxBIXGFgo9faqIDNJEo/s4032/PXL_20240321_213948713-EDIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjSCGDGP0uFYpvvW8E6HqlTH51ZniA7AyTBcWPl9CkhEXCDzbWICCo8EhYFso6r_Ugpin5PI3ontiD6MsjDpu7th22PMi_evXSEzqUpOEH_xHonHbW5a7eN1CHmB3UtXHA_oXe7Q9KijLLXY0-oLEdDFOYY6Wc0Pc4_ZOnO4TYxBIXGFgo9faqIDNJEo/w400-h225/PXL_20240321_213948713-EDIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-58140275973400400642024-03-25T08:35:00.001-05:002024-03-25T08:35:36.245-05:00Mardis Finally Goes to Prison<p> MDOC finally picked up its boy out of the Rankin County jail. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XuSCQnIEHXDyLwiIVQ7_fLzjlDABlEEhXy04odpkUed71P2SORNcBNlvvcs65lw7lJW87AdAQFM0xdfYX1nXAciTtXsfgAOUYDVnVitNZfxXtD5B5OibWpHwYElVRbCALRhBvqDf11i_wcR7pkNq0yFh0Rt0-Wbw0ur2bB2gRLoXQrv4NBvfMSGWRlA/s2216/Screenshot%202024-03-25%20at%208.31.56%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="2216" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XuSCQnIEHXDyLwiIVQ7_fLzjlDABlEEhXy04odpkUed71P2SORNcBNlvvcs65lw7lJW87AdAQFM0xdfYX1nXAciTtXsfgAOUYDVnVitNZfxXtD5B5OibWpHwYElVRbCALRhBvqDf11i_wcR7pkNq0yFh0Rt0-Wbw0ur2bB2gRLoXQrv4NBvfMSGWRlA/w400-h226/Screenshot%202024-03-25%20at%208.31.56%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-62017250738216023252024-03-24T11:24:00.003-05:002024-03-24T11:24:32.496-05:00Walking Instead of Running <p>"Life is won or lost at a walk," said the late Dr. Frank Pollard. However, walking is boring. Walking takes time. However, walking builds foundations. Walking is what makes the heavenly moments possible. Dr. Pollard said this and more as he preached from Isaiah 40:28-31 (posted below) in the 1996 sermon posted below. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nr324EsozaE?si=kC53bsPS7w5pynMt" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><p></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Scripture: <i>Isaiah</i> 40:28-31 </b></div><div><br /></div><div> <b>(NIV</b>) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?<p></p>
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.<p></p>
He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom.<p></p>
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.<p></p>
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;<p></p>
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.<p></p>
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,<p></p>
they will walk and not be faint.<p></p><b>
(KJV)</b> 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.<p></p>
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.<p></p>
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:<p></p>
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.<p></p>
(<b>1599 Geneva</b>) 28 Knowest thou not? or hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord hath created the [aa]ends of the earth? he neither fainteth, nor is weary: there is no searching of his [ab]understanding.<p></p>
29 But he giveth strength unto him that fainteth, and unto him that hath no strength, he increaseth power.<p></p>
30 [ac]Even the young men shall faint, and be weary, and the young men shall stumble and fall.<p></p>
31 But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength: they shall lift up the wings, as the eagles: they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.<p></p>
</div>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-32942125173247556882024-03-24T10:29:00.007-05:002024-03-24T10:29:53.746-05:00Bill Crawford: Pray for Legislative Works not to be IndifferentDuring the season of Easter, Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What better time to reflect upon His key teachings – love God and love each other. Jesus told us that includes enemies, strangers, children, the sick, the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p>
Overlapping the Easter season is our annual season of law making – the Mississippi Legislature is in session. What better time to reflect upon the tenor of laws being made – or not made – in comparison with Jesus’ key teachings.<p></p>
Oh, but lawmaking is government work and religion must be kept separate from government. <p></p>
Horse feathers.<p></p>
Jesus’ teachings beget the values that reside in the hearts and minds of men and women of good will. These values cannot and should not be walled off from their decisions, whether in government, business, or civic works.<p></p>
“Values are more than potential materials for the legislative law-maker,” wrote Oliver Wendel Holmes, Jr. in his 1881 book The Common Law. “They serve as critique of proposed measures of lawmaking.”<p></p>
Holmes, called "the greatest of our age in the domain of jurisprudence” when he died in 1932, hit the nail on the head. In critiquing the lawmaking of our legislators do we observe therein values commensurate with Jesus’ teachings?<p></p>
Yes and no.<p></p>
Regretfully, signs of the seven deadly sins can be found. But most disheartening is the form of sloth we know as indifference, especially toward those Jesus particularly called on His followers to help. <p></p>
It is not that our legislators choose not to answer every call for assistance. It is that many act indifferent, at times antagonistic, to both the needs and those in need. And where they could prudently offer assistance, they too often turn away.Fortunately, there are those in the Legislature who are striving to overcome that indifference. Yes, conscientious conservatives are among them.<p></p>
This Easter season, let us find a few moments to pray for our legislators, that their works shall be for the glory of the resurrected Christ and not indifferent to those in need.<p></p>
<i>“He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’” – Luke 14:12-14. <p></p>
Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.<p></p></i>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-13819480098351420192024-03-23T16:32:00.002-05:002024-03-23T16:32:31.263-05:00Goon Squad Lagniappe<p> Many readers are keeping up with <i>JJ</i>'s Goon Squad coverage. Posted below is the Justice Department's sentencing memorandum for Christian Dedmon. It was not yet public when he was sentenced Wednesday. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_7378" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/716455789/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-w2Z9oQtp6x0NT59UhGG8" title="Dedmon Sentencing Memo" width="100%"></iframe>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-89677062184395561762024-03-23T14:15:00.000-05:002024-03-23T14:15:00.590-05:00Tune in Tomorrow or Next Month or Next Year<p> The Ballad of Rudy Warnock continues in federal court. Former Canton Municipal Utilities engineer Rudy Warnock asked U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to postpone his April 1 bribery trial. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Warnock's attorney, John Colette, stated in the unopposed motion to continue that he needed more time to prepare for trial. </p><p>A federal grand jury indicted the former Canton Municipal Utilities Engineer Rudy Warnock for conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI9L0_rKDbq2J0NDEPR71jTVvz11v004Z3j0_BC3MJkTtU2R55n3Gmq5bOIe5Few4lOORSY2lcaSBwuHzp6yD2bs6rAcQSVT1uktfYpSyzKDcHNYudlB8mNBSWRc4blTVmE41Xore3qfw2Qhc-Jp4AgUrulRPXII1m7x9pvimqpOzWqNn3UiWbucrwrQ/s425/Briarwood_neon_addy%20BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="425" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI9L0_rKDbq2J0NDEPR71jTVvz11v004Z3j0_BC3MJkTtU2R55n3Gmq5bOIe5Few4lOORSY2lcaSBwuHzp6yD2bs6rAcQSVT1uktfYpSyzKDcHNYudlB8mNBSWRc4blTVmE41Xore3qfw2Qhc-Jp4AgUrulRPXII1m7x9pvimqpOzWqNn3UiWbucrwrQ/w400-h136/Briarwood_neon_addy%20BANNER.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Synopsis of Case </b><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A federal grand jury indicted former Canton Municipal Utilities engineer Rudy Warnock for conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud and Cleveland Anderson for two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery in December 2021. The indictments were unsealed nearly a year later on November 22, 2022. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The grand jury also indicted former Canton Alderman Andrew Grant and Canton Alderman Eric Gilkey for Conspiracy to commit bribery (2 counts), conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud in December 2021. The two defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. </span></span></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The indictment alleges the defendants bilked CMU from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017. Commissioner Anderson moved to hire Warnock as CMU's civil engineer on August 16, 2016. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The indictment charges Warnock made regular payments to Anderson, Gilkey, and Grant in exchange for contracts and "favorable treatment" at CMU. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the Warnock gifts included tickets to luxury suites at New Orleans Saints games and concerts in the Crescent City. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The indictment charges Warnock deposited a check "in the amount of $9,200, made payable to J.M. through the automated clearinghouse system of the Federal Reserve Bank System. Part of the proceeds of this transaction were given to defendants Grant and Gilkey in the form of $4,000 cash each. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The maximum penalty for the conspiracy to commit bribery is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalties for the wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges are 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anderson pulled a little bit of bait and switch with Judge Wingate. The defendant submitted a petition to plead guilty in February. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate held a hearing on September 26 to accept the plea but that is where things got squirrely for Anderson. <br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Judge Wingate denied the petition as he decreed: </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"></p><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(219, 61, 64); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; caret-color: rgb(32, 32, 32); color: #202020; font-style: italic; margin: 0px 25px 15px; padding: 0px 25px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On September 13, 2023, defendant CLEVELAND ANDERSON appeared before the Court with the stated purpose of changing his prior plea of “not guilty” to a plea of “guilty.” The Court questioned Defendant Anderson concerning the essential elements of the offense charged in Count 1 of the indictment, and Defendant Anderson denied that he acted corruptly or had corrupt intent as required by the elements of the charge in Count 1 of the indictment. Consequently, the Court did not accept Defendant Anderson’s plea of guilty, and set this case for trial on December 4, 2023 along with co-Defendant Rudolph M. Warnock, Jr.</span></blockquote><p>Anderson's trial has been continued. </p>Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-82579021992974054162024-03-23T14:10:00.000-05:002024-03-23T14:29:16.875-05:00D.L. Gardner: Who is in Charge or Accountable? Americans have almost always defied definitions. From the beginning, others have struggled to separate patriots from loyalists. Today even MAGA means something sinister to those who used to wear “Make America Great Again” campaign buttons for Bill Clinton for president.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p>
During the past few presidential election cycles I’ve heard more than the usual number of ad hominem attacks against large swarms of voters. In 2016 Hillary Clinton famously branded “half” of Trump’s supporters as belonging in a “basket of deplorables” she characterized as “racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic….” Name-calling is not a one-sided thing particularly in politics. Donald Trump held his own against “Crooked” Hillary in that race.<p></p>
When Hillary Clinton lost her race for president in November 2016, she also lost her cool and protested loud and long that Trump had stolen the race from her! Sound familiar?<p></p>
Name-calling or ad hominem attacks rarely define sides of any issue. Look at attacks President Biden leveled at MAGA Republicans September 1, 2022.<p></p>
Surrounded by demonic red lighting at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Biden unleashed his salvos as truth. “And here, in my view, is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution. They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people. <p></p>
“They refuse to accept the results of a free election. And they’re working right now, as I speak, in state after state to give power to decide elections in America to partisans and cronies, empowering election deniers to undermine democracy itself.<p></p>
“MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards — backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.<p></p>
“They promote authoritarian leaders, and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country.”<p></p>
These are not only President Biden’s views of his political opponents, but the views of those who are stubbornly entrenched on the left with him. They all agree with Biden that MAGA Republicans have abandoned spirited political debate for physical violence. Biden continued, “On top of that, there are public figures — today, yesterday, and the day before — predicting and all but calling for mass violence and rioting in the streets. This is inflammatory. It’s dangerous. It’s against the rule of law.”<p></p>
Sometimes angry speeches like this from President Biden make me long for the good old days in the summer of 2020 when leftist activists like BLM and Antifa organized “mostly peaceful” protests across American cities. Authorities estimate $1-2 billion in damage and at least 25 Americans killed that summer.<p></p>
Four years later as we enter the summer of the 2024 election, hopefully President Biden and his administration have been planning how to curb political violence and mayhem in the streets of our cities. On top of all the political violence Biden has noted the past couple of years, we’ve also seen plain old civil violence sparked by “illegal aliens,” “undocumented immigrants,” or “newcomers” as the White House likes to call those crossing our southern border by the millions. Who is in charge of or accountable for political violence?<p></p>
<i>Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.</i><p></p>
Kingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.com21