Articles by Slim Smith
Slimantics: State grocery sales tax reduction plan robs Peter to pay Paul
After several years of discussions, the Mississippi legislature will address the subject of sales tax on groceries this session.
Slimantics: Municipal election candidates: Don’t describe the water
Today marks the start of the qualifying period for those who intend to run for municipal office in the Golden Triangle. Although some people have announced their intentions to run for office, it won’t be official until they have completed the qualifying process.
In Memoriam
In 2024, we said goodbye to those whose lives were distinguished by service to their communities.
Slimantics: For MSMS, there’s no place like home
In 1973, my folks had a decision to make: renovate the little home they had lived in since moving to Tupelo in 1950 or purchasing a new, larger home that had been built a few miles outside the city limits.
Retiring ‘Voice of the Diamond Dogs’ reflects on long career at the mic
On Feb. 27, 1979, Jim Ellis made his first radio broadcast of a Mississippi State baseball game, a play-by-play account of the Bulldogs’ season-opening 5-0 win over Mississippi College.
Slimantics: Dispatches from the War on Christmas
This year’s War on Christmas continues and the outcome is still very much in doubt as the final skirmishes unfold over the next week.
Slimantics: CEO’s murder sparks a harsh spotlight on America’s healthcare crisis
The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last week unleashed an unexpected reaction: There were many who expressed no sympathy for the 50-year-old father of two while hailing the accused shooter, identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, as a hero striking a blow against a system that piles up enormous profits at the expense of those who are desperately ill.
Slimantics: First Thanksgiving: Three days of peace, love and buckles
For most of my life, all I knew of the First Thanksgiving story was that the Pilgrims invited over members of the Wampanoag tribe out of gratitude for helping them survive and produce a successful harvest.
Slimantics: Thanksgiving is getting out of hand
I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion but it’s time we recognize that this whole Thanksgiving business has gotten out of hand.
Community Profile: Rockin’ Records owner opens shop due to son’s interest in vinyl
In some respects, Larry Pierson would be an unlikely record store owner.
Slimantics: I’m voting for Tess
For a lot of people, the choice in Tuesday’s presidential election is more philosophical and ideological than practical, meaning that many of the issues they vote on don’t personally affect them.
Slimantics: Do your own research on doing your own research
Years from now, when history has broadened our perspective on the COVID-19 epidemic, one of the greatest residuals of the event will be a broad rejection of science and expertise through platforms that promote and encourage conspiracies to refute unpleasant truths.
Slimantics: Fitch’s dangerous lie is an echo from history
As far as I can tell, there’s not much to be known about Deotis McMather, even though his photo is one of the iconic images of the AIDS epidemic. I looked around the internet and could not find any other information on him.
Community Profile: Nurse volunteers with equine therapy program
For the past 10 years, Kim Estes has been a volunteer for the equine therapy program at Mississippi State, helping children with a variety of disabilities master skills, gain confidence and learn social skills through riding.
Slimantics: Wicker, Hyde Smith should know better than to short-change FEMA
If there is one thing all Mississippians should be in agreement about, it’s the need to set aside appropriate funds to respond to catastrophic natural disasters. From floods along the Mississippi Delta to hurricanes on the Mississippi Coast and tornadoes in every corner of our state, Mississippians know better than most just how essential these funds are to saving lives and helping residents and communities recover.
Slimantics: Saying goodbye to family history
It’s not often that technology takes us backward, makes things more difficult or less accessible.
Slimantics: Data isn’t needed to prove Mississippi is the most corrupt state in the nation
Each year, there are several studies designed to identify the level of corruption in each state. Generally, Mississippi ranks among what is determined as most corrupt. But some things are hard to reduce to data points and sometimes the statistics don’t paint an accurate picture.
Slimantics: The not-so-good old days are here again
When I was kid, I dreaded returning to school after the Thanksgiving break.
Slimantics: Young people today: The Duck Lips of the Apocalypse
There are, generally, three groups of people who are more interested in the past than they are the future: Historians, memoirists and bores.
In memoriam: Starkville’s everywhere man ‘lived large, laughed large and loved large’
Some people pass away in their sleep or quietly slip away in a nursing home or hospital room.
That would never have been Chris Taylor’s style, though.
Holiday Handcrafts Bazaar accepting vendor applications
July 12, 2025
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