Home Base: Democracy dies
Two of my teachers growing up had an outsized impact on my life. They helped build the foundation for my becoming a journalist.
Sid Salter: Legislature offers different fuel tax plans to maintain roads and bridges
Both the Mississippi State Senate and the Miss. House of Representatives have passed measures designed to increase funds to maintain the state’s roads and bridges. The plans differ in that under the Senate proposal, an additional 3 cents per year for 3 years (9 cents total by 2027) indexed for inflation. Senate leader estimated the increase would generate about $212 million a year for MDOT.
Possumhaw: The Cat’s Meow
Middle of last week I stayed mostly inside, as did Wilhelmina. The rain was torrential, and the ground was full of slippery mud and very large puddles.
Local Voices: Action needed to fight for MSMS
I would like to commend the Dispatch’s “Our View” opinion article in Tuesday’s edition and agree wholeheartedly with everything therein. I especially appreciate the maroon ink quip. Brilliant! I would like to let your readers know how I see a few things from the trenches regarding this issue.
Thom Caraccio: A night at Neal’s
More tales from the rock and roll road.
Ask Rufus: Snowdrops, the heralds of spring
There are several subjects that I am interested in and really enjoy researching.
Sid Salter: Making insurance commissioner’s post appointive is overdue
Kudos to Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney for advocating for the elimination of his elective office by changing it to an appointive one in the interest of “taking the politics out” of the regulation of the insurance industry in the state.
Possumhaw: A man’s gotta fish
It looked like it was going to be a good day for fishing. The temperature felt comfortable; water levels were right where he wanted it. The ramp was clear. Sam and his buddy headed to Grenada Lake early in the morning between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Slimantics: Mississippi Republicans strike a blow for Uniformity, Partiality and Exclusion
On Wednesday, the Republican-dominated Mississippi House of Representatives voted strictly along party lines on legislation that will end all Diversity, Equality, Inclusion programs in our schools and prohibit the use of diversity statements in hiring, training or other materials.
Thom Caraccio: Mississippi, the beating heart of music
How can I say that? Because the only music I really care about is blues, rock and roll and old country. They are pretty much offshoots of each other and the only true American music.
Ask Rufus: Finding African American roots
I am sometimes asked, “What resources are available for local African American genealogy and history?” People are surprised when I answer, “More than you would think.”
Slimantics: What the heck, Hob?
For what it’s worth — and my endorsement may be perceived as more curse than blessing — Hob Bryan is, by far, the person in the Mississippi legislature I respect most. Now in his 41st year in the Senate, the Amory native is the one Democrat that commands the attention of the Republican-dominated legislature.
Jiben Roy: Accidents, death and after-death
The pilot delivered a calming announcement the day after the unthinkable DC collision between a passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter.
Sid Salter: How do President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China impact Mississippi?
In a move his administration says is aimed at impeding the flow of illegal immigration and fentanyl, President Donald Trump on Feb. 1 announced the imposition of tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico – some of the nation’s top trading partners.
Possumhaw: All about water
After months of dry weather, the Prairie ground was showing drought.
Bobby Harrison: Coincidence or cause? National public school test scores decline as private school choice options expand
The national decline in test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation’s report card, coincides with more states expanding their “school choice” options.
Ask Rufus: 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar
This week several people have brought up pirate movies or the buried treasure associated with pirates. In all the pirate movies, the pirates seek silver coins called “pieces of eight.” A piece of eight was an actual Spanish silver coin.
Slimantics: How dumb were my parents?
For a long, long time, I thought of my parents as hard-working, honest, thoughtful, kind people who cared not just about the welfare of their family, but for other families, too. Consistent with both their faith and character, they loved their neighbor and were their brother’s keeper.
Jiben Roy: Analysis of media reports
In the first days of the Trump presidency, he made a record number of executive orders that created a tsunami around the world. One of the orders is of suspension of new funding aid excepting Israel and Egypt.
Sid Salter: Pete Johnson’s political family tree filled with twisting branches of Mississippi’s history
The death last week of Patrick Hayes “Pete” Johnson of Clarksdale at age 76 brings to mind a very capable, affable and decent man whose life story chronicled an almost gothic illustration of how much Mississippi politics has changed over the last century – and then again, how much it really hasn’t changed.
Deputies searching for two suspects in Sunday double homicide
June 29, 2025
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