Slimantics: Familiarity breeds Christmas movie contempt
Cable and streaming services have pretty much ruined Christmas movies.
Raymond Barranco: Leveling the playing field and returning influence to voters
In earlier columns, I discussed ways to make voting more convenient and how to prevent politicians from becoming complacent. Next, I want to address another crucial issue: reducing money’s influence on politics.
Possumhaw: Me & Jimmy
I have a nice collection of Christmas stories. I thought I’d share a few over the next two Tuesdays before Christmas Eve arrives.
Thom Caraccio: Make more Mississippi movies?
In the heyday of the 80s and 90s when I was doing most of my film related work, Los Angeles, New York and South Florida were where most of the movies and TV shows were being filmed.
Ask Rufus: 117 Years of Letters to Santa
It’s once again time for children to write letters to Santa Claus.
Raymond Barranco: Improving the candidates
In my previous column, I outlined how making voting more convenient would address one of the main barriers to participation.
Slimantics: Beware the tiger
I think American racism is a lot like having a tiger as a pet.
Bobby Harrison: Vouchers to Mississippi schools teaching Christian values are OK, but what if other values are taught?
Mississippi private school officials have said they would welcome receiving public funds from state taxpayers to help educate their students, but not if it means governmental oversight of their faith-based curriculum and their admissions requirements.
Possumhaw: Caught in the middle again
It’s exactly one week since Thanksgiving as I write this column.
Ask Rufus: Searching for Thomas Thomas
One of, if not the biggest, mysteries surrounding the founding of Columbus is who was Thomas Thomas.
Thom Caraccio: In the keys with The Treez and Jimmy
I’ve witnessed those one night stands, must have played in a thousand bands… – Jackson Browne
Raymond Barranco: Improving voting
Today, it seems there’s very little on which people agree. Pessimism over political polarization has left many Americans believing there’s not much that can be done to bring the country back together. In short, our political system is broken. That’s the bad news. The good news is that, regardless of political beliefs, nearly everyone agrees on this point.
Possumhaw: No place like home
Last week we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a quiet time between Sam and I until his sister and her husband arrived.
Slimantics: AI makes seniors more vulnerable
When I was a teen, I was able to land a temporary summer job helping conduct a community survey about where to locate a new city park. Mixed with the relevant responses I was able to collect were some homeowners slamming the door in my face or using my visit to complain about things that had nothing to do with the survey.
Thom Caraccio: Culture war on Highway 82
It’s 1969. And things are getting out of hand.
Ask Rufus: Columbus 1852
I was recently given an 1852 Mississippi Almanac which I will be placing in the Billups Garth Archives at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.
Possumhaw: Black Bellied Whistling Duck and its bride
Six years ago, a Black Bellied Whistling Duck landed in the big lake. The bird is an amazing creature.
Raymond Barranco: Brain drain
I hope readers have been following my series of op-eds on the challenges facing higher education in Mississippi. This is the final installment. For those who haven’t read the earlier arguments, let me briefly summarize.
Ask Rufus: The origins of Thanksgiving
I have recently had several people mention the Pilgrims and the origin of the American celebration of Thanksgiving.
Raymond Barranco: Funding and tuition
As I argued in my last op-ed, colleges and universities have a moral and ethical obligation to provide students with a complete education. That is, after all, what students are paying for.
Four local soccer teams place at state and regional tournaments
June 25, 2025
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