MISSISSIPPI COP KILLER HAD MDOC WARRANT FILED 20 MONTHS LATE, THE COPS BLOOD IS ON THEIR HANDS
PIKE COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - The suspect who shot and killed a Summit Police officer Thursday had a warrant filed weeks earlier, ordering law enforcement to arrest him for violating conditions of a 2020 prison release, according to records obtained exclusively by 3 On Your Side.
Our investigation reveals that Usher Leonard, 25, had violated his post-release supervision requirements by failing to check in with the Mississippi Department of Corrections for more than a year.
It’s unclear whether Leonard’s apparent violation of the law might have played a role in what took place Wednesday when state investigators say he shot and killed Summit Police Officer Troy Floyd.
However, WLBT found the affidavit supporting a warrant for Leonard’s arrest came nearly 20 months before the court apparently approved it, on October 10, 2022.
The court did not provide any documentation for the delay in its official filings or docket.
Leonard’s post-release conditions stemmed from a 2018 conviction on 11 burglary counts and eight counts of conspiracy to commit burglary in Pike County.
He served two years of a six-year sentence, with MDOC releasing him through earned release supervision.
Seven months later, authorities found Leonard had violated his post-release conditions by failing to pay court fines or complete his restitution.
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FAFO FRIDAY - THE CLAY EDWARDS SHOW (Ep #810)
1- We pay our respects to the fallen Mississippi police officer who was killed in the line of duty yesterday by another Democrat thug down in Summit, Mississippi. This leads to talking about a facebook post the killer made after killing the officer and before the police killed him, which leads to me explaining I 100% think he deserves to die and I hope he burns in hell!! Then we read some of my instagram comments about it exposing Jackson thugs being more concerned with the dead murderer than the innocent cops who were killed and shot!!
2- Jackson thugs are damned and determined to turn Jackson into a playable character in the next Grand Theft Auto video game series (GTA JXN), they turned North Jackson into a shooting gallery yesterday at 5pm in the middle of 5pm traffic rush as they shot up a Dodge Challenger (killing the driver) but not before he ramped his car over concrete barricade and onto interstate 55!
3- A Jackson area attorney Daniel Dale was arrested bringing contraband into the Hinds County Detention center in Raymond yesterday, the led to one of the best or worst mugshots in the history of mugshots being taken and going nuclear viral!!
4- Hinds County D.A. Jody Owens claims that he has been paying out of pocket to have grand jury's meet at the Westin hotel in downtown Jackson because the Hinds County courthouse is in complete disrepair
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BLACK MAN LIES ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION DURING RANKIN COUNTY MISSISSIPPI TRAFFIC STOP
This is a press release from the Rankin County Sheriff's Department about the traffic stop and the aftermath that see's local tv station WAPT allow the accuser to knowing lie about what happened during the traffic stop.
The article published by WAPT / The Hearst Corporation on August 7, 2024, about Cpl. Tony Shack and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) contains false allegations that were known to be false at the time of publishing. Cpl. Shack’s body worn camera (BWC) video of the entire traffic stop involving Chestley Talley was produced prior to this article being published and conclusively shows that Mr. Talley’s “allegations of attempted assault” and “civil rights violations” are false. Yet the article was published with full knowledge of the truth.
The BWC camera video shows a well-trained deputy conducting a proper traffic stop. Mr. Talley was not touched during the stop, he was not searched, his rental vehicle was not searched despite him possessing an expired rental agreement, the K9 (VooDoo) was not removed from the patrol vehicle, and the entire interaction would have lasted less than ten minutes had Mr. Talley not demanded to speak with a supervisor. Instead of complimenting Cpl. Shack for remaining calm and tactfully handling the situation, the article implies that he somehow acted improperly.
RCSD personnel suffer daily with the stigma of what occurred in January of 2023. But the men, women, and K9s currently with this department have never been associated with the “Goon Squad.” Cpl. Shack and VooDoo are dedicated to serving Rankin County citizens and visitors. And while this Department is committed to holding deputies accountable if they are in the wrong, it will also defend them against false allegations.”
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MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY ARRESTED FOR SNEAKING CONTRABAND INTO HINDS COUNTY JAIL (WORST MUGSHOT EVER)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A Jackson area attorney has been charged with bringing contraband into the Hinds County Detention Center.
Sheriff Tyree Jones said attorney Daniel Dale was detained, questioned, and arrested Thursday at the Raymond facility after he was found with a briefcase filled with cell phones, tobacco, a substance believed to be marijuana, and other banned items.
“No matter who you are or what position you hold, if you attempt to introduce contraband into one of our facilities, you will be arrested, you will be charged, and you will be held accountable,” Jones said.
Dale is being charged with two counts of conspiracy and three counts of introducing contraband into the facility.
Jones says the investigation continues and that more charges and arrests could be made.
The sheriff says the investigation was launched on August 5, after surveillance showed Dale giving a cell phone and brown envelope to a detainee.
He said a search was conducted, and a cell phone and other contraband items were found on that individual.
“We believe that the cell phone and possibly the contraband recovered may be linked to the visitation that occurred,” he said.
Jones told reporters Dale returned to the detention center on Thursday where he again needed to see a client, carrying a silver briefcase.
“During his entrance, one of our machines detected what appeared to be contraband inside the briefcase,” he said. “Video footage later showed attorney Dale attempting to make an exchange for the items in the briefcase with another detainee during the visitation.”
“Of course, the briefcase was subject to be searched due to it being on the property of a correctional facility, and during the search... we were able to recover cell phones... suspected marijuana, tobacco, along with cell phone chargers, a scale, and other electronic equipment,” the sheriff said.
Jones says Dale visited Raymond at least 10 times since June, and deputies are looking into those visitations as well.
The sheriff was unsure if Jones represented the detainees he interacted with. He said that as an attorney, Dale had a “trusted position” and had access to detainees being held there.
“This just goes to show the challenges we face in detention services with contraband,” he said. “But it also shows an impact that we were able to catch this individual and make an arrest.”
Jones says he has consulted with the Hinds County District Attorney, and is looking forward to taking a case to a grand jury.
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JACKSON, MS THUGS ARE TURNING CITY INTO SCENE FROM GTA-5 VIDEO GAME..... AGAIN!! (08/09/24)
The thugs that run the streets in the city of Jackson, Mississippi are determined to make the city a playable character in the GTA-5 video game with their constant gang land shenanigans. Check out these 2 terrible wrecks that involved shooting and police chases today alone
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MASS SHOOTING LEAVES 3 DEAD, 16 INJURED AND A MISSISSIPPI TOWN UNDER CURFEW
The Board of Alderman for the City of Indianolahas approved a midnight curfew for Indianola residents.
The Mayor and Board of Alderman announced the decision Friday after ashooting at a nightclubkilled three people and injured over a dozen more last weekend.
The emergency proclamation said that the decision was made to “provide protection of life due to recent events of gun violence within the city limits resulting in multiple deaths and injuries to local residents and visitors.”
Once midnight strikes, residents have to stay in their homes with the exception of people traveling to and from work or attending to medical or other emergencies.
The Indianola Police Department has been “authorized and empowered” to enforce such rule of law to immediately disburse “such gatherings found to be in violation” and to “close any establishment in violation of this order.”
In addition to the curfew, they also announced a limit to the number of people who can gather at one specific location.
"In response to the recent occurences of gun violence, effective immediately, no gatherings of more than 75 people may occur within the boundaries of the City of Indianola, indoors and outdoors, including but not limited to dance halls/clubs, bars, taverns, or restaurant dining areas, with the exception of funerals, school related events or activities, any event with with prior approval by the board, and business establishments will reduce the limits of occupancy by 80% and post said reduced occupancy in a conspicuous location for public viewing.”
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JACKSON RESIDENTS WOULD RATHER SHUT GAS STATIONS DOWN THAN STOP KILLING EACH OTHER AT THEM (7/29/24)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Councilman Kenneth Stokes was joined by many in the community for a protest on Sunday against the Texaco gas station on Medgar Evers Boulevard after the recent homicides and crime in the area.
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3 DEAD BLACK MEN + 3 MORE SHOT & INJURED IN 2 JACKSON, MS GAS STATION SHOOTOUTS THIS WEEKEND
Over the weekend there were 2 gas station shooting, leaving 1 man dead at the Texaco on Medgar Evers BLVD then on Sunday at the Shell station (formerly JR. Food Mart) for all my old school south Jackson folks, a mass shooting took place that left 2 people dead and another 3 injured. That means 3 killed and 32 injured in just 2 shootings in 2 days. I believe that by the time the WLBT homicide tracker gets properly updated the number will be 73-74 homicides in 2024.
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JOE BIDENS "BIG BOY" PRESS CONFERENCE LIVESTREAM
Let's watch the Democrat party send Joe Biden on stage for what his team is calling his "Big Boy" press conference
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LIFELONG DEMOCRAT, LAWER & RADIO HOST SAYS "I'M VOTING FOR TRUMP" (07/11/24)
This morning on the Clay Edwards Show in Jackson, Mississippi on 103.9 FM WYAB my liberal co-host, lifelong Democrat, former Al Gore campaign staffer, former Hinds County Asst. D.A. for 10+we years, currently a criminal defense attorney Shaun Yurtkuran shocks the world & says he's voting for Trump as a screw you to the Democrat party!!
We jump into the whole Democrat donor class and media piling on Joe Biden to step aside while his camp are firmly stating that he is not stepping down. Shaun is very upset with the way the Democrats have handled this and finally say's publicly that for the first time in his life he's going to vote Republican (for Trump) as an F-YOU to the Democrat party for how they've screwed this whole thing up covering for then turning on Joe Biden when they knew they should have pulled the cord much sooner and allowed Democracy to run it's course and let the people pick who they wanted to run for president on the Democrat ticket.
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SUPREME COURT MAKES LIFE HARDER FORTHE HOMELESS, WILL JXN TOUGHEN UP ON THEM NOW?
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The ruling on the case Grants Pass Vs. Johnson is the biggest decision on homelessness America has seen at a national level in decades. It gives some power back to the cities to establish their own punishments for people sleeping and camping outside.
But will it fix the problem? One Jackson homelessness organization doesn’t think so.
“If a city decides to exercise its right to penalize somebody for their position in life. That’s a terrible place to be,” Andre Devine, Executive Director of Hearts for the Homeless, said.
Devine couldn’t believe the Supreme Court’s decision to allow cities to create their own punishments for those who sleep or camp in public places.
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MISSISSIPPI'S MOST DIVERSE METH BUST EVER?
Looks like Scott county just had on of the most diverse and equitable meth bust I've ever seen, shattering the narrative that meth is a white only drug.
SCOTT COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) - Six people have been arrested in connection with a drug bust in Scott County.
On Tuesday, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force and SWAT team, assisted by agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, executed a search warrant for a home in the 6000 block of Highway 35 North in Hillsboro.
During the search, a “significant amount” of methamphetamine was discovered in the home and in a camper behind the home.
Author Johnson, Reginald Williams, George Allen, Sherry Coonce, Kimberly Harris, and Sammy Anderson were all arrested.
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WAFFLE HOUSE IS GOING CARRY-OUT ONLY IN THIS MISSISSIPPI TOWN
Waffle house has decided to close inside dining and only offer carry-out service at all 4 of it's Vicksburg, Mississippi locations on Friday and Saturday nights starting this Friday, July 12th from 11pm - 6am. They will also beef up security at these locations due to an uptick in unruly customers
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Black mayor of Jackson, Mississippi refuses to apologize for racist comments (07/08/24)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba stands behind comments he made in a private phone call that a water takeover could make the city “no longer Black.”
“I am proud that I live in a majority Black city. And I don’t apologize for that,” he said. “Now does that mean that I have any ill intent or ill will or any designs against anybody else? Absolutely not.”
“But we’re like anybody else. There is some comfort in being able to be in a space that looks like you, that relates to you culturally.”
Lumumba was responding to a question about commentshe made during a private phone call with former Water Operations Manager Mary Carter.
The comments were played during Carter’s wrongful termination trial last month in U.S. District Court.
The mayor was recorded saying, “We absolutely believe that there is a coordinated effort to take this water treatment facility and that effort... it’s bigger than the little politics that we get into. If that happens, that is going to be the first step of trying to make the city no longer Black.”
Lumumba said that similar efforts had already impacted the city of Detroit, which he said, “[isn’t] as Black as... it used to be.”
He did not explain in the phone call how the takeover made Detroit less Black.
Jackson has one of the largest African American populations of any major city in the United States, with 82.2 percent of residents being Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By comparison, Detroit’s population is 77.8 percent African American.
The comments were made in July 2022, weeks before thecity’s main water treatment plant shut down, leaving tens of thousands of people without running water for weeks.
The comments also came months before thecity’s water system was put under the control of a federal receiver.
Others heard on the phone call include Dr. Safiya Omari, the mayor’s chief of staff, and Carter herself.
He said the attorneys likely released the conversation to sway the majority-white jury to find in favor of Carter. However, he said that strategy did not work.
Carter was fired as Jackson’s Deputy Director of Water Operations in 2022 amid the water crisis. She claimed she was terminated for speaking out in an interview with WLBT.
Attorneys for the city claimed that she was fired for being incompetent.
“I’m not going to be ashamed of any comments because I assume I’m being recorded at all times in life,” Lumumba said. “In every moment, not just because there are cameras. I always assume and have always assumed that I’m being recorded.”
Lumumba said Carter likely recorded the conversation because she knew she would be fired.
According to court documents, former Public Works Director Marlin King drew up two draft termination letters for Carter the summer before the water crisis. King was demoted at the start of the crisis and later resigned from the city.
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3 South Jackson Taliban members arrested after security guard shot and killed at Jackson gas station
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Three teenagers have been charged with capital murder after a security guard was shot and killed at a gas station in Jackson.
According to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. at the M&M Food Express located on Cooper Road.
Chief Wade said the victim, Roy Love, was providing security at the gas station when he approached three juveniles in the parking lot, asking them to leave.
The three teens, 17-year-old Tren Wooten, 17-year-old Zaylan Norton, and 16-year-old Cadarius Choan, allegedly attacked Love, took his weapon, and shot him.
Love died as a result of the attack.
Officers responded to Woody Drive and Monticello Drive area to search for the suspects. Shortly after, the three teens were located.
All three have been charged with capital murder.
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JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI'S DEADLIEST GAS STATIONS MUST HAVE 24 HR SECURITY NOW (07/06/24)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A new Jackson ordinance will require businesses to hire security if they have at least three violent crimes in a 90-day period. On Tuesday, the Jackson City Council approved an ordinance requiring businesses associated with violent crimes to hire security during hours of operation. The measure was approved after about 20 minutes of heated discussion, and after several council members and City Attorney Drew Martin raised concerns about whether the ordinance could be enforced. “I’ve advised the council on a couple of occasions now that while I think this is a well-intentioned ordinance, I do not believe that it is enforceable,” Martin said. “I don’t believe that the law would allow the city to require the businesses to hire personnel and also think the definition of a business associated with violence during hours of operation is going to be too ambiguous.” Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes disagreed, saying the council needed to send a message that the city is against crime. “If the legal department thinks they can’t defend that, then I understand that, but we’ll get somebody who can,” he said. “Don’t tell these citizens you’ve got to keep dying in this city, and ain’t nobody going to do nothing.” The measure was approved on a 5-1-1 vote, with Stokes and Councilmembers Ashby Foote, Angelique Lee, Aaron Banks, and Vernon Hartley voting in favor. Councilman Brian Grizzell voted against the ordinance, and Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay abstained. The vote came after the council amended the one-page ordinance to provide more specifics on what businesses would be impacted. Rather than businesses “associated with violence,” the council changed the ordinance to say any business that has had at least three violent crimes in 90 days. Banks initially recommended five crimes during that timeframe, but Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said that might be too many. “What I’m saying is five crimes within 90 days, that’s a lot. It’s a lot,” he said. “I’m saying three crimes, two to three crimes within 90 days [are] too many. Linsday suggested putting the item back in the Public Safety Committee, “because we do not have time to sit here and dissect this line by line today.” Banks said the item was held over from a previous meeting and there had already been a request for the City Attorney’s Office to bring forward any suggestions. “It’s rolled over to the time of the adoption, so, I’m trying to help get it to a place where it’s healthy enough to be passed [and] to have a good legal grounding,” he said. “I don’t want council members to feel like if something goes up for introduction... and I know you’re busy, I’m not trying to slight [you]... I’m just trying to get it to a place...” Martin said he’d be happy to sit down with Stokes to discuss the ordinance further, saying the first time he saw it was the first time it was on the agenda two weeks ago. “We’ve been doing that with Councilwoman Lee. We’ve done it with Councilman Hartley,” he said. “I think there’s a way to address the issue he’s trying to address and do it in a legal way that we can defend, and have confidence that our police can enforce it,” he said. Stokes also rejected holding off on the vote, saying putting it back into committee would be akin to killing it. “If legal wanted to do something with this ordinance to help stop these killings, they would have had a companion ordinance, which they do not have. That ain’t nothing but fluff that you tell the new and green people,” he said. “We can vote, Mr. President, I’m ready. If it dies, it dies. But we’ll keep fighting.” The ordinance will go into effect in 30 days, pending an appeal to the Hinds County Circuit Court.
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MISSISSIPPI NEWSPAPER, THE CLARION LEDGER TRIED TO KILL ARCHIE MANNING?
From Outkick
Oh, you thought Archie Manning was dead this morning? First off, he's not. Rest easy. He's alive, 75, and ready to thrive!
Second off … you're not alone! Half the internet woke up today thinking Archie Manning had officially checked out, and it's all because one publication in Mississippi tried to jam as many buzz words into their headline as humanely possible just to appease the Google Gods, and, in turn, nearly murdered a living legend.
Whew. What a sentence! Who says July is a dead time for sports?! No sir. Not when you have the Clarion-Ledger pumping out headlines like this:
Archie Manning is alive, don't worry
Hilarious. I mean, what are we doing here?
Actually, I know exactly what they're doing. Or, at least what they wanted to, because I do it, too. Any chance you have to work Manning, Arch Manning, Ole Miss, Peyton and Eli into a headline, you take it. Those are buzz words on the internet streets, and they get the algo working.
Now, should you do it at the expense of nearly murdering a 75-year-old? Eh. Your call, I guess. OutKick probably wouldn't – never say never! – but apparently the Clarion-Ledger (and Gannett) decided it was a risk worth taking.
Unfortunately, this little sleight of hand didn't get past the internet. At all!
It is wild that an editor actually let that headline go through, but, again, sometimes it's a slow time of year and you need the #clicks. This certainly got the #clicks.
Promoting it on OutKick and Fox News like I'm doing right now will help, too. You are welcome!
Anyway, breathe easy, folks. Arch Manning is alive and well, and turned 75 in May. Why the fine folks in Jackson decided to write about it in July, I have no clue. But, they did, and they're getting dragged through the mud for it.
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Two Mississippi women FAFO after stealing over $1,900 worth of items from Jackson Ms WalMart
BYRAM, Miss. (WLBT) - One woman is in custody, and another is wanted after stealing over $1,900 worth of items from the Byram Walmart.
A press release says that on July 1, the Walmart Asset Protection Team notified officers of someone leaving Walmart who had just shoplifted several items.
Officers found the suspect’s vehicle at a local fireworks stand. There, they made contact with Shaneqia Shuntel Harvey and recovered the stolen merchandise.
After further investigation, officers developed a second suspect, Deneshia Harvey, also known as “Lit Bit.”
Investigators determined she was an accomplice to the shoplifting.
According to the press release, “Lit Bit” fled once officers made contact with Shaneqia.
Authorities say the two are responsible for several other shoplifting cases throughout the area as well as a prior outstanding felony warrant with the Byram Police Department for felony shoplifting.
Shaneqia Harvey is charged with two counts of shoplifting and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
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FAFO RADIO - The Clay Edwards Show (Ep #787)
1- Matthew Bishop, host of the Full Story on WYAB 103.9, joins me to break down the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity, along with the left's total meltdown and the right's premature celebration.
2- Kingfish from Jackson Jambalaya joins the show to discuss the outright shenanigans involving the lease and lack of rent payments between the management team at Smith-Wills Stadium and the city of Jackson. Is it incompetence or corruption?
3- Stop calling what's happening to Joe Biden "elder abuse." There's zero abuse happening to that evil, old man. He wanted to be president, and that's exactly what he is. Nobody is making him remain the most powerful, pampered man on the planet.
4- I don't want to sound too negative because I think we're winning, but we still need to enjoy every last moment of what resembles what we consider "normal times" here in America. Enjoy this Independence Day with your friends and family, enjoy this upcoming football season, and don't let the left steal your joy as they drive our country off a cliff.
5-In the fallout from the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity, Joe Biden's paid campaign surrogates are out here calling for the assassination of Donald Trump and high-level MAGA operatives. Never underestimate the left's ability to be hateful, murderous monsters.
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LEGENDARY LAWMAN DEAN SCOTT RETURNS TO JACKSON, MS. W/ CAPITOL POLICE AS CCID EXPANDS (07/02/24)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - House Bill 1020, one of the more controversial bills passed during the 2023 Legislative session, is now in effect. “We’re all excited about working with more law enforcement because any time you see blue lights, you’re gonna not quite commit the crime,” said Wendell Watts. Previously, the Capitol Complex Improvement District spanned over 8.63 square miles. Now, that coverage area has doubled, giving Capitol Police primary jurisdiction in 15% of Jackson. “We’ve been building our police force, too,” said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “We were granted up to 150 officers a year ago, and we’ve reached that goal. We actually have a couple more than that. So we built that foresight, [and] we’ve been preparing, and we’re ready for the expansion.” So what happens if you call 911 in the new CCID? “911, right now, will go through all of us, Watts explained. “[It] will go through the Jackson Police Department. Now once AT&T is done with the 911 system for Capitol [Police], they will be routed to their dispatch system at that point.” When it comes to the new court system where judges and prosecutors are appointed rather than elected, construction on the new court house and holding facility is still in the works. “I think there were certain aspects of it that was struck down,” Tindell said. “But one of the things that did remain was having the CCID court, which is focused on misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and bond hearings. Every municipality across the state has one of those.” However, Chief Justice Mike Randolph has yet to appoint a CCID judge at this time, which means the Jackson Municipal Court judges will continue to handle Capitol Police cases. Despite the coordination overlap in dispatch, court hearings, and cases, DPS and JPD feel the transition will be smooth. “I haven’t seen that type of collaboration in a very long time,” Watts said. “I think we’re going do a lot for the city.” “This is by no means a takeover,” Tindell said. “This is a force multiplier, and law enforcement agencies working together to create a safer city.”
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HINDS COUNTY, Miss. — The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Capitol police to launch the "4th of July Holiday Blitz." The operation, which kicks off Wednesday, July 3, and goes through Sunday, July 7, is aimed at enhancing safety and promoting “responsible celebrations during the holiday weekend,” according to a news release from the sheriff. The operation will include saturation patrols across Hinds County to deter criminal activity and enforce traffic laws. Residents can also expect to see traffic safety checkpoints that will target impaired drivers and seat belt violations, among other safety concerns. “Let’s celebrate safely,” Sheriff Tyree Jones said. “Designate a sober driver, buckle up and enjoy the holiday responsibly.”
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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Pearl police chief who was the subject of a 3 On Your Side investigation into possible misuse of Rankin County tax dollars now has a high-ranking role at one state agency while he’s being investigated by another. The Department of Public Safety confirmed Dean Scott started working for Capitol Police on July 1. Spokesperson Bailey Martin said Scott was hired as a lieutenant and will be over communications and dispatch but did not disclose his salary. The average annual pay for a lieutenant with Capitol Police is approximately $70,000, according to records WLBT obtained from the Mississippi State Personnel Board. “With the growth of Capitol Police, the department is continuing to build its team and seeking experienced law enforcement officers to meet the demands of the expanding district,” Martin said in a statement to WLBT. “Dean Scott’s former experience in communications will be an asset as a Dispatch Supervisor.”
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FEDERAL JUDGE HALTS MISSISSIPPI'S SEXTORTION BILL FROM TAKING EFFECT (07/01/24)
From Magnolia Tribune- The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has granted an injunction in the case challenging the new law known as the “Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act.”
Mississippi lawmakers passed the legislation this year in unanimous bipartisan votes in both chambers. It requires social media platforms to make reasonable efforts to prevent or mitigate children’s exposure to potentially harmful content while using the platforms. Governor Tate Reeves (R) signed the bill in late April and it was set to take effect on Monday, July 1.
The case – NetChoice v. Fitch – stems from the trade association’s challenge to the new Mississippi law that claims the legislation violates citizens’ constitutionally protected rights, endangers their online privacy and security, and thwarts their rights to make decisions for their family as they deem appropriate.
The U.S. District Court granted the preliminary injunction as the case moves forward, stating that NetChoice’s challenge has “carried its burden of showing a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of it claim.”
“In sum, because the Court finds that Plaintiff NetChoice, LLC has carried its burden of showing a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of its claim that the Act is unconstitutional under a First Amendment facial challenge and, alternatively, a Fourteenth Amendment vagueness challenge, it will grant the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction without requiring security,” wrote Judge Halil Suleyman Ozerden.
Judge Ozerden went on to write that it is not lost on the Court the seriousness of the issue the legislature was attempting to address, “nor does the Court doubt the good intentions behind the enactment of H.B. 1126.”
“But as the Supreme Court has held, ‘[a] law that is content based on its face is subject to strict scrutiny regardless of the government’s benign motive,” Ozerden states. “That is a high bar, which at this preliminary stage of the proceedings, Plaintiff has shown the Act likely does not meet.”
As such, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and her office is preliminarily enjoined from enforcing the new law against NetChoice and its members, which include Amazon; Google, owner of YouTube; Snap Inc., the parent company of SnapChat; Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram; Netflix; X; and other prominent online platforms.
Chris Marchese, Director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, expressed his pleasure with the injunction, saying an “unconstitutional law will protect no one.”
“We’re pleased the court sided with the First Amendment and stopped Mississippi’s law from censoring online speech, limiting access to lawful information and undermining user privacy and security as our case proceeds,” said Marchese. “We look forward to seeing the law struck down permanently.”
Marchese said if the law was to take effect, it would mandate age and identity verification for digital services which undermines privacy and stifles the free exchange of ideas.
Attorney Fitch told Magnolia Tribune late Monday that her office will continue to fight for the commonsense law.
“We appreciate the court’s thoughtful and speedy review of this matter, but respectfully disagree that the Constitution blocks the State’s effort to protect children online,” Fitch said. “We will continue to fight for this commonsense law because our children’s mental health, physical security, and innocence should not take a back seat to Big Tech profits.”
As previously reported, the new law was authored by State Rep. Jill Ford in response to the tragic death of 16-year-old Walker Montgomery of Starkville after someone he met online asked for money. When Montgomery said no, the online predator threatened to release a sexually explicit video of him. After continued pressure by the predator, Montgomery took his own life in 2022. Following an investigation which included assistance from the FBI, it was revealed that the individuals preying on the teen were overseas. Other instances of predatory activity on minors in the area were also reported.
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SQUATTED TRUCK BAN GOES INTO EFFECT TODAY (JULY 1ST, 2024)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - If you have a “squatted vehicle,” it is now illegal to drive it on public roadways in Mississippi.
The law went into effect today.
On Wednesday, May 8, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety announced that Gov. Tate Reeves had signed H.B. 349, which makes it a misdemeanor to drive a “squatted vehicle.”
Squatted vehicles are those that have been modified to have their front fender four or more inches higher than the rear fender.
A first offense would net a person a $100 fine and a misdemeanor conviction; a second offense would come with a $200 fine; and a third or subsequent offense within five years would net a $300 fine and suspended license.
“The main goal of this new law is to keep everyone safe on the roads and encourage safe and smart driving habits,” the MDPS said in a social media post. “Modifying vehicles in ways that affect visibility isn’t just risky for the driver, but for everyone sharing the road.”
The bill was passed by the House on March 13 and approved by the Senate on March 10. The House concurred on changes made by the Senate in a vote on April 17.
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NEW MISSISSIPPI LAWS GOING INTO EFFECT TODAY (JULY 1ST, 2024)
Several new Mississippi laws are going into effect on July 1 of 2024.
These are laws that were passed during the 2024 regular legislative session.
Here are a few of the most notable ones:
1- Squatted trucks banned
2- New education funding formula
3- Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant mothers
4- Protecting women in vulnerable spaces (SAFER ACT)
5- Driver’s Ed for schools
6- Runoff elections moved back a week
7- Sign language now a foreign language option
8- Protecting minors from online predators (Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act)
9- PERS employer rate increase phase-in
10- Increased penalties for vehicle theft, shoplifting
11- CCID expansion in Jackson, Mississippi
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WILL JOE BIDEN STAY OR GO? RUSS LATINO & SHAUN YURTKURAN JOIN TO DISCUSS
I'm joined today by Russ Latino & Shaun Yurtkuran (political analyst with Magnolia Tribune in Mississippi) to discuss the potential fallout of Joe Biden either stepping down or staying in the presidential race. We hit this from a bunch of different angles, I think you will enjoy the discussion.
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