The Memo

M. Scott Morris (9:49) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to review “War for the Planet of the Apes.”

Scott said the third movie in the reboot trilogy of the sci-fi classic is both very intense and very funny. It also has sweet, tender moments that set you up for grief, but also bring you into the story. Overall the movie is a dark ride, but a worthwhile one, Scott said, with good acting and seamless special effects.

Also on today’s show, food editor Ginna Parsons (18:35) reviews this week’s food section. The Cook of the Week is New Albany High School student Mikael-Olivia Knowlton, who has learned to cook without wheat, soy and artificial ingredients. Instead, Knowlton uses things like honey, coconut oil and almond milk.

Ginna also shares a recipe for country-style fried corn. She said it was a cross between creamy and fried.

Derek (27:19) has the highlights of the weekend entertainment scene. Elvis Tribute Artist Travis LeDoyt has a fundraiser concert for the Tupelo Elvis Fan Club. Tupelo Community Theatre Off Broadway has a production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” Also, “The Lego Batman Movie” will be shown at Ballard Park, and the first Horror Con of Mississippi will be held at the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Sunday’s Dwight Yoakam concert marked the 853rd major event in the history of Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena.

Derek recently wrote a story looking back at the facility’s history, and he discusses it (5:08) with Brad on today’s episode.

The $16.5 million facility was built on the grounds of the former Tupelo Downtown Mall. City leaders bought the building and 27 acres of land for nearly $3 million in 1988 and formed a committee to study the feasibility of putting an entertainment complex in a town of then 30,000 people. The arena opened its doors on October 9, 1993, with Bill Cosby as its first performance.

Since then, it has played host to entertainment giants from Bob Dylan and Reba McEntire to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Aerosmith and The Eagles to Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson.

Derek looks at what has allowed a 10,000 seat building in a town of 35,000 people to draw such large acts, and he discusses the factors that determine which acts will be a good fit and which will not. Derek also talks about the renovations the facility will soon undergo to replace the seating in its lower bowl and keep it looking fresh.

Also on today’s episode, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (25:47) discusses a bill passed this year by the Mississippi Legislature that could open to door to legalized betting on sporting events at the state’s casinos.

The bill was intended to legalize and regulate fantasy sports in the state. But many experts contend it also will allow for sports betting, if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a current federal law the prevents most states from allowing sports betting. The high court is expected to rule on that case next spring, although the Mississippi Legislature can opt to revisit its new law before then.

Ginna Parsons (31:51) discusses Joyner Market, a vegetable cart set up by Joyner resident Jerry Thompson to share his produce with his neighbors. The cart uses an honor box, and people are expected to take what they need and leave what they can. Thompson sells tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, flowers and more. Proceeds benefit a church program that provides food for needy children in Tupelo Schools to eat on the weekends.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Local Boy Scout Lincoln Jones discovered that when he and his fellow scouts from Troop 12 in Tupelo would go camping, they were eating a lot of the same meals. So Lincoln compiled a cookbook to provide variety for their cookouts.

Food editor Ginna Parsons (5:29) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to discuss Lincoln’s compilation. As the son of two former Cooks of the Week, Lincoln has a pedigree for cooking. The Boy Scout Troop 12 Cookbook, which can be found online at www.callmepmc.com, has 30 recipes divided into 10 categories.

Ginna also talks about the rest of this week’s food section. Cook of the Week Candise Brown of Tupelo didn’t cook at all when she was married 12 years ago but learned a lot while living in Washington D.C. and later joining a cooking club after moving to Tupelo. She is a firm believe in the importance of family dinner, and her specialties include Stromboli, Meatloaf Cake and Spaghetti Squash Parmesan, among others.

Plus, Ginna discusses a recent simple recipe she used for Spaghetti Alla Carbonara.

Also on today’s episode, Daily Journal chief photographer Thomas Wells (16:12) talks about his recent photo essay in which he spent three days capturing the crew preparing the grounds for a youth baseball tournament at Tupelo’s Ballard Park.

Scott (24:37) reviews “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” He said the movie “got it right,” and did a great job of capturing Peter Parker’s conflict of being a high school boy by day and trying to save the world by night.

Derek (32:51) has the highlights of the weekend entertainment scene. That includes the Slugburger Festival in Corinth; a performance of neo-soul, jazz and contemporary folk music at the Link Centre and country music legend Dwight Yoakam at BancorpSouth Arena. Derek also talks about next weekend’s performance of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” at Tupelo Community Theatre’s Off Broadway location and about upcoming concerts in the Tupelo Down on Main series.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Tupelo officials announced last week a public-private partnership designed to inject additional commercial activity and entice new jobs into the downtown Fairpark District.

Local government reporter Caleb Bedillion and business editor Dennis Seid (6:27) join Derek and Brad on today’s episode to discuss the Fairpark announcement and two other new developments. On Monday, the Tupelo Planning Committee approved a subdivision in historic Mill Village, as well as a senior living community that would anchor a $50 million development on North Gloster.

Also on today’s episode, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (22:55) speculates about the political future for State Sen. Chris McDaniel, who nearly upset the iconic Thad Cochran in 2014 for a U.S. Senate seat.

McDaniel recently told Bobby that the two races he’s watching most closely are the 2018 U.S. Senate race and the 2019 Lieutenant Governor contest. That U.S. Senate race would pit him against Tupelo’s Roger Wicker.

And education reporter Emma Kent (30:28) talks about the impact of school construction projects on the local economy. Both the Lee County and Tupelo school districts have passed significant bond issues since 2013 and used the funds to make major additions and improvements on their school campuses.

Those improvements have pumped nearly $40 million into the local economy and employed hundreds of local residents, in addition to more intangible benefits to the schools and community.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Food editor Ginna Parsons (11:37) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode and shares a recipe for pan-seared strip steak.

They also discuss cornbread and this week’s Cook of the Week – best friends Marjorie Patton and Shelia Staples. The two cook together for family and friends every Sunday and have dreams of one day opening their own restaurant.

M. Scott Morris (20:49) reviews “Despicable Me 3.” The movie did not do as well as expected at the box office, Scott said, but it does have some funny moments and makes for a pleasant and amusing ride.

Derek (28:36) has the highlights of the weekend entertainment scene. The Chicago band Zigtebra, whose sound has been described as bubbly “bedroom pop,” will perform at the Blue Canoe on July 17. Other activities include Rock-‘n’-Roll band the Red Dirt Revelators at the Thirsty Devil, the opening of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and a performance by West of Shake Rag.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Dairy farmers were once the economic engines of Northeast Mississippi. Today, they are a rare breed, and their numbers have been steadily declining since the 1990s.

Daily Journal business editor Dennis Seid (8:10) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to look at that decline and its impact.

The number of dairy farmers in Mississippi has dropped by nearly 90 percent since 1990, from 653 to 75. In 1947, during dairy’s heyday in Mississippi, there were nearly 600,000 dairy cows in the state. Today, there are about 9,500.

A number of factors have contributed to the decline – the extremely long hours that are required, the fact that the heat makes dairy farming less efficient in Mississippi than in other states and impact of Hurricane Katrina, among others. Many wonder what the future will look like for milk production in Mississippi.

Also on today’s episode, education reporter Emma Kent (21:04) joins us to talk about the new STREAMS initiative being launched by the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.

The initiative puts a twist on teaching science, technology, engineering and math by also incorporating reading, the arts and sustainability. It also includes a partnership with Mississippi State University.

M. Scott Morris (25:56) discusses Havis Hurley, a 75-year-old Corinth resident who organizes a trip for special-needs children to Walt Disney World every two years.

Hurley has been working as a special-needs bus driver since retiring from running the Corinth Sportsplex. He often noticed that the students on his bus did not have the same opportunities for field trips as many of their peers, and that’s how the idea for Havis’ Kids was born.

Lauren Wood (31:43) talks about her photo essay on the Daily Journal’s Readers’ Choice awards and about the event itself. Lauren also previews the Daily Journal’s Influential Women luncheon that will be held on Tuesday, July 11.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

It’s Independence Day weekend, and Derek (28:26) breaks down the Fourth of July festivities.

Tupelo will host the 31st annual All-America City Picnic in the Park festival in Fairpark on Tuesday with food, live entertainment and a fireworks display. Oxford also has several activities this weekend, including a fireworks show on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, numerous other towns have their own celebrations planned.

Many people also will spend their weekend at the movies, and M. Scott Morris (8:54) joins us to review “Transformers: The Last Knight.” The movie is silly, Scott said, but it succeeds if you take it as a farce.

Also today, food editor Ginna Parsons (16:31) breaks down this week’s food section. That includes a recipe for brined shrimp served over a charred corn salad.

Ginna also talks about Cook of the Week Lauren McElwain of Belden whose specialities include orange zest scones with Earl Grey glaze and empanadas filled with sausage, cheese and Sriracha sauce. And Ginna discusses a summer program in New Albany Schools that uses cooking to teach students math.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Contrary to perception, most seniors are living at home, not in assisted living centers or nursing homes.

Yet as age and declining health chip into their ability to function independently, many will need assistance. A range of resources are available to help senior citizens continue to live at home, and Daily Journal health reporter Michaela Morris (7:19) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to discuss them.

The issue will become even more pressing soon, as the wave of Baby Boomers begin joining the ranks of the retired. That generation has reshaped every phase of American life and will soon start reshaping the way America ages.

Also on today’s episode, education reporter Emma Kent (20:38) talks about a pilot program from the Mississippi Public School Consortium for Educational Access to teach Advanced Placement courses in rural and low-income school districts who do not currently offer the courses. Among the seven districts that are piloting the program, three are in Northeast Mississippi – Booneville, Pontotoc County and Aberdeen.

The AP courses help students in getting accepted to more selective universities and also allow them to complete college credits while still in high school. But it can be difficult for small, rural districts to have the resources to offer such courses. That is where this program helps.

Local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (27:43) discusses the leadership team at City Hall as Mayor Jason Shelton begins his second term. Shelton has already announced his plans to retain all 14 department heads serving in his administration.

M. Scott Morris (31:19) discusses the fashion design and merchandising program at Mississippi State University.

The program, which emerged from the university’s agricultural heritage, has been ranked as high as fifth best in the South. It also will launch a new master’s program this fall that will involve collaboration with various disciplines on campus.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Taqueria Ferrus in West Tupelo is unlike other food trucks. Not only does it remain in one location – near West Main Street and Milford – it also is open for both lunch and dinner.

On today’s weekend edition, food editor Ginna Parsons (6:43) joins Derek and Brad to talk about the food truck that serves authentic Mexican dishes. Juan Carlos Acosta and family offer a menu that includes tacos, tortas, quesadillas, Mexican street corn and flavored water.

Ginna also discusses the rest of this week’s food section. The Cook of the Week is Nena Jones of Iuka, who switched to a low glycemic index diet after being diagnosed with diabetes. She lost 64 pounds and reversed her diabetes over 10 years. Jones’ recipes include kale pesto, energy bars with  nut butter and steel-cut oats, and roasted chickpeas, among others.

Ginna also shares a BBQ sauce recipe that she said was good enough to eat with a spoon straight out of a bowl.

Also on today’s episode, photographer Lauren Wood (22:15) talks about her recent photo essay on Cherry Creek Orchards on Highway 345 in Pontotoc. Amanda and Wylie Stark’s farm has more than 70 acres of peaches, and also has blackberries, tomatoes and purple hull peas.

M. Scott Morris (28:48) reviews “Cars 3.” He said the movie has some new and fresh moments, but loses the “wow” factor of the earlier movies in the series and doesn’t come together well as a whole.

Derek (39:34) breaks down the weekend entertainment scene – Sidewalk Chalk at Blue Canoe, the “Still Straightening Nails” 3D sculpture exhibit at the GumTree Museum of Art and Tupelo Community Theatre’s youth production of “Shrek the Musical Jr.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

The Tupelo City Council voted on Tuesday to approve the membership of the city’s new police advisory board.

The 6-1 vote clears the way for the board to hold its first meeting next week. It comes just over a year after Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert was fatally shot by a Tupelo police officer.

Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (9:51) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to talk about the new nine-member board. It is intended to improve the standing of the police department in Tupelo, particularly among minority communities.

Also on today’s show, Derek (18:48) talks about the end for the Tupelo BBQ Duel.

Organizers announced last week that they had decided to end the popular event, which has had a seven-year run. The fundraiser for the non-profit Link Centre did not lose money, but organizers determined its costs outweighed its benefits. They said attendance and corporate sponsorships had dropped in recent years, and they felt they could find more impactful ways to raise funds.

Also, Daily Journal health reporter Michaela Morris (26:10) talks about the effect proposed Medicaid changes could have on Mississippi.

Even though the state didn’t expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, it is in line to be among the hardest hit by proposed federal funding changes. An analysis done by the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation lists Mississippi among the 11 states who are expected to have the most trouble adapting to changes in the Medicaid funding proposed in the American Health Care Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill proposes changing the way Medicaid is funded, shifting to block grants or a per capita cap.

Since Mississippi receives a large amount of funding from Medicaid, cuts to the program would leave the state with difficult decisions to make in terms of coverage.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS