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The Memo

The Memo

Archives for February 2016

#79: Standoff in the Mississippi House – 02/29/16

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The Mississippi House of Representatives ground to a halt last week after members of the Black Caucus felt slighted by a Supreme Court redistricting bill. Members of the Black Caucus had bills read in their entirety, significantly slowing the process, and House leaders passed a rule change to try to get things done more quickly. By late Friday, both sides had reached a truce. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Bobby Harrison (11:13) joins Derek and Brad to talk more about the standoff and what happens now as the House faces a looming deadline to pass bills before they automatically die. Also on today’s show, Daily Journal reporter Caleb Bedillion (18:48) breaks down next week’s 1st Congressional District Republican Primary election between Trent Kelly and Paul Clever, and Brad (28:36) provides the wackiest crime reports of last week. We also discuss Sunday night’s Academy Awards (1:05).

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#78: GumTree Festival moves to new weekend – 02/25/16

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This year, the GumTree Arts Festival will be moved from its traditional Mother’s Day weekend slot. It now will be a week later in the year to coincide with the GumTree 10K on May 14. Daily Journal reporter Ginna Parsons (9:03) joins guest hosts Chris Kieffer and Rod Guajardo to discuss the change and what it means. Also on today’s show, Daily Journal reporter William Moore (17:37) has the details on Tupelo’s new Bud & Burgers competition to be held in April, and M. Scott Morris (28:49) reviews the movie “Race.”

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#77: School voucher, state flag bills die on deadline day – 02/24/16

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Tuesday was a key deadline day for bills in the Mississippi Legislature. Among those that did not make the cut was one that would have provided state funds for students to attend private schools and another that could have changed the state flag. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Bobby Harrison (4:23) joins Brad and guest host Lauren Wood to talk more about those bills, what’s next for those issues and other news from Tuesday’s deadline. Also on today’s show, Daily Journal law enforcement reporter William Moore (12:56) discusses the start of another police academy session, and food editor Ginna Parsons (24:45) talks about this week’s food section — Key lime cake, rolls and a meatless, skillet dish.

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#76: Neighborhood repairs, Tishomingo standoff and Vietnam Memorial – 02/22/16

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As Tupelo rebounded from the April 2014 tornado, it found a useful tool in neighborhood overlay districts. Councils of neighborhood residents had to approve construction or exterior renovations in those neighborhoods, helping to ensure the architectural style remained consistent. While Tupelo moves forward with neighborhood redevelopment efforts, those districts remain a tool but one that will be used sparingly. Daily Journal city government reporter Caleb Bedillion (6:44) wrote about the districts on Sunday and joins Derek and Brad to share more. Also on today’s show, Corinth Today’s Josh Mitchell (10:53) gives the latest on Friday night’s standoff in Tishomingo County that left two dead, including Mississippi narcotics agent James Lee Tartt. Bobby Harrison (21:48) talks about efforts to provide state funds for Tupelo’s proposed Vietnam War Memorial for Veterans Park, and Brad (28:47) has last week’s wackiest crime reports.

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#75: Reducing dropouts – 02/18/16

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Education leaders from Northeast Mississippi met on Wednesday during the CREATE Foundation’s annual Dropout Prevention Summit to discuss ways to help more students finish school. Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (4:55) joins Brad and guest co-host Scott Morris to discuss their plans and why the issue impacts all of us — not just those with children in school. Also on today’s show, reporter Zack Orsborn (14:00) describes a new Tupelo effort to provide water for residents of Flint, Michigan, while Ray Van Dusen (21:49) of The Monroe Journal has the latest on Amory native Trent Harmon’s run through “American Idol.” Meanwhile, Scott (26:45) reviews “Deadpool,” and Brad (35:07) has a rundown of what is happening this weekend.

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#74: Legislature considers school voucher bills – 02/17/16

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Bills that would make state funds available for parents to send their children to private schools are pending in both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Bobby Harrison (19:18) joins Derek and Brad to provide more information on the bills, their path to passage and what advocates and opponents are saying about them. We’re also joined by special guest Chris Traylor (8:00), president of the Lee County NAACP, who discusses what the organization has been doing lately. Traylor also talks about his role on a new citizen committee designed to create better relations between the community and law enforcement and shares some of his heroes of Black History Month. Plus, William Moore (27:46) joins the show to discuss the Robins Field sinkhole, and Ginna Parsons (32:29) breaks down this week’s food section — including a tilapia recipe. Oh yeah, we also talk about Brad’s life as a middle child.

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#73: Elvis Presley Birthplace Trail – 02/15/16

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Crews have installed pedestrian crosswalks at the intersection of Main and Green Streets, bringing the Elvis Presley Birthplace Trail closer to completion. Daily Journal government reporter Caleb Bedillion (8:17) joins Derek and Brad to give the latest details on the project that will connect the Birthplace to downtown Tupelo. Caleb also provides an update on a new Tupelo neighborhood association. Also on today’s show, Adam Robison (14:55) discusses his photo essay on the vehicle upholstery business, Ellie Turner and Lauren Wood (21:11) break down the latest episode of Mud & Magnolias magazine, and Brad (31:53) gives the wackiest crime reports from last week.

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#72: Kids, don’t take your drones to school – 02/11/16

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Local school districts are looking at the risks that come with flying drones on school campuses and district property. The Lee County School Board voted to adopt a policy banning the use of drones, and Tupelo has discussed a similar one. Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent joins Derek and guest co-host Leslie Criss to talk about drones and schools.

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#71: Tupelo Community Theatre – 02/10/16

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Tupelo Community Theatre Executive Director Tom Booth (7:58) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show. Booth discusses “Pvt. Wars” advancing to the regional competition, other plays coming up soon, how he got his start with TCT, how others can become involved and more. Also on today’s show, city government reporter Caleb Bedillion (24:11) talks about Tuesday’s “State of the City” address by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton, and Corinth Today reporter Josh Mitchell (34:30) has details on a plan that could close two Alcorn County schools. Plus, food editor Ginna Parsons (40:56) breaks down today’s food section — Asian meatballs and a Cook of the Week who makes great cakes. We’ve also got a lot of jokes about Brad’s new mustache.

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#70: ‘I Love the ’90s’ Tour – 02/08/16

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A lineup of ’90s era pop acts, including Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Salt-N-Pepa, Tone Loc and more will take the stage at the BancorpSouth Arena on April 16 as part of the “I Love the ’90s” tour. The Daily Journal’s Riley Manning (7:43) joins Brad and guest host Emma Kent to discuss the music of the ’90s and give information on the upcoming concert. Also on today’s show, Lauren Wood (23:54) talks about her photo essay on Tupelo’s Creative Cakes, and Brad (30:59) has the craziest stories from last week’s crime reports.

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