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The Memo

The Memo

#205: Are odds improving for Mississippi lottery? – 01/09/17

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The odds against a Mississippi lottery are still long, but they may be improving.

The Mississippi House passed two amendments last year that would have allowed for a state lottery. It could be poised to take similar action this year. The question is whether or not Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and House Speaker Philip Gunn would support such a plan.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (9:51) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to provide insight and context on the debate and what might happen next.

Also on today’s episode, M. Scott Morris (17:19) discusses his recent feature story on Aberdeen’s Stevens Auction Company. Dwight Stevens turned a love for antiques into his own business and holds four auctions a year in Aberdeen –including one last Saturday. He prides himself on being selective with his wares and said the internet allows him to compete nationally.

Meanwhile, chief photographer Thomas Wells (25:38) discusses his photo essay on Russell Stafford’s T-shirt screen printing business.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The Memo will switch to a twice-a-week schedule next week, with new episodes on Wednesdays and Fridays. Listen to today’s episode for more details.

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#193: New MHP director has deep Tupelo roots – 12/05/16

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The new director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol has deep roots in Tupelo.

Chris Gillard is a graduate of Tupelo High School and was a key fixture on the football team’s defense in the 1980s. His mom still lives in Tupelo, as do four of his siblings and his now grown daughter.

Today, he oversees the state’s most visible and perhaps most elite law enforcement agency.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (5:08) wrote a profile on Gillard in Sunday’s paper and joins Derek and Brad to talk more about him.

Also on today’s episode, business editor Dennis Seid (13:07) discusses Jack Hudson, an employee at the McDonald’s in New Albany who has worked for the fast-food giant for 50 years.

And chief photographer Thomas Wells (22:20) talks about his photo essay on ice skating at the BancorpSouth Arena.

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#169: Oxford Schools controversy – 10/03/16

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The Oxford School District apologized to its stakeholders on Friday afternoon following backlash against an idea under consideration by the district to create an optional separate school for low-income students. Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (9:07) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to provide more context and details on the controversy.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (15:28) discusses last week’s announcement by Gov. Phil Bryant that he expects no more cuts to the state budget during the current calendar year. At the same time, Bryant hinted that the budget may need to be tweaked when the Legislature returns to work in January. Bobby talks about the condition of the budget and what may happen next.

Bobby (17:58) also discusses the program that allows special needs students in Mississippi to receive public funds to spend at private schools. Last week, the Mississippi Department of Education told Bobby it does not know how many of the 175 students who received that money this year were already enrolled at private schools.

Chief photographer Thomas Wells (24:27) talks about his photo essay on the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Haven Acres Clubhouse in Tupelo.

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#159: Bryant makes cuts early in budget year – 09/08/16

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Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is cutting $56.8 million from the $5.8 billion state budget just two months into the new fiscal year.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (11:39) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to provide more details on the cuts. How significant is it that the governor has had to make cuts just two months into the year and what does that mean for the outlook for the rest of the year? How will this affect various agencies?

Also on today’s show, chief photographer Thomas Wells (18:15) talks about his photo essay on East Main Tire in Tupelo. M. Scott Morris (27:26) reviews “The Light Between Oceans,” and Derek (34:05) highlights this weekend’s entertainment scene.

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#143: Looking back at Saturday’s peaceful protests – 08/01/16

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Two demonstrations by opposing groups concluded peacefully on Saturday following weeks of anticipation from the community. Daily Journal editor Rod Guajardo (6:19) joins Derek and Brad to look back at the protests held by both Our Lives Matter 2 and the Confederates United Patriots Society. Both events resulted from the aftermath of the June 18 fatal shooting of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert at the hands of a Tupelo Police Department officer.

Guajardo also talks about a decision by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton to temporarily replace the Mississippi state flag at City Hall with a flag bearing the city of Tupelo’s seal during the Our Lives Matter 2 demonstration. Shelton described the temporary removal of the state flag as a “gesture toward unity.” The state flag was later returned, and Shelton said any further action on the matter would have to come from the City Council.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal chief photographer Thomas Wells (15:40) discusses his photo essay that went inside a local dry cleaner, One-hour Martinizing Cleaners in Tupelo.

Finally, Brad (23:40) has the wackiest crime reports from last week.

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#120: New Albany Summer of Music – 06/06/16

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New Albany recently won a national grant to fund 10 weeks of summer concerts. The Levitt Amp Concert Series began last weekend and runs into August, with a variety of musical performances held each weekend in downtown New Albany. Sean Johnson, (3:57)  the executive director of New Albany marketing and tourism, joins Derek and Brad to discuss this year’s lineup and the impact of being one of 15 communities in the nation chosen to receive the grant.

Also on today’s show, education reporter Emma Kent (20:48) explains some of the differences between charter schools and traditional public schools. Photographer Thomas Wells (31:12) talks about his experience chronicling this year’s Elvis Festival, and Brad (38:17) highlights the wackiest crime reports from last week.

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#110: Groups file lawsuits opposing House Bill 1523 – 05/11/16

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Opponents of the controversial Mississippi law allowing public officials and private businesses not to provide services to same-sex couples have wasted little time trying to block its enactment. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (4:43) joins Derek and Brad to discuss two lawsuits filed in opposition to House Bill 1523 and to talk about what may happen next with the law.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal reporter William Moore (8:56) highlights a Lee County 911 dispatcher whose extra efforts to research the location of a call helped save a man’s life. Photographer Thomas Wells (18:07) discusses his photo essay on last week’s Blue Suede Cruise car show, and food editor Ginna Parsons (27:45) breaks down this week’s food section – Swiss chard, duck with lemon dill sauce, strawberry salsa and more.

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#107: More funds to upgrade Tupelo’s roads – 05/04/16

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Tupelo residents overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday night to extend the city’s Major Thoroughfare Program for another five years. That program uses a special tax levy to fund upgrades to the city’s main roads. Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (8:02) joins Brad and guest host Emma Kent to analyze Tuesday’s election and talk about what is next for the program.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal reporter Zack Orsborn (23:35) discusses a Tupelo travel agency that has been able to survive in an industry in which so many others have failed. Photographer Thomas Wells (32:05) describes his photo essay chronicling both the aftermath of the Smithville tornado and the progress that has been made in the past five years. Food editor Ginna Parsons (37:39) breaks down this week’s food section – Greek pork chops, Taste of Home cooking school and more.

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#91: Firing squad and House rancor – 03/28/16

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The Mississippi House voted on Good Friday to allow executions to be carried out by firing squad if the drugs needed for lethal injections could not be obtained. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Bobby Harrison (8:15) joins Derek and Brad to talk about the bill, as well as about recent squabbles in the House that include the speed of a computerized reading of legislation. Also on today’s show, education reporter Emma Kent (18:05) discusses a bill headed to the governor that would make all school district superintendents appointed positions rather than elected ones. Thomas Wells (25:36) provides background on his photo essay on Saturday’s Ballard Park Easter egg hunt, and Brad (30:33) has wacky crime reports from last week — including more on the Mooreville woods.

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#84: Tupelo air service – 03/10/16

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Corporate Flight Management has announced it will hold a March 22 press conference to give more details of its upcoming Tupelo to Nashville air service that will fly under the brand Contour Airlines. Daily Journal business editor Dennis Seid (7:32) joins Derek and Brad to talk about the new commercial air service coming to Tupelo. Also on today’s show, chief photographer Thomas Wells (11:23) discusses his photo essay on the former Okolona College, M. Scott Morris (20:41) reviews “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” and Derek (28:24) previews what is happening this weekend. Also, Brad (34:54) gives us a lesson on country music, including his favorite tunes.

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