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Stepping into Sim Scott Park for the Juneteenth Festival offered a powerful glimpse into how Columbus celebrates freedom. As a first-time attendee, David discovered a vibrant community event that brought together people from across Lowndes County to honor the significance of emancipation through food, music, and conversation.

Through candid conversations with attendees ranging from County Supervisor Leroy Brooks to local vendors and Police Chief Daughtry, one message emerged consistently: Juneteenth represents freedom for everyone, not just one segment of our community.

The second half of this  episode features a conversation with Commercial Dispatch sports writer Colin Damms about Mississippi State athletics. We explore the dramatic changes in the baseball program with new $3 million coach Brian O'Connor, expectations for the football team, and recent classification changes that will put Columbus, Caledonia, New Hope and West Point in the same division across all sports.

Join us for this community-focused episode that celebrates freedom, explores local perspectives, and looks ahead to exciting developments in both our community and our sports teams. Have feedback or news tips? Email us at [email protected] or reach out on social media.

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Newly-elected Ward 4 Councilwoman Lavonne Harris shares the grassroots strategy that won her the seat. Harris reveals how she knocked on nearly 4,000 doors across her ward, connecting personally with voters while presenting a vision focused on neighborhood cleanup, infrastructure improvement, and council unity.

"I am only one vote, but I intend to be the right vote," Harris declares, signaling her commitment to independence on a council historically prone to bloc voting. As both a longtime NAACP president and community organizer, Harris brings a unique perspective that bridges various Columbus constituencies. Her refreshing promise to return from taxpayer-funded conferences with actual knowledge to share stands in stark contrast to the status quo.

The conversation shifts to a controversial last-minute agenda item that increased the incoming Columbus mayor's salary from $86,000 to $107,000 annually. While hosts David and Zack agree the figure represents fair compensation for the position's responsibilities, they question both the timing and the motivations behind Councilman Mickens' push for an even higher figure of $120,000 as he exits city government.

We also examine a plan by the city of Columbus, Lowndes County, and the MUW Foundation, who have each committed up to $15,000 toward a PR firm tasked with preserving the MSMS's current location – a collaborative effort that highlights the economic and cultural significance of the institution to the region.

Whether you're invested in Columbus's political landscape or simply fascinated by the mechanics of small-city governance, this episode offers candid insights into how leadership transitions happen and the real-world impact of local elections. Subscribe now and join our growing community of engaged citizens who understand that local politics ultimately determines the quality of daily life.

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What happens when our hosts step out of the studio and into the frontlines of political activism? Zack Plair and David Chism brave the rain to spend time with anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library in downtown Columbus.

The conversations they capture reveal a fascinating tapestry of perspectives, concerns, and motivations. From passionate declarations about perceived threats to civil liberties to nuanced discussions about policy disagreements, these protesters—roughly twenty strong despite threatening weather—paint a picture of grassroots activism in a predominantly conservative area. Many express finding community through these demonstrations, realizing they aren't alone in their political viewpoints within a region that voted heavily for Trump.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the willingness of both sides to engage respectfully across political divides. Several protesters acknowledge points of agreement with certain Trump policies while maintaining their overall opposition. This complexity challenges simplistic political narratives and reminds listeners that behind every protest sign stands a person with multifaceted beliefs and genuine concerns.

The hosts also explore parallels between these demonstrations and the Tea Party protests from roughly a decade ago, examining how political movements often follow cyclical patterns. They reflect on the danger of inconsistent principles—how viewing identical actions differently depending on who's performing them transforms principles into prejudices.

Whether you're politically engaged or simply curious about what drives your neighbors to stand on street corners with protest signs, this episode offers an enlightening window into contemporary civic discourse at the local level. Listen as we go beyond the headlines to find the human stories that make up our community's political landscape.

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Columbus municipal elections brought a major shakeup with Stephen Jones winning the mayoral race and five of seven council seats changing hands amid disappointingly low voter turnout. Former mayor Jeffrey Rupp joins the podcast to provide historical perspective on Columbus politics, economic development, and the differences between Columbus and Starkville governance.

• Low voter turnout of only 4,500 ballots in Columbus elections reflects growing political apathy
• Stephen Jones secured victory with 56.4% of votes, including strong absentee ballot performance
• Ward 4 saw surprise upset with Lavonne Harris defeating incumbent Pierre Beard
• Jeffrey Rupp discusses Columbus' strengths including historic homes and Riverwalk development
• Key differences between Columbus' confrontational politics versus Starkville's collaborative approach
• Columbus positioned for potential rebranding opportunity with new leadership
• Economic development requires strategic investments and unified vision

Keep sending your comments and questions to [email protected].

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This week's Between the Headlines dives deep into Columbus' mayoral race following Tuesday's forum at Nissan Auditorium, where surprising performances may have shifted some voters' perspectives—though perhaps not enough to change the expected outcome.

Dispatch managing editor Zack Plair and co-host David Chism analyze each candidate's performance, with Plair declaring Darren Leach the clear winner of the night. "If anybody picked up votes Tuesday, it was Darren Leach," Plair notes, praising Leach's articulation of his vision while wondering where "this version of Darren" had been throughout the campaign. Despite the strong showing, Plair suggests it may be "too little, too late" to overcome Stephen Jones' substantial lead.

The discussion turns surprisingly heated when addressing Bill Strauss'  answer about racial division in Columbus, revealing fundamentally different viewpoints between the hosts. This tension carries into the second segment featuring local media personality Rick "Don't Go" Mason (Dr. Reginald Taylor), who shares his 32-year journey through Mississippi media before engaging in a frank conversation about race relations in Columbus. The resulting exchange offers listeners rare insight into how differently community members perceive and experience racial dynamics within the "Friendly City."

Mason brings both entertainment and thoughtful perspective, emphasizing the power of positive speech in transforming communities while declining to pick favorites in the mayoral race. His observations about local politics—combined with the hosts' analysis of campaign strategies—create a comprehensive picture of Columbus's political landscape just days before the election.

Whether you're deeply invested in local politics or simply curious about the personalities shaping Columbus's future, this episode provides both entertainment and substance as we approach a pivotal moment for the city's leadership.

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Candidates for Ward 5, Mary Beth Jeter and Gary Jefferson, share their visions for Columbus while discussing crime, youth programs, and rejuvenating the city's image. The hosts also dive into the controversial naming process for the Columbus Fossil Park.

• Crime concerns in the city, with differing perspectives on whether enforcement or community building is the primary solution
• Jeter advocates for enforcing the juvenile curfew and increasing police presence
• Jefferson emphasizes that crime statistics show improvement while focusing on community engagement
• Candidates discuss positive developments in Columbus, with Jeter highlighting downtown growth and Jefferson naming local businesses in Ward 5
• Both agree on the importance of youth programs but differ on implementation approaches
• The hosts examine the Columbus Fossil Park naming controversy and broader policy implications
• Discussion about when and how public facilities should be named after individuals

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Pierre Beard and Bobby Johnson, candidates for Columbus Ward 4, square off in a heated debate about the ward's present condition and future direction. The incumbent Beard defends his record of progress while challenger Johnson paints a bleaker picture of a neglected area needing new leadership.

• Beard is asked about his brushes with the law and draws a distinction between his personal life and his record on the council.
• Beard pushes back on suggestions Ward 4 is in worse shape than other wards while Johnson agrees it is a "warzone."
• Both agree on the need for better youth intervention programs to address crime
• Columbus Police Department staffing has improved but remains below capacity at 49 officers out of 55 budgeted positions
• Debate reveals stark contrasts in candidates' views of the city's administration effectiveness
• Johnson advocates for making CPD officers the highest paid in the Golden Triangle
• Beard emphasizes his independence from party affiliation as a strength

The election will be held on June 3, and voters can also attend the upcoming mayoral forum on May 27 at 6pm.

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The Columbus city council debates sending a lame-duck councilman on an expensive trip to Washington DC while a hostile work environment complaint against the mayor surfaces and local nonprofit organizations struggle with federal funding cuts.

• Columbus City Councilman Mickens plans to join a Washington DC lobbying trip despite his term ending June 30
• A formal complaint filed by a city employee alleges Mayor Gaskin created a hostile work environment but the two have since mended their professional relationship
• The former First Baptist Church rezoning request faces odd questions from city leadership
• United Way of the Golden Triangle serves seven counties but faces significant challenges with federal funding cuts
• The Community Benefit Committee maintains 30 food pantries across Lowndes County that require refilling twice weekly

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Pastor Darren Leach, independent mayoral candidate endorsed by incumbent Mayor Keith Gaskin, shares his vision for implementing data-driven management and transparent metrics for Columbus city departments. Through his unique combination of engineering expertise and community service experience, Leach aims to rebuild neighborhoods while fostering unity among city leadership.

• Creating clear performance indicators for all city departments to ensure accountability and transparency
• Approaching infrastructure challenges with systematic analysis rather than quick fixes
• Building consensus through open communication with council members before presenting ideas
• Redeveloping the Kerr-McGee site through public-private partnerships while preventing gentrification
• Bringing nonprofit experience of "making bricks without straw" to city government
• Differentiating from Mayor Gaskin through more active communication while maintaining similar goals

This episode also features Barbara Bigelow and Amber Brislin discussing the upcoming Market Street Festival, highlighting changes to this year's layout while maintaining all the traditional festival elements.

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Robert Smith, former Columbus mayor and current president of the Columbus Municipal School District, offers insights on local education, environmental concerns, and city politics while reflecting on his own leadership philosophy.

• CMSD faces another superintendent search after Dr. Ellis' unexpected resignation
• The district has improved to a B rating but continues struggling with declining enrollment, dropping from 5,100 to around 3,000 students
• Franklin Academy's future remains undecided though local businessmen have expressed interest in redevelopment
• The R.E. Hunt renovation is nearly complete with a grand opening planned for July
• How Smith navigated Columbus' weak-mayor, strong-council government system
• Robert Smith discusses his relationships with Leroy Brooks and his mayoral endorsement of Stephen Jones
• Smith's thoughts on his legacy