In this episode of The Clay Edwards Show, I sit down with Russ Latino from the Magnolia Tribune for a raw, no-holds-barred conversation that kicks off with some self-deprecating humor—we both own up to our "chronic fat ass syndrome" and share laughs about saying things that could get us canceled. We dive into the state of Jackson, starting with a caller's frustration over trash littering the highways, especially with the fair in town. I express my disappointment but give props to Mayor John Horn for hitting the ground running: filling potholes, paving streets, and searching for a solid police chief. Compared to the last administration, it's refreshing—they're focusing on basics without reinventing the wheel.

 

Russ and I discuss the optimism bubbling up, thanks to Horn's smarts and his ability to work across aisles, which could bring real help from the legislature and governor. I'm giving him a year to sort things out before getting nitpicky, but I'm still calling out the cultural rot and quality-of-life issues like unenforced code ordinances—overgrown yards, broken-down cars, illegal signage. We talk about fostering community pride: why enable bad behavior by cleaning up after litterbugs? I shout out volunteers like Casey Bridges for their interstate cleanups but admit I'm conflicted—it feels like rewarding slobs who should handle their own mess. We draw parallels to church mission trips and international aid gone wrong, where good intentions create dependency instead of self-reliance. Even MrBeast's well-digging in Africa gets a nod for trying, but we question if it's sustainable.

 

We wrap by teasing the Turning Point USA versus Clinton controversy—stay tuned for that fire. This one's packed with real talk on accountability, compassion, and turning Jackson around. Don't miss it!