Mississippi
Contentious Mississippi GOP primary race for lieutenant governor exposes rift among conservatives
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Republican primary challenger spent months telling people that first-term Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is insufficiently conservative and labeling him “Delbert the Democrat.”
That tactic fell short in Tuesday’s GOP primary as Hosemann defeated the challenger, state Sen. Chris McDaniel, in a contentious race that exposed rifts among conservative voters and within the Republican-controlled Mississippi Senate.
During this year’s campaign, Hosemann called McDaniel a “pathological liar.” Both men largely ignored the primary’s third candidate, educator Tiffany Longino, who ran a low-budget campaign and received a small share of the vote in her first try for public office.
In his victory speech late Tuesday, Hosemann said shady groups spent almost a million dollars of undocumented money to support McDaniel of Ellisville in the final days of the campaign, and he said the spending “screams for reform.”
Mississippi lieutenant governors wield considerable power: They preside over the 52-member state Senate, appoint Senate committee leaders and have influence over which bills live or die. Republicans will continue to hold a majority in the chamber next term.
Hosemann, who previously served three terms as secretary of state, said Mississippi state government is in its best financial shape ever. He is already looking to the new four-year term.
“We’re going to take it to new heights,” he told supporters at a party in Jackson. “That bright, shining star — that bright, shining city on the hill — is going to be achieved by Mississippi, by the people in this room and all of us working together.”
Hosemann’s opponent in the Nov. 7 general election is Hattiesburg business consultant D. Ryan Grover, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Grover has never held public office and by the end of July, had raised no campaign money.
While McDaniel received support from a few Senate colleagues, most of the GOP senators publicly backed Hosemann.
This was the third statewide loss for McDaniel, who’s now completing his fourth term in the Legislature.
“I have seen so much in my 16 years, and perhaps the most difficult thing I’ve seen is that the toll it takes on the soul serving in the Capitol,” McDaniel said at a subdued gathering of supporters in Biloxi shortly before conceding. “We all start as strong people, it seems, but then ultimately the power whittles away at our souls and changes who we are. Look, I’m not built for that.”
The election-night concession was a sharp contrast to McDaniel’s first statewide race in 2014, when he refused to acknowledge his loss to longtime U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in a Republican primary runoff, even going to court in an unsuccessful effort to toss out some votes.
John Hrom of Madison, a retired business executive, said he has known Hosemann for years and voted for him Tuesday.
Hrom said the 2014 Senate race soured him on McDaniel. Cochran’s wife, who had dementia, was living in a Madison nursing home. Some McDaniel supporters snuck into her room and took video of her without the family’s permission. Images of her briefly appeared online in a campaign video that criticized Cochran.
McDaniel said he had nothing to do with the filming and called the violation of Rose Cochran’s privacy “ reprehensible,” but Hrom said he holds McDaniel responsible.
“I said to myself then, I don’t care if that guy came in and gave me a million dollars a week, I would never vote for him,” Hrom said.
Hosemann and his supporters said McDaniel often failed to show up for work in the Senate. That criticism didn’t sit well with Isiah Conner Jr., a mail handler, who voted in the Republican primary in Flowood and said he chose McDaniel over Hosemann.
“I like the way he carries himself a little bit better,” Conner said of McDaniel. “Don’t just make commercials about somebody saying they’re not doing anything. Treat them like a man.”
McDaniel, in labeling the incumbent “Delbert the Democrat,” said Hosemann should not have appointed some Democrats to lead Senate committees.
Bonnie Porter of Madison, a retired federal employee who voted for Hosemann, praised his bipartisan efforts.
“He’s willing to work with Democrats across the aisle,” Porter said. “I think that’s good for the state.”
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Associated Press/Report for America reporter Michael Goldberg contributed to this report.
Mississippi
Santa Claus, reindeer team cleared for Christmas Eve travel across Mississippi – SuperTalk Mississippi
State travel agency officials are expecting the holiday travel season to be particularly hectic this year, and one of the world’s busiest travelers has now gotten the green light from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
At Santa Claus’ request, MDOT staff thoroughly inspected his extra wide sleigh load, ensuring it met all safety requirements. Permits were also issued for the abnormally large sack of toys, which surpassed posted weight limits, and Rudolph’s bright red nose apparently met, but did not exceed, the illumination threshold.
All takeoffs and landings to and from the homes of good Mississippi children have been approved, and exceptions were also granted for any last minute “Nice List” additions, according to the agency. On the heels of the festive certification, MDOT leaders reminded those around the state to follow Saint Nick’s example.
“Santa knows the importance of being prepared no matter how you choose to travel, and he’s a staunch, yet jolly, safety advocate to boot,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. “Before Santa Claus comes to your town, make sure your elf-size family members always travel in car seats, wear your seatbelt and check it twice, and remember, he sees you when you’re speeding, and he knows when you’ve been texting.
“Take it from Kris Kringle: Put safety first so everyone can have a Merry Christmas.”
Santa also received driver conduct reports from MDOT elves Darryl and Cheryl, suggesting that some of the state’s motorists could very well get a lump of coal this year. But Santa insisted that a few behavioral adjustments and a dash of Christmas spirit can change the fate of even the most egregious drivers.
Current forecasts suggest favorable conditions for sleigh flights on Christmas Eve. Magnolia State motorists are advised to drive slowly and be alert for sleighs, reindeer, and their white-tailed cousins after dark. “Blitzened driving is strictly prohibited,” concluded agency officials in a press release.
The pharmaceutical giant has not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits as to any of its claims against Mississippi’s law (H.B.728), according to an opinion from Judge Louis Guirola Jr. at the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
At issue before the court was whether the law, which outlaws any effort to deny, restrict, or prohibit drug discounts to pharmacies that contract with providers …
Mega Millions lottery tickets going up to $5
A new and improved Mega Millions lottery is on the way and the cost of a ticket to the multi-state lotto going up from $2 to $5 starting in April 2025.
Cheddar
Someone could be in for a very merry Christmas. The Mega Millions jackpot for Christmas Eve is an estimated $944 million. Bringing home the better part of a billion dollars would make just about anyone’s day merry and bright.
The winning numbers will be drawn just after 10 p.m. Central, and the cash option is $429.4 million.
A $1.1 billion-winning ticket was sold in New Jersey earlier this year, and that prize hasn’t been claimed. Winners in New Jersey have up to a year to claim a jackpot.
In Mississippi, drawing winners must claim their prize within 180 days, and if you win, you can claim it anonymously.
Here’s what you need to know about top jackpots and how to play Mega Millions in Mississippi, including where you can buy tickets and how to claim the prize if you win.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
How to play the Mega Millions
In order to buy a ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store. In a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online, but Mississippi isn’t one of them.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25.
If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a ”Quick Pick” or an ”Easy Pick,” the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.
Players can add the ”Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:
- 2X, five balls.
- 3X, six balls.
- 4X, three balls.
- 5X, one ball.
What are the top Mega Millions jackpots?
According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the Top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Oct. 4:
- $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player
- $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player
- $1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player
- $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player
- $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey payer
- $1.050 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player
- $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player
- $656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
- $648 million, Dec. 17,2013; a player from California and Georgia
- $552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player
I won the lottery in Mississippi! What next?
The Mississippi Lottery advises people to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately.
If your prize is less than $600, you can claim that at any place that sells Mississippi Lottery tickets.
If you win $600-$99,999, you can claim by mail or by going to the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters in Flowood.
All prizes more than $100,000 must be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters.
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