Mississippi
From Mississippi primaries to the Fulton County Courthouse: A political landscape in flux – SuperTalk Mississippi
In a nation scarred by internal strife and drowning in seemingly insurmountable division, this week marked a significant escalation in the legal battles surrounding former president Donald Trump.
Journalists gathered near the Fulton County Courthouse were not surprised when the news hit; they were poised, notebooks at the ready, just as they had been for weeks. In a late-night news conference Monday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis pulled back the curtain on the indictment of Trump and a long list of associates over alleged criminal offenses related to the 2020 presidential election. The anticipation was palpable, akin to spectators in ancient Rome waiting for a gladiatorial contest – The Fulton County D.A. vs. Donald Trump.
Mr. Trump, one must assume, savors these moments with a seasoned politician’s glee. The legal wranglings, as unseemly as they might appear to some, allow him to keep a firm grip on the attention of the nation, commanding the airwaves and online forums with the deftness of a seasoned conductor leading an orchestra through a dark and complicated symphony. Willis’ determined pursuit of these charges had been broadcast far and wide, yet the actual unveiling of the indictments was a spectacle in political theater.
What this saga underscores, however, is not merely the divisive winds swirling around a single political figure, but the perilous state of a nation teetering on the brink of further division.
The indictments against Trump and his associates, and the ensuing political side-picking, have thrown into sharp focus the rift ensnaring American society. Reactions have ranged predictably from vitriolic defense of Trump by his staunch supporters to zealous persecution of his political movement by his determined opponents.
On one side, Trump’s loyal adherents see the indictments as a political vendetta cloaked in the robes of justice. On the other, Trump’s foes march forward, swords drawn, demanding accountability. These developments will cast a long shadow on the integrity of the American judiciary system and our once-venerated democratic institutions. District Attorney Willis’ decision to seek criminal convictions against political operators by charging them as an organized criminal enterprise will reverberate for generations.
The possibility of an unprecedented legal battle against a likely Republican nominee actively running for reelection sends tremors through the foundations of the nation. It’s a Shakespearean plot filled with twists and turns, woven with intrigue, and its implications reach into the very core of American governance. But we must also pause and turn our eyes beyond the immediate breaking news alerts to understand the greater tragedy that is unfolding. This division is not merely a political skirmish; it is, in its essence, a civil war of ideas and beliefs.
On the right, there’s an entrenched perception of a government waging battle against its citizens. On the left, there’s an almost gleeful engagement with chaos, as if criminal prosecutions were a spectator sport. The result? The nation diminishes, weakened by internal strife, poisoned by polarization, and shackled by the chains of ideological battles dividing friends, families, and communities.
These are not mere political woes. They are American ailments, festering sores in need of American remedies. In the unending noise of the 24-hour news cycle and the relentless bombardment of political advertisements, the choices may appear bleak. Our era might be remembered as a time when the noble virtues of statesmanship became liabilities and compromise — a sin rather than a virtue.
The brighter times in our history all share a common theme – the most enduring progress was achieved when opposing sides found common ground, not in bloody battles but in thoughtful discourse. This concept, as simple and noble as it may be, seems lost in the current political battleground, like a treasure buried and long forgotten. The journey towards unity begins with each citizen recognizing that “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” as Lincoln wisely declared. The great milestones of America’s past were forged in unity around common interests. Unity has always been the catalyst for positive change and the bedrock on which great nations thrive – we know that – but we live in an era when it’s become politically unfashionable, a relic of a bygone age.
As we stand before the precipice, eyes wide and hearts heavy, we must decide whether to plunge into deeper division or rise above our differences. The path we choose will shape not just the political landscape but the very soul of the nation in the 21st Century. It is our collective choice and our shared responsibility. And the stakes? They are so much higher than we seem to realize.
Last week, Mississippi conducted its state primaries, determining the political landscape for a myriad of statewide, legislative, and county offices. The marquee contest – a showdown between Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and perennial challenger Chris McDaniel – has been viewed as a microcosm of the broader ideological battle that will soon shape the GOP presidential primaries. In the end, McDaniel’s aggressive campaign, positioning himself to the right of an already staunch conservative in Hosemann, fell well short. Hosemann glided to victory, clinching the primary win and eliminating the need for a risky runoff.
This Mississippi race sets the stage for the next much-anticipated event on the political calendar: the first GOP presidential debate, scheduled for next Wednesday night in Milwaukee. As a key precursor to the 2024 presidential primaries, this debate is particularly significant. All eyes will be on the presence — or absence — of Trump, a factor that promises to be the focal point of the evening, along with the inevitable questions the GOP candidates will field about Trump. As the debate unfolds, Americans will commence the vital process of deciding who will lead the Republican Party into the 2024 election, a decision that will surely reverberate across the nation’s political landscape.
Here’s a nod toward casting our ballots not on the colors of political partisanship, but on a candidate’s deeper affiliation to nobler ideals, to values that transcend the muck of partisanship. As I watch upcoming debates, I’ll be listening not for rehearsed soundbites and partisan talking points, but for authenticity and pragmatism, asking myself whether candidates are trading in the tarnished currency of division or making genuine appeals to shared progress.
And here’s the startling reality: polls suggest I’m not alone in this sentiment. Both leading candidates for their party’s nomination – Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump – find themselves tethered to 40 percent or lower approval ratings, languishing in a valley of national discontent. The problem is, both are also the clear favorites to be their party’s standard-bearers, with potential challengers on both sides facing almost insurmountable odds of beating them. This is the nature of our flawed primary system: a candidate who garners 40 percent of a crowded presidential primary vote – with 6 out of 10 voters of their own party choosing someone else – can easily cruise to their party’s nomination.
And unless the 2024 election is graced with a viable third-party candidate – a phenomenon as rare in American history as a cold Mississippi afternoon in August – Biden and Trump will likely be the only real choices on that fateful Election Day in 2024.
This suggests a reality that strikes at the very heart of our national ailment – it’s not the American people who are broken, weary though we may be; it’s our political infrastructure that’s fractured, creaking under the weight of its own contradictions.
A reckoning awaits us. We are not merely spectators in a political drama but active participants in a defining moment of our nation’s history. The choice we face is clear: continue down a path of division and political war, allowing bitterness and strife to erode the very foundations of our democracy, or rise above partisanship and seek the higher ground of unity, compromise, and shared values.
May we find the wisdom and courage to make the right choices in the upcoming primaries, for the sake of the generations that will inherit the consequences of our actions today. And may we realize that we do, in fact, have a choice.
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of SuperTalk Mississippi Media.
Mississippi
Why Mississippi State football loss to Arizona State revealed a strong Jeff Lebby culture
It was 11:10 p.m. Saturday in Starkville when Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt barreled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.
At that point, it would’ve been fair for Mississippi State football fans to call it a night. The Bulldogs (1-1) trailed 27-3 at ASU in the final minute of the second quarter. They were dominated in just about every statistical category. New coach Jeff Lebby looked like he was headed toward his first loss, and an embarrassing one.
And even if you gave the second half a chance, eyes just a crack open, that wasn’t encouraging either. Arizona State (2-0) took the opening drive of the third quarter for a field goal while eating 8 minutes, 27 seconds of game time. That just about decided the game before Mississippi State touched the ball in the second half.
Wrong.
Instead, MSU scored touchdowns on three of its next four drives and cut the score to 30-23 with 5:27 to play. The defense, which was torched for 346 rushing yards, needed one more stop to let the offense try to tie it. It would’ve been the largest comeback in program history.
Mississippi State’s path to a bowl game seems murkier than it was a week ago. But in the long-term, there’s still encouragement after the 30-23 loss.
“Our guys battled in an incredible way in the second half, and we’re going to hold on to that,” Lebby said in his postgame radio interview. “We’re going to find ways to get back in the building, get back to work and be able to walk into Davis Wade (Stadium) with a ton of confidence and ready to go win a football game.”
The encouragement from Mississippi State’s comeback effort
Lebby said after beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in Week 1 that there is an abundance of teachable moments in wins, just like losses.
There is plenty to point to after losing to Arizona State.
Mississippi State came out incredibly flat. The Sun Devils scored on their first five possessions. The MSU offense had one field goal, two punts, a fumble returned for a touchdown and a turnover-on-downs in the first half. MSU had -13 rushing yards in the first half.
There were concerns entering the game about the travel distance, late kickoff and high temperature. But let’s be real, Mississippi State was playing so poorly at the start that it was hard to judge if those were factors.
“I got to do a better job getting these guys ready to go play out of the gate,” Lebby said. “I thought our energy, our effort and our emotion was really good, but then we did not play clean there in the first quarter, so that part was frustrating.”
The Bulldogs outscored the Sun Devils 20-0 in the final quarter and a half. It was a surprise. Arizona State was rolling. Mississippi State was not.
MORE: Introducing Sam Sklar, the Clarion Ledger’s new Mississippi State beat reporter
For Lebby, a first-time head coach at any level, let it be a learning moment for him. It was his first time getting pinned in a corner. The Bulldogs adjusted correctly in the second half like good coaches do.
The rushing offense and defense both need to improve. Badly. Quarterback Blake Shapen has been impressive in his first two Mississippi State games and the wide receiver room is deep and talented as ever, but they can’t be the only answer.
That’s just for this season.
Mississippi State has its first tally in the loss column. But it isn’t a strike against Lebby leading the future of the program.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Sam Leavitt leads ASU to convincing victory in 1st career start
Leavitt and the Sun Devils cruised past visiting Wyoming 48-7 on Saturday night at Mountain America Stadium.
The Arizona State football team elevated its play on the field in its 48-7 win over Wyoming in Week 1.
It is elevating its uniform game for Week 2 against Mississippi State.
ASU football is wearing a gold alternate jersey against the Bulldogs at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday night.
The jersey includes maroon “Arizona State” lettering and maroon numbering, along with a noticeable Big 12 logo.
The Sun Devil football team unveiled the uniform last month, with Athletic Director Graham Rossini posting that “you’ll see this on the field early this season.”
On Thursday, ASU football announced that it would be wearing the uniform against Mississippi State with a video that said “Modern shine, with a classic design.”
On Friday, it posted another look at the uniform.
More: Arizona State vs Mississippi State live score updates, analysis for college football game
ASU vs Mississippi State schedule, TV: How to watch college football game
Promising look: Arizona State football’s 2024 win prediction doubles after Week 1 victory over Wyoming
Social media reacted favorably overall to ASU football’s uniform vs Mississippi State:
Do you like the look for ASU football?
ASU vs. Mississippi State picks: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Looking promising: Arizona State football makes huge leap in college football ranking, Big 12 power rankings
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – There are questions about a bus company’s track record after a fatal bus crash in Mississippi on Saturday, August 31.
Seven people died when a passenger bus traveling on Interstate 20 left the roadway and overturned. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said that 41 passengers and two drivers were enroute to Dallas from Atlanta.
Autobuses Regiomontanos owned the bus in the crash. The company, which is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has had a troubled record in recent memory. It consists of lawsuits, driver fitness violations and even another fatal crash in 2023.
According to the DOT, the company, based in Laredo, Texas, operates 17 vehicles and employs 39 drivers. The company currently has a ‘conditional‘ safety rating. It is given to companies with ‘inadequate‘ safety controls. Still, companies with this rating may continue to operate.
Its most recent compliance review occurred in July 2023. Using data available from the DOT’s Safety Management System, it has had 155 inspections. Of those inspections, 58 had violations. Nearly all were vehicle maintenance violations.
Three infractions between October and December of 2023 involved issues with vehicle tires. Other infractions included 16 brake or air brake violations and citations for having two buses with no or defective emergency exits.
Seven victims killed in Mississippi bus crash identified
Other inspection violations related to the bus company’s drivers. All violations occurred this year. They include the following:
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(1) Operating a commercial vehicle without corrective lenses or hearing aids as indicated on the driver’s medical certificate (2) Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while not possessing a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
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05/13/2024
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05/14/2024
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05/14/2024
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05/28/2024
-
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Operate a CMV while not in possession of a CDL on person.
DOT data indicates that company buses have been in four separate accidents over the last two years. A November 2022 crash required a bus to be towed away and another in April 2023 resulted in someone dying. Below is the record.
|
Date |
Location |
Deaths |
Injuries |
|
10/16/2023 |
Louisiana |
0 |
1 |
|
4/15/2023 |
Texas |
1 |
2 |
|
11/23/2022 |
Tennessee |
0 |
0 |
|
9/24/2022 |
Arkansas |
0 |
1 |
The NTSB is investigating the crash in conjunction with MHP. NTSB officials said they will look at the carrier’s safety record and protections for bus occupants.
Community comes together to help Mississippi bus crash victims
Autobuses Regiomontanos violated several provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), it failed to have an ADA training program in place for its employees and contractors, failed to file required ADA compliance reports and failed to ensure that all lifts on its buses were properly maintained.
In 2015, the company entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The company was also named as a defendant in a $708 million lawsuit filed by New York City City in January. The city accused Autobuses Regiomontanos and other charter bus and transportation companies of taking migrants to the Big Apple on behalf of the State of Texas.
The DOT advises travelers to do the following before they book their next bus trip.
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Search for bus companies
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Verify that a company is authorized to operate
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Review the company’s safety records
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Make sure the company is licensed and insured
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If appropriate, report a company
DOT agencies advise consumers that unless a motor carrier has received an unsatisfactory rating or has been ordered to discontinue its operations, it is authorized to operate on the nation’s roadways. Additionally, readers should not conclude that a carrier is safe or unsafe by only using data from DOT agencies. For more information, click here.
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