I have some Actual Paying Work to get through tonight. And since I screwed my due dates, I have a decent-sized chunk to have done by tomorrow. Nothing terribly esoteric but nothing terribly interesting, either, but that’s how it goes. One does involve Good Samaritan Laws, though, and those are worth perusing when you have a spare minute.
Let’s start with some good news. Mississippi recorded 719 new cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. That’s the lowest since the Delta variant rampage began earlier this Summer. Indeed, we’re well on track to be back to where we were this time last year, which is nice. As we noted Monday, both Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Thomas Dobbs are cautiously optimistic for the next couple of months. As of right now, a regular-type Halloween for the kids is a go.
We’re still being cautious, including Tate Reeves extending the State of Emergency into November. However, a couple of school systems are feeling themselves and have rescinded the mask mandates they had reinstated at the beginning of the year. For one, Tupelo schools stopped requiring them today. Most health officials are on board with this, but they’re still strongly suggesting young folks who might be at risk themselves or around someone who is to keep it up.
While we’re still the lowest in the nation and among the lowest in the world, Mississippi has notched 1.3 million vaccinations. Since the population’s around 2.98 million, give or take, that isn’t too bad. It’s pushing up against 40% vaccinated and one takes what one gets in the Magnolia State. Overall, we’ve had around 497,000 cases and 9,900 deaths since this all started. Hopefully, this isn’t just a case of running out of people to be sick.
Let’s stay in Mississippi. The State Auditor Shad White has demanded the return of $828,000 from former quarterback and living proof “cancel culture” isn’t a thing Brett Farve. If you’ll recall, Farve was caught up in the huge embezzlement case last year when state officials and a number of pseudo-celebrities illegally spent money that was supposed to go to assist the state’s welfare recipients. We’ve got plenty of those, despite what you might think.
A total of 98 million dollars that was part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund is reported to have been mishandled by the people involved, including money earmarked for drug treatment programs going to chi-chi vacations (somewhere else, naturally) and really expensive pickup trucks. Farve was on the hook for $1.1 million which was supposed to go towards buying some speaking engagements with Families First For Mississippi, one of the non-profits wrapped up in the scandal.
Farve never made those engagements and claims he had no idea that’s what the money was for. On his own, he returned a significant chunk once the scandal hit the air and White said records indicated that Farve was indeed ignorant of the whole rigmarole. While he was willing to give the former quarterback the benefit of the doubt, White said no money has since come in and he’s tired of Farve’s dilly-dallying.
This to-do has also involved, among others, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and two of his sons. The head of the non-profit and, coincidentally, owner of private school New Summit Nancy New is currently under federal and state indictment for fraud and embezzlement. Previous governor Phil Bryant was heavily involved with New Summit’s start and there’s some question as to his involvement. Current Gov. Tate Reeves accepted campaign donations from New’s group and filmed a campaign video at the school. He has, however, given the donation back, so good for him.
What he hasn’t done, however, is call a special session to address the medical marijuana issue as he promised. Recall, after the state Supreme Court went against the will of the people and struck down Initiative 65, which one three-fourths of the vote in the 2020 election, Reeves said he’d call a session once the legislature got a good bill together. Well, it’s been almost a month since they did and Reeves has been sitting on his thumbs.
I am not sanguine he will do anything but run the clock out. I am cynical, though.
Dear Y'all 