Davis warns against Siegelman testifying to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Representative Artur Davis of Birmingham is recommending that former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman avoid testifying before Congress about his corruption case.
Davis, a former federal prosecutor, said that Republicans would use the occasion to try to embarrass Siegelman by rehashing unflattering details from his trial. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee [...]

Bahamas jury rules Anna Nicole Smith’s son died of accidental drug overdose

By TOSHEENA ROBINSON-BLAIR
The Associated Press

NASSAU, Bahamas – A Bahamas jury ruled Monday that Anna Nicole Smith’s son died from an accidental drug overdose, just like his mother.
The seven-member jury, which deliberated for less than two hours, recommended no criminal charges in the September 2006 death of 20-year-old Daniel Smith.
The son of the former Playboy playmate [...]

Noon updates …

Clarion-Ledger: New judge picked for old Scruggs’ lawsuit.
Columbus Commercial Dispatch:Runoff vote Tuesday in Districts 1 and 3

Delta State mourning death of swimmer …

Delta State University, the DSU Department of Athletics, and the Swimming and Diving teams are mourning the loss of Molly Bates, who was tragically killed in a one-car accident on Highway 61 just north of Cleveland on Saturday night.
Click here for more at gostatesmen.com

The Week Ahead & more …

From the Sunday Journal …
Lauderdale County
McCain to visit
Meridian, Jackson
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain will visit Mississippi on Monday, with stops planned in Meridian and Jackson. While he’s in Jackson, Mississippi Democratic Party leaders – including representatives from the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama presidential campaigns – will counter with a news conference of their own. [...]

2 simultaneous elections puzzle some Miss. voters …

The Associated Press
SOUTHAVEN – Some NeMiss voters are confused by the two upcoming elections for the 1st District congressional seat.
People go to the polls April 1 for the Democratic and Republican primary runoffs to set the ballot for the November general election. The winner in November will serve a two-year term in Washington, starting in [...]

What would you do?

If you were on Gov. Haley Barbour’s tax study group what would you do? Comment below.
The Associated Press
Gov. Haley Barbour told members of his tax study group Monday that he wants them to focus on policies that favor economic growth and job creation.
The group of about 30 business people, state and local officials and financial [...]

UPDATE: Ronnie Bell leaving Lee County Administrator position

By Emily Le Coz
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Lee County Administrator Ronnie Bell will retire in early June after 19 years on the job to take a position with the Three Rivers Planning and Development District, he announced Monday. He is the state’s longest-serving administrator.
More in Tuesday’s Daily Journal.  

In the headlines now …

Miss. TB rate rising
The Associated Press
JACKSON – Mississippi’s tuberculosis rate is above the national average for the first time in years.
Mississippi’s TB rate is the 13th worst in the nation, said State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson. He said the state is in danger of being in the top 10.
Nationally, the TB rate has fallen [...]

Zach Scruggs plea agreement ..

 zach-scruggs-plea-agreement.pdf
The Associated Press
OXFORD – The last defendant in the bribery case that brought down powerful plaintiffs’ attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs – his son – pleaded guilty Friday in a deal with federal prosecutors that could keep him out of prison.
Zach Scruggs pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, which means he had knowledge of a [...]