Between the Headlines: Columbus

By: The Dispatch
  • Summary

  • Between the Headlines dives deep into the stories shaping Columbus and Lowndes County, Mississippi. Hosted by The Commercial Dispatch managing editor Zack Plair and local businessman and commentator David Chism, this show goes beyond the front page to bring you the real conversations behind local politics, policies and people. Zack’s journalistic expertise and David’s insight deliver in-depth analysis, spirited debate, and behind-the-scenes context you won’t get anywhere else. It's honest discussion on what matters.

    © 2025 The Commercial Dispatch Publishing Co. Inc.
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Episodes
  • Grant Controversy and Fiery Feuds Lead to the Primaries
    Feb 6 2025

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    Today, we explore a riveting political drama unfolding in Columbus centered around Susan Wilder, the city's grant writer. A low-risk grant which could eventually make the city greener, astonishingly faces an unexpected hurdle when a 4-2 council vote initially rejects it. However, the mayor's determined intervention stirs the pot, leading to a special meeting that ultimately swings in favor of the grant. This episode questions whether Wilder is merely a pawn in a larger political game as her job security hangs in the balance.

    Next, we turn our attention to a public feud between Joseph Mickens and Leroy Brooks, two stalwarts of local politics, who find themselves in a clash that transcends policy debates and dives into personal and racial provocations. Brooks accuses Mickens of threats, while Mickens fights back with a meme fraught with racial implications and a contentious video statement. We dissect the layers of this rivalry, considering the broader political and social ramifications for their campaigns and the community’s perception of leadership.

    Finally, we shine a spotlight on the upcoming Columbus mayoral and city council elections, offering a strategic analysis of the candidates' positioning. We examine how candidate profiles, voter turnout, and strategic moves could shape the future of Columbus politics, leaving listeners with a clearer view of the race's stakes.

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    37 mins

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