The Star Blog

Meridian 360 for May 17th

2009-05-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Meridian 360 preview for May 17th from Benja Lockridge on Vimeo.

Story has been updated

2009-03-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

It appears it was a text hoax. Visit our homepage for any updates.
Thanks.

Crime in South Meridian?

2009-03-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

We're hearing unconfirmed reports of possible gang-related crime activity near the Bonita Wal-Mart and Sam's Club parking lots last night and early this morning. As we try to confirm it, please e-mail Cops Reporter Brian Livingston at blivingston@themeridianstar.com if you have any details.

Twitter and Facebook

2009-03-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

So, it seems we've neglected the Blog. Sorry guys (and gals) we've been a bit busy updating our site and working on other ventures. It seems our twitter account and facebook accounts have taken over. For up-to-date news, visit our Web site at www.meridianstar.com. For up-to-date news bits and promos, visit our tweet at www.twitter.com/meridianstar. For our behind-the-scenes facebook fans page, visit facebook.com and search "The Meridian Star."
Until then, we'll try to reserve our blog for other "unique" content.

Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

ZOMBIES!

2009-02-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

So, do you find this funny, or not?

Christian Bale apology

2009-02-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

No doubt most everyone on the planet has either heard or heard about the tirade by Christian Bale on the set of Terminator Salvation. Anyway, for those of you who feel he needed to; he has apologized. Here is Christian calling in to the Kevin and Bean radio show on KROQ. Not a show I'm familiar with, but here you go.

Leaving her mark

2009-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

A woman driving through downtown Meridian left her mark – and parts of her car – earlier today.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., when the woman, who was traveling north on 22nd Avenue, hit a tree at the corner of Eighth Street (in front of Percy Bland's campaign headquarters and across from First State Bank), then kept going.

In addition to marks on the tree, the woman – described by an onlooker as a white female driving a black Monte Carlo – left pieces of her car and broke the radiator. A Meridian police officer began following a trail of water up 22nd Avenue in an attempt to locate the woman ... and the rest of her car.

Ida Brown

Other ideas for the Threefoot building

2009-01-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

The city council has approved the conversion of Meridian's iconic Threefoot building into a hotel, but a couple of weeks ago, the fate of the building was not so certain, and ideas about what else could be done with it were flying around town.

Now that the votes are cast, I thought I'd share some of the ideas for use of the building that I've heard during my coverage of the Threefoot project.

Regular readers of the Meridian Star may have read our Managing Editor Steve Gillespie's column which irreverently suggested that the building be converted into a multi-story indoor Bourbon Street. His idea inspired some other funny suggestions from Meridian Star staff and readers.

One person suggested that, instead of just Bourbon Street, the building should be made into an entire French Quarter, with different floors for Decatur Street, Royal Street, Esplanade, etc. Another suggested squeezing the entirety of downtown Meridian into the building, with one floor for shopping, one for art galleries, one for restaurants, and so forth.

While some were joking in their suggestions for the building, others had ideas that they knew wouldn't come to fruition, but that they thought would be cool if they did.

My husband thought the building, in all its art deco-ness, would make a great school of architecture for MSU. Another person, who wanted the building to provide entertainment for locals downtown, said they would have liked to see the building made into a mall with mostly local stores, and restaurants with live music on the first floor. Some who wanted to see the building put to use by the city rather than a developer suggested that it be converted into a new police station, with the first several floors as parking.

Since the council cast their votes, many people have told me they're just glad to know the building is being used for anything, and they don't want to be picky about what - though some of them have expressed a little apprehension about the city's investment.

If you have any fun ideas about what could have gone into the Threefoot building, e-mail them to me. If I get enough suggestions, I'll post them here later.

- Jennifer Jacob Brown
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Sea Kittens

2009-01-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

The people at PETA, in an attempt to increase compassion for fish, have renamed the watery vertebrates. Now, PETA is calling them "sea kittens". On their website, PETA has a "make your own sea kitten" game. There, kids (or anyone else) can create a more adorable version of a fish, complete with a goatee, litter box, tiara, or kitty whiskers. And of course they come with default batting eyelashes. Just like a real fish!

Now, I'm not trashing PETA. I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals. But you'd think they would realize that making cute animated versions of food, including fish, only makes it look more appetizing, especially to kids. Haven't they noticed all the BBQ restaurants with anthropomorphic pig mascots? Or the talking, dancing Chicken McNuggets that have had decades of children screaming for Happy Meals? Kids see these animations and their first thought isn't "I want to help it!" - It's "I want to eat it!"

Trying to re-name fish isn't going to get people to stop eating fish. If anything, it will get people to stop associating the dead thing that they eat with the living thing they put on the table. PETA can call fish "sea kittens" all day long, but you're never going to walk into a restaurant be told about the "sea kitten of the day". Parents looking to cook a quick meal aren't going to tell their kids "we're having sea kitten sticks for dinner tonight".

My "sea kitten" is a tuna with a walrus 'stache, John Lennon glasses, and - despite being underwater - a bowl of water. He looks delicious.

You can create your own "sea kitten" here

- Jennifer Jacob Brown
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Guitar Hero on a bike?

2008-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Ok, I'll admit it; I'm amused, but some people need to find jobs.

IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME.....

2008-10-17T15:53:00.000-07:00

by Sandra Hammon

Well, it finally happened. Actually, it didn't take long at all. Since the stop signs have been removed for the sake of GOING GREEN, motorists have been creeping through these intersections.

However, there are those who still aren't aware of these stop signs being removed. There is no indication they've been taken up. No flashing caution lights so people will know to be careful when crossing.

So, today the inevitable happened. A truck, stopped as it was supposed to at the intersection of 45th Street and 29th Ave, was hit by another car as it pulled out of what was once a four way stop. Assuming the stop signs were still there, he went on through. Imagine his surprise when none other than a MPD patrol car came barreling through without stopping. I'm not sure if the patrol car was on a call or not, but the driver of the truck unknowingly pulled out in front of him. There was an impact and both vehicles went flying. So much so, that the patrol car ended up crashing through a homeowners backyard fence.

To my knowledge, no one was hurt, but what about next time? The mayor wants us to GO GREEN with minimal efforts such as pulling up stop signs around town. Can't the city work crew be instructed to put a flashing caution light at these intersections? I have to ask Mayor Smith, is receiving an award for GOING GREEN worth someone's life?

My Heart Goes Out

2008-10-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

By Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant, The Meridian Star

My heart goes out to the families of the two teenagers who were killed the last two days in Lauderdale County. I too have lost a child and can understand some of their pain. My daughter was killed in a car wreck in 1991. My heart is so saddened for the families and especially the parents of the two teens lost. I understand the painful and long road that they are just beginning to go down as I have been on that road for a while now. As we grow older, we see our parents grow older and we think that in the "natural" state of things, we will bury our parents, but we never expect to bury a child. That is the most painful thing that a parent will ever go through. Please friends and families, rally around not only now for these parents, but rally months and years down the road. Please don't think you are being rude or "upsetting" them by talking about these young people. We want to know that they are not forgotten or that they will not be forgotten. You will not "upset" them anymore than what they already are. Let them grieve in the way they want and need, just be there for them...be the "safe" person if you can, and let them be and express the raw deep grief relief that they need. I am praying for them and do understand some of their grief and I am truly so sorry to the bottom of my core being.

Proud and Thankful

2008-09-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

I had to drive to Jackson Saturday morning early. It was a little around 8 a.m. when I stopped at red light and was surrounded by bucket trucks loaded down with things and men from Mississippi Power. It brought tears to my eyes to realize that these men were already on the move to Texas or Louisiana. We all got on I -20 and headed west. I thought back to three short years ago when after almost two weeks of no power and how I felt when the men in bucket trucks from North Carolina looked like the Calvary when they rode into my neighborhood. I just wanted the men and their families from Mississippi Power to know that they were prayed over Saturday. They were prayed over for safety, clearness and focus of the jobs at hand and for their families' safety while they are away. I prayed for good rest when they get it and I prayed for the people wherever they were going to feel as I did when the North Carolina "Calvary" pulled in. To be thankful for them and express that. I passed many bucket trucks going and coming from Jackson this weekend and it just did my heart good to see them. We in Meridian and in Mississippi were on the receiving end of so much three years ago. It made me so proud to know "we" were giving back. Hurricane Ike could not have even passed the coastline of Texas very far Saturday morning when I saw Mississippi Power trucks on the road. I hope those people see those trucks and men and see the Mississippi Power logo and Meridian MS on the doors and are as thankful as we were three years ago. We truly are a giving people here, why? Because we have been given so much....Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant, The Meridian Star.

A sigh of relief...

2008-09-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Just like many of you, I went and stocked up on batteries, water and canned goods. Fortunately, Gustav was not anything like Katrina and that is a huge relief. We can handle the rain, just not in large amounts. Some of surrounding counties are still dealing with tornado warnings, hopefully those will end soon.

However, we are not out of the woods yet. There are at least two more storms out there and more expected to be named. So the items that you and I bought to be prepared for Gustav... keep them handy. You never know what path those storms are going to take. We all wish for the best with the upcoming storms and are very thankful for Gustav sparing this area. Don't let your guard down. It's better to be prepared for the worst than to not be prepared at all.

Joy Henson
393 Editor

A LESSON LEARNED

2008-08-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

By Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com

It's not something you can see. At least not yet. But it's here. It's a feeling anyone who lived in this area three years ago knows very well. It's called 'forebode'. That inward feeling which tells us something ominous is about to happen. A heaviness in the air that is all too familiar.

I don't recall having this foreshadowed feeling before Katrina. Maybe it's because we'd not had such a catostrophic event on the Mississippi Coast since Camille in 1969. Camille was horrendous, but it pretty much stayed in the bounderies of the coastal area. Katrina, on the other hand, was a far more adventurous storm. She seemed to have no boundries or mercy once she made landfall.

The good thing about this inward forebode, is what it causes one to do. The preparedness level steps up and we are far more ready than we were with Katrina. Some of us overprepare, but isn't that better than shrugging it off? Maybe.
Or maybe we are being overcautious before we need to be. As for me, I'd rather err on the side of caution. We need to have everything prepared, so as to help others. If we don't have this mindset, we cause ourselves to be a burden. This is unnecessary and can be prevented.

So, listen to your gut feeling of forebodeness. When you stock up, grab a few extra cans in case your neighbor runs out. Err on the side of caution. We learned a lesson with Katrina. If we heed that lesson, we can all do this together.

Hurricane Season

2008-08-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ben Shults
bfshults8@gmail.com

With Tropical Storm Fay just now leaving us, I was looking at the National Hurricane Center's web site and was not surprised to see another tropical system looming in the distance. Hurricane Gustav is currently centered just south of Haiti and the projected track at this time is to skirt just south of Cuba and head into the Gulf of Mexico. Of course it is way too early to tell exactly where this hurricane will go, but nevertheless, it is always good to be prepared in case a hurricane does hit our area.

While I was looking at the National Hurricane Center's web site, I found a family disaster plan, and items needed for a disaster supply kit. It has been right at three years since we have had a major hurricane to affect us, and we sometimes forget some of the things that we need in the event of another disaster.

Family Disaster Plan:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/family_plan.shtml

Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to Storm Surge, Flooding and Wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Disaster Supply Kit:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

China Olympics

2008-08-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Key
lkey@themeridianstar.com

Ok....lets see....
I just came into work and was designing a world page and came across a story on the China Olympics. The headline read...'China's Olympic ceremony features sacrifices' on the AP wire. (if anyone is intrested in looking it up). Now when it comes to politics and world topics i try to stay out of the conflict but the more i watch the olympics and hear about the crap China has done i cant help but wonder what the heck is going through their minds.

(most quotes came from article, AP)

The article was mainly about the director of the opening ceremonies, Zhang Yimou and the stress he put these 1500 cast and crew members through. Some news reports have raised questions about the length to which Bejing went in trying to create the perfect performance for the beginning of the games. They were accused of fakery for using computer-generated images to enhance the fireworks for the tv viewers, criticized about their decision to have a 9-year-old sing the opening song because the real girl wasn't cute enough, not to mention the age scandle of China's women gymnasts. I think to myself... these guys are a piece of work huh. They are trying there hardest to take over the world, to be the best at everything. Of course working hard to be your best is perfectly alright, but com' on.

As the article continues I read that the performers endured rain drenched rehearsal and sweltering hot weather and still had to practice 16 hours a day with no breaks. Most suffered from fainting and heatstrokes. One girl even fell during practice when it was raining and is now paralyzed! The director said he deeply regrets what happened to her but strongly defends and continued his strenuous rehearsals.

After stating that North Korea was number 1 in the world in uniformity he went on to say that performers in the West need frequent breaks and cannot withstand criticism. He worked on an Opera in New York in '06 and wined that we could only work 4 hours and half days, that coffee breaks were a must, and a little discomfort was not allowed because of human rights. While their practices consisted of 51-hour rehearsals with little food and rest and no shelter from the drastic weather there. He also made some of the performers wear adult diapers because they couldn't use the bathroom. Seriously?

I must be a lazy American but i am proud of it. I am glad we work as a single unit instead of a whole. I do have my own opinions and I think it makes us stronger as a whole. But I'll be danged if i'm going to wear a diaper just for that. Now i know the olympics are "Hard Core" but is all that necessary. We Americans have had it easy i guess and are nothing but dirt. I guess I wont complain to much it is the Chinese by the way. All i'm saying is why cant they appreciate the hard work and ethics we have over here. We were all raised a little differently. (Although it would be cool to be a ninja) China has gone beyond the call to cheat and criticize the U.S. but who is leading in medals? WE ARE SUCKERS!

Although the purpose of this blog is pointless, I just wanted to get some feedback on the article.

Medicaid talk continues

2008-08-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

BY Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com

For those of you following the Medicaid issue, you may have noticed a story about Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant discussing the possibility of an October(ish) special session ... and how a possible vote on a tobacco tax increase may be included in that call.
The lieutenant governor's office said Bryant is not proposing an increase on the tobacco tax as a cure-all for Medicaid. But Bryant believes an increase in the tobacco tax is likely. The governor's tax study commission is expected to release its report by the end of the month. That report is expected to include a proposal to raise the tax on tobacco products. Gov. Haley Barbour has said he, too, expects the commission to propose such an increase ... and he said he wouldn't oppose it.
The revenue the tax generates, however, will be a hot topic in Jackson this fall. Word on the street is that a proposal may soon surface that would include at least a portion of that new revenue to be used to fund Medicaid.
I'm sure other lawmakers have other plans on how to use it. All that should make for an interesting fall. Oh yeah, and there are some elections going on, too.
While the governor's plan to solve Medicaid by bypassing the Legislature seemed to do the trick, the buzz around the state capitol is that the issue is far from dead. Some hospitals are already complaining that the governor's proposal will hurt them too much.
We'll see how that shakes out.

NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS

2008-08-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com

The Olympics aren't just in China this year. They are in every neighborhood in America. Kids living their dreams of one day being a Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin. People who were once 'neighborhood kids'
with Olympic dreams that took them to heights only their imagination could see are still there.

To obtain anything close to these athletic abilities, it has to start in childhood and be nurtured not only by parents and coaches, but by the child's own ambition. The child's self confidence and belief in themselves has to be there, or no amount of 'you can do it' will matter.

I have to wonder how many future Olympians we have right here in Meridian. How many neighborhood kids wonder if they could possibly someday be the one to swim the fastest or jump the highest. We probably won't know until these children achieve something which merits worth mentioning. The sad thing is, there are many who will never hear, "good job!". Their environment simply doesn't allow it. It's these neighborhood kids who need to be encouraged in order to build their self-esteem.

So, when you see a neighborhood kid riding a bike or shooting hoops on the curbside, give them a thumbs up. Encourage them by acknowledging the effort. It only takes a moment, but the child remembers it all day. Maybe even for a lifetime. Who knows, you just might be looking at a one day Olympic super star.

A Sewer Situation

2008-08-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is having a serious sewage problem with the city of Meridian.This problem has been happening for many years,ten at least.This friend of mine owns the Best Western Motel on the south frontage road in Meridian.For years he has had backups from the sewer,especially after a good rain.He's made many requests,sent many letters,to the city,to the MSDEQ,requesting the problem be solved.He has photos,videos,of the sewer lines boiling out from under the manhole covers on Sowashee Street,directly behind his motel.This is after the rains so it's very easy to realize that there is storm water flooding the sewer lines.Remember this has been happening for years,no relief yet from the city of Meridian.
His family has paid all taxes pertaining to the Hotel/Motel business...plus the restaurant taxes involved there also. For just the last five years,03-07,his taxes amounted to $557,781.00 for the motel,$205,462.00,for the restaurant.This does not include property taxes.
This same family has been paying all required taxes for this property for close to a hundred years,forty years on the Motel alone. Now...I've said all this to let folks know that it's time for the city of Meridian to live up to their part and fix the sewer problems there...and reimburse the family for the many refunds they have had to make because of the cities refusal to repair the problem.

As a side note,the new Drury Inn under construction with new infrastructure has no taxes to pay for seven years. Somehow this sets kinda sideways with folks that do have to pay 'em,don't you think?
Life gets teejus round here.....

Raymond Huffmaster

Meridian at the Olympics

2008-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

By Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

At the Summer Olympic Games Peavey audio products manufactured in Meridian and Decatur are providing sound at many of the venues, including the new Beijing National Stadium where opening ceremonies will be held tonight.

More than 600 amplifiers from Crest Audio, a division of Peavey Electronics, will power the Olympic opening ceremonies and other Olympic venues.

Read more about it in Saturday's issue of The Meridian Star.

Rodeo Time

2008-08-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Ben Shults
bfshults8@gmail.com

The Ralph Morgan Rodeo will be held this Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, at the Ralph Morgan Arena. The arena is located just off of Hwy 45 North in Lauderdale, MS, and the show starts at 7:30pm both nights. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCED

2008-08-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com

This past weekend we were in McComb, MS., and noticed what a nice, quiet little town it is. Quiet in a way that makes it peaceful for those who like to walk outside their door and not be met by the 'noises of the street' or the overbearing music of a neighbor. We all need to feel that our home is our sanctuary away from the things which we have to face when going out into the world.

As we toured the downtown area, I noticed a sign. Asking my son to back up so I could see it, I read it again to make sure. 'NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCED'
There it was. Something many Meridianites have been asking about for quite some time.

For those who consistently break this noise ordinance it is a simple reminder that there are consequences for the lack of respect in our every day lives. It seemed to make a difference in McComb. There was an air of respect in the community which I feel we could use here in Meridian.

Having a "green city" and being awarded an "artist-crafted tree figurine" is nice, but having a respectful community where we all care about one another is also important. It's not much. Just unimpressive signs. But for being a reminder about a noise ordinance, they speak very loudly.

The Neshoba County Fair after hours

2008-08-02T14:02:00.001-07:00

Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

2008 was my first year to visit the Neshoba County Fair, and I have to admit that during the daytime it was not my cup of tea. My main gripe - it was just too hot and humid. I tried to visit cabins and enjoy company and food, and there were plenty of both, but the blazing sunlight was so oppressive I just didn't enjoy either. My brain and my body were both in going in slow motion, and just the idea of consuming hot food in the already killer heat was completely out of the question. I met some interesting people, but I couldn't help thinking that I'd rather have met them somewhere cooler, less dirty, somewhere that didn't smell like livestock.

The Neshoba County Fair at night was a much nicer experience. With the sun absent and the temperature down I was able to focus on the company and unique fair culture rather than how uncomfortable I was. The fair at night is like an entire small town with 600 different parties going on, side by side, at once.

I spent Wednesday evening at the cabin of Neshoba County musician Daniel Sharp and his family. Meridianites may have heard Daniel and David Lauderdale play at the Echo Lounge as "All Around Hounds". But no one was playing guitar or singing at Daniel's cabin that night - they were too busy playing cacho.

Cacho is a Bolivian dice game brought to Neshoba County by two former Peace Corps workers. I'm not sure exactly how the game works, but I'm told that Yahtzee is loosely based on it, and I know that cacho players take it very seriously. During the tournament at Daniel's cabin Wednesday, the players were virtually unaware of everything that was happening around them - their minds were on winning the tournament. The party at their cabin was far from alcohol-free, but the cacho players seemed not to notice the people hollering and falling down around them. If they weren't rolling dice, they may as well have not been there.

The people who had already lost the tournament were a bit more interesting to non-cacho players like myself. At least as hospitable as the people I met during the daytime, no one at Daniel's cabin treated anyone else like a stranger, and everyone went out of their way to make sure everyone else was comfortable and content.

I found the fair at night to be much more relaxed than during the day. The heat was beaten, the huge meals eaten, and everyone was ready to relax and have fun.

Barbour, McCoy talk Medicaid at the Fair

2008-07-31T12:28:00.001-07:00

Thursday, July 31, 2008, 12:20 p.m.:

Barbour, McCoy talk Medicaid at the Fair

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridainstar.com

The governor delivered a few barbs aimed at presidential hopeful Barack Obama and briefly spoke about Medicaid during his speech, the final one today at the Neshoba County Fair at Founders Square.
Gov. Barbour said of the proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts: "We believe we have found a way to make them in a far less harmful manner."
But, he said, "make no mistake: the law requires the cuts."
"I expect an announcement of a revised proposal by the time the Legislature returns (for special session) on Monday."
Minutes after his speech, House Speaker Billy McCoy emerged from a cabin and responded to Barbour's Medicaid comments.
"We believe (the reduction in cuts) validates, vindicates and any other v's our position in the House," McCoy said.
The speaker said the Senate remains to act as the "left arm of the governor" and said he reminded reporters that the House's position is that the solution to Medicaid should be solved, at least in part, by an increase in the tax on tobacco.
"We've compromised," McCoy said.