Between the Headlines: Columbus

The Dispatch
  • 5.0 (22)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Dangerous Hwy 45 Intersection May Finally Get Addressed PLUS George Irby

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A dangerous intersection, a doubled construction bill, and a voice that carries decades of experience - George Irby. We start with Highway 45 and Mike Parra Road, where 29 crashes since 2020 and the death of a young man have galvanized a petition and renewed pressure to improve public safety. We lay out the facts the way residents need them: what a traffic signal would change, why engineers might prefer cutting the crossover with managed U‑turns, and which interim measures could save lives now while a long-term design moves forward. From there, we pivot to the Stokes Beard gym and a shocker: a $2.8M estimate swelling to $6.4M after a storm-shelter requirement came to light.  Then we welcome George Irby, a Columbus legend whose life spans NFL locker rooms, Tuskegee in the Civil Rights era, and a relentless commitment to service through the Happy Irby Fund.  If you care about safer roads, smarter schools, and a community that remembers its people, you’ll feel this one.

    54 min

  2. FEB 5

    Covered, Smothered and Only $130,000

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text Councilman Rusty Greene brings a bold idea to the table: three elevated, 750-square-foot cottages tucked behind a Waffle House, built for folks who want ownership without the bloat. We talk through the real economics of building small along with floodplain design, tree preservation, and the zoning flexibility needed to make infill sing. It’s a clear-eyed look at what “affordable” really takes. The councilman also discusses why this council makes it fun to go to meetings again. Statewide education enters the chat with a dramatic twist: the House’s sprawling bill dies, largely over private school vouchers. The Senate’s slimmer version lives on with public-to-public portability, cutting the tie between a kid’s ZIP code and their prospects. And then a hard local story: a sheriff’s apprehension dog bites a young girl during a classroom demo. We unpack why that setup was never safe, credit the sheriff’s transparency, and lay out common-sense protocols for future outreach.

    57 min

  3. JAN 29

    Matt Laubhan Discusses the Ice Storm PLUS MSMS Bills in Jackson

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text The guys discuss Columbus' hopes of building out a regional crime center, even though Starkville has already made strides in that direction. They also tackle two bills in Jackson that could pave the way to MSMS opening its doors to high school sophomores. From there, 4-County Electric’s Brian Clark and Jon Turner take us inside the week that snapped limbs, downed lines, and tested every mile of their nine-county footprint. They talk mutual aid, why a bucket at 40 feet is the coldest place in Mississippi, how restoration triage really works, and what you can do at home to cut peak demand and protect your neighbors from rolling blackouts. We also explore why winter is the true bill shock for a strip-heat South, and how free audits, blower doors, thermal imaging, and on-bill financing can make a real dent in your usage. Finally, meteorologist superstar Matt Laubhan joins to break down the razor’s edge of this week's ice storm. He talks about how a single degree and a passing thunderstorm largely spared the Golden Triangle and gives us an update on the status of north Mississippi. He shares why his new 24/7 Mississippi Live Weather network went all-in early, how a distributed home-studio setup kept coverage online.

    1h 4m

  4. JAN 22

    Why Mississippi Should Split MLK Day from Robert E. Lee Day

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text The bills are flying in Jackson, and the stakes feel close to home. We kick off with a clear-eyed look at the “Freedom of Education” proposal: what it really does, what it costs, and why bipartisan opposition formed around accountability gaps and the risk of draining public school budgets. We talk honestly about how school choice can touch property values and what the Starkville-Oktibbeha consolidation taught us about raising the floor without lowering the ceiling. Representative Kabir Karim joins us to push for something that should be simple: splitting Martin Luther King Jr. Day from Robert E. Lee Day. He explains why the dual holiday is a contradiction, how it clashes with ongoing fights for voting rights, and where Lee commemorations could reasonably live. Then we bring it downtown—literally—with a $209,000 pavilion behind the courthouse and the Fifth Street North rebuild. Historic district rules, sidewalk upgrades, traffic calming, bikes, pedestrians, cones everywhere: we break down costs, benefits, and why the finished product needs to earn everyday use, not just look good on a plan.

    50 min

  5. JAN 8

    The LINK's Meryl Fisackerly PLUS MUW post-Nora Miller & Police Chief Looks to Leave

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text We sit down with Golden Triangle Development Link COO Meryl Fisackerly to unpack how the CINCO Megasite moves from dirt to deal, why “whale” projects require patience, and what it takes to keep a regional brand like the LINK sharp during a CEO search. We dig into workforce development with EMCC and Accelerate Mississippi, the push to keep graduates here, and the reality that business retention and expansion are as vital as new wins.  In their discussion about recent headlines, Zack and David talk about Columbus' police chief's legacy now that he is a finalist for the same position in Jackson. The guys also discuss institutional stability as MUW President Nora Miller retires after delivering enrollment gains and navigating political crosswinds. The next leader must protect autonomy, sustain recruitment, and keep pressure on the legislature for facilities, all while sharpening identity to support long-term growth. Public safety and transparency round out the picture. We break down the Columbus crime lab’s technology-versus-staffing gap, the falling backlog, and a practical pipeline fix: better pay plus training agreements that keep new chemists on staff long enough to make a dent.

    1h 6m

  6. 12/18/2025

    A Pro‑Business Brain Trust For Growth PLUS CMSD's Superintendent Craig Chapman

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text In our last episode of the year, we kick off with Councilman Jason Spears discussing a bold plan to turn Columbus' raw economic activity into real economic development: an action‑first advisory group made up of people who build, hire, lease, heal, and sell here. The hard questions aren’t dodged. What keeps self‑interest from creeping in? The committee’s mandate is to match supply to demand before the city courts the wrong projects.  Then we shift to the classroom, where stability becomes a strategy. Newly minted Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Craig Chapman shares why he accepted an 18‑month contract and what he’ll deliver: fill the assistant superintendent of operations role, align curriculum to Mississippi’s accountability, and hire on merit rather than familiarity.  We also discuss new legislation affecting vape stores, reflect on past podcast episodes and more. It's a fully-packed episode to end 2025.

    1h 13m

  7. 12/11/2025

    How A Local Advisory Group Could Shape Retail, Housing, And Healthcare

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text We dig into Columbus’ push to form an economic advisory committee—what a true “brain trust” could bring to retail recruitment, healthcare talent, and housing strategy, and how to keep conflicts from tilting the playing field. From identifying missing markets to securing corporate sponsorships for Propst Park and the new amphitheater, we explore what works when advice turns into action. The conversation shifts to schools, where stability and clarity can be more powerful than splashy promises. With an offer on the table for interim superintendent Craig Chapman, we talk through why quiet, data-driven leadership might finally give Columbus Municipal School District the consistency it needs. Filling critical vacancies, running student and community roundtables, and reporting progress with honesty signal a pragmatic path: set goals, measure what matters, and resist the urge to chase headlines over outcomes. We also spotlight a civic antidote to political gridlock: Braver Angels, a model for respectful, structured conversations that can help neighbors disagree better and solve local problems faster. Along the way, we celebrate community life—from a packed Handel’s Messiah to decades of service at the Tennessee Williams home.

    43 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    Main Street Changes, Amphitheater Moves Forward PLUS City Building Official Discusses Violations

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text Big moves finally meet clear plans. We break down how Columbus locked in $3 million to finish the amphitheater—$1M from the CVB, $1M from the city, and $1M from the state—so gates, concessions, bathrooms, and seats move from wish list to construction list. With multiple contractors ready to bid now that funding is real, the price should stay competitive and the path to opening gets much shorter. We also tackle resident skepticism head-on: capacity targets around 3,500, the likely role of a national promoter, and why fees you already pay in other cities shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when the shows are finally here at home. Downtown safety gets a serious tune-up. Temporary materials and vertical lane separators will reshape traffic on Main between 4th and 7th, converting an aggressive right-turn lane and removing ambiguity at Main and 5th. Slower approaches, clearer paths, and fewer last‑second lane changes add up to fewer close calls and a calmer core. Then we sit down with Building Department Director Nathan Katona to open the black box of permits, inspections, and code enforcement. Nathan explains why permits protect buyers and neighbors, how his team prioritizes education before tickets, and what the department’s digitization means for faster, clearer service—without leaving behind anyone who prefers to walk in. We also unpack the city’s new short‑term rental rules: neighbor notification, basic life‑safety checks like working smoke detectors and egress windows, a visible placard with a local manager’s phone number, and alignment with the state’s 2% hotel‑motel tax for a fair playing field. We close with Three Things to Know.

    59 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Dispatch
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Commercial Dispatch Publishing Co. Inc.
  • Show Website
    Between the Headlines: Columbus

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