Between the Headlines: Columbus

The Dispatch

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. 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
  2. 10/24/2025

    Ristorante Italiano in Columbus PLUS Franklin Academy, Trotter, and Haunted Houses

    Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A downtown culinary glow-up, a historic gut check, and a community scare that does real good—this week packs it all. We open with the long-awaited news: an authentic Italian restaurant is moving into the old Main Street Thai spot, directly across from The Commercial Dispatch. From there, we turn to Franklin Academy, the oldest public school in Mississippi, now vacant and looking at an estimated $23 million bill just to stabilize and weatherize. The heart of the debate isn’t whether Franklin matters—it does—it’s how to secure a capable, well-capitalized development partner who can honor the building while making it viable for decades. We unpack two competing approaches: a targeted, expert-driven search for developers who can play at this scale versus an open call that risks attracting underfunded ideas and short-lived tenants. Drawing on local preservation history, we talk about what happens when big, fragile buildings sit too long. Then we tackle the Trotter Convention Center fee proposal, including the eyebrow-raising $125 ice charge. Finally, Lt. Rhonda Sanders joins us to share the “Horror at the Fairgrounds,” a haunted house and hayride that funds thousands of holiday turkeys, brightens foster families’ Christmas, and directs concession proceeds to four local families facing cancer.  If you care about downtown growth, historic preservation, and public spaces that serve everyone, hit play. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show.

    49 min
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.

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