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What happens when our hosts step out of the studio and into the frontlines of political activism? Zack Plair and David Chism brave the rain to spend time with anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library in downtown Columbus.

The conversations they capture reveal a fascinating tapestry of perspectives, concerns, and motivations. From passionate declarations about perceived threats to civil liberties to nuanced discussions about policy disagreements, these protesters—roughly twenty strong despite threatening weather—paint a picture of grassroots activism in a predominantly conservative area. Many express finding community through these demonstrations, realizing they aren't alone in their political viewpoints within a region that voted heavily for Trump.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the willingness of both sides to engage respectfully across political divides. Several protesters acknowledge points of agreement with certain Trump policies while maintaining their overall opposition. This complexity challenges simplistic political narratives and reminds listeners that behind every protest sign stands a person with multifaceted beliefs and genuine concerns.

The hosts also explore parallels between these demonstrations and the Tea Party protests from roughly a decade ago, examining how political movements often follow cyclical patterns. They reflect on the danger of inconsistent principles—how viewing identical actions differently depending on who's performing them transforms principles into prejudices.

Whether you're politically engaged or simply curious about what drives your neighbors to stand on street corners with protest signs, this episode offers an enlightening window into contemporary civic discourse at the local level. Listen as we go beyond the headlines to find the human stories that make up our community's political landscape.

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Columbus municipal elections brought a major shakeup with Stephen Jones winning the mayoral race and five of seven council seats changing hands amid disappointingly low voter turnout. Former mayor Jeffrey Rupp joins the podcast to provide historical perspective on Columbus politics, economic development, and the differences between Columbus and Starkville governance.

• Low voter turnout of only 4,500 ballots in Columbus elections reflects growing political apathy
• Stephen Jones secured victory with 56.4% of votes, including strong absentee ballot performance
• Ward 4 saw surprise upset with Lavonne Harris defeating incumbent Pierre Beard
• Jeffrey Rupp discusses Columbus' strengths including historic homes and Riverwalk development
• Key differences between Columbus' confrontational politics versus Starkville's collaborative approach
• Columbus positioned for potential rebranding opportunity with new leadership
• Economic development requires strategic investments and unified vision

Keep sending your comments and questions to tips@cdispatch.com.

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This week's Between the Headlines dives deep into Columbus' mayoral race following Tuesday's forum at Nissan Auditorium, where surprising performances may have shifted some voters' perspectives—though perhaps not enough to change the expected outcome.

Dispatch managing editor Zack Plair and co-host David Chism analyze each candidate's performance, with Plair declaring Darren Leach the clear winner of the night. "If anybody picked up votes Tuesday, it was Darren Leach," Plair notes, praising Leach's articulation of his vision while wondering where "this version of Darren" had been throughout the campaign. Despite the strong showing, Plair suggests it may be "too little, too late" to overcome Stephen Jones' substantial lead.

The discussion turns surprisingly heated when addressing Bill Strauss' answer about racial division in Columbus, revealing fundamentally different viewpoints between the hosts. This tension carries into the second segment featuring local media personality Rick "Don't Go" Mason (Dr. Reginald Taylor), who shares his 32-year journey through Mississippi media before engaging in a frank conversation about race relations in Columbus. The resulting exchange offers listeners rare insight into how differently community members perceive and experience racial dynamics within the "Friendly City."

Mason brings both entertainment and thoughtful perspective, emphasizing the power of positive speech in transforming communities while declining to pick favorites in the mayoral race. His observations about local politics—combined with the hosts' analysis of campaign strategies—create a comprehensive picture of Columbus's political landscape just days before the election.

Whether you're deeply invested in local politics or simply curious about the personalities shaping Columbus's future, this episode provides both entertainment and substance as we approach a pivotal moment for the city's leadership.