Between the Headlines: Columbus

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.

Between the Headlines: Columbus is a news podcast hosted by The Dispatch, with 76 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The Dispatch hosts Between the Headlines: Columbus, a news show with 76 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #76

  Mickens Indicted for Kickbacks PLUS Columbus Through A Tokyo Lens

  Aug 13, 202647 min

  Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A corruption headline hits differently when it’s your own town, your own tax base, and the same City Hall you drive past every week. We break down the newly filed grand jury indictment involving a former Columbus city councilman, focusing on what the charges allege, how bid rigging and kickbacks can hide inside routine purchasing, and why the words “claims docket” and “accounts payable” suddenly matter to everyone who pays attention to local government. We also talk candidly about the community reaction, the mistrust that follows, and the hard question sitting underneath it all: who was supposed to catch this sooner? From there, we pivot to forward motion with the Parkview expansion in Burns Bottom. We dig into what’s being proposed, how additional parcels and site work could open up more buildable lots, and why smaller, more affordable housing is not a side story but a core piece of economic development in Columbus, Mississippi. Then we bring in special guest Will Pieschel, a Columbus native who has spent years living and working in Tokyo. His perspective on Japanese culture, rules, safety, and social norms turns into a useful lens on leadership, community mindset, and what it takes for a place to stay hopeful without ignoring reality. Also, check out our new Facebook Group and let us know what you think!

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  Episode #75

  A Mall in Limbo and an Owl on the Rise

  Aug 6, 20261h 3m

  Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A redeveloped mall can look like progress and still leave everyone asking the same blunt question: where are the tenants? We dig into the latest around Columbus Place, formerly Leigh Mall, including the incentive agreement that went sideways. Next, we head to the Woody's on the Water building where a planned restaurant is dead in the water. The headline is simple, but the structure is not: the Army Corps of Engineers, the port lease, and a city-owned building create a maze that scares off would-be restaurant developers who want a longer runway to justify big upgrades like docks and site improvements. We kick around what it would take to fix the lease terms and what risks the community faces if the property just keeps drifting year after year. Dean Burrows Jr. from MUW Athletics joins us to explain how Division III sports, free admission, sponsorships, and community service hours can build a real fan culture in Columbus. Subscribe for more local reporting and straight talk, share this with a neighbor who cares about what gets built next, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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  Episode #74

  An Officer, THC Gummies, and a Termination PLUS We Interview the New Police Chief

  Aug 1, 20261h 4m

  Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A $58,000 electric golf cart with air conditioning rolls into a city work session and suddenly Columbus has to answer a surprisingly big question: what’s the right way to spend public money when the need is real but the “Cadillac” option feels like a stretch? We talk through the pitch for shuttle carts at the Trotter Convention Center, what problem they actually solve for older guests and event crowds, and why cheaper alternatives might deliver the same public benefit without the luxury price tag. Then we shift to a tense local policing story: a Columbus officer loses his job after a required drug test shows THC following a minor wreck, and his appeal fails under a zero tolerance policy. We dig into the uncomfortable gap between detection and impairment, how long THC can remain in someone’s system, and why medical marijuana laws make older workplace rules harder to defend. We also ask what “consistency” should look like when policies get applied unevenly and the community still expects accountability. We’re joined in the studio by Garland Ward, the newly appointed chief of police, for a candid conversation about leadership, morale, and rebuilding trust. Ward talks about being fair across the board, showing up visibly in the community, using discretion, and holding officers to the same standards they enforce. He also shares how he wants to strengthen partnerships across the Golden Triangle, handle transparency during investigations, and encourage safer ways for witnesses to come forward.

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  Episode #73

  Live Nation Enters The Amphitheater Conversation

  Jul 22, 202649 min

  Got a question or a tip? Send us a text This week on Between the Headlines , Zack and David dig into what’s next for the Columbus Amphitheater, including Live Nation’s advisory role, the professionals being brought in to book and market the venue and whether the long-delayed project is finally ready to deliver. They also discuss Craig Chapman’s three-year contract extension with Columbus Municipal School District and take a closer look at a $310 public-records bill that raises bigger questions about access, accountability and transparency at City Hall.

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  Episode #72

  New Chief And New Questions

  Jul 16, 202653 min

  Got a question or a tip? Send us a text A police chief leaves town, council members learn about it on social media, and suddenly Columbus has a new permanent leader at the Columbus Police Department. We talk through what Chief Daughtry's fast exit to Yazoo City signals, why the details around communication and timing matter, and how past controversies can linger long after the headlines fade. For Garland Ward, the questions start immediately: can he lift morale, improve recruitment and retention, and lead with the kind of visible accountability that rebuilds public trust? Then we jump from city hall to server fans. Todd Liebel, vice president of LM Funding America, joins us to explain what Bitcoin mining actually looks like on the ground in Columbus, Mississippi. He breaks down the container-based mining setup, why it uses forced air instead of water-heavy cooling, and the biggest misconception we hear: crypto mining is not the same as a traditional data center with always-on client demands.

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