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Rep. Thompson: If Jackson can’t run water system, let someone else

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Rep. Bennie Thompson: Treat Jackson fairly, but if it can’t run water system, let someone else

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson said the state bears some blame for neglecting Jackson for decades, but if the capital city cannot properly run its water system, “I would not be in favor of the city being given back the authority to run it.”

“Because it doesn’t make sense,” Thompson said in an exclusive interview on Friday with Mississippi Today for its “The Other Side” podcast about the continuing water crisis in Jackson. “Those negotiations (about long-term solutions) have to be fair. They have to include the owners of the system. But we want a system that meets federal and state regulations. Now if we see that Jackson can’t do it, then obviously we have to look at an alternative.”

Thompson, whose federal district covers most of Jackson, said, “I expect to be intricately involved in the negotiations.”

State leaders have been meeting privately this week to discuss long-term solutions for the capital city’s collapsing system as state and federal emergency crews distribute water to thousands of residents and make emergency repairs.

Proposals they have come up with include:

  • Creating a “regional water authority” to run the system, which also serves Byram and parts of Hinds County for water and parts of Rankin and Madison counties and other areas for sewerage.
  • Putting the city water system in a temporary conservatorship run by the state Public Service Commission, with the goal of passing the system back to city leaders after service has been restored.
  • Creating some new state entity or commission to take full, permanent control of the city’s water system.
  • Privatizing Jackson’s water system, leasing it to a private company that would manage it moving forward.

READ MORE: State leaders meet privately to discuss long-term solutions for Jackson water crisis

Thompson said he’s not going to opine on specific proposals at this point. He noted, “You can own the system and not operate it.”

But Thompson repeatedly said the city must be treated fairly in any negotiations on solutions.

“Years of neglect have contributed to what we have in Jackson,” Thompson said. “… Jackson has been treated differently than other communities. So there has to be give and take on both sides. I encourage that. But I resist with every fiber in my body for Jackson to be singled out just because it’s Jackson and being treated differently than all other communities and all water systems.”

Thompson said he has been talking with the mayor and other city leaders and repeated, “I have not seen a plan,” about a long-term fix for the water system.

“I’ve heard from the mayor and others that they have a plan, they’re working on it, but I have not physically seen a plan with my own eyes,” Thompson said. “I look forward to it. If it’s one that is verifiable, I’ll be happy to promote it. But, you know, I said a couple of weeks ago I was looking for a plan. And I say right now, I continue to look for a plan. And that speaks to management that I talked about earlier. It would be difficult to get the kind of resources needed to fix the Jackson water system without a verifiable plan.

“As soon as it’s completed, I would encourage that plan to be as widely distributed as possible because that would instill confidence in the public that something is actually being done,” Thompson said.

To hear Mississippi Today editor-in-chief Adam Ganucheau’s full interview with Thompson, listen to “The Other Side” podcast, which will air starting Monday. Thompson discussed more about the ongoing conversations he’s had with city and state leaders, and he talked about his work as chair of the House Jan. 6 Committee and the ongoing welfare scandal investigation.

READ MORE: Answers to commonly asked questions about the Jackson water crisis

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing is charged with murder as prosecutor says DNA found on rifle trigger

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www.wjtv.com – Jesse Bedayn – 2025-09-16 12:45:00

SUMMARY: Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, shot Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Robinson confessed via text to his partner and left a note expressing intent to kill Kirk, citing hatred. DNA linked Robinson to the rifle used. Prosecutors revealed Robinson planned the attack for over a week and targeted Kirk, a key conservative youth leader. Robinson’s political views shifted after dating a transgender man, causing family tensions. After the shooting, Robinson discarded evidence and urged his partner to delete texts. FBI investigates possible wider connections. Charges include murder with potential death penalty enhancements.

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Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination believed to have acted alone, says Utah governor

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www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-09-12 05:10:00

SUMMARY: Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested for the targeted assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah. Authorities said Robinson had expressed opposition to Kirk’s views and indicated responsibility after the shooting. The attack occurred during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot once from a rooftop and later died in hospital. Engravings on bullets and chat messages helped link Robinson to the crime, which was captured on grim video. The killing sparked bipartisan condemnation amid rising political violence. President Trump announced Robinson’s arrest and plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Mississippi News

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

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www.wcbi.com – Associated Press – 2025-09-11 14:00:00

SUMMARY: On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, solemn ceremonies were held in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville to honor nearly 3,000 victims. Families shared personal remembrances, emphasizing ongoing grief and the importance of remembrance. Vice President JD Vance postponed his attendance to visit a recently assassinated activist’s family, adding tension to the day. President Trump spoke at the Pentagon, pledging never to forget and awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. The attacks’ global impact reshaped U.S. policy, leading to wars and extensive health care costs for victims. Efforts continue to finalize legal proceedings against the alleged plot mastermind.

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