Leader Call - News Editor

Jason Niblett has lived in Laurel since 2001. Originally a Leader-Call reporter, Jason has returned to the Leader-Call as the news editor. Originally from Brandon, Jason has had a heart for the news business for many years. He majored in journalism at Hinds Community College, the University of Mississippi, and in English at the University of Southern Mississippi. After a time in television news, he switched to newspapers. In his free time, Jason enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with friends, working in his yard, and, during the fall, Ole Miss and Southern Miss football. Jason's email address at the Leader-Call is: newseditor@laurelleadercall.com

Day 2

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 – 8:21 a.m. – I am not so sure that I am a fan of Eastern Time. It seems we ran out of time yesterday and now we’re already up… on time for Laurel, Miss., time; running late for Laurel, Md., time.

Today is going to be busy. We just ran downstairs for some quick yogurt, and again noticed the hotel across the street. The 9/11 hijackers stayed in Laurel, Md., several days before that dreadful day. People here still talk about the strange feeling of knowing they shared the roads with these terrorists… shared grocery stores, restaurants, everything.

We’re heading to the Laurel museum in a bit to learn about the history of the city. We’ll meet with the people with First United Methodist Church, then the Laurel Leader newspaper. Finally, city council tonight. Mayor Melvin Mack proclaimed this week as Laurel, Md., week back home, so we’re going to present the proclamation to the council tonight.

Oh, ask me about the fried cheesecake when I get back home!

June 04, 2008 08:26 am

Washington, D. C. anyone?

Tuesday, June 3, 2007 – 11:08 p.m.

Wow, what a bumpy flight today. From the time we took off from Jackson until the time we landed in Baltimore, it felt like a bumpy country road… at 39,000 feet cruising altitude. But, we’re here safely, and have already met some wonderful people. Anyone in Jones County should feel better knowing the great people here in Laurel, Md., often think about and pray for our part of the world. From the high school principal to the mayor, we are constantly asked how Laurel has recovered from Hurricane Katrina… do we need anything? Is everyone back to normal? Lacey and I explained that this trip isn’t about us, but about them. We wanted our readers to know how great these people are.

It’s 11 p.m. and it’s raining outside. But, believe it or not, Lacey and I are seriously considering the 22 mile drive down to Washington D. C. We’re about to watch the local weather and see how the radar looks. If we can see the White House, Capitol, and a couple monuments, we’ll be happy.

June 03, 2008 10:11 pm

A sister city and the Big Apple

Monday, June 2, 2008 - 7:07 p.m. Tomorrow is the big day! Lacey and I leave from the Jackson-Evers International Airport about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. We should arrive at Baltimore-Washington International just after lunch. We'll get a ride down to Laurel, Maryland, and begin our special project. Laurel, Maryland, was great to Laurel, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina. The city alone sent more than $21,000, a car, and other goods. The latest donation came in December of 2007. So, we decided the city deserved some intense coverage over the next couple of days so people here can get to know the people there. We have several meetings planned with Laurel, Md. City officials, a church group, and other folks. We hope to send back several stories so our readers can meet these fine folks. On Thursday, we'll hop a bus to New York City. Lacey has never been to NYC before, so I hope that we can hop a ferry that afternoon so she can see the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan from the water. We'll also talk with some Jones County natives who are in NYC now. Friday, we'll meet up with a friend of mine and head to the theatre to see "Phantom of the Opera." I've seen it a few times, and look forward to it again. After Phantom, we'll hit the subway and head to Ground Zero. We hope to be able to send back some photos so people can see the activity there. Finally, on Saturday, we'll head to Central Park for the Mississippi Picnic in New York. As far as we know, the Leader-Call has never covered this annual event, but it's a huge deal. A group of people has been holding this picnic since the early 1970s, and thousands of Mississippians join with New Yorkers as they celebrate our state. There is supposed to be tons of catfish, hundreds of watermelon, and other great Southern food. That may be my only shot to get some real sweet tea while we're on this trip. We'll jump on Amtrak Sunday about 3 a.m. and head back to BWI for our return flight home.

June 02, 2008 07:17 pm

Day 2

Washington, D. C. anyone?

A sister city and the Big Apple

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