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In our last episode of the year, we kick off with Councilman Jason Spears discussing a bold plan to turn Columbus' raw economic activity into real economic development: an action‑first advisory group made up of people who build, hire, lease, heal, and sell here. The hard questions aren’t dodged. What keeps self‑interest from creeping in? The committee’s mandate is to match supply to demand before the city courts the wrong projects.

Then we shift to the classroom, where stability becomes a strategy. Newly minted Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Craig Chapman shares why he accepted an 18‑month contract and what he’ll deliver: fill the assistant superintendent of operations role, align curriculum to Mississippi’s accountability, and hire on merit rather than familiarity.

We also discuss new legislation affecting vape stores, reflect on past podcast episodes and more. It's a fully-packed episode to end 2025.

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We dig into Columbus’ push to form an economic advisory committee—what a true “brain trust” could bring to retail recruitment, healthcare talent, and housing strategy, and how to keep conflicts from tilting the playing field. From identifying missing markets to securing corporate sponsorships for Propst Park and the new amphitheater, we explore what works when advice turns into action.

The conversation shifts to schools, where stability and clarity can be more powerful than splashy promises. With an offer on the table for interim superintendent Craig Chapman, we talk through why quiet, data-driven leadership might finally give Columbus Municipal School District the consistency it needs. Filling critical vacancies, running student and community roundtables, and reporting progress with honesty signal a pragmatic path: set goals, measure what matters, and resist the urge to chase headlines over outcomes.

We also spotlight a civic antidote to political gridlock: Braver Angels, a model for respectful, structured conversations that can help neighbors disagree better and solve local problems faster. Along the way, we celebrate community life—from a packed Handel’s Messiah to decades of service at the Tennessee Williams home.

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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.