The line is open. Final notes:
* FOOTBALL FUROR: The main Arkansas angle is in the Little Rock charter buses that had no passengers to pick up when they arrived in Grambling, La., to take the Grambling team to a football game in Mississippi. The players revolted and the game was canceled.
Imagine. College football players seizing control of their own destiny. If this idea spreads, watch out.
* ROBBER SHOT BY DRUGGIST: A Dumas pharmacist used a concealed weapon (he has a permit) to kill a masked armed robber as he was opening the store about 5:30 a.m. Friday.
* SARAH PALIN; WORDS FAIL: Got five minutes for a strange free association from Caribou Barbie? Here’s your link.
* TIRED OF POLITICS YET? Mike Ross, Mark Pryor and Asa Hutchinson spoke to Delta Regional Caucus today in Memphis. Not much new ground, though Asa isn’t happy to keep being asked about his references to eliminating the Arkansas income tax. He’s a gradualist, he claims.
* DOWNTOWN IS UPTOWN IN CONWAY: More development news from Conway was announced today, all downtown projects.
* The Regions Bank building will be renovated for 12,000 square feet of office space, including the bank, and 60 apartments, The Flats at Metro Square (below).
* Covington Companies plans five buildings on 6.5 acres on the north end of Front Street.
* Ross Crain Investments will renovate the 8,000-square-foot Earl Rogers Building at Oak and Van Ronkle for dining and entertainment.