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Let's rebuild our Arts Center

Let's rebuild our Arts Center

January 21, 2016

Vol 42 • No 20

Read the print version

A bigger, better Arkansas Arts Center

It will take public money; needs public's voice, too.

Return to Neverland

'Peter and the Starcatcher' comes to The Rep.

A circus

The recent Republican debate was an absolute farce. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz battled it out like guests on Springer, Jeb Bush looked like the kid that didn't get picked for the kickball game, Ben Carson appeared to be napping on stage and Rand Paul flipped the bird at the media and refused to participate in the kiddie debate.

Smart growth? Not in LR

The Highway Department is one thing. It builds freeways. Alternative roadways, bike lanes, pedestrians and mass transit are low on its priority list. But you'd hope for better from Little Rock leaders.

The trial

The Observer took our bag and pen and notebook and shuffled down to the courthouse last week for the trial: a young man driven by greed; a woman who never deserved the fate she met; a roll of duct tape used to suffocate the life out of her; a shallow grave shoveled out in the dead of night; a body dumped into the hole, where she lay until the police found her.

Just say no

Leslie Rutledge and medical marijuana.

The long view on the Razorbacks

It's strange to feel so invigorated by a team that is just a notch above .500 and has lost to the likes of Mercer, but there's a growing and obvious reflection of Mike Anderson's coaching really resonating with this crew.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performs 'Something New'

Funkanites at the Afterthought, too.

Lucie's Place is their place

Center serves LGBT youth.

Pie Five serves build-your-own pizza fast

It's not the best, but it is pizza.

A healthy boulevard, not a concrete wound

An alternative plan to Interstate 30 expansion in downtown Little Rock.

Union Station times

A freight train gets a green light to pass behind the once-busy, now quiet Union Station.

Learn to love the Donald?

That vast sigh that swept over the land last weekend was not the latest El Nino manifestation, but the collective realization by the great Republican establishment that at long last it must learn to love Donald Trump.

Rainbow stew

Unpack your old tie-dyed T-shirts, roll yourself a fat doobie, and warm up the ancient VW bus. We're going to do Woodstock and the 1972 presidential election all over again.

Tav Falco's "Urania Descending" premieres at Ron Robinson

Also, Futurebirds at Stickyz, Victor Goines at South on Main, Spider Stacy and the Lost Bayou Ramblers at White Water Tavern, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" at Cinemark Colonel Glenn and Songs from "The Last Waltz" at White Water Tavern.

Damn that effective diplomacy, Tom Cotton says

A thank you note, layoffs at Walmart, the Supreme Court puts an end to 12-week abortion ban and an odd goodbye to Jim Hannah.

The last days of Mike Huckabee in Iowa

A National Review writer spends time in Iowa with Mike Huckabee, not exactly ready to concede defeat of his presidential campaign, but not exactly projecting optimism either.

Ethics amendment didn't stop corporate money flow

The so-called Arkansas ethics amendment included a prohibition on corporate contributions to political candidates. It's not blocking the flow of corporate money to candidates.

Rapert suggests Wendell Griffen should be removed as judge

Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen wrote a blog post Dec. 29 about the decision not to indict a Cleveland police officer in the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice. Sen. Jason Rapert, who's had things to say about minorities before, isn't happy about what the black judge had to say.

Supreme Court reverses drug conviction on canine search

The Arkansas Supreme Court split 4-3 today in reversing the drug conviction and 12-year sentence of Cainis Mackintrush in Pulaski County because a drug dog search was conducted without reasonable cause.

Pro Publica takes on Tyson Foods attack on workers comp

Pro Publica has investigated Arkansas-based Tyson Foods and its state-by-state political efforts to  bend workers compensation systems in employers' interest. Major changes in workers comp in Arkansas were the beginning of the national efforts, the article says.

Attorney general defers open carry question

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has declined to answer a question about whether concealed carry permit holders may openly carry weapons despite rules that prohibit it.

Southwestern Energy layoffs include 600 in Arkansas

Southwestern Energy has announced plans to lay off 40 percent of its workforce, a cut that will mean the loss of 600 jobs, or about half the workforce, in Arkansas

Natural Grocers opens on Rodney Parham

Our first look at the new Natural Grocers on Rodney Parham.

Governor to announce gun-related jobs: UPDATED

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is in Las Vegas today at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show, it calls itself) and plans an announcement at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. of two firearms-related companies creating jobs in Arkansas. The news is a Sig Sauer ammo plant to employ 50 in Jacksonville and expansion of the existing Remington facility in Lonoke.

New nonprofit targets negative judicial campaigns

The recently formed Arkansas Judicial Campaign Conduct and Education Committee says it is ready to begin work — and expects some — to provide information about judicial elections and, particularly, to countreract expensive, negative judicial campaign advertising.

"Delta National Small Prints" opens next week at ASU

"My Conversation with a Rabbit" by Texas artist David Blow will no doubt fill your head with Jefferson Airplane's tribute to psychedelia when you go to the 20th annual "Delta National Small Prints Exhibition," opening Thursday, Jan. 28, in the Bradbury Art Museum at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

State trooper charged for hitting juvenile off-duty

The State Police announced today that  Sammy Koons, a state trooper on administrative leave since September, has been charged with misdemeanor assault for striking a juvenile in an off-duty altercation.

UPDATE: Rutledge loses another Clean Air fight; Sierra Club cheers

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has lost another court round in her fight against rules to clean up power plant emissions, though she'd indicated earlier in the day that she has not intention of dropping her fight against cleaner air.

Snow day open line. Also, contraceptives.

An open line and today's video news roundup.

Notes on a record snow day: Faulkner deputy brutality; new water boss; missing money; Jonesboro fuss

A record snow in Little Rock will shut government today. In the meanwhile, a roundup of news notes: Faulkner County deputy brutality case; a new water utility leader; missing money in Yell County, and unhappy Tea Partyers in Jonesboro.

Transparency promised on Title IX exemptions

The New York Times reports that the federal Education Department will create a searchable public database that lists colleges and universities with exemptions on religious grounds from Title IX civil rights law. One college in Arkansas currently has such a waiver.

What happens in Birmingham doesn't necessarily stay in Birmingham: I-30 idea

In Birmingham, a federal lawsuit has been filed against a downtown freeway expansion that has remarkable parallels to the state's push to widen Interstate 30 from six to 10 lanes, impact on a revitalizing downtown be daned.

Arkansas Advocates with questions about Gov. Hutchinson's highway plan

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families — a nonprofit that works for the interests named — has a new blog post illuminating the problem we've cited about Gov. Asa Hutchinson's free-lunch highway plan. It's simple: You don't get something (better highways) for nothing.

Volunteer firefighter killed on medical call near Scott

From KARK, Channel 4: A member of the volunteer East Pulaski County Fire Department suffered a fatal gunshot wound when responding to a medical call about 5 a.m. today in the 200 block of Dortch Loop near Scott.

Hope man gets 40-year sentence on child porn charges

Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser announced today that Johnny Evans, 46, of Hope, was sentenced Thursday ain federal court in Texarkana to 40 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised released on two counts of production of child pornography.

Bill O'Reilly confronts Huckabee on Cruz tithing criticism

Fox megastar Bill O'Reilly sharply questioned former Fox gab host Mike Huckabee about his seeming implicit criticism of Ted Cruz for insufficient Christian charity.

AFP strays from conservative party line in opposition to bus tax

David Ray, the state director of the right-wing anti-taxation group Americans for Prosperity, which is placing hangtags on people's doors warning "Pulaski County Residents will Pay the Price" if a proposed .25 cent tax raise on the March 2 ballot passes, said in an email yesterday that "our activists have knocked doors across Pulaski County, we hear many people ask why the county insists on raising taxes to expand bus routes when there are severe problems with roads and underperforming schools. Folks living in Pulaski County should understand how local government is raising revenue and spending it."

The Friday afternoon open line

With the streets clearing, we call an end to the week with an open line and some loose ends on the criminal justice beat.

Capitol rally today for reproductive rights

The annual rally for reproductive rights will be held on the Capitol steps from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

Trumping the so-called SEC primary

Remember how the March 1 "SEC primary" was going to be a showcase for a certain Southern candidate for the Republican presidential nomination? A new poll in Alabama shows a New Yorker is trumping an expectation in Arkansas of a big day for our former governor.

State must face an old issue in pending charter applications

The spate of new charter school applications in Little Rock raises again the question of state actions that contribute to school and housing segregation in Little Rock. What will Commissioner Johnny Key do?

Bloomberg mulls a race

The snowbound elites in D.C. and beyond are buzzing at the New York Times report that Michael Bloomberg is looking hard at a third-party run for president. 

An early open line. Plus, a fatal stabbing

The Saturday open line includes news of another Little Rock homicide, the second of 2016.

Photos from the Reproductive Justice Rally

Photos from the annual rally.

Rally for Reproductive Justice brings hundreds to Capitol: UPDATE

Despite the cold and iffy roads, today's 6th annual Rally for Reproductive Justice brought at least 250 people to the State Capitol steps to hear speakers and chant for women's rights. Keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Ho, a Fort Smith physician who works with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, gave an articulate and scathing review of the state legislature's terrible new laws that would subject women to higher doses of an abortifacient drug regimen  than doctors feel is appropriate and safe; that requires them to take the latter of those drugs, which causes cramping and evacuation of the uterus, in a doctor's office, rather than in the privacy of their homes; and shortens the window of time when women can have a medical abortion.

Jason Rapert vs. Wikipedia

Sen. Jason Rapert against the world: Wikipedia edition.

Money and the Supreme Court: Appearances count

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has taken a deeper look today at a familiar blog topic — the influence of class action lawyers in races for Arkansas Supreme Court. We add a few points to ponder, including whether you should believe judges who say they don't know where their money comes from.

Judge Rhonda Wood gives credit where due

John Goodson's work in behalf of judicial candidates hasn't been limited to the Arkansas Supreme Court. He drew special praise for his support from now-Justice Rhonda Wood when she was elected to the Court of Appeals.

Bravo, Dem-Gaz wedding editor

The Democrat-Gazette gave the nuptials of two men prominent real estate in the High Proflie section. I believe it's a first. Congratulations to the happy couple and the daily paper.

How about an open line?

The Sunday open line.

Tom Cotton leading charge to stop bipartisan criminal justice reform bill

Tom Cotton grandstands against criminal justice reform.

Paul Ryan's Snowmageddon

Chill out.

In passing: James Merriweather, newsman

Facebook bears sad news — the death of James Merriweather, a veteran newspaperman with whom I shared Arkansas Gazette newsroom seats, laughs and not a few beers. He was 64.

A supremely bad time for traveling — election season

What a time for a vacation — with some important Supreme Court races headed to the ballot along with a few other interesting election issues, such as a presidential primary.

Sweet Loves' Kelli Marks heads to Treatsie

Former Sweet Love owner Kelli Marks joins Little Rock's Treatsie.

Supreme Court refuses review of court ruling overturning 6-week abortion ban in North Dakota

As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a ruling from an appellate court blocking North Dakota's ban of abortions at 6 weeks of pregnancy. Just last week, the Court declined to review a 12-week ban on abortion in Arkansas, which was also struck down by an appellate court. Like the Arkansas law, the North Dakota law is now permanently banned from being enforced.

Satanic Temple continues First Amendment fight; FOIs Secretary of State Mark Martin

The devil's work in Arkansas.

Jason Rapert wishes Max a Bon Voyage

Imagine a gnat, gently swimming.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson's son arrested for DWI

William Asa Hutchinson III of Rogers, the governor's 40-year-old son, was arrested just before 7 p.m. on Sunday evening on DWI, careless driving and implied consent violation charges. He was released on $935 bond.

Charles Pierce slams Tom Cotton on criminal justice reform

Charles Pierce attacks the "the bobble-throated Arkansas warbler." Nobody will get to the ambitious Tom Cotton's right, which only makes the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill a heavier lift in the Senate.

Planned Parenthood granted class certification in Arkansas Medicaid case

U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker today granted Planned Parenthood of the Heartland class certification in the lawsuit filed to stop enforcement of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's effort — in violation of federal law — to bar Planned Parenthood from being a Medicaid provider.

Getting wacky on Wiki with Sen. Jason Rapert

Jason Rapert, playing well with others.

Greenbrier teen says he was turned away from enlisting in Marines because of Confederate flag tattoo

KARK reported last week on 18-year-old Anthony Bauswell, who said that he tried to join the marines at a recruiting center in Conway, only to be told that a Confederate flag tattoo on his ribs "automatically DQs" Bauswell from enlisting.

The hollow promise of a virtual world with Brasher and Rowe

PREVIOUSLY ON BRASHER AND ROWE: Brasher went to the land of hobbits and Rowe looked at some blogs.

U.S. Supreme Court rules life without parole sentences for juveniles unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that all life without parole sentences for children violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and that all sentenced to mandatory life as children are entitled to case reviews. The ruling moots an Arkansas petition for the court to hear an appeal of the June 2015 Arkansas Supreme Court decision that had made it possible for persons who'd been sentenced to life without parole to ask for reviews of the sentences retroactively.

If Ted Cruz falls short, will Tom Cotton try to take his mantle?

Tom Cotton could have all of Ted Cruz's Tea Party cred without all of the baggage. That would make him a formidable candidate down the road if Cruz falls short.

Game and Fish director retires

State Game and Fish Director Mike Knoedl announced at a staff meeting today that he will retire in July. He has been director since Oct. 2012.

Houston jury investigating Planned Parenthood indicts anti-abortion activists

The New York Times reports that David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, anti-abortion activists who made surreptitious and apparently heavily edited vidoes of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue, were indicted today by a Houston grand jury called to investigate Planned Parenthood.

A Monday line

We were playing catch up today after falling behind because of a snow day, so no video. We'll be back tomorrow. Also, here's an open line.

The Cruz-Trump cage match

With the Iowa caucuses a week away, the battle between the two GOP frontrunners, Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, is heating up.

DWI arrest is third for Gov. Asa Hutchinson's son

Blogger Russ Racop notes that William Asa Hutchinson III, who was arrested and charged with DWI yesterday, has had two previous DWI arrests.

Portrait of the huckster as a young man: Ted Cruz was also creepy two decades ago

Smarm takes years of practice.

President Obama bans solitary confinement for juveniles in federal prison

In an op-ed in the Washington Post today, President Barack Obama outlined a series of executive actions to reform the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons, including banning the use of the practice for juvenile offenders and as a punishment for prisoners who commit "low-level infractions."

Rand Paul: Tom Cotton wrong on criminal justice reform, country is "moving in the other direction"

Rand Paul makes the case against Tom Cotton's "tough on crime" demagoguery.

Arkansas unemployment rate dips below 5 percent

The state's unemployment rate is down to 4.8 percent according to data released today by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

What are your favorite Arkansas restaurants?

No excuses for complaining when an inferior restaurant wins a category of our annual Readers Choice restaurant survey. You've still got time to make your picks in dozens of categories in Little Rock and around the state. VOTE. The poll closes on Jan. 31.

Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. endorses Donald Trump

The Book of Donald.

Woman's choking death blamed on Booneville practices

Disability Rights Arkansas, which has been investigating conditions and practices at the Booneville Human Development Center for a couple of years and which in 2015 recommend the state close the HDC over its dilapidated building and its practices of physical and chemical restraint, today issued a report that said a patient there choked to death because of the facility's "outdated and primitive responses to behaviors."

Dept. of Health: Case of Zika Virus confirmed in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control have confirmed that an Arkansas resident has been diagnosed with the Zika virus after returning from a trip abroad. The disease is spread by mosquitoes. According to the CDC, Zika can have symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain and itchy eyes. Symptoms generally last up to a week, and there's no known cure. A bigger possible risk, however, is to pregnant women, with serious birth defects reported in connection with the virus.

Former state Rep. Dennis Young: state must pass criminal justice reform legislation

Dennis Young, who recently served on the Arkansas Parole Board and during the 1990s served as a state legislator from Texarkana, weighs in on criminal justice reform.

Press day open line

An open line for Tuesday.

All adults should be screened for depression, task force says

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued a recommendation today that doctors screen all adults, including pregnant and post-partum women, for depression and that such screening should be covered by the Affordable Care Act. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has been screening its obstetrical patients for "five or six years," Dr. Curtis Lowery, chair of UAMS' Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said today.

One dead, six arrested in militia standoff at Oregon wildlife refuge

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oregon State Police said tonight that the leaders of the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Western Oregon has been arrested.

Arkansas Advocates highlights achievement gap in Arkansas and neighboring states

A reminder about the persistence of the racial achievement gap in K-12 education in Arkansas and surrounding states, and a look at how socioeconomics

Your morning Trump bulletin

If you haven't heard already, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump will be skipping the final GOP debate of the primary season tomorrow because he has a problem with Megyn Kelly, the Fox News pundit moderating the debate.

Director of state's child welfare agency to step down from post at end of March

Cecile Blucker, the director of the Division of Children and Family Services at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, will leave the position at the end of March, the agency confirmed this morning.

Hello? Huckabee sings Adele

Huck releases secret weapon. Comeback time!

Ellison family asks prosecutors to reopen LRPD shooting case

Citing evidence and testimony that has come to light during the discovery phase of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed in 2011, the family of Eugene Ellison has asked Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley to reopen the controversial police shooting case. Ellison, 67, was shot and killed on Oct. 9, 2010 in his home at Big Country Chateau Apartments near the corner of University and Col. Glenn after two LRPD officers working off-duty security, Donna Lesher and Tabitha McCrillis, walked past his open door and entered after reportedly noticing his house was in disarray.

Sick of hearing about Iowa? Texas legislator proposes states adopt rotating primary dates

Rep. Lyle Larson, a Republican from San Antonio, is tired of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina getting all the attention in every four years. He wants states to rotate the order of their primary dates in order "to ensure that no one state has undue influence on the nominating process," as he put it in an op-ed in the San Antonio Express-News.

DHS response to criticism of Booneville HDC choking death

Amy Webb, the spokesperson for the state Department of Human Services, has issued this response to a fatal choking death at the Booneville Human Development Center that the Disability Rights Arkansas advocacy group blamed on the center's "primitive" treatments of its disabled residents. As in child welfare cases, once again privacy laws mean that we can't know exactly what goes on in agencies run by DHS.

Renovation to begin on I-440 near Little Rock airport within a month

The AP reports a Fort Worth company was awarded a $33.8 million bid on improvements to a 2.8 mile stretch of interstate between the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport and the bridge over the Arkansas River.

Governor announces $3 million for Teach for America, plus $3 million from private LR donors

At a press conference today, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced he will allocate $3 million of his discretionary funds for Teach for America over the next three years. Another $3 million will come from donors in Little Rock to hire TFA teachers in the LRSD specifically.

Number of Arkansans purchasing insurance on HealthCare.gov tops 68,000

The federal Department of Health and Human Services said today that 68,622 people in Arkansas have now signed up for health insurance coverage through HealthCare.gov or have had their existing coverage automatically renewed.

Wednesday's open line

What's new out there?

UAMS to UA Board: We need more state dollars

Football great Terry Bradshaw, the former NFL quarterback turned Fox sports commentator, kicked off the good news portion of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' presentation to the UA Board of Trustees today, praising orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lowry Barnes for a knee replacement that Bradshaw said reduced his pain by 100 percent. "Honest to God, this is a wonderful place," he told the trustees. Chancellor Dan Rahn followed that up with a plea for more state dollars.

Fracking-related earthquakes continue in Oklahoma

DeSmogBlog interviews residents of Greenbrier, Ark. who say the wastewater resulting from ongoing fracking operations in their area is being trucked to injection wells in Oklahoma. Arkansas cracked down on injection wells over concern their use was increasing seismic activity.

Sad Huck watch: Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum hope to take advantage of Cruz-Trump feud

Sad, sad Mike Huckabee.
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