Four strong women
“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” wasn’t just an ’80s hit by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin. Nor was this forced pairing just a publicity stunt to boost flagging record sales.
Vol 7 • No 24
The opaque lottery
Hidden gambling options aren't the only little secrets kept from the public about the new state lottery.
Power plant rejected
The Arkansas Court of Appeals today overturned Public Service Commission approval of a construction permit for SWEPCO's proposed power plant in southwest Arkansas.
Applachian Trail runs to Buenos Aires?
That was some hike taken by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Ended up in Buenos Aires.
GOP candidate: Get shots for SE Ark.
A blog reader notes a comment by Republican senatorial candidate Curtis Coleman before a Benton County audience, as reported in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
Speaker Wills: Call the governor
House Speaker Robbie Wills has been raking me over the coals for saying nobody knew anything about keno parlors being legalized as part of the Arkansas lottery.
Wilbur Mills, meet Mark Sanford
Yep, there really WAS an Argentine firecracker at the end of Mark Sanford's long, long trail a-windin'.
As Dale and Grace once said ...
I"m leaving it all up to you. FORGIVE MY PRURIENT INTRUSION: But Gov. Sanford's e-mail to his Argentinan interest is being detailed by his hometown newspaper. For example:
Words, June 25
The ones with tenure are especially vociferous:
To-do list, June 25
Hill Country Revue, Justin Moore, Pink Spiders, Foam Fest, Celtic Woman, Living Sacrifice and "When Harry Met Sally," are some of what's happening this week.
Levon Helm
When Levon Helm, the favorite son of Turkey Scratch, Ark., and the drummer for the Band, rolled into Wildwood Park last weekend, the question wasn’t who would want to see him (everyone of a certain age in this state) it was, just who in Arkansas ponies up $125 and $200 for tickets to a show?
Me-oh-my-oh: Food from the bayou
The gaily painted new quarters of Fatsam’s Louisiana Cafe in the northwest corner of the River Market fairly shout Bayou State.
The observer, June 25
Over the weekend, The Observer got up to the lake — Lake Hamilton, specifically — to a friend’s condo.
What's cooking, June 25
The House, the latest restaurant in the space that previously housed the Laughing Moon and Sufficient Grounds, opens for business at 4 p.m. Friday, June 26.
All at sea
Arkansas judges and U.S. Senate candidates alike are confused about what they’re supposed to be doing. Evidently our schools aren’t spending enough time on civics.
It’s 1993 all over again
Democratic health care reform advocates, reeling from soaring new cost estimates and subsequent Republican rhetorical gains, found buoyancy from a New York Times/CBS poll released over the weekend.
Correction
In your article about Blanche Lambert Lincoln: It’s not Randolph-Macon for Women College, it is (or was, when she and I went there) Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.
Breast intentions
Little Rock attorney Scott Strauss, like a lot of men, has been touched by breast cancer.
Immigrants’ tale
The moments of greatest success in “Sin Nombre,” playing now, come in its depiction of immigrants scrambling to board a northbound Mexican freight train and in its foray into the den of the murderous street gang that claims dominion over that line.
What’s a trillion?
If a number can trump a national consensus, a trillion seems to be the magic figure.
LR school unity
A Little Rock School District employee pulled me aside recently and said I was missing a big story.
In brief, June 25
At White Water, Stella Fancy does hook-laden garage-lounge with indie-pop rock act Whale Fire sharing the bill, 9 p.m., $5.
June 17-23, 2009
It was a GOOD week for … A POSSE. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has hired three members of a new four-man police force.
‘You are tearing me apart, Lisa!’
When you think of great cinematic displays of angst, maybe you land on Gena Rowlands wilding out in “A Woman under the Influence.”
Gather ’round, people
What’s the best way for a government to communicate with its people? At one point it was undoubtedly the newspaper.
Smart talk, June 25
The Tennessee legislature is more kindly disposed to guns than even Arkansas.
McDaniel’s new entourage
When Attorney General Dustin McDaniel got married recently, he had as special guest in the wedding party Jason French, chief of the AG office’s new Special Investigations Division and provider of security to the attorney general.
GOP candidate defends crack
GOP senatorial candidate Curtis Coleman yesterday took exactly the wrong approach to responding to criticism of his recent remark that you need a visa and vaccinations to visit Southeast Arkansas. He could have said it was a joking remark that, on reflection, lent itself to misinterpretation and he was sorry.
Probing the prisons
Brummett thinks the AP exaggerated by knitting three recent prison incidents -- a fatal shooting, an abused inmate, a movie-quality escape -- into a potential indictment of the prison system.
Sanford's mailbag
The State in Columbia, S.C., prints many more Republican Gov. Mark Sanford-Maria e-mails today. And it has lots more coverage readily accessible from the link.
The soul of the GOP
Many are writing that the Republican primary battle for U.S. Senate in Florida -- pitting moderate Gov. Charlie Crist against hard-line conservative House speaker Marco Rubio -- might be a key indicator of the future of the party.
Cabot Catfish.
Catfish. Arkansas may not be the top catfish producer, but big cats are a part of life around these parts. Finding a restaurant that only serves Arkansas-raised catfish? Well, it's a good thing -- especially when you're talking about whole catfish fillets. Check out the piece on Uncle Dean's Catfish and Such over on Tie Dye Travels. And, if you can, please explain to me why every Arkansas catfish restaurant serves that slice of raw onion with hot fish? I've lived in Arkansas almost my entire life, and I still don't know.
Judge Proctor wins a round UPDATED
Pulaski County circuit judges today failed to approve a proposal to immediately change the plan for assigning cases among the 17 judges to strip further assignment of criminal cases to Judge Willard Proctor.
Thursday To-Do: Hill Country Revue
HILL COUNTRY REVUE9 p.m., Revolution. $10.Last seen strumming a musical, um, pleasure device in the too-hot-for-TV episode of MTV's “$5 Cover,” Cody Dickinson rolls into town with another batch of Allstars, some of whom you might recognize.
Clarifying the lottery
House Speaker Robbie Wills must think a lot of people read the Arkansas Blog. I'm flattered by the attention. So let me clarify for him what I've been saying.
Clarifying the lottery
House Speaker Robbie Wills must think a lot of people read the Arkansas Blog. I'm flattered by the attention. So let me clarify for him what I've been saying.
Drill Baby Drill
According to a survey of petroleum execs, Arkansas is the best place in the world to drill for oil and gas based on royalty rates, taxation and environmental regulations. This is not a list you want to be at the top of. Drillers said the regulatory environment in Colorado was particularly difficult, now that groups have organized to protect that state's air, water and landscape. "Operational, legal, and air quality rules and regulations are being instituted at a dizzying pace," one [executive] said.
Supreme Court faults strip search
I'd mentioned this outrageous case previously. Today, the Supreme Court said Arizona schools officials went too far in strip-searching a 13-year-old girl in a search for prescription-strength over-the-counter pills.
Court dismisses Scout abuse case
The Arkansas Supreme Court today affirmed a summary judgment against a man arguing, among other things, that repressed memory syndrome should override the statute of limitations and allow him to pursue a case against a former Scoutmaster for sexual abuse 30 years ago.
Thursday: Stella Fancy, Whale Fire, Paradise City and more
At White Water, Stella Fancy does hook-laden garage-lounge with indie-pop rock act Whale Fire sharing the bill, 9 p.m., $5.
Farrah Fawcett dies at 62
She'd fought cancer for more than two years. Millions of once young men will remember her for this iconic 1976 poster, which sold millions.
Limbaugh: It's Obama's fault
This is not an Onion parody. Rush Limbaugh blames Barack Obama for Mark Sanford's Argentina nookcapade.
The Odd Couple
Well, maybe not so odd afterall. Sen. Mark Pryor is teaming up with Sen. Jim "global-warming is a hoax" Inhofe to introduce a bill to increase the number of vehicles that use natty gas or propane as fuel. The bill would give tax credits to consumers and would establish a research and development program through the Department of Energy. Where are we going to get all the gas? Probably here (see post below).
Shake-up at Vino's
It's a new era at Vino's. Earlier this week, Joey Lucas took over as talent buyer for the pizzeria and brewpub from Samantha Allen, who'd handled booking for the club for the last two and a half years.
Grocery store purse snatchings
Just saw a couple of police reports on purse snatchings yesterday afternoon. Elderly women -- one 71 and one 81 -- were robbed in Kroger parking lots in Hillcrest and the Heights.
Murder conviction reversed
A split Arkansas Supreme Court today voted 5-2 to reverse the capital murder conviction and life sentence of Kenneth Ray Osburn, who was convicted of the August 2006 kidnaping and slaying of 17-year-old Casey Crowder of Pine Bluff. Her vehicle was found abandoned near Dumas and her body subsequently was found near a canal in Desha County.
Judge Simes gets reprieve
The Arkansas Supreme Court today remanded the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission's recommendation that Circuit Judge L. T. Simes be removed from the bench.
Michael Jackson dead at 50
GLORY DAYS: Wikimedia-provided shot of Michael Jackson at the Reagan White House. The singer is dead.
Murder charge dismissed
It's been a busy afternoon of late filings by the Arkansas Supreme Court in addition to their Thursday morning opinion release.
RIP: King of Pop
The Plague, on KABF 88.3, is hosting a tribute show tonight from 10 p.m. until midnight.
The line is open
I'm walking away from this computer before someone else dies or the Supreme Court cuts another killer loose.
Would Jesus pack?
OK, I was about to sign off, but a reader says I should mention that the NY Times has gotten around to a feature on the Kentucky preacher who's promoting a bring-a-gun-to-church day.
LR School Board update
And one more thing: The Little Rock School Board voted tonight for the strategic study by the respected Picus and Associates firm.
Four strong women
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" wasn't just an '80s hit by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin. Nor was this forced pairing just a publicity stunt to boost flagging record sales.
Swell foops
There are some summertime myths that need dispelling, and I’ve been nominated. I’ve lived a long time so I know the score on most of these.
Asa Hutchinson is right
The Arkansas Project called my attention to a short item in the Morning News this week about a speech by Asa Hutchinson to a Republican group.
Jacko
The newspaper this morning reminds me of an old Arkansas Gazette story. One day years ago, the pope died.
The LR teacher contracts
The other day, a member of the Walton U. School of Teacher Union Busting in Fayetteville wrote an op-ed in the Democrat-Gazette about the density of the working agreement between the Little Rock School Board and the Classroom Teachers Association.
The LR teacher contracts
The other day, a member of the Walton U. School of Teacher Union Busting in Fayetteville wrote an op-ed in the Democrat-Gazette about the density of the working agreement between the Little Rock School Board and the Classroom Teachers Association.
Richly Appointed.
Too hot for pasta? The heck you say. Within the air conditioned comfort of Pia's Italian Restaurant in Conway, warm and delightful pastas accompanied by cold refreshing beverages are a diner's delight -- especially when they come with a sauce this good. I found myself spooning up the incredibly rich and deep Cardinal sauce that accompanied my Tortellini ($11.99) with favor and gusto on a recent visit. It's a very good balance between the rich marinara and the creamy Alfredo with a healthy wine reduction included. I am all about that.
Richly Appointed.
Too hot for pasta? The heck you say. Within the air conditioned comfort of Pia's Italian Restaurant in Conway, warm and delightful pastas accompanied by cold refreshing beverages are a diner's delight -- especially when they come with a sauce this good. I found myself spooning up the incredibly rich and deep Cardinal sauce that accompanied my Tortellini ($11.99) with favor and gusto on a recent visit. It's a very good balance between the rich marinara and the creamy Alfredo with a healthy wine reduction included. I am all about that.
Aw, Shucks.
Lots of food-related festivals going on this weekend. My choice -- the 20th Annual PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Races down in Emerson. Yeah, it's a long drive from Central Arkansas. But that's nothing compared to the fervor in the fields, the kickup of dust and mud from competitors with their highly tuned machines, the slide of thumbnails along cylindrical hulls filled with those fabulous peas...
Six feet under
A 46-year-old Cave City, Ark., man has been arrested in Dallas. Caught hauling 100 pounds of marijuana hidden in a casket.
Friday To-Do: Foam Fest
Sarah Hughes. FOAM FEST6 p.m., River Market Pavilions.
Friday To-Do: Pink Spiders
PINK SPIDERS8 p.m., Vino's, $10.Since 2003, Nashville soul-pop-punkers Pink Spiders have cranked out records, toured incessantly, harvested some mainstream attention and rubbed elbows with industry heavy-hitters, all the while remaining true to a trashy, gritty, hip-grinding sound for which they cite the Cars, the Who, Marvin Gaye, Cheap Trick and a host of others as influences.
Lottery calling
See today's Democrat-Gazette story about Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's telephone "town hall" meetings to take questions on the lottery?
Friday To-Do: Justin Moore
JUSTIN MOORE8 p.m., The Village. $16 adv., $20 d.o.s.There's a lot in rising country star Justin Moore's official bio about his young life in Poyen (Grant County), population 272 in the last census.
Facebooking, Twittering, Tumbling
The Arkansas Times has a Facebook page. Search for Arkansas Times.
The great Michael Jackson link round-up
The video above, from a 25th anniversary Motown celebration, is supposedly the first time MJ moonwalked.
Three die in Gaston's plane crash UPDATED
Baxter County sheriff's office
A Missouri man and his son and another Missouri teen were killed and two others were injured when a small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Gaston's Resort on the White River in Baxter County.
Friday's News
Photo courtesy of Jason Doss
Eating Local: In Arkansas, it's easy. Shopping Local: If you could just spend $50 at 3 local businesses, it would do wonders for the local economy. Here's how it works.
UAMS gets $1 million for NW campus
The Walmart Foundation has given $1 million to help prepare UAMS' new satellite campus in Northwest Arkanas.
Froomkin's final salvo
There's been a bit of noise in the political blogging world about the Washington Post's decision to end Dan Froomkin's White House Watch, a tough and insightful must-read during the Bush White House years.
All she wrote
Photo by Brian Chilson. The Alltel sign on Alltel Arena came down this morning.
The Weekend: Cool Shoes with Eclipse Glasses, Girls Night Out, Chris Denny, GoodSpeed and more
FRIDAY 6/26Cool Shoes returns with DJ sets by Ettiem and Carpenzo, who are part of the live, groove-oriented, mostly instrumental band Eclipse Glasses; Eclipse Glasses will play a special, short set.
A girl named Maria
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's girlfriend, Maria Belen Chapur, is a former TV reporters. The State dug up this clip of her on air in 2001.
Saturday To-Do: Living Sacrifice
LIVING SACRIFICE10 p.m., Vino's, $12 adv., $15 d.o.s. Whatever elusive and lab-tested formula that allows local bands to stick around forever, Living Sacrifice has tapped into it.
Saturday To-Do: Celtic Woman
CELTIC WOMAN8 p.m., Alltel Arena, $40-$58.Flipping channels recently, I paused on AETN to watch an ensemble of five young women sing traditional numbers and perform in what appeared to be a European cathedral, accompanied by a composer and beautiful stage scenery.
Commission: Proctor should be removed
The state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission has affirmed the recommendation of a three-member panel that Circuit Judge Willard Proctor of Little Rock should be removed from the bench for ethical lapses, most connected to handling of probation cases.
Safecrackers at work
The State Police says officers are looking for help to solve a multi-state series of burglaries of discount stores.
The HSDFI goes underground
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute is teaming with Low Key Arts to put on the First Annual Arkansas Underground Festival on July 17-19 at the Malco in Hot Springs.
Candidate: Visa remark 'stupid'
Republican senatorial candidate Curtis Coleman just can't quit that "another country" description for Southeast Arkansas. But in an interview with blogger Jason Tolbert, he says you can call his now nationally infamous remark stupid.
Review: 'Away We Go'
Ed. note: The timing of advance screeners rarely jibes with our production schedule, so when we do actually get to a film before it opens, I'm gonna try to post reviews on time online at least.
Slobberbone reuniting at WWT
Kevin Kerby's old pal Brent Best is getting the band back together. Slobberbone, the best terribly named band Texas ever birthed, is playing White Water Tavern on Aug. 11 during a mini reunion tour.
Readers take over
The line is open.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM
I LOVED attending the inaugural, as you recall, and I voted for Obama. Though I didn’t get as much face-time with Barry and beautiful Mickie as I’d have liked, it was a thrill in a lifetime.
When the roll is called up yonder
U.S.Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.) will be there. When the lead on a New York Times story says:
Fie on Halter, McDaniel
John Brummett today says Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel are wasting taxpayer money to promote themselves.
Pawlenty in LR
I may have missed this in the Democrat-Gazette this morning, but reading The State in Columbia, S.C., I was reminded of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's visit to Little Rock last night for a Republican fund-raiser.
UCA's lingering stench
DIXIE BAND CAMP 2008: From their website. Another fine piece of work today by the Democrat-Gazette's Debra Hale-Shelton.
Wedding bell news
Twittering today indicates that the friendship between PR man and blogger Blake Rutherford and KATV's Jessica Dean is indeed serious.
Those raunchy red states
New York Times columnist Charles Blow, inspired by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's sexcapade, reviews the literature on the illicit proclivities of Republican-leaning regions.
Round up the usual alibis
Andrew DeMillo analyzes prison boss Larry Norris' coming appearance before a legislative committee, where a recent spate of prison problems might get a little attention.
The line is open
Take it away.
Saturday: "The Room" at Market Street
The trailer. See Agee's tips for watching "The Room" here.
Supercharged tillers
Kat Robinson has been to the Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emerson, where she caught a death-defying ride by a contestant in the women's division of the tiller races.
Peas and Cornbread (and Cobbler, Too).
That there would be Linda Miller, the winner of the pea cooking competition (and the condiment contest, and the original pea dish contest) and Billie Samples, the winner of the cornbread cookoff, at the PurpleHull Pea Festival today in Emerson.
Competition was tough. How do I know? Because after the morning competitions, the entrants and those who had gathered to witness the proceedings were allowed to sample the entries. There were some mean good eatin' there -- cornbread of all shades of white to dark yellow (dry to sweet), unusual items like a Pea Zucchini Bread and Pea-Mole Dip (think guacamole, but with peas), and of course the peach cobblers (because what goes better with a pea dinner than peach cobbler?).
Sure, play keno
Says Brummett.
Ark. employment: Worse than thought?
Here's some interesting speculation -- and it's only that at this point. A top state economist thinks the Arkansas unemployment rate is worse than figures indicate.
40 years after Stonewall
Frank Rich notes that President Obama will observe the 40th anniversary of the watershed riots that followed a New York police raid of a gay bar in Greenwich Village. It's a sop for the president's reticence on gay rights, a cause he championed to no ill effect during the campaign.
Moving past adultery
Sexual relationships are all over the Times today. Again spinning off the Mark Sanford affair, a writer looks into the prospects for the marriage's survival.
Plane crash survivor
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has an interview with a survivor of the plane crash that killed three at Gaston's resort on the White River.
What's wrong with newspapers?
An old-school reporter for the Washington Post, Walter Pincus, has some worthy thoughts on the question.
Sunday session
The line is open.
Betraying the planet
Paul Krugman blasts those (Berry, Ross, Boozman, for example) who voted last week against the climate change bill.
Kroger expansion
Wal-Mart may be dominating the grocery market in Arkansas, but Kroger isn't giving up. It will break ground Tuesday on a new store, adjacent to an existing Kroger at 16105 Chenal Parkway.
White firefighters win UPDATE
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today sided with white New Haven firefighters in an employment discrimination suit.
SWEPCO won't stop construction UPDATE
Glen Hooks, of the Sierra Club, reacts to SWEPCO's statements
UPDATE:
SWEPCO reacted today to the Arkansas Court of Appeals' reversal of a permit for construction of the coal-fired Turk Plant in Hempstead County.
Facebooking simplified
It's now easier to check the Arkansas Times' Facebook page. www.facebook.com/arkansastimes
Saving newspapers
Two different sources are writing about ways to protect newspapers from news aggregators that round up their work and either link or publish parts of it free on the web.
Shufflin' Around.
Buffalo Grill has been a staple around these parts for ages (since 1981 for the original Riverdale location and since 1988 over on Bowman Road).
Monday Round-up
What's Next?: SWEPCO plans a full press conference today at 2:00, at the State Chamber of Commerce building at 1200 W. Capitol. They'll discuss plans to appeal the Arkansas Court of Appeals decision to revoke the permit for the proposed plant in Hempstead County. They'll no doubt talk about all the people employed by the plant and make the case for continuing construction. However, they didn't play by the rules and should pay a price. I'll be there and report back this afternoon.
Madoff gets the maximum
The judge threw the book at Bernie "Ponzi scheme" Madoff -- 150 years.
Mahony to Game and Fish
Tipster says Emon Mahony of El Dorado will be Gov. Mike Beebe's next appointment to the state Game and Fish Commission.
Needed: Independent prison review
House Majority Leader Steve Harrelson apparently thinks an independent look at state prisons might be in order after recent problems.
Opposition for Vic Snyder
A Conway propane truck driver will announce his Republican candidacy for Congress today. On the Dave Elswick show, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Preaching for health reform
Church leaders, including Episcopal deacon Joyce Hardy of Little Rock, will speak up for health care reform in ads placed on Christian and mainstream radio stations over the Independence Day congressional recess.
Spending my winnings
My first checks will go to the Arkanas Rep, KUAR and the ACLU. Then I'll fix all the woodpecker holes in my house siding.
Oversexed politicians
Here's a writer stewing over political fallout from Mark Sanford's affair. He suggests it might help Sarah Palin and women candidates in general.
SWEPCO Moving Ahead Despite Court Decision
SWEPCO reacted today to the Arkansas Court of Appeals' reversal of a permit for construction of the coal-fired Turk Plant in Hempstead County.
Sister's got the tacos
Challis Muniz of the Times and El Latino sends word to a fellow taco lover (me) of a place worth visiting in Hot Springs.
The line is open
Your turn. By the way, check our Street Jazz blog.
Hang up the *&*$ phone
It was a morning like any other. A weaving car driving at erratic speeds bollixed up Cantrell Road traffiic flow.
Looking to 2012
Gawker assesses the great white hopes of the Republican Party for unseating Barack Obama in 2012.
BEWILDERED BELTWAY . . .
I promised fashion tips when I birthed this blog. Reluctantly, that time's arrived.
Japanese Style, Arkansas Flavor.
Little Rock has been blessed with so many new Japanese eateries in the past few years -- it’s hard to keep up with them all.
The power plant hearing next time
Ernest Dumas' column for this week's Times on the fallout from the Court of Appeals ruling on the coal-burning power plant in Hempstead County merits posting today in the heat of American Electric Power's decision to forge ahead with construction.
Money will be coming, no doubt
U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln sent out an urgent plea for campaign cash today so she can continue the fight for health care for all Americans.
Spinning door, got to go 'round
A reader wonders whether anyone sees anything amiss in Arkansas Education Director Ken James hitting the door for a lucrative private sector job with a company, America's Choice, that has, during his state tenure, so far racked up $24 million in consulting work with the state, at $6 million per year.
Tuesday Round-up
Big News: Yesterday's press conference by SWEPCO to announce the appeal of an Arkansas Court of Appeals decision to revoke the permit for the coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County is all over the news this morning. You can read my account below, but you MUST read Ernest Dumas' column that will appear in Thursday's edition of the Times. Very thoughtful, as always.
Here's a rundown of the coverage: AP, the Hope Star, Arkansas Business, GreenAR by the Day, and an incredibly slanted article from Reuters, which repeats all of Chodak's arguments and offers no quotes from opponents.
Gored: Former Vice President Al Gore responds to critics' falsehoods regarding the cost of the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the US House last week. Kudos again to Vic Snyder for voting for this bill.
Tips: Always feel free to email me at gerard@arktimes.com. Thanks for staying tuned.
Lu Hardin lands new job
Here's a bit of a shocker:
Lu Hardin, the former state senator, state official and, most recently, controversial president of the University of Central Arkansas, has a new job.
Re health care: Attn. Sen. Lincoln
I think it's news when Wal-Mart, the Service Employees International Union and the liberal Center for American Progress issue a statement in support of employer "mandates," or required health insurance for workers.
The Buns Shall Rise Again.
The fire that damaged Fordyce's popular Klappenbach Bakery won't keep a good place down.
The Sanford saga
Sorry. It grows.
Sing your face off, win Kris Allen tix
For those Kris Allen fans who didn't snatch up tickets to see Kris and the rest of the “American Idol” top 10 in concert at Alltel on July 25, the Times has your back.
Tuesday: The Lonely H, Lyle Dudley, Nik Parks and more
Throwback, Washington State based rockers the Lonely H stop in at White Water tonight touring behind their new album, "Concrete Class."
Call him Sen. Franken
The Minnesota Supreme Court says he was elected U.S. senator. By 312 votes.
Prison hearing -- short takes
News by Twitter. Interesting look at short-form journalism this afternoon.
Research park for LR unveiled
Going public with what he said had been a "quiet effort" for the past four years, Dickson Flake announced today at a meeting with members of the Little Rock board of directors the results of a consultants' report on how Little Rock could go about building a "research park" to bring in new industry to the capital city.
Research park for LR unveiled
Going public with what he said had been a "quiet effort" for the past four years, Dickson Flake announced today at a meeting with members of the Little Rock board of directors the results of a consultants' report on how Little Rock could go about building a "research park" to bring in new industry to the capital city.
The week of the dirtbags
There's said to be a John Edwards sex tape. News comes from former aide Andrew Young, who has a book deal, but .....
The line is open
After today, I feel like a shower. But here's one last strange criminal element story to peruse: David Goins of Fox 16 apparently had the exclusive coverage of a court appearance by Abdul Muhammad, charged in the shooting of two soldiers in Little Rock.He wanted to change his name back to Bledsoe.
Crackpot watch
State Rep. Sally Kern, Arkansas's gift to Oklahoma, is at it again. The creationist homophobe who tried to pack heat into the Oklahoma capitol has a new crusade:
Copy this to Walton U
Another study on school choice finds another school choice program that produces no better results than conventional public schools -- the Florida voucher program.
Copy this to Walton U
Another study on school choice finds another school choice program that produces no better results than conventional public schools -- the Florida voucher program.
Thrown a bone
When the General Assembly passed a law earlier this year to make acts of aggravated animal cruelty a felony in Arkansas, Kay Simpson, director of the Humane Society of Pulaski County, cried.
Diodema's story
Heidi Mullins installed her sculpture, “Voices of Our Ancestors,” last week at the Bernice Garden at 14th and Main Streets.
Lu's new home
Here's the local newspaper coverage of Lu Hardin's selections as president of Palm Beach Atlantic University.
King's legacy
In Arkansas, it's continuing discord related to the M.L. King Commission, a long-simmering stew that includes an unwieldy, feuding board and various accountability issues.
Somebody's gotta lose UPDATE
For a slow morning Jason Tolbert has coverage (link corrected) and other links to: State Rep. Dawn Creekmore (DINO, newly arrived in Bauxite with her carpetbag in hand) announcing for state Senate.
Dig that Deli.
Say what you will about the inevitable wait, but good things can be found at Boulevard Bread Company in the River Market's Oppenheimer Hall. It never fails; the hankering for one of those big salads or plates will come over me and I'll find myself in line behind half a dozen or more people, some of which can't make up their minds on what to get. Of course, that's no big fault of their own -- the menu is huge, and there's all sorts of combinations.
Welcome to Game and Fish
Gov. Mike Beebe rolls out his new Game and Fish Commissioner Emon Mahony at 11 a.m. this morning at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Natural Center.
Smoke Up Johnny smokes no more
Photo by Matthew Martin. One of Little Rock's finest announced that it's calling it quits last night on MySpace.
Wednesday To-Do: 'When Harry Met Sally'
‘WHEN HARRY MET SALLY'Sundown, Riverfest Amphitheatre. Free. Years before Billy Crystal effectively quit acting to follow the Yankees or bask in his golden years or whatever and Meg Ryan messed up her face trying to stay young and began a binge that continues of terrible movies, the pair made this film, which, despite any later sins or false moves, assured them of a spot as a golden couple in film comedy for years to come.
Wednesday News
It's a Gas: Sen. Mark Pryor says he wants more natural gas vehicles. Sure works out well for all those doing business in the Fayetteville Shale. Doesn't work out so well for everyone who has or will have their well water ruined, roads destroyed or streams contaminated. Thanks to Citizens' Daily Lobby for the shout out.
Photo by Damon Winter, AEP General James M. Gavin Plant
Big Offender: The Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of 44 "High Hazard Potential Units," or sites where coal combustion residues (CCRs) are stored. CCRs consist of "fly ash, bottom ash, coal slag, and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) residue.
A word from our sponsors
Yes, it's true. Without advertising this blog most likely wouldn't exist.
Fayetteville officers cleared
Channel 4 reports Fayetteville police have cleared two officers who fired nine shots Saturday trying to stop a man from stabbing his former girlfriend.
Desperate times
A desperation pass by Circuit Judge Willard Proctor. He's filed a motion with the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission objecting to its sending its recommendation for his removal to the state Supreme Court.
Kevin Eubanks, Kingston Trio, "Cabaret" and these people coming to UCA
Best. Photoshopping.
Judge Roaf dies at 68
Judge Andree Roaf, who'd served by appointment to the Arkansas Supreme Court (the first black woman to be a justice) and then served a decade as a judge on the Arkanas Court of Appeals, died today after losing consciousness in her Little Rock office.
