IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR …

POLITICS. Has there been a year with so many candidates vying for federal office in Arkansas? Or so much chance at changing the usual order of things? Even popular Gov. Mike Beebe drew a Republican challenger — restaurant owner Jim Keet.

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The SOUTHWEST POWER POOL. The big controller of the electricity grid said it would build a new building and perhaps hire up to 200 more workers for its Little Rock headquarters.

ARKANSAS. The legislature ended its first fiscal session with a relative minimum of self-interest politicking and did the work expeditiously. Many members were anxious to hit the campaign trail.

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JEROME KEARNEY. The first assistant federal public defender was named a federal magistrate to succeed retiring Judge Henry Jones.

IT WAS A BAD WEEK FOR …

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U.S. SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter jumped in the Senate primary. Polls show her with an edge, but she’ll have to spend money to win and deplete potential resources for the general election. Lincoln also insulted progressives everywhere by labeling them “extremists.”

LITTLE ROCK CITY GOVERNMENT. On reading on our blog that War Memorial Golf Course fans were going to protest a little-advertised change in course design, city officials speeded up the tree cutting so work would start before critics could address the City Board.

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The PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. One of two finalists for the superintendent’s job suddenly dropped out, leaving only one candidate, acting Superintendent Rob McGill, in the running. A racially divided School Board then decided to reopen the search process. It’s a mess.

HERDING CATTLE
. A Murfreesboro woman saw her house trashed by three cows who managed to wander inside. Her insurance adjuster said her policy didn’t cover unexpected cattle drives.

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