Friday March 12, 2010

Arkansas Political News

Look for the union label

Here`s the news on the first round of "independent expenditure" ad against Sen. Blanche Lincoln. It outlines her vote for corporate interests, such as the pro-credit card company bankruptcy bill and the first round of TARP spending. It doesn`t mention Bill Halter. This is the product of the union-backed campaign against Lincoln. Solid, issue-based stuff and fair game. But I do wo ...

Friday March 12, 2010 6:59PM | arktimes.com

Arkansas, let's eat

It`s a slow news day, it`s Friday and it`s lunch time. So, a diversion. The Oxford American`s current issue is all about Southern food. There`s more. I got attracted this morning to their on-line special, a Southern Food Poll surveying chefs, food writers and others on their favorite Southern restaurants, "last meals," favorite foodstuffs, most overrated Southern foo ...

Friday March 12, 2010 6:46PM | arktimes.com

Ross wants trailer hearing

U.S. Rep. Mike Ross wants a congressional hearing on the decision to sell all the FEMA trailers stored at the Hope airport to one bidder.

Friday March 12, 2010 5:22PM | arktimes.com

Saline plea in assault case

Perhaps because the defendant, Joshua Paul Hanke, is the son of a sitting public official, Saline JP Kim Hanke, the Saline County prosecutor has distributed a news release about a plea entered in circuit court this morning in the case of a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his estranged wife.

Friday March 12, 2010 5:16PM | arktimes.com

The cost of electricity

Robert Johnston, a former state legislator and former chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, offers commentary on news paper reports and comment on Entergy electric rates in Arkansas and the wisdom of more use of nuclear power generation (the expense that hung Arkansas in the first place with subsidizing Louisiana and Missippi.)

Friday March 12, 2010 3:30PM | arktimes.com

Naked came the Mormons

The recent Arkansas legislative session was sure dull compared to this. Kevin Garn, the Republican House majority leader in Utah, closed that state`s legislative session by admitting he`d once frolicked in a hot tub with a nude 15-year-old and paid the woman $150,000 in hush money. Better still, it develops that the Mormon Church-owned Deseret News learned of the story in 2002, when Garn ...

Friday March 12, 2010 3:00PM | arktimes.com

Health watch: Berry bill MIA

Final negotiations on health legislation appear to include no consideration for Rep. Marion "Good Riddance" Berry`s self-indulgent substitute proposal yesterday or for the idea he shares to essentially make insurance coverage of abortion impossible in the United States.

Friday March 12, 2010 12:49PM | arktimes.com

How bad is Clarence Thomas?

Read Linda Greenhouse and decide. The justice, who once claimed empathy with the incarcerated, continues to push for protection for prison officials who beat up prisoners.

Friday March 12, 2010 12:45PM | arktimes.com

Huckabee: Money talks

It has always been about money with Mike Huckabee. From a talk he made to college Republicans in New York: He's uncertain if he'll run in the next presidential election in 2012. "I`m not sure I`m in a place in my life, personally, that I can afford to take off two years and not have an income," he said. I hope he makes jillions.

Friday March 12, 2010 12:16PM | arktimes.com

No charge against senator

Helena-West Helena Mayor James Valley's blog relates a local prosecutor`s e-mail that says no charge will be filed against Sen. Jack Crumbly, the Earle school superintendent, as a result of an indecent exposure complaint made against him by a former substitute teacher.

Friday March 12, 2010 2:17AM | arktimes.com

The Rep next season

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre announced its 2010-11 season tonight, shows ranging from Hamlet to Hairspray.

Friday March 12, 2010 2:14AM | arktimes.com

Testing, testing

Sounds like the mic is open. LATE NEWS: The mayor of Alexander (the less said about the racial-profiling tow the better) tried today to put a proposal on the primary election ballot to de-annex part of the city. The County Election Commission turned down her request because it wasn`t in the proper form of a city council-approved measure. What`s up? Your guess is as good as mine. Total de- ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 11:01PM | arktimes.com

Racial profiling in Pulaski County

UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson has vowed that the urban university will have a role in seeking solutions to problems in race relations. Part of that effort is a yearly survey on racial attitudes. This year`s survey, the seventh, returns to crime and safety. Some highlights of this year`s findings, which seem generally to reflect an improving trend: * Blacks are more likely than whites to be ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 10:19PM | arktimes.com

Human rights in Mississippi

The ACLU has sued the Mississippi school district that cancelled a high school prom rather than allow a lesbian to attend with her girlfriend (and wear a tuxedo). Add Missisippi to the dishonor roll with Oklahoma and Virginia this week. "All I wanted was the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 9:45PM | arktimes.com

Jim Powell service

Memorial service for James O. Powell, the former editorial page editor of the Arkansas Gazette, who died Wednesday afternoon, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Second Baptist Church.

Thursday March 11, 2010 9:39PM | arktimes.com

Berry quacks on health

Lame-duck Congressman Marion "Good Riddance" Berry proudly unveiled his own health reform bill today. It`s a stripped-down bill with some insurance reform and, among others, language tough enough on abortion funding that you have to wonder if it wouldn`t inspire insurance companies working with government plans to get out of the abortion coverage business altogether. It`s an ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 8:54PM | arktimes.com

Keet on Conway

Republican candidate Jim Keet weighs in on filings in a federal lawsuit alleging shortcomings in care at the Conway Human Development Center, particularly in use of medication and restraints. He differentiates himself from the spirited defense offered yesterday by Gov. Mike Beebe and DHS officials. Little Rock – In response to news reports detailing problems facing the Conway Human Development ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 8:37PM | arktimes.com

Who you gonna trust?

Last week, a spokesman for Sen. Blanche Lincoln disputed opponent Bill Halter`s claim that he`d received an endorsement from state Rep. Otis Davis of Earle. I never got a callback from Davis on the question Lincoln`s campaign raised. But, today, Halter has released a radio ad in which Davis praises Halter for passing the state lottery. Davis doesn`t appear to utter the "e&quo ...

Thursday March 11, 2010 7:29PM | arktimes.com

You're doing slime, Oklahoma

Oklahoma not only hates immigrants, it hates gay people, too. The latest is legislation for the state to obstruct the federal hate crimes law on acts against homosexuals. The Sooners thus join Virginia in official action to protect those who would discriminate.

Thursday March 11, 2010 7:22PM | arktimes.com

Sorenstam, Beebe award grants

Golfer Annika Sorenstam joined Gov. Mike Beebe, something of a golfer himself, for a ceremony today awarding grants to schools for physical education programs. Money comes from the Tobacco Settlement Commission. Details at the link include the specific grants.