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The price of ethics: more payola for Arkansas legislators
I reported yesterday that a constitutional amendment modestly addressing state ethics law was approved by both the House and Senate committees that clear the three proposed constitutional amendments...
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Legislature works on Saturday
Yes, the legislature is meeting today. Lengthy agendas full of bad legislation in a compressed time period is not a formula for good government.If you hear anything, post it here.UPDATE:* MILK IN THE...
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UPDATE: Bishop expands on view on UAMS-St. Vincent combination
I received a response today from Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock to a followup question I posed after Jo Ann Coleman shared an e-mail she received from the bishop about the...
View ArticleSuper Saturday
Nice day. Anything else to say about it? * 'I JUST SELL BEER': Fine obit from the City Wire on Fayetteville beer wholesaler Bob McBride.[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
View ArticleMedicaid expansion: The Kochs call in their chits
A momentous week lies ahead.Against all odds, a significant Republican caucus has developed for moving ahead with Medicaid expansion in Arkansas. The rational Republican recognizes the folly of leaving...
View ArticleSports, school or the workplace, we should either get serious about bullying...
What’s the difference between a well-paid basketball coach who physically and emotionally abuses players and a cowardly man who punches a defenseless woman in the face for free, or the people in a...
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The Sunday night oily ethics line
The line is open. Finishing up:* IN THE OIL SPILL ZONE: Some young activists from the Tar Sands Blockade, a group that opposes the Keystone XL pipeline, is ranging all over the Mayflower oil spill zone...
View ArticleMedicaid: Arkansas is the buzz
Politico writes in some depth about the shift in Republican leadership thinking — with some mostly Deep South exceptions — in favor of accepting the medical coverage expansion provided by Obamacare,...
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Beware the rogue golf carts
It's a slow morning so I'll share an e-mail that repeats a recurring complaint — the privileged class running amuck in golf carts in the Heights/Country Club of Little Rock neighborhood.It has...
View ArticleSierra Club seeks delay on Keyston pipeline
The spill of Canadian tar sand crude in Mayflower is being used by environmentalists to slow approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry a similar material through the Great Plains across a...
View ArticleArkansas schools held in 'distress'
The Arkansas state Board of Education is meeting today. So far, it has found the Lee County and Strong-Huttig school districts in academic distress and the Hughes district in fiscal distress.[...
View ArticleUPDATE: House approves bonds for Big River Steel mill
The House today overwhelmingly approved, 78-17, legislation to issue state bonds for the startup Big River Steel mill proposed for Mississippi County. The state is prepared to put $125 million in...
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Zara's cakes are something worth celebrating
Remember cake? Before the cupcake took over the world, before cake balls, cake pops, cake truffles, and cakesicles, there was just plain cake. Honest-to-goodness cake. A cake meant something. A cake...
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The House takes up Medicaid expansion
The Arkansas House is now meeting as a committee of the whole to hear the pitch for taking federal Medicaid expansion money, but by moving more people into private health insurance, rather than through...
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The equal rights open line
The Monday night line commences. Closing out:* MARRIAGE EQUALITY: U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson threw his support behindmarriage equality. That leaves only three Democratic senators in opposition — Joe...
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Botanas bar The Folde coming to Riverdale
Bart Barlogie (son of the famous oncologist of the same name) and business partner Wilson Brandt are aiming for May to open their new upscale Mexican restaurant in Riverdale. The restaurant is called...
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Jumbo Gumbo lets the good times roll
The sound of Cajun music echoed through the River Market as we made our way to the pavilions outside Ottenheimer Hall. As we drew closer, the air became thick with the delicious smell of seafood,...
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Review: Gaither Family Reunion, Verizon Arena, April
Some of the best-loved names in Southern gospel united their voices for more than three hours of music, laughter and worship during Saturday night’s North Little Rock stop of the Gaither Homecoming...
View ArticleMorning report: Democrats say 'Save Our Session'
Good morning. What's good about it you ask?* SAVE OUR SESSION: The Arkansas Democratic Party announces a "Save Our Session" press conference and rally at the Capitol at noon Wednesday. ???? Will the...
View ArticleMayflower oil spill: The hand of God?
Ernie Dumas writes this week on the Mayflower oil spill, beginning by musing, a la Pat Robertson/Jerry Falwell/etc., whether a divine hand might have had an influence. An oil spill smack in the middle...
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