Arkansas Political News
UCA high on ex-Hogs
You probably know by now that Corliss Williamson, who needs no introduction, is going to coach the UCA men`s basketball team and that he`s mentioned that Scotty Thurman may join him as an assistant. Williamson has been coaching at Arkansas Baptist College. Speaking of college basketball: This is one more for the sports boards, but what about Pel, Arkansas Blog readers?
Friday March 12, 2010 10:19PM | arktimes.com
Double-dip watch
A number of high state officials who "retired" long enough to be rehired in the same positions so that they could both draw retirement benefits and regular pay never let go of some pricey perks, legislators heard today. This didn`t make the "retirements" illegal, as in the case of some elected officials. Just smells bad, like the whole system did. At least seven local elect ...
Friday March 12, 2010 10:13PM | arktimes.com
Republicans: Don't lick chops yet
The Washington Post`s Chris Cillizza has made national Republican mouthpieces` day by proclaiming Arkansas`s 2nd District one of the most likely Republican pickups this year. Naturally, since he`s an inside-the-Beltway figure from the Rove era, Tim Griffin intrigues a Beltway insider at the Post who lives off NRC connections. Cillizza thinks Obama`s showing in Arkansas is parti ...
Friday March 12, 2010 9:33PM | arktimes.com
Clean air, dirty hands
Environmental groups gathered outside Sen. Lincoln`s office this morning to urge action on climate change legislation. Environmental and good government groups continue to probe relationships that help explain lawmakers` positions on important legislation. For example, regarding Sen. Blanche Lincoln`s opposition to regulation of greenhouse gases and cap and trade legislation: The Sunl ...
Friday March 12, 2010 9:02PM | arktimes.com
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
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