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Road Trip!

Road Trip!

January 7, 2016

Vol 42 • No 18

Read the print version

The thing to do in all 75 Arkansas counties

It's time for a Road Trip!

Arts Center bond issue campaign amends filing

The Committee for Arts and History, the ad hoc group backing approval of a $37.5 million bond issue to improve and expand the Arkansas Arts Center, filed an amended campaign organization statement with the Ethics Commission this week that omits Stacy Hurst as a co-chair of the committee.

Verizon Arena revises new security rules

A day after announcing new security rules, officials of Verizon Arena in North Little Rock have revised them to explicitly allow small purses

Waltons to sink another $1 billion in charter schools

An extensive report from AP on the Walton Family Foundation's plan to put another $1 billion in charter schools over the next five years. What it means is more devastation for conventional public schools, as some such as Bernie Sanders and Diane Ravitch have noted.

Supreme Court denies rehearing in Little Rock school case

As expected, the Arkansas Supreme Court today denied a rehearing of its decision to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the takeover of the Little Rock School District. The court had held that the state was immune from lawsuit in the case. Plaintiffs, including former school board members, had argued the standard didn't apply because the state had acted arbitrarily.

Supreme Court clears way for new arguments in murder case

The Arkansas Supreme Court today approved a request by a convicted murderer to be given a chance to present new evidence to a circuit court in hopes of winning a new trial.

Feed Your Mind Friday: Lilia Hernandez

Lilia Hernandez, a fabric artist from Mexico now living in Little Rock, will talk about Latino arts and culture from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 8) at the Arkansas Arts Center. Feed Your Mind Friday is a monthly event featuring talks coordinated with exhibitions; this one is with Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art" from the Smithsonian. It goes down Jan. 17. Meet in the atrium,

Guest Mix: Baby Armie

I fancied myself a music writer at one time, and there's no doubt that has rubbed off on my approach to DJing. When I put together a mix, I like to cover a specific sound, era, scene, region, theme, or mood the way a feature writer might. And this mix is no different. I gathered up some of my favorite—and more accessible—dance tunes of the past year and threw them all in a pot. The resulting product is eclectic and encompasses many genres. 2015 seemed to offer no particular overbearing trend in underground dance music, and I tried to reflect that here.

Education Week gives Arkansas a C- on school effort

Education Week is out with its 2016 Quality Counts assessment of U.S. education and the ranking puts Arkansas at C- for its average on three rankings, a bit below the national average of a solid C.

Rutledge joins religious argument on Marine discipline case

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has intervened in the case of a North Carolina Marine disciplined for displaying Bible verses at her desk contrary to directions of a superior. She frames it a religious liberty case. Courts have so far seen it as a discipline and order issue.

Second teen arrested in bank robbery

Little Rock police say they have arrested Jasha Howard, 18, as the suspected getaway car driver in yesterday's robbery of a Bank of American branch on Highway 10 in which a bank employee was wounded in the shoulder by a shotgun blast.

Legislator-lobbyist sex a gift by terms of proposed Missouri bill

By popular demand: A link to the article about a bill introduced by a Republican in the Missouri legislature that would define sex between a lobbyist and a legislator as a gift and thus reportable under ethical disclosure laws.

Robert Hupp resigns as artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre announced this afternoon that longtime artistic director Robert Hupp is resigning this year, following the conclusion of his contract in June 2016. Hupp has been at The Rep for 17 seasons, and will take a new job as artistic director of the Syracuse Stage in Syracuse, New York.

Bob Hupp leaving Rep for Syracuse

Rock Candy got there first with news that Robert Hupp is leaving the Arkansas Repertory Theatre as artistic director a theater job in Syracuse.

Legal dispute over former legislator seeking to run for sheriff

Another legal round has cranked up in former Republican state Rep. Josh Johnston's effort to run for sheriff of Cleburne County.

Thursday and the line is open

Here's the Thursday evening line plus today's video headlines and comment.

Transportation trends: DOTs say maintain, don't add; buses are solution

Here's a quote from Planetizen's "Top Planning Trends" article published Dec. 31:  "Few phrases are more likely to trigger post-traumatic stress among local transit and complete streets advocates than 'state department of transportation.' The decades of great power wielded by state DOTs has resulted in more roads, wider roads, and faster roads — even at the expense of local planning efforts and the budgets required to maintain existing roads. "In 2015, however, signs of a shift in politics emerged from state DOTs. Different transportation agencies arrived at the conclusion for different reasons, but transportation officials are waking up to the idea that they can no longer continue building roads without first focusing on improving existing roads."

Guns + Obama = hysteria

President Obama's talk about modest gun control measures enjoys broad popular support, just not among Republican politicians. And the very talk has produced the usual rush to gun shops in Arkansas, said to be the third-highest gun-equipped state in the country

Planned Parenthood endorses Hillary Clinton

Planned Parenthood of Arkansas's political affiliate, PP Voters of Arkansas, has announced its endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president. This follows a national endorsement by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Threats prompt clearance of two LR high schools

KARK reports that unspecified threats have prompted removal of students and staff from two high schools this morning — Little Rock Hall and McClellan — while buildings are searched.

Former Tyson manager sentenced to 28 months for $550,000 theft

Brenda Blair, 48, of Gentry has been sentenced to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay $551,343 restitution for money stolen from Tyson Inc. when she managed a health insurance benefit plan at Tyson Foods in Springale from June 2005 to September 2014.

Huckabee whining about loss of base evangelical supporters

Mike Huckabee gave a remarkable radio interview this week throwing down on evangelical voters, once his core supporters, for abandoning him for other candidates. He says they're just scared he might do what he says he'll do — abolish abortion — and take away a money-raising cause. This won't help him win an election. And it might hurt him over the long-term, too, a magazine writer says.

TLC still mulls ways to make money off Duggars

A top TLC cable channel exec talks about its Duggar scandal problems in 2015 and hints that the channel still sees commercial possibilities in more Duggar reality TV, if not including black sheep Josh.

Psych of the South: The Retreat Singers' 'I Can See' (1967)

 The Retreat Singers were based at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas and recorded a hauntingly beautiful album in 1967 depicting the life of Jesus in folk songs.

President Obama vetoes health legislation repeal

As expected, President Obama has vetoed legislation to repeal his signature health legislation, the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. The Arkansas Republicans who voted for repea did so knowing the devastation it would cause in Arkansas won't come to pass because they lack votes to override the veto.

2nd Friday Art Night: Printmakers, painters, pastels

The Times did not publish a regular issue this week, devoting the week to our Road Trip issue. So here's the news about tonight's 2nd Friday Art Night lineup: Printmakers. Painters. Pastel artists. Photographs. Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Rubio mines lobby for State of Union cash

Marco Rubio will be fund-raising before the State of the Union speech with an event whose hosts include a familiar name from Arkansas.

Food trucks, indoor dining, bakery coming soon to 8th and Chester

An interesting development for downtown diners: a new food truck court with indoor seating, flat screen TVs and free wi-fi and an on-site bakery run by Brown Sugar Bakeshop is apparently coming soon to 8th and Chester.

TGIF. The line is open

Friday's open line and today's video of news and comment.

Orthodontist gives up fight against dental establishment

Alexis Hosticka of Arkansas Business reports that Dr. Ben Burris, a Fayetteville orthodontist, has given up his 18-month legal battle to be able to clean teeth in his practice.

Artists, Drawl your guns

You won't need a license to make a purchase at "The Gun Show" coming to Drawl Gallery in the Heights. Drawl owner Guy Bell and the Oxford American magazine are teaming up to present an exhibition in which artists, writers and scholars answer the question, "What does the visual presence of guns suggest to you?"

The Smile and a Shoeshine Edition

The legacy of Dale Bumpers, President Obama and gun control, Jeremy Hutchinson’s planned private club, the Arkansas Arts Center special election and more — on this week's podcast.

A look inside the LRSD's new soon-to-be middle school in West Little Rock

The 74,000 square foot former Leisure Arts office building will house classroom space for some 300 sixth graders beginning this fall. However, by the 2017-18 school year, the district plans to have completed renovations on the much larger building next door — a 175,000 square foot warehouse — that will serve as a permanent home for the new middle school.

LR City Board to consider urging highway department to broaden I-30 options

A resolution has been filed for consideration by the Little Rock Board of Directors to to urge the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to consider more options for the Interstate 30 project through downtown Little Rock. It — and tons of research — suggests road projects don't ease congestion. Free parking, another favorite of state builders, also makes urban life worse. Does the city board care?

Saturday's open line

Not much. You? The open line. I'm busy spending the $900 million Powerball win.

UPDATE: Officer shot in exchange with Red Lobster robbers

A Little Rock police officer suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder after returning fire at hree men who tried to rob the Red Lobster restaurant at West Markham and Rodney Parham about 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Dale Bumpers service today; speakers promise a history lesson

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church for former U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, who died Jan.1 at 90.

Secretary of state awaiting submissions for Capitol monuments, Hindu leader says

More today from Rajan Zed, a Hindu who's been pushing for Hindu statuary on the state Capitol grounds ever since the Arkansas legislature approved a Christian-related 10 Commandments monument for the grounds.

Powerball pot tops $1.3 billion

No one won last night's grand prize in the Powerball lottery drawing and the pot for Wednesday's drawing on new ticket purchases now stands at $1.3 billion, or a lump sum payment for a single winner of $806 million.

Sen. Jason Rapert casts doubt on the future of the private option

Sen. Jason Rapert today sent out a flurry of tweets doubting the future of the private option. Could this be chickens coming home to roost on Gov. Asa Hutchinson's Medicaid spin?

Remembering Dale Bumpers: What a wonderful world it was

A fine service was held for the late Sen. Dale Bumpers at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock today.

Finishing up Sunday; two dead in Monticello

Here's an open line for Sunday. Also in the news today: A double killing in Monticello.

Police arrest third suspect in Red Lobster robbery

A Little Rock police SWAT unit was used late Sunday as officers arrested the third suspect in an attempted robbery and shootout Saturday with a police officer at the Red Lobster restaurant on West Markham Street.

Capital murder case ends in plea bargain

Cornell Huell entered a guilty plea in a capital murder case late last week in Hot Spring Circuit Court, a deal that will give him a 40-year sentence for first-degree murder and 16 years for attempted first-degree murder, to be served consecutively. That likely ends a developing controversy on whether the presiding judge should recuse from the case.

Gov. Hutchinson rings bell at New York Stock Exchange

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is mighty proud he got to ring the bell to open trading today on the New York Stock Exchange. The NYSE passes this around to a varied lot of people both to open and close the day.

Another metaphor too far for Mike Huckabee

The Des Moines Register is  the latest to cite Mike Huckabee for going too far with his rhetoric. This from a "roses and thistles" column in the newspaper:

Clinton foes target Clinton Foundation, but Rutledge office says there's no investigation

The Sunday Times, a Murdoch-owned London newspaper, reported Sunday on mostly old news — complaints about errors in required tax filings by the Clinton Foundation. It also suggested a state review was underway. Not so, said the attorney general's office.

Chase of stolen police car ends in Cammack Village

A prisoner drove off in a Jacksonville police car, but a police chase ended without incident in Cammack Village.

Judge extends order blocking new law against abortion pill

Federal Judge Kristine Baker today extended until March 14 her temporary order that blocks the state from enforcing a new law that would likely end the use of a pill to end early stage abortions in Arkansas.

Judge sets hearing on insurance forum swap

Federal Judge P.K. Holmes of Fort Smith has set a hearing Feb. 19 on the question of whether he should punish lawyers involved in a class action case long pending in his court that was suddenly dropped and then immediately settled in a state court in Polk County.

Little Italy incorporation hearing to resume Wednesday

Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde says the hearing on the Little Italy community's incorporation hearing will resume at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Quorum Court meeting room.

Monday's open line

Here's the Monday open line and today's video with headlines and comment.

Tommy Pacello on 'Lessons from Memphis'

Tommy Pacello, a national consultant on urban development, will give a talk tomorrow night on a project in Memphis to revive struggling neighborhoods. The talk, is sponsored by the Architecture and Design Network, is set for 6 p.m. in the lecture hall at the Arkansas Arts Center.

Bradley Jesson, close Bumpers adviser, dies at 83

Bradley Dean Jesson, former chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court and a close friend and adviser of the late U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers, died Monday at his home at Fort Smith. He was 83.

Landowners settle with pipeline company; public hearing set

Dwight and Sandy Kimbriel of Clarksville, who were the last holdouts in Johnson County in the taking of their property for the Diamond Project’s crude oil pipeline, have reached a settlement agreement with the company, making the eminent domain petition filed against them moot. Meanwhile, Clarksville Alderman Danna Schneider said there will be an informational hearing for the public on the pipeline on Jan. 25 at the University of the Ozarks. Because the pipeline project required no public hearings, Schneider and others are calling one on their own.

Republican main stage debate drops to seven candidates

Fox will put only seven Republican candidates on the main stage for Thursday's televised debate. Mike Huckabee is again relegated to the second-tier event.

Governor declines waivers on food stamp benefits in high unemployment areas

The Arkansas News Bureau reports that some 5 percent, or 25,000, of the 500,000 Arkansans who received supplemental nutrition benefits (food stamps) could lose those benefits unless they get jobs, sign up for accredited job training programs or work 20 hours a week in volunteer toil. It won't be easy to get work in some counties that could still qualify for waivers for continued benefits that Gov. Asa Hutchinson has not chosen to seek.

University of Arkansas rids itself of ISIS

The Traveler at the University of Arkansas reports that the Fayetteville campus has completed a planned name change in a student accounting service whose name was an acronym shared by a notorious group.

Treasurer Milligan needs $50,000 more for legal fees

A legislative committee is reviewing this morning Treasurer Dennis Milligan's request to transfer $50,000 from his capital budget to spend to cover his legal fees in the lawsuit by a former employer over his treatment in the office. He'd earlier transferred $20,000 for this purpose.

And what about the economy, if that's what elections are about?

Forget about terrorism for a second, Ernest Dumas writes this week, and think about the economy. That's the lodestar of presidential elections.Despite the faith-based hatred of the Kenyan usurper in the White House, the economy under President Obama actually has been fairly stable, with good results in job creation particularly

Firm outlines a different approach for Interstate 30

A local architecture firm envisions a better way to run traffic through downtown Little Rock. It does not include a wider freeway. It doesn't include a freeway at all.

Jeremy Hutchinson joins Democratic legislators in law firm

In today's hyperpartisan times, it's of note when a Republican state legislator joins a law firm whose partners include two Democratic legislators.

Search committee named for successor to UALR Chancellor Anderson

University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt has announced the search committee that will consider candidates to succeed the retiring Joel Anderson as chancellor of UALR.

The open line and a murder trial gets underway

The open line for Tuesday. Also, trial began today of the man accused of killing real estate agent Beverly Carter. And Bank of the Ozarks plans a big headquarters campus in Northwest Little Rock.

Metroplan director presents Imagine Central Arkansas to board; Hines, Kumpuris don't get it

Metroplan Director Jim McKenzie, with an assist from transportation study director Casey Covington, stood before the City Board for two hours tonight talking about Metroplan's Imagine Central Arkansas plan and explaining the impact of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation's $600 million plan to widen a 7-mile corridor of I-30 to 10 lanes.

Hot Springs superintendent appointed to federal board overseeing broadband subsidies

Mike Hernandez was appointed last week to the board of the Universal Service Administrative Company, or USAC, a nonprofit entity that operates under the auspices of the Federal Communications Commission. He'll keep his job as head of the Hot Springs district.

Iran releases U.S. sailors; Cotton still makes hay

Iran has released U.S. sailors without any harm. An investigation will now ensue into circumstances of the stopping of two small patrol craft. It seems to have been precipitated by a Navy vessel entering Iranian waters, perhaps because of a mechanical problem. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will make hay on cable TV regardless.

Obama's union is exceptional. Republicans differ.

President Obama sees a better America than the Republican congressmen from Arkansas, judging by the State of the Union address and their response.

Arkansas scores an F on reproductive health and rights

The annual report of the Population Institute gives Arkansas and 18 other states a grade of F on its survey of reproductive health and rights.

Help wanted: City Director Hines needs economics tutor

Lance Hines says, in opposing a smarter way to improve the Interstate 30 route, that he is a "free market guy." Somebody needs to take him back to economics class.

Eat in North Little Rock in January, get free UALR basketball tickets

January is Restaurant Month in North Little Rock. Throughout the month, bring a receipt from a January meal at any restaurant in North Little Rock and you’ll receive one free ticket to a University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans basketball game for every $5 spent. There are no limits.

UALR plans new sports complex on donated land south of campus

UALR today announced a land gift that will be used for a new baseball field and sports complex on former Coleman Dairy property south of the campus.

Here are the 2016 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase semifinalists

Congrats to this year's Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase semifinalists. This year's semifinal rounds will be held at Stickyz on Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18. The finals will be at the Rev Room on Friday, Feb. 26. All shows this year will begin at 8 p.m.

Murder trial begins with defense casting blame on accused's wife

A standing-room only crowd was on hand for opening statements today in the murder trial of Arron Lewis, accused of the September 2014 abduction and murder of real estate agent Beverly Carter.

Ethics Commission to hold hearing on 22 potential violations by Dennis Milligan

The state Ethics Commission has found enough evidence to hold a hearing on whether Treasurer Dennis Milligan was guilty of 22 ethics violations, from campaign finance and reporting to hires of legislators' spouses in office without prior legislative approval.

An open line and an Arkansas face in the D.C. crowd

The open line, video roundup and a photo of an Arkansas face in last night's State of the Union crowd.

Attorney general continues to block marijuana proposal

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has again rejected the form of a ballot proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas and the backer of that effort thinks her motives are political.

Tech Park predicts November-December opening

Tech Park executive director Brent Birch reported to the board that in response to several inquiries from various companies about the park and when it will be open, he's been saying November or December. Construction is to begin in March. The work is to begin on the top, sixth, floor of the building, known as the Annex. Leasing will begin before the work on the building is complete.

C.D. Wright, Arkansas native poet, dies at 67

C. D. Wright, the acclaimed Arkansas-born poet, died suddenly this week. She had just turned 67.

New music from Oh Cathy, Peace Boner, Lo Thraxx, SW/MM/NG and more

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