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March 8, 2007

Vol 5 • No 8

House hearing set on Dumas tornado response

With the Democrats now controlling both houses of Congress, there is finally the opportunity to hold the Bush adminstration accountable for its mismanagement.

World's richest man: Keep estate tax

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the world's richest man, today told a U.S. Senate committee that he supports his father's crusade against repealing the estate tax.

FOI needs friends

The state Freedom of Information law has been damaged substantially in recent years, by the legislature and the courts, amply demonstrating that there are officials in all branches of government who believe taxpayers have grown too big for their britches

Editorial cartoon

The week that was Feb. 28-March 6

It was a good week for ... LITTLE ROCK. Some 4,000 people walked and ran in the Little Rock Marathon, with thousands more cheering them on. It’s a class event.

Something to look forward to

Warm weather and the arrival of the month of March bring thoughts of spring — new growth, things sprouting from the ground, etc. … So it’s the perfect time for an update on what’s springing from the earth in West Little Rock, or at least what the develop

What's cooking, March 8

Trickle-up theory

Through thick and thin, there has always been one group of dedicated Americans whose support for President George W. Bush has been unwavering: The wealthy.

Probing

The Little Rock School Board will look into a $350,000 school district contract with a database consultant they learned about during court testimony in January’s final hearings in the desegregation case.

Fuller picture

There was a major gap in Leslie Newell Peacock’s Feb. 8 article [“Scratch Besser from Picture”] about my role in Art Across Arkansas, caused by Rose Crane’s refusal to comment on senior management’s (Crane’s) decision to terminate my participation in the

Good government

House Speaker Benny Petrus endured criticism in 2005 for loaning his Capitol Hill apartment to the Oaklawn/Deltic lobbying combine. He thought it was a bum rap and he’s demonstrating his good intentions this session with solid deeds. The speaker has

Wasabi heats up downtown

What with the phonebook-sized menus at some Asian restaurants we could name, one of the best things about Wasabi might be their restraint when it comes to possibilities on their lunch and dinner menus.

Smart Talk

This week: The absence of drug reform; state money for church schools; KTHV's mommy blog.

‘Zodiac’ signs read: Good

While Hollywood has been reluctant to glorify the deeds of real-life serial killers on film, the excellent new movie “Zodiac” is a fine exception. It's one of the best thrillers in years.

Crop report

Time was, when Arkies bragged on their state, the topic was almost certain to be agricultural. We didn’t have tall buildings or surfy beaches, or connoisseurs of anything higher than folk art, and we weren’t on the cutting edge of anything, and we weren’t

After-dinner candidate

Good one-liners require simple and seemingly banal setups, then sudden twists. First you say “take my wife.” Then you pause ever so slightly, not too short, not too long. That’s why it’s called timing. Then, before your listeners have had time

Hope for America?

There is an off chance that the country is not going to hell after all. If that is so, the fanaticism that captured the Republican Party and the national government for a half-dozen years and was projected to be the permanent American majority was ac

Modern day drifter

Dierks Bentley talks fast on the telephone, faster than one might expect from a country musician, but it seems to be representative of his professional life these days.

Frankenfood

The Arkansas Plant Board voted last week to ban the planting of the second variety of rice found in Arkansas to contain traces of a genetically engineered variety of rice. With no disrespect to the farmers who protested the ruling and are now scrambling t

Orval

Words

The possessive of Arkansas makes the news. Of course we have an opinion.

Showcase goes into ‘Orbit’

Cooper's Orbit takes the top prize in the Musician's Showcase.

Get cracking

Friday night's crowded calendar: A benefit auction of artistic eggs, a guided tour of the new drawing exhibit at the Arts Center and new shows at other 2nd Friday Art Night galleries, and a new show at Cantrell Gallery.

This Modern World

Banu Gibson at Wildwood

New Orleans singer and bandleader Banu Gibson will be joined by pianist David Boddinghaus for “Cole Porter Tonite” at Wildwood Park on Friday, March 9.

The Observer

Well, the good news is The Observer’s ankle doesn’t hurt, thanks to increased naproxin dosage. The bad news is now our hip hurts. Later we plan to break that hip, and then begin a life full of bermuda shorts and velcro shoes. But the great news is th

Small room, big view

14 consecutive shows at the Treehouse include Kiss Kiss, Pony Pants and other bands on the way to Austin for South-by-Southwest.

25 Best Movie Posters Ever

Entertainment Weekly has its list.  

Kal Penn

the star of "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" gets serious with Mira Nair's adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's novel "The Namesake."  New York Magazine has this profile.

Oh no!

Oscarwatch.com is reporting that the producers of "Forrest Gump" are looking at a sequel.  Oscarwatch thinks it's not a bad idea.  Boy do I disagree.  The first "Gump" was just plain stupid.  Gump II - makes me think of "The Skulls II" long before it makes me think of "The Godfather Part II." 

On Baseball

  Philip Martin writes, Nice list, someone ought to do a baseball film festival. (There was one in Fayetteville a couple of years ago.)

The politics of disaster response

John Brummett raises the possibility that partisan politics played a role in the Bush administration's decision to devote aid and attention to areas struck by tornadoes in Alabama, while ignoring parts of Arkansas that suffered the same fate.

Judges allege pressure under Huckabee

In an article for workcompcentral.com, Michael Whiteley writes that local attorney Rick Spencer "alleges that a top aide to ex-governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee pressured judges to rule against injured workers and played a role in the firings of three judges who say they were removed for favoring claimants over business."

Immobile homes

The Washington Post today takes a closer look at the thousands of mobile homes sitting unused in Hope and FEMA's refusal to dispatch them to Desha County, where victims of last month's tornadoes could use them.

Razorback satire

Did you read about how YouTube has been banned in Turkey? Could the same thing happen in Fayetteville?

'No military solution' in Iraq

CNN reports: The new commander of U.S. troops in Iraq has warned that military force alone will not be enough to quell the country's violent insurgency.

Rove speaks in Little Rock (UPDATED W-VIDEO)

We just attended Karl Rove's speech at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, which was organized by the Clinton School of Public Service.

Any kind of prayer?

In just a few minutes, the House Education Committee will hear Rep. Eric Harris' bid to reinstitute theocracy when it hears HB 2445.

Chemical spill in Benton (UPDATE)

We're hearing reports about a hazardous chemical spill in Benton and the evacuation of the area where it occurred.

New Rules Concerning Access To Court Records

For anyone that from time to time needs to get copies of court records, the Ark. Supreme Court recently changed and clarified the rules as to who may have access.   Its extremely long and detailed, but if you are interested, here is the new rule: Ark. Administrative Rule 19

Pickett blames machine error for vote

Jennifer Barnett Reed follows up on yesterday's report about the state House vote on the charter school bill: Take Rep. Betty Pickett off the list of charter school vote-changers.

More Rove on video (UPDATE)

After the jump, you'll find two more short videos of Karl Rove answering questions during his appearance in Little Rock today.

Countdown to April 12

That's Opening Day at Dickey-Stephens Park, the new home of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team.

All yours

An open line.

All yours

An open line.

New Republican Slogan: "Pardon me, please"

This is old news but during the Scooter Libby trial it became pretty obvious that Richard Armitage was the "original leaker" as to telling the press that Joe Wilson's wife, Valerie, was a CIA covert operative.

Don't Be A Hater

There are so many bills flying through the legislature right now - its impossible to even be aware of all of them.

Checking in

Here I am in Orange County, home of Bullet Bob Dornan and such, and reading with great pleasure that now even principled Republicans are calling for Attorney General Alberto (The Torturer) Gonzales' scalp for the U.S. attorney coup.

FEMA: No disaster in Dumas

The Federal Emergency Management Agency today made a final decision on whether to declare a federal disaster in Dumas and other parts of Desha County struck by the Feb. 24 tornadoes.

The next big thing?

Another controversy is brewing over whether expenditures were properly authorized by a city agency. A series of e-mails obtained by the Arkansas Times through the Freedom of Information Act reveals a long-running row between members of the Little Rock Air

Boomtown once more

Claiborne Deming’s love of smart people just may save the town of El Dorado. It’s not that straightforward, of course. But the Murphy Oil CEO’s desire to be surrounded by people capable of carrying on an interesting conversation — “It enhances your l

Faster than the speed of blog

Scanning the news this morning, it looks like we already covered most of the main stories yesterday.

Opening today

   

Spring Movie Preview

In the New York Times. 

Maggie G joins 'Batman' sequel

2006 BSR It Girl Maggie Gyllenhaal is in final talks to star opposite Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight," the next installment in the revitalized Batman franchise.

P. Martin asks "Do 'Wild Hogs' watchers know what they're missing?"

in his On Film column today in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. 

On 'The History Boys'

Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat Gazette . . . Yet if The History Boys isn’t quite a movie, it is wonderful in its own way, as a slightly abridged and easily consumed version of the Alan Bennett play which won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.

'Becket' coming to Little Rock?

According to the Movie/Style section of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the newly restored Peter O'Toole film is set to open March 16th.  One can only assume this film, if it screens, will show at Market Street.  As we all know, the folks at Breckenridge, The Rave and Riverdale will be gearing up for the "TMNT" opening on March 23rd.

Who wasn't fired?

Paul Krugman writes today that a bigger potential scandal lurks in the ouster of U.S. attorneys over who WASN'T fired -- attorneys who've already used their Justice Department positions as political cudgels.

2007: A Good Year?

It's March, really the first month of the movie calendar and already two very fine films "Breach" and "Zodiac" have been released.  The former, if marketed appropriately, should get Chris Cooper some awards consideration.  The latter merits serious awards consideration from the director on down (and especially Mr. Downey, Jr.).  This weekend and next, nothing worth a damn opens, but the weekend of March 23rd "Reign over Me," the Mike Binder ("The Upside of Anger") film starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle opens wide and "Color Me Kubrick" with John Mlacovich opens in limited release. 

Big brother and Wal-Mart

Everybody's a snoop and you knew this Wal-Mart story had to get juicier. The electronic snoop fired by Wal-Mart for intercepting text messages and taping phone conversations has come forward to suggest he was acting unde pressure in hopes of plugging leaks of information damaging about the country.

Halter to challenge Pryor?

I was up early this morning and read the Democrat-Gazette online, but I didn't see this article by Seth Blomeley.

Youth Ranch robbed, vandalized

According to a press release we just received: The Donald W. Reynolds Campus of the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (The Ranch) located near Fort Smith was vandalized overnight Thursday.  Items stolen during the break-in included all of the children’s saddles, food, tools and supplies from The Ranch’s carpentry shop and all equipment from its auto shop.  An investigation is underway with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

Trailers headed to Dumas

Gov. Mike Beebe issued the following statement earlier today: Although this decision by FEMA to deny emergency funds to Desha County defies common sense, Arkansas will take care of its own people.

It takes two to tango

I see the House approved Will Bond's bill to provide some financial incentives for the NLR and Pulaski school districts to start edging their way out of the desegregation case so as to bring an end to state contributions.  Bond generally has good instincts (though they failed him on the charter school bill), but I'm surprised nobody has noted that it's not simply a matter of two school boards on ending this litigation.

Friday night flights

Flights of fancy welcome. I don't know if Warwick has signed off for good yet or not.

For the love of teaching

Want a good read -- and it comes with video and photos? You might try this LA Times feature about Preston Q. Boomer, still inspiring science students in a small northern California high school after 50 years in the classroom.

That old-time religion

Now, 2008 won't be 1992. But Clinton I undoubtedly will stir a little nostalgia for Clinton II.

Hunting for laughs

Media Bistro proposes a caption contest on this Huckabee photo. Go here for the full list, but leading so far:

Heckuva job

Brummett continues to expose the disaster that is the Bush administrations Federal Emergency Management operation.

A good day for guns

A U.S. circuit court strikes down the D.C. ban on keeping guns at home (widely ignored, we'd bet) and the gun groups are happy today.

A good day for guns

A U.S. circuit court strikes down the D.C. ban on keeping guns at home (widely ignored, we'd bet) and the gun groups are happy today.

The great moral issues

Here's another piece of recommended reading from the LA Times, on the split among evangelicals on whether abortion and homosexuality are the sole great moral issues of the day or whether the Religious Right might also consider poverty, disease, war and destruction of the planet.

Good question

A reader asks: Pardon or no pardon, shouldn't Scooter Libby be stripped of his law license?

Good question

A reader asks: Pardon or no pardon, shouldn't Scooter Libby be stripped of his law license?

On Tim's trail

The House Judiciary Committee wants to talk to former White House counsel Harriet Miers and see some of her documents regarding the installation of political cronies and pets such as Tim Griffin, lately of Little Rock, in U.S. attorney slots.

Quote of the day

Nobody ever accused Rep. Ray Kidd of Jonesboro of being a brainiac, but his opposition to a bill to encourage provisions for moderate-income housing in cities, like Fayetteville, where poor folks like teachers and cops are getting priced out of the housing market, reached a new level.

Woo Pig

Another victory by Arkansas in the SEC tournament, 81-72 over Miss. States, seems like a suitable  note on which to open a Saturday night line.

Woo Pig

Another victory by Arkansas in the SEC tournament, 81-72 over Miss. States, seems like a suitable  note on which to open a Saturday night line.

Attorneygate rolls on

The LA Times today front-pages the U.S. atttorney coup. It's mostly about improper interference by the White House in prosecutorial decisions and an effort to mount a politically motivated election-time probe in Washington, but Karl Rove's stooge, Tim Griffin, gets the obligatory reference for his installation in LR.

The Big Three

      In the Men's Style Magazine in today's NY Times.

Richard Gere

Star of the upcoming film "The Hoax" about the guy who faked a Howard Hughes biography.

Reichl, food and Julia Roberts

Ruth Reichl, the pioneering editor in chief of Condé Nast's gastronomic institution Gourmet and formerly the celebrated restaurant critic for The New York Times, is musing about who should play her in the movie adaptation of her scrumptiously engaging memoir, Garlic and Sapphires, which Fox and Avenue Pictures are developing and on which Reichl is an executive producer.

Republican player

Stephens Media chats with Rep. Keven Anderson, whose support for Speaker Benny Petrus help put him in an influential spot in this "right-of-center" legislative session.

Election fever

I see Mark Pryor scored about $800,000 at his campaign warm-up last night, even without Bill Halter's contribution.

Mira Nair

director of the newly released "The Namesake" talks to EW.  Nair previously directed Reese Witherspoon in "Vanity Fair."

David Denby on the film narrative

This New Yorker piece by film critic David Denby wasn't available online until now and it's worth a read.  And kudos to The New Yorker folks for the new site design. 

International Children's Film Festival

is going on today in New York.  Yet another good idea for Little Rock.

Frank Miller

talks to New York Magazine about the new film "300"

The weekend

I have to admit that I've been consumed with the Razorbacks this weekend.  Thursday, Friday and yesterday.  The tip off in the finals of the SEC Tournament in a little under an hour.  It all means that I haven't seen anything, but I received two good recommendations from trusted moviegoers that "The History Boys" is worth a look.  I may try and squeeze it in between the conclusion of the game and the NCAA Selection Show.  Or maybe the 7:00.  I've got "Stranger than Fiction," "The Science of Sleep," and "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" sitting on the coffee table.

Good parents

Newspapers, sigh, don't have a great deal of influence. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that the Democrat-Gazette today editorializes against the gay-bashing flavor-of-the-day at this year's legislative session, Sen. Shawn Womack's bill to ban gay people from adopting or being foster parents.

Punctuation battle stations

Grab your Strunk and White and head down to Sturgis Hall at the Clinton School of Public Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday for a brown bag lunch discussion by Rep. Steve Harrelson and Parker Westbrook (belated correction to my earlier Freudian slip calling him Parker Dozier, a libel to Mr. Westbrook.

Punctuation battle stations

Grab your Strunk and White and head down to Sturgis Hall at the Clinton School of Public Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday for a brown bag lunch discussion by Rep. Steve Harrelson and Parker Westbrook (belated correction to my earlier Freudian slip calling him Parker Dozier, a libel to Mr. Westbrook.

Live From The Peabody

We're enjoying a relaxing weekend, had a great dinner last night at Brave New Restaurant, which you'll hear more about later, because I freaking LOVE that place.  The Peabody Little Rock is everything it should be, even if we wish it had some technical upgrades like wireless internet (seriously, Peabody!!)

Huckabee hires

The Huckabee campaign adds a seasoned New Hampshire politico to his team, which will be puting a big effort into a N.H. breakout.

Sunday

Y'all take it. It's about 90 degrees in sunny Southern California and time for a nap.

Pressing matters

This is mostly news to the reporting community, but I note  for the record that the administration changeover continues to ripple through AEDC.

Pressing matters

This is mostly news to the reporting community, but I note  for the record that the administration changeover continues to ripple through AEDC.

Hooping it up

Do you believe in miracles? Arkansas is a 12-seed and, despite a drumming by Florida in the SEC final, in the NCAA tourney with a first-round game against USC (murdered by Oregon in their conference final).

UAMS BioVentures Gets $25,000

Fifty for the Future has donated $25,000 to UAMS' Bioventures program.

Rousing the base

It's about character and morals and judging others. But, in short, Brummett's question is whether the Republibaptists can stop Rudy?

Arkansas: a decider not

Now that it looks like 20 states will have Feb. 5 primaries, Arkansas's move up suddenly seems likely to get lost in the shuffle.

Chick-fil-stupid...

AHHHH! Tooo Much Chicken in one place....

Don't forget

The Oxford American DVD premiere at Riverdale this Thursday night, March 15th at 7:00.  Here's a link for all of the details.

Prejudice prevails

We're waiting for Doug Smith to return with more details, but Sen. Shawn Womack's bill that would prevent gays, lesbians and unmarried couples -- even a child's blood relatives -- from adopting or fostering children passed the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee this morning.

Prejudice prevails

We're waiting for Doug Smith to return with more details, but Sen. Shawn Womack's bill that would prevent gays, lesbians and unmarried couples -- even a child's blood relatives -- from adopting or fostering children passed the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee this morning.

Slightly off topic

But another gem in Little Rock is creeping up on us.  The Arkansas Literary Festival, a weekend full of lectures, panels and books, happens April 20-22 in the River Market District of Little Rock.  The event benefits the Arkansas Literacy Councils of Arkansas, which work on adult literacy issues.  They have an interesting line-up so far including the poet Nikki Giovanni, former White House chef Rolan Mesnier, Arkansan Janis Kearney, Milton Viorst, the Middle East scholar, NPR's "The Book Guys," blogger Frank Warren of postsecret.com, Kevin Brockmier, Cristopher Hitchens, Betsy Jacoway, and Charles Shields who wrote the latest biography of Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and close friend of Truman Capote.  Here's the link.  Be sure to put this weekend on your calendar and check it out.  Most of the events are free and it's always a good time. 

Washington wisdom

Want to hear how the 2008 presidential race is stacking up from an inside-the-belter? At 6 p.m.

Stacking up the prizes

Our former governor is getting the IHPM's CEO Award for Leadership in Advancing Health and Productivity when the group meets Thursday in Orlando, Fla. That's not International House of Pancakes, but the Institute for Health and Productivity Management.

I'm back

I'm back, but there will be 12 to 16 hours to get back in synch with LR time.

Politicizing Justice

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may have heard of Robert H. Jackson, his predecessor in the job by 65 years, but he clearly never read a one of the great jurist’s prophetic words. If he had, Gonzales might have been spared the embarrassment and the

It's not for the kids

The dishonesty of SB 959 begins at the beginning, in the title: “An act to protect the children who are most vulnerable by clarifying the public policy of the state of Arkansas regarding the placement of children with an adoptive or foster parent … ”

Safety last

The bill to have Arkansas join many other states in putting more restrictions on youth drivers fell short in the Senate yesterday.

Halter-Pryor

Brummett backgrounds the Halter-Pryor coolness and says Halter might as well forget about it if he really is contemplating a race against Sen. Pryor.

Duh -- U.S. attorneygate

Somewhat breathlessly, the NY Times reports that the White House and the man the president calls turdblossom, Karl Rove, were deeply involved in the U.S. attorney coup that put Rove hatchetman Tim Griffin into the U.S. attorney's office in Little Rock.

Church-state partnership

The Texarkana School District, which is already teaching a Bible course, now has gotten approval for a charter school partnership with a Baptist church.

The lying liars -- UPDATE

Lying to Congress is a crime. So is obstruction of justice.

Missing freedom fighters

Pretty good editorial in today's Benton County Daily Record on the failure of the Arkansas legislature to approve a bill that would provide for legal fees for successful plaintiffs in Freedom of Information lawsuits.

Shylocks prevail

The payday lending bloodsuckers triumphed in Senate committee this morning. John Brummett was on hand to blog the spectacle, including millionaire Percy Malone's risible defense of 300 percent interest rates as good for the little guy.

More on the liars -- SMOKING GUN UPDATE

The documents that blew up U.S. attorneygate were provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the so-called Justice Department.

Gay-haters win -- ROLL CALL UPDATE

The bill to prevent gay people from adopting or being foster parents, even if blood relatives of a child, passed the Senate today.

Gay-haters win -- ROLL CALL UPDATE

The bill to prevent gay people from adopting or being foster parents, even if blood relatives of a child, passed the Senate today.

Evanescence hits the late night circuit starting tonight

Amy Lee and Evanescence will be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight at the tail end of the 10:35 p.m. show on NBC (KARK-TV, Channel 4 in Little Rock). Tomorrow night, it's "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" on ABC (which locally airs at 11 p.m. on KATV, Channel 7).

What's in your queue?

"Casino Royale" is out on DVD today.  I've got "Less than Zero" and "Prime Suspect 1: Part 2" coming my way.

'Talk Radio'

Rememeber this Oliver Stone film?  The Sunday London Times handed out free copies of the film this weekend with the paper.  Interesting idea. 

Dude, avoid the concession stand

Here's why.

Tribeca Film Festival

Here's the line-up.

A former Berlin correspondent

watches "The Lives of Others" and has this to say. 

Deep doo-doo

U.S. attorneygate. It occurs to me. Tim Griffin might be a nice guy with an abiding love for Arkansas.

Cleaner government

House Speaker Benny Petrus' ethics bill came out of committee yesterday. House passage seems likely.

For your reading pleasure

The New York Times website leads with a package of stories on U.S. attorneygate. It includes links to four PDFs with all the documents from which we quoted yesterday.

Cut from a different cloth

Joe Conason, writing in the New York Observer, remembers when the U.S. attorney in Little Rock was a man of integrity -- Chuck Banks, who refused to allow his office to be used for a partisan witch hunt to help George Bush I. Click on Ernie Dumas' column in the left column to see another mention of Banks and historical references about the danger of using prosecutors politically.

Andy Warhol on screen

The Guardian takes a look at the many actors that have portrayed Warhol.

Annie Get Your Gun

Betty Hutton has died. 

More on Tribeca

Robert De Niro's film festival in New York.  Here are a couple of films that look interesting: Gardener of Eden, directed by Kevin Connolly, written by Adam Tex Davis.

Shout out to Jeff Nichols

a Little Rock native and fellow Central High graduate.  His new film "Shotgun Stores" premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and makes an appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival as part of the "Encounters" component of the festival which intends to offer "a compelling range of titles by both emerging and established talents, films which are likely to provoke some of the liveliest comments at the festival."

Ethics update -- Willett steps in it

We mentioned Speaker Petrus' ethics bill, HB 2384, this morning. It's due up for a vote in the House today.

Ethics update -- Willett steps in it

We mentioned Speaker Petrus' ethics bill, HB 2384, this morning. It's due up for a vote in the House today.

Rockefeller Foundation leader

  The scuttlebutt is that the board of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation has chosen a new president to succeed Dr. Sybil Hampton, who retired.

Deadly night

The LRPD reported four gunshot deaths overnight, doubling the number of homicides for the year. A man was killed on the 600 block of Daisy Bates Drive, then police shot a shotgun-wielding man nearby, at a store in the 1600 block of Broadway.

Bronchitis sidelines Who's Daltrey in Tampa

According to wire service reports, the Who had to quit after one song of last night's concert in Tampa when lead singer Roger Daltrey could not continue because of bronchitis.

The so-called liberal media

A report worth studying from Media Matters. As ever, even after the Democratic takeover of Congress, guests on the Sunday news talk shows come overwhelmingly from the Republican end of the spectrum.

The so-called liberal media

A report worth studying from Media Matters. As ever, even after the Democratic takeover of Congress, guests on the Sunday news talk shows come overwhelmingly from the Republican end of the spectrum.

The U.S. attorney -- UPDATE II

I should have mentioned earlier that the Stephens Media story on the document dump concerning the U.S. attorney replacements contained a strong statement from U.S. Rep. John Boozman, the reigning Republican in Arkansas.

The U.S. attorney -- UPDATE II

I should have mentioned earlier that the Stephens Media story on the document dump concerning the U.S. attorney replacements contained a strong statement from U.S. Rep. John Boozman, the reigning Republican in Arkansas.

And Willett sez ... UPDATE

Democratic Chair Jason Willett isn't backing off his criticism of House Speaker Benny Petrus' ethics bill, particularly the part about how lowering campaign contribution limits will somehow work to the benefit of special interests.

And Willett sez ... UPDATE

Democratic Chair Jason Willett isn't backing off his criticism of House Speaker Benny Petrus' ethics bill, particularly the part about how lowering campaign contribution limits will somehow work to the benefit of special interests.

Vintage...crap....

[arghhhhh!] Today I'm shaking my fist at one of my favorite clothing retailers, "j.crew" and their "vintage polo" shirts!

No calls in the stalls, y'all....

  I never thought this would be an issue, but I guess it is, so let me clear this up: please don't talk on your cellphone in a public bathroom.

Snyder staff changes

U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder announced some staff changes today. Ed Fry will be retiring as chief of staff as soon as a replacement is picked.

Q: Are you being served? -- UPDATE

A: Not if you backed the compromise by which backers of a minimum wage increase dropped plans for a constitutional amendment with an escalator clause in return for a bump in the minimum wage.

Q: Are you being served? -- UPDATE

A: Not if you backed the compromise by which backers of a minimum wage increase dropped plans for a constitutional amendment with an escalator clause in return for a bump in the minimum wage.

What, not the Chicks?

That new minor league baseball team in Springdale? It's going to be known as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. I don't suppose they'll be looking to the comics for inspiration when they design the mascot's costume.

Treehouse comes crashing down

Tomorrow, in our print edition, you'll be able to read a story about the Treehouse, this new house show place near UAMS that's been having some bigtime national acts stop in for shows, some of the acts on their way to South-by-Southwest and elsewhere.

Victory? Or another payday lending bill?

Benny Petrus' ethics bill passed the House 89-3 today. Jason Willett doesn't swing much stick in the House.

School news

Driving past Episcopal Collegiate School today I was reminded of a tidbit of news: There are widespread reports, which the school won't confirm, that the school, which now offers grades 6-12, is going to add elementary grades.

Mansion moves

Our Insider column this week has a small squib on another misunderstanding about items at the Governor's Mansion that arose when the Huckabee family moved out.

No 'Lives of Others' but . . .

Market Street Cinema adds "Breaking and Entering" and the recently re-released "Becket" starring Peter O'Toole.  "This History Boys" and "The Good German" carry over.

Helen Mirren & Taylor Hackford

Architectural Digest revisits actress Helen Mirren and director Taylor Hackford at home in New Orleans.
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