The Obama administration and the furor over the contraception coverage issue, the state forestry commission (and whether anyone cares), the $26 billion settlement with mortgage lenders and Mayor Stodola's defeat at the Little Rock City Board meeting last week are all covered this week.

Thank goodness, it's Friday

News summary: A wacky secretary of state spends tax money freely; Mitch Mustain to try baseball, State Hospital getting better.

Fatal accident on West Markham

Lisa Bohannon, 52, of Little Rock died after a wreck that occurred about 10:45 a.m. today when she pulled out of the Chick-fil-A restaurant in the 6000 block of West Markham and into the path of car being driven eastbound on Markham by Pamela Broadston, 47, of Little Rock.

Rock Candy

Michael Ian Black to University of Arkansas Feb. 16

Michael Ian Black comes to Fayetteville Feb. 16.

Last night's showcase: War Chief

As has been noted previously, Round 3 was a very, very close call. War Chief won out over Se7en Sharp, but it was a photo finish.

Last night's showcase: Se7en Sharp

With their back-lit band logo signs and smoke machine, Se7en Sharp definitely brought a level of theatricality to the showcase that hasn't been seen in a while.

Eat Arkansas

Maduro Cigar Bar on Main opens tomorrow

Downtown puffers, rejoice! The new Maduro Cigar Bar and Lounge opens to the public tomorrow at 109 Main Street, just south of the Statehouse Convention Center.

Closed for back taxes, Burger Mama's now open again

Burger Mama's, the Little Rock burger joint that had been at the corner of Shackleford and Kanis until a move to a strip mall near the corner of Cantrell and Mississippi in mid-January, was closed Thursday and Friday last week due to unpaid taxes.

Burger joint of the week: Chip's Barbecue

Chip's Hickory Burger is smothered in barbecue sauce and topped with Cheddar cheese. But the patty beneath is smoky and flavorful.

Eye Candy

Slideshow: Coburn, Richard, Stowe, Massey, McKissick ...

A hint of what's to come tonight.

A head start on 2nd Friday Art Night

Eight galleries will compete for your love.

Emily Wood in Van Buren

A "Woman to Watch" has a new show of paintings on wood panels.

Columnists

Max Brantley

Hope and change

Last week brought some hopeful developments on the political front in a state that Gallup says has risen to be the sixth most-conservative in the country. /more/

Ernest Dumas

No Gingrich, no scorched earth

It is beginning to look like we will not have in 2012 one of those rare presidential races where the icons of the great tectonic movements in politics face off at Armageddon. /more/

Graham Gordy

Arkansas's great failures

Arkansas has long been a nucleus for both industry and innovators. Despite our modest population, we have produced some of the most renowned businesses, brands, and entrepreneurs the world now knows. /more/

Bob Lancaster

Where Arkansas ranks

Arkansas has obsessed on national rankings — and not just in football — since Gov. Charles Brough traveled the country making his "Wonders of Arkansas" chautauqua speech nearly 100 years ago. /more/

Gene Lyons

Obama and Iran

After being elected in large part because he'd opposed a "dumb" war in Iraq, President Obama finds himself confronting an even dumber one in Iran. Exponentially dumber, actually. /more/

Dining Review

New look, same Mama's

February 8, 2012

Still serving 'Good Food' at Your Mama's. /more/

Dining Search

A&E Feature

Showcase rolls on

February 8, 2012

by Robert Bell and Lindsey Millar

Don't Stop Please takes round two. /more/

Movie Reviews

'Chronicle' surprises

February 8, 2012

by Sam Eifling

With superteens who don't suck. /more/

Cover Story

Dani Bunten changed video games forever

February 8, 2012

by David Koon

The story of a (largely) forgotten game designer from Arkansas. /more/

VIEW PRINT EDITION

The Insider

Library promises openness

February 8, 2012

Bobby Roberts, director of the Central Arkansas Library System, promised openness about the details of the campaign for a library property-tax proposal on the ballot March 13. /more/

Arkansas Reporter

Bank of America denies loan for LR container house

February 8, 2012

by Leslie Newell Peacock

Bank of America denies loan for LR container house

Too "unusual" to appraise, bank says. /more/

Editorials

Booing Boozman

February 8, 2012

It's hard to criticize Sen. John Boozman for supporting congressional term limits, when he is himself walking proof that some people don't belong in public office. /more/