News
Jeff Long: 2012 Arkansan of the year
It's difficult to fathom an occasion where any other agent of Razorback culture was so frequently cussed or discussed.
Arkansans of the Year: Koch brothers
Charles and David Koch's money helps Arkansas Republicans gain legislative majority.
Other Arkies of the Year
They also stood out.
North Arkansas hospital signs up to SHARE
It's a first in state medical care.
How to think about Medicaid expansion in Arkansas and the national debt
One argument we're hearing from Republicans against Medicaid expansion is that we can't afford to add to the federal debt. After all, even if it's a good deal for the fiscal bottom line in Arkansas to accept more than a billion dollars a year in federal spending, that money is coming from deficit spending on the national level.
Walton money
The Walton family heirs, Alice Walton in particular, have received several mentions during the past year for their philanthropy. Specifically, there was a lot of press about the Crystal Bridges art museum, which cost over $1 billion and is free to the public. Northwest Arkansas is certainly better for this donation.
Souvenir
The Observer, as you may have heard by now, will be making the trip to Washington, this week for the presidential inauguration, accompanied by our ol' pal, Arkansas Times resident shutterstud extraordinaire, Brian Chilson.
New era
Davy Carter, speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, and Sen. Michael Lamoureux meet with the media last week to discuss the legislative session.
It was a good week for Asa! Hutchinson
It was also a good week for bipartisanship, Walmart, Rep. Darrin Williams and citizen legislation. It was a bad week for Rep. Tom Cotton.
Christmas again at Secretary of State's office
Secretary of State Mark Martin has revived a tradition of sending the government's best wishes for a Merry Christmas to the legislature, Congress, Capitol employees and others.
The Medicaid hole, revisited
The Arkansas Times has written a number of times about the ugly situation that would occur if Medicaid expansion doesn't happen: People who make between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will be getting government subsidies to buy health insurance, but those who fall below 100 percent of FPL who don't qualify for Arkansas's stingy Medicaid program will be left out in the cold.
Columns
Cut-crazy
In the familiar saying, only death and taxes are certain, but in Arkansas, it's equally sure that bills to reduce taxes will be introduced in the Arkansas legislature, no matter how inappropriate.
Good ideas
Arkansas hasn't always lived up to its motto, Regnat Populus (The People Rule), but there's a group of reformers who'd like to. The group calls itself, deservedly enough, Regnat Populus, and its goals are not only noble but well thought-out, which is not always a strong point with reformers.
Big week for school choice
Arkansas's public school system could be upended by events this week.
Arkansas GOP trapped between far right, what's right
Can we spare a moment to commiserate with the Republican Party? Not so much the poor national party, so in thrall to its extremist wing that it may sacrifice the nation's wellbeing by welshing on its debt to drive home the point that the country has been going to hell for 77 years.
Barth: What Dustin McDaniel should have said
Instead of immediately returning to campaign mode, the attorney general should have announced that he was putting his campaign on the backburner — while not withdrawing entirely — to focus on getting his personal and professional life in order.
Piling on the reps
Last week I promised in 2013 to give only serious consideration to serious topics in this space. OK, I've got the serious topic — contempt for Congress. Not contempt of Congress, which you can go to prison for. Contempt for, an American given, held steadily, resolutely, justifiably for more than 200 years.
No debate on debt ceiling
Perhaps because I rarely visit Washington, I'm persuaded that the budgetary hostage crisis currently obsessing the nation's capital holds little fascination for the general public. Wasn't that what last month's "fiscal cliff" deal was all about? Government by televised melodrama appears to be losing its ability to hold the nation in thrall.
Blue moot of Kentucky
"Is Ashley Judd going from Hollywood to Capitol Hill? The media sure hope so. Otherwise Mitch McConnell's reelection race will be deadly dull. The well-known actress was mooted as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate from Kentucky last month in what merely seemed to be a light-hearted post-election story."
Entertainment
Jimbo Mathus' Arkansas connections
The 'Arkansas Son-in-Law' celebrates new record, "White Buffalo," with White Water concert.
'Marwencol' at Argenta Film Series
Also, the Delta Exhibition at the Arts Center, the Trevor Ware Fundraiser Art Show, Monster Jam at Verizon Arena, Rally for Reproductive Justice at the Arkansas State Capitol, Elliot Lipp at Discovery and Shannon Wurst at Tales of the South.
More minutes for Haydar
The crowd loves Kikko Haydar, and it is a justified appreciation.
Filling a gap at Crystal Bridges
Arts Center lends works on paper for show about 20th century abstraction.
The torture debate
'Zero Dark Thirty' presents it as dehumanizing, but necessary.
Filling a gap at Crystal Bridges
Arts Center lends works on paper for show about 20th century abstraction.
'The Metal Children' continues at the Weekend Theater
Also, the ASO at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church.
Dining
Cheap, authentic, good
Eliella offers wide range of Mexican street food in SWLR
Cartoons
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
