The line is open. Final notes:

* TO THE WINNERS GO SOME GLOATING: The state Democratic Party put together the “invoice” above, which is not entirely tongue in cheek. It embroiders on President Obama’s remarks on the ‘unnecessary damage” of the dead-end battle to kill health care for millions of Americans, even at the cost of a shutdown government and peril to the country’s credit. Thank Tom Cotton, Tim Griffin, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack for votes that brought us to that pass. (PS — It is to laugh. Cotton thinks he makes good on the disaster by donating his paycheck during the shutdown to some Arkansas charities. So far I can’t get his office to tell me if he’ll claim an itemized contribution for these charitable donations and thus make taxpayer subsidize the gifts.)

* AND SPEAKING OF WINNERS: A coalition of grassroots group put out a well-deserved news release today cheering repeal of a bad piece of water pollution-promotion legislation on Gov. Mike Beebe’s special session call. The Public Policy Panel and Citizens First Congress worked hard in the session to defeat the bill, essentially an attempt by special interests led by Rep. Andy Davis, to nullify federal water quality law. The feds bowed up and the state had to give. A lot of time and money was wasted.

Advertisement

* DEATH IN CHICAGO: The Chicago Tribune reports than an Arkansas man, Robert Franklin, 55, of Blytheville, was fatally shot on the west side of town by man who’d offered to give him directions. After getting in the car, he robbed Franklin and a companion and then shot Franklin. 

* ARREST IN CHURCH FIRE: Lonoke authorities said they had arrested Joseph Charles Yarberry, 19, in connection with a fire Wednesday at South Bend United Methodist Church at John Shelton Road and Highway 294. Investigators believe that Yarberry broke into the church, stole a DVD player and other electronic equipment and then set fire to the building. The police also are considering juvenile charges against three juveniles with Yarberry when Cabot police encountered them after they ran out of gas.

Advertisement

* PLAY BALL! The SEC will hold its 2015 women’s basketball tournament at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. It has hosted the tourney three times before, the last in 2009.

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Museum of Contemporary Art in final days Next article Mount St. Mary teacher fired for marrying her female partner