Is this Dodge City?

Little Rock police are working a broad daylight shooting at 12th and Woodrow. Apparently, it happened right out in the open and the victim is still alive.

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Will the Wall Street Journal still be "fair and balanced?"

At 9 Friday morning, Eric Boehlert, a Senior Fellow at the progressive media watchdog Media Matters for America, will be on the line. Boehlert’s recent column discusses Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of Dow Jones Co. which as he puts it, has thus far “become glaringly obvious that [Murdoch] does not have The Wall Street Journal’s editorial well-being at heart, and that the newspaper is in for a world of hurt under Murdoch’s reign.”

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Blanche Lincoln, sweet potato queen?

Michelle Page, the crack reporter at the Helena Daily World, spent some time with me this morning. She observes that Senator Blanche Lincoln is in town for the dedication of a sweet potato processing plant for a baby food company. Page comments on negative comments Lincoln has gotten on her immigration votes, the Helena Blues, Festival, the river bridge, local government, and more. The interview is newly added to the “on demand” audio section of my home page.

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Some good news for Dumas

Members of Arkansas Congressional Delegation
Announce $230,000 Grant for Dumas

Washington -U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) announced Wednesday that the City of Dumas has been awarded a $230,000 grant through the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The funds will help the city make needed sewer improvements to repair damage caused by the February tornadoes.

“In the aftermath of the storm, we promised the citizens of Dumas that we would look for ways that the federal government could help the community get back on its feet,” Lincoln said. “I am pleased the Delta Regional Authority, which Congress created in 2000, has recognized this need and is able to offer this crucial assistance.”

“Repairing the sewer system brings us a step closer to revitalizing the economic well-being of Desha County,” Pryor said. “Investing in Dumas’ infrastructure is pivotal to the city’s recovery, and I commend the DRA’s decision to help in this effort.”

“After the devastating tornadoes that ravaged Southeast Arkansas in February, I pledged my support to help secure federal resources to assist with the cleanup and rebuilding efforts,” Ross said. “The Delta Regional Authority has proved to be a vital resource to numerous Delta communities with their economic development needs, and this funding for Dumas is a prime example of how this federal entity can truly make a difference and help communities move forward.”

The tornadoes caused a sewer back-up due to storm water infiltration affecting more than 120 homes and 49 businesses. By repairing the sewer system, homes and businesses can return to pre-storm conditions and begin revitalizing the economic health of the area.

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Just one question for the Little Rock power brokers

It’s tough to always be such a sorehead. The idea to pay Mark Stodola a full-time salary to be mayor looks fair and straightforward, so only a total jerk would be against it, right?

There is no problem with Mark, or the city manager, Bruce Moore. The problem is in the details of two ballot items being placed before local voters. The real intentions of the backers of this idea is, I fear, a bit devious. Specifically, the people behind this need to derail reform to keep a system that is structurally against the ordinary folks. It’s really about keeping the “at large” seats on the board. A true mayor-council form of government, which I wholeheartedly support, does away with the special privileges our current organization gives to wealthy special interests who are over represented on the board.

Here is one question that ought to tell you for sure that their intentions are not right.

Why does none of the backers expensive advertising NOWHERE mention how much salary will be paid to the mayor with the expanded powers? Is it some sort of secret? Aren’t they proud of their proposal?

Sorry, that is three questions, but you do get my point.

They want to give the mayor more power but they do not outline in the ads just what those powers are. Nor do they say what the city manager will do, or whether we are required to keep the city manager. They nowhere say why we need two highly compensated executives.

This has been put forward to keep people from asking for what Little Rock REALLY needs, a mayor-council form of government like North Little Rock. The mayor-council type has an independent city attorney, in the new scheme, that is impossible.

In the mayor-council arrangement, there are no “at large” council members, no special privileges for real estate developers and local fat cats. The current, and proposed enhanced mayor, forms in Little Rock are nothing but AFFIRMATIVE ACTION for the rich.

Scroll down. There is a lot to read on the subject.

VOTE “NO” TWICE ON AUGUST 14, and in early voting too!

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Wednesday summary

The war in Iraq has claimed the life of another Arkansas soldier. The department of defense says Sergeant Bradley Marshall of Little Rock died from indirect enemy fire while supporting operation Iraqi freedom.

An attorney for Stephens Media represented The Morning News before a judge Tuesday, asking that hearings and motions filed in a road rage murder case be open to the public. Benton County Senior Circuit Judge Tom Keith previously ordered that all motions filed in the case be sealed. The judge has also allowed attorneys to meet privately in his chambers — and gather at his bench where the public can’t hear conversations.

Sandra Hochstetter, a member of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, will join the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. as vice president of strategic affairs in “a month or so.” But she recused herself from a high-profile hearing set to begin Thursday on Southwest Electric Power Co.’s proposed $1.4 billion coal-fired plant in Hempstead County. Governor Mike Beebe named former Supreme Court Justice David Newbern of Little Rock as a special member of the Arkansas Public Service Commission for the case.

Federal farm legislation now moving through Congress could be the last version in which farmers have a major say, according to U.S. Rep. John Boozman. H.R. 2419 passed the House on July 27. Boozman said he supported the bill until the tax on foreign-owned businesses was added.

Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday named former state legislator Brenda Gullett of Fayetteville to the state Board of Education.

The Arkansas State Police has turned over its investigative file to special prosecutors on the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy by a West Memphis police officer. The FBI is also investigating.

A Rogers police dog trainer was bitten on the arm Tuesday by a fellow officer’s dog during obedience training. Cpl. Joe Warren was participating in routine training when Cpl. David Crawford’s dog, Bo, bit his right arm.

The state Board of Finance will seek a 4.75 percent interest rate from banks for $150 million in state funds to be invested through the board in six-month certificates of deposit.

RED Development Inc will put in a nine-screen theater, including one IMAX screen, at the new The Promenade at Chenal, the first IMAX to play feature films in Arkansas. The Chenal Parkway 9 will have wall-to-wall screens, high-rise stadium seating, rocker chairs and digital surround sound. It will show mostly mainstream and some educational films on its 66-footby 85-foot IMAX screen with 3-D capacity.

Pine Bluff Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. closed City Hall at noon Monday because of an air conditioner system malfunction. Two City Council committee meetings and the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday evening were postponed.

A Shreveport hospital management company will take over operations at the Randolph County Medical Center within 14 days, keeping the 52-year-old hospital open after threats of its closure earlier this spring.

Court TV’s series Psychic Detectives features the 1981 Ron Orsini murder investigation in an episode airing tonight titled “While You Were Sleeping.” Orsini’s wife, Mary Lee, dubbed “the Black Widow,” was eventually sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Former President Clinton told a Little Rock audience Tuesday evening that people spend too much time obsessing about their differences instead of celebrating how much they have in common.

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