Political big mouths

Brummett gets on Democratic VP nominee Joe Biden for his imprudent commentary of the probable testing of the next president. Yep. Joe should have never said it. John sums it up in his Stephens Media Group column.

Swing voters from Ohio to Florida surely went running for the old fallout shelter. And they surely were given to wonder if having Sarah Palin a septuagenarian heartbeat from the presidency might not be the only terrifying vote.

Here’s the deal: What Biden said wasn’t so bad, except politically, which is the only context that matters when you’re the Democratic vice presidential nominee and it’s a couple of weeks before one of the biggest presidential races of our lifetimes.

As much as this hurts, Brummett is right. This also brings me around to Bill Clinton’s intemperate remarks about Senator Obama winning big. (Scroll down. You’ll get my knee jerk reaction.) 

It may just be that the reason international markets are worried is the prospect of John McCain winning. His side is very desperate to keep the corporate welfare and tax breaks for fat cats flowing. It’s a dangerous situation and Obama is certainly still a longshot, in my opinion.

And every Monday morning, there’s ME in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. What does Lyncho have to say about gay foster parents, annual sessions, and lotteries? You need to buy a paper to fine out. It wouldn’t kill ya’. (It’s also on the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette site.)

Filed under: National politics

Moves on Centurytel and Pilgrim’s Pride

Roby Brock’s BizBlog is humming this morning.

Filed under: Uncategorized

A personal note about the radio show

My daily talk show is no longer on the Searcy stations of the Crain Media Group, including KSMD. I really appreciate J. R., Grant Cary, and all the good people up there. They are in no way responsible for the end of my program. I am deeply appreciative of their support and patience. I will probably have more to say about this, perhaps today or tomorrow. This does mean that I am looking for a new third job. No contracts or non-competes over here, so it’s a brave new world for Lyncho. I am available.

I am putting a bit of extra effort into this blog. Last night, for example, we had excellent coverage and response of the UCA shooting. Over 6,000 hits last night. (No foolin’!) You should read the shooting thread. It’s really something.

Marie and I went to Boo at the Zoo over the weekend. I have a quick interview with Mike Blakely, the zoo director, posted. There is a cool picture and more are coming. So, check that out.

Bookmark the blog and come back in throughout the day. I will have updates and maybe even occasional traffic reports before you head out at noon and late in the afternoon. 

Thanks for your support,

Pat Lynch

Filed under: Pat Lynch

The week’s first headlines

This is not the best news. Check back through the day. You might want to take part with comments and be sure to read the UCA shooting thread from last night

Two people were killed and a third person wounded in a shooting Sunday night on the University of Central Arkansas campus. The call came to 911 operators at around 9:52. Police found one body near the Arkansas Hall dormitory, one victim died at the hospital and another was released. It was reported that a suspect was in custody. Apparently, three suspects remain at large. The campus is closed and today’s classes are cancelled.

Television anchor Anne Pressly is being mourned by colleagues and friends after dying from injuries sustained in a brutal beating last Monday morning. KATV has established a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Pressly’s killer. The station said the fund had reached $30,000 as of Saturday evening.

Early voting was busy last week Statewide, more than 130,000 votes were cast.

The Jefferson County Election Commission is addressing a mistake in the programming of electronic voter machines. The machines did not present all applicable alderman races to early voters of Redfield and Altheimer during early voting from Monday until Friday.

Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway has released a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would make county sheriff elections nonpartisan and extend sheriff terms from two years to four.

That State Senate race in Faulkner County may be the next expensive legislative race in state history. Through September, Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, has raised $422,072 and his Democratic challenger, Joe White of Conway, has raised $336,896.

The Arkansas Ethics Commission will fine the city of Little Rock $250 and issue a letter of warning to the city for failing to file two lobbyist activity reports in a timely manner.

Washington County’s  Collector says he’s never seen such a shortfall in property tax collections – the financial oil that keeps school districts, cities and county government running – are collected. This year there is a $27 million shortfall.

Nordex USA Inc., part of a German company that makes wind turbines for use around the world, said Friday that it plans to locate its $100 million U.S. manufacturing facility in Jonesboro. The plant will employ 700 people at an average wage of $17 an hour.

Regions Financial Corp., parent company of Arkansas’ second largest bank, has received preliminary approval from the U.S. Treasury Department to receive $3.5 billion from the federal government as part of the recently enacted financial rescue plan.

Fire investigators say they believe the fire alarms did not work at a residential care facility where one person died in a blaze Tuesday.

Fayetteville police have arrested an armored car driver who claimed the truck he drove was stolen by men who took him hostage. Twenty-one-year-old Brandon Lee Whitehouse is charged with theft and filing a false police report. Authorities recovered $500,000 in his home.

Officials in Rogers plan to spend $1.15 million on trails in order to match a $1.3 million grant the city received in June from the Walton Family Foundation.

A Boone County woman whose mother and three children were killed in a wreck with a drunken driver is suing the Little Rock bars where the driver partied before getting behind the wheel. The wrongful-death lawsuit blames three River Market bars – Ernie Biggs, Gusano’s and the Rumba Revolution – for continuing to serve Stephen M. Williams after he was already intoxicated.

The Central Arkansas Library will hold a book sale Nov. 7-9 in the basement of the Main Library and at River Market Books and Gifts.

After rallying in the fourth quarter, only to lose 23-21, the Razorbacks now face the possibility of missing the postseason for the first time since 2005.

Ivan Maisel is an award winning and nationally recognized senior writer for ESPN.com is the speaker at Touchdown Club today.

Filed under: Arkansas

UCA shooting UPDATE

The Democrat-Gazette reports a Sunday evening shooting on the UCA campus in Conway.  Here is the link. Maybe they will get more overnight.

UPDATE: KTHV reports sirens are sounding and the campus is on lock-down as three persons ate shot in a 9:15 incident at State Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. It is reported that two are dead and a suspect is in custody.

If you have information or a personal experience, please post it in the comments section. It will be posted immediately. Thanks for checking in here for information.

Filed under: Arkansas