Stories by Brenda Blagg
RSSBETWEEN THE LINES: Ross, Burkhalter Join Forces
Although Arkansas elects its governor and lieutenant governor separately, a couple of Democratic hopefuls are nonetheless running as a ticket of sorts. Continue reading...
University Scores Well Academically
Noteworthy: University of Arkansas teams in 19 sports have exceeded the benchmark Academic Progress Rate set by the NCAA. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: State Sees Insurance Progress
Arkansans saw significant developments on the health care front recently. Continue reading...
Escaping The Partisan Pigeonhole
When Bill Stovall was sworn into the Arkansas Legislature a dozen years ago, he was a convenience store owner/operator from small-town Arkansas, Quitman to be specifi c. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Beebe Finds The Right Treasurer
Good choice, governor. Good luck, Charles Robinson. Gov. Mike Beebe last week named Charles Robinson, who retired in 2007 after decades of service as the state’s head of the Division of Legislative Audit, to complete the unexpired term of former Treasurer Martha Shoff ner. Continue reading...
Deal Again Springs From Shadows
The real estate offered up for relocation of the Arkansas Music Pavilion may have been reason enough for the Walton Arts Center’s decision to move it to Rogers. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Campaign 2014 Well Under Way
What looked to be solid political opportunity for Arkansas Republicans in 2014 just got stronger with the forced resignation of Treasurer Martha Shoffner. Continue reading...
Battle Of The Buffalo Goes On
The fight goes on for the Buffalo River. Continue reading...
Battle Of The Buffalo Goes On
The fight goes on for the Buff alo River. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Shoffner Gets One Thing Right
Martha Shoffner made one correct decision. She resigned as Arkansas state treasurer late Tuesday. Continue reading...
Colleges Unload On Gun Measure
College and university trustees are demonstrating a bit more sanity than the state Legislature when it comes to guns on campus. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Public Investment In Pre-K Works
With the field of gubernatorial candidates growing for 2014, here’s an idea: Why don’t one or all of you candidates focus on early childhood education as part of your platforms? Continue reading...
Emotions Still High Over Hog Farm
Reports out of Jasper indicate continuing outrage over the permitting of that huge hog farm near the Buff alo National River. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Expect Unexpected In Arkansas Politics
It is only May 2013, more than a year from the 2014 primary elections, when sure-to-be-pitched battles for nomination await. The general election will be even wilder. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: The Trouble With Constables
The obsolescence of constables has been argued in this state for literally decades with virtually no progress toward their elimination. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Lottery Scholarships Take A Loss
The lottery-funded state scholarship program has changed but continues to help deserving students go to college in Arkansas. Continue reading...
The Lingering Power Of Words
Words live long, particularly if they’re angry and written down. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Session Ends; Arkansas Survives
In spite of themselves, Arkansas’ lawmakers managed to get the major work of the legislative session done. The Legislature actually finished on a positive note. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: House, Finally, Backs Private Option
The legislative logjam broke Tuesday when the House of Representatives passed the “private option” to insure newly Medicaid-eligible Arkansans. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Mayors Hacked At Lawmakers
Here’s a curious development: Some area mayors were openly critical last week of local legislators. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Steel Mill Needs To Succeed
Mississippi County — and arguably the rest of Arkansas — could soon have cause to celebrate. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Court Takes To The Road
Local high school students got a rare and especially interesting opportunity last week to observe the state’s highest court at work. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Can Ledge Be Done In Three Weeks?
The best news out of Little Rock lately is that state lawmakers may go home by April 19. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Hog Farm Approval Gets Messy
The continuing controversy over a large hog farm in the Buffalo River watershed triggers memories of a distant battle over landfills in Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Voter ID Bill Creates Drama
Gov. Mike Beebe is butting heads again with Arkansas lawmakers, this time over voting rights. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Can Vets Get Quality Nursing Care?
Imagine yourself in a nursing home, frightened by the prospect that it might be closed or, worse, that it might continue to operate under a serious management cloud. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Halter Starts New Conversation
Give Bill Halter credit. He can start a conversation. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Phosphorous Clash Could Hurt
The attorneys general of Arkansas and Oklahoma have negotiated a new agreement that could take some legal pressure off this state. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: ‘Open Season’ On Information Law
The Arkansas Legislature seems to have declared “open season” on the state’s Freedom of Information Act. Continue reading...
River Lovers Bash Hog Farm
Recent news of a huge hog farm being developed in Newton County is disturbing to people well beyond that county. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: GOP Pushes Questionable Law
Another abortion bill, another veto. Continue reading...
Criticism Of Darr Legitimate
Lt. Gov. Mark Darr did himself no favors by signing a controversial bill into law while serving as the state’s acting governor. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: State GOP Needs To Listen Up
If Arkansas’ Republican-led Legislature doesn’t want to follow Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe’s lead on Medicaid expansion, maybe they’ll listen to the growing number of Republican governors who have made that choice. Continue reading...
Court Keeps Money Where It Belongs
LITTLE ROCK — Score one for common sense. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Scholarship Lottery Sees Changes
Change in the scholarship part of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is inevitable. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Lawmakers Miss On Medicaid
State lawmakers are apparently too busy fiddling with concealed-carry legislation to deal with the Medicaid expansion issue that was supposed to dominate this session. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Educators Deal With Security
Efforts to evaluate and tighten security in public schools bring both a sense of relief and of dread. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Lawmakers To Scrutinize Superproject
Arkansas lawmakers seem consumed with legislating about abortion, guns and other social issues, but another issue is on their plate that requires close and immediate scrutiny. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Making The Homeless Visible
Try counting something that is largely invisible. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Democrats In Search Mode
The search for a Democratic nominee for governor began in earnest last week at the chance collision of breaking news about a front-runner’s withdrawal from the 2014 race and a reunion of some of the state’s most involved Democrats. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Growth Drives Escort Decision
Growth creates some unanticipated problems. The latest in Northwest Arkansas involves the decision by Springdale offcials to stop police escorts of funeral processions. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: School Reform Is Never Simple
The Arkansas Supreme Court has effectively added a major item to the state Legislature’s agenda this year. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Legislators Call For Cooperation
The biggest challenge issued by Gov. Mike Beebe and the new leadership of the Arkansas Legislature to themselves and to state lawmakers is to do better than their counterparts in the federal government. Continue reading...
Region’s Delegation A Mixed Bag
Here’s a timely riddle: What do a school psychology specialist, a couple of attorneys, a consultant, a restaurateur, a farmer, a telecommunications account executive and a retiree have in common? Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Fiscal Matters Set Tone For Legislature
Who would really want to cut Medicaid, the lone avenue for health care for so many of Arkansas’ struggling residents? Continue reading...
Bond Issue May Be Tough Sell
The Walton Arts Center, once the undisputed darling of the Fayetteville arts scene, is in for some closer scrutiny over its expansion plans in the city. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: Medicaid Lobbying for Many
Proposed expansion of Medicaid in Arkansas in about more than serving all those additional people in need. Continue reading...
Two Counties Belly Up To Bar
One quote aptly summed up the end to the successful campaign to allow retail alcohol sales in Benton County. Continue reading...
BETWEEN THE LINES: McDaniel’s Future Not Clear
Revelation that Dustin McDaniel, the Arkansas attorney general, had some sort of an extramarital fling with another attorney has changed the political conversation in the state. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: State Hopes For Turnaround
Asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to reconsider a recent school funding decision is akin to a desperation “Hail Mary” pass in the final minutes of a football game. Continue reading...
