MIKE MASTERSON: Acosta's tantrum
I was surprised when U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly determined CNN's Jim Acosta should have his withdrawn White House press credentials restored after throwing one of the most unprofessional, disre...
November 20, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: In gratitude
Most of us have reasons to be thankful for during this week devoted to just that. I'm thankful for so many friends, family members, readers and events that have blended to enrich my life over the deca...
November 18, 2018
MASTERSON ONLINE: An Old Time Christmas
Working on your festive holiday spirit yet? While Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday, Christmas and the joys of its season remains No. 1.
And the best way I’ve discovered to ignite the dormant...
November 17, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: What FOIA?
What lies beneath Joe Wilkin's problem in complying with state's Freedom of Information Act?
A reporter for this newspaper asked the coroner for Desha County for records of all child deaths between Ja...
November 13, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: 'Don't go there'
Third District Rep. Steve Womack is a serious-minded retired National Guard colonel whom I have occasionally seen laugh. During the years I've known him, he's most often come across as focused, driven...
November 11, 2018
MASTERSON ONLINE: A lousy news director
After stints as the editor of three daily Arkansas newspapers over 46 years, I still would make a lousy national broadcast news director in 2018.
I was reminded just how bad in late October following ...
November 10, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: Stalling for swine
Those who appreciate swine factories mislocated in karst-riddled national river watersheds should applaud attorneys for C&H Hog Farms for dotting every legal "i" to keep that facility operating de...
November 6, 2018
'Pure arrogance'
Sakes alive, people! I'll never understand how so many elected officeholders find it so difficult to abide by the state's Freedom of Information Act. Time after time, we learn of another city, county ...
November 4, 2018
MASTERSON ONLINE: Calculated caravan
So what’s the truth behind the caravan trekking through Mexico from Honduras and other Central American nations on the eve of our national election? The timing and agenda at work here have raised lot ...
November 3, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: Smoke in Ozark
The community of Ozark, nestled along the Arkansas River, is memorable to me as a primo place for delicious hickory-smoked ribs from the popular Rivertowne Barbecue.
Today, the government in that town...
October 30, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: A dream built
Eight years have passed since Janice Castleberry decided to build her dream by offering used products on the Harrison Square. And customers have come by the thousands ever since to purchase and peruse...
October 28, 2018
MASTERSON ONLINE: And Superman weeps
Bear with me two minutes while I paddle across my stream of consciousness ranging from the regrettable state of our nation today to how we choose to live our brief lifetimes and even to include a weep...
October 27, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: Doing for others
Most of you unfortunately have never met gregarious Fred Garry of Harrison. If you're fortunate, you've probably known others as kindhearted and easygoing as Fred.
I was seated around a table during F...
October 23, 2018
MIKE MASTERSON: Not yet gone
At this stage of fragile existence I thankfully find myself still able to recollect and comprehend realities around me.
Well, more often than not, anyway.
Yet the terrifying possibility of one day bei...
October 21, 2018
MASTERSON ONLINE: On to Fort Walton
With deadly Hurricane Michael tearing through the Florida panhandle and leaving much of the Panama City region in ruin, we weren’t sure what to expect when we put Orange Beach, Ala., in the rear-view ...
October 20, 2018