Founder of the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, former editor of Arkansas Times, CEO of Goofball Industries.
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Articles by Lindsey Millar
New trails just outside of Little Rock herald the connection of the Maumelle Pinnacles
This month, The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas opened the 459-acre Blue Mountain Natural Area to the public. It’s the westernmost mountain in the Maumelle Pinnacles chain, which includes Pinnacle Mountain and Rattlesnake Ridge, the latter of which The Nature Conservancy also manages.
Notorious dummy Tommy Tubberville says 'inner city' teachers are illiterate
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tubberville (R-Alabama), the former football coach, native of Camden and graduate of Southern Arkansas University, once described the three branches of government as “the House, the Senate and the executive.” He also recently defended white nationalists. He’s a notorious dope. So this comment is very on brand, but still shockingly ignorant and racist.
Arkansas's rush to boot people from Medicaid rolls gets attention in NY Times
Arkansas provides a point of entry into the upheaval happening in Medicaid rolls across the country in The New York Times today. In the wake of the end of the federal public health emergency enacted during the height of the coronavirus, the federal government has given states a year to sort through their Medicaid rolls to determine eligibility, but in 2021 Arkansas legislators passed a law requiring DHS to complete the process in six months.
Arkansas begins to explore recycling nuclear waste
A new state law directs state officials to study the feasibility and commercial viability of recycling nuclear waste. Scientists, working in labs, have demonstrated that recycling spent nuclear rods is possible, but whether it can be done economically is unclear. Hunter Field, writing in the Arkansas Advocate, delves into the new law and its potential in Arkansas:
State budget director, Huckabee pal resigns
Aaron Black, the state budget director, has resigned after less than four months in the role. You might remember that Black, who sings in Mike Huckabee’s band Capitol Offense, was found back in 2011 to have taken hundreds of hours of undocumented leave time — almost $20,000 worth — as executive director of the state Tobacco Settlement Commission. Perhaps Black is following a familiar path of cashing in on political connections.
Arkansas's Monument Trails named best bike trail winner in Outside magazine travel awards
The Monument Trails, high quality mountain bike trails located in four Arkansas state parks, are Outside magazine’s pick in the Biking category of the magazine’s annual travel awards. The construction of the trails, located in Devil’s Den, Hobbs, Mount Nebo and Pinnacle Mountain state parks, was funded by the Walton Family Foundation via the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Matthew Shepherd doesn't want to be speaker of the House anymore
State Rep. Matthew Shepherd (R-El Dorado) won’t seek a fourth term as speaker of the Arkansas House, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports. Shepherd is the longest serving leader of the chamber. He told the D-G that he plans on seeking reelection for his House seat. Rep. Brian Evans (R-Cabot), the chair of the House Education Committee, says he’s running to be speaker, and based on nothing but my hunch based on observing the legislature for years, I’d say he’s the early favorite. Rep.
Smothers out as Philander Smith president
Roderick Smothers, president of Little Rock’s Philander Smith College since 2015, has resigned. In his resignation letter, Smothers said he’s leaving to pursue a new opportunity, KARK reported. But in a letter to alumni, , chair of the board of trustees, suggests that Smothers was pushed out: Esper signed his letter as “interim executive in charge and chair, board of trustees.” The private, historically Black college affiliated with the United Methodist Church has about 800 students enrolled.
Former Arkansas basketball coach seeking $45.6 million from St. John's, which fired him in March
Mike Anderson, the former University of Arkansas head basketball coach who landed the top job at St. John’s in 2019 after he was fired at Arkansas, is seeking $45.6 million from St. John’s in the wake of the school firing him in March. Anderson alleges that he was fired with cause only so the school could use money owed to him to hire legendary coach Rick Pitino, ESPN reports. Anderson wants the $11.4 million left on his contract and an additional $34.2 million for punitive damages.
A congressional staffer from Pine Bluff's drug-fueled protest gets a long look in new book
Later that night, Purley took psilocybin mushrooms, went to the Capitol and entered Feinstein’s office. According to Terris’ reporting, he’d planned to sit in Feinstein’s chair and run through all the injustices he’d seen on Capitol Hill on his phone camera. But instead he recorded himself smoking a joint while he played DeBarge’s R&B jam “I Like It” and danced around. He hoped it would be seen as a kind of performance art.
Tom Cotton files legislation aimed at banning drag shows on military bases
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, taking a break from defending Harlan Crow, the billionaire bankrolling Justice Clarence Thomas, has filed a stupid new bill that’s transparently nothing more than an excuse for him to go on TV and talk about the evils of drag shows. Sponsored by Cotton, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and others, the bill would ban the military from using public funds or military facilities for drag-show performances. During a House Armed Services Committee in April, Rep.
Asa Hutchinson the rare Republican to condemn Trump following sexual abuse conviction
Asa Hutchinson, who’s staking his long-shot presidential bid on there being a lane in the Republican Party for an anti-Trump candidate, was one of the few national GOP figures to condemn Donald Trump after Trump was found liable for sexual abuse by a jury. “Over the course of my over 25 years of experience in the courtroom, I have seen firsthand how a cavalier and arrogant contempt for the rule of law can backfire,” Hutchinson said in a statement.
Pine Bluff voters narrowly reject sales tax proposals
Pine Bluff voters narrowly voted against two sales tax proposals on Tuesday. One would have created a permanent 3/8th-cent tax to benefit the city’s police and fire departments, and the other would have extended a 5/8th-cent sales tax that benefits the nonprofit Go Forward Pine Bluff’s economic development efforts. The fire and police tax failed by 20 votes and the Go Forward Tax fell short by 117 votes, according to the unofficial results posted by the Pine Bluff Commercial.
State gambling/marijuana/alcohol regulator announces retirement
Mike Moore, who oversees regulation of medical marijuana, casino gambling and racing and tobacco sales and alcohol enforcement in the state, announced his forthcoming retirement last week. He’ll quit at the end of the fiscal year, June 30. He cited “retirement benefits, apartment lease expiration and other personal commitments” in his resignation letter to Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Larry Walther.
Rapert's association hosting a tent revival at Liberty University
Former state Sen. Jason Rapert, who’s now working to undermine the separation of church and state with a group he founded called the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, is hosting a national policy conference at Liberty University in Virginia in June. In a release announcing the event, Rapert contends, “The NACL is one of the strongest forces for good in the United States since the American Revolution.” He also signs his name Sen. Jason Rapert (retired), like he’s a military officer.
Almost 73,000 Medicaid beneficiaries lost coverage in April, mostly because of paperwork issues
Nearly 73,000 Arkansans lost Medicaid coverage in April as the state rushes through eligibility reviews following the end of the federal public health emergency, which required states to pause removing beneficiaries from Medicaid rolls in most instances.
Reward increased to $15,000 for info on killing of four bald eagles in northern Arkansas
The nonprofit has kicked money into the reward fund for information leading to a conviction in the investigation into the killing of four bald eagles near Pyatt (Marion County). The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have said the birds were likely shot between mid-January and mid-February. They were discovered Feb. 13. State and federal authorities had already offered a $5,000 reward for info. From a news release:
Friday night line
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Arkansas Children's Hospital plans major expansion
Arkansas Children’s Hospital plans to spend $318 million on a system-wide expansion, the hospital announced on Friday. The expansion plan, expected to take eight years, will include new construction and renovation. Here’s the release:
Asa Hutchinson fits the bill of the imaginary Republican candidate Democratic strategists fear in the general election, Politico argues
Asa Hutchinson is polling at about 1% against the Donald Trump-dominated field of Republican presidential hopefuls, but he’s trying to stake an anti-Trump, more moderate lane, and a lot of national media eat that up. So today he gets a lot of attention in Politico’s Playbook.
Ammonia leaks at Tyson Foods plants focus of CNN investigation
From 2012-2021, there were 47 ammonia leaks at Tyson Foods plants, which led to almost 150 worker injuries, CNN reports today. From CNN: The report focuses on , who worked the graveyard shift at Tyson plant in Hope in 2016. After a pipe weld in the factory ruptured, filling the room where she was working with ammonia gas, she got trapped in the factory for about 40 minutes. She heard a paramedic describe her as “DOA,” and has undergone several throat surgeries and cornea transplants since then.
Checking in on the families of trans kids challenging the state's ban on gender-affirming care
Tess Virbin of the Arkansas Advocate checks in with the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit challenging Arkansas’s first in the nation gender-affirming care ban. It’s a reminder of the absolute horror show Arkansas Republicans are putting trans kids and their families through.
State Supreme Court rejects lower court decision on penalties levied against tax cheat Mickey Gates
The Arkansas Supreme Court has reversed a lower court judgment against former state Rep. Mickey Gates, Republican of Hot Springs, who was expelled from the House in 2019 after pleading no contest to felony charges of failure to pay income tax. As a condition of his plea, Gates was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution, serve six years on probation and file taxes owed from 2015-2018.
Pornhub blocks all Utah users in protest of ID requirement, likely a sign of what's to come in Arkansas
Pornhub, one of the most popular websites in the United States, has blocked all visits to its site from users with Utah-based IP addresses in protest of that state’s age-verification requirement for porn websites. The new law, which went into effect today, is similar to one recently passed in Arkansas and others under consideration in about a dozen states. The recent push was inspired by a similar law enacted last year in Louisiana.
Student sentenced to jail for protesting Conway School Board's anti-trans policies gets national attention
The case of Alex Barnett, the University of Central Arkansas junior who was sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $650 for peacefully protesting the Conway School Board’s anti-trans policies, gets a long look today from journalist Judd Legum on his Popular Information Substack. The Times Debra Hale-Shelton wrote about Barnett last week.
Newark's Austin Reaves getting lots of love with the Lakers
If you care about NBA basketball, we’re in a magical stretch with games to watch every night for the next many weeks.
Kiley Reid has written a novel set at the University of Arkansas
Kiley Reid, whose debut novel “Such a Fun Age” was a bestseller, spent a year living and working in Fayetteville between college and getting her MFA at the University of Iowa. She worked at the now defunct Blackboard Grocery and started writing “Such a Fun Age” in Arsaga’s. It must have been a memorable time. Because her follow-up novel, due Jan. 4, 2024 is set at the UA.
A look at the strike at a Van Buren Tyson plant
Tyson workers in Van Buren went on strike earlier this month after they were notified that the plant would close May 12, which will affect almost 1,000 employees. Writing for Facing South, Arkansas native Olivia Paschal and University of Arkansas student journalist Rachell Sanchez-Smith interviewed Van Buren workers who participated in the strike.
Eli Cranor wins Edgar Award
Eli Cranor, the Pope County crime fiction writer, took home an Edgar Award on Thursday. The Edgar Awards are the crime and mystery genres most prestigious awards. Cranor won Best First Novel By An American Author for “Don’t Know Tough,” his 2022 debut. Since then, he’s already published a follow-up, “Ozark Dogs,” and has another novel scheduled for 2024. I profiled Cranor earlier this month.
The RIP Jerry Springer open line
Famed daytime talk show host Jerry Springer died today. He was 79. That prompted me to Google around a little to try to find Arkansans who’d appeared on the show. Love the title on this one. A YouTube commenter alerted me to the fact that this guy was a recent candidate for Hempstead County Clerk, is the owner of a goat farm and wrestling company and is looking for love (or was recently): “My nickname is Rooster.
Asa Hutchinson formally launches presidential bid
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally announced his long-shot bid to be the Republican nominee for president in Bentonville on Wednesday. He touted his resume, including his time as a U.S. attorney, as leader of the state Republican Party, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, head of the DEA and Homeland Security and of course governor. His experience and record is unique among the field of candidates, he said.
Lucinda Williams on Frank Stanford
Lucinda Williams’ new memoir, “Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You” is out today. Check out The New Yorker’s excerpt of a section from it on famed Arkansas poet Frank Stanford: In my teen years, in the late nineteen-sixties, my father was adamant about cigarettes and sex. “I know a lot of teen-agers are having sex already, but if you hold off on having sex until you are eighteen, then we’ll get you the pill,” he said. “And don’t smoke cigarettes.
Making Arkansas worse again
With the 2023 legislative session blessedly at its end, Arkansas progressives (plus moderates and anyone to the left of the Proud Boys) know what complete and utter political defeat looks like.
Eli Cranor to continue streak of publishing novels every year
Eli Cranor, the Pope County crime fiction phenom, has sold a new novel to Soho Crime. It’s called “Broiler,” and Publishers Marketplace reports that it’s about “two desperate couple whose troubles converge in the ruthless world of an Arkansas chicken processing plant.” It’s due out in 2024. Cranor’s 2022 debut, “Don’t Know Tough,” was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel By An American Author. The award ceremony is April 27.
Brennen Leigh pens a very fine country song about Arkansas
Check out the new single from Brennen Leigh, a North Dakota-born singer/songwriter and talented picker who’s got something of an international cult following. Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell and Charley Crocket have all recorded her songs. “Running Out of Hope, Arkansas” is the lead single off her forthcoming album, “Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet.” It’s about a woman who realizes life is passing her by and decides to make a break for it.
Biden is running for reelection
VIDEO He made it official this morning with this video. Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 48 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference.
Hunter Biden must appear in Independence County Court on May 1 for contempt hearing, judge orders
Hunter Biden, the embattled son of President Joe Biden, must appear in person at the Independence County Courthouse for a May 1 contempt hearing related to his Arkansas paternity case, a judge ordered today. The child, known in court filings as Baby Doe, was born in 2018. The following year, Lunden Alexis Roberts filed a paternity claim alleging that Hunter Biden was the father of her child. A DNA test later confirmed it, Circuit Judge Holly Meyer ruled in January 2020.
A look at the Florida-based think tank and lobbying group responsible for new state law that removes child labor protections
On April 24, 202310:15 am The Foundation for Government Accountability scored a big win in Arkansas during the legislative session with the passage of a a new law that eliminates work permits and age verification for teenage workers younger than 16. The Florida-based think tank and its lobbying arm, Opportunity Solutions Project, are working around the country to roll back child labor protections, restrict social safety net programs and block Medicaid expansion, the Washington Post reports.
The Arkansas making national headlines open line
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What did the legislature do to help maternal health in Arkansas? Next to nothing.
Now that abortion is illegal in nearly every instance in Arkansas, surely state legislators were gung-ho to pass laws in the recently concluded session to make sure pregnant mothers and newborns have more support, right? Not a chance. The Arkansas Advocate’s Tess Virbin surveys the legislation aimed at improving maternal health filed this session and finds that most all of it got beat. Rep.
Sanders celebrates herself after 100 days in office
If there was any doubt that Gov. Sarah Sanders is using her position to audition for higher office, today we got a montage video celebrating the BOLD, CONSERVATIVE, TRANSFORMATIONAL change she’s delivered to Arkansas in her first 100 days and a valedictory speech outside the governor’s mansion where she patted herself on the back for 15 minutes.
Asa gets national media coverage on a slow news day
Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s long-shot bid to win the Republican nomination for president got a few minutes on NBC News this week. You’ll hear Hutchinson say “course correction” a bunch of times regarding the GOP and Donald Trump.
Bowen School of Law names new dean
The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law has a new dean. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Colin Crawford as the next dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law, effective July 1, 2023. “I am pleased to announce that Colin Crawford has accepted the role and will be joining UA Little Rock,” said Dr. Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. “His leadership experiences and his broad research interests made him an ideal candidate for this role.
Recommended reading: an excerpt from a forthcoming book about poverty set in Arkansas
Monica Potts, a journalist from Clinton, has a new book coming out April 18: “The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America.” It’s at least partially set in Clinton, which Potts “escaped” to go to college while many of her friends and peers got mired in drugs and abuse and homelessness. The Atlantic has an excerpt from the book titled “How Rural America Steals Girls’ Futures,” a portrait of life in Clinton, where sex education came in the form of misinformation.
Arkansas will be the first state to require users to show ID to use social media
The Arkansas Senate on Thursday approved an amended version of a bill that will require new users of most social media platforms to provide identification to create accounts. The bill now goes to Gov. Sarah Sanders, who championed it and reportedly leaned heavily on lawmakers to pass it. The legislation is somewhat modeled on a bill from Utah, which was recently approved but won’t go into effect until 2024.
Bid to end affirmative action in Arkansas dies in the House
Here’s a rare piece of good news from this terrible legislative session: The Arkansas House overwhelmingly voted down a proposal to end all affirmative action programs in the state. Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) and Rep. Justin Gonzalez (R-Okolona), would have criminalized any action by governmental entities that considered race, gender, ethnicity or nationality. The bill would have also applied to cities, counties, colleges and universities and school districts.
Arkansas House wants you to show ID to use social media
With no discussion, the Arkansas House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill that would require social media users in The Natural State to verify they’re 18 years old or older to use the platforms. The proposal, backed by Gov. Sarah Sanders, is aimed at shielding minors from the harmful effects of social media. Young folks could use the platforms, but only if parents provide consent. Senate Bill 396, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Springdale) and Rep.
Rare bipartisan bill that would help the working poor, amended to be almost meaningless after diss from governor
The Arkansas General Assembly is wrapping up in frenzied fashion, so I’m glad to be able to draw from strong reporting by Tess Virbin of Arkansas Advocate on a topic we covered previously: a bill from Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) that, at least initially, would have stopped punishing people whose monthly income qualifies them for SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, from saving money. Arkansas is one of only nine states with restrictive asset limits for SNAP recipients.
Pope County’s Eli Cranor appears poised to break out big
Eli Cranor is not resting on his laurels. Just a little more than a year after he published his acclaimed debut novel, “Don’t Know Tough,” the Forrest City native has a follow-up in bookstores April 4. It’s called “Ozark Dogs,” and like his first book, it’s a propulsive, gritty thriller that’s all Arkansas. If you like crime novels, or fiction that thoroughly inhabits places you know, Cranor is your man. But he’s not just a local sensation.
Bid to reshape Racing Commission falls in Senate
A proposal to add four “consumer advocates” to the state Racing Commission failed in the Arkansas Senate Monday. Sen. Joshua Bryant (R-Rogers), sponsor of Senate Bill 539, said the commission needed additional perspectives because its purview had expanded to include casinos and online betting. Opponents of the bill cast it as an attempt to overturn a novel state rule that requires national online bookmakers to share 51% of profits if they’re partnering with an Arkansas casino.
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