Arkansas Times' Week In Review Podcast

This week, in lieu of our regular weekly news roundup, we're sharing something special — a speech by Arkansas Times editor emeritus Max Brantley on the sorry state of politics and journalism in our state.Beginning in November 2023, the Arkansas Times started a luncheon speaker series that covers current events in Arkansas and serves as a fundraiser for our reporting efforts. Speakers have included former LRSD superintendent Baker Kurrus; Lauren Cowles, a drafter of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment and coalition member with Arkansans for Limited Government; and former state representative Nate Bell. This week, guests heard from Max, who retired from the Arkansas Times in 2023 after 50 years in journalism in Little Rock. We welcome your feedback. Write us at podcasts@arktimes.com

This week: We say a bittersweet farewell to Arkansas Times city reporter extraordinaire Mary Hennigan, but not before one last update on Little Rock news. And, Matt Campbell answers everything you want to know about the #lecterngate audit and the governor's response.Stories discussed in this edition:Little Rock city manager hopefuls include Sen. Fred Love, acting manager Emily Coxhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/12/little-rock-city-manager-job-attracts-out-of-state-prospectsU.S. senators say ATF agents weren’t wearing body cameras in fatal Malinowski raidhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/19/u-s-senators-say-atf-agents-werent-wearing-body-cameras-in-fatal-malinowski-raidActivists call on Little Rock officials to support ceasefire in the Middle Easthttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/16/activists-call-on-little-rock-officials-to-support-ceasefire-in-the-middle-eastCity officials OK financial plan for Little Rock solar arrayhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/17/city-officials-ok-financial-plan-for-li

Arkansas Times listeners, we need your feedback! What do you like about the podcast? What do you hate? What can we improve? Email us with your thoughts, please, at podcasts@arktimes.com.This week, Dave Ramsey and Benji preview the fiscal session, the governor's meager budget and the legislative fight over crypto mining; and, Omaya talks with Rhett Brinkley about John Calipari's arrival at the University of Arkansas and what it means for Razorback basketball.Stories discussed this week:Austerity Sarah: Governor’s budget is generous to private school families, stingy for everyone elsehttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/austerity-sarah-governors-budget-is-generous-to-private-school-families-stingy-for-everyone-elseState budget leaves only crumbs for rural schools and the poor, advocates sayhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/state-budget-leaves-only-crumbs-for-rural-schools-and-the-poor-advocates-sayThousands pack Bud Walton Arena to welcome new Razorbacks coach John Caliparihttps:/

This week, Benji and Mary Hennigan discuss the latest in the case of Bryan Malinowski, who was posthumously awarded a $24,000 bonus by the Little Rock airport commission, as well as several actions taken by the city board of directors at a Tuesday meeting. Then, Benji and Austin Gelder talk about the latest in a new lawsuit over a provision in Arkansas LEARNS. Finally, Benji talks to Rhett Brinkley, Daniel Grear, and Stephanie Smittle about Monday's endlessly anticipated solar eclipse.Little Rock officials approve new recycling contract, glass is backhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/03/little-rock-officials-approve-new-recycling-contract-glass-is-back$4.3 million Little Rock port expansion up for a vote tonighthttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/02/4-3-million-little-rock-port-expansion-up-for-a-vote-tonightAirport commission gives $24K bonus to director Malinowski after deathhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/02/airport-commission-gives-24k-bonus-to-director-malinowski-after-deathCentral High plaintiffs s

This week, Benji and Matt Campbell discuss Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins' reality show TV (coming soon to Netflix!), the latest on the long-awaited #lecterngate audit and why you shouldn't accept Arkansas's projections for April 8 eclipse tourism at face value. Plus, Austin fills us in on a GOP primary runoff in Hope that's turning some southwest Arkansas Republican legislators against the governor's office. Show Notes:Pulaski County weighing options for handling sheriff’s seemingly illegal contract with TV producershttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/27/pulaski-county-weighing-options-for-handling-sheriffs-seemingly-illegal-contract-with-tv-producersRepublican infighting over south Arkansas legislative runoff continues, pitting Sanders against old-guard GOPhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/27/republican-infighting-over-south-arkansas-legislative-runoff-continues-pitting-sanders-against-old-guard-gop‘Lecterngate’ audit is ready, but the public release date is sti

This week, Benji and Mary review the big news of the week — the shooting of Little Rock airport director Bryan Malinowski on Tuesday by federal agents as they attempted to execute a search warrant related to illegal gun sales. Then, reporter Debra Hale-Shelton discusses two stories she's reported this week: an ominous new effort to intimidate public libraries and Asa Hutchinson's interest in a job atop the University of Arkansas System.Show Notes:Illegal guns sales led to fatal ATF raid on airport director Malinowski’s home, affidavit says:https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/21/judge-unseals-documents-in-malinowski-casePolicing libraries, aka book banning, moves a step further in Arkansas:https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/19/policing-libraries-aka-book-banning-moves-a-step-further-in-arkansasIs Asa Hutchinson interested in becoming the next UA System president? Apparently.https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/21/is-asa-hutchinson-interested-in-becoming-the-next-ua-system-preside

Show Notes:The queen’s gambit: Gov. Sanders and Co play political games with overcrowded prisonshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/28/the-queens-gambit-gov-sanders-and-co-play-political-games-with-overcrowded-prisons?fbclid=IwAR2FFU6Gw9ldB0JxOij_e81FprTrW3fL2QwkzkHeI_i8aFYkRFzBh-LFB9cLegislature OKs ’emergency’ rule limiting gender options on state IDs, dodges public commenthttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/15/legislature-oks-emergency-rule-restricting-gender-options-on-state-ids-dodging-public-commentBill Whitworth, legendary editor at The New Yorker and The Atlantic, dies at 87https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/08/bill-whitworth-legendary-editor-at-the-new-yorker-and-the-atlantic-dies-at-87I remember his sweetness: Bill Whitworth and Dizzy Gillespiehttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/12/i-remember-his-sweetness-bill-whitworth-and-dizzy-gillespieThe Women by Kristin Hannahhttps://kristinhannah.com/books/the-women/The Arkansas Times Film Series Presents Kundun (1997)https://www

Show Notes:Little Rock Zoo welcomes new baby orangutanhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/26/little-rock-zoo-welcomes-new-baby-orangutanWe dig it! Construction slated for Little Rock’s Southeast Trailhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/we-dig-it-construction-slated-for-little-rocks-southeast-trailLittle Rock’s city boardroom still under construction, April return hopefulhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/little-rocks-city-boardroom-still-under-construction-april-return-hopeful$53 million in federal funds set to improve Arkansas water systemshttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/27/53-million-in-federal-funds-set-to-improve-arkansas-water-systemsTop Little Rock housing authority exec resignshttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/08/top-little-rock-housing-authority-exec-resignsTwo appointments to Little Rock housing authority cleared by city boardhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/07/two-appointments-to-little-rock-housing-authority-cleared-by-city-boardSecretary of state warns against voter registration e-sig

In this week's podcast, we focus on the March 5 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections coming up on Tuesday. Group pushes Womack to support Ukraine aid despite GOP blockade of billhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-billU.S. speaker fight influences Arkansas congressional race (via Arkansas Advocate)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/26/u-s-speaker-fight-influences-arkansas-congressional-raceMarch 5 election may hand Gov. Sanders new state Supreme Court appointmentshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/07/march-5-election-may-hand-gov-sanders-two-new-state-supreme-court-appointmentsThe Central Arkansas legislative primaries to watch on March 5https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/29/the-central-arkansas-legislative-primaries-to-watch-on-march-5Stepping away, not down: Vivian Flowers leaves the Capitol to run for Pine Bluff mayorhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/29/stepping-away-not-down-vivian-flow

Allegations against Ark. corrections board member raise questions for Gov. Sanders’ father — and Trumphttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/22/allegations-against-ark-corrections-board-member-raise-questions-for-gov-sanders-father-and-trump National funders skip Arkansas’s abortion fight, locals soldier onhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/20/national-funders-skip-arkansass-abortion-fight-locals-soldier-on‘No one’s coming to save us’: Abortion campaigns scramble for limited cashhttps://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/19/abortion-access-map-funding-00141436A deeper look at Arkansas’s state-funded safety grants to religious institutionshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/19/a-deeper-look-at-arkansass-state-funded-safety-grants-to-religious-institutionsNews Round UpGroup pushes Womack to support Ukraine aid despite GOP blockade of billhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-billAttorney general signs off on ballot measure

Show Notes:University of Memphis hires Little Rock’s ex-police chiefhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/13/university-of-memphis-hires-little-rocks-ex-police-chiefLittle Rock mayor’s annual address teases new programs, renewed sales tax pushhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/09/little-rock-mayors-annual-address-teases-new-programs-renewed-sales-tax-pushLittle Rock officials approve step toward city-owned solar arrayhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/07/little-rock-officials-approve-step-toward-city-owned-solar-arrayA swing and a hit: CALS Main Library renovation starts with a banghttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/06/a-swing-and-a-hit-cals-main-library-renovation-starts-with-a-bangRecycling ‘Green Station’ opens at new location in Little Rockhttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/05/recycling-green-station-opens-at-new-location-in-little-rockJason Rapert tries and fails to defund libraries suing the statehttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/09/jason-rapert-tries-and-fails-to-defund-libraries-suing-the-stateFedera

This week, Benji recaps two races for the state Supreme Court in which the likely winners are already sitting justices, education reporter Jeannie Roberts fills us in on ClassWallet and the state's weird, secretive bidding process, and publisher Alan Leveritt has the dirt on the best tomato and pepper varieties for an Arkansas climate. Show Notes:March 5 election may hand Gov. Sanders new state Supreme Court appointmentshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/07/march-5-election-may-hand-gov-sanders-two-new-state-supreme-court-appointmentshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/09/05/supreme-court-justice-courtney-hudson-joins-race-to-fill-robin-wynnes-seatState abandons bids for LEARNS voucher vendorshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/07/state-abandons-bids-for-learns-voucher-vendorsFrom the Farm: Tall tales in the mailboxhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/08/from-the-farm-tall-tales-in-the-mailbox

Stories in this EpisodeHelena - West Helena Water Crisis-https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/29/shower-truck-other-resources-available-in-helena-west-helena-as-water-crisis-drags-on-https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/26/legislators-weigh-in-on-broken-water-system-in-helena-west-helena-https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/31/possible-end-in-sight-for-water-outage-in-helena-west-helena-ways-to-help-from-afarState Policehttps://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/01/state-police-trumpet-245-arrests-but-only-36-people-were-actually-bookedJamol Joneshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/29/governor-appoints-jamol-jones-as-parole-board-chair-giving-him-seat-on-corrections-boardEndorsements-https://open.spotify.com/track/1Efz5q54qAztkgsdMxeFnN?si=04a12facc7084807-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La8N60CYwdM

This week: The abortion amendment clears a key hurdle at the state attorney general's office, while the FOIA amendment makes progress. Plus, we continue talking with Dave Ramsey about how Arkansas LEARNS affects teachers, specifically job protections post-Teacher Fair Dismissal Act.Topics discussed in this episode:Ballot initiatives:https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/23/arkansas-abortion-amendment-can-proceed-attorney-general-sayshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/27/arkansans-ready-for-reproductive-rights-amendmenthttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/25/foia-ballot-measure-can-move-forward-attorney-general-sayshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/23/group-sues-attorney-general-over-blocked-government-transparency-measureshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/18/public-education-advocates-for-ar-kids-submit-revised-ballot-measure-to-attorney-generalArkansas Learns:https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/04/how-does-arkansas-learns-impact-teachers-we-have-answers-part-1

It's a relatively slow news week thanks to the winter weather, so we're talking to reporter David Ramsey at length about how the Arkansas LEARNS Act impacts teachers. Also, Mary Hennigan updates us on the situation in Stone County, where residents have been going without water amid sub-freezing temperatures.Articles discussed in this episode:How does Arkansas LEARNS impact teachers? We have answers. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/04/how-does-arkansas-learns-impact-teachers-we-have-answers-part-1https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/08/how-does-arkansas-learns-impact-teachers-we-have-answers-part-2Stone County residents go days without water during winter storm https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/18/stone-county-residents-go-days-without-water-during-winter-stormEndorsements:https://www.tenement.org/https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/power-broker-01-robert-caro/https://www.riverdale10.com/movie/Barry%5FLyndon%5F1975

In this week’s podcast, Benji and EIC Austin Bailey update us on the status of the various ballot initiatives seeking Attorney General Tim Griffin's approval,  Asa Hutchinson's chances in the Iowa caucuses, and developments in the state Board of Corrections' dispute with  the governor. Among the stories referenced in this episode:Amendment to expand medical marijuana program filed with AGhttps://arktimes.com/news/cannabiz/2024/01/12/amendment-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program-filed-with-agArkansas AG’s ‘so sue me’ attitude worked: FOIA defenders plan to suehttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/12/arkansas-ags-so-sue-me-attitude-worked-foia-defenders-plan-to-sueWith Iowa caucus approaching, Asa Hutchinson barely registers with votershttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/11/with-iowa-caucus-approaching-asa-hutchinson-barely-registers-with-votersBoard of Corrections holds the line, preserves separation of powershttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/11/board-of-corrections-holds-th

In this week’s podcast, Benji and investigative reporter Matt Campbell take a deep dive (probably too deep) into the tangled dispute between the state Board of Corrections and the governor, attorney general and secretary of corrections. Debra Hale-Shelton updates us on the case of Deitric Williams Jr., a 26-year-old Black man who died while being arrested by Conway police in July. And, Mary Hennigan catches us up again on the Little Rock city beat with a review of 2023’s homicide numbers and the latest from the Metropolitan Housing Alliance court case.Among the stories referenced in this episode:Corrections secretary to remain under control of board, not governor, at least for nowhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/04/corrections-secretary-to-remain-under-control-of-board-not-governor-at-least-for-now Attorney general doubles down in obstructing Board of Corrections from hiring attorney in FOIA casehttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/03/attorney-general-doubles-down-in-obstructing-board-of-corre

On this week's podcast, Austin and Benji dig into the state Board of Corrections' suspension of the governor's corrections secretary, Joe Profiri. (Note: We recorded this episode midday on Friday, Dec. 15; a few hours later, a Pulaski County circuit judge granted a temporary restraining order requested by the Board of Corrections. Catch up on the latest on the Arkansas Blog.)Austin and Benji also discuss the Little Rock School District's approval of a (hugely) increased construction budget for the new West high school. Austin Bailey catches up on the city beat with reporter Mary Hennigan. And, endorsements from Benji and Omaya.Among the stories referenced in this episode:Board suspends corrections secretary, says governor’s power grab violates constitution https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/12/14/board-of-corrections-suspends-profiri-with-pay?fbclid=IwAR16UgCyslUsacY0Vm83QQXKq3AFMsUTMRe_U8dABoLSBSKvfSj0f_X70TgCourt sides with Board of Corrections over governor, blocks new laws over pr

In this episode, Arkansas Times' editor-in-chief Austin Bailey and city reporter Mary Hennigan run down local news of the week:https://arktimes.com/news/2023/12/08/fore-better-or-worse-little-rocks-topgolf-opens-dec-22Austin and managing editor Benjamin Hardy discuss a recent ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on a voting rights case out of Arkansas with a national repercussions: https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/11/20/appeals-court-sides-with-arkansas-federal-judge-on-restricting-voting-rights-act-lawsuitshttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/11/21/national-media-voting-advocates-react-to-catastrophic-ruling-in-arkansas-redistricting-caseThen, Benji and Austin cover the latest from the Little Rock School District. A proposal to move Parkview high school to a new West Little Rock campus appears to be dead, but other big changes are inevitable.https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/12/08/little-rock-school-board-weighs-plans-to-address-districts-budget-crunchAnd, the return of endorseme

On this week's episode, we discuss the University of Arkansas' hiring of Bobby Petrino to be the Razorbacks' new offensive coordinator.https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/11/29/read-petrinos-permission-slip-to-come-back-to-workA new ballot initiative to restore some abortion rights in Arkansas.https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/11/27/group-aims-to-restore-limited-abortion-rights-in-arkansasAnd, a ballot initiative to enshrine the Arkansas FOIA into the state constitution.https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/11/27/transparency-group-plans-to-submit-foia-amendment-to-attorney-general-monday