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. 

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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 Cox
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/12/little-rock-city-manager-job-attracts-out-of-state-prospects

U.S. senators say ATF agents weren’t wearing body cameras in fatal Malinowski raid
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/19/u-s-senators-say-atf-agents-werent-wearing-body-cameras-in-fatal-malinowski-raid

Activists call on Little Rock officials to support ceasefire in the Middle East
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/16/activists-call-on-little-rock-officials-to-support-ceasefire-in-the-middle-east

City officials OK financial plan for Little Rock solar array
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/17/city-officials-ok-financial-plan-for-little-rock-solar-array

Arkansas lawmakers call on ATF to release footage of Malinowski raid
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/19/arkansas-lawmakers-call-on-atf-to-release-footage-of-malinowski-raid

Lawmakers question governor’s staff over lectern audit
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/16/lawmakers-question-governors-staff-over-lectern-audit

State auditors refer lecterngate findings to prosecutor’s office
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/15/state-auditors-refer-lecterngate-findings-to-prosecutors-office

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 [email protected].

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 else
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/austerity-sarah-governors-budget-is-generous-to-private-school-families-stingy-for-everyone-else

State budget leaves only crumbs for rural schools and the poor, advocates say
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/state-budget-leaves-only-crumbs-for-rural-schools-and-the-poor-advocates-say

Thousands pack Bud Walton Arena to welcome new Razorbacks coach John Calipari
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/thousands-pack-into-bud-walton-arena-to-welcome-new-razorbacks-coach-john-calipari

Crypto at the Capitol: Legislature revisiting Bitcoin mining after complaints from local residents
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/crypto-at-the-capitol-legislature-revisiting-bitcoin-mining-after-complaints-from-local-residents

“It’s bad for everything”: Citizens group from Arkansas County ready to fight back against crypto mines
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/11/its-bad-for-everything-citizens-group-from-arkansas-county-ready-to-fight-back-against-crypto-mines

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 back
https://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 tonight
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/02/4-3-million-little-rock-port-expansion-up-for-a-vote-tonight

Airport commission gives $24K bonus to director Malinowski after death
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/02/airport-commission-gives-24k-bonus-to-director-malinowski-after-death

Central High plaintiffs sue Sanders, Oliva over targeting of AP African American Studies
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/25/central-high-plaintiffs-sue-sanders-oliva-over-targeting-of-ap-african-american-studies

Federal judge in LEARNS lawsuit plans to apply for LEARNS vouchers, won’t recuse
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/01/federal-judge-in-learns-lawsuit-plans-to-apply-for-learns-vouchers-wont-recuse

LEARNS lawsuit over ‘indoctrination’ reassigned to Judge Rudofsky
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/28/learns-lawsuit-over-indoctrination-reassigned-to-judge-rudofsky

Partly cloudy skies expected in Arkansas for Monday’s eclipse
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/04/03/partly-cloudy-skies-expected-in-arkansas-for-mondays-eclipse

Mulberry Mountain welcomes eclipse watchers with one-day music festival
https://arktimes.com/entertainment/2024/04/02/mulberry-mountain-welcomes-eclipse-watchers-with-one-day-music-festival

Mass eclipse wedding ceremony to bring hundreds of couples to Russellville
https://arktimes.com/rock-candy/2024/03/22/mass-eclipse-wedding-ceremony-to-bring-hundreds-of-couples-to-russellville

9 stellar ways to celebrate the solar eclipse in Central Arkansas
https://arktimes.com/rock-candy/2024/03/04/9-stellar-ways-to-celebrate-the-solar-eclipse-in-central-arkansas

All our eclipse-related coverage:
https://arktimes.com/tag/2024-solar-ecli

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 producers
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/27/pulaski-county-weighing-options-for-handling-sheriffs-seemingly-illegal-contract-with-tv-producers

Republican infighting over south Arkansas legislative runoff continues, pitting Sanders against old-guard GOP

https://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 still unknown
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/27/lecterngate-audit-is-ready-but-a-public-release-date-still-unknown

State’s estimates of 1.5 million eclipse tourists next month are shady at best
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/05/despite-states-claims-1-5-million-eclipse-tourists-unlikely-to-come-to-arkansas-next-month

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-case

Policing 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-arkansas

Is 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-president-apparently

Show Notes:

The queen’s gambit: Gov. Sanders and Co play political games with overcrowded prisons
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/28/the-queens-gambit-gov-sanders-and-co-play-political-games-with-overcrowded-prisons?fbclid=IwAR2FFU6Gw9ldB0JxOij_e81FprTrW3fL2QwkzkHeI_i8aFYkRFzBh-LFB9c

Legislature OKs ’emergency’ rule limiting gender options on state IDs, dodges public comment
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/15/legislature-oks-emergency-rule-restricting-gender-options-on-state-ids-dodging-public-comment

Bill Whitworth, legendary editor at The New Yorker and The Atlantic, dies at 87
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/08/bill-whitworth-legendary-editor-at-the-new-yorker-and-the-atlantic-dies-at-87

I remember his sweetness: Bill Whitworth and Dizzy Gillespie
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/12/i-remember-his-sweetness-bill-whitworth-and-dizzy-gillespie

The Women by Kristin Hannah
https://kristinhannah.com/books/the-women/

The Arkansas Times Film Series Presents Kundun (1997)
https://www.riverdale10.com/movie/Kundun 

Show Notes:

Little Rock Zoo welcomes new baby orangutan

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/26/little-rock-zoo-welcomes-new-baby-orangutan

We dig it! Construction slated for Little Rock’s Southeast Trail

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/we-dig-it-construction-slated-for-little-rocks-southeast-trail

Little Rock’s city boardroom still under construction, April return hopeful

https://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 systems

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/27/53-million-in-federal-funds-set-to-improve-arkansas-water-systems

Top Little Rock housing authority exec resigns

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/08/top-little-rock-housing-authority-exec-resigns

Two appointments to Little Rock housing authority cleared by city board

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/07/two-appointments-to-little-rock-housing-authority-cleared-by-city-board

Secretary of state warns against voter registration e-signatures; Pulaski clerk says she’ll keep taking them

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/07/mixed-messages-from-the-arkansas-secretary-of-state-sow-confusion-over-online-voter-applications

If Arkansas claims to protect life, it needs to do more for mothers and infants

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/30/if-arkansas-claims-to-protect-life-it-needs-to-do-more-for-mothers-and-infants

Sanders rejects 12-month Medicaid extension for moms, says Arkansas already has enough coverage

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/22/sanders-rejects-12-month-medicaid-extension-for-moms-says-arkansas-already-has-enough-coverage

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 bill

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-bill

U.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-race

March 5 election may hand Gov. Sanders new state Supreme Court appointments

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/07/march-5-election-may-hand-gov-sanders-two-new-state-supreme-court-appointments

The Central Arkansas legislative primaries to watch on March 5

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/29/the-central-arkansas-legislative-primaries-to-watch-on-march-5

Stepping away, not down: Vivian Flowers leaves the Capitol to run for Pine Bluff mayor

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/29/stepping-away-not-down-vivian-flowers-leaves-the-capitol-to-run-for-pine-bluff-mayor

Up and down the ballot, judicial races could create openings for the governor to fill

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/up-and-down-the-ballot-in-central-arkansas-multiple-judicial-races-could-create-openings-for-the-governor-to-fill

Max Brantley and the Blue Hog weigh in on judicial races

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/20/max-brantley-and-the-blue-hog-weigh-in-on-judicial-races

Allegations against Ark. corrections board member raise questions for Gov. Sanders’ father — and Trump
https://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 on
https://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 cash
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/19/abortion-access-map-funding-00141436

A deeper look at Arkansas’s state-funded safety grants to religious institutions
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/19/a-deeper-look-at-arkansass-state-funded-safety-grants-to-religious-institutions

News Round Up

Group pushes Womack to support Ukraine aid despite GOP blockade of bill
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-bill

Attorney general signs off on ballot measure to expand medical marijuana
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/attorney-general-signs-off-on-ballot-measure-to-expand-medical-marijuana

Sanders rejects 12-month Medicaid extension for moms, says Arkansas already has enough coverage
https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/22/sanders-rejects-12-month-medicaid-extension-for-moms-says-arkansas-already-has-enough-coverage

Endorsements

Smashed N’ Stacked’s burger whiz is hungry to help
https://arktimes.com/eat-arkansas/2024/02/22/smashed-n-stackeds-burger-whiz-is-hungry-to-help

https://www.facebook.com/smashednstacked/

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
https://rebeccamakkai.com/work/the-great-believers/

Tropical Depression by Dave Ramsey
https://davidbramsey.substack.com/

Show Notes:

University of Memphis hires Little Rock’s ex-police chief

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/13/university-of-memphis-hires-little-rocks-ex-police-chief

Little Rock mayor’s annual address teases new programs, renewed sales tax push

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/09/little-rock-mayors-annual-address-teases-new-programs-renewed-sales-tax-push

Little Rock officials approve step toward city-owned solar array

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/07/little-rock-officials-approve-step-toward-city-owned-solar-array

A swing and a hit: CALS Main Library renovation starts with a bang

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/06/a-swing-and-a-hit-cals-main-library-renovation-starts-with-a-bang

Recycling ‘Green Station’ opens at new location in Little Rock

https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/05/recycling-green-station-opens-at-new-location-in-little-rock

Jason Rapert tries and fails to defund libraries suing the state

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/09/jason-rapert-tries-and-fails-to-defund-libraries-suing-the-state

Federal judge blocks Arkansas’s library censorship law from taking effect

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/07/29/federal-judge-blocks-arkansass-library-censorship-law-from-taking-effect

Dozens more allege sexual abuse at youth facility owned by Arkansas businessman freed by Trump

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/02/dozens-more-allege-sexual-abuse-at-youth-facility-owned-by-arkansas-businessman-freed-by-trump

Survivors of child sexual abuse now have another two years to file Ark. lawsuits, senator says

https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/06/survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse-now-have-another-two-years-to-file-ark-lawsuits-senator-says

That roller dance at the Super Bowl halftime show? A Little Rock native choreographed it

https://arktimes.com/rock-candy/2024/02/14/that-roller-dance-at-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-a-little-rock-native-choreographed-it

Watermelon Man

https://www.riverdale10.com/movie/Watermelon%5FMan%5F1970