The line is open. Final shot: * REPUBLICANS AND UNEQUAL RIGHTS: This looks like a loser to me, but Republican messaging has triumphed before over common sense. Sen. Mitch McConnell says Republicans will fight to the death to allow an opt-out for preventive health care for women (birth control pills and other contraceptive devices) from employer-provided [...]

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Nothing else to do, so I scanned the weather sources for the Little Rock forecast on Monday. As ever, Pulaski seems to sit on a dividing line that could go in many directions: * Weather Channel — high 36, 1 to 2 inches of snow and ice. * Weather Underground — high 32, ice pellets. * AccuWeather — [...]

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Nixon did. Why not Gov. Mike Beebe? Roby Brock reports on the governor’s planned trade trip to Asia. Everybody does them so they must be productive, right? I notice the item mentions Beebe’s trade trip to Europe and credits it with job creation, including at Dassault Falcon. Actually, there have been big layoffs at Dassault Falcon, no [...]

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There’s something for just about everyone in a New York Times examination of the growing safety net cost in the federal government. I naturally love the anecdote about the Tea Party sympathizer, with his disdain for government spending on the non-productive, who enjoys the earned income tax credit, free breakfasts and lunches for his children and [...]

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With Arkansas’ growing trade relationship with Asian countries, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) will soon get a first-hand look. Beebe will lead an economic development trade mission to China in April, Talk Business has confirmed. The trip will focus on recruiting potential businesses to Arkansas as well as pushing new export opportunities in China for Arkansas products [...]

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With Arkansas’ growing trade relationship with Asian countries, Gov. Mike Beebe (D) will soon get a first-hand look. Beebe will lead an economic development trade mission to China in April, Talk Business has confirmed. The trip will focus on recruiting potential businesses to Arkansas as well as pushing new export opportunities in China for Arkansas products [...]

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A bill has been introduced in both houses of Congress that’s probably not going anywhere, but you might find it interesting because it would withhold paychecks from members of the House and Senate if they fail to pass a budget.

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Today’s THV NEW LOTTERY DIRECTOR: Bishop Woosley FLASH NEWS RELEASE: The Arkansas Lottery Commission tonight at 7:45 p.m. named William Bishop Woosley as the new Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Woosley, the Lottery’s Chief Legal Counsel since its startup in mid-2009, will be paid $165,000 annually. The decision followed a day-long meeting of the Commissioners with all [...]

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Arkansas lawmakers will convene on Monday, Feb. 13, at noon in the state capitol to convene the second fiscal session. Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is scheduled to talk to legislators in a joint session of the Arkansas General Assembly at 12:30 p.m. Lawmakers will have 30 days, with a possible 15-day extension, to conduct their work on [...]

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Arkansas lawmakers will convene on Monday, Feb. 13, at noon in the state capitol to convene the second fiscal session. Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is scheduled to talk to legislators in a joint session of the Arkansas General Assembly at 12:30 p.m. Lawmakers will have 30 days, with a possible 15-day extension, to conduct their work on [...]

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