June 22-29
It was a good week for…
PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS Federal District Judge Brian Miller, who made the unexpected and since-stayed ruling to halt state desegregation payments to Pulaski County school districts, disqualified himself from hearing the case. The case will fall to federal Judge Price Marshall of Jonesboro.
THE PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Though many nettlesome questions remain in the state’s takeover of the district — particularly on what the state’s position will be in district lawsuits — it gained some degree of stability on Tuesday when Education Director Tom Kimbrell named Dr. Jerry Guess, previously a 15-year veteran of the Camden Fairview School District, to lead the district.
RAIN Much of Central Arkansas got a much-needed soak on Tuesday.
It was a bad week for…
FILLING THE VACANT FEDERAL JUDGESHIP IN LITTLE ROCK The White House has asked U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor for a new list of candidates to fill the seat, vacant since October 2008. With selection, background checking, nominating and confirming still to come, the likelihood of the position being filled during the president’s first term is looking uncertain.
FAYETTEVILLE SHALE An article in the New York Times found that natural gas companies, including some with holdings in Arkansas, have grossly overstated the productivity of their wells and provided unreasonable forecasts for future prospects.
MARK MARTIN Maybe we should just go ahead and make a permanent spot for the bumbling secretary of state herein. This week comes word that his office has added a disclaimer of gibberish meant to undermine FOI requests of email. A sample passage: “Opinions, statements, and assertions in this e-mail are not intended for public release. In the event of public release, the public is advised to treat this e-mail with caution, as any and all e-mail is subject to later revision (including revision that may not be transmitted by e-mail); matters set forth herein are effective only as of the date and time on the e-mail itself.”