Opinion

Today I’d like to talk about the steps we are taking to reduce violent crime in Arkansas. In 2017, there was a shooting at the Power Ultra Lounge in Little Rock.

My mother wanted me to go to law school. She was probably right. She was usually right. I like to think that I could have made a decent attorney. I certainly don’t mind a good, civil argument. But I’m not sure I could have figured out a way to pay for law school, and you have to have a college degree to get into law school. And you have to actually go to class (or at least you did in the late ’80s) to get a college degree. And I was drawn to a career in newspapers.Add that all up, and here I am.

Today I’d like to talk about a recent partnership with the state of Oklahoma. On Wednesday, Aug. 17, I joined Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on the Oklahoma State University-Tulsa campus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding stating that we are working together to make the Arkansas- Oklahoma corridor a center of excellence in advanced mobility. This includes autonomous vehicles, drone deliveries and electric vehicles.

Chris Claybaker said he isn’t retiring. “[Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney] fired me,” Claybaker said Friday during a retirement reception at Berryville City Hall, adding some levity to the proceedings. “He said I was getting too ugly in my old age and there wasn’t enough room for both of us.”

Regular readers of this column should be keenly aware of my appreciation for the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. It’s a powerful tool for journalists and citizens alike and an important safeguard to ensure government transparency.

Over the weekend, a reader sent me an email telling me how much they enjoyed one of my recent columns. “Enjoyed reading your breakfast article this month!” he wrote.

Pamela Lowe Aesop has a fable that tells the story of two frogs that lived in the same pool of water. During the hot summer, the pool dried up.

Next week in this space, I’ll give everyone an update on an ongoing freedom of information fight with the Eureka Springs city attorney. It’s a doozy.

It’s the time of year in Arkansas public schools when ACT Aspire test results are released. These tests no more prove that a child or teacher is doing their job and learning is taking place, than quarterly grades determine a child’s success in life. Grading can be subjective, and some children are not adept at test taking.

Can you believe it is just about the end of summer? If your kids are anything like mine, the battle cries of, “We are bored!” and “What are we doing today?” have started to fill the time between waking up and finishing my first cup of coffee.