Opinion
Just Jana
with Jana Caldwell Funny coincidence… I’ve got a listing coming up. The day in January I went was the day it snowed so no outside pics. We decided February 18th for pics thinking it would maybe be warmer and green up a little. We just rescheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Moral of the story, if you want snow, let me schedule your listing!
Arkansas House
As the Arkansas House of Representatives enters the 5th week of the 2025 Regular Session, several key pieces of legislation have moved forward, addressing issues ranging from food freedom to healthcare access and election policy.
Here & There
April 11 2013 In recent weeks, at my church—First United Methodist— one or two of the first pews in the sanctuary have been partially filled by a group of young men and their friendly counselor, Dennis Calaway, whom I’ve interviewed. He leads an interesting life dedicated to helping others. The young men he mentors promptly report to our church service at 10 a.m. each Sunday. When our pastor, the Rev. Dr. Rockey Starnes, closes the service, they immediately cross the street to attend another hour of worship at First Baptist Church.
From Scratch
There are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy a peaceful, uneventful lunch break and those who, despite all intentions, end up sprinting through ditches chasing sheep. My work buddy, JA, and I fall into the latter category. We don’t look for chaos—it finds us. It finds us in minivans (RIP Wild Cherry), in cemeteries, in mysteriously scented neighborhoods, and in the occasional misplaced trash can attached to a wheelchair. The latest? Sheep. And, as usual, I got the raw end of the deal— literally, in the form of soaking wet shoes, a concerned sheep, and the realization that I’m not nearly as fast as I thought.
State Capitol in Review
The Senate voted to provide all public school children with free lunches, regardless of their income, beginning in the 20252026 school year.
The Maynard Gang
Before engaging my column as such, I want to issue a commendation. Chad Koons and I compared Fourche River fishing experiences recently in the Maynard Café. Since the demise of Herman Ramsey, Lowell Davis, and Ray Haley and my being “stove up” to where I have to have help in and out of a boat, Chad is the only man I know who fishes the ancestral stream on a regular basis. He is keeping alive an ancient tradition. His Roberts and Waddle ancestors would be proud.
Arkansas House
The Arkansas House of Representatives has completed the third week of the 2025 Regular Session, making significant progress on legislation that impacts residents across the state. This week, the House considered and passed several bills addressing a range of issues, from digital identification services to financial planning, tax relief, and public safety.