Arkansas Educational Television Network

Arkansas Week

“Arkansas Week” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. Each week, a dedicated, distinguished group of Arkansas journalists and political scientists discuss issues in the news.

Barnes has been on the air in the Natural State since 1968 when he started as a copy boy on weekends at KTHV-TV Channel 11 in Little Rock. His adept hand at leading journalists and others in a discussion of current events complements his encyclopedic knowledge of the state, its players and its past. Barnes has not only become one of the most recognizable and respected people within Arkansas, but has connected with a national audience through work published in the New York Times, fed to the Reuters news service and shown on networks ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and PBS. He has been a recipient of the University of Arkansas’ journalist of the year award, as well as receiving first prize for television documentary awarded by the Society of Professional Journalists.

March 19, 2010

(Reform) A showdown fast approaching on health care, with Arkansas sharing the spotlight. (Senate) The glare on one Arkansan is especially bright. (Tickets) If the economy is still lagging, there's one enterprise that's flourishing. (Alexander) and an institution that critics says is floundering.

March 12, 2010 (Live)

(Senate) Week Two, Blanche vs. Bill, Bill vs. Blanche, and the little-known third. (Health) Health care and its impact on the race, and the impact Arkansas could have on health care. (DHS-DOJ) Harsh charges from Washington, a spirited defense from Little Rock. (7.6 percent) and the economy, with the state's jobless rate holding steady.

March 5, 2010

(Primary) An incumbent senator's troubles worsen, not one but two elections. (Dollars) The millions both candidates will spend, how big an issue? (Statehouse) A Republican challenger, mission impossible? (Revenues) and the economic outlook, looking back at February

February 26, 2010

(Recess) the session ended, with a tincture of tension between the executive and the legislative. (FY 2011) Was it money, or principle, or both? (Primary) The primo statewide race, with a little tension added... (Health) ... and the primo issue, one of them.

February19, 2010

(4.5 Billion) The fiscal session and the next fiscal year, there's little room for disagreement. (Medicaid) There's universal agreement that a fiscal nightmare may be just around the corner. (Inflation) As fiduciary as it is fiscal, scholarships and scholarship. (Justice Jim) And a profoundly provocative Arkansan leaves the stage on his terms.

February 12, 2010

(Fiscal) The first of its kind at work, and wating little time. (4.5b Dollars) It looks big, and it is big, but there's no room to spare. ('10) The latest on the maneuverings in the federal capaigns, (Energy) and power, the PSC and the courts.

February 6, 2010

(Revenues) With a new type of legislative session upon us, so too, the new numbers. (Campaign Dollars) A different sort of revenue, and how the legislature is handling those. (Lincoln) A Senate incumbent with lots of opposition seems ever more vulnerable. (Boozman) And if the latest name doesn't confirm he's a candidate, he'll look weird and we'll all look sill. We admit it wouldn't be the first time.

January 29, 2010

(11?) Another Republican Senate candidate, with maybe the deepest pockets of all? (Dollars) Speaking of deep pockets, if the incumbent hasn't set a record, she soon will. (AR1,2) The scramble to succedd retiring incumbents, and keep their sears in the party. (GOP) And the maneuvering to wrench both away.

January 22, 2010

(Aftershock?) A Democrat loses in Massachusetts, and the tremors are felt in Arkansas. (2nd Seat) That, with the center of the state still dealing with its own seismic event. (2nd Term) One Democrat looks safe, though he'll raise money anyway. (FY'11) and speaking of money...

January 15, 2010

(Budget) How much to spend, and for what, come July? (New Taxes) How much, if any can be found for highways? (Zero Sum?) How about a whole new approach to taxes, even if it has a familiar tune? (Testing) And our K-12 system, are we dumbing up?

January 8, 2010

(Slowdown) The December revenue report, not unexpected and not what anyone wanted to see. (Pick Up?) Recovery, the signals are still a mixed bag. (Highways) New money for Arkansas roads? A couple of new proposals. (Senate) And for the Democrats, the stakes in Arkansas get higher.