All around the world: Arkansas News

Just got off a phone call. A typical day: it has been raining all day today. Another friend was laid off todayAn interesting article:

• Home sales rally in late 2009 Statewide home sales barely dropped in 2009 thanks to a stellar final two months of the year, according to statistics provided by the Arkansas Realtors Association (ARA).
• El Dorado Promise turns three On its third anniversary, El Dorado Promise officials say that school enrollment is up and new families are moving to the South Arkansas community despite a troubled economy.
• It involved a $50 million investment from Murphy Oil Corp., which is headquartered in El Dorado.
• El Dorados unemployment rate topped 13 percent in 2009 when a Pilgrims Pride chicken plant closed in the community.
• Simmons First has solid quarter Simmons First National Corp.
• Tax hike on business owners could shore up trust fund State Sen.

Full Story: State unemployment rises

Too much going on last few days. A typical day: it has been raining all day today. The football game last night was great! An intereing article from Sbrforum.com.

• The Pitt Panthers come off their first loss in the Bog East with a match at Seton Hall while Cincinnati heads to Louisville to meet the Cardinals at Freedom Hall.
• (ET) - Freedom HallThe Louisville Cardinals are on a three-game slide, and look to bounce back as home chalk against the Cincinnati Bearcats, who have lost two straight on the road.
• Thursday night saw Rick Pitinos troops mount a second half comeback against Seton Hall, but still end up in the loss column, 80-77, as two-point favorites. The combined 157 points fell just a bucket below the 159-point closing total for the under to cash, and this ended a 4-0 streak for the over in Cardinals games.
• Cincinnati comes into Sunday with a two-game winning streak, but both victories came at home. The Bearcats have been 1-2 SU and ATS on the road since conference play began.
• Both squads have been overvalued by the sports books with Cincinnati on a 0-5 ATS streak, and Louisville cashing only one ticket among its last four home dates.
• Last season saw these Big East foes each win and cover ATS on the floor of the opposition. The under is on a 2-0 streak in meetings between these rivals at Freedom Hall.
• Pope has averaged 11.2 RPG for the Pirates, and has achieved three double-doubles in seven Big East matchups.

Full Story: Bearcats, Panthers road dogs in Sunday Big East doubleheader

Too much going on last few days. It looks like a good day today. The talk today was pretty refreshing. Read an intereing article from Kansas City Star.

• One key: Obama and Clinton always stepped back from the brink.
• The extensive Democratic primary was a huge edge for the Democrats, said Christian Ferry, deputy campaign manager for McCain-Palin.
• Other conference nuggets:The Obama crowd panicked over McCains celebrity spot comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
• If the notion sunk in, Wed be in trouble. One of the biggest decisions of the campaign whether to accept $84 million in taxpayer dollars for the fall campaign or forego it and try to raise more money privately was an easy call for both camps.
• We were a small, hodge-podge organization, said Sarah Simmons, McCains director of strategy. Extensive Obama get-out-the-vote operations in nine states proved decisive, Hildebrand said.
• *** Lots of chatter last week about who will be the next U.S..attorneys in Kansas and western Missouri.
• Kathleen Sebelius and one of the most respected Democrats around.
• In western Missouri, lots of names have surfaced: Pat McInerney, Willie Epps, Richard Callahan, Mark Jones and Jeff Bushur.
• The Bushies yanked U.S..attorneys out of their jobs for failing to perform political tasks.
• I loved it b/c the country got to know Barack Obama.
• I maxed out to Barack Obama the night Sarah Palin gave her speech.

Full Story: Kraske: Turns out that Obama-Clinton was good for…