Jimmy Kimmel and me
North of the River students named National Merit semifinalists; Shooting ends football game plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock School Board meets at 5:30 p.m. tonight for a regularly scheduled meeting. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Youth basketball season is here in North Little Rock as registration is now open for the Fall League. Cost is $25 per player and games will be held on Mondays and Thursdays starting on Oct. 13. For more information, call 501-791-8545. Or check out the flyer below.
Jimmy Kimmel and me
To be honest, I don’t really watch Jimmy Kimmel Live. Mostly because by the time it airs, I’m already in bed.
I do, however, will watch occasional clips from his show when they make their way to YouTube the next day.
But, I won’t be watching Kimmel, clips or otherwise, and neither will you after ABC pulled his show from the air after having their broadcast license threatened by the chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
This is what stirred the ire of the FCC:
“The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said on his show. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
That was broadcast on Monday. No one seemed to notice as Tuesday came and went. It was only on Wednesday that the FCC, mostly the Trump-appointed Brendan Carr speaking on Bennie Johnson’s podcast.
You might be asking yourself, “Bennie who?” And that would be mostly correct as while he’s a main character in the Conservative Cinematic Universe, he’s mostly unknown elsewhere. The same can’t be said of Kirk. who was killed last week in a shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Kirk, who was a right-wing provocateur, also spoke eloquently on his Christian faith and that contrast was striking. Most of the pundit types have tended to avoid quoting Kirk directly as he was a flamethrower. And many of those who knew him from his religious speaking, weren’t aware of his other writings and appearances.
Honestly, I do my best to avoid national news here. It isn’t the purpose of the site, and, frankly, something I don’t have much interest in.
I do, however, have an interest in free speech, as it is how I make money. I also like Kimmel and was able to attend a taping of his show while on vacation in California in 2019. Fun fact, the musical acts are taped in advance, given the nature of broadcast, so while he’s holding up a Trisha Yearwood album, as seen above, the musical act that night was Weezer, which is how I’ve seen Weezer. All of one song that I’ve already forgotten the name of. But if you look real close, you’ll see me, sort of, to the left of Kimmel as he faces the audience.
Maybe the Kimmel suspension will be temporary. As it was just announced Wednesday night. So, maybe, by the time you read this, things will have changed. That doesn’t seem likely though.
This past Sunday, we went to the Mark Twain show at the Robinson Center and Richard Thomas was terrific as Twain, reprising the character and show, written by Hal Holbrook.
There was a line in the show that will stick with me and it was the “the monarchy of the rich and powerful sitting on the throne of the country.”
Seems apt in these times.
TASTE OF THE BOULEVARD: An elegant evening benefiting the White Oak Bayou
The White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy is proud to present the first Taste of the Boulevard: An Elegant Evening Benefiting the White Oak Bayou.
This signature event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Venue 10 in Maumelle.
This year's program will also feature Deputy Director Ben Batten from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as the evening's guest speaker. With extensive experience in conservation and natural resource management, Batten will highlight the importance of wetlands, wildlife, and community partnerships in shaping the future of outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship in Arkansas.
Spots are limited for this elegant evening. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to purchase tickets, contact Kellie Wall at 501-851-9700, email Kelly French or visit https://www.whiteoakbayou.com/news-events.
Shooting ends football game
Last Friday night, Benton was at North Little Rock for a non-conference football game and the Panthers were comfortably ahead at half-time.
Then all hell breaks loose.
A single shot rang out that caused the crowd on both sides of the stadium to scatter for cover and a Benton fan, later identified as Desmond Alexander, had been wounded.
Alexander was treated and released that night from a local hospital, but has since received further medical care for his wound.
The game was cancelled, according to North Little Rock School District officials, and will not be made up. It will count as a win for Benton, as they were leading, 24-7, when the game was called off.
At a press conference on Monday, North Little Rock police said the shot did not originate inside the stadium
Police chief Patrick Thessing said, we, “believe that this was a random incident.”
This isn’t the first shooting at a North Little Rock football game.
In September 2017, a brawl outside the stadium when the ‘Cats were facing Little Rock Parkview led to shots being fired, as reported by Dale Ellis of the North Little Rock Times.
The investigation into the most recent shooting is still ongoing. If you have any information, you’re urged to call the police department at 501-771-7149.
Education news
North of the River students named National Merit semifinalists
Four North of the River high school students were recently named as National Merit semifinalist.
They are:
Central Arkansas Christian: Corrina Teigen
North Little Rock High School: Kira Donn
Sylvan Hills High School: Katie Griffin and Addison Thomas
Nationally, 16,000 Semifinalists were named and 141 hail from Arkansas.
The process of becoming a Semifinalist includes an application, participation in extracurricular activities at school and in the community along with what was called an “outstanding academic record” along with high test scores.
Finalists will be announced in February. National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April of next year.
UCA names August graduates
The University of Central Arkansas held August commencement on Aug. , in the Reynolds Performance Hall on campus.
The university conferred approximately 460 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the Graduate School.
North of the River graduates include:
Sarah Sagar of Maumelle received a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Claire Wallin of North Little Rock received a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Lauren Ward of North Little Rock received a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Kendra Woods-Garmon of Sherwood received a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Braxton Funk of Maumelle received a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Peyton Vowels of North Little Rock received a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Haley Hurley of Maumelle received a Graduate Certificate.
David McMartin of Maumelle received a Graduate Certificate.
Travis McGill of Maumelle received a Master of Business Admin.
Lucas Parham of Sherwood received a Master of Business Admin.
Karigan Bjerke of Maumelle received a Master of Science.
Sally Cossey of Sherwood received a Master of Science.
Jordan Ford of North Little Rock received a Master of Science.
Anna Grooms of Maumelle received a Master of Science.
Jackson Holsted of North Little Rock received a Master of Science.
Emily Horn of Sherwood received a Master of Science.
Shelley Humphrey of Sherwood received a Master of Science.
Latasha Kimbrough-Tate of Maumelle received a Master of Science.
Kaprese Warren of North Little Rock received a Post-Master's Certificate.
Jeremy Abbott of Maumelle received a Bachelor of Science.
Terrell Andrews of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science.
William Armstrong of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Science.
Imani Butler of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Science.
Jack Chiolino of Maumelle received a Bachelor of Science.
Kellie Dowell of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Science.
Larry Freeman of Sherwood received a Bachelor of General Studies.
Jimyia Grandy of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science.
Shaelyn Kegler of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science.
Asher Koenigseder of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Business Admin.
Vinit Patel of Maumelle received a Bachelor of Business Admin.
Olivia Stevenson of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science.
Cory Tessman of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Business Admin.
Cole Williams of Maumelle received a Bachelor of Business Admin.
Sports
Friday Night Lights
The dud theme continued into Week as both Maumelle and Central Arkansas Christian lost last week, while North Little Rock had the week off.
Maumelle
Last week: Maumelle 38, Vilonia 24
This week: Maumelle (1-2) has the week off after beating Vilonia last wee,
What to expect: The Hornets remain ranked No. 10 in Class 5A by hootens.com. Maumelle returns to action on Friday, Sept. 26 when they host Beeve in a 5A-Central game.
For the roster, click here.
Thursday, Aug. 28: Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
Thursday, Sept. 4 … at Parkview 42, Maumelle 15
Friday, Sept. 12 ... Maumelle 38, Vilonia 24
Friday, Sept. 26 ... vs. Beebe* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 3 ... ... vs. Pine Bluff* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Watson Chapel* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Jacksonville* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 24 ... at White Hall* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31 ... vs. Searcy* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Thursday, Nov. 6 ... at Robinson* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
North Little Rock
Last week: Benton 24, North Little Rock 7
This week: Little Rock Catholic (1-1) North Little Rock (0-2)
What to expect: The Rockets come to town in what’s been one of the better rivalry games as many of the Catholic players hail from North of the River.
For the roster, click here.
Friday, Aug. 29: Rogers 41, North Little Rock 3
Friday, Sept. 12 ... vs. Benton 24, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Sept. 19 ... vs. Catholic ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Thursday, Sept. 25 ... at Pulaski Academy* ... 7 p.m. (Game to be televised on KARZ)
Friday, Oct. 3 ... vs. Conway* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Little Rock Southwest* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Little Rock Christian ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 24 ... ... vs. Central* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 31 ... at Bryant* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... at Cabot* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
CAC
Last week: Harding Academy 48, CAC 27
This week: CAC (0-3) travels to Harding Academy (0-1)
What to expect: CAC has the week off before starting conference play on Friday, Sept. 26 with a trip to Heber Springs.
For the roster, click here.
Friday. Aug 29: DeWitt 38, CAC 8
Friday, Sept. 5 ... vs. Stuttgart 48, CAC 14
Friday, Sept. 12 … at Harding Academy 48, CAC 27
Friday, Sept. 26 … at Heber Springs … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 … at Riverview … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10 ... vs. Hall … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 17… at Lonoke … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24 ... vs. Bald Knob … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 31 … at Mills … 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... vs. Forrest City … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
Sports
SEC Games: Week 4
SATURDAY
Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at Memphis (3-0): 11 a.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 81
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
UAB (2-1) at Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): 11:45 a.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 106 / 190
Tulane (3-0 at Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ESPN/SiriusXM: 161 / 191
Auburn (3-0, 0-0 SEC) at Oklahoma (3-0, 0-0 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 162/192 – 81
Northern Illinois (1-1) at Mississippi State (3-0, 0-0 SEC): 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 106 / 190
South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at Missouri (3-0, 0-0 SEC): 6 p.m. • ESPN/SiriusXM: 161/191 – 81
Florida (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at Miami (3-0): 6:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 162 / 192
Georgia State (1-2) at Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ESPNU/SiriusXM: 99 / 201
SE Louisiana (2-1) at LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 106 / 190
Sam Houston State (0-3) at Texas (2-1, 0-0 SEC): 7 p.m. • ESPN+ / SEC+/ SiriusXM: 145
Open Date: Alabama (2-1, 0-0 SEC); Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC); Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC); Texas A&M (3-0 0-0 SEC).
Tickets on sale for Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens – a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event – are now on sale to the public. For a complete listing of ticket options or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at simmonsbankchampionship.com.
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club , Little Rock with activities throughout the week of Oct. 20-26. Tournament play will take place Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26. The tournament will serve as the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions' annual Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. The field will consist of the top 54 players in the standings competing for $2.3 million in prize money and a chance to earn their spot among the top 36 in the final event of the season.
"There's so much momentum heading into this year's Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens," said Freddie Black, Tournament Chair of Simmons Bank Championship. "Being selected for the PGA Tour Champion's Player Award last year – a recognition voted on by the players themselves – speaks volumes about the experience we're building here. We can't wait to welcome fans back this fall for another incredible week of golf."
General admission ticket options include daily Friday, Saturday or Sunday tickets for $30, Good Any One Day tickets for $35 or $85 weekend tickets for all three days of competition rounds. Children ages 15 and under will receive free general admission access with a ticketed adult. An upgraded 15th green shared hospitality ticket is also available to purchase for $300 per day or $850 for the weekend and provides access to an open-air venue with ballpark style food, beer, wine and seltzers. Liquor is available for purchase.
Active, reserve, and retired military will receive two (2) complimentary Good Any Day tickets (single use ticket good for one of Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) with an option to purchase up to four (4) discounted Good Any Day tickets. In order to checkout, military status will be verified through GovX. Complimentary military tickets are limited and only available while supplies last.
For more information, visit the simmonsbankchampionship.com or contact sales@simmonsbankchampionship.com.
For more information about the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on tournament news, visit the tournament website, simmonsbankchampionship.com.
Health
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, again, and deaths still total 532 for the past year. There’s no tab created for 2025 either and the virus has now killed 14,162 Arkansans since the pandemic began then. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds
Please do not turn this into political
Commentary. I enjoy the apolitical nature of this publication as it does NOT include politics. We are oversaturated and a little respite is appreciated.