When Andrew Jackson became president in 1829, the national debt was $58.4 million, and Old Hickory was as frugal as he was disagreeable so his Treasury Department announced that on Jan. 1, 1835, the debt would be zero. Almost: It was $33,733.05.

If you think you’ve had a couple of tough weeks – first because of the ice storm and twin blizzards and then being inundated with customer needs following the meltdown/lockdown – consider the Jonesboro Sanitation Department.

The Jonesboro City Council is considering a new form of single-family homes: Cottage Housing. Cottage Housing will allow up to 12 houses to be built on one acre of land. They will be built around a common green space with all parking and garages to the side or behind the houses.

In early December, I quoted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill saying after a World War II victory in 1942: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Zachary Johnson, the author of a guest column that appeared on the Opinion page in Friday’s Jonesboro Sun, contacted the newspaper after the column appeared to point out two mistakes he had made. The event he referenced should have been a business convention in Dallas, and the choir he named…

TUESDAY

In the spring of 1991, my mom was supposed to sing with the Arkansas State University Choir at their annual spring commencement exercises. Their selection “I Wish I Was in Dixie” was requested by founder and then chairman of Wal-Mart, Sam Walton.

SUNDAY

Pretending to be a conservative party when in fact they are a radical right-wing fascist party of the lunatic fringe, led by a cult of personality.

Thank you, Craighead County road crews! You did an outstanding job clearing the roads and salting the intersections during the recent snow storm. County judge, they deserve something extra in their paychecks!

Our family thanks City Water & Light and Centerpoint Energy for keeping the lights and heat on this past week. Yes, there was a the managed "blackout" in the industrial park and some power outages around the area, but I understand power was restored quickly.

It amazes me is how many who write letters insist on voicing things that have been proven to be untrue. It seems that whatever they wish to be true remains true even if disproven. They do not want the truth spoken.

‘What is America’s mission?” is a question that has been debated since George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1797.

Wage theft is a real problem in the U.S. Wage theft occurs when employers knowingly underpay their employees. Wage theft cost’s workers an estimated $50 billion a year according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Why are Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and others who want to push their socialist agenda on America not living and basking in the glow of one of the many socialists countries instead of trying to change America? Because they don't want to live as "citizens" of a socialist country,…

What do you call a political doctrine that is adamantly pro-life then, after birth, reverses itself? How can anyone be quick to criminalize abortion while simultaneously displaying a morbid affinity for death; at best, indifference to victims of deliberate harm?

The Arkansas Legislature’s former Republican Senate leader is no longer a Republican.

I want to thank the City of Marked Tree and the local farmers who plowed the roads and the driveways of those with age and health issues.

A public thank you to the nice man who delivers my newspaper, Mr. John Erickson.

Is President Joe Biden prepared to preside over the worst U.S. strategic defeat since the fall of Saigon in 1975?

Arkansas Senate Bill 18, in essence, pronounces “True Joint Custody” to be the law of the state unless a parent can prove by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

A recent letter to the editor questioned the accomplishments of Obama/Biden. Interesting to note the accomplishments of Obama/Biden, especially in a side-by-side comparison with Trump’s record before the pandemic started.

Is President Joe Biden prepared to preside over the worst U.S. strategic defeat since the fall of Saigon in 1975?

What is it about people who are successful in one field and believe that gives them credence to serve as an expert in a totally unrelated field?

Bryant High School wrestling coach Shane Clancy did not wrestle with his decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19. After his big right arm was stuck with a small needle at the River Center gym in Benton Feb. 13, he explained, “I’m ready to ditch the mask and just be normal.”

Today a group of young people from Walnut Street Baptist Church went through the neighborhood and cleared the driveways of snow and ice to make it easier for people to get out their cars.

Looking back on all the rioting and protesting that took place in the United States, it would be nice to have had this nice, cold, freezing weather during those times.

Are we at the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? Let’s call it the middle.

As Congress and President Joe Biden debate yet again how much to spend in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, one detail is missing: How are we going to pay all this borrowed money back?

The acquittal of former president Donald Trump from charges of inciting insurrection brought hints of hope for the Republican future.

‘Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun.” So said Citizen Donald Trump Saturday on his acquittal by the Senate of the impeachment article of “incitement of insurrection” in the Jan. 6 invasion of the Capitol.

Is the city council's effort to change the voting system in Jonesboro a ploy? If so, to whose benefit and to what end?

Editor's note: The following letter was sent to Arkansas lawmakers and is reprinted here at the author's request.

Just the other day, Rev. Gerald Drope, who served his country honorably during World War II (specifically during the Battle of the Bulge) in worse freezing weather than we are having today, was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 98. That 's right 98 years!

One of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s many admirable traits is that he is uninterested in being admired. He uses his demeanor to disguise the fact that he has normal feelings and so might welcome public approbation for his decisions. He does not, however, make public decisions for …

A sweeping gun control bill stoking red-state resistance may prove more of a blessing than a curse for Second Amendment supporters.

Electrifying women at the highest – and lowest – levels are coming out of the woodwork these days. In a 48-hour period, three very different women stole headlines and created a frisson of disquiet across social media and the nation’s capital.

WEDNESDAY