Warwick Sabin

A foreign nation has never had a permanent diplomatic presence in Arkansas since it became a state in 1836. But that may change next year, if Mexico follows through on its intention to open a consulate in Little Rock.

With the addition of Pabst Blue Ribbon to the roster of beers offered at Ray Winder Field, Little Rock appears to be sharing in a hip national trend that filtered down from the big cities of the East and West Coasts, although it is possible that the new local phenomenon is more coincidence than cool.

When Vice President Dick Cheney visited Northwest Arkansas May 3 to tour a Wal-Mart distribution center, all of the major media outlets in Arkansas were under the impression that it was an official White House visit.

By the time you read this, but after press time, the Little Rock Planning Commission likely will have voted on a proposal to build a 13-story condominium building in the heart of Riverdale.