I open the line tonight gratified by response to our announcement of the beginning of digital subscriptions Aug. 1. A lot of people had a lot of things to say — pro and con. Let a hundred conversations bloom. At last report, we were near 100 subscriptions, a great start.
UPDATE: Because several have asked: Signing up for a digital subscription should not be confused with signing in to comment on the blog or other elements of the Arkansas Times website. They are two separate processes. The subscription process doesn't require a name. It requires an e-mail, but it need not be the same e-mail you use to sign in to comment on the blog. The e-mail for subscriptions goes to the pay administrator not to us as administrators of the blog. That e-mail will not appear anywhere on the website.
Other topics:
* PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION TO GET IT RIGHT: What if the Public Defender Commission didn't meet in public, rather than e-mail, to vote to accept the resignation of Didi Sallings after 20 years as executive director? Not much. I don't think someone can be required to work absent a formal vote. Nonetheless, the vote should be taken in public and it will be. The commission has announced a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday at the commission offices, 101 E. Capitol, Suite 201, to ratify the e-mail votes to accept the resignation and appoint an interim director. Some commissioners will participate by phone. The public is invited.