- The Russellville City Council plans to vote on a proposed ordinance prohibiting sales of recreational marijuana in the city. This is apparently a preliminary, preventative ordinance, only coming into effect in case the state votes to legalize recreational use of cannabis. Either way, addressing an issue that does not yet exist is definitely a great use of their time.
- The Arkansas Department of Health reports that 10 Arkansans died from the flu last week, bringing this flu season’s death total to 56.
- The IRS sues Facebook, claiming the social media company owes more than $9 billion in taxes on profits and properties they moved offshore to Irish tax havens.
- The nth Democratic presidential debate airs tonight, three days before the Nevada caucuses. It’ll be hosted by NBC, MSNBC and Noticias Telemundo at 8:00 PM. All of the old standby candidates will be there (minus Tulsi Gabbard and Tom Steyer), plus debate stage newcomer and billionaire oligarch Michael Bloomberg.
- The White Water Tavern hosts a three-way show tomorrow night. Headlining are the Palm Ghosts, a Nashville-area “Cinematic Dream Pop” band, who describe themselves as “truly the sound of one hand clapping.” Tiny Towns, a Jonesboro indie/fusion band are also coming, along with Top of the Wheel, a Little Rock garage rock group. The shows start at 8:30.
- The A-State Red Wolves (15-12) take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (7-18) tonight, expecting an easy victory.
- February 19, 1906: W.K. Kellogg and Charles D. Bolin found the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, known today as Kellogg’s. Kellogg made the cereal as bland as possible, believing spicy or sweet foods “inflamed and increased passions.”
- February 19, 1945: The U.S. 5th Fleet, along with 30,000 marines launch the invasion of Iwo Jima.
