The ADG (subscription required) this morning reports that Pine Bluff, which fell below 50,000 in population according to the 2010 census, will lose $750,000 in state turnback funds. Pine Bluff's population dropped 11 percent in the past decade. The question has been what would happen to a MSMA if it fell below the magic 50,000 number. This is the answer. However, the city recently approved a sales tax increase, which will fill in the gap in lost state or federal funds.

The ADG this morning reports that a Pine Bluff alderman's proposal to rename Hazel Street Martin Luther King Drive. According to the article, the alderman is the only one who's in favor of it. Most people oppose it for a variety of reasons: new street signs at intersections, changes in mailing addresses for businesses and residences, 911 databases, etc. And Pine Bluff already has a city park named for King with a monument. See also the Pine Bluff Commercial's story and letter.