Healthcare coverage, an ongoing corruption investigation involving state legislators and a major reorganization of state government were among the key topics in the only debate for governor of Arkansas that featured all three candidates. I was one of three journalists who questioned candidates during the AETN debate on Friday, October 12, joined by Lance Turner of Arkansas Business and Yuma Lee of KHBS-KHOG television.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
After a debate between those for and against Issue 4, which would allow full-fledged casino gambling in Arkansas, I joined the panel on Arkansas Week about 12 minutes into the program to discuss Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s proposal to extensively reorganize state government operations. We also discuss rising revenue and the fierce battle over U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
Guy Winters on March 12, 1975 in a photograph that accompanied a front page story for the Oklahoma Times. The caption said “Guy Winters, road foreman of engines for the Rock Island railroad at El Reno, examines a track joint in the switching yard.” Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection.
I’m sad to report that Guy Winters, who worked for the Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas and other states, has died. He was 84. Jerry Oates, president of the Rock Island Club, says Oates died Wednesday, October 3, 2018 after suffering a stroke a few days earlier.
I sat down with Guy at his house in Ward to record an interview with him on February 7, 2016 to document his experiences with the railroad. He was one of several members of his family to work for the Rock Island. He started as a messenger at the Little Rock passenger station, soon got a position as a brakeman, then engineer in Arkansas. Later, Winters became road foreman of engines at El Reno, Oklahoma, and for a brief time also worked out of Des Moines, Iowa.
He had a lot of great stories, including one that opened up with, “I don’t know if I should tell this…” always an indicator you’re about to hear something dramatic. It was about a mistake he made that could have caused a horrific accident by his train plowing into the backed of a parked passenger train. Another vivid story involved him slipping from a floorboard while a train was moving at a fast speed, which left him dangling from the side. If you have a chance, listen to my interview with Guy. He had some fascinating stories with great, vivid details..
His memorial service will be Saturday, October 6 at Rest Hills Cemetery in Sherwood, which is just off U.S. 67 near the Kiehl Avenue exit, beginning at 10 a.m.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
On August 21, 2018, I spoke at the Department of Arkansas Heritage about my research on the Rock Island Railroad, and a project underway to move and save from demolition the railroad’s 100-year-old depot in Perry, Arkansas. Also present was Buford Suffridge, president of the Perry County Historical and Genealogical Society, which has been overseeing the preservation effort. I invited him to the podium to share his thoughts about the project which seemed like such a long shot a year ago when we first discussed the idea.
I also included a slide show, mostly of photos featured in my book Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas, which was released in 2017. I also featured a few recent photos of the depot that we’re hoping to preserve. Thanks to the Department of Arkansas Heritage for inviting me to speak as part of its Pen to Podium lecture series.
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
On Tuesday, August 21, I’ll be speaking about my book Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas as part of the Arkansas State Archives’ Pen to Podium lecture series. In addition to the nearly 80 year history of the railroad in the state, I’ll discuss recent efforts to save the 100-year-old Rock Island depot in Perry. The program will also feature historic photos featured in the book and questions from the audience.
The lecture will be at the Department of Arkansas Heritage, 1100 North Street in Little Rock. The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the discussion. It’s free and open to the public. Afterward I’ll be signing copies of my book. You can learn more about the event on the Arkansas State Archives website or on Facebook. Hope to see you there!
Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, 36-year broadcasting veteran, photographer, interested in radio, TV and railroad history, author and host of the book and podcast series Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas.
On the web since 2002, this is the online home of broadcasting news veteran Michael Hibblen. I've worked for newspapers, radio and TV stations around the country, with this website telling the story of my career, including audio, photos and videos. Also featured are various interests I've researched, primarily about radio and railroads. Today I'm Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, overseeing production of the program "Arkansas Week" and the streaming of events on the Arkansas Citizens Access Network. The posts on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Arkansas PBS or my former employers.
My Book
Released by Arcadia Publishing in 2017, Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas delves into the history of the railroad which once had a huge footprint in Arkansas, as well as other states in the middle of the U.S. The book features historic photos and tells the story of the Rock Island, which was shut down in March 1980. READ MORE
For 13 years, from May 2009 to December 2022, I worked for NPR station KUAR-FM 89.1 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. That included 10 years as News Director while continuing to anchor and report. You can read and hear reports from that time on Little Rock Public Radio's website.
