Friday, February 16, 2007
Darksider Friday summary
After an outpouring of public concern over ignored emails to athletes, alleged misrepresentations and the abrupt departure of key players and the offensive coordinator from the Razorback football program, it is widely believed that the 82 year-old Athletic Director at the University of Arkansas, Frank Broyles, will resign at a trustees meeting Saturday morning.
The largest tax cut in Arkansas history, a halving of the state sales tax on groceries, is now law. In signing the bill, Governor Mike Beebe gave credit to legislators for supporting his signature agenda item and to a former colleague in the state Senate who for years kept the issue alive at the Capitol.
A trio of Arkansas lawmakers says they wil lead an effort to overhaul the GI Bill to upgrade benefits for National Guard and Reserve troops. Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Reps. Vic Snyder, and John Boozman introduced legislation that would give reservists up to 10 years to cash in on educational opportunities offered by the GI bill.
Arkansans living at or below the poverty level would be dropped from the state income tax roll under a bill advanced by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Thursday.
The State Senate approved a measure raising the state's homestead exemption on property taxes by $50, from $300 a year to $350.
Gov. Mike Beebe says that a bill to distribute state dollars for local projects presents “significant legal questions” and “constitutional concerns.” Earlier in the day, the Joint Budget Committee overwhelmingly endorsed House Bill 1427 by Rep. Chris Thyer of Jonesboro. It now goes to the House.
Proposed legislation requiring mandatory testing of inmates for HIV, tuberculosis and syphilis before they leave prison hit another snag when lawmakers shelved the bill after questioning its potential costs, liabilities and procedures.
The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban legislators from registering as lobbyists in the first year after leaving office.
A measure expanding the definition of voyeurism in state law was recommended by the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1473 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson is in response to complaints she has had of people using their hand-held cell phones to take pictures up women's skirts or down their blouses.
Gentry High School students may study Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the way they study Shakespeare. Logan Reed, a Gentry resident for 46 years, is scheduled to speak to the Gentry School Board at 7 p.m. Monday about starting an elective Bible curriculum class at the high school.
An attorney for an Arkansas poultry company targeted in a lawsuit over water quality in Oklahoma’s rivers has asked a judge to allow his firm to depose Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, saying he’s been “sued by a ghost.”
The domestic market has rebounded, however exports are still low since Liberty Link Rice 601, a genetically modified rice, was found in Arkansas crops, according to Dr. Charles Wilson with the state’s Cooperative Extension Service.
Little Rock attorney John Walker, representing plaintiff Dr. Ronnie Johnson in a racial and gender discrimination suit against the Watson Chapel School District, rested his case before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Webber Wright in federal court here Thursday afternoon.
A triple homicide suspect has waived extradition from Texas and is expected to be back in Lee County sometime Friday.
Terry Wilkinson, owner of Terry's Small Engines in Jonesboro, is facing felony charges of video voyeurism after a female employee reported finding a camera hidden inside the women's restroom.
Canadian authorities the return to Arkansas of double-homicide suspect Timothy Wallace, the Saline County prosecutor announced Thursday, and a spokesman for the Canada Border Service Agency says that Wallace is now back in the United States.
Arts and crafts fair devotees in Northwest Arkansas felt another blow Thursday, when a long-running event ended its course. Its Board of Directors has canceled the spring War Eagle Fair. The end of the fair will mark the first time in 46 years a spring arts and crafts show will not be held, according to a news release from the board.
Former President Clinton plans to attend Ouachita Baptist University inauguration-week activities honoring the university’s 15th president, the Rev. Rex M. Horne Jr., according to a university release.
The largest tax cut in Arkansas history, a halving of the state sales tax on groceries, is now law. In signing the bill, Governor Mike Beebe gave credit to legislators for supporting his signature agenda item and to a former colleague in the state Senate who for years kept the issue alive at the Capitol.
A trio of Arkansas lawmakers says they wil lead an effort to overhaul the GI Bill to upgrade benefits for National Guard and Reserve troops. Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Reps. Vic Snyder, and John Boozman introduced legislation that would give reservists up to 10 years to cash in on educational opportunities offered by the GI bill.
Arkansans living at or below the poverty level would be dropped from the state income tax roll under a bill advanced by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Thursday.
The State Senate approved a measure raising the state's homestead exemption on property taxes by $50, from $300 a year to $350.
Gov. Mike Beebe says that a bill to distribute state dollars for local projects presents “significant legal questions” and “constitutional concerns.” Earlier in the day, the Joint Budget Committee overwhelmingly endorsed House Bill 1427 by Rep. Chris Thyer of Jonesboro. It now goes to the House.
Proposed legislation requiring mandatory testing of inmates for HIV, tuberculosis and syphilis before they leave prison hit another snag when lawmakers shelved the bill after questioning its potential costs, liabilities and procedures.
The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban legislators from registering as lobbyists in the first year after leaving office.
A measure expanding the definition of voyeurism in state law was recommended by the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1473 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson is in response to complaints she has had of people using their hand-held cell phones to take pictures up women's skirts or down their blouses.
Gentry High School students may study Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the way they study Shakespeare. Logan Reed, a Gentry resident for 46 years, is scheduled to speak to the Gentry School Board at 7 p.m. Monday about starting an elective Bible curriculum class at the high school.
An attorney for an Arkansas poultry company targeted in a lawsuit over water quality in Oklahoma’s rivers has asked a judge to allow his firm to depose Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, saying he’s been “sued by a ghost.”
The domestic market has rebounded, however exports are still low since Liberty Link Rice 601, a genetically modified rice, was found in Arkansas crops, according to Dr. Charles Wilson with the state’s Cooperative Extension Service.
Little Rock attorney John Walker, representing plaintiff Dr. Ronnie Johnson in a racial and gender discrimination suit against the Watson Chapel School District, rested his case before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Webber Wright in federal court here Thursday afternoon.
A triple homicide suspect has waived extradition from Texas and is expected to be back in Lee County sometime Friday.
Terry Wilkinson, owner of Terry's Small Engines in Jonesboro, is facing felony charges of video voyeurism after a female employee reported finding a camera hidden inside the women's restroom.
Canadian authorities the return to Arkansas of double-homicide suspect Timothy Wallace, the Saline County prosecutor announced Thursday, and a spokesman for the Canada Border Service Agency says that Wallace is now back in the United States.
Arts and crafts fair devotees in Northwest Arkansas felt another blow Thursday, when a long-running event ended its course. Its Board of Directors has canceled the spring War Eagle Fair. The end of the fair will mark the first time in 46 years a spring arts and crafts show will not be held, according to a news release from the board.
Former President Clinton plans to attend Ouachita Baptist University inauguration-week activities honoring the university’s 15th president, the Rev. Rex M. Horne Jr., according to a university release.
