http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ar-news/ en-us Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:15:35 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049807/posts A 41-hour manhunt ended Friday with the arrest of a man suspected of gunning down his cousin’s wife in her east Rogers home. Sergio Morales-Carrera, 23, was arrested in a vehicle in Fayetteville about 2: 10 p. m. by members of the Rogers Police Department’s criminal investigation division, said Lt. Mike Johnson, department spokesman. Morales-Carrera was arrested “without incident,” Johnson said. He was taken to the Rogers jail and later to the Benton County jail, Johnson said. A bond hearing is scheduled for 9 a. m. Monday, he said.Two other men also were arrested on charges of hindering apprehension: Ramiro... NWAnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2049807/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:15:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048465/posts Excerpt - LITTLE ROCK - Taking steps to keep one of its own out of the Legislature, the Democratic Party of Arkansas changed its rules Saturday and refused to certify former state Rep. Dwayne Dobbins for the November general election ballot. At their state convention, Democrats approved a rewrite of party rules to disqualify any person who has resigned from public office as a provision of a plea agreement to avoid felony prosecution from being certified for the ballot. Dobbins, of North Little Rock, was the only candidate to file this spring for the House seat he resigned in 2005... ArkansasNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048465/posts#comment Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:28:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048234/posts The Presidential race in Arkansas has remained relatively steady over the past month. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Natural State finds John McCain leading Barack Obama 47% to 37%. When “leaners” are included, the GOP is ahead 52% to 39%. Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048234/posts#comment Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:38:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048025/posts HOPE — When it comes to energy problems, it’s not just crude-oil prices that have Americans worried these days. A projected decline in natural gas supplies — driven by its increased use for power generation in place of rejected coal-fired plants and coupled with proposed climate-change laws — threatens to send electricity prices skyward within a decade, according to an April report by the Energy Department. In turn, the resulting lack of coal plant construction and time it would take to build nuclear-fueled units could culminate in a national power shortage by 2030 where brownouts and blackouts are part of... Northwest Arkansas News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048025/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:36:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045569/posts Here are a couple nice interviews with Marine Major John Cowarts regarding his experiences in Iraq Interview, part 1 Interview, part 2 KTXK-FM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045569/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:22:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042468/posts Akansas cage fights turn gay for new Sacha Baron Cohen movie. ULY 8--Lured by $1 beer and the prospect of "hot chicks" and "hardcore fights," thousands of Arkansans were duped last month into appearing as extras in comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's latest staged mayhem. Cohen and his confederates organized cage fighting programs on consecutive days in Texarkana and Fort Smith. Both cards ended with two male grapplers (one was identified as "Straight Dave" and wore camouflage) tearing each other's clothes off and, while in underwear, kissing down their opponent's chest. This man-on-man action triggered Fort Smith fans to throw chairs... The Smoking Gun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042468/posts#comment Tue, 8 Jul 2008 17:18:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039246/posts THE interim between the primaries and the parties’ nominating conventions is, according to ancient writ, a fertile period for presidential campaigns to talk about how they plan to expand the political map in the fall. This year is no different. Barack Obama’s strategists are suggesting that the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party can parlay increased turnout among black voters into a string of victories in the South. Given that roughly half of all African-Americans live in the 11 former Confederate states, the idea seems intuitive enough. It’s also wrong. Prying Southern electoral votes away from the... NY Slimes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039246/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:47:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037785/posts 4-Day, 10 Hour Work WeekReported by: Robin Thibault, KARK 4 NEWS Friday, Jun 27, 2008 @04:43pm CST The state of Utah's doing something that Arkansas state leaders are considering. Beginning in August, state employees in Utah will work four, ten hour days per week. That means dozens of buildings will be closed on Friday, saving energy and money. Back at home, a legislative panel agreed to look at a similar proposal by state senator Tracy Steele. Steele says a four day work week would save gas, cut down on emissions and improve productivity and morale. The legislature would have the... Arkansas Matters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037785/posts#comment Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:57:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030568/posts LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential hopeful, has been hired by Fox News Channel as a political commentator. "Gov. Huckabee's campaign experience and knowledge of politics makes him a great addition to our ongoing election coverage," Bill Shine, senior vice president of programming, said in a statement Thursday. Huckabee, who served as governor of Arkansas for 10 1/2 years, dropped out of the race in March, after John McCain won enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination. Despite a financially strapped campaign, Huckabee won the leadoff caucuses in Iowa and seven other states. "I hope to... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030568/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:25:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030146/posts Mike Huckabee, whose quips and one-liners livened up the Republican nomination race, has a new gig: political commentator for Fox News Channel. Huckabee will regularly contribute to the "America’s Election HQ" coverage, the network announced this afternoon. “Governor Huckabee’s campaign experience and knowledge of politics makes him a great addition to our ongoing election coverage,” Bill Shine, Fox senior vice president of programming, said in a statement. boston.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030146/posts#comment Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:14:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027756/posts LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter issued a statement Saturday endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, but the political endorsement was e-mailed from a government computer at his state office. Arkansas law prohibits the use of government resources for political purposes. When asked about the e-mail, Halter spokesman Garry Hoffmann said it was his idea and his mistake. "I guess I should have sent it from my home computer. I just wasn't thinking," Hoffmann said. "If that's a screw up, sorry. I'm kind of new at this." Hoffmann, who has worked for Halter since December,... Associated Press (excerpt) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027756/posts#comment Sun, 8 Jun 2008 02:10:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025952/posts VAN BUREN - Two brothers are being held after a shootout with a Crawford County man who lawmen said caught them siphoning gas from his vehicle. Chadrick Holsted, 20, turned himself in about 5 p.m. Tuesday after authorities negotiated his surrender with his father, Chief Deputy Ron Brown said. His brother, Mark Holsted, was shot in the shoulder and leg late Sunday and was taken to St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith. He was listed in stable condition Tuesday, a nursing supervisor said. The brothers, of the Rudy area, will be charged with aggravated assault and theft, Brown... Ardemgaz http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025952/posts#comment Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:13:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024095/posts The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has begun checking students’ Social Security numbers and alerting colleges and universities if they appear invalid. Jim Purcell, the department director, said Thursday that the goal is to ensure that illegal aliens aren’t allowed to pay instate tuition rates when state officials think they’re ineligible under federal law. The investigation into the Social Security numbers began last week after Purcell alerted institutions, at the direction of Gov. Mike Beebe, that they need to ask students for evidence of legal residency before allowing them to pay the cheaper in-state rates. Purcell said the first check... Arkansas Democrat Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024095/posts#comment Sat, 31 May 2008 18:39:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022942/posts LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Arkansas college administrators are already looking to a proposed state lottery to help solve an expected $1 billion shortfall in financial aid to students over the next three decades, even before the issue makes it onto the November ballot, e-mail exchanges obtained by The Associated Press show. Jim Purcell, director of the state Department of Higher Education, acknowledged in an e-mail to the governor's office that funding for college programs remains locked in a "death spiral to the bottom." Purcell urged the governor to defer all new scholarship ideas unless voters support the lottery measure backed... Fox 16 (KLRT) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022942/posts#comment Thu, 29 May 2008 13:58:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022127/posts Excerpt - LITTLE ROCK - The permanent exhibits at the Clinton Presidential Library could be revamped or entirely changed as the landmark dedicated to the former president's time in office approaches its fifth anniversary, the facility's director said Tuesday. Library director Terri Garner said discussions have begun about how best to showcase Bill Clinton's pursuits since leaving office in January 2001. That could include displays about work done by the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental policy. Then there's also the matter of his wife, Hillary, and her own political career in the years since.... Associated Press (excerpt) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022127/posts#comment Tue, 27 May 2008 22:39:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019352/posts MSUNuke and ArkPig620, and I are heading to NM for Memorial Day Weekend. We will spend 2 nights with friends in Las Cruces, NM, and 2 in Albuquerque, NM. We are wondering what attractions are in the Albuquerque, NM area and a safe area/hotel to stay? Of course we are in our 30s and want the drinking/shopping district;) All three (3) of us are military and have CHL, but would like to avoid any local criminals and overzealous law enforcement in our celebrations;) Thanks for the Albuquerque, NM area info! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019352/posts#comment Wed, 21 May 2008 21:30:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016984/posts Police in Jonesboro say Brian D. Bass, 39, left the half-eaten candy bar on a counter at the Cato Animal Hospital during a Jan. 24 robbery. Detective Jason Simpkins says police sent the chocolate and peanut treat to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, where scientists pulled off a DNA sample. Simpkins says that sample matched Bass, who now faces felony commercial burglary and theft charges. Sheriff's deputies said Bass remained in Craighead County jail Friday in lieu of $50,000 bond. However, the Snickers bar apparently did not alleviate Bass' hunger. "It was also discovered that the suspect involved... FOX http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016984/posts#comment Fri, 16 May 2008 18:34:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016681/posts In Arkansas, John McCain leads Barack Obama by twenty-four percentage points. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows McCain attracting 57% of the vote while Obama earns 33%. McCain build this margin by winning 92% of the Republican vote, 38% support from Democrats, and leading Obama by twenty-four percentage points among unaffiliated voters. McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of Arkansas voters, Obama by 38%. In March, McCain had a twenty-nine percentage point lead over Obama. Rasmussen Markets shows that Republicans are currently given a 73.0 % chance of winning the Six Electoral College Votes from Arkansas... Rasmussen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016681/posts#comment Fri, 16 May 2008 03:15:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016028/posts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWW0P1d-v40 Video footage of the Mexican Consulate creating programs for it's neglected citizens (illegals) at the Arkansas State Capitol. KeepArkansasLegal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016028/posts#comment Wed, 14 May 2008 22:04:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014684/posts Clinton's records vanished after warning May 12, 2008 By Jerry Seper - Hillary Rodham Clinton's Rose Law Firm billing records, found in the White House residence in January 1996 two years after they had been subpoenaed by government regulators, disappeared shortly after the first lady was warned that the firm's billing problems were "very serious" and the then-ongoing Whitewater investigation could result in criminal charges, newly obtained records show. More than 1,100 pages of grand jury testimony, investigative reports, memos, charging documents, chronologies, narratives and draft indictments, previously undisclosed but now being "processed" at the Library of Congress, say Mrs.... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014684/posts#comment Mon, 12 May 2008 09:50:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014301/posts LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — It's a happy Mother's Day for an Arkansas woman — she's pregnant with her 18th child. Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year's Day, and the latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers. There are two sets of twins. "We've had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us," she said, laughing. The Duggars' oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014301/posts#comment Sun, 11 May 2008 04:20:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014263/posts here is the leatest info. Picher, OK Several people have been reported killed in Picher after at least five tornadoes reportedly touched down Saturday in eastern Oklahoma, officials said. The south end of the city has been completely destroyed. Medical examiners are on their way to the area, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol dispatcher said. Troopers are helping local authorities with search and rescue operations in the area. 2) At least 3 dead in SW MO 3) Major damage reports coming in on the SE side of Stuttgart AR Varius http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014263/posts#comment Sun, 11 May 2008 01:41:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014196/posts URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 296 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 335 PM CDT SAT MAY 10 2008 THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ARKANSAS NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI EFFECTIVE THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 335 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER... THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 65 MILES... National Weather Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014196/posts#comment Sat, 10 May 2008 21:25:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014149/posts Federal regulators close Arkansas bank ANB Financial. ANB Financial banks closed by federal regulators over "unsafe and unsound" practices AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014149/posts#comment Sat, 10 May 2008 19:38:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012635/posts Thursday morning, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel approved the ballot title of an initiated act, seeking to stop illegal immigrants from getting state services and benefits. The proposal, if approved by voters in November, would require immigrants to prove their legal status before getting such benefits. The group pushing this initiative, Secure Arkansas, must now collect 61,794 signatures from registered voters, to get this proposal on the November general election ballot. The Secretary of State's office says those signatures must be turned in by July 7. The group Secure Arkansas will need help in gathering signatures, especially on May 20th, the... KARK Channel 4 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012635/posts#comment Wed, 7 May 2008 20:47:32 GMT