BITE THE HAND

Comedy Central's Steven Colbert apparently punched Mr. Bush where it hurts the most -- in the funny bone. An outstanding piece of political satire last night at the Correspondent's dinner. Ya gotta see this one on C-SPAN and you can watch a long segment on crooks and liars. This one had to hurt pretty bad...

WASHINGTON A blistering comedy “tribute” to President Bush by Comedy Central’s faux talk show host Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent Dinner Saturday night left George and Laura Bush unsmiling at its close.

Earlier, the president had delivered his talk to the 2700 attendees, including many celebrities and top officials, with the help of a Bush impersonator.

Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged the Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, “and reality has a well-known liberal bias.”

He attacked those in the press who claim that the shake-up at the White House was merely re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. “This administration is soaring, not sinking,” he said. “If anything, they are re-arranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg.”

Colbert told Bush he could end the problem of protests by retired generals by refusing to let them retire. He compared Bush to Rocky Balboa in the “Rocky” movies, always getting punched in the face—“and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world.”

Turning to the war, he declared, "I believe that the government that governs best is a government that governs least, and by these standards we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."

Mr. Colbert is our new hero.

CYBERMOUTH

April 26, 2006

I’m a bridge builder. Really.

There’s an old adage, recounted by Woody Harrelson in the movie “Play It to the Bone”: “A man can build a thousand bridges and …” Wait a minute. I can’t print that here. What was I thinking?

Let me put it like this. For those of you who don’t read this part of the paper, I’m a liberal Democrat. Have been since I knew what the term meant. I’ve championed causes that would make Ted Kennedy back into the shadows and put an elephant stick pin on Jane Fonda’s lapel. Never made any apologies. Never backed down from a discussion with my conservative northwest Arkansas buddies about what is the best and worst of this country. I’ve been in more than my share of screaming matches and close to fist fights with people who would rather call me names than discuss the issues. Yep. Even family members. If I was afraid to say what I thought, there wouldn’t be much point in having a column like this, would there?

Well, lately, I’ve found myself in disagreement with the “party line” on some issues, and I think they’re getting together to put the boot in my rear end. Could it be just my conspiratorial liberal mindset? Paranoia?

I got all ticked off about this protest day (May 1 – probably come and gone by the time you read this) the Mexicans are having – wherein they will not buy any goods or services from “gringos” on that day in order to demonstrate the importance of having them here, illegally or not. It didn’t set well with me that any group of people, from any foreign country, would break the law by sneaking in here, then band together to force the government to change the very laws they broke. Personally, I don’t give a flying flip if they’re Mexican, Canadian, Australian, English, Norwegian, Albanian, (insert any nationality you want here), or French. Yes. Even French. WE have to live by the (sometimes idiotic) laws here. So should they.

Anyway, I got this idea to have “legal” Americans go out and spend extra money that day (May 1), to offset the impact of these protesters. Just out of sheer spite, I suppose. I mean, like I have been told by several people since, it ain’t gonna be the end of (what’s left of) our economy. But there wasn’t time between now and May 1 to pen the column and get it out, so I did the American thing and made up an e-mail with my suggestion and sent it to everybody on my “Focus Group” list, and asked them to forward it to everybody on their lists IF they agreed with me. That internet thing travels at the speed of light, and it doesn’t take very long, if it works, to get your message out to just about everybody. Of course, I expected to be chastised by some of my more left wing friends, and I had no doubt some of them would love to jump on the “bigotry” thing and “Colbert” me: “Why do you hate Mexicans?” – even though my opinion on this issue didn’t have anything to do with my feelings about any particular nationality. It just seems stupid to me for anybody to think this is some kind of racial issue, but because, I guess, I use the word “Mexican” to identify people from the country of Mexico (look it up) instead of some generic term like “Hispanic”, I made myself an easier target for those who like to play the “bigotry” card. Again, I knew those charges were forthcoming.

So, I get word (less than 24 hours after I sent the e-mail) that a family member who has connections in Senator Joe Lieberman’s office had sent my e-mail there and received a reply saying something like “I thought your family was Democrat. No Democrat would write something like this.”

There ya go. I must not be a Democrat. Even though I’ve voted that way in every election since 1972, exclusively. Booted, by Democrats at the highest level of government. I’m a man without a party. Because I don’t toe the line.

See here, I just have this problem with people telling me what to think. If you want to suggest to me what to think, that’s OK. If you want to explain to me why I should think the way you do, that’s OK, too. But I’m not going to simply agree with every issue just because that’s the “party line” if it is completely contrary to my perception of common sense. Problem is, those people who live in their ivory towers don’t have the first clue about what a real “democrat” is. That’s why they’re getting their clocks cleaned at the polls, time after time. And they sure as hell don’t know what a “liberal” is. One of the definitions is: “Not narrow in opinion or judgment”. That means liberals think for themselves. By definition, then, a liberal wouldn’t get a memo from the Democratic Party and then write down in their memory book exactly what it is they’re supposed to be thinking about each issue. And what this liberal thinks about putting swinging doors or no doors at all, on our borders at a time when about half the world wouldn’t mind seeing us dead, is that it’s plumb crazy. And what this liberal thinks about giving a pass to nearly 12 million people, who we already know have broken at least one law by the very fact that they are here, allowing them to forego any system we have to assure that they qualify for citizenship, is that it’s dumber than a box of rocks. And what this liberal thinks about bending over and allowing what is basically an unarmed invasion force to use sheer numbers to manipulate US law…cannot even be printed here.

Of course, this fall, I’ll still vote for Democrats, because look where those other guys have taken us. If they think they don’t want or need my vote, I guess they can pull it from the box. Maybe I’m wrong on this. Maybe it was me who strayed, just this once. But I’m still a bridge builder. Really.

© 2006 Rick Baber

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING -- NWA

Here's a view of the world from Don's radio news desk on this fine, hot Tuesday.

SCHOOL TESTING IN ARKANSAS MISSES COUNTING ONE CHILD IN EVERY 14 ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY. THE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT HAPPENS NATIONWIDE AS WELL, AND ALSO INDICATES THAT STATES HAVE DECIDED TO HELP PUBLIC SCHOOLS AVOID PENALTIES UNDER THE “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” ACT WHEN REPORTING THE ACADEMIC PROGRESS OF DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS. THE REPORT SHOWS ARKANSAS MANAGES TO AVOID REPORTING THE PROGRESS OF 42 PERCENT OF THE STATE’S HISPANIC STUDENTS.

A 26 YEAR OLD MAN FROM SPRINGDALE PLEADED GUILTY ON A CHARGE OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF HIS INFANT SON. ALFONSO CHAVERO RAIMUNDO RECEIVED A SENTENCE OF 30 YEARS IN PRISON, 17 YEARS OF THAT SUSPENDED. RAIMUNDO TOLD POLICE HE VIOLENTLY SHOOK THE CHILD TO STOP IT FROM CRYING. DOCTORS DISCOVERED THE BABY SUFFERED A BROKEN SKULL.

THE COURTS HAVE ISSUED A FELONY ARREST WARRANT FOR FORMER UNIVERSITY OF AKRANSAS FOOTBALL PLAYER DEDRICK POOLE OF FAYETTEVILLE. THE WARRANT COMES AFTER A FEBURARY 18TH ASSUALT AT A LOCAL BAR. PROSECUTORS BELIEVE POOLE PUNCHED A BOUNCER AT A BAR ON DICKSON STREET. THE BOUNCER HAD TO HAVE SURGERY TO FIX THE DAMAGE, AND HAS FILED A ONE MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST POOLE AND FORMER U OF A DEFENSIVE BACK AHMAD CARROLL.

A ROGERS MAN FACING CHARGES FOR A SHOOTING AT A FAYETTEVILLE NIGHTCLUB PLEADED GUILTY MONDAY. A JUDGE SENTENCED 22 YEAR OLD JASON CARTER GREEN TO SEVEN YEARS PROBATION AND 270 DAYS IN JAIL. GREEN ALLEGEDLY SHOT CORY REED IN THE ABDOMEN AT THE NIGHTCLUB IN JANUARY.

THE FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCED IT'S NEXT MOVE AFTER LAST WEEKS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FAILED TO PASS. BLAIR LIBRARY HAS RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS 350-THOUSAND DOLLAR BEQUEST. LIBRARY OFFICIALS SAY MUCH OF THE MONEY WILL GO INTO AN ENDOWMENT-- ALLOWING THE LIBRARY TO HAVE A FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR. THE BEQUEST WILL ALSO ALLOW THE LIBRARY TO EXPAND IT'S COLLECTION OF C-DS, LARGE-PRINT AND AUDIO BOOKS.

A PREACHER FROM OKLAHOMA WON HIS FIGHT IN FEDERAL COURT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. GARY DON BOWMAN OF CHEROKEE COUNTY PREACHED ON THE FAYETTEVILLE CAMPUS TWICE IN 1998, AND AGAIN IN 2000. THE UNIVERSITY SET A FIVE-DAY LIMIT PER SEMESTER FOR NON-UNIVERSITY SPEAKERS TO APPEAR ON CAMPUS. STUDENTS DESCRIBED BOWMAN AS "ABUSIVE." THE LOCAL COURTS DISMISSED BOWMAN'S SUIT, BUT THE 8TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULED THE UNIVERSITY'S "SPEAKERS POLICY" UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

HEALTH OFFICIALS WITH THE STATE HAVE STARTED WATCHING FOR THE WEST NILE VIRUS. THAT'LL INCLUDE TESTING ANIMALS LIKE ROBINS, CROWS HAWKS, OWLS AND BLUEJAYS. IF YOU FIND ONE OF THOSE BIRDS DEAD, TAKE IT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR TESTING. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS DO NOTHANDLE DEAD BIRDS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS.

CONGRESSMAN JOHN BOOZMAN REPORTS HAVING MORE THAN 273-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN HIS CAMPAIGN FUND AT THE END OF LAST MONTH. BOOZMAN FACES DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER WOODROW ANDERSON IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. ANDERSON HADN’T REACHED THE 5-THOUSAND DOLLAR REPORTING THRESHOLD FOR THE MONTH. BOOZMAN SAYS HE HOPES TO RAISE 3-QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS DURING HIS UPCOMING CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.

WAL-MART WILL KICK OFF IT’S SECOND ANNUAL MEDIA CONFERENCE TODAY AT THE EMBASSY SUITES IN ROGERS. GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE WILL SPEAK TO REPORTERS TODAY THAT INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MAJOR TELEVISION NETWORKS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE RETAILER ANNOUNCED MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS. WAL-MART PLANS TO TRIM CO-PAYS ON ITS PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN, REDUCING THAT CHARGE TO 3-DOLLARS IN SOME CASES. CRITICS SAY THOSE REDUCTIONS WON’T OFFSET CURRENT DEDUCTIBLES UNAFFORABLE TO MOST EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE MINIMUM WAGE.

TROOPER INDICTED

This comes from the KNWA website...

A grand jury today in Bentonville indicted State Trooper Larry Norman in the shooting death of Erin Hamley March 7th outside Tontitown.

(BENTONVILLE) - Saying she "feels like the people have spoken" Benton County Prosecutor Robin Green today announced that a grand jury had decided to indict State Trooper Larry Norman on a count of negligent homicide in the shooting death of 21-year-old Erin Hamley of Springdale on March 7th. The shooting happened that morning alongside Highway 412 outside of Tontitown. Police say they mistook Hamley for escaped Michigan prison inmate Adam Leadford, who police captured later the same day.

During a news conference outside the prosecutor`s office Thursday afternoon, Green said that the grand jury made the decision after watching hours of videotaped testimony from Norman and other troopers at the scene of the shooting. Norman`s attorney accompanied him to the Benton County jail where Norman turned himself in. The charges are a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum one year in jail and $1000 dollar fine on conviction.

Green says jurors had many questions to answer -- one of which included a question about Trooper Norman`s in-car AM/FM radio, and whether Norman had that turned up loudly enough he couldn`t properly hear dispatchers the day of the shooting. Jurors also had to determine if the round that killed Hamley first hit pavement before hitting Hamley`s body.

The last Grand Jury in the County convened in 1980, and intereviewed 35 "live" witnesses.

Norman goes to court again for an arraignment in Judge David Clinger`s court May 22nd at 8 A.M.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING - NWA

Here's the view of NWA from Don's news desk at Newstalk 1030 this morning...

THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION HAS APPROVED A 188-MILLION DOLLAR BYPASS AROUND BELLA VISTA. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO BECOME THE STATE’S FIRST TOLL ROAD. BONDS WILL FINANCE THE ROAD, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL KICK IN 37 MILLION DOLLARS TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION. HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY’LL HOST A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS SUMMER TO GET FEEBACK FROM THE PUBLIC.

SPRINGDALE’S PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD HAS FENDED OFF REQUESTS BY PATRONS TO PULL TWO MOVIES OFF THE SHELVES. TWO PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE MOVIES ALLEGING THE FILMS PORTRAYED HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. “SONGCATCHER” TELLS A STORY ABOUT FOLK MUSIC, AND A LESBIAN LOVE AFFAIR. THE OTHER MOVIE – THE EMERALD FOREST, TELLS ABOUT A FATHER SEARCHING FOR HIS KIDNAPPED SON IN THE AMAZON. THE MOVIE SHOWS SCANTILY CLAD TRIBAL KIDS. A LOCAL MAN COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT MOVIED SAYING NUDITY OF THAT KIND WAS LEGAL IN SOUTH AMERICA, NOT THE U.S. THE BOARD SAYS IT’LL ALSO FACE A CHALLENGE TO THE THIRD SEASON OF HBO’S “SIX FEET UNDER” IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE CITY OF CENTERTON HAS APPROVED SPENDING AS MUCH AS 38-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BUY WEATHER RADIOS FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN TOWN. THAT DECISION CAME AFTER A SERIES OF STORMS HIT THE CITY DESTROYING HOMES LAST MONTH. LOCAL BUSINESSES WOULD ALSO GET THE RADIOS. THE CITY WILL GIVE THE RADIOS OUT AS A GIFT.

THE GRAND JURY IN THE ERIN HAMLEY CASE SPENT TIME WITH BENTON COUNTY JUDGE DAVID CLINGER WEDNESDAY. THE JURY WILL RECONVENE THIS MORNING TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO INDICT ANYONE IN THE MARCH 7TH SHOOTING DEATH OF THE 21 YEAR OLD DISABLED MAN FROM SPRINGDALE. STATE TROOPER LARRY NORMAN SHOT HAMLEY, AFTER MISTAKING HIM FOR AN ESCAPED MICHIGAN PRISON INMATE.

THOUGHT IT HAD ENDED? NOT SO FAST…GOVERNOR HUCKABEE WEDNESDAY VETOED A BILL THAT CAME OUT OF THE SPECIAL SESSION. THAT BILL – SENATE BILL 19, SPONSORED BY FAYETTEVILLE SENATOR SUE MADISON, WOULD HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION’S COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO PAY FOR MORE SCIENCE SPECIALISTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THE GOVERNOR SAID HE SUPPORTED THE INTENT OF THE BILL, JUST NOT THE WAY THE LEGISLATION WOULD PAY FOR THE PROGRAM. MADISON SAID SHE’LL LET SENATE LEADERS DECIDE ON WHETHER THEY’D LIKE TO TRY TO OVERRIDE THE VETO. THE LEGISLATURE WILL OFFICIALLY ADJOURN THE SPECIAL SESSION ON MAY FIRST.

A CONSERVATIVE GROUP HAS DECIDED TO LABEL GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE “A LIBERAL.” THE “CLUB FOR GROWTH” PUBLICLY LISTED THE GOVERNOR AS SUCH AFTER HE APPROVED THE RECENT BILL HIKING THE STATE’S MINIMUM WAGE TO 6-25 AN HOUR. MR. HUCKABEE RESPONDED THAT HE APPROVED THE BILL TO SHORT-CIRCUIT AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE WAGE HIKE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. OBSERVERS BELIEVE MR. HUCKABEE HAS PLANS TO RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2008.

A NEW POLL SHOWS DEMOCRAT BILL HALTER LEADING THE DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS IN THE LT. GOVERNOR’S RACE – THE SAME SURVEY SHOWS STATE SENATOR JIM HOLT LEAD THE PACK IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES. SURVEY USA CONDUCTED THE POLL FOR LITTLE ROCK STATION KTHV AMONG 446 LIKELY VOTERS. 33 PERCENT OF THOSE POLLED CHOSE HALTER. 59 PERCENT OF REPUBLICANS SURVEYED SAY THEY’LL CHOOSE HOLT.

FORMER STATE TREASURER AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JIMMIE LOU FISCHER HAS ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL. FISCHER SUFFERED PAIN IN HER LEGS AND HAD DIFFICULTY WALKING. SHE REMAINS UNDER DOCTORS CARE AT ST. VINCENT INFIRMARY MEDICAL CENTER IN LITTLE ROCK. DOCTORS SAY FISCHER MAY HAVE SUFFERED A MILD STROKE.

WILL A CITY RULE CHOP A FEW FLOORS OFF A BUILDING PLANNED FOR DICKSON STREET? THE ORDINANCE - WHICH WILL GO BEFORE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY - WOULD RESTRICT BUILDINGS TO SIX STORIES - OR 84 FEET - IN "COMMERCIAL THREE" ZONES...LIKE DOWNTOWN. MEANWHILE - THE PROPOSED DIVINITY PROJECT ON DICKSON WOULD HAVE 15 STORIES. THOSE PLANS RAN INTO OPPOSITION, AND PROJECT MANAGERS HAVE WITHDRAWN THEM FOR A RE-WRITE. NO WORD YET ON IF THE NEW ORDINANCE WOULD APPLY TO THE DIVINITY DEVELOPMENT.

A NATIONAL CITIZENS GROUP SAYS ARKANSAS SPENDS TOO MUCH ON WHAT IT CALLS....."PORK." CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE RANKS ARKANSAS 36TH IN THE NATION FOR SPENDING FEDERAL DOLLARS EARMARKED FOR STATE PROJECTS. DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, ARKANSAS RECEIVED 68 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A NEW VISITORS CENTER AND FOR HIGHWAY AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. THE WORST STATE IN AMERICA FOR "PORK"? ALASKA.

JUST DAYS AFTER BAUSCH & LOMB HALTED SHIPMENTS OF CONTACT LENS SOLUTION, THE WORLD'S LARGEST RETAILER PULLED THE PRODUCT FROM ITS SHELVES. FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE LINKED RENU MOISTURELOC CLEANING SOLUTION TO A FUNGAL EYE INFECTION THAT CAN CAUSE TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. WALMART OFFICIALS PULLED THE SOLUTION UNTIL THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL COMPLETES THEIR INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FUNGUS. WALGREENS ALSO PULLED THE PRODUCT FROM THEIR SHELVES

A TYSON FOODS SUBSIDIARY LOST A FEDERAL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE COMPANY – AND SEVERAL OTHER MEATPACKERS – WEDNESDAY. CATTLEMEN BROUGHT SUIT, SAYING THE COMPANIES UNDERPAID PRODUCERS FOR CATTLE. THE JURY IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AWARDED CATTLEMEN 4 MILLION DOLLARS DAMAGES FROM TYSON. CARGILL AND SWIFT BEEF COMPANIES ALSO FACE DAMAGES IN THE SUIT. CATTLE FARMERS SAY THE PROBLEM HAPPENED IN 2001 AFTER MEATPACKERS DISCOVERED THE GOVERNMENT MIS-REPORTED CATTLE PRICES – CATTLEMEN SAY THE COMPANIES KNOWINGLY USED THE WRONG PRICES TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL PROFIT.

VOTERS IN FAYETTEVILLE TUESDAY TURNED DOWN A PROPOSED MILLAGE HIKE INTENDED TO HELP THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. IN A NARROW RACE -- 19 HUNDRED 43 VOTERS CAST BALLOTS AGAINST THE MEASURE 17 HUNDRED 25 VOTED IN FAVOR. THE MEASURE WOULD HAVE FREED THE LIBRARY FROM GETTING ITS MONEY THE CITY GENERAL FUND. LIBRARY DIRECTOR LOUISE SCHAEPER TODAY SAID REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS -- LIBRARY WORKERS GOT UP, WENT TO WORK, AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE TO PATRONS THEY CAN.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING - THE STATE

As always, the statewide rundown on all the news fit-to-print, courtesy of radio wizard Pat Lynch...

Skip Rutherford will take over as the new Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Rutherford is a former Little Rock school board member, presidential advisor, founder of Political Animals, and Chair of the Clinton Library Foundation.

A new poll shows North Little Rock Democrat Bill Halter and Springdale Republican Jim Holt leading in their respective party’s primaries for lieutenant governor.

Rod Bryan of Little Rock needs every signature he can get by the end of the month in his quest to qualify for the November election ballot as an independent candidate for governor. So when he saw Gov. Mike Huckabee walk by Wednesday, Bryan thought he'd ask. Huckabee did.

The director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving criticized Gov. Mike Huckabee after a four-time DWI offender to whom the governor granted executive clemency two years ago recently pleaded guilty to driving drunk. Eugene Fields, 67, of Fort Smith was arrested April 4 in Barling and charged with DWI and refusing to take a blood alcohol breath test. He pleaded guilty Friday to DWI in Barling District Court. He was fined $300 and ordered to pay $300 in court costs, and the other charge was dismissed.

More than 30 hours into the investigation of the death of Memphis millionaire Logan Young Jr., police were backpedaling in their explanation of how he died. In the hours after Young's body was found Tuesday, police deemed it a homicide investigation. But Wednesday, they changed that description to a "death investigation," a term they use when they haven't determined if it's a homicide or an accident.

The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports that grand jurors spent 45 minutes behind closed doors with Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger on Wednesday, then adjourned two hours earlier than usual. The jury sent prosecutors out of the room several times Wednesday. According to state law, no one is allowed in the jury's presence when they are "deliberating or voting." However, a grand jury can switch back and forth between investigation and deliberation at will.

Former State Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate, who is now the Chair of Dustin McDaniel’s campaign for Attorney General, is in St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock after apparently suffering a stroke Wednesday morning.

Some fires in east Arkansas have led St. Francis County Judge Carol Cisco is considering putting a burn ban in place in the next few days.

Developing the $211 million Bella Vista Bypass in Northwest Arkansas as a toll road, the first in the state in more than 30 years, won approval from the Arkansas Highway Commission on Wednesday.

Enforcement of a new statewide indoor smoking ban will begin July 1, and the Department of Health and Human Services is working on the rules. Legislation provides for fines from $100 to $500 for violations.

The library board refused to ban two movies from the Springdale Public Library after residents complained of child pornography and homosexuality. According to Stephens Media Group, Michelle Jordan objected to the movie "Songcatcher," directed by Maggie Greenwald. The PG-13 movie about mountain folk music weaves in a lesbian love affair. Robert Bennett asked the board to take out "The Emerald Forest," a movie about a father's search for his son who was kidnapped in the Amazonian jungle. The film includes a scene with nude tribal children. The board has yet to act on the HOB series “Six Feet Under.”

For the first time since taking over the reins of Wal-Mart, President and CEO Lee Scott is taking an entire month's paid vacation. Scott will travel with family and friends during May, while keeping in touch by Blackberry. He will be back in Bentonville for the June 3 shareholders meeting.

Those wanting to hear what Colin Powell has to say tonight at Arkansas State University will have to be on campus because the retired general has barred anyone from recording his speech.

This weekend concludes the Oaklawn racing season with the Arkansas Derby Saturday.

Tiger Woods, the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, will participate in the first Jackson T. Stephens Charitable Golf Tournament to be played May 29-30 at The Alotian Club of Little Rock. Warren Stephens, founder and president of the club, announced the five-year series of tournaments named in honor of his father.

Home delivery and street sales of The Dallas Morning News in Arkansas have been discontinued because of rising distribution costs, according to Carey Hendrickson, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for Belo Corp., the newspaper’s parent company.

CYBERMOUTH

WHO SHALL OVERCOME?

You’ve got to hand it to the Mexicans. They’re not afraid to wage a good protest. And that’s something we old remnants from the 60’s & 70’s can understand. In fact, just a few days before the announcement of the big rallies, I was commenting to the little woman that it didn’t seem the youth of today felt passionately enough about issues to step up and be heard on them. The war, for example. They’re overwhelmingly against it, but, in the absence of TV news polls, you’d never know that. We determined that the difference between those who oppose the Iraq debacle and those who were against Viet Nam boils down to choice. In the day, soldiers were conscripted to fight in a conflict that many simply didn’t believe in. They weren’t able to “pass” on the opportunity and go about their lives. Any one of them could, if fate so chose, be sucked up by the draft at any moment – packing their bags for a stint in the jungle rather than a Spring Break in some exotic place, plastered out of their gourds, participating in the filming of “Girls Gone Wild videos. That gave the potential combatants a personal reason to get involved, and, as such, protests were the order of the day. Which brings us back to the Mexicans. They’re not afraid to protest. Did I mention that?

Like nearly everything that makes headlines in the last decade or so, this is another issue that has to weigh in on one side or the other of the Liberal vs. Conservative line. But it is one of several lately where I find myself in disagreement with my Liberal brothers and sisters. I could expound on those other issues here, but I only get so many words to make my point. Maybe there’s another book in the making…

Anyway, if you pay attention the “Liberal Elite” – you know, the movie stars and rock singers and high profile playboy politicians – are mostly supportive of the movement to “legalize” the “undocumented” Mexican inhabitants of the U.S. They compare their plight to that of blacks in America. They ridicule people like CNN’s Lou Dobbs, who speak out for border controls and against giving a pass to the 11 million illegal immigrants and just saying “Poof! You’re legal. Just like that!” They scoff at legal Americans who are concerned that illegals may be taking their jobs.

Exsqueeze me? Baking powder? There’s a wee bit of difference between a people who illegally cross a border in order to enjoy a better quality of life and one who was brought here in chains to serve the white man. Don’t you think? And there’s maybe just the smallest of differences in the job security threats of TV talk show hosts and movie stars and the regular guy working in some factory somewhere. That regular guy has not only to compete with all the other regular guys in America, but now with 11 million “undocumented” Americans. Those movie stars have (who?) Antonio Banderas (he’s Spanish, actually) and Salma Hayek? So, it seems that maybe their job security isn’t threatened to the same degree. For them, it’s not about their jobs at all. Not about some concern for human rights. Their concerns are more regarding keeping their low paid housekeepers and nannies and yard men. So that doesn’t really make them much different from the big corporate monsters who are only looking out for their own financial interests by keeping their wages down, and therefore, their profit margins as high as possible. The plain fact is everybody who wants these illegals here have their own personal motives. It would seem to be insulting to Mexicans – the concept that they work for less money because they are, somehow, not worth as much as the rest of us. Do you think, maybe, that “undocumented” status has something to do with that? Do you think that if they were suddenly granted full citizenship those wage demands might just go up? Do you think?

But the protests; the walk-outs. Those are brilliant! And deciding to carry American flags (not UNDER Mexican flags), rather than burn them – that was a nice touch. What if every pot smoker in America banded together and staged a walk-out just to show Mr. Bidnissowner how everything would run in the absence of dopers? Forget that. What if every cigarette smoker did it? They’re not even breaking the law. Would these anti-smoker bills be sweeping through the governor’s office so quickly? Something to think about.

Certainly, I’m going to be bombarded by people calling me a “racist” (because that word is so conveniently used nowadays), and saying I’m anti-Mexican. Not so. I think the influx of families over the border has caused damage to our economy and our national security, but it has also had some positive influences. Other than that annoying language barrier (and that horrible “circus” music), I don’t have any problem with Mexican people. I work with all kinds of folks, and I have to say those from south of the border (illegals included) are among the most polite and easiest to deal with. I’d like to tell you my best friend is a guy named Pedro, but that ain’t so. Not because of any prejudices I have, but rather because I’m just not really that social and don’t make many new friends. All I’m saying is that it really isn’t that difficult to become a legal citizen of the United States. So why not do it that way? Not by changing the laws we have to accommodate their own interests, but by utilizing the existing ones. Once that’s done, people like me, and Lou Dobbs, have only two words to say them.

“Welcome home.”

That’s Amurrikun for “Hogar agradable” – or so the internet tells me

MORNING NEWS BREIFING - THE STATE

This roundup, courtesy (as always) of Pat Lynch...now, all the news fit to print in the statewide papers.

Entergy Arkansas Inc. has accused Union Pacific Railroad of rationing Wyoming coal to maximize its own profits at the expense of the utility and ratepayers already faced with soaring electric bills. Entergy suffered “tens of millions of dollars” in damages when coal shipments declined up to 20 percent last year and forced two Entergy power plants near Redfield and Newark to cut back operations, the utility said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

Labor and consumer groups say that Wal-Mart’s frequent regulatory violations and failure to provide fair pay make it unfit to operate a bank. The FDIC concluded the second day of hearings on the Bentonville retailers application to operate an industrial bank yesterday.

Arkansans are paying about 40 cents a gallon more for regular gasoline than they were a year ago — including a surge of roughly 33 cents in the past month.

Today’s Democrat-Gazette reports that a Faulkner County Quorum Court committee voted Tuesday night to ask the prosecuting attorney’s office to send letters to Sheriff Marty Montgomery and three other people whom an attorney says owe the county thousands of dollars. A previous report by special prosecutor, Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Tabor of Fort Smith , found widespread credit card abuse in the sheriff office, but did not recommend criminal charges.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis has upheld the September 2004 conviction of former Pine Bluff Alderman Jack Foster on one count of aiding and abetting an attempted extortion.

Fayetteville voters rejected Tuesday a vote to pay for library services through increased property taxes. Voters in Helena-West Helena also overwhelmingly rejected two proposed 1 percent city sales taxes that would have raised nearly $3 million for a variety of municipal needs

A Smackover man accused of engaging in a gun battle with an El Dorado police officer remained at large Tuesday. Marcus Hicks, 30, was charged with attempted capital murder in a warrant issued for his arrest.

A Humphrey woman spent her 71st birthday in jail Monday after a Jefferson County circuit judge said the woman should be held for investigation of murder. Judge Jodi Raines Dennis said prosecutors presented enough evidence at a court hearing to believe Ona Lane could be charged with capital murder in the shooting death of “Tommy” Cox at a house at Humphrey on Saturday night.

The Madison Police Department is warning the public that, during a recent raid on a local residence, marijuana was found which had been treated by toxic chemicals. The chemicals were not identified.

Three 16-passenger buses arrived Monday at Jonesboro City Hall, another step toward the opening of a transit system. Two more will arrive later this week. Jonesboro Economical Transit System is scheduled to begin operation on May 4.

A country music video directed by a Forrest City native was named video of the year during the Country Music Television awards show Monday in Nashville. Chris Hicky directed the video for Keith Urban's "Better Life."

Steve Barnes has been named the 2006 Ernie Deane Award winner. The award recognizes Arkansas journalists whose work best exemplifies the spirit, style and courage of the person for whom the award was named, according to a news release from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Ernie Deane, a 1934 UA graduate, was information officer for Gen. George Patton during World War II.

MORNING BUSINESS BREIFING

Investors worried about rising energy prices, resulting in a losses across the board on Wall Street. We saw strong commodities prices Tuesday. Oil went up 24 cents a barrel to close at $68.98 on Nymex, and the Energy Department estimated retail gas prices will rise about 25 cents more a gallon than we saw last summer. However, the government also said the price hike wouldn`t slow demand.

The Dow lost -51.70 (-0.46%) to close at 11,089.63.
The NASDAQ lost -22.92 (-0.98%) to finish at 2,310.35 and
the S&P 500 lost -10.03 (-0.77%) to finish at 1,286.57.

Local stocks posted mostly negative results.

Tyson Foods (TSN) lost -1.28% to close at $13.07.
JB Hunt (JBHT) lost -3.30% to finish at $21.71.
Acxiom (ACXM) added +0.58% to finish at $25.98.
Wal-Mart (WMT) lost -0.44% to finish at $45.50 and
AllTel (AT) lost -1.25% to close at $65.38.

Today, we`ll see the February Trade Balance along with crude inventories for last week. Also out today -- the March Treasury budget.

Earnings come from Circuit City and Harley-Davidson.

Overseas in Asia last night, the Nikkei fell -167.91 (-1%) to reach 17,250.22 at the mid-day break in Tokyo. The broader Topix lost -17.99 (-1%) to reach 1,752.19. Back in the U.S., in extended hours trading, the NASDAQ 100 Afterhours Indicator rose 1.25 (+0.07%) to close the night at 1,703.15.

MORNING NEWS BREIFING - NWA

Here's the morning news update, courtesy of Don at the radio desk...

GOVERNOR HUCKABEE YESTERDAY SIGNED INTO LAW A 132-POINT-5 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING, HOPEFULLY ENDING A CONTINUING DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT ABOUT HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE THE STATE PUTS ON PAYING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE GOVERNOR ALSO SIGNED 21 OTHER BILLS COMING OUT OF LAST WEEK’S SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON EDUCATION. AS A RESULT, STATE SCHOOLS WILL GET 38-POINT-7 MILLION DOLLARS MORE THIS YEAR FOR COSTS AND TEACHER SALARIES.

AFTER A FIGHT WITH NEIGHBORS OVER TRAFFIC, AND THE PROPOSED USE OF A HISTORIC BUILDING IN FAYETTEVILLE AS A SYNAGOG, LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SAY THEY’LL PICK ANOTHER PLACE TO SERVE AS THEIR TEMPLE. TEMPLE SHALOM REPRESENTATIVES SAY THEY DECIDED NOT TO USE THE HISTORIC BUTTERFLY HOUSE AFTER THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ADVISED THE GROUP TO LOOK ELSEWHERE. THE CONGREGATION WILL LOOK TO BUILD A NEW HOME NEAR THE CORNER OF GARLAND AVENUE AND WEDINGTON DRIVE. THE NEW BUILDING WILL COST THE GROUP ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD.

VOTERS IN FAYETTEVILLE YESTERDAY SHOT DOWN A PROPOSAL TO HIKE PROPERTY MILLAGE TAXES BY 2.3 MILLS IN ORDER TO FUND THE CITY'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 17-25 VOTERS APPROVED OF THE MEASURE, 19-43 VOTED AGAINST. THE LIBRARY WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW OPERATING FUNDS FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND AS A RESULT.

IF YOU LIVE IN FAYETTEVILLE -- YOU MIGHT SEE YOUR WATER BILLS GO UP 100 PERCENT. THE CITY'S SEWER COMMITTEE SAYS A 120 MILLION DOLLAR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COULD END UP COSTING BETWEEN 175-AND 180 MILLION DOLLARS. THE COMMITTEE WANTS TO PAY THE EXTRA 50-PLUS MILLION, AND SOME SAY THAT COULD MEAN YOU END UP PAYING A LOT MORE EACH MONTH.

WASHINGTON COUNTY’S SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED PUBLISHING INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SEX OFFENDERS ON ITS WEBSITE. VISITORS TO THE SITE GET DIRECTED TO SOMETHING CALLED “FAMILY WATCH DOG” WHICH ASKS FOR AN ADDRESS – THE SITE THEN PROVIDES A MAP SHOWING WHERE SEX OFFENDERS LIVE IN RELATION TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND PLAYGROUNDS. DEPUTIES SAY THE INFORMATION COMES FROM THE ARKANSAS CRIME INFORMATION CENTER.

A STUDENT AT A BENTON COUNTY SCHOOL ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO SHOOT PEOPLE AT THAT FACILITY. THE DECATUR MIDDLE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ARRESTED THE STUDENT WHO ALLEGEDLY TOLD THE SCHOOL SECRETARY HE WANTED TO OPEN FIRE ON SEVERAL PEOPLE. THAT STUDENT SPENT A NIGHT AT THE BENTON COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER -- AND ALSO FACES FELONY TERRORISTIC THREATENING CHARGES.

MORE ON THOSE "DORMBATS." -- IT SEEMS STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY, AS PART OF A PRANK , PUT ABOUT 20 BATS IN ANOTHER STUDENTS DORM ROOM. THAT PROVIDED A SHOCK FOR THE STUDENT -- AND A LESS THAN FAVORABLE REACTION FROM UNIVERSITY POLICE. THEY CALLED ANIMAL CONTROL, WHO CAUGHT ANIMALS AND LET THEM GO OUTSIDE TOWN. THE COLLEGE BAT-WRANGLERS NOW FACE CHARGES RANGING FROM HARRASSMENT TO CHARGES OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

BELLA VISTANS LAST NIGHT GOT A SNEAK PEAK AT A REPORT FROM A SPECIAL COMMITTEE LOOKING INTO WHAT INCORPORATION WOULD ENTAIL. CENSUS NUMBERS FOR THE AREA MEAN THE COMMUNITY COULD BECOME A "TOWN" AND NOT A CITY. THE MATTER WILL APPEAR ON THE NOVEMBER 7TH GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

WELCOME TO THE AGE OF ELECTRONIC VOTING – SORT OF – IN ARKANSAS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED THE ARRIVAL OF NEW VOTING MACHINES STATEWIDE. WASHINGTON COUNTY WILL GET RID OF ITS TABULATING MACHINES AND NOW USE OPTICAL SYSTEMS MANDATED BY THE “HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT.” THE NEW MACHINES COST THE COUNTY ABOUT 153-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

WORKER'S RIGHTS!

Ah, feeling kind of "radical" today with all the protesting...got this in the mail today from the grapevine, and thought you should see it. One-of-a-kind.

Title: PROMOTE WORKERS’ RIGHTS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS – NOW’S THE TIME!

What: The Northwest Arkansas Workers’ Justice Center recently opened a new office in Springdale, Arkansas. It is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 4:00. The address is:

NWA Workers’ Justice Center
2200 West Sunset, Suite B4.
Springdale, AR 72762

To make an appointment for a work-related problem call: 479-750-8015

The mission of the Northwest Arkansas Workers’ Justice Center (NAWJC) is to support religious congregations, workers and their organizations, and community groups in their efforts to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Who: By providing worker rights trainings and guiding individuals through obstacles at work, we aim to lessen the threat of exploitation that workers and their families face daily. We assist religious and community leaders, labor organizers, law students, and lawyers in taking on the following types of cases: injured workers who are denied medical benefits, workers compensation issues, fraudulent wage practices, discrimination in the workplace, sexual harassment, family medical leave, and many other employment related problems.

Where: Community Access Television studios, 101 W. Rock, Fayetteville, AR 72701

When: Tuesday, April 18 – setup at 6pm. The conference will begin at 7:00pm and will last 30 minutes with a Q&A to follow.

Why: Because of the rapid growth of industry in Northwest Arkansas, assisting workers with these issues has never been needed more than now. The Workers’ Center was opened because Arkansas is the number one poultry producing state in the nation, with the bulk of plants concentrated in the northwest part of the state. The Northwest is also the home of a number of companies which are openly opposed to union activity, and a major construction boom wherein many workers are not compensated for their work.

There are no other workers’ rights organizations in this area.

Our Website: www.nwaworkerscenter.org

Interesting to watch this group and see it grow, and see what it "gets up to."

Ok, so let's get an inside look at "family values" in America right about now. This is a quick rundown from the Tax-Prof Blog about a new survey that just might leave you wondering...

The Pew Research Center has released A Barometer of Modern Morals: Sex, Drugs, and the 1040.  Here are the results of a poll of 745 people, with the percentages of people classifying each behavior as morally wrong:

• 85%  Married People Having an Affair
• 79%  Not Reporting All Income on Taxes
• 61%  Drinking Alcohol Excessively
• 52%  Having an Abortion
• 50%  Smoking Marijuana
• 50%  Homosexual Behavior
• 43%  Lying to Spare Someone's Feelings
• 35%  Sex Between Unmarried Adults
• 35%  Gambling
• 32%  Overeating

Any ideas here? Consider it an open thread this morning.

Ah, seems some people don't like to play nice. A reminder that the shenanigans from the Nixon era have never really gone away (we're certain this probably applies to both parties, but you know who got caught) and these shenanigans, much like those in the early 70s, lead back to the White House.

WASHINGTON - Key figures in a phone-jamming scheme designed to keep New Hampshire Democrats from voting in 2002 had regular contact with the White House and Republican Party as the plan was unfolding, phone records introduced in criminal court show.

The records show that Bush campaign operative James Tobin, who recently was convicted in the case, made two dozen calls to the White House within a three-day period around Election Day 2002 - as the phone jamming operation was finalized, carried out and then abruptly shut down.

Will they ever learn?

How soon before this comes our way? Oh, wait a minute, we forgot about Jim Holt's attempt to do this in one form...seems the anti-immigration crowd has a reason to march.

Almost 400 immigration-related bills have been introduced in 42 states since January, a result of the public outcry over the federal government's failure to secure America's borders, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Protesters marched in several U.S. cities Sunday, including an estimated 350,000 to 500,000 people in Dallas. And as immigrants and their supporters take to the streets across the nation Monday in a National Day of Action, they will be demonstrating not just against what is going on in Washington but what is happening in their own state capitals.

Arizona Senator John McCain, during a "meet-and-greet" with reporters while visiting in Rogers Monday had perhaps the quote of the week.  We won't give you the exact thing here, but he did say that we "need to dispose of the 11 million immigrants in America...in a humane way."  What?  Who exactly is that supposed to appeal to?  The genocide crowd?  Where did he dig that up?  "Dispose of?"  Wow, we got some problems.  First, Sey Hersch talks about nuking Iran, now McCain talks about 'disposing of' 11 million people.  We understand the idea, but the words were poorly chosen.

Like what you've got at the gas pumps right now? $2.67 in some places. This little gem will warm your soul. So, what does anyone plan to do about it? What about our buddies in Congress? Any thoughts or plans on how to prevent the slow sizzling of the American electorate? How about here in NWA, where the gas is always more expensive than in Tulsa?

Ah, listen to the sound of local political control as it starts to melt away in the heat of angry voters venting some spleen...

Probable $3-a-gallon gasoline, possibly going up to $5 a gallon, painted a bleak picture Monday for lovers of the open road.

Bloomberg News says crude oil costs, lack of refineries and an anticipated shortage of ethanol are likely to push gasoline prices to more than $3 a gallon this summer. Analyst Brian Hicks of U.S. Global Investors in San Antonio said $5-a-gallon gasoline is a possibility.

And just think, local Dems got whacked when they publicly complained about the price of gas...

Some news today on the Wal-Mart front, if you happen to be following along. The company has another day today in front of FDIC on it's request to start a commercial lending company in Utah. However, this doesn't look good...Missouri has already floated legislation to ban any Wal-Mart owned bank in that state, now this - Missouri may do the same thing Maryland did...

Missouri would learn how many employees at large companies rely on taxpayer-supported health insurance under a bill endorsed Monday by a House committee.

The bill would require people applying for Medicaid for themselves or dependents to identify their employers. Each year, the state would prepare a report showing which firms have large numbers of people on the program.

And, things have also become tougher for all the vendors living and working in NWA...this is a little story from CNN Money about inventory reductions...

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - When Wal-Mart sneezes, everybody catches a cold, and now some of America's biggest consumer products companies are at risk of getting sick as the world's largest retailer moves to cut back inventories this year.

The discount retailer is already credited with having one of the best inventory management systems in the business as it tries to keep goods flowing to its 3,800 Wal-Mart stores in the United States.

Ouch, that's gotta hurt.

Interesting item for those of you keeping track or playing trivia.  This comes to us courtesy of Eschaton (Atrios) and was part of a conversation...

According the U.S. government, all male immigrants - legal and otherwise - are required by U.S. law to register for selective service.

According to the National Center for Immigration Law, one in ten U.S. soliders who have DIED in Iraq have been immigrants. Five percent of those serving in our military are illegal immigrants.

The first soldier to die for the United States in the current war in Iraq was Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala...he died for you.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING - THE STATE

Here's your statewide rundown, courtesy of Pat Lynch.

An estimated throng of more than 5,000 men, women and children wearing white shirts rallied at Murphy Park in Springdale on Monday afternoon. At the state capitol, numbers were estimated in the 2,000 range as demonstrators rallied against proposed immigration legislation.

According to the Stephens Media Group, Grand jurors clustered alongside U.S. 412 on Monday afternoon and used a life-sized dummy to piece together the scene March 7 when a disabled man was fatally shot by an Arkansas State Police trooper. The Benton County grand jury was in its fourth day of investigating the death of 21-year-old Erin Hamley, whom police mistook for an 18-year-old Michigan prison escapee.

Paul Barton reports in the Business section of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that an onslaught of witnesses Monday urged federal officials not to let Wal-Mart Stores Inc. into banking, warning it would do to community banks what it has done to smaller retailers: put them out of business. “Over the years, Wal-Mart, the largest retail company in the world, has become the poster child for unscrupulous corporate behavior,” testified John Taylor, president of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition.

The state Board of Education on Monday scheduled a hearing next month on whether to allow Academics Plus of Maumelle, a financially troubled central Arkansas charter school, to continue operation.

The billionaire majority stockholder in American Railcar Industries Inc. will pay an undisclosed amount to ensure that the roughly 350 employees at the firm’s storm-damaged Marmaduke plant receive pay and benefits. Carl Icahn, perhaps best known as the corporate raider who engineered a hostile takeover of Trans World Airlines in the 1980s, also is the chairman of St. Charles, Mo.-based American Railcar.

Today’s Democrat-Gazette reports on the forced consolidation of the Waldo and Magnolia school districts. Waldo parents are pleased and the Magnolia system, which recently absorbed Walker schools, is concerned about having space for new “under achieving” students. Waldo is 87% black, and nearby Stephens wanted to merge, but is 77% black, and is under a desegregation order.

Gov. Mike Huckabee signed into law Monday a bill that will raise the state’s minimum wage to $6.25 an hour, giving Arkansas’ workers a higher minimum wage than is paid in any surrounding state.

The Arkansas AFL-CIO is supporting a proposed constitutional amendment to create a state lottery and authorize a private corporation to operate casinos in seven Arkansas counties, the union federation’s president said Monday.

Alltel Corp announces the name of its new wireline spinoff, Windstream Communications, and says the publicly traded company will be headquartered at the former Alltel Information Services site in west Little Rock.

A University of Arkansas student had a frightening welcome when he walked into his dorm room last week -- 12 to 15 bats. University police are investigating an apparent "prank" that will likely result in criminal charges. Police arrested a 27-year-old Little Rock man Sunday after shots were fired outside a fraternity party at the National Guard Armory in Fayetteville. No one was injured. Naim O. Page of Little Rock was arrested in connection with a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a felony. A 9 mm semi-automatic pistol was found in his car, police said.

Fans buying tickets and concessions at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock will help pay a construction overrun for the baseball stadium, the City Council agreed Monday night. The council also accepted a $170,000 rise in the construction cost — increased to $32.69 million — to stabilize parts of the riverfront site’s foundation for construction of the ballpark.

Hundreds of Hurricane Katrina evacuees, including some in Arkansas, boarded buses and traveled to Louisiana on Monday to cast early ballots in New Orleans' storm-delayed election for mayor. The election officially is April 22, but residents scattered around the country by the storm will be able to vote all week at satellite voting centers set up in Lake Charles, Shreveport, New Orleans and seven other cities around the state.

Will the Walton Arts Center move someplace else? The Arkansas Biz Journal had a blurb on that Monday...here's some of it...

We hear the Walton Arts Center has solicited bids for a feasibility study for a larger performing arts venue in Northwest Arkansas.

Terry Trotter, vice president of external affairs for the WAC, said the center solicited proposals from about six to 10 firms. The proposals are due in May.

Trotter said if a larger facility were to be built, it would be at least eight to 12 years away.

What would we do with the old one?

This is a simple test of some new software we're testing out here to make things a little easier on everyone involved, and to increase the content and story frequency on Arkansas Tonight.  If you see it, it'll vanish quickly enough.  Thanks, Cris and the Staff.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING - NWA

This is what the morning news looks like from Don's desk in the radio news world.

IN LITTLE ROCK - LAWMAKERS WONDER IF THEY CAN ADJOURN THE SPECIAL SESSION TODAY. SO FAR, THEY'VE SENT A BILL MAKING TOUGHER PENALITIES FOR SEX OFFENDERS WITH VICTIMS UNDER THE AGE OF 14 TO THE GOVERNOR, ALONG WITH A BILL THAT INCREASES THE STATE'S MINIMUM WAGE. LAWMAKERS ALSO AMENDED A PLAN TO BAN SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SMALL HOTELS AND OTHER BUSINESSES.

STATE LAWMAKERS MAY HAVE HIT A SNAG ON SCHOOL FUNDING, WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER PAY RAISES. THE SENATE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED A MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY INCREASE OF 3 POINT 3 PERCENT. HOUSE LEADERS FOUND *THAT INCREASE TOO SUBSTANTIAL. AFTER MUCH DEBATE LAWMAKERS SETTLED ON A 2 POINT 4 PERCENT INCREASE.

A 15 MONTH OLD CHILD REMAINS AT CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN LITTLE ROCK AFTER A WOMAN RAN OVER THE BABY AT A DAYCARE CENTER NEAR FARMINGTON--THAT ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES 15 MONTH OLD KAYCE WATSON SUFFERED A BROKEN SKULL AND OTHER INJURIES. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE 27 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF THE WOMAN WHO RUNS THE CENTER HIT THE CHILD BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE OWNER, DEBORAH FRANZ, GOT A TICKET FOR ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR. SHE SAYS ANOTHER CHILD OPENED A DOOR, AND LET THE BABY OUT.

SIX MILLION DOLLARS COULD MEAN YOU HAVE A SAFER FLU SEASON. THE STATE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED SPENDING THE MONEY TO STOCKPILE FLU DRUGS. THE MONEY WOULD PAY FOR MEDICATION UNTIL 20-07 THE BILL MUST NOW PASS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT YESTERDAY UPHELD THE LEGALITY OF FAYETTEVILLE’S BAN ON FLASHING SIGNS. THE COURT RULED THE CITY DOESN’T DISCRIMINATE BASED ON CONTENT, AND CAN REGULATED THE SIGNS OR BILLBOARDS. BACK IN 2002, BUSINESSMAN JOHN LATOUR SUED THE CITY IN FEDERAL COURT, ASKING FOR 10 MILLION DOLLARS AND A STAY ON ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULE. LATOUR SAYS THE DECISION STILL LEAVES HIM OPTIMISTIC, AND HE’D LIKE TO ASK THE COURT FOR A RE-HEARING IN THE MATTER.

SPRINGDALE CITY OFFICIALS SAY A SERIES OF PROTESTS BY LATINO STUDENTS OPPOSED TO IMMIGRATION REFORM – BROKE CITY REGULATIONS. THE CITY SAYS IT HAS RULES BARRING PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 FROM TAKING PART IN PROTESTS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION – THE CITY ALSO SAYS MARCHERS HAVE TO FILE FOR A PERMIT BEFORE TAKING TO THE STREETS. FAILURE TO DO THAT CAN RESULT IN TICKETS AND FINES AS HIGH AS 500 DOLLARS. MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL HISPANIC COMMUNITY SAY THEY EXPECT ANOTHER LOCAL – AND NATIONAL PROTEST – MONDAY, AND AGAIN MAY FIRST. NO WORD ON IF ANYONE PLANS TO FILE FOR A PERMIT THIS TIME.

CONSTRUCTION CREWS WORKING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS HAD A CLOSE CALL YESTERDAY WHEN A CAVE –IN PARTIALLY BURIED A CONSTRUCTION WORKER. IT HAPPENED AS THE MAN WORKED ON A SEWER LINE AT THE NEW JOHN MCDONNELL FIELD. POLICE WOULDN’T RELEASE THE MAN’S NAME, BUT MANAGED TO PULL HIM OUT AND SEND HIM TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE DOCTORS TREATED AND RELEASED HIM. THOSE AT THE SCENE SAY THE MAN MANAGED TO WALK TO A STRETCHER AFTER THE RESCUE EFFORT.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T RELIEVE YOURSELF IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE JONES CENTER IN SPRINGDALE – A LESSON LEARNED BY A LOCAL MAN WHO DID. POLICE SAY THE MAN MANAGED TO ANNOY ANOTHER WHO SAW HIM DOING IT. THE ANNOYED MAN DROVE UP AND STARTED YELLING, UPSET AT WHAT HE’D SEEN. THAT MAN BECAME SO OFFENDED AT THE ENSUING ARGUMENT, HE PULLED OUT A GUN AND SHOT IT IN THE AIR, BEFORE DRIVING OFF. POLICE SAY THEY’D LIKE TO TALK TO THE PARKING LOT LONE RANGER…

LAWMAKERS IN MISSOURI HAVE DECIDED TO JUST SAY NO TO ANY KIND OF FUTURE WAL-MART RUN BANK. THE MISSOURI SENATE VOTED IN FAVOR OF A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT BANKING IN THE STATE BY ANY NON-FINANCIAL COMPANIES – INCLUDING THE WORLD’S LARGEST RETAILER. WAL-MART CONTINUES TO WAIT FOR A DECISION BY THE FDIC ON ITS APPLICATION TO SET UP A BANK IN UTAH, SOMETHING THAT HAS DRAWN DOZENS OF LETTERS OF PROTEST FROM OTHER FINANCIAL COMPANIES.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WON’T REPEAT A STUDY THAT FOUND THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AT ARKANSAS’ LARGEST EMPLOYERS RELYING ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. ALTHOUGH THE STATE CALLS THE INFORMATION “OF INTEREST” OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT, IT CALLS THE NUMBERS “TOO EXPENSIVE” TO TRACK. WAL-MART’S CRITICS HAVE USED THOSE STATISTICS FROM STATES TO PUSH BILLS IN 30 LEGISLATURES THAT WOULD REQUIRE LARGE EMPLOYERS TO SPEND A MINIMUM AMOUNT ON WORKER HEALTH BENEFITS.

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING -- STATEWIDE

Here's the round-up of all the news fit to print, courtesy of Pat Lynch.(our emphasis added)

Despite a daylong soap opera over whether the Governor supports one version of the anti-smoking bill, the measure banning most indoor tobacco use passed the state house yesterday. Republican Representative Phil Jackson of Berryville, who owns a 15 room hotel in Eureka Springs, lobbied successfully for an exemption in the law for hotels with fewer than 20 rooms.

The State Senate Education Committee is backing a House version of reduced teacher pay, which means that the special session can probably end today.

The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports that a toddler run over by a minivan outside a Fayetteville day care center Thursday afternoon was taken to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock for treatment. Kayce Watson, 15 months, had damage to her chest and abdomen and a fractured skull. Watson wandered outside the day care facility run by Deborah Ranz after another child left a door to the home open. The state Department of Health and Human Services won’t repeat a study that found thousands of workers at Arkansas’ largest employers relying on public assistance. Although the information is “of interest” outside the department, it is supposedly too expensive to track. Wal-Mart’s critics have used statistics from states to push bills in 30 legislatures that would require large employers to spend a minimum amount on worker health benefits.

After a third day of investigation, Benton County's grand jury hasn't issued any subpoenas to interview witnesses in the March 7 shooting of a disabled man by an Arkansas State Police trooper. The grand jury wrapped up its work week Thursday and will reconvene Monday morning.

A construction worker was partially buried in a sewer trench Thursday morning at the construction site of the John McDonnell Field on the University of Arkansas campus, according to Fayetteville fire officials. The man, employed by Mountain Mechanical Contractors in Fayetteville, was working on a sewer tie-in project when the cave-in happened.

Two teenagers were arrested Thursday after their mother turned them in and said they started a house fire in Bentonville. Each of the brothers, ages 19 and 15, was arrested on a charge of felony criminal mischief.

A state agency that manages the state’s natural resources can continue with plans to pump water from the White River to irrigate farms in eastern Arkansas, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided Thursday.

Authorities have arrested five men in the shooting death of a Morrilton man whose body was found on a dirt road in Pope County late last month, the sheriff’s office said Thursday.

The Faulkner County prosecuting attorney had not decided by Wednesday evening what charges to bring against Stephen McCoy of Conway, who is suspected of shooting his wife, Betty McCoy at the drive-thru window of a Conway restaurant.

The Federal prison complex at Forrest City has been actively recruiting corrections officers, and has hired 30 since the beginning of the year. Business has been good at the federal lockup. There are 1,936 inmates at the low-security facility, 278 at the camp and 1,618 at the medium-security facility.

Lieutenant governor candidate Jim Holt said he would use the office to promote a ballot measure limiting state services for illegal aliens and requiring stricter identification for voter registration if the 2007 Legislature doesn’t adopt similar legislation. Such a measure would deny benefits only to people who are illegally in Arkansas and receiving benefits fraudulently, he said.

Forrest City native Chris Hicky may not be in the finals for the CMT Awards, but some of his work is, and that's almost as good Hicky had been nominated as Video Director of the Year, for Keith Urban's "Better Life."

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING, THURS -- NWA

Here's what's crossing Don's desk this morning in the world of radio...

VIOLENT CRIME IN SPRINGDALE INCREASED MORE THAN 100 PERCENT BETWEEN 2000 AND 2005. SPRINGDALE POLICE CHIEF KATHY O'KELLEY SAYS THAT WILL CONTINUE THIS YEAR. O'KELLEY PREDICTS A 13 PERCENT INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME SHE SAYS MANPOWER PROBLEMS ON THE FORCE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TREND, ADDING THAT SPRINGDALE HAS FEWER POLICE OFFICERS PER CITIZEN THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

STATE LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE PASSED A HALF MILLION DOLLAR APPROPRIATION BILL FOR TEACHER AND DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. ANOTHER BILL GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION IN BOTH CHAMBERS -- A BILL THAT WOULD SET RULES FOR ALLOWING SCHOOL BOARDS TO INVALIDATE THE CONTRACTS OF SUPERINTENDANTS. THE BILL PASSED A HOUSE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY.

AND THE ARKANSAS HOUSE APPROVED A BILL BANNING PROTESTS NEAR FUNERALS. HOUSE BILL 1006 KEEPS PICKETERS 150-FEET AWAY FROM FUNERALS HALF AN HOUR BEFORE AND AFTER THE CEREMONY. THE LEGISLATION COMES IN RESPONSE TO A KANSAS CHURCH THAT PROTESTS AT THE FUNERALS OF SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ.

POLICE SAY SHE LEFT HER TWO KIDS LOCKED IN A ROOM AT HOME, ALONE. SO, SPRINGDALE OFFICERS ARRESTED 22 YEAR OLD OLD MARLENI CASTRO. THE LANDLORD FOUND THE KIDS -- AGE FIVE AND ONE -- LOCKED IN A BEDROOM. POLICE SAY CASTRO TIED AN ELECTRICAL CORD BETWEEN TWO DOORKNOBS TO KEEP THE ROOM LOCKED. CASTRO SAID SHE LEFT THE CHILDREN ALONE FOR 40 MINUTES -- THE FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD SAYS SHE LEFT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CASTRO FACES FELONY CHARGES OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR TERRY JONES SAYS A COUNTY DEPUTY DID THE RIGHT THING SHOOTING A MAN IN PRAIRIE GROVE. DEPUTY BRIAN COMSTOCK SHOT PAUL MONROE AFTER MONROE THREATENED HIM WITH A PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS. THE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONDUCTED IN INVESTIGATION AND ABSOLVED COMSTOCK OF ANY WRONGDOING. PROSECUTORS CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION, LOOKING AT VIDEO TAKEN FROM COMSTOCKS POLICE VEHICLE THE DAY OF THE SHOOTING.

VA ADMINISTRATORS IN FAYETTEVILLE SAY VETS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MAY BEFORE THE VETERANS NURSING HOME OPENS FOR BUSINESS. ORIGINALLY, THE FACILITY WOULD HAVE OPENED THIS MONTH. THE 7 MILLION DOLLAR NURSING HOME WILL OPERATE ON THE 5TH AND 6TH FLOORS OF THE OLD WASHINGTON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER NEAR COLLEGE AND NORTH AVENUES.

AFTER A COMPLAINT FROM POLITICAL ACTIVIST JIM PARSONS OF BELLA VISTA, THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC “LETTER OF CAUTION” TO DEMOCRAT GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE BEEBE. PARSONS COMPLAINED ABOUT ONE OF BEEBE’S CAMPAIGN WORKERS USING A STATE COMPUTER TO MAKE CORRECTIONS TO A CAMPAIGN SPEECH BEEBE DELIVERED. THE CANDIDATE LATER APOLOGIZED AND SAID HE DIDN’T REALIZE IT HAD HAPPENED.

FACING A POSSIBLE FIGHT WITH THE CITY OF FARMINGTON OVER ANNEXATION OF LAND NEAR HIGHWAY 16, FAYETTEVILLE SAYS FARMINGTON NEEDS TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SEWER LINES IN THAT AREA BEFORE MOVING AHEAD WITH ANNEXATION PLANS. FAYETTEVILLE OWNS THOSE LINES, AND HAS TALKED WITH FARMINGTON IN THE PAST ABOUT TURNING OVER CONTROL OF THAT RESOURCE. SEWER COMMITTEES FROM BOTH TOWNS WILL MEET TODAY TO TALK MORE ABOUT SEWER SERVICES.

WAL-MART SAYS IT TRIED ADVERTISING IN NEWSPAPERS IN THE MID-WEST, BUT WON’T DO IT AGAIN, SAYING IT DIDN’T WORK. THE RETAILER HAS FACED CRITICISM FROM PAPERS, WHICH SAY THE COMPANY WANTS PUBLICITY, BUT DOESN’T BUY ADVERTISING. WAL-WART SAID IT WOULD BUY ADS IN PAPERS AS PART OF A TEST FOR ONE MONTH. THE COMPANY SAYS THE PRICE OF THE ADS DIDN’T JUSTIFY THE EXPENSE. PAPERS SAY IT TAKES MORE THAN A MONTH TO SEE RESULTS.

MORNING NEWS BREIFING -- NWA

Here's the world from Don's radio newsdesk this morning -- note the two lead stories are national...actually, you can listen to him right now on Newstalk 1030 KFAY-AM.

FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER TOM DELAY SAYS HE’LL PULL OUT OF HIS RACE FOR RE-ELECTION AND ALSO RESIGN HIS POSITION IN CONGRESS. DELAY SAYS HE WANTS TO PREVENT DEMOCRATS FROM USING BAD PUBLICITY ABOUT HIS LEGAL PROBLEMS TO GAIN THE TEXAS SEAT. DELAY SAYS HE’LL LEAVE CONGRESS SOMETIME IN MID-JUNE.

A FEDERAL JURY YESTERDAY RULED ZACARIAS MOUSSAOUI ELIGIBLE FOR THE DEATH PENALTY. THE JURY ANSWERED SEVERAL QUESTIONS IN DOING THAT, DETERMINING MOUSSAOUI HAD LIED TO FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS, HAD DONE SO WITH LETHAL INTENT, AND THAT AT LEAST ONE PERSON DIED AS A RESULT OF THOSE LIES DURING THE 9-11 ATTACKS. MOUSSAOUI CONFESSED TO PROSECUTORS ACCUSATIONS HE ACTED AS A 20TH HIJACKER IN THE 2001 ATTACKS. THE JURY WILL NOW DECIDE WHETHER TO ACTUALLY SENTENCE MOUSSOUAI TO DEATH.

LAWMAKERS CONVENED IN SPECIAL SESSION IN LITTLE ROCK MONDAY. AT ONE PM, THE SENATE AND HOUSE GATHERED TO LISTEN TO THE GOVERNOR, WHO SAID HE FEELS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE WEEK'S PLANS. LAWMAKERS WILL FOCUS ON EDUCATION PROPOSALS AIMED AT INCREASING FUNDING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE AMOUT OF 159 MILLION DOLLARS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 90 MILLION DOLLARS FOR FACILITIES. IN 2005 LAWMAKERS DIDN'T INCREASE PER-STUDENT FUNDING. AS A RESULT, A FIFTH OF THE STATES DISTRICTS ASK THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO RE-CONSIDER THE EFFICACY OF SCHOOL FUNDING PLANS.

AND, AS LAWMAKERS GOT TO WORK...THEY'LL ALSO CONSIDER A STATEWIDE BAN ON SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE. GOVERNOR HUCKABEE SAYS A "CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT" FOR THE STATE COULD MAKE ARKANSANS HEALTHIER -- AND COULD REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS. AT THE END OF LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR TEAMED UP WITH ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO LAUNCH THE "SMOKE-FREE CHALLENGE" TO GET PARENTS WHO SMOKE TO STOP DOING SO IN FRONT OF THE KIDS.

BENTON COUNTY'S FIRST GRAND JURY IN 25 YEARS CONVENED MONDAY. THE JURY WILL MAKE A DETERMINATION IN THE CASE OF A STATE TROOPER WHO SHOT AND KILLED AN INNOCENT MAN LAST MONTH. LARRY NORMAN SHOT AND KILLED ERIN HAMLEY -- POLICE SAY NORMAN MISTOOK HAMLEY FOR A PRISON ESCAPEE.

AND, A STATE TROOPER ENDED UP IN A BRIEF GUNFIGHT WITH PEOPLE IN A CAR HE PULLED OVER MONDAY JUST SOUTH OF HARRISON. STATE POLICE SAY TROOPER ROBERT MEEK SUSTAINED A SHOTGUN WOUND TO THE ARM AFTER TRYING TO PULL THE DRIVER OVER FOR SPEEDING. MEEK APPARENTLY RETURNED FIRE, AND HIT ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR. DOCTORS SAY MEEK ONLY SUSTAINED A SMALL INJURY – NO WORD ON THE PERSON HE SHOT. POLICE ARRESTED THREE PEOPLE AT THE SCENE.

A WOMAN ACCUSED OF SETTING A FIRE IN BENTON COUNTY SAYS SHE DIDN’T DO IT. 19 YEAR OLD TIA JO SANFORD OF JAY OKLAHOMA FACES A FELONY COUNT OF ARSON. SHE, ALONG WITH HER BOYFRIEND, FORMER VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER MARC WOLFE, FIND THEMSELVES SUSPECTED IN A SERIES OF ARSON FIRES THAT CONTINUE IN THE MAYSVILLE AREA. SANFORD GOES TO TRIAL JUNE 13TH IN BENTON COUNTY.

CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTION FACE A DEADLINE OF NOON TODAY TO FILE THEIR PAPERWORK AND PAY FEES WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE IN LITTLE ROCK. WE’VE SEEN A COUPLE OF LAST MINUTE SURPRISES SO FAR – GUNNAR DELAY OF FORT SMITH FILED YESTERDAY FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RACE. ALSO, HOUSE DISTRICT 88 REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN EDWARDS NOW FACES A REPUBLICAN OPPONENT – A LAW STUDENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, AMANDA HART.

THE FIGHT OVER POLLUTED WATER – AND THE ARKANSAS POULTRY INDUSTRY – CONTINUED IN FEDERAL COURT YESTERDAY. OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL DREW EDMONDSON FILED A MOTION ASKING THE COURTS TO DISMISS THE POULTRY INDUSTRY’S CLAIMS AGAINST A SERIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESS LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA. EDMONDSON CONTINUES HIS FIGHT OVER WATER QUALITY, CLAIMING POULTRY BUSINESSES POLLUTE THE ILLINOIS WATER SHED WITH CHICKEN LITTER. POULTRY COMPANIES FILED PAPERS CLAIMING OKLAHOMA GOLF COURSES, PEOPLE WITH SEPTIC TANKS AND OTHERS ALSO DO THAT.

OIL HAS KNOCKED RETAIL OUT OF A VERY COVETED TOP SPOT... EXXON-MOBIL HAS REPLACED WAL-MART AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST BUSINESS ON THE FORTUNE 500 LIST. WHEN FORTUNE MAGAZINE LOOKED AT 2005 REVENUES -- EXXON SHOWED 340-BILLION, WAL-MART HAD 315 BILLION. THE LAST TIME EXXON HIT NUMBER ONE CAME IN 2001. ONLY WAL-MART, EXXON-MOBIL AND GENERAL MOTORS HAVE LEAD THE LIST SINCE IT STARTED BACK IN 1954.

WAL-MART STARTS THE 2ND QUARTER WITH AN "OUCH"

AP reports today that Exxon-Mobil has zoomed past Wal-Mart to the top of the Forbes 500 as the new largest company on earth.

In other news, Wal-Mart posted 1.3 percent same store sales (comps) for the Month behind, at the low end of forecasts.

Happy 2nd Quarter!

MORNING NEWS BRIEFING -- NWA

Here's Don's view of the local news from the radio desk.

STATE LAWMAKERS THIS AFTERNOON START A SPECIAL SESSION ON EDUCATION REFORM. THEY’LL CONVENE TODAY AT 1 P.M. LAST WEEK, BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE ANNOUNCED THEY’D ARRIVED AT CONSENSUS ON A PLAN TO FURTHER FUND THE STATE’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALSO ON THIS WEEK’S AGENDA – A PLAN TO BAN SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE, AND A DOLLAR-TEN CENT AN HOUR RAISE TO THE STATE’S MINIMUM WAGE – A MOVE CRITICIZED BY SOME WHO SAY AN ALTERNATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A YEAR COST OF LIV