Legislative leaders shaping priorities for 2009

"The 2009 Senate president pro tem, Bob Johnson (second picture), and Robbie Wills (first picture), the only candidate on the ballot for House speaker, say questions about the state's financial future must be answered before they begin planning their agendas more than a year out. "

Full Story at:

http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2007/12/30/ap-state-ar/d8ts8q406.txt

Bhutto no stranger to Arkansas

"LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Benazir Bhutto, assassinated today at a political rally in Pakistan, where she led opposition to the government, was no stranger to Arkansas."

Full Story at: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7548578

Population growth in Arkansas

"The U.S. Census Bureau says Arkansas' population grew by more than 25,000 people in the last year." (KAIT8.com)

Full Story at: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7546479

Gas development changes White County economy

White County courthouse photo from: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.house.gov/snyder/images/vic_white2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.house.gov/snyder/about_central_ar/white.htm&h=283&w=383&sz=32&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=KwRCjh2QTc041M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3DWhite%2BCounty,%2BArkansas%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff

"The importance of money planted in and reaped from natural gas development in White County this year can be measured by the number of wells that have been drilled and are now producing gas. According to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC) Web site, aogc.state.ar.us, there are 161 gas wells in production in White County, exactly half of the 322 wells that have received permits. Many of the remaining 161 permitted wells should have their drilling process completed so they can begin production in 2008, and even more wells are expected to be permitted." (Searcy Daily Citizen)

Full Article at: http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2007/12/26/news/local_news/news02.txt

Your thoughts welcome about the impact of the gas industry in this district.

Newport High School selected for new program

Congratulations to Newport High School!

Newport High School was recently selected as one of eight schools in the state of Arkansas to participate in a new program.

Full Story at:
http://www.newportindependent.com/articles/2007/12/26/news/02.txt

Beware of Gift Card Scams this holiday season

U.S. shoppers are going to spend a whopping $25 billion dollars in gift cards this year, but $8 billion dollars of that money is going to go unused, primarily because of scam artists.

Full Article at: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7531815

Arkansas vs. Missouri....Governor Beebe vs. Governor Blunt

Governor Mike Beebe and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt have placed a friendly wager on the Cotton Bowl showdown between the University of Arkansas and the University of Missouri. In honor of the game, each governor has offered up a bale of his state’s best cotton, as well as other locally produced products.

Full Story at:

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2007/12/silly_season_1.aspx#more007/12/silly_season_1.aspx#more

Newport teacher earns state honor

Mrs. Darby Wallace was recognized By Governor Mike Beebe as second runner up in the state Teacher of the Year contest. Wallace was one of four considered for the national award.

Full article at: http://www.newportindependent.com/articles/2007/12/21/news/02.txt

Congratulations! I am reminded of a quote: "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference. ~Tom Brokaw." We have great teachers and great schools in Jackson and White Counties. Our teachers rarely get the recognition they deserve.

Jackson and White County ornaments

Tree ornaments representing Arkansas's seventy-five counties decorate the State Capitol Christmas Tree. If you can't make it to the Capitol during the Christmas season, see our county ornaments below.

For more information visit: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/holidays/ornaments.php

Jackson County:


White County:

Also, the Secretary of State has a picture of the Depot with Christmas decorations:

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/holidays2007/lights_arkansaspg3.html

Morning Tragedy

Two People Die in Early Morning Region 8 House Fire

http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7527415

http://www.newportindependent.com/articles/2007/12/21/news/01.txt

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_HOUSE_FIRE_FATALITIES_AROL-?SITE=ARMOU&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-20-12-11-56

Dec 20, 2007 10:29 AM CST
Diaz - An early morning house fire in Jackson County has claimed the lives of a man and woman. The fire started early this morning in the 3200 block of Hooper in Diaz.
A family member tells Region 8 News the fire may have been started by lightning. Fire investigators are on the scene. Region 8 News has a crew on the scene and we will update this story when more information becomes available.

Hounds win Medallion Championship

Congratulations Greyhounds.

Medallion Championship

By Ken Duvall / Independent Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 4:13 PM

The Newport greyhounds pose with the championship trophy of the 2007 Medallion Classic after their 67-60 victory over Nettleton Saturday night in the finals of the Medallion Classic.

Newport finally took home the first place trophy in their annual Medallion Classic Saturday evening as they dropped the Nettleton Raiders 67-60 at Greyhound Fieldhouse.

Full Story at: http://www.newportindependent.com/articles/2007/12/19/sports/01.txt

Speaker Elect-Robbie Wills

Rep. David Dunn concedes the race for House speaker in 2009 to Rep. Robbie Wills of Conway. Dunn's news release is on the jump. http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2007/12/speaker_wills.aspx#more

More news coverage: http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/12/19/News/344623.html & http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/211088/

Newport elementary students give to struggling New Hampshire town

Giving back to Groveton

By LORNA COLQUHOUN

New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
NORTHUMBERLAND – Lessons learned in Groveton yesterday weren't out of a math or English book but in a delivery of rice from a school 1,500 miles away and a donation of presents by an Exeter High School senior.

In the season of giving, elementary school students in Newport, Ark., spent several weeks collecting rice to send to students at Groveton High School and Groveton Elementary School after hearing that the town's largest employer, Wausau Paper, would be shutting down at the end of the year, putting more than 300 people out of work.

Complete article at: "http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Giving+back+to+Groveton&articleId=bae7e6bc-ccce-494e-a0e8-6f3513c3a1d1"

Governor Beebe visits Jackson County

See http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/gallery.php?do:showPhotoList=1&gallery_id=195&i=4&size=medium for all of the pictures from Governor Beebe's visit to Jackson County

See http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/12/13/news/121407lrbeebehomecoming.txt for newspaper coverage of the Governor's visit.

See http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7494441&nav=menu67_2 for video coverage of the Governor's visit.

Arkansas stepping up on healthcare

Feel free to blog your ideas for lowering healthcare costs in Arkansas.


Health care panel goes to work

Saturday, Dec 15, 2007

By Rob Moritz

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK -
The Legislature created the task force this year to develop a plan to make affordable insurance coverage accessible to Arkansans who do have it and make recommendations to the Legislature in 2009.

Though accessible health care is one of the major issues in the 2008 presidential race, Arkansas does not have time to wait for the federal government to find a solution, Gov. Mike Beebe told the panel.

Full article:
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/12/15/News/344584.html

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I want to use this as a space to hear your concerns and discuss the issues. Please contact me through this blog or at lj@ljbryant.com or 870-376-4458.

Also, please explore my website www.ljbryant.com for more information about my campaign. The election is May 20, 2008. I would be honored to have your vote and support.