Governor Beebe's visit

Here is a picture of Governor Beebe's tour of Jacksonport.

Political Cartoons: funny, sad, and true

Flooding Update II

"JACKSON COUNTY, AR (KAIT) -- Several roads all across Region 8 have been underwater for over a week. Now some of the flood waters are starting to go down and are leaving behind damaged roads. "

Video coverage at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=8086178"

Flooding update

"Jackson County reports In Jackson County, at least 53 houses were damaged, according to Jackson County Judge Kerry Tharpe. About 47 roads were damaged and at least 10 roads were still under water. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at Jacksonport. Water on Arkansas Highway 14 between Newport and Oil Trough is clearing, Tharpe said. The Black River in Pocahontas dropped a foot Wednesday to about 24 feet, and most of the streets in town were clear, Crocker said. Several families and as many as nine senior citizens were still displaced due to the flooding, he added. Despite the drop, the river is still seven feet above its flood stage."

Full article at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=32273"

Senate election dispute update

"LITTLE ROCK - The chairman of the St. Francis County Election Commission denied wrongdoing Tuesday in a disputed 2006 Senate runoff election in East Arkansas."

Full story at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/03/26/News/345725.html"

Historic Arkansas election dispute

"LITTLE ROCK - In a first for the state Legislature, a Senate committee is scheduled to begin a public hearing Tuesday to decide whether an East Arkansas senator was legally elected to his seat."

Full story at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/03/25/News/345711.html"

Ethanol presents a unique fire risk

"The alternative fuel flowing into the nation’s gas tanks is presenting a new challenge for Arkansas firefighters. "

Full story at: "http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/220730/"

Spotlight on another White County legislative race

Betts vs. Reeves in November

Saturday, March 22, 2008 8:32 PM CDT

No incumbent in race for state rep.By Warren Watkins

The Daily CitizenWith current state representative David Evans term limited, the race for House District 50, which includes Searcy, will see Democrat Monty Betts against Republican Kyle Reeves.

Full story at: "http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2008/03/23/news/top_stories/top01.txt"

Flooding

"Volunteers from area fire departments are helping stack sandbags along the levee wall to prevent the seeping water from escaping. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe arrived Friday afternoon in Jackson County to survey the situation saying that the people are very resilient and they will be all right. "

Text story at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=8053706" & "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=8053639"

Newport flooding on Channel 8

"NEWPORT, AR (KAIT) -- Residents all across Region 8 are experiencing heavy flooding due to Tuesday night's storms. However, one Jackson County neighborhood that hasn't been flooded at all is now dealing with a surprise."


Full story and video coverage at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=8048635"

Jackson County Bridge

"Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is developing a Compatibility Determination regarding a proposed bridge replacement and minor expansion of right-of-way (ROW) for Jackson County Road 51. This use is proposed by the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department and Jackson County."

Full Story at: "http://www.newportindependent.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/05.txt"

NEA Flooding

"As of Wed­nesday night, Arkansas 14, from Batesville to the Jackson County line, was flooded and closed, Arkansas highway officials said in a posting on their Web site.

Arkansas 37, 226 and 224 near Tuckerman were closed because of rising waters, Jackson County Judge Kerry Tharpe said. "

Full story at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=32168"

McDaniel wants to shut down pay day lenders

LITTLE ROCK - Payday lenders throughout Arkansas must shut down immediately or face the likelihood of lawsuits, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Tuesday.

Full story at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/03/19/News/345648.html"

Donkey Basketball

This picture is not very clear. This is me riding a donkey and trying to pick up one dollar bills off the floor. We could not get off the donkey or touch the floor. It was fun.

Beebe strikes a deal

"LITTLE ROCK – Governor Mike Beebe announced today that he is contacting legislators to determine support for an agreed increase of the severance tax on natural gas in Arkansas. The agreement will create an ongoing roads program for Arkansas without increasing natural-gas rates for residential Arkansas customers. Discussions ended yesterday when representatives of the natural-gas industry agreed to Governor Beebe's proposal."

Full story at: http://www.arkansas.gov/governor/newsroom/index.phpdo:newsDetail=1&news_id=402"

Beebe & Sheffield Nelson

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - A former gas-industry executive who's offering a proposal for November's ballot to boost the state's severance tax on natural gas says gas companies would be wise to return to the bargaining table with Governor Beebe.

Full story at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7985954

Yard Sign time

If you want a sign call me (870-376-4458) or shoot me an email (lj@ljbryant.com)

Jackson County political filings yesterday

Jackson County Justice of the Peace, District 6 — Greg Anselmi, R-Bradford. Justice of the Peace, District 4 — John O. Casteel, R-Newport. Swifton City Council, Position 1 — Dennis Neal, D. Swifton City Council, Position 2 — Nettie Jane Thompson, D

Story from: http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=31965

West Memphis+ban on toy guns?

WEST MEMPHIS (KAIT)-"It's every police officers worst nightmare to realize that you've taken a life, and it was a toy gun," said Assistant Police Chief Mike Allen.

Full Story at:

http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7972215

Welcome to Arkansas

Snow in March?

Jacksonport State Park+Channel 8

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7954786

KAIT's story of yesterday's lecture at Jacksonport. I was there and enjoyed it.

Filing day

Today we filed!

Thank you friends

Here is our most recent press release about our great fundraising news for February. This is all thanks to all of you and your help.:

"Democrat L. J. Bryant, of Newport, candidate for the Arkansas State House of Representatives District 58, has raised $20,430.90 in contributions. This is one of the biggest fundraising totals in the state for any House race. This amount is 300% greater than the amount the 2002 candidates combined reported raising for their efforts to fill this open seat. Bryant has $20,430.90 cash on hand. He has 116 donors. This is 8 times the previous precedent. "