Wills elected as speaker

"LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Rep. Robbie Wills was elected Monday as the speaker of Arkansas' House for next year's legislative session, promising to be an inclusive leader of the 100-member body but offering few details on his agenda."

Full story at: "http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_HOUSE_SPEAKER_AROL-?SITE=ARMOU&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-01-14-14-29-34"

Arkansas ranks 8th in education by recent analysis

"LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas ranked 8th in the nation in a new report that evaluates the quality of states' educational policies and student achievement, state Education Commissioner Ken James told lawmakers Wednesday."

Full Article at: "http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/01/10/News/344770.html"

We should be proud of Arkansas' advancement nationally in public education. We can and must do more especially in our rural delta schools.

ASU Newport breaking ground on new building

Story from: http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7592503

" NEWPORT, AR - Arkansas State University's Newport campus and the Newport Economic Development Commission will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony on January 25 for the ASU-Newport Technology Center. The ceremony will also feature a ribbon-cutting event for the Industrial Development Road & Rail project.

Governor Mike Beebe will be attending the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at 7648 Victory Boulevard in Newport."

Company D leaves Newport

"NEWPORT - It was a day of tears and smiles and hugs as the men and women of D company loaded up the buses and departed for their year-long deployment to Iraq. "

Full Story at: "http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=7590255"

Domestic Violence in Arkansas

"JONESBORO — Arkansas ranks first in the nation for domestic violence murders of black women and third for Caucasian women. "

Full Story at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=30982"

Senator Critcher, Vickie Critcher, and I worked on this issue this past legislative session. I was honored when Jayne Ann Kita made comments about this on my website:

"LJ Bryant was instrumental in working to obtain funding for domestic violence programs in Arkansas. He provided assistance and coordination of efforts that resulted in $400,000 for the Domestic Peace Fund, supporting domestic violence services across the state.

Jayne Ann Kita
Executive Director Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence"

Much much more can and should be done. This is not that much money and money does not solve everything. It treats the problem; however, much more needs to be done to prevent the problem.

Northeast Arkansas political experts weigh in on Iowa

"JONESBORO — Former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s sudden rise to the top of this year’s Republican presidential field via Thursday’s Iowa caucus victory came as no surprise to one-time gubernatorial candidate and Jonesboro resident Woody Freeman, who said he encouraged him to jump into national politics. "

Full Article at: "http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=30966"

Here is to 2007

Thanks to you, I raised $17,630.90 in contributions during 2007. This amount is greater than what both 2002 candidates reported raising for their efforts to fill the open seat---by more than 250%.

I am both grateful and humbled by this show of local support in Jackson and White county, as well as from friends around the state. This kind of early support represents my ability to work with others and to get things done for our communities. While contributions represent support, votes get you elected. I want to take my message of Putting Experience and Vision to work to every voter of District 58.

Full Release at: "http://www.ljbryant.com/press-01-02-2008.html"