Seven at 7:00: State Offices Reopen, Adoption Ban Approved
Updated: December 28, 2012
State Offices Reopen
All state offices are set to reopen Friday on a two hour delay. Governor Mike Bebee is putting the so-called "inclement weather policy" into effect to allow state employees two extra hours to get to work on icy roads. Essential personnel should report to work at their normally scheduled hours.
National Guard Weather Cleanup Continues
The Arkansas National Guard is still out in full force, clearing the roads in and around Little Rock. A team of six National Guard airmen, armed with chainsaws, continued their road-clearing mission in Garland County early Thursday morning. The team is set to continue work at least through Friday.
Arkansas Power Outage Update
More than 100,000 people across the state were still in the dark Friday. According to Entergy Arkansas, Pulaski and Garland counties have the most power outages, followed by Saline County.
Fiscal Cliff Talks Frozen
With three days left until the Fiscal Cliff deadline, the President is meeting with congressional leaders at the White House Friday to figure out what to do next. The senate reconvened Thursday and the house is already set to reconvene on Sunday for last-minute talks. No deal on December 31st means big changes to your bottom line. But married couples could take the biggest hit, paying about $2,000 extra in a so-called marriage penalty.
Animal Cruelty Charges, Tyson Responds
New information since we first reported the animal abuse charges story Thursday. Tyson Foods is now responding to the case involving a company it severed ties with earlier this year. You may remember. nine workers at Wyoming Premium Farms pork facility are facing cruelty charges stemming from undercover video that surfaced in May. If convicted, those workers could face up to two years in prison plus $5,000 fine. Since the incident, Tyson cut ties with the company. And now, it is responding to the latest charges. A written statement from Tyson reads, in part, quote--"we do not tolerate the mistreatment of animals by any of our suppliers. Since May, the undercover video shot at this Wyoming farm surfaced. The supplier has been thoroughly investigated by our "Office of Animal Well-Being." It should be noted that Tyson Foods does not purchase hogs raised on this farm for our... pork processing plants." -- end quote.
Adoption Ban Approved
New restrictions on Americans adopting children from Russia are official. Russia's upper house of parliament just approved a controversial measure Friday, banning adoption of Russian children by U.S. families. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin just has to sign it into law. And the impact is hitting close to home right here in Northwest Arkansas. A local family here is trying to get their adopted daughter home, from Russia. And now that the new ban is official, their plans will likely change.
One-on-One with Bielema
Razorback Nation goes home with the Head Hog. Razorback head coach, Brett Bielema went home for the holidays to Prophetstown, Illinois, and we were invited. We'll bringing you details of what he had to say about coaching and why he does it, in the coming days.
