Wednesday early morning happenings

Two escaped murderers from Cummins Prison are behind bars in New York sSate after a traffic stop. Three alleged accomplices are under arrest in Arkansas and five prison employees are suspended as the investigation continues.

The individual accused in the killing of one soldier and the critical injury of another at a Little Rock Army recruiting station was under investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorist Task Force since his return from Yemen. The suspect, who has admitted the shooting, entered a “not guilty” plea to all charges. Federal charges may yet be filed.

The monthly state revenue report shows income is down about 1 percent against the same month last year and slightly below the forecast as well.

The state acquired 207 vehicles last year from auto dealerships in Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas that had no permits to do business in the state. That, according to the Attorney General, is against the law.

FOX 16 reports more GM dealerships in Arkansas will close before October.

Gov.Beebe is asking President Obama to declare a disaster in 37 counties affected by storms and flooding last month.

Arkansas has chosen turf manufacturer Sportexe to lay a playing surface known as PowerBlade HP 2.5 in the stadium by Aug. 1. The Razorback Foundation has raised the $1.1 million to pay for the project.

Former guard Patrick Beverley said he misspoke during an interview with DraftExpress.com last week, backing off comments that his teammates had class papers done for them.

Unions trying to organize Wal-Mart workers picked shareholder meeting week to stage demonstrations in Little Rock and elsewhere in the nation.

Tyson Foods has named Archie Schaffer as executive vice president for corporate affairs

Statewide home sales are down 8 percent in the month of April, when compared to a year ago.

Sanyo is once again scaling back its workforce at the Forrest City facility. 55 jobs moving to Tijuana, Mexico.

Hawker Beechcraft will institute employee furloughs at its Little Rock facility for several weeks later this year.

Genmar Holdings of Minnesota, the parent company of Ranger Boats, has declared bankruptcy.

MAHLE Corporation is cutting 40% of it 198 person workforce in Russellville.

The United Way laid off six full-time Arkansas 211 employees in Pine Bluff and cut the hours of service after it was unable to secure funding from the Legislature or Gov. Mike Beebe.

Some Warren residents say they now intend to travel to Dumas or Monticello for medical care instead of going to a Bradley County Medical Center clinic.

Pine Bluff police who were checking the parking lot of a nightclub arrested a 28-year-old man after finding $600 in counterfeit $20 bills and a gun in his car.

Filed under: Arkansas

Tardy Tuesday update

Quarterback Ryan Mallett will miss at least two weeks of Arkansas’ summer workouts after breaking his right ring finger.

Five prison employees are suspended and an investigation is underway into Friday evenings escape from Cummins. The State Police have arrested two men and a woman in connection with the escape The pair of convicted murders were reportedly sighted in Michigan.

A pair of soldiers, just back from basic training, was shot outside a Little Rock recruiting office. One is dead, one is in serious but not life-threatening condition, and a suspect is in custody. Police now say the supposed shooter claims to have recently converted to Islam and opposes U. S. military policy.

El Dorado Police Officer Scott Harwell, who has been on the force for a little over a year, was severely injured when an alleged drunk driver struck the back of his vehicle.

A proposed ballot measure that would require union elections to be conducted by secret ballot has again been rejected by the attorney general’s office.

UCA interim President Tom Courtway has removed his name from consideration to be executive director of the new state lottery commission.

A statewide disaster response center that’s planned for Magnolia has been awarded a $150,000 federal grant.

Doyle Webb, the Arkansas Republican Party’s chairman, is defending raising lesbian lawmaker Kathy Webb’s sexuality as an issue, but is also praising her as “admirable” and a “very fine Christian person.”

A survey of supply managers and other business executives in nine Midwest and Plains states — including Arkansas — suggests that the regional economy has bottomed out.

Thousands of workers at auto dealerships in Arkansas could lose their jobs as General Motors joins Chrysler in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the head of the state’s auto trade association said Monday.

The deal to sell Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith is off.

A Branch, Arkansas man has a broken back, neck, and pelvis after being thrown from a metal ladder while apparently attempting to siphon electricity.

Filed under: Arkansas