Early Friday happenings

My morning updates are on K-106.3 The Greatest Hits of All Time with John Lee and Spirit FM at 93.3 and 100.7. You can also hear my early morning headlines on Y-95 in Camden.

I occasionally add items of state and local interest on my Lynch at Large blog

https://lynchatlarge.wordpress.com/

My train blog is very popular, so check out Trains for America.

http://trains4america.wordpress.com/

Remember that my column is in the Arkansas section of the Democrat-Gazette on the Voices page.

Arkansas congressional delegation is generally supportive of the Obama economic stimulus plan. “The national economy needs help, and I’m so glad that the President-elect has made it his no. 1 priority,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark Other congressional Democrats from Arkansas said they favored swift passage of a stimulus package, while the delegation’s only Republican cautioned against hasty action.

The Razorbacks will vacate the two track and field national championships that were stripped from the team by the NCAA for violations committed by former Arkansas sprints coach Lance Brauman. The violations involved former star sprinter Tyson Gay.

Arkansas Times reports Senator Lincoln is interviewing possible candidates for United States Attorney and possible openings for federal judges. Senators typically advise the President on such things.

State Rep. Dan Greenberg wants the Department of Finance and Administration to start a web site to follow where state government spends its money.

Chesapeake CEO Aubrey K. McClendon will have a new five-year contract, whereby McClendon will receive a one-time $75 million bonus, an annual salary of $975,000 and yearly bonuses that will not exceed his 2008 total of $1.95 million.

Wal-Mart  reported a slowdown in sales in December led by slower international spending and a drop in its Sam’s Club sales.

Dillard’s  December same-store sales were down 5 percent, while total store sales were down 6 percent. Dillard’s results were better than analysts expectations.

Hawker Beechcraft warns its employees to expect more layoffs as economic conditions continue to deteriorate.

The Highway Police division of the state Highway and Transportation Department will purchase 38 new cruisers using $2.6 million in additional revenue generated by an increase in fees charged to heavy vehicles operating in the Fayetteville Shale play area.

A change in federal rules will allow people to carry concealed, loaded firearms in most national parks and wildlife refuges beginning today

Jonesboro attorney David Reese is suing the City of Jonesboro after being acquitted on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Rees said he was arrested, refused a sobriety test, and held for six hours without being able to make a phone call. Police video was used at his trial.

A hastily called meeting of the Little Rock school board came to no conclusions on on $10 million in budget cuts, although some members were critical of the suddenness of the meeting and the seeming failure to make cuts in administration.

Little Rock’s A&P Commission will buy the lot at Markham and Scott for just over a million. Someday, there might be a parking garage there.

Little Rock police arrested Robert Tupac Shakur late Thursday afternoon, charging the 45-year-old in 12 aggravated robberies dating to Dec. 3.

The Marianna man accused of killing TV news anchor Anne Pressly was charged in Pulaski County Circuit Court with capital murder and rape Thursday, but the charges reveal little new information about the case, and his defense attorneys have persuaded a judge to continue a gag order for at least another week.

The developer of the big makeover of the Riviera apartments into condos has issued a news release on the soundness of the project following a report in Arkansas Business on some liens filed by firms working on the job.