Page 8 - D Pine Bluff News Today

The bill, which would force drag shows to be classified as adult performances, passed the Senate Tuesday on a party-line vote.

Senate Bill 43 by state Sen. Gary Stubblefield has been sent to the House for further action. Its critics include state Sen. Stephanie Flowers and Sen. Clarke Tucker.

State Rep. Vivian Flowers (D-Pine Bluff) was one of several supporters of former Jefferson County judge and state lawmaker Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV inside a U.S. District Court gallery, where Wilkins heard his fate nearly five years after pleading guilty for bribery.

Lawmakers also voted to punish Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, for filing what was determined to be a frivolous and retaliatory ethics charge against a colleague.

On the eve of todays general election, opponents and proponents of the proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas jousted as candidates for state, federal and local offices made their closing pitches to persuade voters to cast ballots.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections admitted during a legislative committee meeting Monday to a seven-year mistake in interpreting Arkansas law, explaining that is why two inmates who were released in June were re-incarcerated days later and why nearly 300 inmates are learning they will have to serve their entire sentence with no parole, despite what they were told at the time of their plea agreements.

On Sept. 26, State Representative Vivian Flowers (D-Pine Bluff) visited Pine Bluff schools.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey has given Sen. Alan Clark until late Monday afternoon to turn in his Senate license plates, keys to his Senate office and Capitol Hill apartment northeast of the state Capitol, keycards to the state Capitol and the Capitol Hill apartment, and any Senate-issued electronic devices such as a laptop and iPad.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey has given Sen. Alan Clark until late Monday afternoon to turn in his Senate license plates, keys to his Senate office and Capitol Hill apartment northeast of the state Capitol, keycards to the state Capitol and the Capitol Hill apartment, and any Senate-issued electronic devices such as a laptop and iPad.

Arkansas State Sen. Alan Clark has been suspended for the remainder of the legislative session for a "frivolous" ethics complaint against Sen. Stephanie Flowers.