National News

Senate panel clears way for full vote on state's district judge By a 12-10 party line vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to confirm Lee Rudofsky as a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Ark... by Frank E. Lockwood - October 18, 2019

Trump's resort to host G-7 meeting President Donald Trump has awarded the 2020 Group of Seven summit of world leaders to his own private company, scheduling the summit for June at his Trump Natio... by Toluse Olorunnipaand David A. Fahrenthold The Washington Post - October 18, 2019

Judge calls for settlement conference in opioid case The five-year legal battle over responsibility for the U.S. opioid epidemic is at a crucial juncture as drug company chief executives, state attorneys general a... by Lenny Bernstein, Scott Higham, Sari Horwitz and Aaron C. Davis The Washington Post - October 18, 2019

Don't think Democrats love U.S., Trump tells rally President Donald Trump criticized Democrats at a rally Thursday night in Texas, calling his opponents "crazy" as they push forward on an impeachment inquiry. by JILL COLVIN and KEVIN FREKING The Associated Press - October 18, 2019

Businessmen plead innocent to charges in political scheme Two businessmen pleaded innocent Thursday to conspiring with associates of Rudy Giuliani to make illegal campaign contributions, as a prosecutor said evidence i... by TOM HAYS and LARRY NEUMEISTER The Associated Press - October 18, 2019

In the news Ryan Linneman, 37, of Lee's Summit, Mo., who had been missing for a week, is now hospitalized with critical injuries after being found by a dirt bike rider in a... October 18, 2019

Names and faces Country music star Gretchen Wilson, whose hit song "Here for the Party" features the lyrics, "And I ain't leaving till they throw me out," was ousted from a New... by The Associated Press - October 18, 2019

The Nation in Brief Senate sustains veto of wall funding ban October 18, 2019

Share of Americans with no religious affiliation growing The portion of Americans with no religious affiliation is rising significantly, in tandem with a sharp drop in the percentage that identifies as Christians, acc... by DAVID CRARY AP National Writer - October 17, 2019

Pence announces Turkey has agreed to cease-fire in Syria ANKARA, Turkey -- Vice President Mike Pence announced Thursday that the U.S. and Turkey had agreed to a five-day cease-fire in northern Syria to allow for a Kur... by ZEKE MILLER Associated Press - October 17, 2019

White House: Ukraine aid held up in part over election probe WASHINGTON — The White House acknowledged Thursday that it held up military aid to Ukraine as President Donald Trump pushed the country's new leader to investig... by LISA MASCARO Associated Press - October 17, 2019

US envoy key to Ukraine probe distances himself from Trump WASHINGTON -- The U.S. ambassador to the European Union said Thursday that President Donald Trump directed him and other envoys to work with his personal lawyer... by ERIC TUCKER Associated Press - October 17, 2019

Klobuchar raised $1.1M for presidential campaign post-debate WASHINGTON -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she raised $1.1 million for her 2020 presidential campaign in the 24 hours following this week's Democratic debate. by The Associated Press - October 17, 2019

House vote scorns Syria exit President Donald Trump distanced himself from the conflict between Turkey and America's Kurdish allies in Syria on Wednesday, generating criticism from lawmaker... by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports - October 17, 2019

Arkansans back resolution, raise Syria concerns U.S. House members from Arkansas criticized the White House on Wednesday for not doing more to prevent Turkish attacks on America's Kurdish allies. by Frank E. Lockwood - October 17, 2019