Free Republic

I received a message from a good friend of Budge's telling me that he had passed away either last night or this morning. I don't know any particulars yet. I got an email from him just yesterday. I know Budge had lots of friends on FR and was active for many years and attended numerous events. I thought y'all would want to know.

Local news has been reporting all evening on a system of tornado producing storms moving through SW Missouri. There is at least one reported fatality and significant damage. Tornado warnings continue to be issued every few minutes. Anyone else in the area have any information?

FAYETTEVILLE -- A Bella Vista man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to having sexual contact with foster children in his care and filming the encounters. Brian John Bergthold, 45, admitted to producing child pornography and transporting child pornography in Arkansas earlier this year and to producing child pornography in Oregon in 2000. The Oregon case was transferred to the Western District of Arkansas so they could all be handled at once.... Complete story

Link to story: Wal-Mart 'customizing' stores

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is joining with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to help advance diversity within the Bentonville-based retailer’s operations, the company confirmed Tuesday. Dee Breazeale, a Wal-Mart vice president, will serve on the chamber’s corporate advisory council, which works to educate corporate America on the benefits of workplace diversity. “We are honored to have Wal-Mart's support of the NGLCC. Our partnership will not only provide more opportunities for the NGLCC, but the business community as a whole,” Justin Nelson, chamber co-founder and president, said in a news release. “We are pleased with this addition to our...

Baxter Bulletin doesn't allow content...here's the link: Test scores show 325 Ark. schools fall short of standards

Since Baxter Bulletin can't even be exerpted, here is the link to the original story. Abortion rts group disappointed court won't hear car tag caseScore one for the right side.

Arkansas's useless senators strike again. The source thinks it's too good for FR. I can only post the link: Arkansas Senators vote against amendment to ban gay marriage

Yet another paper that's not allowed. You'll have to go to the link. Sex offender shoots himself at pawn shop

I heard today as I was getting ready to leave work that as of today, it is illegal in the state of Arkansas to smoke in a private vehicle with a minor or on the premises of any business establishment frequented by minors. Does anybody have any more detailed information on this? If true, this is an outrage! Not unexpected, but an outrage nevertheless. Before we know it, we will have to have prior government approval to use a public restroom.

I know there are a lot of homeschoolers on FR with varied experiences and I really need your input. I have always been a believer in homeschooling, but I also know that there are a lot of variables to be considered. For instance, when my daughter was coming up on school age, after much thought and prayer, I decided that, even though I was a stay at home mom and could easily have managed the necessary time to homeschool, the personality dynamics and differences in learning style between me and my daughter were such that she would likely fare better...

Okay ladies...and self-proclaimed metrosexuals. I have never seen this topic on FR before, although I don't doubt that it has been here and I have just missed it. There are a lot of smart and attractive women on FR, and since we women put so much time, money and effort into how we look, doesn't it seem like a good idea to share what we've learned. Do you shave or wax? Color your hair? Sun, salon or self tan? Where do you shop? What is your skin care routine and what do you use? What are you happy with and...

<p>The actual source link for the story goes to a Gannett website.</p> <p>Gannett Publications has requested that Free Republic allow only a title and link to be posted for any stories sourced from Gannett websites.</p>

<p>Story had to be removed because the source link for the story goes to The Baxter Bulletin, a Gannett website.</p> <p>Gannett Publications has requested that Free Republic allow only a title and link to be posted for any stories sourced from Gannett websites.</p>

<p>Story removed because it is from The Baxter Bulletin, a Gannett website.</p> <p>Free Republic has been asked to prevent posting of any material from Gannett sites, except a title and link.</p>

<p>BOSTON (AP) -- Three Massachusetts women backed by pro-abortion rights groups sued Wal-Mart on Wednesday, saying the retail giant violated a state regulation by failing to stock emergency contraception pills in its pharmacies.</p> <p>The suit filed in Suffolk Superior Court seeks a court order compelling the company to stock the so-called "morning after pill," in its 44 Wal-Marts and four Sam Club stores in Massachusetts, all of which have pharmacies.</p>

<p>Story removed because it is from The Baxter Bulletin, a Gannett website. Free Republic has been asked to prevent posting of any material from Gannett sites, except a title and link.</p>

<p>Story removed because it is from The Baxter Bulletin, a Gannett website. Free Republic has been asked to prevent posting of any material from Gannett sites, except a title and link.</p>

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. -- A judge on Monday afternoon convicted a couple from Gamaliel for 20 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Investigators said Tammy and William Hanson mistreated or neglected hundreds of dogs, including some rescued from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. The Hansons owned a shelter called Every Dog Needs a Home. Last fall, after getting a tip, law officers found between 400 and 500 dogs at the Hansons' two-acre lot northeast of Mountain Home. Sheriff's deputies found one dog dead, another with a broken leg, and many sickly dogs. Most of the dogs have since been removed and taken...

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Several national and state mental health, legal and gay-rights groups will get their arguments heard by the state Supreme Court as the justices consider whether homosexuals can serve as foster parents in Arkansas. A state judge said in 2004 that it was unconstitutional for the Child Welfare Agency Review Board to bar homosexuals from serving as foster parents. Justices on Thursday accepted four friend-of-the-court briefs filed on behalf of 18 groups wishing to weigh in. The briefs expand on scientific, legal and social issues raised during a trial held before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox....