SUMMARY: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proposed a nearly $6.5 billion budget for Arkansas’ upcoming fiscal year, aiming for a 3% increase, effective next July. This increase allocates funds primarily towards the school voucher program, boosting education freedom accounts by $90 million. Other budget highlights include $13 million for maternal health, $50 million for corrections, and $3 million for state employee pay raises. Lawmakers have expressed general approval of the budget’s responsible use of taxpayer dollars, emphasizing the importance of education, public safety, and maternal health as key areas of expenditure. The regular session starts January 13, 2025.

Sanders unveils nearly $6.5 billion budget plan for Arkansas

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SUMMARY: A severe storm in the Pacific Northwest is causing major concerns as 16 inches of rain are forecasted for areas north of San Francisco and southwestern Oregon through Friday. Wind-related incidents have already resulted in at least one death, and a woman narrowly escaped injury when a tree crashed into her home. Fire officials struggle to remove the fallen tree, possibly needing a crane. In the aftermath, hundreds of thousands are without power, and San Francisco crews distribute sandbags. Officials warn residents to take the storm seriously, despite last year’s excessive rainfall. Jared Hill reports for CBS News.

There’s serious concern for flash flooding and rock slides on the west coast after a bomb cyclone brought an incredible amount of rain and snow to the region.

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SUMMARY: Susan Smith, convicted in 1994 for killing her two sons, was denied parole after a hearing in South Carolina. Smith, now 53, tearfully expressed remorse for driving her minivan into a lake with her 3-year-old and 14-month-old sons strapped inside, initially claiming carjacking. Nine days later, she confessed to the murders. During the hearing, Smith’s family, including the children’s father, opposed her parole, highlighting her choices and actions. Prosecutor Tommy Pope also argued she has shown no genuine remorse. Smith remains serving a life sentence and will be eligible for parole again in two years.

On Wednesday, a South Carolina mother, convicted of killing her two sons by rolling her car into a lake in 1994, was denied parole.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/crime/susan-smith-parole-denied/101-79847c86-c033-4517-998d-693fe5b48c5f

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