State News

State News

Rutledge Joins 11-State Push for Deeper Cuts in Opioid Pill Manufacturing

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge joined an 11-state coalition calling on the federal government to implement sweeping reforms by accounting for the misuse of prescription painkillers and ultimately leading to the manufacturing of fewer opioid pills in 2019.

“Arkansas has been at the forefront of fighting the opioid epidemic,” said Rutledge. “This is a multifaceted problem, and I am committed to an all-of-theabove approach that includes decreasing the number of opioids released into the system as one more way to fight this deadly epidemic. This reform, along with my educational Prescription for Life program, Arkansas’s lawsuit to hold opioid manufacturers accountable, and other statewide efforts will curb this crisis impacting families across our state and nation.”

Arkansas joined the West Virginia-led filing with attorneys general from Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska and Utah.

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5-year-old Little Rock Boy Killed in Shooting

LITTLE ROCK – Authorities in Little Rock are investigating the fatal shooting of a 5-year-old boy.

Little Rock police spokesman Lt. Michael Ford says the shooting occurred about 8 p.m. Saturday at a residence in southwest Little Rock. Officers say the boy was critically injured when they arrived at the residence. Ford says the child was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors say the 5-yearold boy was one of five boys in the family but his name and the circumstances surrounding the shooting have not been released.

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Vice-President Makes Trip to Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Vice President Mike Pence made a visit Arkansas this weekend to campaign for Rep. French Hill.

Pence appeared at a rally held at the Statehouse Convention Center.

Over the last few weeks, Pence and President Donald Trump have been campaigning across the country for Republican candidates on the ballot in November. In fact, Trump was right across the border in Springfield, Missouri.

Hill is running for re-election in the second congressional district. This would be his third term. Hill faces opposition from Democrat Clarke Tucker.