SUMMARY: THV11 Plus news coverage highlights tensions within the Arkansas Supreme Court, following newly elected Chief Justice Karen Baker’s controversial decisions since her swearing-in on January 1st. During a heated three-hour meeting, other justices expressed dissatisfaction with Baker’s unilateral actions, including live-streaming the meeting without broader notification, which they deemed inappropriate. Disagreements center around the interpretation of Amendment 80 regarding the Chief Justice’s powers, with Baker asserting she can take charge, while others argue she should only implement existing policies. The discord has been labeled an embarrassment for the state, with calls for more private discussions instead of public confrontations.

Newly-elected Chief Justice Karen Baker and her colleagues have been at odds since the first moments after her Jan. 1 swearing in.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) emphasizes the need for Congress to explore innovative ways to use American forests instead of letting them burn. He points out that billions of dollars are spent annually fighting wildfires and argues that forests should be a source of income for the federal government, not a financial burden. Westerman suggests that healthy, well-managed forests can provide sustainable products for buildings, acting as carbon sinks by storing atmospheric carbon. He stresses that forests also offer essential benefits like clean air, water, and wildlife habitats, which are lost when they are destroyed by fire.

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SUMMARY: Benton’s second middle school, Mountain View Middle, will open in August 2025. Principal Chris Johnson, who has been gathering feedback from parents, announced the attendance zones: Mountain View will serve students from Caldwell Elementary, while Benton Middle will accommodate those from Howard Perrin , and Angie Grant Elementary schools. Students from Ringgold Elementary will be divided between both middle schools. The school is on track for completion by July, with work underway on interiors, including the gym floor. Students who use the district’s school choice program will stay with their current classmates. More details will be available on thv11.com.

Benton is prepping to open its second middle school and district leaders are making some important decisions, including drawing the attendance zone.

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