Arkansas sends National Guardsmen to Biden inauguration

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas National Guard is sending 500 soldiers and airmen to Washington to assist with security for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The guard on Thursday said Gov. Asa Hutchinson approved the mission.

The deployment begins on Jan. 17 and the guardsmen are set to return to Arkansas before the end of the month.

The guard’s mission will include assisting with traffic control, security and crowd management at the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and other locations.

The FBI has warned of armed rallies in Washington and at all 50 state capitols in the days leading up to Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for virus as cases rise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Another Arkansas lawmaker has tested positive for the coronavirus days into this year’s legislative session.

A House spokeswoman said Rep. Milton Nicks told the chamber’s speaker Wednesday he tested positive for the virus. The spokeswoman said Nicks had minor symptoms.

Nicks is the 22nd Arkansas state legislator to test positive since the virus began. Nicks was at the Capitol on Monday for the start of the session and video indicated he was listed as present when lawmakers met Tuesday for the governor’s State of the State address.

Arkansas Senate panel advances ‘Stand Your Ground’ bill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas Senate panel has advanced legislation loosening restrictions on the use of deadly force in self defense, two years after failing before the same committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed the proposal that would remove the state’s duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. The measure now heads to the Senate.