Arkansas executes inmate after U.S. Supreme Court gives go-ahead

Arkansas executed its first inmate in 12 years on Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the inmate's request to halt the lethal injection in a late-night ruling. Ledell Lee, 51, was the first to be put to death out of a group of eight men that Arkansas originally planned to execute within a span of 11 days, before the expiration of one of the drugs the state uses for the lethal injection.

Arkansas looks to carry out 1st execution since 2005

In this Monday evening, April 17, 2017 photo, the sun sets behind clouds over an Arkansas State Police command post outside the Varner Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction near Varner, Ark. As state officials prepare to carry out a double execution Thursday ahead of a drug expiration deadline and despite the setback the U.S. Supreme Court delivered late Monday, lawyers for those condemned men look to be taking a different approach: claiming the prisoners are actually innocent.

Arkansas determined to fight legal challenges to executions

Arkansas has said it will appeal a court ruling that bars the U.S. state's use of a lethal injection drug and effectively puts a stop to its plans to execute eight prisoners in 11 days. A state circuit judge issued the temporary restraining order on Wednesday after the U.S. pharmaceutical firm McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc accused the state of obtaining the muscle relaxant vecuronium bromide under false pretences.

The Latest: Arkansas governor disappointed by court ruling

In this Monday evening, April 17, 2017 photo, the sun sets behind clouds over an Arkansas State Police command post outside the Varner Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction near Varner, Ark. As state officials prepare to carry out a double execution Thursday ahead of a drug expiration deadline and despite the setback the U.S. Supreme Court delivered late Monday, lawyers for those condemned men look to be taking a different approach: claiming the prisoners are actually innocent.

The Latest: Arkansas inmates petition US Supreme Court

In this Monday evening, April 17, 2017 photo, the sun sets behind clouds over an Arkansas State Police command post outside the Varner Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction near Varner, Ark. As state officials prepare to carry out a double execution Thursday ahead of a drug expiration deadline and despite the setback the U.S. Supreme Court delivered late Monday, lawyers for those condemned men look to be taking a different approach: claiming the prisoners are actually innocent.

The Latest: Lawyers: Don’t rush Arkansas executions decision

People gather at a rally opposing the state's upcoming executions, on the front steps of Arkansas' Capitol, Friday, April 14, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark. less People gather at a rally opposing the state's upcoming executions, on the front steps of Arkansas' Capitol, Friday, April 14, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark.

Arkansas governor says execution plan just part of the job

Protesters gather outside the state Capitol building on Friday, April 14, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark., to voice their opposition to Arkansas' seven upcoming executions. Actor Johnny Depp greets someone as he walks to the podium to speak at a rally opposing Arkansas' upcoming executions, which are set to begin next week, on the front steps of the Capitol Friday, April 14, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark.

Judge halts Arkansas plan to execute up to 8 inmates in 11 days

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: Protesters gather outside the state Capitol building on Friday, April 14, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark., to voice their opposition to Arkansas' seven upcoming executions. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

Judge halts Arkansas plan to execute 8 inmates in 11 days

A federal judge dealt another blow Saturday to Arkansas' unprecedented plan to execute eight inmates in an 11-day period, saying the men have the right to challenge a drug protocol that could expose them to "severe pain." The state still hopes to begin the executions Monday and the attorney general's office promised an appeal to overturn U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker's order.

Accelerated executions: Arkansas plans 8 over 10-day period

After nearly a dozen years without an execution, Arkansas is racing to put eight men to death next month over a 10-day period - an unprecedented timetable the state says is necessary because one of the three ingredients in the lethal injection will soon expire. If carried out, the executions beginning April 17 would make Arkansas the first state to execute that many inmates in such a short time since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a rising star in Trump’s orbit

In this March 8, 2017, photo, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stands in front of the White House in Washington. Faced with aggressive on-air questioning about the president's wiretapping claims, Sarah Huckabee Sanders didn't flinch, she went folksy.

Senate defeats resolutions on amendments to prohibit same-sex marriage and ban abortion

The Arkansas Senat e fell a vote short today of approving resolution calling on Congress to propose a constitutional convention to ban same-sex marriage and then followed with a similar vote on an amendment aimed at banning abortion. The vote was 17-7 on the marriage resolution and 17-6 on the abortion measure.

Amazon to collect taxes on state sales

Seattle-based Amazon on March 1 will begin collecting taxes on its sales to Arkansans and paying those taxes to the state government, Amazon spokesman Jill Kerr said Friday. Amazon's announcement came four days after the Arkansas Senate voted 23-9 to approve legislation aimed at persuading Amazon and some other companies that have no physical presence in Arkansas to collect taxes on their sales and remit the receipts to the state.