State Digest

Arkansas judge who blocked TV ads removing himself from case

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A northwest Arkansas judge who temporarily blocked some TV stations from running a conservative group's ad targeting a state Supreme Court justice seeking re-election is removing himself from the case.

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Doug Martin recused himself Wednesday from hearing Justice Courtney Goodson's lawsuit over the ads by the Judicial Crisis Network, a Washington-based group criticizing Goodson ahead of the May 22 non-partisan judicial election. Martin delayed a hearing that was scheduled Thursday in the case but said the temporary restraining order he issued over the ads remains in effect.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Tuesday that Martin reported receiving income, through his wife, from the law firm of Goodson's husband.

Goodson earlier Wednesday asked that the case be reassigned to another judge.

Police: Pot seized at weigh station likely obtained legally

ALMA (AP) — Arkansas Highway Police suspect hundreds of pounds of marijuana seized at a weigh station had likely been obtained legally in other parts of the country.

The Times Record reports that Highway Police have seized more than 770 pounds (350 kilograms) of marijuana at the Alma Weigh Station since April 21.

Highway Police Chief Jay Thompson says the marijuana recently seized from vehicles passing through the weigh station was concealed in "a more professional-type packaging" than police are used to. Thompson says the packaging indicates the pot came from a state that has legalized manufacturing of the drug.

The trucks containing the marijuana originated from California and Colorado, two states with legal recreational marijuana.

Recreational marijuana is legal in nine states, but Thompson stresses the importance for Highway Police to still seize the drug.