FORT SMITH – A judge has set a half-million dollar bond for a man accused of killing the former mayor of Waldron.

Mario Dawson and his wife, Jasmine Dawson, appeared before a judge during a video arraignment Wednesday. Mario Dawson is accused of killing 75-year-old Troy Anderson, Waldron’s former mayor who disappeared last month.

Police accused Mario Dawson of confronting Anderson because he thought the former mayor was having an inappropriate relationship with Jasmine Dawson. Authorities say Mario Dawson confessed to killing Anderson, then dumping the body in a remote area of Pulaski County.

Mario Dawson is being held on first-degree murder charges, while Jasmine Dawson faces charges of hindering apprehension or prosecution. Both remain in the Sebastian County jail.

Arkansas AG raises $478K for 2010 re-election bid

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has more than $442,141 in the bank for his re-election bid next year.

The Democrat, seeking a second term, reported Wednesday that he raised $478,365 during the three-month period that ended June 30. McDaniel reported spending $51,272 during that period.

McDaniel, who was elected in 2006, so far doesn’t face any opponents in next year’s primary or general election. Wednesday is the deadline for candidates to file quarterly fundraising reports with the state.

Tyson to sell 5 hog farms as it reduces sow herd

The Associated Press

SPRINGDALE – Tyson Foods Inc. says it is shedding sow production as it continues to deal with high grain costs and slumping demand.

The nation’s largest meat producer says its pork group is selling five hog farms and cutting 76 jobs in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. It did not give a sale price.

The Springdale, Ark.-based company says affected employees are being encouraged to apply for other Tyson jobs.

The cuts mean Tyson is reducing its sow herd by 29 percent, taking it from 70,000 head to 50,000 – though that represents a small fraction of hogs the company processes.

The meat industry has been hurting due to volatile ingredient costs and weak demand as consumers cut back on restaurant spending.

Man faces manslaughter charges after beating death

The Associated Press

FORT SMITH – Police say a Fort Smith man is in jail on suspicion of manslaughter after he reportedly beat another man and left him to die on a porch.

Police were called to Glen Gilbert’s home on July 7 on reports of a disturbance. Once there, officers found Larry Cowan suffering from a severe head injury. Police say Gilbert reportedly told his nephew that he beat Cowan and left him to die.

Cowan was hospitalized and died less than a week later.

Gilbert was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in the Sebastian County jail on a $50,000 bond.