Will inherit a $1 trillion deficit, Obama says

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama said Tuesday that he expects to inherit a $1 trillion budget deficit and that similar shortfalls are in store “for years to come” as the government grapples with a recession and other spending demands.

Windmill blade firm laying off 150 in LR

LM Glasfiber, the world’s largest manufacturer of windmill blades, will lay off more than 150 workers in Little Rock because of the national credit crisis, the Danish firm said Tuesday.

3 state leaders say raise cigarette tax 50 cents

Gov. Mike Beebe and the leaders of the House and the Senate each said Tuesday that they favor increasing the state’s cigarette tax to raise money for, among other health programs, a “trauma system” to improve emergency-room care.