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Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Senate unanimously approves grocery tax reduction; House test awaits By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The Senate unanimously approved Gov. Mike Beebe's proposed grocery tax reduction Tuesday, setting up an early showdown in the House, where leaders back an alternate tax cut plan. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Bill to protect child abuse witnesses fails in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to restrict cross-examination of children by defendants accused of abusing them failed to clear a House committee Tuesday. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 House committee endorses domestic abuse bill By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill to set guidelines for law enforcement officers in responding to domestic abuse incidents was endorsed Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Committee endorses homestead exemption, nixes break for local governments By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House Revenue and Taxation Committee endorsed legislation Tuesday that would raise the state's homestead exemption on property by $50, from $300 to $350. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Beebe appoints Suskie to PSC, Marks to ADEQ By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe shook up the leadership of the state utility regulatory agency Tuesday, naming Paul Suskie, the North Little Rock city attorney, to head the Arkansas Public Service Commission. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Senate accepts staff chief's resignation, ponders eliminating post By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The Senate Efficiency Committee accepted the resignation of Senate Chief of Staff Bill Goodman on Tuesday, and began considering whether to eliminate the $100,00-a-year position. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Complaint filed over destruction of Huckabee hard drives By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Political gadfly Jim Parson's filed a complaint Tuesday with the Pulaski County prosecutor's office over former Gov. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Lockheed contract sends rockets work to Camden plant Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Lockheed Martin Corp. received a $166 million contract to make 60 rocket systems for the Army and Marine Corps, the defense contractor said Tuesday. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Entergy earnings nearly double Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Entergy Corp. announced that its fourth quarter 2006 earnings nearly doubled, up to $268. - Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 Past News Food tax cut sails through committee By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe's proposal to cut the state's 6 percent sales tax on groceries to 3 percent sailed through the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee on Monday and was scheduled for a full Senate vote today. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 House votes to eliminate BMI By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The House voted Monday to repeal the state-mandated measurement of students' body mass. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Huckabee says he's ready for 'sausage grinder' By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Former Gov. Mike Huckabee fielded questions about his 2008 presidential bid in Arkansas on Monday, a day after announcing on national television that he planned to join a crowded Republican field. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Senate chief of staff resigns - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Beebe to replace economic development chief By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he would not retain the head of the state economic development office. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Bill for incentives to make, use biodiesel pending, Petrus says Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - House Speaker Benny Petrus said Monday that legislation would be filed as early as today proposing financial incentives for the production and distribution of biodiesel fuel in Arkansas. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Tyson Foods Back In Black By Kim Souza SPRINGDALE - Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc. saw its first quarter profits rise 46 percent over the same period a year ago, company records show. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Murphy Oil finds natural gas in Malaysia By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Murphy Oil Corp. has made a significant natural gas discovery off the coast of Malaysia, the El Dorado crude oil and natural gas company announced Monday. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Deltic Timber CFO to retire, replacement named Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Deltic Timber Corp. announced Monday that chief financial officer Clefton D. - Tue, Jan 30, 2007 Legislature facing busy week with grocery tax, BMI debates By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislators face a busy week, starting when they return today with a Senate committee considering Gov. - Mon, Jan 29, 2007 State legislators have variety of jobs in private life By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - No butchers or candlestick makers are on the roster, but the membership of Arkansas' 86th General Assembly does include a baker. - Sun, Jan 28, 2007 Toyota likely to pick Marion, industry journalist says By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Toyota chose the site for an automobile manufacturing plant "quite a while ago" and Marion is the likely pick, the publisher of a business magazine said Friday. - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 Officials say biofuels industry needs fostering By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Called the potential Silicon Valley of biofuels by Gov. - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 Wofford named state adjutant general Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Maj. Gen. Bill Wofford, a 35-year military veteran, was named Friday as Adjutant General for the Arkansas National Guard. - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 House OKs bill limiting clemency applications By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House approved legislation Friday that would require state prison inmates serving sentences of live without parole to wait longer to reapply for executive clemency after being denied leniency. - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 Legislative Briefs Bill to limit committee members' terms advances - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 Beebe appoints circuit judge Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday announced the appointment of James D. - Sat, Jan 27, 2007 Committee endorses bill to repeal mandatory BMI measurement - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Senate OKs bill to restrict cross-exam of child sex abuse victim - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Committee endorses bill to limit clemency applications - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Preschool students show improved skills, study says - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Lawmaker: Bid to restrict shackles on prisoners in labor going forward - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Bill would let governor separate DHHS - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Legislative Council bill questioned - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Legislative briefs - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 High court says open judge's ethics hearing - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Hospitals to collaborate to improve care, education - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 Home sales fell almost 3 percent in 2006, report says - Fri, Jan 26, 2007 BMI, health initiatives working, officials say By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Results of a study presented to legislators Tuesday showed that a majority of public school students and their parents are comfortable with receiving an annual state-mandated report on the children's weight. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Attorney general takes aim at identity theft, meth By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Measures to combat identity theft and methamphetamine trafficking are among the proposals in a legislative package announced Tuesday by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Arkansas unemployment rate falls Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate fell one-tenth of 1 percent to 5. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Panel endorses illegal immigration bill By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Tuesday endorsed legislation that would prohibit state agencies from contracting with businesses that employ illegal immigrants. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Budget panel advances $500,000 request for governor's emergency fund By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Budget Committee reversed itself Tuesday and endorsed a $500,000 appropriation to replenish the governor's emergency fund after balking last week because former Gov. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Beebe: More probation officers, alternative sentencing needed By John Lyon NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Hiring more probation officers and making greater use of alternative sentencing would be effective ways to ease the strain on jails and law enforcement agencies, Gov. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Legislative business moving at snail's pace By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - No bills came to a vote in the Senate on Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Committee endorses substitute teacher standards - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Blytheville plant announces $40 million expansion Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A new plant to produce heat treated oil country tubular goods will be added to IPSCO Inc. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Two Arkansas bank subsidiaries merge Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Liberty Bancshares Inc. announced Tuesday the merger of company subsidiaries in Russellville and Jonesboro. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Arkansas Best declares dividend Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The board of directors of Arkansas Best Corp. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share for its common stock Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Governor announces appointments LITTLE ROCK - Six appointments to state boards and commissions were announced Tuesday by Gov. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Halter to host open house Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter will host an open house reception complete with refreshments Thursday afternoon at his office in the state Capitol. - Wed, Jan 24, 2007 Education committees endorse adequacy study By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - An educational adequacy study endorsed Monday recommends about $191 million in additional funding for Arkansas public schools over two years. - Tue, Jan 23, 2007 Legislator says highway bond measure being readied for 2008 vote By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - A new highway bond program proposed for the 2008 general election ballot would restrict highway officials' ability to keep extending state debt, a state senator told a legislative committee Monday. - Tue, Jan 23, 2007 Cyberbullying measure passes House By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Monday approved legislation requiring school districts to adopt policies to discourage online bullying and a bill to encourage businesses that use grocery carts to provide sanitary wipes for customers. - Tue, Jan 23, 2007 Bill to require autopsy for first responders pulled Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A bill to require autopsies for firefighters and law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty was pulled from consideration Monday. - Tue, Jan 23, 2007 Fitch appointed to head Livestock and Poultry Commission Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe named a former state Senate colleague Monday to head the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. - Tue, Jan 23, 2007 Lawmakers to receive educational adequacy report By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislators will finally get to see what has been described as the "road map" for education adequacy this week, and will debate legislation that would loosen restrictions on using deadly force. - Mon, Jan 22, 2007 Arkansas in minority without closing fund to lure industry By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Many states already give their governors discretionary money to close major economic development deals, and some economic development officials say Arkansas needs to do the same to compete. - Sun, Jan 21, 2007 State Supreme Court ruling may lead to changes in law, some experts say By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A state Supreme Court ruling on the issue of charitable immunity for hospitals could lead to changes in state law, some legal experts say. - Sun, Jan 21, 2007 Southwestern Energy committed to Fayetteville Shale By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Nearly five years ago, "one of those lightbulbs went on" and Southwestern Energy Co. - Sun, Jan 21, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Child custody bill approved - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 Beebe highlights keys to Delta revitalization By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Better education, the development of the tourism and biofuels industries and affordable health care and housing are the keys to revitalizing the Arkansas Delta, Gov. - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 Coalition calls for immigration reform By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A coalition promoting immigration reform urged Arkansas' congressional delegation Friday to push for a fix of the country's immigration system that is "consistent with humanitarian values. - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 Five more counties declared disaster areas Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday declared five more Arkansas counties disaster areas because of flooding and ice last weekend. - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 Regions profit up 42 percent in fourth quarter Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Regions Financial Corp. fourth quarter profits increased 42 percent to $361. - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 BancorpSouth 4Q earnings down 39 percent Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Tupelo, Miss.-based BancorpSouth Inc.'s said Friday that fourth quarter net income fell 39 percent since the same quarter a year ago, down to $21. - Sat, Jan 20, 2007 Former lawmaker Hoofman named to Highway Commission By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A former state senator was named Thursday to the Arkansas Highway Commission. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Beebe supports changing BMI program By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Thursday he supports changing the law that requires public schools to calculate the body mass index of students. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Budget panel denies Beebe emergency fund, OKs juvenile lockup contract By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - The Joint Budget Committee voted down Gov. Mike Beebe's request for a $500,000 emergency fund Thursday and sent bills requesting staff and equipment for the governor's office to subcommittees. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 UCA, UA snatch biggest gains in Beebe's budget By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The University of Central Arkansas in Conway and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville would reap the biggest gains among four-year state higher education institutions in Gov. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Cyberbullying bill advances despite ACLU concerns By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would require schools to adopt policies against online bullying received the endorsement Thursday of the House Education Committee. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 House advances juvenile sex offender notification bill By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House on Thursday approved legislation that would require courts to notify school districts when a juvenile is charged or punished for a sex offense. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Governor discusses merit pay - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 State Supreme Court urges Legislature to rethink charitable immunity By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge to the doctrine that nonprofit hospitals are immune from civil suits but urged lawmakers to consider abolishing the doctrine. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Simmons 4Q earnings level off Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff reported flat earnings in its fourth quarter, which ended December 31, 2006. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Education Department accepting applications to teach in Taiwan Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education announced Thursday it is accepting applications for a program to send Arkansas teachers to Taiwan. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Alltel declares dividend Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Alltel Corp. declared a 12.5 cent regular quarterly dividend on its common stock Thursday. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Commission to evaluate paddlefish problems By Joe Mosby LITTLE ROCK - Staff of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission backed off of a request to immediately close Ozark Lake to commercial taking of paddlefish Thursday and recommended commissioners study the issue. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Little Rock lawyer suspended; Bentonville lawyer reprimanded By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A Little Rock lawyer was suspended and a Bentonville lawyer was reprimanded in separate actions Thursday. - Fri, Jan 19, 2007 Beebe's budget proposal unveiled By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe proposed a two-year, $8.9 billion balanced budget Wednesday that would carve $253 million out of state spending to cut the 6 percent sales tax on groceries in half. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Lake View funding case review put on fast track By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The remaining issues in the Lake View school funding case should be identified quickly to give Legislature the option of acting during the current session, parties in the case agreed Wednesday. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Bill filed to create panel to oversee charitable bingo, raffles By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Despite approval in November of a constitutional amendment that allows charitable bingo and raffles in Arkansas, it will be July 1 before people can legally begin playing the games, according to bill filed Wednesday in the Legislature. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Bill on indecent exposure, Internet stalking approved by House By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - With little discussion, the House approved legislation Wednesday designed to toughen the penalties for indecent exposure and Internet stalking convictions. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Bill would repeal BMI report - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Seven counties declared disaster areas Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared seven Arkansas counties disaster areas Wednesday because of flooding and ice during the holiday weekend. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Board of Education approves Rogers charter school By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education on Wednesday approved an application for a proposed charter school in Rogers. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 Three school districts removed from fiscal distress status Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education on Wednesday removed three school districts from fiscal distress status. - Thu, Jan 18, 2007 CenterPoint Energy files natural gas rate change By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - CenterPoint Energy petitioned state regulators Tuesday to raise natural gas distribution rates. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Illegal immigration bill defeated in committee By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A House committee Tuesday turned back legislation to bar state agencies from contracting with businesses that employ illegal immigrants. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Bill requiring school be notified of juvenile sex offender advances By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - A bill that would require courts to notify school districts when a juvenile is charged or punished for a sex offense was endorsed Tuesday by the House Education Committee. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 House passes bill to give military spouses tuition break By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislation that would give the spouses of military personnel deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan a break on college tuition if they have to leave school sailed through the House on Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Legislative Briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Eminent domain bill filed - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Merit pay data encouraging, lawmakers told By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Researchers don't have enough data on merit pay for public school teachers to support firm conclusions, but the limited information available from a study in Little Rock is encouraging, a University of Arkansas professor told legislators said - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Biofuel bill still in works, lawmakers told By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Introduction of an Arkansas biofuel bill is probably still a week away and possibly more, officials told legislators Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Beebe names department heads Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe named two more department heads Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Hot Springs aircraft firm sold Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - An Illinois company said Tuesday it bought the assets of Reebaire Aircraft Inc. - Wed, Jan 17, 2007 Tax relief bills piling up early, likely to be deferred By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Tax relief bills are already filling the House Revenue and Taxation Committee agenda, but don't expect fast action on one of the top issues of the legislative session, a committee member said Monday. - Tue, Jan 16, 2007 Little Rock marks King holiday 50 years after desegregation crisis By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Residents, community leaders and elected officials braved cold, dreary conditions Monday to participate in Dr. - Tue, Jan 16, 2007 Group formed to help legal immigrants to become U.S. citizens By Doug Thompson SPRINGDALE - The Arkansas Citizenship Coalition was formed Monday to help permanent, legal residents of the United States become citizens. - Tue, Jan 16, 2007 Legislators to get first look at Beebe budget this week By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - After a long holiday weekend, legislators will return to the Capital on Tuesday expecting to get a first look this week at Gov. - Mon, Jan 15, 2007 New House member competed in Olympics By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Long before he became a legislator, freshman state Rep. - Sun, Jan 14, 2007 House OKs bill restricting shackling of pregnant inmates By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - The House approved legislation that would restrict the use of shackles on pregnant inmates during labor Friday before adjourning for a long holiday weekend. - Sat, Jan 13, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Consolidated utility bill endorsed - Sat, Jan 13, 2007 Court delays judge's ethics hearing Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Supreme Court on Friday issued an order delaying an ethics hearing for state Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen. - Sat, Jan 13, 2007 Beebe releases records of ex-Parole Board member By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Former state Parole Board member Lary Zeno made lewd sexual remarks to a female state employee and had off-color jokes and nude photographs of men and women stored on his state-owned computer, according to an investigative report released Thur - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Bill would restrict practice of shackling pregnant inmates giving birth By Doug Thompson and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Shackling state prisoners who are giving birth would be restricted under a new law recommended Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Lawmakers get good news on schools By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas is making more progress than any other state in improving public school students' academic performance, spokesmen for the Southern Regional Education Board told legislators Thursday. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Beebe defends state turnback proposal By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Thursday defended his proposal to raise the amount of state turnback funds for cities and counties, calling it a good increase, if not a perfect one. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau 'Loophole' needs closing, lawmaker says - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Appeals judge seeks open hearing on ethics complaint By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - An outspoken state appeals judge who faces possible sanctions for his public comments asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday not to allow his ethics hearing to be held in secret. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Windstream, Alltel CEOs speak on companies' futures By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Broadband Internet access will be Windstream Corp. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Crawford County murder conviction upheld Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the 2005 murder conviction and life sentence given to Michael Todd Davis of Mountainburg. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Magic Springs plans expansion Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Magic Springs plans a $5 million expansion of its Crystal Falls water park by summer, an executive of the Hot Springs theme park said Thursday. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Metropolitan buys Triad Title Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Metropolitan National Bank said Thursday it would acquire Springdale-based Triad Title Company and make it a subsidiary of the Little Rock-based bank. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Springdale, Jonesboro to host high school basketball tournaments By Jeff Reed NORTH LITTLE ROCK - No postseason high school basketball will be played in Central Arkansas this year. - Fri, Jan 12, 2007 Beebe proposes immediate sales tax reduction, education improvements By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Wednesday proposed immediately cutting the state sales tax on groceries by half, and in his first state-of-the-state address urged legislators to "strive for the moral imperative of excellence" in education. - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 Beebe seeks support from administrators for education plans By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe courted public school administrators Wednesday, seeking support for his education program. - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 AARP fills Capitol to support care options, payday lending limits By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Hundreds of AARP Arkansas members dressed in red filled the Capitol rotunda Wednesday to rally support for legislation to create a program to counsel and inform long-term care seekers of their options. - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 Agri chief says state should concentrate on biodiesel By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - The state should concentrate on biodiesel in developing alternative fuels because other states have a big lead in producing ethanol, state Agriculture Secretary Richard Bell said Wednesday. - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau Mahony just can't stay away - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 State signs contract with company to run youth lockup By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The state Department of Health and Human Services has agreed to enter into a short-term contract with a company to operate the troubled Alexander Juvenile Correctional Facility in Saline County, agency officials said Wednesday. - Thu, Jan 11, 2007 Beebe takes oath as governor, promises to be nonpartisan By John Lyon and Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Completing an unlikely journey from backwoods to Arkansas' highest political office, Mike Beebe was sworn in as Arkansas' 45th governor Tuesday, saying he envisioned a state no longer burdened with a legacy of perpetual problems. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Cities, counties need more turnback, speaker says By Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - State turnback to cities and counties needs increasing, House Speaker Benny Petrus said Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Bill would establish state 'rainy day' fund By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislation filed Tuesday would transfer $200 million from the state's projected $843 million surplus to a "rainy day" fund for use in a budget shortfall. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by Arkansas News Bureau A final flight - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Brummett blog opens on Inauguration Day Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - As a new governor was sworn in Tuesday, Arkansas News Bureau political columnist John Brummett entered the "blogosphere," the term coined for Internet Weblogs, or blogs. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 State's jobs tied to auto industry safe, auto exec says By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Thousands of Arkansans lost manufacturing jobs last year, but jobs linked to the automotive industry should be safe in the future, a Ford Motor Co. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 State orders halt to gravel mining in portion of Crooked Creek Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Department of Environmental Quality ordered a temporary halt to gravel mining Tuesday along a portion of Crooked Creek in Marion County. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Forbes ranks Acxiom among nation's best large public companies By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Forbes magazine has for the first time named Acxiom Corp. - Wed, Jan 10, 2007 Legislative session begins By Rob Moritz and Doug Thompson LITTLE ROCK - House Speaker Benny Petrus promised adequate funding for public schools and tax relief for Arkansans on Monday, urging colleagues, "Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work" as the Legislature convened its 86th General Assembly. - Tue, Jan 09, 2007 House speaker praised for fairness in handing out appointments By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Several members of the state House of Representatives praised House Speaker Benny Petrus, D-Stuttgart, on Monday for being even-handed in his appointments to committee chairmanships. - Tue, Jan 09, 2007 Legislative briefs Compiled by the Arkansas News Bureau Inaugural festivities continue today - Tue, Jan 09, 2007 Sutton reminisces about times as Razorbacks' coach By Jeff Reed NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Former Arkansas coach Eddie Sutton was welcomed warmly back to central Arkansas Monday at the Downtown Tipoff Club. - Tue, Jan 09, 2007 Major issues await 86th General Assembly By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Legislators return to the state Capitol today for a regular session to address many of the same issues they face every two years - funding public education, human services and prisons. - Mon, Jan 08, 2007 Thousands expected to attend inaugural festivies By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The inaugural ball for Arkansas' first new governor in a decade will be a sellout event. - Mon, Jan 08, 2007 As Huckabee leaves office, future on his mind By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - When Gov. Mike Huckabee finishes up his state job here Tuesday, he will climb onto the national stage for an American idol audition of sorts that could determine whether he's ready for prime time in the political arena. - Sun, Jan 07, 2007 Bills target lobbying, germs By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Measures to bar ex-legislators from going straight into lobbying, protect shoppers from germs and expand drug court programs were among the bills prefiled Friday for the legislative session that begins Monday. - Sat, Jan 06, 2007 Hutchinson returns to Washington law firm LITTLE ROCK - Asa Hutchinson, the former congressman and federal Homeland Security undersecretary, said Friday he has returned to his old Washington law firm in a new position following his defeat in the 2006 Arkansas governor's race. - Sat, Jan 06, 2007 Conference scheduled in school funding case Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The special masters reappointed to review the work the Legislature did last year during a special session to address the school funding case have scheduled a meeting with lawyers in the case for later this month. - Sat, Jan 06, 2007 Acxiom acquires retail marketing and merchandising business By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Acxiom Corp. acquired an Ohio-based, retail-focused marketing and merchandising analysis firm that has partnered with the Little Rock data firm in a joint venture since 1999, company officials reported Friday. - Sat, Jan 06, 2007 Deltic Timber CFO exercises options LITTLE ROCK - The chief financial officer of El Dorado-based Deltic Timber Corp. - Sat, Jan 06, 2007 Gulf remains between Beebe, legislative leaders on tax relief By Rob Moritz and John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Gov.-elect Mike Beebe and legislative leaders expressed deep differences on tax relief and other major issues Thursday, just days before the Legislature convenes its regular biennial session. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Huckabee rescinds $2 million outlay for UAMS research By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Huckabee on Thursday rescinded his $2 million appropriation for cancer, diabetes and obesity research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, saying he was unhappy with questions over his plan to deliver the money. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 State police, others to push stiffer seat belt law By James Jefferson LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas State Police and state Highway and Transportation Department are part of a coalition that announced Thursday it would lobby for a primary seat belt law during the upcoming legislative session. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Report says natural gas tax hike could net state billions By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Raising and reforming the natural gas tax could increase the state's share of profits from the Fayetteville Shale play from about $120 million to as much as $15 billion over 30 years, according to a report family advocacy groups released Thurs - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Clinton School announces diverse spring speakers lineup Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - From presidential advisor Karl Rove to former supermodel Tyra Banks, a diverse group of speakers will highlight the spring lecture series at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, officials announced Thursday. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Beebe names five more key positions Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Gov.-elect Mike Beebe on Thursday named five more people to his administration, including a deputy chief of staff. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Governor announces appointments to state panels Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Appointments to state boards and commissions were announced Thursday by Gov. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 State Supreme Court rejects appeal in murder case By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a man's claim that his 1998 trial would not have ended in a conviction for first-degree murder if jurors had heard about allegations against one of the officers who investigated his case. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 Dillard's sales dipped 3 percent in December Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. said Thursday that December same-store sales dropped 5 percent and total sales dipped 3 percent behind weak sales in children's and juniors' apparel. - Fri, Jan 05, 2007 State revenues fall below forecast in December By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' revenues dropped below forecast in December for the first time since November 2005, a sign of an economic slowdown predicted for months, state fiscal officers said Wednesday. - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 UA abandons Huckabee plan for cancer research funding By James Jefferson LITTLE ROCK - The president of the University of Arkansas System said Wednesday officials would hold off implementing outgoing Gov. - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 Pundits: Combination of factors led to record-breaking spending in governor's race By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - The nearly $10 million that the major party candidates combined to spend on last year's gubernatorial campaign made the race the most expensive in state history - but was the record-setting spending the result of unique circumstances or part o - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 Report recommends public awareness of racial profiling policies By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Most Arkansas law enforcement agencies have adopted policies to prevent racial profiling and the general public needs to be educated more on how to detect and report the practice, a report released Wednesday said. - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 Incoming legislators hear about highway needs By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - If general revenue can't be found this legislative session to fund $19 billion in highway improvement and construction needs, then asking voters in 2008 to reauthorize a $575 million bond issue would be acceptable in the short term, incoming l - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 New state Supreme Court justice takes oath of office By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Newly elected Justice Paul Danielson of Booneville was sworn in Wednesday as the newest member of the Arkansas Supreme Court. - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 Two Arkansas trucking firms expanding to deliver faster By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Two Arkansas trucking companies will stretch out in the country's central and southern regions to offer faster deliveries, despite a possible industry downturn in 2007. - Thu, Jan 04, 2007 Lake View case looms over upcoming legislative session By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - In the wake of the state Supreme Court's decision to keep the Lake View school funding case open, some state lawmakers say they expect their every move on school funding to be closely watched during the upcoming regular session. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 General revenue, surplus seen as potential funding of highway needs By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Road groups want the Legislature to commit general revenues and a considerable portion of the state's anticipated $843 million surplus to highway construction in the upcoming regular session. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Human services budget on Legislature's agenda By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A growing population of elderly and disabled, staff shortages and decreased federal funding are among the issues lawmakers will grapple with this session as they consider the budget for the state's human services agency. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Childers named Poultry Federation president By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - Term-limited state Rep. Marvin Childers, R-Blytheville, was named Tuesday as president of the Arkansas Poultry Federation. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 AG says state measures address school funding adequacy By James Jefferson LITTLE ROCK - Conducting a comprehensive school finance study and adding nearly $200 million in academic and facilities aid this year fulfilled the state's commitment to adequately funding public schools, the attorney general's office said in state Supreme - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Outgoing House speaker named assistant to incoming speaker By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - Term-limited House Speaker Bill Stovall will continue to serve the state House of Representatives during the coming legislative session, though not as a member. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Fayetteville proposes anti-sprawl authority By Doug Thompson FAYETTEVILLE - Owners of farms and other open spaces could get some of the economic benefit of developing their land without having to develop it under a plan proposed to Fayetteville-area lawmakers Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Rookie legislators to get briefing on highway matters By John Lyon LITTLE ROCK - A briefing on highway issues for newly elected legislators is among the scheduled activities this week as state lawmakers and department heads prepare for the beginning of the regular session on Monday. - Wed, Jan 03, 2007 Legislators predict lively debate over use of vast budget surplus By Jason Wiest LITTLE ROCK - A projected budget surplus of $843 million will have the state rolling in extra dough and factions lining up for a piece of the pie during the upcoming regular legislative session. - Tue, Jan 02, 2007 Gay parents issues top social agenda for 2007 session By Doug Thompson FAYETTEVILLE - Conservative groups list banning gay couples from adopting children or serving as foster parents as their top priorities for the 2007 legislative session. - Tue, Jan 02, 2007 |
