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News

Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008

Don't support race for cure, diocese says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock has asked parishes and schools to stop supporting fundraising activities for Susan G. - Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008

Official: ADEQ won't address merits of coal power
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The debate over the pros and cons of coal power will have no bearing on the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's decision on whether to permit a coal-fired power plant in Southwest Arkansas, an ADEQ official said Monday. - Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008

More than 700 made eligible to seek early parole
LITTLE ROCK - A growing backlog of state prisoners being held in county jails across the state prompted the Arkansas Board of Corrections on Monday to invoke the Emergency Powers Act, making up to 735 inmates eligible to apply for early parole. - Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008

Governor announces appointments to state panels
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 27 appointments to Arkansas boards and commissions on Monday. - Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008

Past News

Parole board recommends clemency for two serving life sentences
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Two inmates serving life sentences, one of whom was sentenced at age 17, were recommended for executive clemency Friday by the state Parole Board. - Sat, Feb 23, 2008

Government, business leaders discuss state's booming aerospace industry
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - More than 5,000 aerospace and aviation jobs in Arkansas will need to be filled in the next decade, according to Arkansas Economic Development Commission officials who met Thursday with business and government officials to discuss ways to bolst - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Missile that shot down dead spy satellite completed in Camden
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - The missile fired by the U.S. Navy to shoot down a dead U. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Study: Arkansas schools making progress, more work needed
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Public schools in Arkansas have made significant progress in improving education since the 2002 state Supreme Court Lake View decision, but a big gap still remains among students of different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds, according - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Economic development commission to air commercials on CNN
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - A new set of television commercials highlighting Arkansas' major industries and exports is the newest bait economic development officials said Thursday they will use to lure new businesses to the state. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Lawmakers reject new earthquake safety measures
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A legislative panel voted Thursday to reject proposed revisions to the state's building code that would require new commercial buildings to be better able to withstand earthquakes. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

FEMA mobile homes to be delivered soon, Beebe says
LITTLE ROCK - As many as 30 mobile homes have been inspected and are to be moved to the northern part of the state to help victims of tornadoes that struck earlier this month, Gov. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Union, Marion counties added to unemployment assistance list after Feb. 5 storms
LITTLE ROCK - Residents of Union and Marion counties who have temporarily lost their jobs as a result of tornadoes and severe storms that devastated parts of the state on Feb. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Deltic Timber declares quarterly dividend
LITTLE ROCK - Deltic Timber Corp.'s board of directors on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend of 7. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Changes to deer hunting rules proposed
By Joe Mosby
DUMAS - Arkansas's deer hunting next fall would be liberalized somewhat under a proposal made by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Wildlife Management Division. - Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Education needed on importance of broadband to rural areas
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Enticing private companies to invest in extending expensive broadband Internet infrastructure into rural areas of the state may not require government incentives, but instead the education of Arkansans, industry officials said Wednesday. - Thu, Feb 21, 2008

Court: Judge should not have terminated inmate's parental rights
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A Craighead County circuit judge erred when he granted a motion by the Arkansas Department of Human Services to terminate the parental rights of a man who had been imprisoned since before his son was born, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wedn - Thu, Feb 21, 2008

Arkansas' super delegates look ahead to Democratic convention
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Don Beavers of North Little Rock has been asked a lot of questions lately by curious friends and acquaintances. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

Party must follow rules on delegates, state Democratic chairman says
By Doug Thompson
SPRINGDALE - An unforeseen restriction will keep many Democrats from voting in the March 8 state convention to select delegates to this summer's Democratic National Convention, the state Democratic Party chairman said Tuesday. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

'Keep marching on,' Huckabee says, despite Wisconsin loss
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee vowed Tuesday to continue his campaign for the White House despite another loss to presumptive nominee Arizona Sen. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

Health Department reports three deaths from influenza
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - State health officials warning of an increase in influenza activity in recent weeks reported Tuesday that three Arkansans have died from the flu so far this year. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

New program helps low-income receive benefits
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Ten people received help in applying for federal benefits Tuesday at the new Benefit Bank of Arkansas before an afternoon grand opening. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

Officials welcome state's first biodiesel plant with crusher in DeWitt
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas farmers and elected officials on Tuesday welcomed to DeWitt a unique biodiesel plant that will process soybeans grown by local farmers, who later will be able to purchase fuel made from the beans. - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

Beebe announces 27 appointments to state panels
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe Tuesday announced the following appointments to Arkansas boards and commissions: - Wed, Feb 20, 2008

FEMA mobile homes being tested, Beebe says; Time of delivery unknown
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Mobile homes provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are being tested for possible high levels of formaldehyde before they are shipped to victims of the tornado earlier this month in northern Arkansas, Gov. - Tue, Feb 19, 2008

Three named to Daisy Gaston Bates Holiday Committee; civil rights leader honored
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced three appointments to the new Daisy Bates Holiday Committee on Monday during a speech at a forum honoring the late civil rights leader and her husband. - Tue, Feb 19, 2008

Judge: Greenwood mayor eligible to hold office
Stephens Media
LITTLE ROCK - A Sebastian County Circuit Judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Greenwood Mayor Ken Edwards is ineligible to hold public office. - Tue, Feb 19, 2008

Two Oaklawn regulars go into Hall
By Harry King
LITTLE ROCK - Asking around Magnolia for the scoop on the owner of the Kentucky Derby winner, somebody said a banker knew him best. - Sun, Feb 17, 2008

Natural gas firms must report spending against any ballot measures
By Rob Moritz and John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Natural gas companies must report any money they spend to defeat any initiated act to raise Arkansas' severance tax, the state Ethics Commission said Friday. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Lottery campaign spends more than $37,000
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's campaign for a constitutional amendment to create a state lottery paid a Michigan firm $37,000 last month for signatures it has collected to get the measure on the November general election ballot, a financial report fil - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Beebe authorizes paid leave for state employees affected by storms
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe signed an executive order Friday that grants up to a week of paid emergency leave for state employees whose homes suffered substantial damage during the tornados and thunderstorms on Feb. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Ethics Commission: Greenwood mayor violated campaign finance rules
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Ethics Commission voted Friday to issue a letter of reprimand to and impose a $600 fine on the Greenwood mayor for violating campaign finance rules. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Beebe releases nearly $1 million to boost development of knowledge-based economy
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday released $950,000 in funds to help a group working to build a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas do economic research and support start-up companies. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Billionaire investor discloses 4.3 percent stake in Acxiom
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Billionaire investor Edward Lampert has acquired 3. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Arkansas joins settlement with Caremark Rx
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas and 28 other states have entered into a settlement of consumer protection claims against one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefits management companies, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced Friday. - Sat, Feb 16, 2008

Nelson proposes debates with natural gas firms on severance tax hike
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson on Thursday challenged natural gas industry executives to debates on the ramifications of a proposed increase in the state severance tax on natural gas. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

Huckabee says he won't quit race despite Romney's endorsement of McCain
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Thursday he remains committed to his presidential bid despite former rival Mitt Romney's endorsement of GOP front-runner John McCain. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

King Commission selects new executive director
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - After more than a year of rancor, the Arkansas Dr. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

Court upholds conviction of West Memphis man in trooper's death
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the capital murder conviction of a West Memphis man in the death of an Arkansas state trooper. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

Home sales fall 22 percent in December, average price rises slightly
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The number of homes sold in Arkansas in December fell 22. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

Acxiom declares dividend, increases stock buyback program
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The board of directors of Acxiom Corp. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 6 cents per share on Thursday and also announced it had authorized a $25 million increase in its stock repurchase program. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

Seven appointed to new state board
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court appointed seven people Thursday to the newly established District Court Resource Assessment Board. - Fri, Feb 15, 2008

AFL-CIO endorses campaign for Arkansas lottery
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's campaign for a state lottery to fund college scholarships has picked up an endorsement from Arkansas' largest labor organization. - Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Conference discusses need for skilled workers to develop knowledge-based industry
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Incentives recently helped Arkansas retain a business in the knowledge-based industry that economic development officials are working to develop, but skilled workers will be necessary to hold on to and attract other businesses in the industry, - Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Adoption reversed; parents still married, court says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A divided Arkansas Court of Appeals Wednesday reversed a Polk County adoption, saying the circuit judge incorrectly ruled the birth father, who had protested the adoption, was never married to the birth mother. - Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Court affirms decision favoring Volvo
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals rejected a Little Rock trucking company's arguments Wednesday against a verdict favoring Volvo in its $80 million lawsuit against the Swedish automaker. - Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Sebastian Circuit Court convictions
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed separate Sebastian County Circuit Court decisions revoking suspended sentences in drug cases. - Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Trooper who arrested journalist was subject of previous complaints
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - An Arkansas State Police trooper who arrested a newspaper journalist in Maumelle in December has been the subject of nine formal complaints since becoming a trooper in November 2004, according to documents released Tuesday by state police in r - Wed, Feb 13, 2008

Tornado victims to stay in FEMA trailers, further unemployment assistance offered
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Some of the trailers purchased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2005 in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be used to house victims of tornados that hit Arkansas and other areas last week, officials said Tuesday. - Wed, Feb 13, 2008

SWEPCO donates $1 million to community college in Hope
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Southwestern Electric Power Company announced Tuesday that it had donated $1 million to the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Foundation to fund scholarships for technical and industrial programs. - Wed, Feb 13, 2008

Kenyan ambassador talks of post-election political strife
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The Kenyan ambassador to the United States said Tuesday that civil unrest and violence that have shrouded his country since the December presidential election has subsided and negotiations are under way to end the turmoil. - Wed, Feb 13, 2008

Nelson's severance tax proposal cleared for canvassing; Beebe working on alternative
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The state attorney general's office Monday certified former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson's proposed initiated act to raise the state severance tax on natural gas. - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Beebe declares three more counties disaster areas
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared Franklin, Marion and Newton counties disaster areas Monday, bringing to 13 the number of Arkansas counties that have been declared disaster areas following deadly storms that ripped through the South on Feb. - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

State revokes grant for preschool provider over irregularities in audit
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education on Monday revoked its grant agreement with a preschool program in El Dorado after an audit showed state funds intended for early childhood education were spent on, among other things, a catering business run by the - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Highway commissioner to run for state House seat
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - The chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission announced Monday his intentions to run for the state House of Representatives. - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Respect for legal profession eroding, Griffen tells law students
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - The legal profession and the American legal system are not as respected as they used to be, in part because "at one time, we understood what torture meant," Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen said Monday. - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Eight top-notch AAU teams in Conway
Arkansas News Bureau
CONWAY - Eight of the top 17-and-under AAU boys basketball teams in the country are to compete in April in the AAU Old School Super Regional in Conway. - Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Super Tuesday saw fewer problems with voting machines than past elections
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Poll workers across the state reported fewer problems with touch-screen voting and optical scanning machines in Tuesday's presidential primary election than in any previous election since the machines debuted nearly two years ago, the secreta - Sun, Feb 10, 2008

Special session chances dwindling, House-speaker elect says
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - Every day that passes without a specific proposal on the table, chances become less likely for a special legislative session to raise the state severance tax on natural gas, the House speaker-elect said Friday. - Sat, Feb 09, 2008

Former Marion band director suspected of unauthorized spending
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A former Marion band director spent more than $13,000 in school funds for personal use, including casino gambling in Mississippi, state auditors told legislators Friday. - Sat, Feb 09, 2008

Windstream 4Q profits quadruple behind sale of directory business
LITTLE ROCK - Windstream Corp. on Friday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $583. - Sat, Feb 09, 2008

Governor announces 24 appointments to state panels
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 24 appointments to state boards and commissions on Friday. - Sat, Feb 09, 2008

Romney bows out; Huckabee vows to keep running GOP presidential race
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Former Gov. Mike Huckabee said Thursday he would fight on for the Republican presidential nomination after rival Mitt Romney's stunning announcement he was leaving the race. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

High court blocks special grand jury in West Memphis child shooting
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A Crittenden County circuit judge lacked the authority to impanel a special grand jury to investigate the shooting death of a black West Memphis boy at the hands of a white police officer, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

AG: Severance tax hike by lawmakers may be easier than once thought
By Jason Wiest
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Raising the state's severance tax on natural gas may take a simple majority vote by the Legislature, not the three-fourths vote by both chambers required to raise levies other than the sales tax, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Panel discusses efficiency of board, commissions
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Lawmakers on Wednesday began discussing ways to evaluate the efficiency of more than 70 state regulatory boards and social welfare commissions. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Hendren to consider tax cut on utilities for poultry farmers next year
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - A Northwest Arkansas lawmaker said Thursday he would look into including poultry farmers in the 2007 sales tax cut on natural gas and electricity for manufacturers during next year's regular legislative session. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

State to get $11 million from Merck settlement
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' Medicaid program will receive about $11 million as the result of two settlements between drug maker Merck & Co. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Hino Motors hosts grand opening of Marion manufacturing plant
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - State and Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc. officials on Thursday celebrated the grand opening of the Hino plant in Marion that began production in 2006. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Arkansas Business Hall of Fame to induct four in 2008 class
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame will induct four into its 2008 class this evening during a dinner and ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

State Supreme Court reinstates Greenwood mayor's wrongful death suit
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A Sebastian County circuit judge erred when he dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Greenwood Mayor Ken Edwards because of felony convictions that had been expunged from Edwards' record, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Dillard's sales fall 12 percent in January
LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. reported Thursday that its overall sales during the month of January fell to $435. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Windstream declares quarterly dividend
LITTLE ROCK - Windstream Corp. declared a regular quarterly dividend of 25 cents on its common stock on Thursday, the company announced. - Fri, Feb 08, 2008

Beebe declares 10 counties disaster areas following deadly twisters
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared 10 Arkansas counties disaster areas Wednesday in the aftermath of tornadoes that killed 13 people across the state Tuesday night. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Royalty owners want effects of severance tax increase examined more closely
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Increased state revenues from a proposed hike in the severance tax on natural gas would come partially from royalty owners' pockets, a group of mineral rights owners said Wednesday. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

AG says milk board lacks authority to regulate prices
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The Milk Stabilization Board likely lacks authority to regulate milk prices on its own, the state attorney general's office said in an opinion Wednesday. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Group calls for moratorium on coal plants
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Opponents of a proposed coal-fired power plant in Southwest Arkansas called on Gov. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Barling man loses appeal in forgery case
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the 2006 conviction of a Barling man who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for second-degree forgery and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

New hearing ordered in adoption data case
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday ordered a new hearing in a lawsuit filed by a woman who gave her child up for adoption and then claimed her Fort Smith doctor disclosed confidential information about her to the child's adoptive parents. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

New hearing ordered in medical malpractice case
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals reinstated a medical malpractice lawsuit Wednesday and order a new hearing in the case filed by the husband of a 23-year-old Conway woman who died from pneumonia. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Deltic Timber earnings rise in fourth quarter behind one-time charges
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Deltic Timber Corp. announced Wednesday that its fourth quarter earnings rose to $1. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Murphy Oil declares dividend
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Murphy Oil Corp. on Wednesday declared a quarterly dividend of 18. - Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Huckabee, Clinton win Arkansas
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - "Mike is back!" Mike Huckabee supporters chanted at his primary watch party Tuesday night, after a day that saw the former Arkansas governor capture his home state and at least four others in his re-emergence as a contender for the Republican - Wed, Feb 06, 2008

DWI offender granted clemency by Huckabee faces new charges
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A Van Buren man paroled in 2004 after then-Gov. Mike Huckabee commuted his six-year prison sentence for fourth-offense DWI pleaded guilty to a new drunken driving charge Tuesday. - Wed, Feb 06, 2008

Nelson submits revised severance tax proposal
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Working swiftly, former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson on Monday filed a revised version of his proposed initiated act to raise Arkansas' severance tax on natural gas. - Tue, Feb 05, 2008

Presidential campaigns work to get out vote in Arkansas
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Volunteers for presidential contenders fanned out across Arkansas on Monday to knock on doors and wave campaign signs in get out the vote efforts for the Super Tuesday primaries. - Tue, Feb 05, 2008

State revenues rise in January, sales tax collections slow
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - State revenues rose 1.2 percent in January over a year ago, although state tax collections, an indicator of consumer spending, fell 7. - Tue, Feb 05, 2008

Parking more important than new office complex, state building chief says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Additional parking for state Capitol employees and visitors is a bigger priority than a new building for state agencies now paying rent elsewhere in Pulaski County, the state building director told lawmakers Monday. - Tue, Feb 05, 2008

From Center Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - Seven candidates are left in Tuesday's presidential primary elections. - Mon, Feb 04, 2008

After July, economic downturn could impact state budget
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Despite passage of the largest tax cuts in Arkansas history last year, a conservative fiscal budget should provide a hedge for state tax coffers against a national economic downturn, at least through June, the state's chief fiscal officer says - Mon, Feb 04, 2008

Arkansas sees limited campaigning by presidential candidates
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - As Super Tuesday draws near, Arkansans haven't exactly been stampeded by candidates seeking their vote. - Sun, Feb 03, 2008

After presidential primaries, what's left?
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Since the Legislature in 2005 voted to bump the presidential primary up three months, all everybody has been talking about is whether the state will be a major player on Super Tuesday in the selection of the Republican and Democratic nominees, - Sun, Feb 03, 2008

AG rejects Nelson's proposal to raise natural gas severance tax
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on Friday rejected the wording of former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson's proposed initiated act to raise the state severance tax on natural gas. - Sat, Feb 02, 2008

Huckabee, Bill Clinton make Arkansas stops
By John Lyon and Doug Thompson
PINE BLUFF - Presidential politics took center stage in Arkansas on Friday, with former President Clinton on the stump in Pine Bluff for his wife, Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, and former Gov. - Sat, Feb 02, 2008

Callers express concern over coal-fired power plant
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday said he has asked the state Department of Environmental Quality to make sure all safety issues are addressed in permitting a planned $1. - Sat, Feb 02, 2008

Maybe two severance tax hikes before voters this year, Beebe suggests
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe suggested Thursday that he might try to get his own severance tax hike proposal on the November general election ballot if an agreement can't be reached with the natural gas industry. - Fri, Feb 01, 2008

Report: Beebe received free flights, no personal gifts
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A financial report filed by Gov. Mike Beebe in advance of Thursday's deadline shows the governor received four free airplane flights in his first year as governor but accepted no personal gifts. - Fri, Feb 01, 2008

Fed court upholds Prempro verdict
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A federal appeals court Thursday upheld a verdict in favor of New Jersey-based Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which had been sued by an Arkansas woman who claimed the company's hormone drugs caused breast cancer. - Fri, Feb 01, 2008

Supreme Court won't recuse in Stilley case
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The justices of the state Supreme Court said Thursday they would not recuse themselves from hearing a motion by a Fort Smith lawyer who has been suspended and faces possible disbarment. - Fri, Feb 01, 2008

Hillary Clinton brings campaign to North Little Rock
By John Lyon
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Locked in a heated contest for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton seemed to appreciate being among friends Wednesday during a campaign stop in Arkansas. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Hillary recognizes old friends at campaign event
By Rob Moritz
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - In a nearly packed basketball arena, Democratic presidential candidate and former Arkansas first lady Hillary Clinton pointed out two old friends. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Court orders new trial in Montgomery County murder case
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals ordered a new trial Wednesday for a man convicted of second-degree murder in Montgomery County. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Court upholds revocation of suspended sentence
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected the appeal of a Fort Smith man who had his suspended sentences for several old offenses revoke after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 65-year-old woman. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Former PB Commercial editor named publisher
Arkansas News Bureau
PINE BLUFF - Michael Hengel, former editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial, was named Wednesday as the newspaper's publisher, Stephens Media announced. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

First Federal Bancshares earnings fall 54 percent in fourth quarter
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. announced Wednesday that its fourth quarter net income fell 54 percent compared to the same quarter last year. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Murphy Oil earnings more than double in fourth quarter
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Murphy Oil Corp. reported Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings were $206. - Thu, Jan 31, 2008

Jury convicts Jonesboro school shooter on weapons charge
By Ron Wood
FAYETTEVILLE - A federal jury convicted Mitchell Johnson of a gun charge Tuesday, a verdict that could land him in prison a decade after teaming with another youth in a deadly schoolyard shooting rampage in Jonesboro. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Chaffee fire destroys 60-plus buildings
By Wanda Freeman
FORT SMITH - In the end, falling temperatures, calming winds and carefully deployed bulldozers helped firefighters contain a conflagration that whipped across Chaffee Crossing Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Group wants severance tax to fund college scholarships
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - An advocacy group on Tuesday repitched the idea of depositing revenues from an increased severance tax on natural gas into a trust fund for a statewide college scholarship program. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Supporters trying to resurrect Big Mac II plan for Capitol grounds
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - Supporters have dusted off plans for constructing a new state office complex on the Capitol grounds that was first proposed more than 20 yeas ago. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Cities with pit bull bans monitoring federal lawsuit
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas cities that prohibit ownership of pit bulls are closely watching a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of breed-specific bans. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Broyles' economic role praised at luncheon
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - Men's athletics at the University of Arkansas had an economic impact of about $3 billion on the Fayetteville area during Frank Broyles' tenure as head football coach and athletic director, according to a study released Tuesday. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Ron Paul ad airing on Arkansas TV stations
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, has begun airing ads on Arkansas television stations, becoming the first candidate to advertise in the state in advance of the Feb. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Leadership class learns the ropes at state Capitol
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The state Senate on Tuesday endorsed Sen. Kim Hendren's bill requiring drivers to use "hand free" cell phones. - Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Beebe: No special session on severance tax hike unless passage is certain
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he will not call a special session to consider raising the state's severance tax on natural gas unless he is certain there is enough support in the Legislature for an increase to pass. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Hillary Clinton to hold town hall meeting in NLR
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Early voting for Super Tuesday presidential primary starts today
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas voters will begin casting the earliest ballots today in the state's earliest presidential primary. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Gun trial of Jonesboro shooter begins
By Ron Wood
FAYETTEVILLE - Police testified Monday they found less than an ounce of marijuana and a loaded 9 mm pistol in a van belonging to Jonesboro school shooter Mitchell Scott Johnson. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Ethics complaint filed against Huckabee
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A Bella Vista man on Monday filed an ethics complaint against former Arkansas Gov. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Governor announces 17 appointments
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Governor Mike Beebe announced 17 appointments to Arkansas boards and commissions on Monday. - Tue, Jan 29, 2008

Arkansas ballot grows green
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - The Green Party will hold a presidential primary in Arkansas on Feb. - Mon, Jan 28, 2008