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News

Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Systemwide review of foster care program under way, DHS official tells lawmakers
By Rob Moritz
CONWAY - The state Department of Human Services is conducting a comprehensive review of Arkansas' foster care program in the wake of high-profile cases involving the deaths and sexual abuse of children in the system, a DHS executive told legislators Wednesd - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

DHS distributes, pulls back confidential files in child abuse case
By Rob Moritz
CONWAY - Just minutes into a legislative discussion Wednesday on ways to improve the state's embattled foster care system, human services officials interrupted the meeting to say some of the documents distributed to lawmakers were confidential. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Farm Bureau takes positions against lottery, for adoption measure
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Farm Bureau's board of directors took positions this week against a proposed state-run lottery to fund college scholarships and in favor of a proposed ban on unmarried couples adopting or serving as foster parents. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Van Buren restaurant approved for alcohol sales
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Van Buren now has two restaurants approved for alcohol sales. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Court upholds 40-year sentence for Pine Bluff bank robber
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A 40-year prison sentence was not an unduly harsh punishment for a man who robbed a Pine Bluff bank in September 2006, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Court releases details of Wal-Mart, Coughlin settlement
BENTONVILLE - Wal-Mart will pay former executive Tom Coughlin $6. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Fayetteville School District hit with federal lawsuit
By Bob Caudle
FAYETTEVILLE - A Fayetteville attorney filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the Fayetteville School District alleging district personnel failed to protect a student from physical and online harassment and beatings. - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008

Past News

AG issues 30 subpoenas to gas stations suspected of price gouging
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has issued 30 subpoenas to gas stations suspected of price gouging after Hurricane Ike sparked supply disruptions last weekend, his office said Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

No legal challenge for ballot question on adoption, foster parenting
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A group that opposes a ballot initiative to ban unmarried couples from adopting or serving as foster parents said Tuesday it has decided not to file a lawsuit seeking to remove the measure from the November ballot. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

AIG policyholders have no cause for alarm, insurance commissioner says
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansans who have an AIG insurance policy need not fear that the company won't be able to pay claims, state Insurance Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman said Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

Some of McCain campaign's Arkansas staff moving to other states
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign is downsizing its Arkansas operation and moving some workers to other more competitive battleground states, the chairman of the state GOP's Victory 2008 organization said Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

Russia-Georgia conflict has consequences, speaker says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The small eastern European country of Georgia will probably never get back the breakaway regions at the center of the former Soviet republic's five-day war with Russia last month, an expert on Russia said Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

Beebe announces 31 appointments
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 31 appointments to state boards and commissions Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 17, 2008

Fallout from Wall Street unlikely to reach Arkansas
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and forced sale of Merrill Lynch & Co. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

AG investigating thousands of price gouging complaints
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state attorney general's office is investigating possible price gouging at gas stations across the state after receiving more than 3,000 complaints of steep price increases at Arkansas gas stations since Gov. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

Report: Arkansas day care disaster planning poor
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas is among the states ranked poorly in disaster preparedness for day care facilities, according to a report released Monday, but state officials said a plan is being developed. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

Billionaire Jim Walton gives $75,000 to anti-lottery campaign
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The Family Council's campaign opposing a proposed state-run lottery received a financial boost last month with a $75,000 contribution from billionaire Jim Walton of Bentonville, according to a financial report filed Monday with the state Ethic - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

Lawmakers to tackle bingo tax controversy
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - At the first of two hearings scheduled this week and next at the Capitol, lawmakers Thursday will begin evaluating a controversial state bingo tax that opponents say cuts into proceeds that should being going to charity. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

Entergy outages after Ike worst in Hot Springs
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - As was the case in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, the remnants of Hurricane Ike hit Hot Springs the hardest in terms of power outages in Arkansas, officials for Entergy Arkansas said Monday. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

Gaines replaces Zook at Ark. Economic Development Commission
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced Monday that it had appointed the vice president and general counsel of James Lee Witt Associates its new deputy director of administration and finance. - Tue, Sep 16, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Stephens says modest leverage serves well
As the stock market tumbled today and the 158-year-old investment bank Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the leader of Arkansas' largest investment banking company says Stephens Inc. - Mon, Sep 15, 2008

Panel to focus on state's foster care system
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A public hearing this week on ways to improve Arkansas' foster care system is expected to give lawmakers a new opportunity to question human services officials about the recent deaths of four foster children in state custody. - Mon, Sep 15, 2008

Alternative-fuel vehicles scarce in Arkansas
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - While Congress considers an energy bill that calls for 85 percent of American-made vehicles to run on alternative fuels by 2020, Arkansas' public schools are phasing out the handful of non-gasoline powered school buses now on the roads. - Sun, Sep 14, 2008

Obama campaign opens Arkansas headquarters
By Jeremy Peppas
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Under threatening gray skies and with storms from the remnants of Hurricane Ike approaching, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign opened its Arkansas headquarters here Saturday. - Sun, Sep 14, 2008

Hurricane Ike causes closure of gas pipelines, Beebe declares emergency
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared a state of emergency Friday to help prevent gas price gouging after some pipelines that route gasoline to fuel wholesalers and gas stations in Arkansas were shut down ahead of Hurricane Ike's landfall on the Gulf Coast - Sat, Sep 13, 2008

Audit panel wants AG's opinion on Hardin buyout
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The Legislature's audit committee said Friday it would seek an attorney general's opinion on the legality of the University of Central Arkansas' buyout of UCA President Lu Hardin's contract. - Sat, Sep 13, 2008

Tip-Off Club sets schedule
Stephens Media
SPRINGDALE - Former Nevada-Las Vegas coach Jerry Tarkanian is among the speakers scheduled to address the Northwest Arkansas Tip-Off Club during the upcoming basketball season. - Sat, Sep 13, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Gas pipelines closed, governor declares emergency
LITTLE ROCK - Pipelines that route gasoline to fuel wholesalers and gas stations in Arkansas have been shut down today until Hurricane Ike is no longer a threat to the Gulf Coast. - Fri, Sep 12, 2008

Ex-prison psychologist deserves new trial on sex charge, lawyer tells high court
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A former Arkansas prison psychologist convicted of having sex with a severely depressed and suicidal state inmate deserves a new trial because the state failed to prove that her confession was voluntary, her lawyer argued Thursday before the s - Fri, Sep 12, 2008

Acxiom names new senior VP for IT
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Acxiom Corp. announced Thursday that David Guzman, a former senior executive at Alcoa, Kmart and Office Depot, had joined Acxiom as senior vice president for information technology services. - Fri, Sep 12, 2008

First Tee to hold first tourney
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Golfers with a preconceived notion that The First Tee of Central Arkansas is a pitch-and-putt layout for kids have an opportunity to find out the truth in a four-person charity tournament. - Fri, Sep 12, 2008

AG: Arkansas colleges can admit illegal immigrants
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Public colleges and universities in Arkansas can admit illegal immigrants and are not required to verify the citizenship of prospective students, state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said in an opinion Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Beebe declares 10 more counties disaster areas
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared 10 more Arkansas counties disaster areas Wednesday, bringing to 20 the number of counties that have been declared disaster areas following last week's storms caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Democrats to vote Sept. 19 on new party leader
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The leadership of the Democratic Party of Arkansas has scheduled a vote next week to affirm former U. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

OG&E windfarm to power OU campus
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. which has more than 700,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas, announced plans Wednesday to construct a 100 megawatt wind farm as part of an agreement with the University of Oklahoma to make the Norman ca - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Law prohibiting teacher sex with student constitutional, judge rules
BENTONVILLE - A former Bentonville teacher accused of having sex with an 18-year-old student lost her court challenge Wednesday of the state law against such intimate encounters even when the student is an adult. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Custody ruling reversed for lack of jurisdiction
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A Crawford County court lacked jurisdiction to rule on the custody of a child who was born in Georgia and had never been to Arkansas, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

August electronic games of skill wagers total $54 million
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' two pari-mutuel race tracks both recorded increases in wagers on electronic games of skill during August, according to numbers released Wednesday by the state Department of Finance and Administration's racing division. - Thu, Sep 11, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: AG: Arkansas colleges can admit illegal immigrants
In an opinion today, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel says public colleges and universities in Arkansas can admit illegal immigrants and are not required to verify the citizenship of prospective students. - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Commission worried about federal highway funding
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Some state road and bridge projects could be delayed or even canceled if Congress fails to approve $8 billion to shore up the federal Highway Trust Fund, state highway officials said Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Convenience store trade group supports lottery initiative
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - A trade group that represents roughly 85 percent of Arkansas' convenience stores announced its support Tuesday of a proposed state-run lottery. - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Obama campaign to open Arkansas headquarters
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Barack Obama's presidential campaign will open an Arkansas headquarters in North Little Rock this weekend, the campaign said Tuesday in a posting on its Web site. - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Report: Investment in renewable energy could create 19,000 jobs in Arkansas
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Representatives of several environmentalist groups in Arkansas said Tuesday they will urge the Governor's Commission on Global Warming to consider a new report that suggests investment in renewable energy and energy conservation could create t - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Beebe names 16 to state boards and commissions
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 16 appointments to state boards and commissions Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 10, 2008

Beebe declares 10 counties disaster areas
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe declared 10 Arkansas counties disaster areas Monday in the aftermath of last week's storms caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. - Tue, Sep 09, 2008

Education board rejects school districts' probation appeals
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Board of Education on Monday rejected an appeal of Booneville Junior High School's placement on probationary status for violating accreditation standards. - Tue, Sep 09, 2008

Exploration firms to give update on economics of Fayetteville Shale
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Natural gas companies will provide an update on the production and economic significance of the Fayetteville Shale drilling operations at the University of Central Arkansas next month, the university announced Monday. - Tue, Sep 09, 2008

Pesky 'flying' carp causing problems in SE Arkansas
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Seth Russell will have a whopper of a fish story to tell some day, but right now the whole episode is still a blur to the Crossett teen who was knocked unconscious, suffered a broken jaw and was left covered with fish guts and blood. - Sun, Sep 07, 2008

Beebe asks Pryor to take helm of state Democratic Party
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe has asked U.S. Sen. David Pryor to serve as head of the state Democratic Party, replacing Chairman Bill Gwatney, who was shot and killed in his office a party headquarters last month. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

State may release 200 inmates to pick up trash
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Up to 200 inmates who recently became eligible for early parole could be put to work picking up trash beside Arkansas roads as a condition of their early release, prison officials said Friday. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

Lottery campaign has $70,000 in bank
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's campaign for a state-run lottery to fund scholarships had nearly $70,000 in the bank at the end of last month, according to a financial report filed Friday with the state Ethics Commission. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

Wal-Mart donates to ASU for cellulosic ethanol research
LITTLE ROCK - Wal-Mart Foundation announced Friday a $369,000 donation to the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at Arkansas State University that will meet the cost share requirement for a U. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

Home BancShares banks to adopt Centennial Bank as name
LITTLE ROCK - Bank holding company Home BancShares Inc. announced Friday that all six of its affiliate banks will adopt Centennial Bank as their common name. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

Co-founder of Minuteman Project discuss immigration
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A co-founder of the anti-illegal immigration Minuteman Project on Friday accused some American businesses of fostering a "21st century slave trade" by hiring undocumented workers to toil long hours for low wages and few benefits. - Sat, Sep 06, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Beebe tabs David Pryor to lead state Democratic Party chairman
Gov. Mike Beebe has asked former U.S. Sen. David Pryor to serve as chairman of the state Democratic Party, and the ex-state legislator, governor and congressman has accepted. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

Williams' execution postponed indefinitely
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday denied the state's request for a speedy ruling in a death-row inmate's lawsuit over Arkansas' execution procedures, prompting Gov. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

Thousands in state still without power from Gustav remnants
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - More than 60,000 Entergy Arkansas customers remained without power Wednesday in the wake of Hurricane Gustav's windy and rainy remnants, company officials reported. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

State Democratic Party to name new chairman
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The Democratic Party of Arkansas is set to announce as early as today a new party chief to replace slain state chairman Bill Gwatney, a party spokeswoman said Thursday. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

State's water issues must be addressed, study says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - At a crossroads, Arkansas must decide how to address critical water issues across the state, a new study released Thursday said. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

Court: Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods can't file briefs in injured officer's case
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday denied motions by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

Dillard's sales fall 7 percent in August
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. on Thursday reported a 7 percent drop in both overall and same-store sales for the month of August. - Fri, Sep 05, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court refuses to speed Williams execution case
The state Supreme Court today denied the state's request for a quick ruling in a death-row inmate's lawsuit challenging Arkansas' execution procedure. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

State revenues up 4.8 percent in August
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas rang up $350.7 million in state revenues last month, topping the August 2007 total by $16. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Defense seeks transfer of death row case to Court of Appeals
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state's challenge of a judge's ruling barring the use of new execution procedures on a convicted killer should be transferred to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, federal public defenders argued Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Search for UAMS chancellor begins
LITTLE ROCK - The national search for the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences begins today, University of Arkansas System President B. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Jimmie 'Red' Jones, former state auditor, dies
LITTLE ROCK - Jimmie "Red" Jones, former state auditor and adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, has died. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Time running out for Dobbins
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - As officials prepare to send the Pulaski County general election ballot to print, former state Rep. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

H&R Block buys Arkansas franchises
LITTLE ROCK - H&R Block signed a definitive agreement to acquire the operator of its franchise units in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma for about $278 million in cash, the publicly traded tax preparing business announced Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Court of Appeals affirms rulings in drug cases
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed lower-court rulings against a Fort Smith man whose suspended sentence was revoked in connection with methamphetamine and a New York man convicted of transporting 200 pounds of marijuana through - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Lincoln County man's 40-year sentence upheld
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A Lincoln County man serving a 40-year prison sentence after admitting he critically wounded a Monticello homeowner during a residential burglary lost his bid for a new trial Wednesday before the state Court of Appeals. - Thu, Sep 04, 2008

Scholarship spending too high, higher ed director says
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A bill to decrease the amount of state funds and tuition income state colleges and universities can spend on scholarships could be part of the state Department of Higher Education's legislative package next year. - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

Hardin signs severance agreement
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Departing University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin, who resigned last week under a cloud, signed a severance agreement Tuesday that will pay him the full salary and benefits he would have received if he had remained with the universi - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

Beebe OKs $300,000 more for Gustav response
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday authorized an additional $300,000 from the Arkansas Emergency Response Fund to aid more than 5,000 Gulf Coast evacuees from Hurricane Gustav. - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

Glover survives stroke
By Tyler Tucker
LITTLE ROCK - While state Sen. Bobby Glover lay in a Little Rock hospital Tuesday recovering from a stroke he suffered last week, the longtime legislator's focus was on getting back on his feet in time for the 2009 legislative session, his last as a lawmake - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

Appeals panel says suspensions violated Watson Chapel students' rights
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Officials of a southeastern Arkansas school district violated students' right to free speech when they disciplined students for wearing armbands to protest the district's uniform policy, a federal appeals panel ruled Tuesday. - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

BP America, Chesapeake partner in Fayetteville Shale play
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Chesapeake Energy Corp. and BP America announced Tuesday a joint venture in which BP will acquire a 25 percent interest in Chesapeake's Fayetteville Shale assets in Arkansas for $1. - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

AT&T launches IPTV in Central Arkansas
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - AT&T on Tuesday launched digital television service in six Central Arkansas communities, an announcement years in the making and to the chagrin of the cable industry. - Wed, Sep 03, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Beebe names Elana Wills to Supreme Court
Gov. Mike Beebe named Deputy Attorney General Elana Wills of Little Rock to the state Supreme Court today to succeed retiring Justice Tom Glaze. - Tue, Sep 02, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Bobby Glover suffers stroke
By Tyler Tucker
State Sen. Bobby Glover, who represents Lonoke County, has been hospitalized in Little Rock after suffering a stroke, a Lonoke County official and a family member confirmed Monday. - Tue, Sep 02, 2008

Low-income Arkansans struggling, report says
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Ballet class was wonderful, but in the end, unaffordable. - Tue, Sep 02, 2008

Arkansas Governor's School students challenge Beebe on coal power
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - When Gov. Mike Beebe welcomed students to the 28th annual Arkansas Governor's School this summer, he probably could not have predict that one project students would take on would be to challenge him on a public policy issue. - Mon, Sep 01, 2008

Glaze's knowledge, history of Supreme Court will be missed
Sent Aug. 29, 2008
- Sun, Aug 31, 2008

Beebe not ready to postpone execution
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe has no immediate plans to postpone the execution of Frank Williams Jr. - Sat, Aug 30, 2008

Continued overcrowding causes prison board to invoke EPA
LITTLE ROCK - Prison beds, or lack thereof, received a great deal of discussion Friday by the state Board of Corrections after the panel was told the inmate population continues to rise at a record pace. - Sat, Aug 30, 2008

Dillard's buys 2nd half of CDI Contractors, sells travel agency
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. on Friday announced it had completed a transaction to acquire the 50 percent interest in CDI Contractors LLC and CDI Contractors Inc. - Sat, Aug 30, 2008

Preparations at Fort Chaffee continue for possible storm evacuees
By Jeff Arnold
FORT SMITH - More than 150 National Guard troops will report to Fort Chaffee today, prepared to receive evacuees from Louisiana if Hurricane Gustav forces them from their homes. - Sat, Aug 30, 2008

Hardin resigns, gets nearly $1 million buyout
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Citing health problems and a need for the University of Central Arkansas to move past recent turmoil, UCA President Lu Hardin resigned Thursday after weeks of controversy over a $300,000 bonus he received in May. - Fri, Aug 29, 2008

Lawmaker says remediation programs waste of time, money
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The nearly $54 million Arkansas spends each year on remediation classes for in-coming freshmen by the state's two- and four-year colleges and universities is a waste of money, and correcting the failed program is key to improving college gradu - Fri, Aug 29, 2008

Fort Chaffee could house storm evacuees again
By Jeff Arnold
FORT SMITH - If Tropical Storm Gustav reaches hurricane strength and forces evacuations from the Gulf Coast reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina, the state of Arkansas will house up to 4,000 evacuees from Louisiana at Fort Chaffee. - Fri, Aug 29, 2008

Simmons First National declares dividend
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Simmons First National Corp.'s board of directors on Thursday declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 19 cents per share. - Fri, Aug 29, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Hardin to resign as UCA president
CONWAY - Embattled University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin is stepping down. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

UCA board to discuss Hardin's future
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The board of trustees of the University of Central Arkansas is scheduled to meet at 11 a. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

Federal disaster relief funds announced
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Storm-ravaged communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma will receive $13. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

Dillard's records $38 million Q2 loss
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. reported Wednesday a $38 million net loss in the second quarter, a heftier hit than the retailer took in the same quarter last year when it lost $25. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

Baptist Health acquires Southwest Regional Medical Center
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Little Rock-based Baptist Health announced Wednesday it had purchased the buildings and the campus that housed the former Southwest Regional Medical Center in Southwest Little Rock. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

Appeals court upholds child abuse conviction
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A Southeast Arkansas man serving a 40-year prison term in the beating of his 4-month-old twin boys lost his appeal Wednesday before the state Court of Appeals. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

Northwest Arkansas basketball tournament moving to LR
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The Real Deal on the Hill, an annual basketball tournament in Fayetteville that draws more than 200 teams annually, will be moved to the capital city next spring, Mayor Mark Stodola announced Wednesday. - Thu, Aug 28, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: UCA board calls Thursday meeting to discuss Hardin's future
LITTLE ROCK - The board of trustees of the University of Central Arkansas has scheduled a meeting for 11 a. - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Arkansas poverty rate rose in 2007, Census Bureau says
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - A greater percentage of Arkansans were living in poverty last year than in 2001 during the low point of the last recession, data released Tuesday by the U. - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Lawmaker says late book switches cost students, may skirt law
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - College instructors making last-minute switches in required textbooks are costing students money and may be skirting a state law requiring them to post book lists months in advance of classes, a Northwest Arkansas lawmaker said Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Arkansas students' scores increase on AP tests, decrease on SAT
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - More Arkansas public school students took and scored better on Advanced Placement exams this year than in 2007, while both participation in SAT exams and students' SAT scores showed slight decreases, education officials said Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Panel: Judge who is prosecutor's father does not have to disqualify self
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A 20th Judicial District circuit judge whose son is a prosecutor in the same district does not have to disqualify himself in all cases handled by the prosecutor's office, though he might have to disqualify himself if his son were to come befor - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Critcher acting governor while Beebe, Halter attend convention
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - State Senate President Pro Tem Jack Critcher, D-Batesville, is acting governor this week while both Gov. - Wed, Aug 27, 2008

Adoption ban proposal qualifies for ballot
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A proposed ballot initiative to ban unmarried couples who live together from adopting or fostering children in Arkansas qualified for the November general election Monday, setting up a likely legal challenge by opponents to keep the measure fr - Tue, Aug 26, 2008

Fees for teaching licenses go into effect Monday
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Starting next week, educators in Arkansas will have to pay a fee ranging from $35 to $100 to obtain, renew or add to a state teaching license. - Tue, Aug 26, 2008

Technology curriculum for 21st century classrooms discussed
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Classrooms in the 21st century won't have lecterns or rows of desks, but instead students grouped together working with computers and other technology as teachers mill about, a task force told legislators Monday. - Tue, Aug 26, 2008

Breaking convention update: 'Blue Dogs' embrace Obama
By Aaron Sadler
DENVER - Two Arkansas congressmen Monday voiced their strongest support to date for presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, urging the state's delegation to the party's national convention to wholeheartedly support the Illinois senator. - Mon, Aug 25, 2008

Economy, gas prices didn't hamper summer travel in Arkansas, officials say
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - As the daylight hours shorten and the summer travel season winds down, Arkansas tourism officials say early indications are that business was steady despite rising gas prices and a falling economy. - Mon, Aug 25, 2008

Fee to help struggling dairy farm industry being debated
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - State Milk Stabilization Board member Michael Flagg uses the word "fluid" to describe the panel's on-going debate on a possible long-term solution for preserving Arkansas' dairy industry. - Sun, Aug 24, 2008

Two Arkansas schools boycotting magazine's college rankings
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Hendrix College in Conway is one of the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the nation, according to U. - Sat, Aug 23, 2008

Razorbacks in LR through 2016
By Harry King
LITTLE ROCK - A two-year extension of the contract for the Razorback football team to play in Little Rock makes sense and is worthwhile to both sides, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said Friday. - Sat, Aug 23, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Razorbacks in LR through 2016
LITTLE ROCK - An arrangement formally agreed to today will keep the Arkansas Razorbacks playing in Little Rock through 2016. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

UCA Faculty Senate ponders action on Hardin
By John Lyon
CONWAY - The Faculty Senate of the University of Central Arkansas named a six-member committee Thursday to consider what action, if any, to take regarding UCA President Lu Hardin. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Gwatney's widow to serve as superdelegate at Democratic convention
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The widow of slain state Democratic Party chairman Bill Gwatney will take his spot as a superdelegate to next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver, Gov. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Supporters submit 31,000 more signatures for adoption ban measure
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Supporters of an initiative that would ban unmarried people who live together from adopting or fostering children turned in another 31,012 signatures Thursday in their effort to get the proposal on the November general election ballot. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Game and Fish votes to ease duck hunting restrictions
By Joe Mosby
LITTLE ROCK - The state Game and Fish Commission on Thursday tossed its ban on the use of spinning wing decoys and abandoned a one per day kill limit on female mallards. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Small business leaders give Pryor input on grant programs
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Small business leaders on Thursday asked U.S. Sen. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Governor announces 27 appointments
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced 27 appointments to state boards and commissions Thursday. - Fri, Aug 22, 2008

Lawmakers briefed on health issues, raise mandate concerns
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - State lawmakers said Wednesday they understand the importance of improving health care in Arkansas and support many of the initiatives presented to them during a health summit, but they worried that many of the proposals could turn into unfund - Thu, Aug 21, 2008

Riceland field test results must remain confidential, judge rules
By Jason Wiest
LONOKE - A judge Wednesday refused to make public documents disclosing and relating to field test results for Riceland Foods Inc. - Thu, Aug 21, 2008

Opponents of adoption ban measure considering legal challenge
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Supporters of an initiative that would ban unmarried people who live together from adopting or fostering children in Arkansas can expect a legal challenge if the measure qualifies for the November general election ballot, a spokeswoman for a c - Thu, Aug 21, 2008

Applebee's gets OK to serve alcohol in dry Saline County
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - In a 3-2 vote Wednesday, the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved a private club license for Applebee's restaurant in Benton, the second restaurant in the city to be approved for alcohol sales despite being in dry Saline County. - Thu, Aug 21, 2008

Subpoena issued for phone listing in Gwatney homicide investigation
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A subpoena has been issued for a phone listing connected to a number found in the home of a Searcy man who shot and killed state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney last week, police said Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 20, 2008

Prosecutor: Justice Gunter won't face charges in alleged attack on sister
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - A state Supreme Court justice accused of assaulting his sister at a family reunion last year will not face criminal charges, Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley said Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 20, 2008

Improvements recommended for after-school, summer programs
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - After-school and summer programs should be expanded, be affordable and accessible to all students and uniform across the state, a task force recommended to the governor Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 20, 2008

Report: Arkansas ranked 8th, tied with Oklahoma, for obesity
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas continues to be ranked in the top 10 in adult obesity rates, according to a study released Tuesday. - Wed, Aug 20, 2008

Adoption ban supporters to submit more signatures
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Supporters of an initiative to ban unmarried couples who live together from adopting or fostering children in Arkansas plan to submit about 24,000 more voter signatures to the secretary of state's office Thursday in hopes of getting the measur - Wed, Aug 20, 2008