Arkansas News Bureau
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Sat, Nov. 22, 2008 Partners Information

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From the Stephens Media team in Arkansas and Washington D.C.

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News

Monday, Sep 29, 2008

Editorial: Putting party, pettiness,politics aside
It's frighteningly disappointing that the first reaction by legislative leaders of both major political after the failure of the proposed $700 billion financial rescue plan Monday was to blame the other side. - Monday, Sep 29, 2008

Those who play bingo play a lot, DFA statistics show
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - In the first eight months that charitable bingo parlors were legal in Arkansas, operators purchased about 110 million playing cards, an amount equal to 39 cards for every man, woman and child in the state, the state Department of Finance and A - Monday, Sep 29, 2008

Past News

Program could turn Arkansas' school buses into classrooms
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A pilot program that has transformed school buses into mobile virtual classrooms in one Arkansas school district is worth expanding across the state, coordinators say. - Sun, Sep 28, 2008

Ceremony marks progress of cancer institute expansion
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Winthrop P. - Sat, Sep 27, 2008

Dillard can draw on experience in investor grumblings, experts say
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - William Dillard's experience dealing with an activist investor as a board member for Acxiom Corp. - Sat, Sep 27, 2008

No new coal plants until technology improves, panel recommends
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The Governor's Commission on Global Warming on Thursday adopted the last of about 50 policy recommendations, including a moratorium on new coal plants in the state until better pollution-control technology becomes available. - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Lawyer argues lawsuit over UA football e-mails moot
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A lawsuit questioning whether a University of Arkansas football fan's profanity-laced e-mail to former quarterback Mitch Mustain was properly investigated is irrelevant because the key players have left their positions, a lawyer for the univer - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Court to hear arguments in lottery amendment challenge Oct. 13
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Supreme Court has set oral arguments for Oct. - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Court upholds Saline County man's murder conviction
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the first-degree murder conviction and life sentence of a Saline County man convicted of killing a friend. - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Court rejects ex-prison psychologist's appeal in inmate sex case
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A former state prison psychologist convicted of having sex with a depressed and suicidal inmate lost her appeal Thursday before the state Supreme Court. - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Man who contracted tuberculosis in prison loses appeal
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A federal appeals court Thursday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a former Arkansas prison inmate who contracted tuberculosis while incarcerated at the Varner Unit in Lincoln County. - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

GAO: Large animal concentrations a potential environmental threat
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - Large concentrations of animals on farms like poultry operations in Northwest Arkansas may have a serious impact on air and water quality, but federal regulators can't say for sure because they lack authority to oversee the operations, the Ge - Fri, Sep 26, 2008

Lawmakers say bingo tax unfair, repeal likely
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Before bingo operators uttered an opposing word against it, members of a legislative committee concluded Wednesday that a state tax on charitable bingo games is unfair and should be repealed altogether. - Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Obama's policies better for Delta than McCain's, leaders say
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Democrat Barack Obama's policies line up with the needs of the Delta better than those of Republican McCain, members of the Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus said Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Children of Little Rock Nine discuss parents' legacy
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Spirit Trickey-Rowan of Little Rock was traveling to a folk festival with her mother and her sister several years ago when they stepped off a bus and her mother suddenly burst into tears. - Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Maumelle woman to get new trial in infant's death
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned the homicide conviction of a Maumelle woman whose 2-month-old son died after she left him home alone and went out to party at a nightclub. - Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Court reverses termination of Drew County woman's parental rights
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A circuit judge erred when she terminated the parental rights of a Drew County woman primarily because the woman moved several times, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. - Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Court filing stirs debate over whether state constitution bans casinos
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's response to a legal challenge of his ballot proposal for a state-run lottery for college scholarships has stirred debate over another thorny gambling issue in Arkansas: Whether the state constitution bans casino gambling - Wed, Sep 24, 2008

Lincoln leery of bailout plan; homeowner advocates call for safeguards
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - The proposed $700 billion bank bailout under consideration by Congress lacks federal oversight and leaves too much on the table for banking executives, U. - Wed, Sep 24, 2008

Chesapeake to curtail production behind falling gas prices
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Chesapeake Energy Corp. plans to cut its drilling budget for the second half of 2008 through 2010 by $3. - Wed, Sep 24, 2008

Supreme Court to hear fan's lawsuit over UA football e-mails
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Should the Houston Nutt-Mitch Mustain saga be put to rest once and for all? - Wed, Sep 24, 2008

Survey ranks Arkansas No. 1 in amount of teachers' pay going to insurance
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A recent survey of 36 states ranked Arkansas No. - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

Beebe declares 15 counties disaster areas after Hurricane Ike
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday declared 15 counties disaster areas because of damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike. - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

Supreme Court asked to dismiss legal challenge to lottery proposal
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and supporters of his proposed state-run lottery asked the state Supreme Court on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit against the measure, contending the action attacks the text of the proposed constitutional amendment rather than - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

UA's Long learns about LR games
By Harry King
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said Monday that after being in the state for almost a year, he has come to understand why the Razorbacks play football games in Little Rock. - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

Oil price spikes; gas next?
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Petroleum industry officials in Arkansas were at a loss Monday to predict what effect a sudden spike in oil prices would have on prices at the gas pump. - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

Halter to attend economic summit in China
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter said Monday he plans to promote Arkansas as a good place for business development and investment during his upcoming trip to China. - Tue, Sep 23, 2008

Family Council files legal challenge to lottery proposal
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The Family Council Action Committee filed a lawsuit Friday asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to remove from the November ballot Lt. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

It's back: Lawmakers to study privatizing state prisons
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Even the suggestion of privatizing state prisons leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some veteran legislators, but a freshman lawmaker with less institutional memory thinks it may be an idea whose time has come - again. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

State unemployment rate rises to 4.8 percent
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point in August to 4. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

Council balks at approving contract for trauma center task force advisor
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A task force preparing to present plan to implement a statewide system of trauma centers to the Legislature next year suffered a setback Friday when the Legislative Council declined to approve a $100,000 contract for a medical advisor. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

Ethics Commission: OK for candidates to rent university property
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A public servant in Arkansas can rent government-owned property or equipment for campaign purposes if the property also is available for rent to anyone regardless of political affiliation, the state Ethics Commission said Friday in an advisory - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

Experts: Arkansas needs to stay aggressive financially
By Jason Wiest
CONWAY - It would be a mistake for Arkansas business to be conducted conservatively in the wake of a crumbling financial environment that has seen the fall of some of the country's largest financial institutions, experts said Friday. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

Hurricane Ike caused up to $10 million in damage for Dillard's
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Hurricane Ike caused between $8 million and $10 million in damages to Dillard's stores, one of which will not reopen, the company reported Friday. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

Game and Fish mulling 23-day turkey season
By Joe Mosby
LITTLE ROCK - Turkey hunting season next spring would again be relatively short with time limitations and some areas closed to hunting under a proposal presented to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at its September meeting. - Sat, Sep 20, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Family Council files suit challenging lottery proposal
The Family Council Action Committee has filed a lawsuit today asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to strike from the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to create a state-run lottery to fund college scholarships. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Sales tax holiday for school supplies discussed by panel
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Retailers big and small want Arkansas to fall in line with most of its neighboring states in granting consumers an annual sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Lawmaker turns to AG for clarity on property reappraisal law
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Amid growing angst over the real estate downturn in Northwest Arkansas, an area legislator wants clarity from the attorney general regarding state law as some property owners' taxes are rising while home prices and values decline. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Winter heating bills will be higher, but not as high as expected
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Natural gas customers will get stuck with higher heating bills this winter, but increases may not be as sharp as originally expected, the state Public Service Commission said Thursday. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Bush declares 18 Arkansas counties disaster areas after Hurricane Gustav
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - President Bush declared 18 Arkansas counties disaster areas Thursday, making federal aid available to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Court affirms two death sentences
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The state Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed the conviction of a state prison inmate facing the death penalty in the 2005 murder of a wheelchair-bound Warren man. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

Proposed legislation would allow mini-trucks on state roads
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A legislative panel got a look Thursday at two draft bills that would make mini-trucks legal to operate on state roads and highways. - Fri, Sep 19, 2008

State Supreme Court upholds lawyer's contempt conviction
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Fort Smith attorney Oscar Stilley, suspended from practicing law and facing disbarment, lost another legal round Thursday when the state Supreme Court affirmed a contempt of court ruling against him. - Fri, Sep 19, 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 - Thu, 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. - Thu, 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. - Thu, 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. - Thu, 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. - Thu, Sep 18, 2008

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

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