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News

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008

Supreme Court hears arguments on lottery amendment
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - With early voting for the November general election starting next week, opponents of Lt. - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008

Greenland, Decatur districts projected to end school year with positive balances
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - State-appointed superintendents of two financially troubled school districts in Northwest Arkansas told the state Board of Education Monday they expect to end the current school year in the black. - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008

Manufacturer to employ 300 in Jonesboro
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A manufacturer of pre-moistened wipes for consumer, industrial and health care uses announced plans Monday to invest $40 million at a plant in Jonesboro that will employ 300 people. - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008

Past News

Lotteries elsewhere raking in millions as high court set to hear arguments on Arkansas proposal
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - It seems state lotteries can be just the ticket in tough economic times. - Sun, Oct 12, 2008

Clinton talks up Obama at Little Rock rally
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Hillary Clinton thanked Arkansans Friday for giving her the biggest win of her presidential primary campaign and asked the people who voted for her eight months ago to vote for Barack Obama in November. - Sat, Oct 11, 2008

Family Council: DHS policy change suspicious
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - State lawmakers should investigate what led to the Department of Human Services' decision to drop a policy banning unmarried couples living together from serving as foster parents, the conservative Family Council said Friday. - Sat, Oct 11, 2008

Audit suggests grade inflation, lawmakers told
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A state audit released Friday suggested grade inflation occurred in a Southeast Arkansas college studies program for high school students, and lawmakers asked the state Department of Education to look into whether any teachers involved should - Sat, Oct 11, 2008

Dobbins files suit to get on November ballot
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Former state Rep. Dwayne Dobbins filed a lawsuit Friday seeking a spot as a legislative candidate on the Nov. - Sat, Oct 11, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Dobbins files suit to get on ballot
LITTLE ROCK - Former state Rep. Dwayne Dobbins filed a lawsuit today in Pulaski County circuit court seeking to get his name on the Nov. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

DHS to drop ban on foster parenting by unwed couples
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Department of Human Services announced Thursday it will do away with its policy prohibiting unmarried couples living together from serving as foster parents. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

Obama supporters look to Hillary Clinton to energize Arkansas voters
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Democratic leaders in Arkansas are looking to today's visit by Hillary Clinton to boost support for Barack Obama in a state where Republican John McCain has held a consistent lead in voter polls. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

King Commission to conduct voter information program
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Martin Luther King Jr. Commission announced Thursday it will launch a program to boost voter turnout in next month's general election by informing voters about polling locations and available transportation to the polls. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

Restoring credit markets will take multiple steps, lawmakers say
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Back from Washington, two members of Arkansas' congressional delegation called voting for the financial bailout bill a disgusting but necessary step toward easing the nation's fiscal crisis, with more steps to follow. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

Study finds 33 payday lenders still operating in Arkansas
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The number of payday lending institutions in Arkansas has steadily dwindled since the state attorney general threatened in March to sue over their practice of charging interest rates that exceed the state usury limit, a survey released Thursda - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

List of bonding agencies correct, state Supreme Court rules
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A list of bonding agencies prepared by the Sebastian County circuit clerk in 2006 is in compliance with state law, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. - Fri, Oct 10, 2008

Second windmill blade manufacturer to put plant in Little Rock
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Another windmill blade manufacturer will locate a plant in Little Rock, and one of its suppliers will follow, officials announced Wednesday. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Court reverses 10 year sentence, dismisses charges
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A Pine Bluff man sentenced to 10 years in prison last year after being convicted of aggravated robbery and other charges had his conviction reversed and charges dismissed Wednesday by the Arkansas Court of Appeals. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

DHS scolded for its handling of parental rights
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals ordered a new hearing Wednesday in a Crawford County court decision to terminate a man's parental rights and scolded the state Department of Human Services for its handling of the case. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Woman gets records mix-up fixed, sees benefits reduced
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A Pine Bluff woman won a reversal of an adverse Workers' Compensation Commission ruling because the commission mistakenly reviewed someone else's medical record, but on Wednesday the state Court of Appeals said her benefits should be reduced, - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Octogenarian loses appeal in drug case
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected an appeal by an 80-year-old Alma man serving time on multiple drug convictions. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Dillard's sales slide 12 percent in September
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Dillard's Inc. reported Wednesday that both same-store and total sales fell 12 percent in September. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Two UAMS doctors in Jones Eye Institute receive chairs
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Two University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences doctors in the Jones Eye Institute became the inaugural recipients Wednesday of endowed chairs established by gifts from foundations of two long-time UAMS supporters. - Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Educators urged to support in-state tuition for undocumented students
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - An incoming state senator is asking higher education officials in the state to get behind a renewed push to approve in-state college tuition rates for undocumented students who graduate from Arkansas high schools. - Wed, Oct 08, 2008

Lawmakers begin fall budget hearings
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Lawmakers eased into budget mode Tuesday, looking to tread cautiously in state budgeting amid a national financial crisis. - Wed, Oct 08, 2008

No rise in taunting because of BMI tests, study finds
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Overweight children in Arkansas have not received more teasing since schools began measuring the body mass index of students in 2003, according to a study released Tuesday. - Wed, Oct 08, 2008

Lottery campaign raised $7,000 in September
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's campaign for a state-run lottery to fund college scholarships raised $7,000 in September, according to a financial report filed Tuesday with the state Ethics Commission. - Wed, Oct 08, 2008

Briefs filed in lawsuit challenging lottery amendment
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A proposed constitutional amendment to create a state lottery to fund college scholarships should be removed from the November ballot because the wording of the ballot question does not inform voters of the "scope and import" of the amendment, - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

Retired judges oppose adoption, foster parenting ban
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Thirteen retired Arkansas judges, including three former chief justices of the state Supreme Court, announced their opposition Monday to a ballot initiative that would ban unmarried couples from adopting or foster parenting children in Arkansa - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

Children and Family Services chief retiring
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - The head of the state's Division of Children and Family Services announced her retirement Monday amid problems within the state's foster care system. - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

Beebe delays decision on restoring cut funds
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he was not ready to decide whether to restore any of the $107 million previously cut from the current state budget, citing uncertainty about the national and global economic picture. - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

EPA to announce rules for penned animals
By Doug Thompson
SILOAM SPRINGS - The federal Environmental Protection Agency will soon propose new rules for large animal farm operations, which has landed the EPA in court before and likely will again, an agency official said Monday. - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

Study recommends Arkansas center for dental education
By Jason Wiest
LITTLE ROCK - Facing a shortage of dentists, Arkansas should spend $1. - Tue, Oct 07, 2008

Lawmakers to begin biennial budget review
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Three-day-a-week state budget hearings begin Tuesday at the state Capitol, and as lawmakers begin to wade through the millions of dollars in requests by state agencies Gov. - Mon, Oct 06, 2008

Supporters hoping Obama won't bypass Arkansas
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Democratic elected officials and party leaders say Hillary Clinton's scheduled appearance here Friday on behalf of Barack Obama is sure to boost the Democratic presidential nominee's support among Arkansans, though some say Obama needs to camp - Sun, Oct 05, 2008

Funds may be restored to cut budgets, Beebe says
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Friday he will consider restoring money cut from some agencies' budgets following news of a 6. - Sat, Oct 04, 2008

Shale play helping some counties avoid economic hard times
By Rob Moritz
CONWAY - The Fayetteville Shale play in north and central Arkansas is "like manna from heaven," a Conway real estate broker said Friday during an economic and community development conference. - Sat, Oct 04, 2008

Beebe to ADEQ: Ignore pressure on coal plant permit
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Friday he has told the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality not to bow to outside pressure in deciding whether to grant an air quality permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant in Southwest Arkansas. - Sat, Oct 04, 2008

Editorial: Bailout back in House's court
On Tuesday, we praised the members of Arkansas' congressional delegation for their votes in support of the bailout legislation. - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

State revenues jump 6.3 pct in September
Arkansas News Bureau - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

DHS hears comments on foster parenting policy
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Mary Ann Hansen cried during a state Department of Human Services hearing Thursday as she spoke about her childhood with adoptive parents. - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

Anti-animal cruelty law may happen in 2009, McDaniel says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Thursday is seeking input from a variety of groups in developing animal cruelty bill for the 2009 legislative session, including organizations that have consistently opposed such a measure in the past. - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

Constitution prohibits casinos, AG says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Thursday his office will fully defend Lt. - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

UA e-mail case dismissed, appeal moot, court says
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The game clock ran out on the Houston Nutt-Mitch Mustain saga Thursday when the state Supreme Court rejected a petition to reinstate a lawsuit accusing the University of Arkansas and a former chancellor of improperly investigating a fan's prof - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

Governor announces appointments
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe announced the appointments of 20 Arkansans to state boards and commissions Thursday. - Fri, Oct 03, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court dismisses UA e-mail lawsuit
The state Supreme Court today rejected a petition to reinstate a lawsuit accusing the University of Arkansas of not investigating a football fan's profanity-laced e-mail to ex-UA quarterback Mitch Mustain. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Group to fight foster parenting policy
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - A coalition formed to oppose an initiated act to ban unmarried couples living together from adopting or serving as foster parents said Wednesday it also will fight a state policy banning placement of foster children with cohabiting adults. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Hillary Clinton to campaign for Obama in Little Rock
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Former Arkansas first lady Hillary Clinton will campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in Little Rock on Oct. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Hutchinson planning bills concerning college remediation
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - A Northwest Arkansas lawmaker said Wednesday she is having a bill drafted for the 2009 legislative session that would partially reimburse college freshmen at state universities who pass remediation courses. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Chesapeake enters agreement to transport gas from Fayetteville Shale play
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A new 187-mile pipeline originating in Conway County will transport 375 million cubic feet of natural gas per day produced by Chesapeake Energy Corp. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Air base marks changes in mission
By Ed Galucki
JACKSONVILLE - Activation of the 19th Air Mobility Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base on Wednesday marked a change of mission from training to operational readiness. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

New trial ordered for transient convicted of murder
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - The state Court of Appeals on Wednesday ordered a new trial for a transient convicted in 2006 in the stabbing death of another homeless man at a West Memphis truck stop. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Court affirms custody case involving allegations of Wicca
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - A Southeast Arkansas woman who argued she lost custody of her son because of a judge's perception of her alleged practice of Wicca lost her appeal Wednesday before a divided state Court of Appeals Wednesday. - Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Beebe touts water bond proposal
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe said Tuesday he expects voters to approve a $300 million bond issue for water projects in November, provided they understand it will not raise their taxes. - Wed, Oct 01, 2008

Presidents say higher ed proposals could hurt college students
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - Members of the Arkansas Higher Education Presidents Council said Tuesday that some of the proposals being recommended for the state Department of Higher Education's legislative package next year could end up hurting two- and four-year colleges - Wed, Oct 01, 2008

Little Rock Air Force Base shifting focus
By Ed Galucki
JACKSONVILLE - Primary operations at Little Rock Air Force Base is shifting from training to combat. - Wed, Oct 01, 2008

State auditor seeking owners of $23 million in unclaimed property
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Two coins believed to date back to the time of Jesus are almost certainly the oldest items of unclaimed property in this year's Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt. - Wed, Oct 01, 2008

Patrol cars display photos of missing, abducted children
By Jeremy Peppas
NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Police officers have a new tool to help find missing children - their patrol cars. - Wed, Oct 01, 2008

Arkansas not immune to worsening financial crisis
By James Jefferson and John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - More bad news from Wall Street could help push the state economy overall into recession and make it harder for Arkansans with blemishes on their credit to get loans, Arkansas' chief economist said Monday. - Tue, Sep 30, 2008

Beebe pumps own gas to promote biofuel
By John Lyon
LITTLE ROCK - Taking on a task usually performed for him by others, Gov. - Tue, Sep 30, 2008

AG: Legislature must determine reappraisal definition
By Rob Moritz
LITTLE ROCK - The meaning of a phrase in the state's property reappraisal law that appears to puzzle some county equalization boards will have to be determined by the Legislature, the state attorney general said in an opinion Monday. - Tue, Sep 30, 2008

Parole Board recommends clemency for sick murderer
LITTLE ROCK - The state Parole Board recommended clemency Monday for a convicted murderer who in recent years has had a kidney and part of his lung removed because of cancer. - Tue, Sep 30, 2008

Voter registration deadline is Monday
LITTLE ROCK - The deadline to register to vote in Arkansas in time for the Nov. - Tue, Sep 30, 2008

No poultry litter injunction, judge rules
By Doug Thompson
FAYETTEVILLE - A federal judge has denied a request to halt the use of poultry litter as fertilizer in the Illinois River watershed. - Tue, Sep 30, 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. - Mon, 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 - Mon, Sep 29, 2008

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