State News
RSSLottery forced to tap reserve
Came up short for spring scholarships, higher-ed chief says
The state Department of Higher Education has spent nearly $113 million on lottery-financed Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarships in the fiscal year that will end June 30 — a $20 million dip from the previous fiscal year — after the 2013 Legislature overhauled the program and cut the scholarships for some future recipients. Continue reading...
2nd nursing-home suit sits on Maggio docket
Plaintiff calls for judge to step aside
Circuit Judge Michael Maggio began presiding over a negligence lawsuit involving a second nursing home owned by Fort Smith businessman Michael Morton just weeks after Morton financed several political action committees that later donated to Maggio’s since-halted run for an appeals-court seat. Continue reading...
Man dead after blaze, foot chase
A former Little Rock police officer died early Friday after a struggle in a yard belonging to a hot-dog vendor and blogger with whom the former officer had a “history,” police said. Continue reading...
Kimbrell applying for Bryant school job
Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell has applied to be the next superintendent of the Bryant School District. Continue reading...
Officials get a peek at plan for new jail
Crawford County could move into a new jail in January 2017 if voters approve two sales taxes next month, a jail architect told county officials Friday. Continue reading...
SUV crash on I-40 fatal to Memphian
A Memphis man was killed and two others were injured early Friday in a single-vehicle crash in Crittenden County, Arkansas State Police reported. Continue reading...
2 hurt near Searcy in crash of Cessna
Two people were injured Friday afternoon when a small plane crashed in a field about 2 miles south of Searcy, the White County sheriff’s office reported. Continue reading...
Mega Millions
The winning numbers drawn Friday night in Mega Millions: 18-25-38-45-63 Mega Ball: 9 Estimated jackpot: $38 million Megaplier: 02 Continue reading...
Other days
100 YEARS AGO April 19, 1914 COTTER — Mrs. John Hawkins, wife of a constable at Galena, Mo., a small town north of here, on the White river division, made an arrest yesterday in the absence of her husband and held the prisoner until the arrival of a deputy sheriff. Continue reading...
Gynecologist released from jail
PARAGOULD — A Paragould gynecologist charged with photographing a woman during an examination without her consent was released from the Greene County jail after paying a $50,000 bond, 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said Friday. Continue reading...
NW Arkansas today
QUOTE OF THE DAY “We have a number of people who have been on that waiting list for more than 10 years. As parents age, taking care of an adult child gets to be more and more difficult. There becomes a point where these parents can’t do it alone anymore.” Keith Vire, chief executive officer for the Arkansas Support Network, on Medicaid waivers that help people with disabilities get needed services Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Youth pastor given 9 years on sex crime MARION — A Crittenden County jury convicted a former Marion youth pastor of second-degree sexual assault of a minor Thursday, 2nd Judicial Circuit Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said. Continue reading...
Scholarships approved for 193 more
The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday voted to use $2 million in the state’s “rainy-day” funds to offer nearly two-thirds more Governor’s Distinguished Scholarships to eligible students. Continue reading...
Justices set to hear case on committal
The Arkansas Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments by accused murderer Rickey Dale Newman that he should be mentally evaluated before being committed to the state hospital for treatment. Continue reading...
Panel says 3,000 seek disability aid
Services help them leave institutions
More than 3,000 Arkansans with disabilities are waiting for services to help them live outside of state institutions, a group of healthcare officials were told during the Arkansas Health Disparities Conference on Friday. Continue reading...
