State News

Arkansas virus cases rise by 226; increase lowest in days The Republican governor used the news conference to highlight the state's contact tracing efforts. by Andy Davis - June 5, 2020

Arkansas woman serving life sentence released after 34 years Willie Mae Harris, an Arkansas prisoner whose life sentence for the murder of an abusive husband became the subject of newspaper columns and a successful commut... by John Moritz - June 5, 2020

Police ID victim, suspect killed in Russellville shooting Russellville police have identified a victim and suspect who were killed in a shooting early Wednesday. by Maggie McNeary - June 5, 2020

Lauding 'force' against protests, Sen. Cotton raises profile Freshman Sen. Tom Cotton has risen to the ranks of potential 2024 Republican presidential contenders by making all the right enemies. By lining up behind Presid... by The Associated Press - June 5, 2020

Phase 2 start by region said to be possible; number of state virus cases up 358 Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday that he's considering a regional approach to further opening the state's economy as new coronavirus cases continue to surge in... by Andy Davis, Jeannie Roberts - June 5, 2020

On 5th night, protest ends before Little Rock curfew The fifth-consecutive night of protesting at the state Capitol was a short one Thursday, as organizers asked the protesters to go home two hours before the 8 p.... by Rachel Herzog, Ginny Monk and Stephen Simpson Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 5, 2020

Arkansans hold rallies for Floyd About 300 people gathered Thursday night along Main Street on the downtown Harrison square to protest the killing of George Floyd, who died on May 25 while bei... by Hunter Field, Dale Ellis, Bill Bowden and Thomas Saccente Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 5, 2020

Phase 2 start by region said to be possible; number of state virus cases up 358 Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday that he's considering a regional approach to further opening the state's economy as new coronavirus cases continue to surge in... by Andy Davis, Jeannie Roberts - June 5, 2020

State tells schools to prepare blend of in-person, online education The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday directed Arkansas school districts to prepare an education program for the coming school... by Cynthia Howell - June 5, 2020

Dogpatch USA is sold for $1.12M; theme park's future goes unrevealed The abandoned Dogpatch USA theme park in northwest Arkansas has been sold for $1.12 million, according to paperwork filed in Newton County Circuit Court in Jasp... by Bill Bowden - June 5, 2020

Active covid-19 prison cases fall The number of active covid-19 cases at the Cummins Unit -- at one point the source of the largest outbreak in Arkansas -- has plunged below a dozen after weeks ... by John Moritz - June 5, 2020

ASU System to hold tuition flat, cut costs Spending cuts approved Thursday across the Arkansas State University System are necessary but will avoid major financial disruptions to full-time employees, Sys... by Emily Walkenhorst - June 5, 2020

Toxic algae found in Fayetteville lake; avoid contact with water, agency says A harmful algae bloom was found Tuesday at Lake Fayetteville, according to a city news release. by NWA Democrat-Gazette - June 5, 2020

Staffers criticize 'New York Times' for Cotton essay What began as an undercurrent of newsroom grumbling built into an unusual Twitter tidal wave of public outrage among journalists at The New York Times over thei... by Elahe Izadi The Washington Post - June 5, 2020

Judge told of bad blood between suspect, victim The man shot to death at a Little Rock pizza restaurant last year was killed by a man he believed had murdered his sister, prosecutors said Thursday while showi... by John Lynch - June 5, 2020