KAIT - (Arkansas State News) plus AR MOBILE - TH

2 men sentenced in Arkansas election fraud case

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:53:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: Two men who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in an election fraud case involving a former east Arkansas lawmaker have been sentenced to home confinement and probation.

Beebe: Working quickly to pick new AR treasurer

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said he hopes to name a replacement in the next several days for the state treasurer, who resigned over accusations she took cash bribes from a bond broker.

ASU trustees to decide on tuition rates

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:03:00 EDT

Arkansas State University trustees are to decide on tuition and fees for the coming academic year.

8 Investigates: Swipe it, they won't check it

Josh Harvison — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:10:00 EDT

A Region 8 News investigation uncovered holes in the credit card system. Cashiers are not supposed to approve unsigned credit cards at the point of sale. Our investigation revealed that's not happening.

Lea Industries recalls children's beds due to fall hazard

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:23:00 EDT

This recall involves the side rails on 34 different Lea children's bed collections, including loft, bunk and panel styles in twin, full and queen sizes.

Cedar Ridge FBLA students give back

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:00 EDT

Cedar Ridge students sacrifice their fun for charity.

Walmart pledges $1M for Moore tornado recovery

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:50:00 EDT

Walmart says it is pledging $1 million for the recovery from the tornado that devastated Moore.

President recommends UA schools opt out of gun law

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:07:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: The president of the University of Arkansas system is recommending its 11 campuses opt out of a law allowing faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus. A spokesman on Tuesday said UA System President Donald Bobbitt will recommend that the schools continue banning concealed handguns on campus.

Arkansas GOP House leader calls for Shoffner's removal

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:58:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: The top Republican in the Arkansas House is calling on the governor to begin the process to remove state Treasurer Martha Shoffner over federal charges she accepted cash from an investment broker.

AR governor sends state's condolences to Moore

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:56:00 EDT

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe is sending the state's condolences to neighboring Oklahoma after a tornado devastated the city of Moore.

Remington plans $32 million expansion in Lonoke

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:41:00 EDT

Remington Arms Company LLC says it will spend $32 million to expand the company's ammunition plant in Lonoke.

Local woman overcomes 'one in a million' birth defect

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:55:00 EDT

A Mid-South woman is in many ways the "girl next door" except she does not look like anyone you have ever seen before. Even more, she is not supposed to be alive.

Missing teen found; family expresses gratitude, asks for space

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:47:00 EDT

For seven weeks, the community of Walnut Ridge has been rocked by the disappearance of one of their own.

Body of 14-year-old Sidney Randall found; cause of death still under investigation

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: The Walnut Ridge Police Department held a press conference Monday afternoon confirming that it was Randall's body that was found Saturday. The cause of death is still being investigated.

Former minister appears in court on sexual assault charges after missing teen found in Monette

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:41:00 EDT

NEW INFORMATION: A former Region 8 minister appears in court on charges of sexual assault in the 1st degree, obstructing governmental operation and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Man accused of assaulting children in elementary school appears in court

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:14:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: A parent accused of assaulting three children at a Caraway elementary school appeared in court Monday. According to the Craighead County Prosecutor's Office, 47-year-old Michael Stayton did not enter a plea and has a tentative trial date set for June 4th.

Gov. Beebe says Arkansas treasurer should resign

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:27:00 EDT

Gov. Mike Beebe says Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner ought to resign after she allegedly took cash from a broker who managed state funds.

Arkansas AG says state treasurer should resign

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 EDT

Arkansas' attorney general and the head of the state Republican Party say Treasurer Martha Shoffner should resign after she allegedly took cash payments from a broker who invested state money.

Walmart pushing for more Arkansas product makers

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:42:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: Bentonville-based Walmart is making a push to sell more U.S.-made goods and part of that effort includes promoting products made in Arkansas.

Arkansas treasurer arrested for extortion by FBI

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:59:00 EDT

Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner has been arrested for extortion by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being held in Pulaski County Jail.

Severe weather forecast for northwest Arkansas

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:46:00 EDT

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock says severe weather is possible in north and western parts of the state.

AR Treasurer Martha Shoffner due in US court

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:34:00 EDT

Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner was arrested on federal extortion charges over the weekend and is to make an appearance in federal court.

8 Investigates: Jonesboro Crime Numbers

Amanda Hanson — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EDT

Region 8 News investigates the crime numbers for the city of Jonesboro. From January to April of 2013, Jonesboro Police dealt with 17 aggravated robberies in the city.

Arkansas unemployment drops to 7.1%

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:54:00 EDT

Arkansas' unemployment rate fell to 7.1 percent in April, a drop of one-tenth of a percentage point.

Judge grants injunction in AR abortion ban case

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:13:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: A federal judge has granted a request to temporarily block enforcement of a new Arkansas law that bans most abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

AR senators to participate in online forum

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:49:00 EDT

Arkansas' two U.S. senators are participating in an online discussion with small business owners about the Internet and economic development.

Arkansas lawmakers formally adjourn session

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:43:00 EDT

The Arkansas Legislature has formally ended this year's legislative session.

State police: Perry County man killed in ATV crash

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:34:00 EDT

Authorities say a Perry County man was killed after he lost control of his ATV.

Research center at UALR receives $20,000 grant

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:37:00 EDT

The Sequoyah National Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is receiving a $20,000 grant for an exhibit on stereotypes of Native Americans.

Community coming together to help build a veterans monument

Brandi Hunter — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:22:00 EDT

A group of Caraway residents has started a campaign to raise funds to build a veterans monument.

New study: fracking hasn't polluted Arkansas water

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:16:00 EDT

A new study has found that natural gas drilling, or fracking, hasn't contaminated drinking water wells in Arkansas.

Harding University opts out of concealed-carry law

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:55:00 EDT

Harding University has opted out of a state law that allows faculty and staff members to carry concealed guns on campus.

State agency warns AR taxpayers of email scam

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:49:00 EDT

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is warning state taxpayers of an email scam that seeks personal information.

The 1039th is back home in Region 8

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:55:00 EDT

The 1039th Engineer Company of the Arkansas Army National Guard's 875th Engineer Battalion is back home in Region 8.

SLIDESHOW included »

2 more in custody in Arkansas drug case tied to cartel

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:57:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: Federal prosecutors in Arkansas say two more men are in custody after they were indicted in a cocaine conspiracy case linked to a Mexican drug cartel.

May Teacher of the Month: Mrs. Amanda Grisham

Josh Harvison — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:53:00 EDT

The final Teacher of the Month for the 2012-20113 school year has spent her entire life in Region 8. Mrs. Amanda Grisham, who teaches 3^rd grade at Bay Elementary School, grew up in the Jonesboro area and graduated at Nettleton High School before pursuing a degree at Arkansas State University. After college, she got her first job as a teacher in Craighead County.

Man arrested after police say he robbed store at knife point

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:46:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: The Independence County Sheriff's Department has arrested a man they say robbed a store at knife point. Investigators couldn't release many details about the arrest, but did tell Region 8 News that the man in the surveillance video has been caught.

Judge rejects motion to dismiss Arkansas abortion suit

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:21:00 EDT

NEW DETAILS: A federal judge has rejected Arkansas' attempt to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a new state law banning most abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

Arkansas correction agency loses drug company account

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:06:00 EDT

The Arkansas Department of Correction says a pharmaceutical company has closed its account after the state last month acknowledged plans to use its anti-seizure drug phenobarbital in executions.

Pryor hosting Twitter 'town hall' on agriculture

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:59:00 EDT

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas is hosting a Twitter town hall to answer questions about the farm bill and other agricultural issues.

Hot Springs issues Babe Ruth postcard

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:43:00 EDT

Hot Springs is known for using trading cards to promote tourism, but the city has been issuing postcards since 2001 - and the latest edition features one of America's best known sporting figures.

Bentonville college votes to opt out of gun law

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:58:00 EDT

Northwest Arkansas Community College is the latest institution to opt out of a state law that allows faculty and staff to carry concealed guns on campus.

Weiner High supporters push for agriculture charter school option

Allison Munn — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:52:00 EDT

Supporters of Weiner High School say Governor Mike Beebe has expressed interest in starting up an agricultural charter school and they've also received support from multiple businesses throughout the community to do so.

Doctors train as Jonesboro S.W.A.T. officers

Craig Rickert — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:45:00 EDT

Meet two Jonesboro doctors who spend their free time as members of JPD's SWAT Team.

Security squadron deployed from Fort Smith

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:15:00 EDT

Members of the 188th Security Forces Squadron have left Fort Smith for deployment to an undisclosed airbase in the Middle East.

Helena, Pulaski Co. districts continue in distress

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:10:00 EDT

The Helena-West Helena and Pulaski County school districts are to continue under state control. The state Education Board approved separate measures on Monday to keep the districts under the label of fiscal distress.

State Rep. Debra Hobbs running for AR gov.

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:15:00 EDT

Rep. Debra Hobbs says she's seeking the Republican nomination for Arkansas governor next year.

Bond set at $100K in LR road rage shooting death

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:14:00 EDT

A judge set bond at $100,000 for man arrested for fatally shooting a fellow motorist after a dispute on Interstate 30 in Little Rock.

Update: Batesville man charged with "multiple counts" of child porn

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:14:00 EDT

Independence County Sheriff Steve Jeffery says a Batesville man now faces "multiple counts of computer child pornography."

Released inmate rearrested after pills, meth found in jail uniform

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:24:00 EDT

A Flippin woman is back behind bars after officers found pills and drugs hidden in her jail uniform.

Car window smashed, Bible only item stolen

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:04:00 EDT

A women woke up this morning and noticed her car had been broken into. The thief only stole her Bible.

Stan Musial's home up for sale

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:34:00 EDT

The longtime home of St. Louis Cardinals great Stan Musial is on the market, but the price isn't cheap.

Doniphan store clerk sells herself winning Powerball ticket

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:51:00 EDT

A Southeast Missouri woman wrapped up a big week by taking home a piece of the record $600 million Powerball jackpot.

Some gamers disappointed after Xbox One unveiling

Kimberly Wright — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:08:00 EDT

The sleek new console was revealed Tuesday, generating a fair amount of criticism among passionate gamers.

4 people facing drug charges in Cleburne County

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:02:00 EDT

Police say drug possession puts four Cleburne County people behind bars.

FBI reviews shooting of Boston bombing suspect acquaintance

Matt Quillen — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:00 EDT

A news release from the FBI Boston division stated the shooting took place early Wednesday when Ibragim Todashev, the shooting victim, started a "violent confrontation."

Benson: No football championship game for now

Blake Guinn — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:24:00 EDT

The summary of no title game for football is no change for fans, the Sun Belt Conference has never had a title game for football. But their lack of desire to pursue one is sudden and change of pace for Benson, who was rapidly pursuing teams to fill voids in the conference and as he said earlier this year, to get to 12 teams.

This Hour: Latest Arkansas news, sports, business and entertainment

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:06:00 EDT

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is naming Dan Bartlett, who had been president and CEO of the U.S. arm of global public relations firm Hill & Knowlton, as its new executive vice president of corporate affairs.

This Hour: Latest Missouri news, sports, business and entertainment

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:34:00 EDT

Work is now under way to remove concrete pipes from the Bridgeton Landfill.

This Hour: Latest Tennessee news, sports, business and entertainment

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:06:00 EDT

A former death row inmate is set to be released from prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of a Memphis police officer.