Nathan Vandiver

Arkansas's Teen Birth Rate High, But Dropping With Rest Of US

Nathan Vandiver — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:14:55 +0000

A report from the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics says teen birthrates are dropping in the US in all but two states.

Arkansas is among the states where the rate is dropping, but it has one of the highest rates.

Arkansas had a 16 percent decline in overall teen births between 2007 and 2011.

Brady Hamilton, a statistician with the National Center for Health Statistics, says the study can help shape public policy regarding teen pregnancy.

UALR Staffer To Take Vanload Of Supplies To Tornado Victims

Nathan Vandiver — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:52:44 +0000

As the citizens of Moore, Oklahoma work to clean up the damage and rebuild following the tornado that destroyed part of the town this week, help is pouring in from surrounding areas.

One person on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus is helping.

Leanna Payton, who works in student housing is gathering odds and ends like toiletries, diapers and cell phone chargers to take to Moore. She plans to fill a van with the items.

University Boards So Far Opting Out; UA, ASU To Decide Concealed Carry

Nathan Vandiver — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:53:46 +0000

Thursday the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet and vote on whether to allow permitted faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on its campuses throughout the state.

The Arkansas State University Board is also expected to vote on the matter Thursday.

The state legislature recently passed a law that gives colleges the choice, though all schools that have voted so far have opted out of allowing concealed weapons on campus.

US Attorney: State Treasurer's Alleged Actions Erode Public Trust

Nathan Vandiver and Michael Hibblen — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:54:46 +0000

US Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Chris Thyer said Monday that allegations against state Treasurer Martha Shoffner are grave.

He spoke to reporters after Shoffner made her initial court appearance on charges she accepted money from a broker in return for investing state money with that broker.

Legislators Say So Long, Carter Says Some Other Time

Nathan Vandiver — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:51:12 +0000

State lawmakers met briefly this morning to formally adjourn the legislature, making for a quiet end to an otherwise action packed legislative session.

Arkansas Higher Ed To Cut $5 Million From Scholarship Fund

Nathan Vandiver — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:23:51 +0000

Arkansas Department of Higher Education Director Shane Broadway says expected cuts to state scholarship programs will affect students applying for those awards for this coming school year and beyond.

He says during the recent legislative session the Department didn’t get a requested additional $7 million to shore up estimated shortfalls, but did get $2 million to save the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarships. That scholarship goes to 300 high-achieving students.

Twitter Bomb Threat Turned Up Fake

Nathan Vandiver — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:50:13 +0000

A bomb threat made via twitter to the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock Tuesday didn’t disrupt activities.

Captain Edwin Wolf of the Little Rock Fire Department says a search of the building didn’t turn up any explosives.

He says bomb threats for the presidential library are rare.

"We get this occasionally for schools, high schools, things like that, but not for the Clinton Library, it's not very common," Wolf said.

'Big Library Read' To Showcase E-Book Benefits

Nathan Vandiver — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:43:00 +0000

The Central Arkansas Library System is set to take part in a worldwide event beginning Wednesday called the “Big Library Read.”

It’s a giant book club of sorts where participants all simultaneously check out the same book via e-readers.

Carol Coffey with CALS said it’s a pilot program to promote libraries e-book offerings.

Little Rock Tech Park Board To Pause Site Selection, Review Purpose

Nathan Vandiver — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:43:52 +0000

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board is putting off selection of a site for the city’s tech park in order to discuss the specific types of research businesses that might be attracted to it.

The main topic of discussion for the Little Rock Tech Park Board has focused on site selection, but at its meeting Wednesday, members began delving into the basic purpose for the park and whether they need to consider two sites rather than one.

Power Transmission Company To Create 50 New Jobs In Little Rock

Nathan Vandiver — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:29:23 +0000

A power transmission company says it will locate a regional hub in Little Rock, a move that company officials say will bring between 30 and 50 high paying jobs to the state in the near future.

Governor Mike Beebe and Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola joined state economic development officials as well as representatives from Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator, or MISO, at the state Capitol to announce the new jobs.

MISO handles power transmitted on the nation’s electric grid and Beebe said the mostly-high tech jobs would pay an average of $85,000 a year.