News

A new poll by the Washington Post and ABC News confirms findings from other media surveys that show a majority of Americans support the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs. 

After attending classified meetings and a top secret briefing through the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas says he’s pleased with recent public relations efforts by intelligence agencies. 

A chicken in Scott County is confirmed with avian influenza and state officials have quarantined poultry within a 6.2-mile radius around the infected bird's farm.

The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission said Wednesday that the chicken tested positive for H7N7 low pathogenic avian influenza.

The agency is coordinating its response and deciding on additional testing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Only the USDA can officially confirm avian flu cases. Officials said recent flooding in Scott County was conducive to the spread of the virus.

An Arkansas panel is reviewing the rules for enforcing a new state law that will require voters to show photo identification at the polls before they can cast a ballot.

The state Board of Election Commissioners on Wednesday was scheduled to review the rules for enforcing the state's voter ID law, which takes effect next year.

Poll workers are currently required to ask for identification, but voters can still cast a ballot if they don't show ID.

A judge has replaced one of the 12 jurors selected at the trial of a former Little Rock police officer charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a burglary suspect.

A prosecutor on Tuesday had raised questions about the man, who works for the city of Little Rock.

Josh Hastings faces a trial in the August 2012 death of Bobby Moore III. Hastings says Moore tried to run him over while he was working a burglary complaint.

Prosecutors say evidence did not support Hastings' recollection.

Gov. Mike Beebe has sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a major disaster declaration for 12 Arkansas counties that were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and floods beginning in late May.

Beebe's office said Tuesday that those 12 counties are Cleburne, Cross, Garland, Independence, Montgomery, Poinsett, Polk, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren and Woodruff.

The governor's office says the disaster declaration would make Arkansas eligible to receive federal aid to help the state, cities and counties recover from infrastructure damage.

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is asking the state's highest court to uphold a $1.2 billion fine leveled against Johnson and Johnson and a subsidiary over the marketing of an antipsychotic drug.

McDaniel on Tuesday filed a brief with the state Supreme Court asking justices to uphold the ruling over the drug Risperdal.

The drug makers have appealed the ruling. A Pulaski County jury last year ruled the companies downplayed and hid risks associated with the drug.

Attorneys general from 35 states asked to file briefs defending the fine, as did 65 legislators.

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is asking the state's highest court to uphold a $1.2 billion fine leveled against Johnson and Johnson and a subsidiary over the marketing of an antipsychotic drug.

McDaniel on Tuesday filed a brief with the state Supreme Court asking justices to uphold the ruling over the drug Risperdal.

The drug makers have appealed the ruling.

A Pulaski County jury last year ruled the companies downplayed and hid risks associated with the drug.

Now that nine death row inmates have challenged Arkansas's new lethal injection law and urged a judge to rule that the Department of Correction can't use a 2013 execution law to put them to death, Governor Mike Beebe has put execution dates on pause.

Even though the attorney general has asked the governor to set execution dates for the inmates, Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample told KUAR News on Tuesday that the governor's decision comes as the Department of Correction plans to rewrite its lethal injection procedures  and the inmates' case works its way through court.

The defense team for a former Little Rock police officer charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a burglary suspect is asking prospective jurors whether they've ever had to name a snap decision at work.

Josh Hastings was fired after the death last August of Bobby Moore III.

Hastings' trial opened this week in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

Defense lawyer Bill James asked potential jurors Tuesday to consider whether they've ever had to make quick decisions while working.