News

Arkansas Panel Votes To Study Bathroom Bill From Session

By • Jun 21, 2017

An Arkansas Senate panel has voted to study a bill limiting which restrooms transgender people can use that had stalled in this year's legislative session after facing opposition from the state's Republican governor, tourism groups and LGBT rights supporters.

Arkansas Drops Bid To Block Subpoena Over Inmate's Autopsy

By • Jun 21, 2017
Death row inmate Kenneth Williams

Arkansas officials are dropping their effort to block a request for the records related to the autopsy of an inmate who lurched and convulsed 20 times during his execution.

The state Crime Lab on Tuesday filed a motion to withdraw its request to quash the subpoena issued by public defenders who are challenging the state's execution procedures and want records related to Kenneth Williams' death. Williams was executed on April 27.

Groups Ask Judge To Block New Arkansas Abortion Restrictions

By • Jun 20, 2017
Rita Sklar ACLU American Civil Liberties Union
Michael Hibblen / KUAR News

Abortion rights groups are asking a federal judge to block several new abortion restrictions in Arkansas, including a ban on a commonly used second-trimester procedure.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block laws that have yet to take effect but were approved by lawmakers this year.

Arkansas Drops Bid To Block Subpoena Over Inmate's Autopsy

By • Jun 20, 2017
Kenneth Williams
Arkansas Department of Correction

Arkansas officials are dropping their effort to block a request for the records related to the autopsy of an inmate who lurched and convulsed 20 times during his execution.

The state Crime Lab on Tuesday filed a motion to withdraw its request to quash the subpoena issued by public defenders who are challenging the state's execution procedures and want records related to Kenneth Williams' death. Williams was executed on April 27.

SLIDESHOW: Photography Exhibit Explores Arkansas Family's Grief

By Darcy Hagood • Jun 20, 2017
Nina Robinson

An exhibit now on display at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock showcases how a documentary photographer grieved for a beloved family matriarch.

The exhibit is titled “Not Forgotten: An Arkansas Family Album.” Photographer Nina Robinson has been telling stories through her photos for national publications for many years now. Her most recent project began as many others have, as an attempt to capture the nuances and complexities of southern life.

Applications Available For Arkansas Medical Pot Facilities

By • Jun 19, 2017
medical marijuana

Applications are now available for those who want to sell or grow medical marijuana in Arkansas under a new constitutional amendment legalizing the drug for some patients.

The Medical Marijuana Commission on Monday posted the applications for licenses to operate medical marijuana cultivation facilities and dispensaries. The commission is expected to accept applications from June 30 to Sept. 18.

Reservoir Water Weight Blamed For Arkansas Earthquake Swarm

By • Jun 19, 2017

Earthquakes in northern Arkansas are being linked to the weight of extra water at a flood-swollen reservoir.

Earthquake geologist David Johnston works with the Arkansas Geological Survey. He says the added weight of the water at Bulls Shoals Lake likely triggered 10 earthquakes over five days last week near Harrison, a city about 140 miles north of Little Rock.

Johnston says the reservoir's water level has risen 42 feet because of rainfall since March 1.

Arkansas Plant Board Committee Recommends Ban On Herbicide

By • Jun 17, 2017
Chris Hickey / KUAR News

A maligned but crucial row crop herbicide that’s led to disputes among neighbors and at least one class action lawsuit could be on its way toward becoming banned in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Plant Board Pesticide Committee voted Friday to recommend a ban on the sale and use of dicamba for the state’s row crops. Farmers spray dicamba on a specific genetically resistant soybean variety, produced by Monsanto. Misuse and wind drift in recent months has led to the herbicide impacting fields and damaging non-genetically resistant agricultural crops in the eastern part of the state.

Arkansas Unemployment At Record Low

By • Jun 16, 2017
Bloomberg via Getty Images

The state's unemployment rate is at a record low of 3.4 %. Susan Price with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says unemployment has declined 0.1% every month this year and May figures fell in line.

“We started off the year at a record low rate of 3.8%, so each month has broken and set a new record. Unemployment in Arkansas has actually decreased each month since March 2011," said Susan Price with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

From Delta Fields To The Halls Of Congress

By & • Jun 16, 2017

On this Week-In-Review, we put Arkansas's congressional delegation in the spotlight as Trump ignores the state's agricultural interests on his newly announced Cuba policies. Also, Sen. Tom Cotton dismisses Russia collusion and  Sen. Boozman is short on healthcare specifics.

-Elections were held throughout Arkansas this week: Pulaski County votes to send more money to schools; Pine Bluff takes a stab at revitalization; and Helena-West Helena makes an effort to pare down its sprawling city council.

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