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Articles by Bill Smith
Saturday update: Snow continues to fall around mid-Missouri
A first round of snow started falling around mid-Missouri Saturday morning, with sub-zero temperatures and more snow expected later in the night. 8:00 p.m. The Columbia Police Department said drivers need to move their vehicles from first and second priority streets because the expectation is that 2 inches of accumulated snow will soon be reached, according to a Facebook post from the department. Columbia said vehicles parked on snow routes may be ticketed or towed.
Kehoe names former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway as next Missouri AG
JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Kehoe announced former Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway as his pick to be the state’s new attorney general. Hanaway is the first woman to hold the office. During a news conference Tuesday, Kehoe called the attorney general role “incredibly significant” to Missouri, adding he believed Hanaway was “ready to work on day one.” “A former U.S. Attorney, Catherine is a talented, trusted prosecutor who has a passion for enforcing the rule of law,” he told reporters.
KOMU 8 broadcast signal to be down for maintenance Friday afternoon
(KOMU) – Repairs to the broadcast tower scheduled for Friday afternoon could cause a disruption for some KOMU 8 viewers. Maintenance crews will be working on the transmitter tower, and part of the work will require the transmitter to be powered off for a brief time. This power down will affect viewers watching KOMU 8 using an over the air antenna, as well as some cable providers that pass the off-air signal on to their subscribers.
Arkansas Supreme Court rules medical marijuana amendment votes will not be counted Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas voters will see Amendment 3 on their ballots this November, but the state supreme court said there will be no count of any votes cast. A split ruling issued Monday from the Arkansas Supreme Court denied the push from Arkansans for Patient Access to have votes for the Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 counted after Secretary of State John Thurston said he would not tally the votes. Thurston disqualified the amendment on Sept.
Garland County drug tack force operation leads to 29 arrests, seizures of fentanyl, meth, guns Original
GARLAND COUNTY, Ark. – A multi-agency drug task force said a recent operation helped to take fentanyl, methamphetamine and guns off the streets around Garland County. Operation Blue Death was executed by members of the 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force and targeted accused major and mid-level drug dealers in the area who authorities said dealt fentanyl and methamphetamine. Prosecutor Michelle C.
Air quality advisory issued Friday for central Arkansas Original
by: Bill Smith Posted: Oct 18, 2024 / 10:46 AM CDT Updated: Oct 18, 2024 / 10:47 AM CDT NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State environmental officials are warning residents about the air quality in central Arkansas Friday. Officials with the Division of Environmental (DEQ) of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment declared a Code Orange for the day due to particulate matter in the air.
Arkansas Supreme Court denies second part of attempt to block casino amendment vote Original
by: Bill Smith Posted: Oct 17, 2024 / 11:02 AM CDT Updated: Oct 17, 2024 / 11:11 AM CDT LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Supreme Court has denied the second part of an attempt to block a casino amendment from going before voters this November. Passage of Amendment 2 would revoke the casino license for Pope County that was granted after Arkansas voters decided in 2018 to allow four casinos to be built around the state.
Pulaski County deputies investigating after body found floating in Arkansas River Thursday morning
by: Bill Smith Posted: Oct 17, 2024 / 10:09 AM CDT Updated: Oct 17, 2024 / 10:10 AM CDT LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Pulaski County deputies have started an investigation after a body was found floating in the Arkansas River Thursday morning. Officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said the agency received a call around 9 a.m. about the body, which the caller said was floating around the dock at the Rock City Yacht Club.
Perry County chief deputy arrested in Morrilton, accused of driving while intoxicated Original
MORRILTON, Ark. – The chief deputy of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office could be facing charges following a weekend arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Arkansas Supreme Court denies motion to block Amendment 2 casino vote
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Arkansas Supreme Court denies motion to block Amendment 2 casino vote Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Supreme Court has denied part of a petition to block the counting of votes for a ballot measure designed to remove a casino license for Pope County and change the rules for future licenses. The decision issued Monday blocked one part of the effort by Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC and lawyer Jennifer McGill.
Powerball ticket worth $100,000 sold in Mena Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Powerball players who recently bought a ticket in the west Arkansas town of Mena need to check their tickets. Officials with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery said Monday morning that a ticket worth $100,000 was sold at the Exxon station located at 901 Highway 71 North for the Saturday night drawing. ASL staff said the winning ticket matched four out of five of the numbers from the Saturday drawing, as well as the Powerball.
Little Rock School Board awarded $5.8 million magnet schools grant from US Department of Education Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Federal education officials are sending more than $5 million to Little Rock as part of a new magnet schools program. Officials with the U.S. Department of Education said Tuesday that the Little Rock School Board would receive $5,804,522 as part of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP). The Little Rock grant was one of 12 announced Tuesday that saw the program award more than $65 million in MSAP grants.
Little Rock police, Pulaski County deputies in standoff at west Little Rock home Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Police and deputies are involved in a standoff at a west Little Rock home Tuesday morning. Dozens of units from the Little Rock Police Department and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Calgary Trail, just a few blocks off of Kanis Road. Officials with the sheriff’s office said an eviction notice was being served by a deputy when someone started firing gunshots from inside the house. SWAT officers have been called to the scene.
WATCH LIVE: Alma police give update on Morgan Nick case Original
ALMA, Ark. – Police in the small northwest Arkansas town of Alma are holding a news conference Tuesday morning to provide an update in the nearly 30-year-old case of the disappearance of Morgan Nick. Officials with the Alma Police Department said they will be sharing “significant developments” in the investigation into Nick’s kidnapping on the night of June 9, 1995.
Secretary of state disqualifies Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment over signature questions Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A measure looking to further open medical marijuana access in Arkansas looks to now be off the November 2024 ballot. Officials with Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston’s office sent a notice to Arkansans for Patient Access on Monday stating that the qualified signatures submitted during the extra “curing” period following the original deadline were not enough to place the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment in front of voters.
WATCH LIVE: Arkansas Senate holds hearing on Malinowski raid Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Members of the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee are holding a hearing Monday to review the raid by federal officials on the home of the former head of the Clinton National Airport that ended with the man being shot and killed. Bryan Malinowski was killed after a shootout with ATF agents who were serving a 6 a.m. search warrant at his Little Rock home. Malinowski, executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, died of his injuries on March 21.
Arkansas suit against Family Dollar over rat infestation moves forward
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The lawsuit between the state of Arkansas and a major dollar store retailer over the infestation of rats and other vermin in a warehouse will move forward in court. Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement Thursday saying that Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Moran Welch denied a motion to dismiss filed by attorneys representing Family Dollar and the store’s parent company, Dollar Tree, Inc.
Police: 5 Bryant elementary students arrested over threats
Posted: Sep 20, 2024 / 07:32 PM CDT Updated: Sep 20, 2024 / 07:32 PM CDT BRYANT, Ark. – Police said Friday afternoon that five elementary school students in Bryant have been arrested and are facing charges after investigators said they threatened school employees and students. Officials with the Bryant Police Department said the students were from Parkway Elementary School.
Police: 5 Bryant elementary students arrested over threats Original
BRYANT, Ark. – Police said Friday afternoon that five elementary school students in Bryant have been arrested and are facing charges after investigators said they threatened school employees and students. Officials with the Bryan Police Department said the students were from Parkway Elementary School. Authorities said police conducted a thorough investigation to determine the identity of the students, who all are between 10 and 11 years old.
ARDOT responding to I-30 crash near Benton involving tractor-trailer Original
by: Bill Smith Posted: Sep 19, 2024 / 01:28 PM CDT Updated: Sep 19, 2024 / 01:29 PM CDT SALINE COUNTY, Ark. – Crews with the Arkansas Department of Transportation are working to clear a crash involving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 30 in Saline County. The crash was first reported just before 12:15 p.m. near Mile Marker 114, in an area of long-time construction near Benton.
Arkansas State Police arrest Lawrence County man accused of unattended field fire that led to October 2023 16-car pileup Original
CASH, Ark. – A Lawrence County man is in jail and facing charges in connection with an October 2023 pileup in northeast Arkansas that ended with two people dead. Troopers with the Arkansas State Police arrested 55-year-old Charles Benham of Alicia Wednesday, booking him into the Jackson County Detention Center. Prosecutors say he is facing a charge of felony reckless burning.
Arkansas suit against Family Dollar over rat infestation moves forward Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The lawsuit between the state of Arkansas and a major dollar store retailer over the infestation of rats and other vermin in a warehouse will move forward in court. Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement Thursday saying that Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Moran Welch denied a motion to dismiss filed by attorneys representing Family Dollar and the store’s parent company, Dollar Tree, Inc.
Jacksonville police investigating deadly early-morning shooting; one arrested Original
JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – Police in Jacksonville are investigating an early morning shooting that left a man dead. Officials with the Jacksonville Police Department said officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of Smart Street at 2 a.m. When the officers arrived at the address, they said they found a man sitting outside the home and a second man inside who had been shot multiple times. Authorities said the second man, identified as Lawerence Arnold, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jacksonville police investigating deadly early-morning shooting; one arrested
Bill Smith September 18, 2024 at 12:56 PM·1 min read JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – Police in Jacksonville are investigating an early morning shooting that left a man dead.
Check your tickets: Million-dollar Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas for Monday drawing
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – One Powerball player in Arkansas could have woken up $1 million richer Tuesday morning. According to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, there was one ticket sold in the state that matched all five balls in the Monday, Sept 16., drawing that would be worth the seven-figure prize. The balls drawn were 8-9-11-27-31 with a Powerball of 17. Lottery officials said the ticket was sold in Springdale at the Casey’s on Don Tyson Parkway. The winner has not yet stepped forward.
Check your tickets: Million-dollar Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas for Monday drawing
Bill Smith September 17, 2024 at 10:47 AM·1 min read LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – One Powerball player in Arkansas could have woken up $1 million richer Tuesday morning. According to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, there was one ticket sold in the state that matched all five balls in the Monday, Sept 16., drawing that would be worth the seven-figure prize. Arkansas LOTTO jackpot climbs to more than $3 million The balls drawn were 8-9-11-27-31 with a Powerball of 17.
New poll shows majority of Arkansans back former President Donald Trump over VP Kamala Harris Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new poll released Friday shows strong support among Arkansas voters for former President Donald Trump but growing numbers in parts of the state for VP Kamala Harris. The results of the poll from Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College have Republican nominee Trump with a commanding 55% to 40% lead over his Democratic rival, who took over the lead spot on the ticket after President Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign in July.
New poll shows majority of Arkansans back former President Donald Trump over VP Kamala Harris
Bill Smith September 13, 2024 at 10:08 AM·2 min read LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new poll released Friday shows strong support among Arkansas voters for former President Donald Trump but growing numbers in parts of the state for VP Kamala Harris.
Arkansas signs sponsorship extension adding Tyson, Walmart logos to field at Reynolds Stadium Original
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (PIG TRAIL NATION) – Tyson and Walmart are two names synonymous with Arkansas, and now those Natural State megabrands will take the field along with the Razorbacks football team. University of Arkansas officials announced Tuesday that the school, through its partner Learfield’s Razorback Sports Properties, extended and expanded the sponsorship deals with the Arkansas-based companies to feature logos of the two businesses on Frank Broyles Field at Donald W.
Crews responding to house fire near McAlmont community Original
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – Crews are responding to a house fire in the McAlmont community in northwest Pulaski County Wednesday morning. Captain Gary Williams with the North Little Rock Fire Department reported that firefighters with his agency were responding to assist the McAlmont Volunteer Fire Department at the scene in the area of Mitchell Avenue & Daffodil Street.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to hold economic news conference at Des Arc munitions plant Original
FILE – Arkansas Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders answers a question at a press conference Nov. 16, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Voters in three Arkansas state House districts will return to the polls Tuesday, April 2, 2024, to complete some unfinished business from the March 5 primaries, including one race where Republican Arkansas Gov. Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, are supporting different candidates.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to hold economic news conference at Des Arc munitions plant
DES ARC, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to hold a news conference to announce a new economic development at an Arkansas munitions plant Friday morning. While there were few details released by the governor’s office about the topic to be covered during the news conference, the event is being held at the White River Energetics plant in Des Arc. According to the company website, that facility’s sole objective is manufacturing small arms ammunition primers.
New Baptist Health clinic opens in growing east side of North Little Rock Original
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – People living in North Little Rock and the surrounding areas have another place to go for medical care. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Baptist Health Family Clinic – Rose City. The clinic provides services ranging from illness treatments, women’s health and mental health.
Police arrest juvenile accused in social media threat made against Russellville Junior High School Original
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Police in Russellville said a juvenile is in custody after investigators accused them of being behind a social media threat targeting a school. Officials with the Russellville Police Department said Wednesday afternoon that officers had successfully apprehended the suspect after working with community members of authorities with the Russellville School District. The juvenile is not being identified, but police officials said they would face charges in this matter.
Arkansas State Police arrest two men following child porn investigation Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State investigators said two Arkansas men were arrested last week following a special task force investigation into accusations of the possession of pornography involving children. Officials with the Arkansas State Police said the agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force started its investigation after getting a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
LRPD, Arkansas State Police chase ends in arrest, fentanyl seizure Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State troopers and local police say a pursuit in Little Rock last week ended up with one person arrested and the seizure of drugs and a gun. Officials with the Arkansas State Police report that officers with the Little Rock Police Department requested assistance with a chase of a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro on South University Avenue near 65th Street around 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. State troopers joined in the pursuit in a residential area near Baseline Road.
LRPD, Arkansas State Police chase ends in arrest, fentanyl seizure
Bill Smith September 4, 2024 at 10:32 AM·1 min read LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State troopers and local police say a pursuit in Little Rock last week ended up with one person arrested and the seizure of drugs and a gun. Officials with the Arkansas State Police report that officers with the Little Rock Police Department requested assistance with a chase of a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro on South University Avenue near 65th Street around 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26.
Little Rock Paralympic swimmer Olivia Chambers takes silver in 200 medley Original
PARIS – An Arkansas native is adding to her own personal Paralympic medal count. Little Rock’s own Olivia Chambers took silver Tuesday in the women’s 200-meter medley competition with a time of 2:25.90, just over half a second behind gold medalist Gilli Carlotta of Italy. The silver medal for Chambers came just days after she took home the gold for Team USA in the women’s 400-meter freestyle event.
Arkansas parks officials offer tips, reminders ahead of Hogs-UAPB game at War Memorial Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The capital city will be rocking as Razorback and Golden Lion fans flock to Little Rock for Thursday’s football game, and state officials have some tips and reminders to make sure their game day experience goes smoothly. Huge crowds are expected at War Memorial Stadium when Arkansas faces off against UAPB, and the staff at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism wants to make sure that fans coming to the game are well-prepared before heading to the game.
Saline County sheriff: Driver facing DWI charges after slamming pickup into building Original
BENTON, Ark. – Deputies say a woman is facing multiple charges after the truck she was driving slammed into the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning. Officials with the SCSO report that the crash happened at the office on South Neeley Street in Benton around 7:30 a.m. Photos shared by the sheriff’s office show a red Ford pickup that crashed into a wall near a set of glass doors.
Arkansas State Police arrest Forrest City doctor accused of sexual assault, rape Original
by: Bill Smith Posted: Aug 26, 2024 / 05:36 PM CDT Updated: Aug 26, 2024 / 05:42 PM CDT FORREST CITY, Ark. – State investigators said that they have arrested a doctor from Forrest City accused of multiple counts of sexual assault as well as one count of rape. Officials with the Arkansas State Police said 60-year-old Dr. Sudesh Banaji was arrested by agents with the ASP Criminal Investigation Division on Monday.
Grass fire halts eastbound I-40 near Brinkley Original
MONROE COUNTY, Ark. – A grass fire in eastern Arkansas has stopped traffic on Interstate 40 Monday afternoon. The Arkansas Department of Transportation reported the fire shortly after 4:30 p.m. near Exit 216, just north of Brinkley. Smoke from the fire could be seen on the ARDOT iDriveArkansas cameras blanketing the roadway, dramatically reducing visibility. As of 4:50 p.m., all eastbound lanes of I-40 were closed due to the smoke.
Bryant police make arrest in deadly Sunday shooting on Roya Lane Original
BRYANT, Ark. – Police in Bryant said they have arrested a man accused in a weekend shooting that left one person dead. Officials with the Bryant Police Department said 35-year-old Donshadrick Laron Boyd was taken into custody in Faulkner County Monday morning by members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
Arkansas Supreme Court rules abortion amendment supporters did not meet signature requirements, won’t be on ballot Original
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A ruling issued Thursday by the Arkansas Supreme Court looks to end the effort to put an abortion amendment in front of voters in November. The court ruling states that the group Arkansans For Limited Government (AFLG) failed to meet the stated guidelines for submitting documentation that paid canvassers had been trained on state election laws, meaning signatures gathered by those canvassers could not be considered for the total required.
Do reporters like pitches by social media?
In an update to the groundbreaking 2015 Talking Biz News article “The pros/cons of pitching biz reporters through social media,” we again asked several reporters their opinion on receiving pitches via social media. Back in ‘15, X was Twitter and TikTok didn’t exist. Instagram had just launched Boomerang, and Facebook had enabled GIFs. Snapchat was the new kid on the block.
Crash on Hwy 67/167 stalls NB traffic near Sherwood Original
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – Northbound traffic on Highway 67/167 near Sherwood is at a standstill after a Monday morning crash. An Arkansas Department of Transportation report said the crash happened around 11:36 a.m. near Mile Marker 4.9, just under the overpass for East Kiehl Avenue. The automated IDriveArkansas.com report noted that there was an injury reported with the crash. The nature of the injury or the extent of the injury was not reported.
Crash on Hwy 67/167 stalls NB traffic near Sherwood
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – Northbound traffic on Highway 67/167 near Sherwood returned to normal after being at a standstill following a Monday morning crash. An Arkansas Department of Transportation report said the crash happened around 11:36 a.m. near Mile Marker 4.9, just under the overpass for East Kiehl Avenue. The automated IDriveArkansas.com report noted that there was an injury reported with the crash. The nature of the injury or the extent of the injury was not reported.
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