Monday, November 21, 2005
Monday Morning Arkansas Snapshot
University of Arkansas trustees are putting their support behind the $250 million higher education bond proposal voters will consider on Dec. 13, but publicly distanced themselves from the interstate highway bond program that will also be on the ballot.
Arkansas state government spent $12.86 million for hurricane assistance and relief, most of it distributed in direct grants and aid to the thousands of evacuees of hurricanes Katrina and Rita who fled to the state, a state Department of Finance and Administration official told the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday.
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports that out-of-state students make up most of the increase in freshman enrollment at the University of Arkansas, many of them enticed by tuition discounts. University of Arkansas officials hope their recruiting success outside the state will yield the same results in Arkansas, where the Fayetteville campus no longer has the most in-state students in its freshman class. UCA surpassed the flagship school for in-state freshman enrollment in 2003.
A special prosecutor has been appointed by a Jefferson County circuit judge to direct an Arkansas State Police investigation into possible criminal activity in one or more county government departments, according to a weekend report in the Pine Bluff Commercial. Sources close to the investigation indicated the probe will address the alleged theft of tools and other equipment, including one or more trailers, from the county’s road department and landfill operations by “current and former (county) employees.”
An appeals hearing for former Pine Bluff alderman Jack Foster focused on how far federal prosecutors can go in charging someone with a federal crime based on tenuous connections to “interstate commerce.” In September 2004, Foster was convicted by a federal jury in Pine Bluff of aiding and abetting attempted extortion.
Stephens Media Group Washington Bureau reports that executives at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., are watching legislation in Congress that could change the way the retailer displays, sells and distributes cold medication. At issue is a key ingredient in some over-the-counter cold remedies that is also used to make methamphetamine, an addictive and illegal drug.
Linda Caillouette of the Democrat-Gazette “paper Trails” has some good news today. Rep. Vic Snyder, 58, and his wife, Rev. Betsy Singleton, 44, are expecting a baby.
Professional golfer John Daly is joining the legions of Paris Hilton, Ozzy Osbourne and Donald Trump in the world of reality TV. Daly will star in "The Daly Planet," a 13-part series for The Golf Channel beginning Jan. 18. The weekly Wednesday night episodes will follow Daly's daily life on and off the golf course.
A 12-year-old Rogers boy is under arrest in connection to a threat penned on a sign in a bathroom at Lingle Middle School earlier this month.
The Manila School Board discussed appointing an exploratory committee Thursday night to look at implementing a football program and starting girls' sports programs.
Arkansas state government spent $12.86 million for hurricane assistance and relief, most of it distributed in direct grants and aid to the thousands of evacuees of hurricanes Katrina and Rita who fled to the state, a state Department of Finance and Administration official told the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday.
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports that out-of-state students make up most of the increase in freshman enrollment at the University of Arkansas, many of them enticed by tuition discounts. University of Arkansas officials hope their recruiting success outside the state will yield the same results in Arkansas, where the Fayetteville campus no longer has the most in-state students in its freshman class. UCA surpassed the flagship school for in-state freshman enrollment in 2003.
A special prosecutor has been appointed by a Jefferson County circuit judge to direct an Arkansas State Police investigation into possible criminal activity in one or more county government departments, according to a weekend report in the Pine Bluff Commercial. Sources close to the investigation indicated the probe will address the alleged theft of tools and other equipment, including one or more trailers, from the county’s road department and landfill operations by “current and former (county) employees.”
An appeals hearing for former Pine Bluff alderman Jack Foster focused on how far federal prosecutors can go in charging someone with a federal crime based on tenuous connections to “interstate commerce.” In September 2004, Foster was convicted by a federal jury in Pine Bluff of aiding and abetting attempted extortion.
Stephens Media Group Washington Bureau reports that executives at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., are watching legislation in Congress that could change the way the retailer displays, sells and distributes cold medication. At issue is a key ingredient in some over-the-counter cold remedies that is also used to make methamphetamine, an addictive and illegal drug.
Linda Caillouette of the Democrat-Gazette “paper Trails” has some good news today. Rep. Vic Snyder, 58, and his wife, Rev. Betsy Singleton, 44, are expecting a baby.
Professional golfer John Daly is joining the legions of Paris Hilton, Ozzy Osbourne and Donald Trump in the world of reality TV. Daly will star in "The Daly Planet," a 13-part series for The Golf Channel beginning Jan. 18. The weekly Wednesday night episodes will follow Daly's daily life on and off the golf course.
A 12-year-old Rogers boy is under arrest in connection to a threat penned on a sign in a bathroom at Lingle Middle School earlier this month.
The Manila School Board discussed appointing an exploratory committee Thursday night to look at implementing a football program and starting girls' sports programs.
