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Arkansas News

Arkansas governor pushes mask law change, despite resistance LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson pressed forward Tuesday with efforts to allow schools to mandate face masks as the state's coronavirus cases continued to spiral. by Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press Published Aug. 3 2021 @ 3:43pm

Arkansas reports 42 new virus deaths, hospitalizations spike Arkansas reported 42 new COVID-19 deaths Monday and its biggest one-day spike in coronavirus hospitalizations since the pandemic began. by Associated Press Published Aug. 2 2021 @ 6:31pm

Arkansas doctors, nurses pushed to breaking point Some doctors and nurses in Arkansas say they are dealing with burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder after more than a year of battling the coronavirus pandemic, including a new wave of cases with younger patients. by Associated Press Published Aug. 1 2021 @ 10:42pm

Arkansas has new tool to fight opioid overdoses Every day in Arkansas, first responders save the lives of 11 people from an overdose of painkillers. by Arkansas Senate Information Office Published Aug. 1 2021 @ 10:36pm

Body of missing Arkansas woman found in Oklahoma pond The body of a woman reported missing in Fort Smith, Arkansas, has been found in a pond in eastern Oklahoma and three men were arrested in connection with her death, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. by Associated Press Published Jul. 31 2021 @ 9:00pm

Two shootings involving Arkansas troopers during traffic stops No injuries were reported following two shootings this week involving Arkansas State troopers during traffic stops along Interstate 40, according to state police. by Associated Press Published Jul. 31 2021 @ 12:01am

Pulaski County jail inmate from Little Rock dies A 42-year-old inmate of the Pulaski County jail in Little has died, according to the county sheriff's office. by Associated Press Published Jul. 30 2021 @ 11:59pm

EXPLAINER: Will Arkansas do enough to limit evictions? A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire Saturday, after the Biden administration extended the original date by a month. The moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September has been the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. Many of them lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and have fallen months behind on their rent. by Associated Press Published Jul. 30 2021 @ 11:58pm

Hutchinson seeks to lift ban on school mask mandates Arkansas' Republican governor said Thursday that he will call lawmakers back to the Capitol to consider lifting the state's ban on mask requirements in public schools as the state's coronavirus cases continue surging weeks before students return to classes. by Associated Press Published Jul. 29 2021 @ 10:50pm

Police say no charges in fatal May shooting in Fort Smith Police say no charges will be filed against a Department of Homeland Security employee who fatally shot a man who had opened fire on an apartment complex in Fort Smith, killing an 87-year-old woman. by Associated Press Published Jul. 29 2021 @ 9:53pm

Arkansas judge orders state to resume extra jobless aid A judge has ordered Arkansas to resume its participation in supplemental federal unemployment assistance that the state cut off to thousands of workers. by Associated Press Published Jul. 29 2021 @ 9:39pm

Hutchinson declares emergency, seeks to lift ban on school mask mandates LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas' Republican governor said Thursday that he will call lawmakers back to the Capitol to consider lifting the state's ban on mask requirements in public schools as the state faces a surge in coronavirus cases. by Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press Published Jul. 29 2021 @ 4:09pm

Arkansas virus cases, hospitalizations continue to climb Arkansas on Wednesday reported 1,703 new coronavirus cases as the number of people in the state hospitalized because of the virus continued to climb. by Associated Press Published Jul. 28 2021 @ 9:51pm

I-40 bridge over Mississippi River to begin reopening The Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee that was closed after a crack was found in the span will begin reopening to traffic next week, transportation officials said Wednesday. by Associated Press Published Jul. 28 2021 @ 9:50pm

Suspect arrested in slaying of a South Arkansas woman A former satellite television installation technician has been arrested in the more than year-old slaying of a woman in south Arkansas, according to Arkansas State Police. by Associated Press Published Jul. 28 2021 @ 9:14pm

Arkansas governor plans to talk mask law with legislators today With Arkansas' coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continuing to surge, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Monday that he plans to talk with legislative leaders today about the law that will prohibit public schools and other government entities from requiring people to wear masks when it takes effect Wednesday. by Andy Davis and Rachel Herzog / Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Published Jul. 27 2021 @ 8:58am

Computers, cell phones now part of Arkansas sales tax holiday This year computer and electronic equipment will be included in the Arkansas sales tax holiday. by Arkansas Senate Information Office Published Jul. 25 2021 @ 11:00pm

Jury seated for corruption trial A 12-person jury and three alternates have been selected for the corruption trial of a Republican former Arkansas state senator charged with bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. by Associated Press Published Jul. 24 2021 @ 9:30pm

Rutledge calls for putting tax elimination on '22 ballot Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said Thursday that while running for the Republican nomination for governor, she also will try to put on next year's ballot a proposition to end the state's individual income tax. by Associated Press Published Jul. 24 2021 @ 9:26pm

Governors pin hopes on full vaccine approval as cases climb As U.S. regulators weigh giving the final stamp of approval for certain COVID-19 vaccines, governors in states hard hit by the pandemic hope the move will help persuade the many holdouts in their states to finally get the shot. by Associated Press Published Jul. 23 2021 @ 10:57pm

Arkansans asked to be on the lookout for invasive, destructive moth The Box Tree Moth, an invasive insect already a serious pest in Europe may have been accidentally introduced into the United States through landscaping materials. by Magnolia Banner-News News Release Published Jul. 23 2021 @ 9:49pm

Arkansas Democrats urge lifting of state's mask mandate ban A group of Democratic lawmakers in Arkansas, which has the nation's highest COVID-19 rate, urged the governor and Republicans who control the Legislature on Thursday to lift the state's ban on schools and government entities requiring people to wear masks. by Associated Press Published Jul. 22 2021 @ 8:36pm

Judges block transgender restrictions in two states Federal judges on Wednesday temporarily blocked an Arkansas law banning gender confirming treatments for transgender youth and a West Virginia ban on trans athletes in women's sports, two major victories for LGBTQ advocates against a wave of restrictions approved by Republican legislators. by Associated Press Published Jul. 21 2021 @ 9:47pm