Exploratory bid tests extent of state’s GOP rifts

With nearly $1.2 million in the bank and a laundry list of accomplishments he's touting to Republican voters that include tax cuts and several new abortion restrictions, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson at first glance should be in a comfortable position for the 2018 GOP primary as he ramps up his re-election bid. But a potential primary campaign against Hutchinson next year may test how much room, if any, there is to challenge his conservative credentials.

Ex-judge admits to giving light sentences for nude photos

A former Arkansas judge admitted Thursday that for years he gave lighter sentences to men guilty of minor crimes in return for nude photographs and sexual favors, in a misconduct case that a top legal discipline official called one of the worst in state history. Joseph Boeckmann had been set for trial this month but pleaded guilty to wire fraud and witness tampering.

Groups urge ban on wild turtle trapping

Several conservation groups have petitioned the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to ban the trapping for sale of the state's wild turtles. The conservation groups cited concerns that unlimited trapping of the slow-moving reptiles has led to declines in turtle numbers.

Arkansas Ready to Execute Again: ‘Delusional’ Killer Gets Date With Death

Four months after Arkansas officials sparked outrage by trying to kill eight inmates in 11 days , the state has set another execution date - this time for a murderer who stabbed, shot and beat a retired minister with a can of hominy but who is, according to his lawyers, too delusional to be put to death. Jack Greene, 62, is scheduled for a lethal injection on Nov. 9. He has no pending appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case last year.

Appeals court voids pipeline safety order for Exxon

An appeals court has voided an order that would have required Exxon Mobil to revise its pipeline-safety procedures after a 2013 oil spill in Arkansas. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued the order in 2015, and it could have applied to more than 1,000 miles of the Texas oil and gas company's pipelines.

Two staff members found dead after school building collapses in Minneapolis

Trump joined Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Davi... A bill endorsed by President Donald Trump that would change the U.S. immigration system may harm farm labor. The bill by Republican Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David P... ALLIANCE, Neb.

Arkansas governor: Changes needed to Senate health care bill

John Hatcher, right, and Ethan Williams, both of Jonesboro, hold up signs for passing motorists while protesting the healthcare bill in front of the Municipal Center Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Jonesboro, Ark. The U.S. Senate GOP's stalled health care legislation needs to ease some of its limits on Medicaid spending and give greater control of the program to the states, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday.

Protesters rally at senators’ Little Rock offices, urge rejection of Medicaid cuts

A group of demonstrators held a rally and delivered postcards, signed by about 1,000 Arkansans, to the Little Rock offices of U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman on Wednesday, asking them to oppose efforts to cut Medicaid and other government health care assistance. Cotton is one of 13 members of a Republican working group assigned to write Senate legislation aimed at dismantling the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Stephens film series features heroes of capitalism

Kyle Massey at Arkansas Business reports on an announcement today that Warren Stephens , the CEO of Stephens Inc. , has produced a film series and related media, "This is Capitalism." Stephens explains that capitalism has gotten a bad rap.