Sarah D. Wire
Stories by Sarah D.
Judges urged to let vote outcome stand in disputed district
posted: 05/25/2012 5:56 a.m. Comment 1
The federal judges considering whether a state Senate district’s boundaries violate federal law should not prevent the state from certifying the results of Tuesday’s election in which a black incumbent lost to a white candidate, Arkansas’ attorney general told the judges Thursday.
Runoff-ready, congressional hopefuls say
posted: 05/24/2012 4:01 a.m.
Discuss
No Democratic candidate in the congressional primaries for the 1st and 4th districts got enough votes to secure the nomination, but the top four vote getters said they plan to keep on doing what they did until the June 12 runoff.
GOP taps Cotton; Democrats in a runoff
posted: 05/23/2012 5:06 a.m. Comment 1
Two Democratic candidates for the state's 4th Congressional District will face each other in a runoff for the chance to compete against Republican Tom Cotton, who secured his party's nomination Tuesday.
Primary, court races go to polls in state today
posted: 05/22/2012 2:31 a.m. Discuss
Election Day Polling places are open today from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
State joins fight on spending case
posted: 05/22/2012 2:19 a.m. Discuss
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced Monday he has joined other attorneys general in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider whether its 2010 decision eliminating restrictions on corporations’ independent political spending applies to state and local elections.
State unveils election website
posted: 05/21/2012 4:31 a.m. Discuss
A new website from the secretary of state will provide more detailed and timely election information, according to the office.
6 compete in party primaries to fill Ross’ U.S. Capitol seat
posted: 05/20/2012 5:17 a.m. Discuss
A political newcomer with a large fund-raising advantage competes Tuesday in the 4th Congressional District Republican primary against a candidate who was the party’s nominee in 2010 but fell short in the general election.
4 Democrats in House District 55 race
posted: 05/17/2012 4:48 a.m. Discuss
Two government officials and two business owners are vying for the Democratic nomination in state House District 55.
Cowart receives 2nd Bronze Star
posted: 05/16/2012 5:27 a.m. Discuss
Fouth Congressional District candidate John Cowart, a Marine Corps lieutenant, learned last week that the Corps has awarded him a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Liens still posted against Hurst
posted: 05/16/2012 5:16 a.m. Comments 3
A spokesman for 4th Congressional District candidate Q. Byrum Hurst of Hot Springs said Tuesday that Hurst has resolved $25,550 in state liens filed against him and is working to resolve a $32,730 federal lien stemming from unpaid income taxes.
Sides left to await redistrict decision
posted: 05/13/2012 4:50 a.m. Discuss
A panel of three federal judges is considering how to resolve a lawsuit over whether Arkansas’ Senate districts were drawn to dilute the black vote. One redistricting trial expert said it could be months before the court rules whether there is a problem with the boundaries.
Judges allow voting in disputed districts
posted: 05/12/2012 5:02 a.m. Comment 1
The panel of federal judges considering whether an Arkansas Senate district’s boundaries violate the Federal Voting Rights Act and need to be redrawn issued an order Friday stating that the primary election will occur, as scheduled, May 22.
Lottery auditor who questioned pact quits
posted: 05/12/2012 4:52 a.m. Comment 1
The lottery auditor who raised questions about the legality of the state Lottery Commission’s long-standing contract with scratch off ticket vendor Scientific Games resigned Friday.
Arguing done, redistrict case goes to judges
posted: 05/11/2012 2:40 a.m. Comment 1
In wrapping up the federal trial over whether state Senate district boundaries violate the Voting Rights Act, the attorneys for the plaintiffs and the secretary of state argued that giving black voters the chance to elect the candidate of their choice had not been a priority for the mapmakers.
McDaniel, senator face off on district
posted: 05/10/2012 5:43 a.m. Comments 2
In the federal lawsuit over whether Arkansas’ Senate districts were drawn to dilute black voter strength in the Delta, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel testified Wednesday that the sitting black senator was more worried about retaining the seat than protecting black voters.
No bad intent in redistricting, Beebe testifies
posted: 05/09/2012 5:43 a.m. Comments 5
When they made up 60 percent of the voting-age population, blacks already struggled to consistently elect black candidates to represent them from this section of Arkansas, an expert witness testified Tuesday at a federal trial over whether the state’s district lines violate the Voting Rights Act.
Redistricting challenge’s trial gets under way
posted: 05/08/2012 4:19 a.m. Discuss
At the start of a federal trial over Arkansas Senate district lines Monday, Secretary of State Mark Martin said District 24 was purposefully drawn to include the northern half of Crittenden County.
Trial on vote zone to begin
posted: 05/07/2012 4:08 a.m. Comments 3
Even as early voting begins today, a panel of three federal judges will consider whether Senate District 24 was redrawn to dilute the voting power of blacks there.
2 tout records in race for seat at center of voting-rights suit
posted: 05/07/2012 3:58 a.m. Discuss
Two Democratic lawmakers are battling to win a Senate seat at the heart of a federal trial scheduled to begin today in Helena-West Helena.
Cotton’s coffer outpaces rivals’
posted: 05/06/2012 3:44 a.m. Comments 6
Nearly 70 percent of the contributions to Republican congressional candidate Tom Cotton this quarter have come from outside Arkansas, with the bulk coming through a Washington, D.C.-based political action committee called The Club for Growth.
McCain hands support to 4th District’s Cotton
posted: 05/04/2012 3:17 a.m. Discuss
Former presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain has endorsed 4th Congressional District candidate Tom Cotton, the campaign said Thursday.
Beebe echoes state director on Medicaid
posted: 05/02/2012 5:27 a.m. Discuss
Gov. Mike Beebe reiterated Tuesday that tough choices, either Medicaid cuts or new taxes, are coming in fiscal 2014 because of a looming shortfall that could be as large as $400 million.
As Medicaid shortfall looms, state’s jam laid out at Capitol
posted: 05/01/2012 4:46 a.m. Comment 1
Arkansas will have to either slash Medicaid services or increase Medicaid spending by fiscal 2014, when the state faces a shortfall of up to $400 million, state Human Services Department Director John Selig said Monday.
2 Democrats tee up for District 57
posted: 05/01/2012 4:16 a.m. Discuss
Two Paragould residents are competing for the Democratic nomination for District 57 in Greene County.
Candidate in 4th District owes state 10 years of taxes
posted: 04/29/2012 5:03 a.m. Comments 12
Congressional candidate Q. Byrum Hurst of Hot Springs has 12 outstanding liens totaling nearly $22,000 filed against him or his law firm by the state, according to the Department of Finance and Administration. None of these liens has been released, or cleared.
Taxes paid on two liens, senator says
posted: 04/27/2012 2:51 a.m. Comments 4
Little Rock Sen. Joyce Elliott said Thursday that two March 2011 tax liens filed against her by the state are a product of a misunderstanding with the state’s Department of Finance and Administration.
Elliott owes state $1,600 in back taxes
posted: 04/25/2012 5:24 a.m. Comments 8
The state has filed three liens against Sen. Joyce Elliott of Little Rock and her business in the past 13 months after she failed to pay more than $10,000 in personal and corporate income taxes, according to Pulaski Circuit Court records.
Beebe to approve commission’s pick for state forester, aide says
posted: 04/24/2012 4:14 a.m. Discuss
Gov. Mike Beebe plans to confirm the Arkansas Forestry Commission’s recommendation of a new state forester, the governor’s spokesman said Monday.
Ross, Griffin speak against raising tax on drillers
posted: 04/24/2012 4:13 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas Congressmen Mike Ross and Tim Griffin spoke out against a proposal to raise the state’s natural gas severance tax Monday, saying they are concerned the increase could jeopardize an industry that has sustained the state’s economy and created jobs.
Hatcheries cash not in budget
posted: 04/22/2012 4:41 a.m. Comments 6
The north-central area of Arkansas known as the Trout Capital of the World will lose the federal hatcheries that replenish the tourist-drawing trout unless the hatcheries’ $1.55 million funding is restored.
After vote, GOP in 4th to unite
posted: 04/22/2012 4:34 a.m. Discuss
The three candidates seeking the Republican nomination in the 4th Congressional District said Saturday that they will unite behind whoever wins the May 22 primary to elect a Republican in a historically Democratic district.
Arkansas sets timeline for health-pay transition
posted: 04/20/2012 3:13 a.m. Comment 1
The Arkansas Department of Human Services and the state’s surgeon general laid out a time line Thursday for an overhaul of how medical care is paid for in the state, saying it will begin on time in July.
Yarnell’s 2nd coming praised
posted: 04/20/2012 3:12 a.m.
Discuss
The golden doors of the Capitol building opened Thursday as the “Hallelujah” chorus summoned a man in white carrying a carton.
Huckabee: Fit, ill-fitted vie in 4th District
posted: 04/20/2012 3:10 a.m. Discuss
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee took aim at 4th Congressional District candidate Tom Cotton’s recent return to the state in a campaign video released Tuesday, while promoting an ex-gubernatorial aide’s candidacy in the Republican race.
Lottery contract legal, Beebe says
posted: 04/19/2012 4:16 a.m. Discuss
Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday that his attorney considers the state’s contract with scratch-off ticket vendor Scientific Games to be legal, even if it wasn’t handled correctly.
Panel offers pick to lead bureau
posted: 04/18/2012 4:57 a.m. Discuss
The Arkansas Legislative Council’s executive subcommittee selected Marty Garrity as its choice to head the Bureau of Legislative Research.
GOP hopefuls for Congress out-raise foes
posted: 04/17/2012 4:20 a.m. Comments 2
Fourth Congressional District Republican candidate Tom Cotton continued his fund raising blitz in the first quarter of the year, raising the largest amount of any of the 14 candidates who want to represent Arkansas in Congress.
Medicare has extra for state doctors
posted: 04/13/2012 3:41 a.m. Discuss
Efforts to overhaul medical care in Arkansas got new backing Thursday when the federal government announced it will make extra money available to primary-care doctors who help Medicare patients in Arkansas manage healthcare services.
Lottery’s contract with vendor OK’d
posted: 04/12/2012 5:09 a.m. Discuss
The Arkansas Lottery Commission voted Wednesday to confirm the validity of its long-standing contract with scratch-off ticket vendor Scientific Games despite assertions from the lottery auditor that the commission should get a legal opinion first.
Trust-fund payouts widening teacher salary gap, panels told
posted: 04/11/2012 5:11 a.m. Discuss
The average salary of a teacher in the Fayetteville School District was $27,522 higher in the 2010-11 school year than the average salary of a teacher in the Mammoth Spring School District, according to a Bureau of Legislative Research report released Tuesday.
Agency’s chief urged to decide on funding
posted: 04/10/2012 4:12 a.m. Discuss
Lawmakers and adult education program administrators urged Department of Career Education Director Bill Walker on Monday to either make a hasty decision about how program funding will change or give administrators a year before the changes are made.
Three Democrats vie for House District 10
posted: 04/08/2012 3:38 a.m. Discuss
The three candidates running for the Democratic nomination for House District 10 all cite their experience as the reason they should win the May 22 primary.
Ballot initiative reworded on limits to political gifts
posted: 04/07/2012 2:53 a.m. Discuss
Supporters of a proposed ballot initiative certified earlier this week by the attorney general announced Friday that they have resubmitted the proposal because of concerns it is not clear whether political parties could donate to candidates under the measure.
Vote imperils state’s sway in health pool
posted: 04/06/2012 4:23 a.m. Comment 1
A $7.67 million federal grant to build the Arkansas operated portions of a federally run health-insurance pool is in limbo after a legislative subcommittee couldn’t get the votes to approve it Thursday.
Suit over state Senate districts going to trial, judge rules; May 7 start set
posted: 04/06/2012 4:19 a.m. Discuss
A lawsuit over whether state Senate district boundaries dilute black voters’ strength and violate the federal Voting Rights Act will go forward, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
GOP maps plan for state House if majority won
posted: 04/06/2012 4:18 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas House Republicans detailed Thursday how they would change state government if they gain control of the House chamber during the November election.
Lottery-funded scholarships awarded to 8,000 students
posted: 04/06/2012 4:17 a.m. Discuss
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has notified about 8,000 high school seniors that they were awarded Academic Challenge Scholarships for the 2012-13 school year.
State OKs ballot title for ethics initiative
posted: 04/05/2012 5:26 a.m. Discuss
Certification from the attorney general Wednesday means supporters can begin collecting signatures for a proposed ballot initiative that would restrict corporations and unions from donating to candidates, limit gifts to elected officials and keep lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years.
Caucus berths reshuffled for state House members
posted: 04/05/2012 5:18 a.m. Discuss
Some state House members will find themselves caucusing with a new group to account for changes to the state’s four congressional districts.
State’s revenue for March tops forecast by 4.6%
posted: 04/04/2012 4:54 a.m. Discuss
Saying Arkansas is in a more comfortable budget position, the state finance department director announced Tuesday that general revenue jumped $22.3 million — or 4.6 percent — above the state’s forecast for March.
