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Arkansas Treasurer arrested for extortion

Submitted by THV 11 News Staff
Saturday, May 18th, 2013, 7:16pm

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner has been arrested for extortion by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being held in Pulaski County Jail.

FBI spokeswoman Kimberly Brunell said Shoffner was arrested Saturday at her home in Newport and is scheduled for a federal court hearing Monday. Brunell said Shoffner was arrested on charges of "extortion under color of official right." Brunell said she would have more details Monday.

Shoffner, a Democrat serving her second term in office, has faced questions over the past year about the way her office has handled state investments. Legislative auditors last year said Shoffner's office in 2011 sold 11 bonds from its investment portfolio before they had matured and purchased similar bonds from the same brokers, resulting in a net loss of more than $58,000.

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7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival Showing Both Sides of River

Submitted by Argenta Arts District, Argenta Arts Foundation
Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 8:31am
7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival Showing Both Sides of River

Don't miss the 7th Annual Little Rock Film Festival May 15 - May 19! See award winning films and filmmakers from around the globe right here in walkable Little Rock/North Little Rock. For more information on the film festival or to purchase passes, visit LittleRockFilmFestival.org

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Newtown father visits Little Rock in hopes of speaking to Sen. Pryor

Submitted by Max Seigle
Thursday, May 2nd, 2013, 10:04pm

LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) - He lost his 6-year-old son in the Newtown school shooting back in December.

The little boy's mother has family in Fayetteville, but the still-grieving father told THV 11 News that he came to Little Rock this week to visit a friend. He also hoped to speak with U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and find out why he voted against a recent bill that would have expanded background checks on gun sales.

"Best day of life and happiest day was the day Jesse was born, and the saddest and worst day was the day I lost him," Heslin said.

Jesse Lewis was in first grade when the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting happened in Newtown.

"The only way I can describe Newtown is that it's a broken-hearted, heavy-hearted community at this point," Heslin said.

Newtown is a still-grieving community that's since taken a stand for tougher gun laws, including Heslin.

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No plan to shift insurance for state workers

Submitted by THV 11 News Staff
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 4:49pm

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - While Washington state legislators consider moving some part-time government workers from state-sponsored health plans to an insurance exchange under the new health care law, Arkansas did not consider such a move in its legislative session.

Some in Washington state believe their state could save $120 million over the next two years - though costs would be shifted to the federal government.

According to figures from Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state had more than 57,000 employees as of Dec. 31.

And according to the state Employee Benefits Division, Arkansas provides health benefits to more than 51,000 state employees and dependents. Counting only state employees, that number is about 28,000.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Mike Beebe Vetoes 3 Election Reform Bills

Submitted by RSS Feed on Wednesday, April 24th, 3:46 am
Mike Beebe Vetoes 3 Election Reform Bills

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has vetoed three bills aimed at overhauling the state's election commission, including one that would create a "voter integrity unit" to investigate fraud complaints... Read More

Read the full story in The Arkansas Business News
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Governor Beebe's Schedule for April 23 - 28

Submitted by Jay Jackson, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 12:54pm
Governor Beebe's Schedule for April 23 - 28

Tuesday, April 23

12:15 p.m.

Governor Beebe addresses the Junior Achievement of Arkansas Legacy Awards Luncheon

Doubletree Hotel, Markham Street, Little Rock

 

5:45 p.m.

Governor Beebe participates in a ceremony honoring Harding University President

Dr. David Burks

American Heritage Center, Harding University, 915 East Market Street, Searcy

 

Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 28

Governor Beebe vacations in Arizona

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New movement challenges party politics

Submitted by THV 11 News Staff
Sunday, April 21st, 2013, 5:04pm

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Tired of congressional deadlock and political games, the Free and Equal Elections Foundation is kicking off a national campaign right here in Little Rock.

Christina Tobin, founder of the Free and Equal Elections Foundation says she brought several people to the capitol steps in Little Rock Saturday to fight the government games.

"The two-party system has essentially rigged the electoral system to where we can't make any change," says Tobin.

Dugan King, a political activist for more than twenty-five years says national change will only come when the two-party political system is broken.

"We need more choices. We need more voices. We need to break this two party lock on our elections," says King. "It's a dialectic control system. If you study the money, if you follow the money you'll find that both parties are owned and controlled by Wall Street."

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