Sarah Kellogg

A greater than average amount of rainfall in Arkansas has led to flash flooding and other hazards in the state. It also could lead to potentially risky hiking conditions in state parks.

While no cases of measles have been recorded in Arkansas so far, residents can expect the illness to reach the state eventually. In a telebriefing yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 704 cases of measles in 22 different states. According to the CDC, three bordering states: Missouri, Tennessee and Texas have reported cases.

Dr. Gary Wheeler, Chief Medical Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, says the upcoming travel season could put some Arkansans at risk.

After 88 days in session, the Arkansas legislature officially adjourned sine die on Wednesday. Session unofficially ended two weeks prior on April 10. Wednesday’s meeting was scheduled for any possible last minute bill changes or to override any vetoes. However, no bills were vetoed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson this year, and no other business was scheduled in the House.

Freezing all future new hires is on the list for potential solutions to overcome a budget shortfall for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson spoke on this and other potential solutions during a forum on Monday.

The Little Rock Police Department is moving forward to acquire body cameras for its officers. During a news conference Thursday, Chief Keith Humphrey addressed this issue as well as other topics and what he said was his vision for the department. Humphrey said the department would soon start receiving bids for the cameras, although the department will take some time to make a decision.

Little Rock officially has a new police chief. Keith Humphrey gave his oath of office on Monday at Little Rock City Hall. Humphrey was one of four finalists for the position after former Chief Kenton Buckner left to become the chief of police in Syracuse. Each finalist held a public forum where they gave a presentation and took questions from the audience. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced his decision to hire Humphrey in March.

At Monday’s ceremony, Scott called Humphrey a “man of integrity” and that Humphrey will help strengthen the department’s connection to the public.

Arkansas’s budget for the next fiscal year is a few steps away from passing. The Arkansas House passed two budget bills on Tuesday. The first bill, HB1865 establishes a total of $54 million for the state’s rainy day fund. It also allows for additional funding to be available for state agencies and other purposes. Also, up to $30 million would be set aside for the governor’s office to approve.

Rep. Lane Jean, R- co-chair of the Joint Budget committee, R-Magnolia, outlined some of the allocations the bill establishes.

A bill that would lower the charge for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana to a penalty instead of a misdemeanor in Arkansas failed to advance in committee in favor of studying it more. Rep. Charles Blake, D-Little Rock, pulled his bill on Thursday in response to the House Judiciary Committee’s request to research it more as opposed to passing it.

Throughout the month of April, people with outstanding warrants for misdemeanor charges in the Little Rock District Court will have the opportunity to have those charges dismissed. This is under a leniency court program overseen by Judges Melanie Martin and Mark Leverett. The program is a way to get people in court and removing the possibility of arrest. 

You can read the transcript of the entire interview below. 

An Arkansas House committee has advanced a bill that would increase the penalty for robocalls and makes the act of spoofing a phone number illegal in the state. Current law charges someone behind a robocall with a Class B misdemeanor. Under the proposed legislation, both robocalls and spoofing would be a Class D felony.

The House Insurance and Commerce Committee heard the Senate bill on Wednesday. The legislation defines spoofing as "the predominant means by which a robocaller protects their identities and entices customers to answer the telephone."

Another attempt at changing the symbolism of the Arkansas flag has failed in committee. The House State Agencies and Government Committee voted to not advance the proposed legislation on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by House Minority Leader Charles Blake, D-Little Rock, would change the designation of the blue star above the state’s name to represent the United States as opposed to the Confederacy. The bottom three starts would represent France, Spain and Native tribes of Arkansas.