State News

A state senator says that legalizing or lessening criminal penalties for marijuana may be one way to curb overcrowding in Arkansas' prisons.

Authorities are investigating an apparent arson at a probation office in Pine Bluff.

A 33-year-old Pine Bluff man already convicted of first-degree murder in his niece's death now faces more prison time after being convicted on federal gun charges.

A prosecutor wants Arkansas State Police to open a criminal investigation after an Ozark police officer used a Taser on a 10-year-old girl.

The Arkansas Court of Appeals has ruled that state child-welfare officials properly seized children from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries after a police raid.

A Garfield man has been arrested for hindering apprehension or prosecution in the disappearance of his mother and grandmother.

A report from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education says financial problems at the University of Central Arkansas are due to unfunded capital projects under former President Lu Hardin.

A former Shannon Hills police chief who was appealing his first-degree sexual assault conviction has pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in the case.

The Lonoke County prosecutor's office says lawyers for the state will ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision overturning the corruption conviction of former Lonoke police chief Ronald Jay Campbell.

Saline County authorities are planning an auction to sell 25 acres of what's called a former marijuana operation.