Articles by Chuck Bartels

Health Overhaul Insurance Bill Advances in Arkansas

Arkansas lawmakers moved ahead on a plan to enable the state insurance department to create a framework for a health insurance exchange, which backers said would allow Arkansas to retain control of a network that eventually would be required under …

Dems Lose Seats, Keep Control of Arkansas Legislature

Democrats still hold the majority in the Arkansas General Assembly, but Republicans made historic gains in the House and picked up at least seven seats in the Senate. Republicans entered Tuesday’s election with 28 seats in the 100-member House. They’re …

Arkansas Panel Rules Jailers Can Be Sued as Individuals

A federal appeals panel on Aug. 20 upheld a ruling that jailers in Garland County, Ark., can be sued personally for allegedly ignoring a suspected intoxicated driver who didn’t move for hours in his cell and suffered severe brain damage. …

Mena, Ark., Recovers From Tornado; 600 Homes Damaged or Destroyed

Arkansas National Guard soldiers and state prisoner work crews in Mena, Ark., removed debris April 11 while firefighters and volunteers from all over pitched in to help residents recover from a devastating tornado and prepare for a new round of …

Arkansas Agent Sought for Alleged Investment Scam

An Arkansas insurance agent accused of bilking retiree investors out of tens of thousands of dollars and converting the money to his own use is being sought by the Arkansas Securities Department. Terry Mitchell of Greenbrier allegedly raised $92,000 from …

1 Dead in Ark. After Ike, More than 200K Lose Power

The remnants of Hurricane Ike knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers in Arkansas and killed one person as storm bands passed through Saturday night and Sunday morning. The damage spanned a wide area across the state, including a …

Organizations Launch Arkansas Agritourism Effort

A new state effort is getting under way to encourage consumers to do business with Arkansas farmers and to bring more growers into the agritourism industry. The Arkansas Agritourism Initiative is designed to help consumers find local vendors as well …

Arkansas Truckers Cite Fuel Prices, Park for a Day

Arkansas truckers parked their rigs on April 1 to have their say in a national protest over high fuel prices that independent operators say is putting them out of business. Dale Burri of Greenbrier, a driver for J.B. Hunt Transport …