OPINION>> School prayer falters

BY ERNIE DUMASAdjournment of the 2005 General Assembly was a blessed event, coming as it did not a moment too soon. The legislature gets us into the worst trouble when it tries to transform religious doctrine into civil law and adjournment, or what we hope will be adjournment sine die, saved us from one more such folly.Whether it simply ran […]

EDITORIAL>> Schools left floundering

However briefly, Arkansas is again a defendant in its courts, where we are expected to explain why, through the medium of our elected lawmakers, we have not provided our children the education that our Constitution promises them. The attorney for the Rogers School District asked the Supreme Court to reopen the Lake View school case, which the court had closed […]

EDITORIAL>> Schools left floundering

However briefly, Arkansas is again a defendant in its courts, where we are expected to explain why, through the medium of our elected lawmakers, we have not provided our children the education that our Constitution promises them. The attorney for the Rogers School District asked the Supreme Court to reopen the Lake View school case, which the court had closed […]

TOP STORY>> He’s upbeat on C-130Js, Berry says

IN SHORT: Ignoring the White House, Congress is pushing for more transport planes to help fight wars, although Berry complains of rising deficits without saying how they could be cut.By GARRICK FELDMANLeader editorCong. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, told a citizens group on Friday that Congress will provide funding to build more C-130Js, even though the Bush administration wants to kill the […]

SPORTS>> Falcons inch closer to state playoff berth

By RAY BENTONLeader sports editorThe North Pulaski boys soccer team played itself to within one win of qualifying for the state tournament last week with a 3-1 win over Crowley’s Ridge Academy in Paragould.Earlier in the week, the Falcons suffered a big loss to Mills 7-0, but rebounded with the win over CRA to move to 3-2 in league play.The […]

SPORTS>> Lady Devils win twice in twin-bill

IN SHORT: Jacksonville handles Forrest City with two shutout wins MondayBy RAY BENTONLeader sports editorThe Jacksonville Lady Red Devils stayed on pace as co-league leaders with Cabot in the AAAAA-East race Monday with a doubleheader sweep of Forrest City.The Lady Devils won the opening game of the afternoon 9-0 in seven innings, and then run ruled the Lady Mustangs 11-0 […]

EDITORIAL>> More serious than bingo

Arkansas faces a single constitutional problem worthy of the voters’ ministrations, if you can believe the legislature. It is the prospect that Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley will raid a parish hall and arrest a priest and his parishioners for practicing bingo or engaging in a raffle.A joint legislative committee wrestled with a raft of constitutional resolutions for 90 days, but […]

TOP STORY>> City council wont’ settle with official

IN SHORT: Clerk-treasurer’s discrimination lawsuit against Cabot goes to trial in July.By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writerA federal lawsuit filed by the clerk-treasurer against the city of Cabot and the mayor more than a year ago will continue for trial in July as scheduled. The council voted Monday night to turn down an offer to settle out of court.Clerk-Treasurer Marva Verkler […]

TOP STORY>> PCSSD looking for big savings

IN SHORT: In preparation for a special Wednesday board meeting called to cut millions from the school board budget, the financial officer sees real savings from each proposed cut.By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader staff writerPulaski County Special School District administrators and the board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. Wednesday in an effort to lop $9 million from the 2005-2006 […]

TOP STORY>> Cabot will decide on funding for overpass and center

IN SHORT: Bridge would be built early if millage passes, but center in limbo if measure fails.By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writerJust as they said they would earlier this month, the Cabot City Council approved an ordinance Monday night to ask voters on July 12 to increase their city property tax by one mill and ap-prove $2 million in bonds to […]