EDITORIAL >> Dialogue was useful

It may not produce any relief for the 36 million Americans who are not insured for medical care or for the thousands more every week who lose their insurance because they are cut off or the premiums get too high, but the all-day health-care summit Thursday was historic. We would like to think it was a watershed event, too: one […]

TOP STORY >> Lottery chief says program huge success

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerEven as the General Assembly prepared to double the amount of college Arkansas lottery scholarships this week, lottery director Ernie Passailaigue told Jacksonville Rotarians Monday that the fledgling lottery raised $28 million for scholarships in its first four months of operation.Gov. Mike Beebe signed the bill into law Friday morning, meaning eligible students at accredited […]

TOP STORY >> Bart Gray a good sport as he’s roasted at fundraiser

Bob Walker (left) roasts Bart Gray Jr. (fourth from left) at the Jacksonville Senior Center roast. Also enjoying a laugh are (from left) Daniel Gray, Kim Crook and John Hardwick.  Bart Gray Jr. responds after a long evening of being roasted and toasted.  By RICK KRON Leader staff writer More than 300 people packed the Jacksonville Senior Center on Thursday […]

TOP STORY >> One finalist left for school job

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writer One of the two finalists for the Pulaski County Special School District’s superintendent’s job has accepted another position and has withdrawn from consideration.Board president Tim Clark issued a written statement late Friday afternoon.“I was informed this afternoon by (search firm) McPherson and Jacobson that Dr. Vashti Washington of Charleston, S.C., has withdrawn from consideration […]

SPORTS >> Wildcats triple fun in victory

By TODD TRAUBLeader sports editorSEARCY — Harding Academy went from the outside in.Into the second round that is.The Wildcats built a comfortable lead with three-pointers in the first half then held off Episcopal Collegiate in the second for a 56-41 victory in the first round of the Region 2 tournament at Riverview High School on Thursday night.Harding Academy made five […]

SPORTS >> It’s tails; North Pulaski draws second seed

  Christian Knight (right) tries to dribble around a defender in a recent game. By TODD TRAUB Leader sports editor North Pulaski did its part to keep pace in the race for a No. 1 seed to the state tournament. But luck and the U.S. mint had other plans for the Falcons. Little Rock McClellan won a coin toss between […]

SPORTS >> Lonoke keeps return to final in future plans

By JASON KINGLeader sports writerHEBER SPRINGS — The buzz around Lonoke’s bid for a fourth-straight state finals appearance will get louder now that the Lady Jackrabbits are officially qualified for the 4A state tournament.And an easy qualifier it was for the Lady ’Rabbits, who gunned down an outsized Highland team 63-37 in the first round of the 4A East Regional […]

SPORTS >> A head coach today, a father forever

Aaron Cooper, (3) above and at right, is in his senior season at North Pulaski and in his last year playing for his father, Falcons coach Ray Cooper. By TODD TRAUB Leader sports editor The clock dominates everything in basketball. Whether time is running out on a close game or winding down in a mercy-ruled blowout, the ticking seconds are […]

SPORTS >> Appleby deals for Red Devils

Deshone McClure attempts a shot for Jacksonville on Tuesday against West Memphis. The Red Devils got a last-second shot from Raheem Appleby to beat the Blue Devils and stay in the hunt for the No 4. seed to the 6A state tournament. By JASON KING Leader sports editor Demarcus McVay had five blocks for West Memphis on Tuesday. Four of […]