The bad news is that, mathematically, the Pulaski County Special School District is shortchanging Jacksonville schools again when it comes to facility dollars. The good news is it’s not missing the mark by much, which is much more fair than the city schools have seen from the district in the past. Even better news is a promise from Derek Scott, […]

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer Not much has changed in 40 years, Jacksonville Guitar Center owner Steve Evans told The Leader last week. He said the store, which marked four decades in business this month, has “tried not to (change) because we have a kind of formula that works and don’t want to mess it up. Maybe my philosophy […]

By GARRICK FELDMAN Leader editor-in-chief “Chicago ain’t ready for reform.” –Alderman Paddy Bauler (1890-1976) Paddy Bauler, who represented Chicago’s 43rd Ward for 35 years, must be the patron saint of Arkansas legislators. The immortal words of this corrupt politician — are there any other kinds of politicians in Chicago? — should be enshrined in the Capitol rotunda as state lawmakers […]

By JOHN HOFHEIMER Leader senior staff writer Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s middle-income tax cut, which he says is his first order of business, could be law by the end of next week, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy). The governor’s tax cuts would reduce general revenues by $102 million annually by fiscal year 2017, starting with a $2 […]

By ANN THARP Special to The Leader North Pulaski scored 23 points in the first quarter Friday night and then held on from the free-throw stripe in the fourth quarter as it defeated the Sylvan Hills Bears 56-45. The home victory was the first conference win for the Falcons (3-11, 1-3), and Sylvan Hills (5-9, 0-4) remains winless in the […]

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The Cabot Lady Panthers picked up an important conference win on Friday, beating West Memphis 62-55 in a 7A/6A-East matchup at Panther Arena. Cabot’s pressure did its damage early in the game. The Lady Panthers got seven steals and forced 15 West Memphis turnovers in the first half as they built a 29-16 lead […]

By GRAHAM POWELL  Leader sportswriter Pulaski Academy gave top-ranked Jacksonville all it wanted in Friday’s 5A-Central matchup at the Devils’ Den, but the Red Devils made enough plays in the second half to get the win by the final score of 57-52. Jacksonville (15-2, 4-0) trailed Pulaski Academy (8-6, 2-2) by four at the end of the first quarter with […]