Kidnapping is a serious offense, and it’s not just the taking of people. Kidnapping words and holding them until the original meaning has been squeezed out of them is becoming more and more commonplace. The most well-known word kidnapping is that of “gay.” It has been grabbed by a certain segment of people and now refers to a particular sexual […]

Appearances are everything, right? So, if your kids don’t pass the test, just lower the scale to show that they passed. Everyone is happy — the kids, their parents, the teachers, school administrators and state officials, who can proclaim, after all, that their schools are preparing children for college and good careers. This is the latest step that Governor Hutchinson […]

By JEFFREY SMITH  Leader staff writer The 19th annual Beebe Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Beebe Ballpark. New this year are a chili cookoff and a duck- calling contest. Admission and parking is free. “We are working with several duck-call manufacturers. It has created a lot of buzz,” Beebe Chamber of […]

By JOHN HOFHEIMER Leader senior staff writer The Lonoke City Council on Monday night authorized Mayor Wayne McGee to initiate any action against or with the state Highway Department and/or the contractor, the Rogers Group, to fix a quarter-mile of Palm Street, rendered impassible since shortly after it was resurfaced. “Let’s give the mayor permission to follow our attorney’s advice,” […]

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff write Mark Miller of Main Street Arkansas encouraged the Downtown Jacksonville Business Association at its Monday meeting to join the state agency’s network, which offers free consultations and quarterly training sessions. The only requirement is that the organization in charge must have a $5,000 annual budget and a liaison, possibly someone with the local chamber […]