KATV - News

UPDATE: Father sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing his daughter's alleged molester

Justin Lewis — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:17:00 EDT

RUSSELLVILLE - Andrew Cody accused Lee Britton of molesting his daughter and said that's what caused him to shoot Britton. He was convicted of 2nd degree murder.

Photo Voter ID Preps

Jason Pederson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:25:00 EDT

Those in charge of implementing a new Photo Voter ID law in Arkansas are already discussing the do's and don'ts of the process.

Hope & Healing: Baby expected to live only minutes going on 1 year

Alyson Courtney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:14:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - A Bryant family told their unborn child may not survive more than a few minutes is now nearly 1 year old, going home for the first time and on track to live a relatively normal life.

Family fights deportation after authorities find them undocumented during unfounded drug raid

Rachel Hoffmeyer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:54:00 EDT

SPRINGDALE - A family has until Thursday to try and convince the immigration courts why they shouldn't be deported.

Temperatures Heating Up As Summer Officially Nears

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:29:00 EDT

Typical Summertime Weather

EPA levies $2.5M penalty against US cement maker

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:26:00 EDT

BOISE, Idaho - The Environmental Protection Agency levied a $2.5 million penalty against a big cement maker and required the company to invest $30 million in pollution controls.

Anti-tax conservatives slam Womack’s Internet sales tax bill

Peter Urban — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:40:00 EDT

WASHINGTON — Anti-tax advocates stood outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday and slammed legislation sponsored by Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, to require out-of-state merchants to collect sales tax on Internet purchases.

Evacuations end at UA following gas line rupture

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:22:00 EDT

FAYETTEVILLE - The University of Arkansas says evacuations have ended after a leak was stopped following a gas line rupture.

Testimony begins in Hastings trial

Roger Susanin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:05:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - The trial of a former Little Rock police officer accused of killing a suspect without cause got underway Wednesday.

Report gives Arkansas C’s for manufacturing, logistics

John Lyon — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK — A new report that grades states on the economic environments they offer for manufacturing and logistics gives Arkansas a C in both categories.

Conway "Text-A-Tip" program proving essential

Courtney Spradlin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:45:00 EDT

CONWAY - Two years ago this week, the Conway Police Department implemented the Text-A-Tip program, and officials say usage is high and the program has helped solve several cases.

Unusual accident leaves vehicle abandoned, sitting on its roof

Hot Springs Daily — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:31:00 EDT

HOT SPRINGS - A 1997 Ford pickup was pulling a Buick Park Avenue on a utility trailer eastbound on Albert Pike Road Tuesday afternoon when the car came off the trailer and flipped upside down near the entrance to the Atrium Retirement Community.

CALS considers naming new library for Clinton

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:18:00 EDT

The Central Arkansas Library System is considering a plan to name its new children's library in honor of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Feds to investigate Lafayette County finances

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:37:00 EDT

LEWISVILLE - Federal prosecutors are investigating after a state audit found more than $160,000 missing from the Lafayette County tax collector's bank account.

Monkey escapes from vet in Conway

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:25:00 EDT

A monkey escapes from a vet for a short time in Conway.

UALR names Casey as interim vice provost

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:49:00 EDT

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Paula Casey as its interim vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school.

Westbound detour on I-40 at Prairie County

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:48:00 EDT

Highway officials say final paving on the westbound outside lane of Interstate 40 on both sides of the White River bridge will require a detour.

Ark. panel reviewing rules on Voter ID law

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:47:00 EDT

An Arkansas panel is reviewing the rules for enforcing a new state law that will require voters to show photo identification at the polls before they can cast a ballot.

Marijuana Bust at Little Rock Storage Facility

Chris Scott — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:08:00 EDT

Pulaski county authorities executing a search warrant uncovered between 150 and 200 Marijuana plants at the U-Store It self storage facility off of Interstate 30 in Little Rock. According to the Pulaski

Ark. officials confirm avian flu in Scott Co. bird

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:12:00 EDT

A chicken in Scott County is confirmed with avian influenza and state officials have quarantined poultry within a 6.2-mile radius around the infected bird's farm.

Independence Co. inmate walks away twice in 3 days

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:33:00 EDT

Authorities say an Independence County jail inmate walked away from an inmate work detail twice in three days.

Jury seated in Josh Hastings manslaughter trial

Roger Susanin — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:12:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - After nearly two full days, the jury in the Josh Hastings manslaughter trial was seated Tuesday afternoon, but not without dispute.

Prosecution rests in trial of man accused of killing his daughter's alleged molester

Katherina Yancy — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:57:00 EDT

RUSSELLVILLE - Police say Andrew Cody killed 65-year-old Lee Britton last year. The child at the center of this controversy was 5 years old at the time.

Manly Minute: To tuck or not to tuck?

Steve Sullivan — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:45:00 EDT

The NFL has a tuck rule that some have described as being both complicated and controversial. The same can be said when it comes to men tucking or untucking their shirts.

NASA wants your help finding killer asteroids

CNN News — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:03:00 EDT

NASA is looking for asteroids big enough to destroy an entire city, and it wants your help finding them.

Little Rock renews "Adopt-A-Street" effort

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:48:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - The city's Adopt-A-Street program has been around for almost 18 years, but this is one of the biggest efforts to get the public to sign on.

Chrysler recalls 2.7M jeeps

CNN News — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:23:00 EDT

Certain Jeep models were recalled because of the risk of fuel leaks and fires in rear-end crashes.

2014 Senate Democrats firm up health care support

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:12:00 EDT

ATLANTA — Senate Democrats who backed President Barack Obama's health care law and now face re-election in GOP-leaning states are firming up their support for the overhaul even as Republican criticism intensifies.

Groups pondering ways to restrict sales of morning after pill in state

Rob Moritz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK — The Obama administration's decision to abandon efforts to block the over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraception drug has conservative groups considering ways to stop non-prescription sales in Arkansas.

Walton foundation donates $1.3M to Arkansas education groups

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:38:00 EDT

BENTONVILLE - The Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science received $875,000 and Arkansas Tech University's Center for Executive Leadership Leader-to-Leader program was given $450,000.

Catholic High upgrading technology & building during the summer months

Rachel Hoffmeyer — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:28:00 EDT

Construction crews are adding new windows and doors as well as demolishing some of the hallways to make way for new technology.

UPDATE: Missing woman found safe

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:59:00 EDT

CADDO VALLEY - Authorities in Hot Spring and Clark counties have found a 58-year-old woman who disappeared near DeGray Lake.

Wake-up call: Starbucks to post calorie counts

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:30:00 EDT

NEW YORK - The Seattle-based coffee chain says it will start posting calorie counts on menu boards nationwide next week, ahead of a federal regulation that would require it to do so.

NSA director defends surveillance program

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:18:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - The director of the National Security Agency insisted on Tuesday that the government's sweeping surveillance programs has foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide.

Ark. governor to hold off on scheduling executions

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:13:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe doesn't have any immediate plans to schedule executions for seven death row inmates even though the attorney general had asked him to set dates.

Widow to serve as new Scott County sheriff

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:49:00 EDT

The widow of Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter will serve out the remainder of her husband's term in office.

Southern GOP leaders meeting in Alabama

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:48:00 EDT

Republican leaders from 10 Southern states are meeting in Alabama to plan strategies for making new GOP inroads across the region.

Bridge inspection to shut down lane of Highway 67

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:47:00 EDT

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department says a routine bridge inspection will mean that a lane of Highway 67 at Donaldson will be closed this week.

Man shot several times near NLR housing complex

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:09:00 EDT

NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Police found the unidentified male victim at the Eastgate Housing Project around 7:45 Monday night.

Alexander Aldermen boycott council meeting

Christina Munoz — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:40:00 EDT

Despite three aldermen in Alexander boycotting Monday night's council meeting, the mayor continued without them. Mayor Michelle Hobbs cited state statute 14-42-103 which she said allowed the meeting

Maumelle boy stabbed in the neck by catfish barb

Jeannette Reyes — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:10:00 EDT

MAUMELLE (KATV) - What started as a successful fishing outing for a Maumelle boy ended in a near-death experience. The 13-year-old was stabbed in the neck with a catfish barb. It happened Sunday night

UPDATE: Jury selection begins in trial of LR ex-officer

Katherina Yancy — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:40:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - Jury selection has begun in the manslaughter trial of a former Little Rock police officer charged with manslaughter in the death of a 15-year-old burglary suspect.

The Highs and Lows of Humanity

Jason Pederson — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:19:00 EDT

Last week was full of highs and lows for one Jefferson County non-profit agency.

Little Rock Mayor asks why accused murderer was allowed out on parole

Evan Hoffmeyer — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:49:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - Darell Dennis is accused of killing 18-year-old Forrest Abrams back in May. Dennis was released from prison in 2008 and, since then, has been arrested 14 more times, leading to 21 additional criminal charges.

Lt. Gov. Darr tours oil spill site

Evan Hoffmeyer — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:45:00 EDT

MAYFLOWER - Mayflower Mayor Randy Holland led Lt. Gov. Mark Darr and his staff on a tour of the Pegasus Pipeline oil spill and cleanup efforts 80 days after the pipeline initially ruptured.

Trial begins for father accused of killing suspected child molester

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:40:00 EDT

RUSSELLVILLE - Andrew Cody is accused of killing 65-year-old Lee Britton of London in May 2012. Cody told investigators he believed Britton had sexually abused his 5-year-old daughter.

Ark. state rep. running for auditor next year

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:41:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas state Rep. Andrea Lea says she's seeking the Republican nomination for state auditor next year.

3 die in separate auto accidents in Arkansas

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:37:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas State Police say three people have been killed in separate auto accidents in the state.

Corps announces reopening Arkansas lake facilities

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:11:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.

North Little Rock health clinic extensively damaged from fire

Rachel Hoffmeyer — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:59:00 EDT

The North Little Rock Fire Marshal said the fire at the Protho clinic on East Broadway Street started when some construction workers were doing some welding while installing a new air conditioning unit.

Ark. death row inmates amend execution lawsuit

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:41:00 EDT

LITTLE ROCK - Nine death row inmates challenging Arkansas' new lethal injection law have amended their lawsuit against the state.

Counties leery of 'Blueway' title for White River

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:47:00 EDT

STUTTGART - Several counties along the White River are opposing a national designation that names the White River a National Blueway.

Vilonia couple killed in Mississippi car crash

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:48:00 EDT

Authorities say a Vilonia couple was killed over the weekend in a car crash near Vicksburg, Miss.

Ark. Education Department gets new chief of staff

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:47:00 EDT

The Arkansas Education Department is getting a new chief of staff.

Work to cause lane closure on Interstate 630

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:45:00 EDT

State highway officials say maintenance work will require a lane closure on Interstate 630 in Little Rock later this week.

Education Commissioner Names New Chief of Staff

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:29:00 EDT

Commissioner of Education Dr. Tom Kimbrell has announced Deborah Coffman as the Department of Education's new chief of staff.

Wild River Country needs swimmers to break World's Largest Swimming Record

Katherina Yancy — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:20:00 EDT

The global record attempt for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL), will take place at Wild River Country at 10 a.m., Tuesday June 18.

CPD takes a proactive approach to reducing teen traffic deaths

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EDT

With traffic crashes as the leading cause of death for teenagers across the United States, the Conway Police Department is offering a Collision Avoidance Training class.

Ark. woman runs for most beautiful female truck driver

Jeannette Reyes — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EDT

It takes a lot of gas to fill up a big rig and these days you're almost as likely to see a woman taking care of that as a man. An Arkansas woman is among a growing number of female truckers and she is

1,200 teachers to converge on Hot Springs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:59:00 EDT

More than 1,200 Arkansas teachers are expected in Hot Springs for a technology symposium.

$4M expansion underway at Van Buren plant

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:57:00 EDT

A food service company that has been in western Arkansas for 70 years is embarking on a $4 million expansion at a Van Buren facility.

$2M in stolen heavy equipment recovered in Ark.

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:54:00 EDT

Authorities have arrested a man living near Mulberry after he was allegedly caught with $2 million in stolen heavy equipment and other materials.

UPDATE: Conway father found shot to death on Father's Day

Chris Jilka — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:58:00 EDT

CONWAY - Police are on the lookout for a suspect in a double shooting that left one person dead early Sunday morning.

Officer hit by truck in Texarkana disturbance dies

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:05:00 EDT

A service will be held Wednesday for a Texas police officer who died after being hit by a truck during a disturbance at a park.

Facebook reveals details of NSA data requests

Jeannette Reyes — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:02:00 EDT

Facebook and Microsoft representatives say national security officials have given them permission to make new revelations about how they secretly turned over user data to the government. Facebook says

Saline County building destroyed after log truck slams into it

Jeannette Reyes — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:52:00 EDT

SALINE COUNTY (KATV) - A Saline County business is destroyed after a truck crashed into it Saturday morning. It happened around 11 a.m. in Benton. A truck carrying logs failed to stop at a stop sign and

Beach at Greers Ferry Lake reopens after concerns about E. coli

Jeannette Reyes — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:49:00 EDT

CLEBURNE COUNTY (KATV) - A beach at Greers Ferry Lake has re-opened after health officials closed it because of high levels of E. coli. The bacteria was in the water off Sandy Beach in Heber Springs last

Overnight ramp closures at the I-430/I-630 Interchange

Rachel Hoffmeyer — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:41:00 EDT

Workers painting two bridges will force both the southeast loop ramp and northeast loop ramp to be closed overnight June 16 through June 21 if the weather permits.

Measure that includes Purple Heart to Little Rock victims passes House

Christina Munoz — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:55:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - The annual National Defense Authorization Act passed the House Friday. In it, language that would award the Purple Heart to two soldiers shot at a Little Rock recruiting office.

Red River body identified as that of Utah man

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:31:00 EDT

Arkansas officials say a body recovered from the Red River was that of a man who fell from a boat last week.

New Colo. wildfire prompts evacuations of homes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:51:00 EDT

A new wildfire in the foothills southwest of Denver forced the evacuation of dozens of homes Wednesday as hot and windy conditions in much of Colorado and elsewhere in the West made it easy for fires to start and spread.