Arkansas State News | West Plains Daily Quill

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas Primary Runoff election is April, 2, 2024. Poll close: 8:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. CDT First results … more

3/15/24

Blaine Schmidt holds his guitar near his damaged home following a severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

After dangerous tornadoes in Ohio and Indiana, survivors salvage, reflect and prepare for recovery

A storm's trail of destruction affected people in parts of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas on Thursday night. At least three people were killed, dozens hurt and even more reported damaged homes … more

By JOSHUA A. BICKEL and ISABELLA VOLMERT | 3/15/24

FILE - LGBTQ+ rights supporters rally in the hallway outside an Iowa House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. The rights of LGBTQ+ people continue to be in flux across the U.S. with a new flurry of developments. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Things to know about developments impacting LGBTQ+ rights across the US

The rights of LGBTQ+ people continue to be in flux across the U.S. with a new flurry of developments. A legal settlement has made it clear that teachers and students in Florida public schools can say … more

By GEOFF MULVIHILL | 3/15/24

Severe weather and suspected tornadoes struck areas of eastern Indiana and western Ohio on Thursday. At least two deaths are reported in Logan County, Ohio. Authorities say there are significant injuries in Winchester, Indiana. (March 15)

Severe storms with tornadoes kill at least 3 in the central US

Severe storms with suspected tornadoes have damaged homes and businesses and killed at least three people in the central United States. Officials scrambled Friday morning to assess the extent of the … more

By STEFANIE DAZIO and LISA BAUMANN | 3/15/24

Deep South News Digest, 1pm update

Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up for select Deep South stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP's complete coverage of Deep South and the rest of the world, visit … more

3/14/24

Baxter Co. woman charged with arson in connection with Jan. 2023 house fire

A Baxter County, Ark., woman has been charged in connection with a house fire that happened just over a year ago near Gamaliel, Ark., after allegedly telling someone she paid someone else $500 to set fire to the house, which was occupied by three adults and a child. more

3/9/24

This photo shared on Facebook by Shannon County First Responders shows firefighters working to extinguish a blaze that destroyed the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department building and its fleet. Winona, Ellington, Summersville, Thayer and Timber fire departments responded to assist local crews in putting the fire out.

Eminence Area VFD building, fleet destroyed by Tues. morning fire

The Eminence community suffered a devastating blow Tuesday morning when a fire destroyed the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department (EAVFD) fire station, along with several trucks. more

BY ABBY HESS, ABBYH@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/5/24

Black River Technical College’s fire science program in Pocahontas, Ark., recently held a chili cook-off to raise money that goes to the BRTC Foundation to fund scholarships for fire science students. Fire departments from Ash Flat, Hardy, Highland, Walnut Ridge, Pocahontas, Paragould and Hoxie gathered to face off using their favorite chili recipes. The overall winner was Highland’s Fire Department’s Koby Herring, left. “This fundraiser is very important to the fire science program,” said Fire Science Program Director Alan Haskins, center. “All proceeds help ensure there are funds available for prospective firefighter students who do not qualify for financial aid.” Joining Herring and Haskins is BRTC Black Hawk mascot Stryker. For more information about BRTC’s fire science program, contact Haskins at 870-248-4129 or alan.haskins@blackrivertech.edu.

BRTC fire science chili cook-off raises $2,000

3/5/24

Stickers are laid out at the exit to the polling station in Kennebunk, Maine, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

The Latest | Taylor Swift encourages her followers to get out and vote

Taylor Swift has not announced an endorsement in the 2024 presidential race, but the influential pop superstar is encouraging people to get out and vote. Swift reminded her vast army of followers … more

By The Associated Press | 3/5/24

AP-Network 11:15 aes

Election 2024 Sanders (COPY:V0457) <<CAT:Government and Politics>> Election 2024 Sanders-Sanders apa362477-Actuality--LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -( Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R- … more

3/5/24

Lisa McGuire stands near her former walkway on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, as she describes a fire that engulfed her home, killing her two dogs, in a Prichard, Ala., neighborhood with a history of severe water loss. When a neighbor called her about the fire, she said she rushed home to find firefighters with an empty hose attached to a hydrant. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Trillions of gallons leak from aging drinking water systems, further stressing shrinking US cities

Trillions of gallons are lost from aging drinking water systems across the U.S. after decades of deferred maintenance and disinvestment. Some communities struggle to provide safe and reliable … more

By TAMMY WEBBER | 3/4/24

Fulton Co. Hospital agrees to join Baxter Health

After unanimous votes by both the Fulton County Quorum Court on Feb. 20, and the Baxter Health System Board of Directors on Wednesday, Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Ark., has reached a long-term agreement to become part of the Baxter Health System, officials have announced. more

3/4/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

3/4/24

A man stands near his home looking at a street he says has been flooded for months, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Prichard, Ala. Up to 60% of the city’s water leaks from a decrepit distribution system. Communities nationwide are losing trillions of gallons. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

LOCALIZE IT: Struggling US cities lose trillions of gallons of drinking water from decrepit systems

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Communities across the country are losing trillions of gallons of treated drinking water from distribution systems sometimes more than a century old. The problem is … more

3/4/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

3/1/24

Charge filed in 20-year-old Fulton Co. murder case

Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith has announced an arrest and a first-degree murder charge filed in connection with a homicide that happened almost 20 years ago in Salem, Ark. The case is reportedly the result of work by Fulton County Detective Dale Weaver that began about a year ago. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/29/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

2/28/24

Yellville man found living in a cave with teen girl sentenced to 30 years in prison

A Yellville, Ark., resident has been sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole related to a federal conviction of communicating through the internet to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, after an investigation that included Mtn. Home and Baxter County, Ark., law enforcement. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/27/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

2/26/24

US Election 2024-Super Tuesday, ADVISORY

EDITORS: President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, are looking to all but clinch their party’s nominations as both are heavily favored in each of the 15 states and one territory … more

2/23/24