Arkansas

Nearly 45 percent of Arkansas' public schools are not making the grade for the minimum achievement requirements on state exams. Education officials say 480 individual schools must hire tutors, offer transfers, or fire under-performing teachers to bring up student scores. The tough part is academically challenged schools must increase the number of students who can do math and read proficiently every year. Read about the Common Core State Standards Initiative

We've all had our share of rude awakenings but probably not like the one a family in Arkansas is contending with. A runaway dump truck rolled down the hill from a construction site and right into the Waite family's garage in a suburb of Little Rock.  That was Monday... and the truck is still there now.  In fact, it's holding up the house.    The Waites say they can't get approval to move the truck without insurance authorization...and they can't get insurance approval until the truck is moved.

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert in Arkansas. Police are looking for Raymond Moore, Senior. He allegedly took his son, Ray Moore Junior at gunpoint in Little Rock. The man has an active murder warrant out for his arrest. He's five-11...200 pounds...wearing jeans a black hoodie...and might be wearing a wig. The infant was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown shirt, and brown shoes. If you know anything about the location of the suspect, call 911.

NEAR VIOLA, Ark. -- A possible tornado rolled through northern Arkansas, damaging several homes. The strong cell hit west of Viola in Fulton County shortly before 2:00 p.m.  We have received reports of damage to an apartment complex, several mobile homes, and several barns.  One person suffered minor injuries. The storm was part of a system of scattered thunderstorms along a cold front, leading to a tornado watch for much of northeast Arkansas.     

       Arkansas will receive $91 million from the federal government for education jobs for the current school year.       U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Monday the money is part of a $10 billion education fund approved by Congress and signed into law last month.       Plans call for the $10 billion in federal money to be distributed to states using a formula based on population figures. Duncan says "there is a huge sense of urgency to get these funds out the door.

GUY, Ar. -- Geologists hope sensors explain why there seems to be a whole lotta shaking going on in Arkansas. Six more earthquakes were recorded Friday, three on Saturday, three more on Sunday and four yesterday, all near the town of Guy.  No damage or injuries were reported. Most of the quakes have been between three and four magnitudes.  Researchers say these quakes are typically the smallest felt by humans.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A bill that would require Arkansas voters to show photo ID while at the ballot box is headed to Governor Mike Beebe's desk. The Arkansas Senate approved the measure Wednesday. Beebe has questioned the bill previously, but hasn't said whether he intends to veto it. Poll workers must ask for ID under the current law, but voters aren't required to show it to cast their ballot.

FLIPPIN, Ark. -- The city of Flippin, Arkansas is mourning the loss of the city's police chief.   Bruce Mayfield died Friday in St. Louis following surgery.       He worked with the department for nearly eight years and became chief in January.       Mayfield also worked with the Baxter County Sheriff's Department. He was 67-years old.

ARKANSAS -- About 20 homes along the White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Norfork have been evacuated this weekend because of flooding. Baxter County officials say there could be many more homes that will have to be evacuated. The flooding has also effected some businesses, including Gaston's Resort, where a commercial dock was destroyed. Officials say with each dry day, conditions are improving.

The University of Arkansas was the latest stop on the Dalai Lama's current US Tour. He called for activism and non-violence to achieve peace in the world.  Thousands jammed the Bud Walton Arena to see and hear the Nobel Prize winner considered by millions as the epitome of compassion

NEW YORK -- Tyler Wilson heard his name called Saturday in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Oakland Raiders drafted the Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback in the fourth round.  Wilson become the fifth quarterback selected in the draft. The senior had a record-breaking career at Arkansas.  Wilson threw for 3,387 yards, 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a senior season that began with aspirations of a national championship.  The Hogs failed to make a bowl game in 2012.  His first year as a starter under former head coach Bobby Petrino in 2011, Wilson shined by throwing for 3,638 yards, 24 touchdowns versus only six interceptions.

NEW YORK -- Knile Davis hopes his NFL career mirrors his sophomore season in college. The Kansas City Chiefs selected the former all-Southeastern Conference running-back from Arkansas with the 96th overall selection in the third round.  He was the first Hogs player selected in the NFL Draft. Davis struggled in 2012, returning from breaking his ankle in preseason drills in the 2011 season  He rushed for only 377 yards in a season that saw the Razorbacks go from a national title contender to missing a bowl game.  Davis hopes to return to how he played as a sophomore.  That season he rushed for 1,322 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.  His play led Arkansas to a Sugar Bowl berth during that season.

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Branson Board of Aldermen voted Friday to accept the resignation of Administrator Dean Kruithof.  In his letter of resignation, Kruithof said his wife accepted a job that requires her relocation to northwest Arkansas. “In 34 years of marriage, Cynthia has provided unwavering support, and at times sacrifices for my career goals.  At this stage of our life it is time for me to provide that same commitment to her.  For this reason only, I am submitting my letter of resignation,” Kruithof wrote.

HARRISON, Ark. -- Arkansas will be the first state in the nation to use its federal Medicaid dollars to purchase private health insurance for tens of thousands of low-income people. Coats Chiropractic doesn't usually see low-income patients for routine adjustments.  "They will let it go too long, and then they come in when it's at a point it's almost critical.  And they are at a point where it's going to take us longer for us to help them," said chiropractic assistant Chari Jones.

                  TONIGHT Upper 40s Cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers TUESDAY Low 50s Cloudy scattered showers and thunderstorms windy and falling temperatures in the afternoon WEDNESDAY Low 50s Becoming Mostly Sunny 12-hour forecast 24-hour forecast Satellite &...

HARRISON, Ark. -- A fire gutted part of a large business in Harrison, Arkansas Sunday morning.  The fire inside Pace Industries, which creates aluminum die casts, created a tense challenge for firefighters. "That metal, those types of pots, explode," said Harrison Fire Chief Marc Lowery.  "They will blow hot, molten metal all over everybody.  It's extremely dangerous. " Pace Division President Scott Conquest says the company worked with emergency responders over the years to make sure they knew where the danger spots were inside the building.

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. -- A big power project threatens to mow down a 50-mile path through the woods of northern Arkansas.  It's part of a plan to bring more electricity to growing towns in that area.  Some residents are concerned over the price of progress and whether the line is needed. “All of us who live here live here because it's beautiful,” said Pat Costner, who lives near Eureka Springs. Costner spends her retirement tending to her little piece of heaven in the hills.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Storm Prediction Center has issued a new tornado watch through 5 a.m. for a large area of Missouri. Local Missouri counties included in the watch are the following: Barry, Barton, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Newton, Polk, Pulaski, St. Clair, Stone, Vernon and Webster. Arkansas counties included in a tornado watch that is effective until 6 a.m. include Carroll County, Washington County, Benton County and Madison County.

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ar. -Pat Costner spends her retirement tending to here little piece of heaven in the hills. "My father...came over and looked at it and said what are you going to do with this?  And I said,  'Daddy, I'm going to look at it and just love it," joked Costner. Her beautiful view could soon be gone, or at least drastially changed. Southwestern Power Company wants to build a massive high-voltage power line through her property. "This plan was a big shock. I think my heart just dropped to my feet when I got the notice," Costner expressed.