A lawsuit challenging a state decision on a replacement marijuana dispensary license led today to an order by Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen halting issuance of replacement licenses until the issue is resolved.

Metroplan, the council of Central Arkansas governments, said today that it was prepared to spend at least $55 million over the next 10 years to develop a regional multi-use trail system.

State tobacco, alcohol and gambling regulator Steve Goode is resigning for a move to the private sector.

Elizabeth Warren is coming to town

The Little Rock Board of Directors received an update from City Finance Director Sara Lenehan on the “promises kept” by the 3/8 Cent Capital Sales Tax. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. also told directors that on March 10, he will present “specific numbers” to the board on how the proposed “Lift Little Rock” sales tax would impact city departments and projects. 

Jerry Walsh, former director of South Arkansas Youth Services, was sentenced today in federal court in El Dorado to 30 months in prison for conspiring to divert public money his agency received to an unnamed Arkansas state senator and the lobbying firm of convicted felon Rusty Cranford.

Candidates for the open seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court filed pre-election campaign spending reports this week that show Barbara Webb, running a partisan race for the non-partisan seat, still leading Judge Morgan "Chip" Welch overall, though he reported a better recent fund-raising period than she did.

North Little Rock police says a person with a gunshot wound that proved fatal was found about 2:25 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a shooting at 4200 Division, the address of Edgewood Cemetery. T

A report today from the Baxter Bulletin on a Sunday alcohol sales election next week in Mountain Home raises again the question: Why not Little Rock?

Little Rock lawyer Jessica Virden Mallett has complained to ethics regulators about the overt partisanship in Barbara Webb's campaign for Arkansas Supreme Court and isn't happy with the slowness by which such ethics complaints are handled.

Another legal dispute has arisen in the Hunter Biden paternity case in Independence County.

KAIT has the most intriguing lead in news articles from around Arkansas this morning: A woman claims she was fired after a judge in Sharp County wanted a younger security officer who would want to perform lap dances.

Three homes, a cemetery and a 1915 former grocery store in Elaine are added.

The U.S. attorney's office said today it opposed the request by former Republican Sen. Gilbert Baker to be allowed to drink in moderation and avoid drug testing while he awaits trial on a federal bribery charge.

Harvest House of Cannabis arrives in Little Rock and takes weed upscale. But is that enough?

Herbology Dispensary will open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the former Joubert's Tavern space at 7303 Kanis Road in Little Rock. Herbology will be the third dispensary to open in Central Arkansas's Zone 5. 

Arkansas court evacuates on unconfirmed report of coronavirus case.

Attention shoppers: Vox has an interesting article on Walmart's plans to roll out a membership program to challenge Amazon Prime.

A new federal lawsuit was filed yesterday over the state's reduction in Medicaid-provided home care services.

Special Circuit Judge John Fogleman has filed his order mostly denying requests from ABC News and the Arkansas Press Association to release more information in the murder case against Rebecca O'Donnell in the slaying of former Republican Sen. Linda Collins of Pocahontas.

Immanuel Baptist Church announces opening of the City Center, a facility in a former Kroger next to the church grounds on Shackleford Road that will provide a variety of community services.

The Getty Medal, awarded by the J. Paul Trust to recognize patrons of the arts, will be awarded Alice Walton for "expanding access to the arts and arts education," Getty News has announced. 

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Coronavirus, Sunday drinking, murder and more on the daily news roundup.