Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Human Services announced a new proposed rule Tuesday opposing the use of religious activities at state-funded preschools.

Though proponents believe that the new rule will keep some faith-based preschools in line with the Constitution, specifically the separation of church and state, one state lawmaker says that it may be doing the opposite.

"One of my main vocal points is that no matter what religion it is, in my case its Christianity, this new rule will take away the parents right to choose where they want to send their child," Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork, told The Christian Post during a phone interview. more >>

Pro-life advocates in Arkansas submitted to the state attorney general’s office a revised state constitution amendment to give rights to the unborn in the hopes that the measure will make it to the 2012 ballot, and eventually force a U.S. Supreme Court challenge to Roe vs. Wade.

Personhood Arkansas submitted the document for approval Wednesday, exactly a week after its first proposed amendment was rejected.

State Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejected the measure last week citing several phrases that he believed were ambiguous and undefined. more >>

More than 4,000 blackbirds fell dead in Beebe, Ark., last New Year’s Day – and 200 more were found dead yesterday in the same town in another strange occurrence.

Scientists believe, however, that fireworks may be to blame.

It is not known when the purported fireworks were set off, but sightings of birds falling from the sky were reported around 7:00 p.m. this past Saturday, on New Year’s Eve, ABC News reported. more >>

Michelle Duggar and husband Jim Bob of the reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting" are expecting their 20th child. The parents of the super-sized family revealed the news Tuesday on the "Today" show.

"I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful," Michelle said on "Today."

The Duggar mom was surprised about her 20th baby. However, she expressed major enthusiasm about the new addition. "We are so excited," the unsuspecting mom said. more >>

Arkansas’ Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a voter-approved initiative that bars same-sex couples and unmarried heterosexual couples from adopting or serving as foster parents.

The court ruled that the law, known as Act 1, is unconstitutional and burdens privacy rights. The written opinion stated that it is a fundamental right for people to engage in private, consensual sexual activity and Act 1 pits that right against the ability to adopt or foster children.

Gay or unmarried heterosexual couples “must choose either to lead a life of private, sexual intimacy with a partner without the opportunity to adopt or foster children, or forego sexual cohabitating and, thereby, attain eligibility to adopt or foster,” Justice Robert L. Brown wrote in his opinion. more >>

The Arkansas House passed on Friday a bill that would allow schools to offer a Bible course.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Denny Altes (R), was approved in a 71-16 vote.

According to the legislation, public schools would not be required to teach the Bible but would have the option of offering an elective course on what Altes has called "the world's most popular history book." more >>