Arkansas

Arkansas Attorney Awarded $14 Million After Jury Finds Lawyer Liable in Exploitative Grieving Families Scheme

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal jury awarded more than $14 million in damages Monday to a local attorney following a case involving unethical practices to recruit grieving families for legal representation after a tragic accident that claimed two lives. The case stemmed from a November 2020 incident in which Ana Delia Mejia Flores and Flor Maribel Recinos Valle died when a tractor-trailer rolled over their vehicle in Benton County. Survivors of the victims were approached at a Springdale funeral home by individuals from Texas who were not licensed attorneys. They reportedly lured the grieving family … Read more

Meet Dale Ellis: The Voice Behind Arkansas’ Courtroom Chronicles

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PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Dale Ellis has spent over five years covering the hard-hitting realities of the federal courthouse for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a role that has seen him navigate both criminal and civil cases that resonate with the lives of Arkansans. Joining the newspaper in January 2018, Ellis initially reported from the Pine Bluff bureau. In January 2021, he transitioned to his current role, focusing on the intricacies of the legal system and its impact on the community. His career in journalism began in 1998 at the Heber Springs Sun-Times, where he honed his … Read more

Federal Court Halts Arkansas Laws Targeting Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Igniting Debate Over Healthcare Regulation

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A federal judge has issued a ruling that temporarily halts Arkansas’ newly enacted regulations targeting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by a major industry player, which argued that the state’s restrictions could disrupt the healthcare market and harm consumers. The federal judge, chosen to hear the case, noted concerns that Arkansas’ law could lead to increased medication prices and fewer options for patients. The current regulations aimed to impose stricter oversight on PBMs, which negotiate prescription drug prices and manage benefits for insurers. … Read more

Federal Judge Upholds Ruling Against Arkansas Social Media Law, Rejects State’s Appeal

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A federal judge has refused to modify his earlier decision that halted the enforcement of Arkansas’s controversial social media law, which aimed to restrict children’s access to online platforms. In a ruling issued recently, U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks stood by his initial judgment that the statute likely infringed upon First Amendment rights and raised significant concerns regarding its constitutionality. The law, which had been signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson, sought to impose strict verification measures for users under 18 on social media networks. Proponents argued that the legislation was … Read more