LITTLE ROCK, Ar., (KNOE 8 News) - The Arkansas House has approved a bill to require the state's Education Board to sign off on classes involving an academic study of the Bible.
Lawmakers voted 79-3 in favor of the measure that would direct the state to approve elective Bible courses as long as they meet certain standards, such as an appropriate level of academic rigor.
Republican Rep. Denny Altes of Fort Smith is sponsoring the bill.
Department of Education Chief of Staff Phyllis Stewart said Monday that the legislation is unnecessary because school districts are already allowed to offer an academic study of the Bible as a history or social studies elective course. She said about four or five schools in the state offer such classes.
Altes acknowledged his bill does "almost nothing," but codifies the law.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:55:16 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 AM EDT2013-06-19 09:57:38 GMT
NEW ORLEANS (KNOE 8 News/AP) - A 13-year-old boy from a New Orleans suburb has been arrested after authorities say he told them he used TV wrestling moves on his 5-year-old half-sister, who died from the beating.
NEW ORLEANS (KNOE 8 News/AP) - A 13-year-old boy from a New Orleans suburb has been arrested after authorities say he told them he used TV wrestling moves on his 5-year-old half-sister, who died from the beating.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:27:15 GMT
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:54 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:54:41 GMT
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
