The Associated Press
Arkansas university brings back
nursing program
PINE BLUFF -- The Arkansas State Board of Nursing has approved the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's request to bring back its pre-licensure nursing program.
The university's approval for the program, which extends through 2020, is the final step before accreditation, the Pine Bluff Commercial reported.
"The action of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing signals its confidence that the UAPB Nursing Program will be a major player in addressing this need," said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jacquelyn McCray.
The state revoked licenses from the university's two nursing programs in 2013 because of several issues, including the curriculum, materials and student pass rates on mandatory tests.
The nursing board approved the university's bachelor of science in nursing degree and its RN-to-BSN program in 2015. The curriculum has been redeveloped, new faculty and staff was also hired.
"Full approval for the new nursing program is a great achievement," said Nursing Department Chairperson Diann Williams. "Since opening the program in fall 2015, faculty and staff have worked diligently for this day."
UAPB Chancellor Laurence Alexander praised the administration, faculty and staff for preparing the university for success with its nursing program.
"We had to begin this program literally from scratch," Alexander said.
The university has 13 pre-licensure students that will be seniors in the fall. The program can take up to 15 RN-to-BSN students that enroll in a hybrid curriculum with web-based courses and practice-based projects for their clinicals.
"The university is committed to maintaining the highest standards of excellence in the program and contributing greatly to the supply of practicing BSN nurses in this region of the state," McCray said.
Little Rock police identify suspect in double slaying
LITTLE ROCK -- Little Rock police say a man found dead at a mobile home park Sunday is believed to have killed a woman and her daughter whose bodies were discovered the next day in southwest Little Rock.
Little Rock police spokesman Steve Moore says police believe that 35-year-old Armando Castillo killed 32-year-old Amanda Murillo and her 15-year-old daughter, whose name hasn't been released. Moore tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that investigators believe that Castillo, who was found dead of a gunshot wound, later killed himself.
Murillo and her daughter were found dead in an SUV in the same mobile home park where Castillo's body was found.
Moore said Castillo was also a suspect in a fatal shooting in Mabelvale.
Inmates accused
of setting fire
at Forrest City jail
FORREST CITY -- Authorities say four inmates face additional charges after a fire was intentionally set in the St. Francis County jail in Forrest City.
The Times-Herald reports that it took two hours to fully extinguish a fire that was set Monday night in a jail cell. Authorities say the fire apparently started when inmates stuck pieces of paper into an electrical outlet, then threw the burning papers onto bed mats inside a cell.
One inmate told investigators that they'd set the fire in an attempt to escape.
No one was hurt in the blaze.
Authorities say three inmates face charges of arson and reckless burning while a fourth inmate faces charges of impairing the operation of a vital public facility.
State Desk on 05/20/2017