It was a good week for …
DAVID GEARHART. The University of Arkansas chancellor responded thoughtfully and politely to an angry e-mail from state Rep. Jon Hubbard (R-Jonesboro), who wanted to know why the university is hosting a panel discussion on illegal immigration that will include appearances by five young undocumented immigrants. In reply, Gearhart said, in part, “As I hope you understand, one of a university’s many purposes is to serve as a gathering place where issues and ideas are shared and discussed. I believe it’s important to offer our students and the public an opportunity to hear firsthand from individuals who have such a unique perspective: living most of their lives in and as Americans, if not citizens, but without having access to the same legal, educational, and economic opportunities as their classmates and neighbors.” He also invited Hubbard to attend.
DAVID PASCHAL. The former Elkins teacher, sentenced to 30 years in prison, won his appeal of a sexual assault conviction from the Arkansas Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision. One of Paschal’s former students previously testified that she engaged in a months-long consensual sexual relationship with Paschal when she was 18 and still a student at Elkins.
THE VA DAY TREATMENT CENTER. It got a prominent backer of its plan to relocate to property at 10th and Main streets, when Gov. Beebe said he believes the center should be on Main Street. He said he thinks it’s a good place for the services, and that veterans deserve that.
It was a bad week for…
JOE THOMPSON. The state surgeon general was arrested at his Little Rock home Saturday, and was later charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, use of force and attempting to influence a public official following what police say was a drunken altercation with a security guard and Little Rock police officers.
BOBBY PETRINO. The University of Arkansas head football coach was injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday in Newton County. He’s expected to make a full recovery.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS STUDENTS. They’ll be paying 5.3 percent more in tuition and fees in the fall, after the University of Arkansas board of trustees voted unanimously to raise tuition at UA institutions system-wide anywhere from 2 to more than 5 percent.