Heavy rainfall, cooler temperatures expected

LITTLE ROCK — Heavy rainfall is expected throughout much of Arkansas this weekend, and forecasters say some areas could see 5 inches of rain or more.

Statewide, about 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected to fall through Sunday, but much of north and central Arkansas could see 4 to 6 inches of rain. Forecasters say the heaviest rain is expected in western Arkansas, and flash flooding could occur.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood

watch through 7 p.m. Sunday for much of central and northern Arkansas.

Much cooler temperatures are expected as the rain moves through, with weekend highs expected to be in the 70s.

Ex-US attorney lobbied for nonprofit PCH

LITTLE ROCK — A former U.S. attorney from Oklahoma has kept his lobbying contract with a health care nonprofit that is under federal investigation for alleged corruption linked to several Arkansas lawmakers.

Steve Lewis, a former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, lobbied on behalf of nonprofit Preferred Family Healthcare for years while also serving on its board of directors, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Federal prosecutors have alleged in court filings that the Missouri-based nonprofit concealed its lobbying expenses and spent more money than permitted. The nonprofit was formerly known as Alternative Opportunities and has since transformed into a health care giant, collecting tens of millions of dollars annually from government sources.

Prosecutors have said that unnamed conspirators led the charity to misapply money toward lobbying, according to court filings. Tax exempt-organizations such as Preferred Family are limited in how much they can spend on lobbying, which must be reported.

The organization paid Lewis more than $450,000 over a nineyear period, an average of about $50,000 per year, according to court filings. Lewis hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing.

Lewis said his share of lobbying fees meet federal regulations. He resigned from the board in April in order to keep the nonprofit as a client.

Three lobbyists connected to the nonprofit have been accused of paying former Arkansas lawmakers for favors and conspiring to defraud the tax-exempt charity.

Two of the lobbyists, Milton Cranford and former state Rep. Eddie Cooper of Arkansas, also worked for the nonprofit.