State briefs
Judge: Hospital can’t be blamed in suit over anchor’s death
LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas judge has ruled the hospital where a TV anchor died can’t be blamed for the wrongdoing of two former hospital workers who illegally looked at her medical records after she was hospitalized. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Pulaski County Circuit Judge Leon Johnson ruled Friday in the case of former KATV anchor Anne Pressly, who was found beaten in her bed in 2008.
A man who confessed to attacking Pressly was convicted of capital murder and rape, among other charges, and is serving a life sentence.
Johnson tossed the lawsuit filed by Pressly’s mother against CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, but allowed her suit to proceed against the ex-workers and a doctor who viewed the records.
Pressly’s mother, Patti Cannady, alleges the workers viewed the records out of curiosity.
Ex-Arkansas doctor denied new trial in 2009 grenade attack
LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge has denied a new trial for a former doctor serving a life sen-
tence in a 2009 grenade attack that severely injured the Arkansas medical board’s chairman. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the judge denied Randeep Mann’s petition on Friday, ruling that Mann received a fair trial.
Mann was seeking a new trial because he claimed his attorneys were ineffective and that federal prosecutors withheld exculpatory evidence.
The victim of the grenade explosion, Trent Pierce, was the chairman of the state Medical Board, which was investigating complaints about Mann.
Pierce was preparing to drive to his office when he moved a spare tire leaning against his vehicle. The movement caused a grenade taped to the tire’s underside to explode.
Mann was convicted by a federal jury in 2010.
Hendrix College reaches goal to meet $1M challenge grant
CONWAY — Hendrix College says it has reached a goal to meet a $1 million challenge grant from an Oklahoma-based foundation.
The college in Conway needed to raise $2 million in new gifts and pledges by September to meet the challenge from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Arkansas Business reports that the school plans to use the money to build a welcome center at the northeast entrance to campus. The new building will house the admission and financial aid offices.
Last year, Hendrix received a $26 million gift from the estate of Mary Ann Dawkins to support scholarships, promote college affordability and launch the school’s fundraising effort for the new welcome center.
Dawkins, whose parents founded Coulson Oil Co., died in 2014.
Work on interstate exchange prompts overnight lane closures
LITTLE ROCK — State transportation officials say construction work on the Interstate 430/Interstate 30 interchange will require overnight lane closures in Pulaski County.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department says the ramp carrying traffic from I-430 southbound to I-30 westbound will be closed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Tuesday.
Drivers will be able to use the ramp outside of closure hours.
The agency says signs will direct motorists to take Exit 128 on southbound I-430 and proceed onto the I-30 north service road.