Arkansas

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Police searched Tuesday for a suspect they believe shot another Fort Smith man outside the victim’s home on Belle Avenue.

Shondale Perry, 32, and two other men were arguing over a past girlfriend at a Fort Smith business, police said.

Perry left the business and went home. Luis Martiatu, 25, then drove in front of the home and began shooting, police said.

One of the shots hit Perry’s leg. He was treated and released for the injury.

Police said they are still looking for Martiatu and consider him armed and dangerous.

FORT SMITH, Ark. — A Fort Smith flight instructor is accused of deceiving customers out of thousands of dollars, police said Tuesday.

Bobby Purvis is the owner of the Fort Smith Aviation Academy.

According to police, Purvis charged people thousands of dollars for enrollment into the Young Eagles Program, a program in which kids can learn about aviation.

But police said that program is actually free and Purvis is in no way connected to it.

Purvis has been arrested on a charge of theft by deception, which is a felony.

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Oklahoma lawmakers are hoping another state’s measure will help clear the way for stricter voter identification rules in Oklahoma.

State leaders are deciding a bill that requires voters to present a photo ID or other form of identification such as a utility bill or bank statement before being allowed to vote.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling recently upheld Indiana’s strict photo ID requirement, and Oklahoma leaders say their measure is less stringent.

The bill is now headed for a final vote in the state Senate.

FORT SMITH, Ark. — It’s winner take all in the race for the state representative seat in district 65.

District 65 Candidates Focused On Economic Development

Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, is the incumbent in the race. (Read the full post about ‘District 65 Candidates Focused On Economic Development’…)

FORT SMITH, Ark. — The credit crisis has taken a toll on nearly every aspect of the economy, and now it is inching closer to those pieces of plastic in your pocket.

Credit Card Companies Taking Charge Of Your Cards

Many people are seeing their credit card interest rates starting to rise, and that is a troubling trend for people who are already being squeezed by the lower availability of loans, the slumping housing market and high gas prices. (Read the full post about ‘Credit Card Rates Rise As Economy Worsens’…)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Authorities have decided not to prosecute rapper Vanilla Ice for a domestic battery charge after his wife recanted her original statement.

The 40-year-old performer, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was arrested April 10 at the couple’s Wellington home.

Authorities said that his wife called 911 and claimed he kicked and hit her during an argument. She later told deputies he only pushed her.

In an affidavit provided to Palm Beach County prosecutors, Laura Van Winkle recants her original allegations.

She now says that any physical confrontation was accidental.

Prosecutors closed the case Tuesday.

Vanilla Ice sold 15 million copies of the single “Ice, Ice Baby” in 1990. (Read the full post about ‘Vanilla Ice Avoids Domestic Battery Charges’…)

Britney Spears is back in the television business — at least for another guest role.

Spears returned to the set of the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” Monday to reprise her role as Abby, the dermatologist’s receptionist.

In her second appearance on the show, Abby will again be dating Barney, played by Neil Patrick Harris. (Read the full post about ‘Spears Back On Set For Another ‘Mother’’…)

With “American Idol” ratings down this year, could host Ryan Seacrest be worrying about his job security?

That appears to be the case, a source close to Seacrest is telling MSNBC.com’s The Scoop.

“Ryan is so busy turning himself in a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to think that he isn’t worried about his job security with ‘Idol,’” the source told The Scoop. (Read the full post about ‘Is Seacrest’s ‘Idol’ Job In Jeopardy?’…)

Nashville police arrested a country songwriter in the stabbing death of his roommate — the father of TV comic Cheri Oteri.

Richard William Fagan, 61, had been charged with criminal homicide in the Saturday night death of 69-year-old Gaetano Thomas Oteri, police said.

Authorities said the victim’s daughter, who was on the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” had been told of her father’s death.

Police initially arrested Fagan on Saturday night, charging him with DUI.

“At 10:45 on Saturday night, Fagan was stopped by a police officer on Dickerson Pike for riding on three tires,” police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Shortly after he made bond on Sunday, a friend of the roommates called police, saying their door was locked, the house appeared to be in disarray and Oteri wasn’t answering the door.

Emergency medical responders found Oteri dead in the home.

“During the fight, Mr. (Read the full post about ‘Man Charged In Death Of ‘SNL’ Comic’s Father’…)

NEW YORK — Amy Poehler isn’t just acting like a “Baby Mama” anymore, she’s pregnant in real life.

Her publicist said she’s expecting her first child with husband Will Arnett.

The baby is due sometime this fall.

Poehler is 36 and Arnett is 38. The couple has been married since 2003.

Poehler’s co-star in “Baby Mama” is already a mom. Tina Fey, 37, had a baby girl with her husband in 2005.

In “Baby Mama,” Poehler plays the offbeat surrogate mom for Fey’s character.

Poehler is also a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and co-starred with former “SNL” cast member Fey in “Mean Girls.”