Jason Pederson
KATV News
Little Rock, AR, United States
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Past articles by Jason:
A North Little Rock family claims eviction law was not followed, given 2 days to get out
Arkansas consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation when it comes to the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants. Seven-On-Your-Side took a look at how this dynamic is impacting one family who used to call North Little Rock home. Kemberley Bell is learning what many in Arkansas have had to learn the hard way: renters have very few rights in The Natural State. → Read More
Video of an inmate extraction is released by the Arkansas Dept. of Correction.
On Wednesday we told you how, after weeks of trying, we had finally obtained prison video of a team of correctional officers removing an uncooperative inmate from his cell. Thursday Seven-On-Your-Side watched that video and we are now ready to share some of it with you. It's not pretty, but the extraction of inmate Kevin Shelton from his cell was also not as abusive as another inmate claimed it… → Read More
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board takes aim at rogue contractors
If you take on a residential project that will pay you over $2,000, you had better have a contractor's license. If not, you may find yourself in the hot seat before a state board. Ignorance of the law is no excuse as we watched contractor after contractor lose their license or, if they were unlicensed, get his with hefty fines. It's been nearly 12 years since our last report on James Carvill. → Read More
Judge rules Jacksonville man caught on camera abused woman
Standing by her man has cost a Jacksonville woman custody of her five year-old daughter, at least temporarily. A custody case, born out of a disturbing home surveillance video, was back in court today. When you see this video that was captured back in February, and we caution you that it is disturbing, you can understand why the now married couple in it claim that the man in the video is not… → Read More
High electric bills have some wondering if new meters are to blame
What is to blame for sky-high electric bills, a scorching September or new electric meters? When both arrive around the same time it leaves some Entergy customers wondering and complaining. By 2022 Entergy Arkansas plans to transition all 770,000 customers to new AMI or "smart" electric meters. The Barrettes of White County had their meter switched out over the summer. Their next bill was for… → Read More
A used appliance store in North Little Rock is racking up unhappy customers
A used appliance store in North Little Rock is racking up customer complaints. People looking to purchase used appliances because new appliances are out of their price range can least afford to lose money to a bad business. "We were on a limited budget so I was looking at Facebook Marketplace and I thought that going to an actual business might be a little bit better than ordering something off… → Read More
Looking back at the death of Janie Ward 30 years later
30 years ago, dozens of teenagers gathered for a party at a remote cabin just outside of Marshall. One of those party-goers died, and her death has attracted state and national interest ever since. Seven-On-Your-Side takes a look back at the death of Olivia Jane Ward. And a word of warning: this report includes one photo of Ward taken after her death. Over the past three decades, she has become… → Read More
Several people help a World War II veteran to victory
Wednesday night, KATV reported about a World War II veteran who successfully sued to get his land back from his longtime neighbor. While Seven-On-Your-Side was first to bring you details of the dispute, there were many others who pitched in behind the scenes. Looking out for Arkansas seniors is too big a job for any one state agency or state official. It takes a community of people willing to go… → Read More
Arkansas Better Business Bureau warns of fraudulent disaster relief scams
It appears that the U. S. coast will be spared the full fury of Hurricane Dorian. However, parts of the Bahamas were not so fortunate. Many of the images and the video that you will see coming out of the Bahamas over the next week may create a desire to help. The Arkansas Better Business Bureau wants to help make sure you don't get hooked by fraudulent relief efforts. Hurricane Dorian is the… → Read More
Mailed recall notices hope to alert Arkansans to dangerous airbags
There are over 100,000 vehicles on the road in Arkansas with dangerous air bags that need to be repaired. Here’s what you can do to learn if one is in your driveway. The folks now trying to educate Americans about dangerous airbags are getting serious. To prove it, they recruited a voice that everybody listens to and pays attention to: Morgan Freeman. "You got a minute? ,” asks Freeman in a 30… → Read More
Doctors' reluctance to prescribe opioids hurting chronic pain sufferers
Battling the opioid epidemic has caused some unintended casualties: chronic pain sufferers. KATV traveled to Hot Springs to visit with a man who says he and his neighbors need help. Reverend Dan Ash has lived with chronic pain since 1980 when he was in a bad car accident. The 64-year-old lives in a Hot Springs apartment community specifically built and designed for the disabled. Since the… → Read More
ADC officials claim perimeter drug discoveries are up
It has been a good couple of weeks for the Arkansas prison system in its never-ending battle against illegal contraband. Back in May, Seven On Your Side asked Arkansas prison director Wendy Kelley how she believed contraband is getting into prisons. "I think it's more of somebody out on the perimeter first,” said Kelley. “And then I think it is visitors second. And then I think it is staff last. → Read More
Searcy melon seller using Cave City name to sell watermelons
Sometimes in marketing, there is a fine line between legal and ethical. A produce stand in Searcy may be crossing one of those lines. Just like in real estate, Arkansas' watermelon wars can come down to one thing: location, location, location. KATV spoke with the Cave City mayor who said that a man is selling watermelons without Cave City stickers on them. Over the past dozen years, we aren't… → Read More
Man taunting lions at Little Rock Zoo caught on video
A close encounter with lions was caught on camera at the Little Rock Zoo this past weekend. A zoo visitor entered a restricted area, and KATV's Jason Pederson has the video to prove it. When it comes to bad behavior at the Little Rock Zoo, if you see something... say something. Or in this case, record something. Inara, Saphira and Bakari are the pride of the Little Rock Zoo. People love to watch… → Read More
Via Air ceases operations entirely citing pilot shortage
Flights were canceled, refunds were promised and Arkansas travelers have run out of patience. The problems seem big problems for one little airline. KATV spoke with a group of nine young women that had a destination bachelorette party planned for Austin, Texas courtesy of Via Air. But a week before their departure, the small airline told Little Rock National Airport it was done flying in and out… → Read More
Arkansas State Police taking new look at mysterious fire death from 2008
Four siblings, all linked to arsons or attempted arsons in Van Buren County are step-children to a man whose wife died in a house fire. It will be up to investigators to determine if this is a crazy coincidence or something more sinister. Recent incidents of arson or attempted arson in Van Buren County have put a spotlight on domestic violence. Arkansas State Police are taking a new look at a… → Read More
Company owners and employees honored in 2019 Torch Awards
Our Seven-On-Your-Side volunteers get involved with complaints against individuals and businesses every week. This week, we have the chance to help honor a handful of companies recognized by the Arkansas Better Business Bureau for doing things the right way. These high-quality company owners and employees got a special treat to go along with their recognition as two of the state's most… → Read More
Arkansas doctor charged with sexually assaulting patient in court again
A 42-year-old Maumelle doctor accused of using his cell phone in a highly inappropriate manner appeared in court on Wednesday. KATV was there to follow up on a story we first told you about in February. Dr. Silakhone Douangkesone didn't say much at this pre-trial hearing. And much of what his attorney had to say revolves around the photographs that will no doubt make or break this case.… → Read More
Man says he was kicked out of halfway house after complaining about bed bugs
"Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. " When this playful bedtime phrase becomes reality, it is no fun. KATV visited with one man on Thursday who says bed bugs at his halfway house led to his eviction. That's what Joseph Compton says. The director at Safe Harbor Church of Little Rock tells a different story. But both agree that bed bugs can be a problem for the men who lay their heads… → Read More
Little Rock woman wants refund after paying for apartment she never lived in
A Little Rock woman says she paid $1,300 towards an apartment that she never lived in, and now she wants a refund. Seven-On-Your-Side took her call and sought to figure out both sides of the story. Keonna Baker says she cares for her disabled mother. When she paid to $1,300 so they could move into Spanish Valley apartments off of Baseline Road in Little Rock, she says she asked if she could get… → Read More