Government & Politics
Arkansas’ $1M pregnancy resource center grant untouched so far
Arkansas’ crisis pregnancy centers so far have declined to apply for a new $1 million grant program created by the state Legislature to help fund their operations. The application period opened Aug. 1 and ends Aug. 26, but no one has applied for the money aimed at helping those facing unintended pregnancy and encouraging them […]
Mobile sportsbooks off to a slow start in Arkansas
Arkansans wagered over $12.6 million on sports betting in June — a new monthly high, fueled by the rollout of mobile apps this spring by two of the state’s three casinos. But that figure remains paltry compared to neighboring states. In June, operators in Louisiana reported a combined “handle” — the total wagers placed at […]
State and Sen. Jason Rapert settle lawsuit over Facebook, Twitter blocking
The State of Arkansas and state Sen. Jason Rapert settled a lawsuit brought by an atheist group over Rapert’s practice of blocking certain users on social media. According to the settlement signed this week, Rapert must unblock several social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook, and the state will pay American Atheists, the organization that […]
Arkansas congressmen report millions in trips, investments and book deals
WASHINGTON — Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation disclosed book deals, multiple homes and millions of dollars in assets in their personal financial disclosure filings required by Congress. The disclosures are to be filed annually by May 15 or else members must seek an extension. Lawmakers list a range of value for their assets and […]
New Mexico reporter undaunted after being denied entry to campaign event
Source NM’s senior reporter pulled a piece of posterboard out of the trash outside a campaign event Sunday and hastily sharpied a sign that read: Hello! My name is Shaun. I AM A JOURNALIST Why are you here? What can the news do better? Shaun Griswold’s inspired outreach is exactly what I meant when I […]
Arkansas FBI office targets human trafficking suspects in national operation
FBI agents and northwest Arkansas police this week announced the arrests of four people accused of human trafficking or intending to meet underage victims for sex. The effort, which included victim advocacy organizations and a host of law enforcement agencies, began earlier this month with the identification of two victims of human trafficking, according to […]
Boozman will play key role in farm bill no matter who controls Senate
WASHINGTON — Arkansas Sen. John Boozman will likely spend at least another six years as the state’s senior U.S. senator, if he wins reelection — a tenure that will place him atop the Senate’s Agriculture committee just as lawmakers undertake drafting the mammoth farm bill. The measure, passed every five years and expected to cost […]
Arkansas Silver Haired Legislative Session to meet after pandemic hiatus
Arkansas will hold its first Silver Haired Legislative Session since 2018 today and tomorrow, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The non-partisan mock legislative session at the Capitol allows senior citizen “delegates” from across the state to write, discuss and vote on legislation addressing issues to older Arkansans. State […]
School safety panel proposes hardening schools, improving mental health response
The Arkansas School Safety Commission adopted a dozen recommendations Tuesday aimed at hardening schools against intrusion and making sure staff and teachers are trained to respond not only to physical threats but also to students in mental distress. Commissioners voted to recommend that school campuses “should always have armed personnel when staff and students are […]
Twenty states, D.C. join in opposing Texas lawsuit on emergency abortion care
WASHINGTON — Attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia filed a brief in federal court on Tuesday, challenging Texas’ assertion that states shouldn’t have to comply with a federal law that protects doctors who end a pregnancy to save the patient’s life. The brief argues the judge in the case shouldn’t […]
Federal appeals court upholds Arkansas’ lethal injection protocol
A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of Arkansas’ three-drug cocktail used for lethal injection. A group of Arkansas death row inmates had sued the state in 2017 to stop a spate of executions scheduled before one of the three drugs used in the lethal injection cocktail expired. The three-judge panel of the […]
Biden signs into law Democrats’ wide-ranging climate change, health care and tax bill
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed his party’s signature climate, health care and tax package into law Tuesday, capping off more than a year of tumultuous negotiations that saw his original proposal to Congress slimmed down considerably. Flanked by a handful of Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and […]