News
Menendez steps down temporarily as U.S. Senate committee chairman amid federal charges
WASHINGTON — New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will temporarily step aside as chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee following a federal indictment for conspiracy to commit bribery and other charges. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement Friday afternoon, saying in a written statement that “Senator Menendez has rightly decided to […]
Anti-democratic moves by state lawmakers raise fears for 2024 election
In Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are threatening to impeach both the state’s election administrator, who is highly regarded nationally, and a state Supreme Court justice despite a ruling by the state’s judicial commission that the justice had done nothing wrong — effectively nullifying a recent statewide election she won, Democrats say. In North Carolina, a bill […]
Last tenants in troubled Little Rock apartment complex offered assistance
The city of Little Rock and the court-appointed receiver for a troubled apartment complex have offered rental assistance for up to six months and $1,000 to help with moving costs to the residents who remain there, Deputy City Attorney Alan Jones said Thursday. The city’s goal since June has been to move everyone out of […]
Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office
WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]
Little Rock public housing board preps for removal vote by acquiring legal counsel
Little Rock’s federally-funded public housing authority board voted Thursday to allow the agency’s lawyer to represent commissioners who want counsel ahead of a likely vote by city government to remove them next week. The attorney also hinted at potential litigation against the city if members of the housing authority board are removed from office. Kerry […]
Shutdown inches closer as U.S. House GOP fails to pass defense bill, lawmakers exit D.C.
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans were unable for a third time Thursday to begin debate on the Defense funding bill, throwing another wrench into Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership tenure. The 212-216 vote that rejected the rule for the $826 billion Defense spending measure was unexpected, coming less than a day after House GOP lawmakers gathered […]
Biden administration offers temporary protection to Venezuelan migrants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced late Wednesday that the agency will expand protected status to nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals, allowing them to live and work in the United States. The move comes after multiple requests from cities that have struggled to house asylum seekers and calls from […]
U.S. attorney general defends Hunter Biden investigation under questioning by House GOP
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans led by Ohio’s Jim Jordan on Wednesday grilled U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about how the Justice Department has handled its investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden on felony gun charges. The questions about the president’s son came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week asked several committees, including the […]
$10 million grant to support Arkansas electric grid upgrades
Arkansas will receive more than $10 million in federal funding to enhance the state’s electric grid, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced Wednesday. Funding from the Grid Enhancement Grant program will total $5.16 million in the first year and $5.14 million the second year. “This year’s historic natural disasters underscored the critical importance […]
Lawsuit accuses Arkansas law firm of misconduct in early days of medical marijuana
When Arkansas’ medical marijuana industry began five years ago, it was somewhat of an open secret that some of the Arkansans said to own the first dispensaries and growing facilities were fronts for out-of-state cannabis firms. Explosive new allegations in a pair of lawsuits, if proven true, lay bare how these arrangements worked to benefit […]
U.S. Senate confirms a military nominee, the first since Tuberville blockade began
The U.S. Senate confirmed a nominee for a high-ranking military post Wednesday night and advanced another, the first votes on military nominations or promotions since Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville started blocking them seven months ago to protest Defense Department abortion policies. Tuberville did not object to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, […]
Arkansas growers donate 240,000 pounds of rice to state’s food banks
Food banks across Arkansas will share in a 240,000-pound donation of rice from the Arkansas Rice Federation, Arkansas Food Bank CEO Brian Burton said at an event at the Food Bank on Wednesday. The donation, equivalent to 1.8 million servings, will “help alleviate food insecurity” in all 75 Arkansas counties, said Newport rice farmer and […]