arkansas
Appeals court allows transgender care to continue in Arkansas
A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld an injunction blocking Arkansas’ ban on gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender children. The three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals kept in place U.S. District Judge James Moody’s order that temporarily blocked Arkansas authorities from enforcing Act 626, which was enacted in 2021 after the […]
Crawford County residents say deputy in beating video attacked them
Two Crawford County residents on Tuesday shared details of beatings they say they received at the hands of a sheriff’s deputy who can be seen in a video taken Sunday morning of officers subduing a man at a Mulberry convenience store. During a live televised press conference, Teddy Wallace and Tammy Nelson of Rudy identified […]
Legislators’ concerns delay proposal to address Arkansas teacher shortage
After it became clear state lawmakers had concerns, Arkansas education officials on Thursday pulled down a proposal that would have made it easier for individuals who have not passed teacher licensure exams to be temporarily allowed to teach in the classroom. Deputy Education Commissioner Ivy Pfeffer said the emergency rule presented Thursday morning to the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Drought, inflation strain Arkansas farmers, who see little relief in sight
Billy Grace, a Saline County cattle farmer, sold a portion of his herd this summer for the first time in 19 years in the business. High fertilizer prices and intense drought conditions have made it difficult for Arkansas farmers like Grace to grow, buy and sell hay this year. Grace sold 60 animals because he […]
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 […]
Probe finds cheating in GED program at Arkansas’ youth lockups
Arkansas officials last year noticed a suspicious increase in incarcerated juveniles earning GEDs. A review of classroom surveillance footage during a preliminary GED test at Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center confirmed their fears. An educator for the contractor that runs Arkansas’ youth lockups provided answers to students, state records show. Sarah Gober, a then-teacher for Rite […]
Arkansas pro-marijuana activists oppose latest recreational effort
The staunchest opposition to this year’s recreational marijuana ballot initiative comes from an unexpected group — Arkansas’ most prominent advocates for cannabis legalization. This band of activists is willing to wait at least another two years to transition the drug’s status in the state from strictly medical to recreational. To them, a vote for the […]
Arkansas income tax rate changes explained
The Arkansas General Assembly last week convened in special session primarily to enact tax relief. The law, which easily passed the House and Senate, was billed by proponents as relief for taxpayers in a time of high inflation. Several also referenced the $1.6 billion surplus the state ended with in fiscal 2022. Opponents argued that […]
Welcome to the Arkansas Advocate, a fresh voice in state news
Thirty-eight years ago, my bride and I drove up from Baton Rouge and into Arkansas in her Datsun B210 hatchback. Looking for adventure, we planned to camp and hike during our honeymoon. We pitched our tent on Mount Nebo on July 4. Over the next few days, we toodled along scenic routes through the Bostons […]
Arkansas COVID numbers decline, continuing trend
Active coronavirus cases continued to trend downward in Arkansas on Monday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health’s COVID-19 data portal. The department considers “active” cases to be currently infectious. The 860 fewer active cases Monday were a sharp dive after Sunday’s decline of 116 active cases, according to ADH data. Active cases totaled 11,044 […]