gender

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) explains Senate Bill 71, which would do away with state affirmative action programs, to the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on March 7, 2023. (Screen shot)

Arkansas legislator says ending ‘state-sponsored discrimination’ is aim of his bill

BY: - March 8, 2023

Legislation that criminalizes government affirmative action programs in Arkansas heads to the full Senate after a panel approved it Tuesday. Senate Bill 71 by Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro would do away with programs that encourage state agencies, public schools and colleges to hire people of color and women. The bill would make it […]

Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville) at a legislative hearing in February. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas House committee hears legislation restricting school bathroom use

BY: - January 26, 2023

Thirteen people spoke against an Arkansas bill that would restrict bathroom use in public schools based on gender assigned at birth in the House Education Committee on Thursday. House Bill 1156 singles out transgender and gender-nonconforming youth and forces them to come out at school whether or not they want to do so, several witnesses […]

headshots of Jennifer Faddis and Gail Pianalto

Bentonville school board election garners attention of national conservative group

BY: - November 3, 2022

In a Bentonville School Board election with a dozen candidates seeking five positions, Jennifer Faddis stands out: she’s the only incumbent running. The seven-member board restructured itself last year, creating two at-large positions and five geographic zones. Previously, all seven members represented specific areas. The at-large members are not up for re-election.  Faddis joined the […]