policies

A cotton harvesting tractor plucks up cotton on an Arkansas farm. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Wes Ward to continue as agriculture secretary under Huckabee Sanders

BY: - December 12, 2022

Wes Ward, Arkansas’ current agriculture secretary, will continue in that role in the administration of Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to a Monday press release. “I look forward to continuing to invest in our strong, dynamic agriculture industry as the secretary of agriculture,” Ward said in the release. “Governor-elect Sanders shares my deep appreciation for […]

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Wilma Mankiller served in the top leadership role of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1995. (Peter Turnley/Corbis Historical via Getty Images)

Wilma Mankiller, first female principal chief of Cherokee Nation, continues to inspire

BY: - November 28, 2022

If you fish in your pocket or purse for a U.S. quarter today, there’s a chance you’ll see Wilma Mankiller’s face. She was the Cherokee Nation’s first female principal chief, and she inspired generations of Cherokees and young Native people like me. In 2022, Mankiller was one of the first women honored by appearing on […]

On Oct. 19, 2022, an official with the Miami-Dade County Elections Department conducts a comprehensive examination of the voting equipment that will be used in the Nov. 8th general election. Elections, from campaigning to voting systems, are under great scrutiny this year. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

How to follow your congressional and local elections in 2022

BY: and - October 24, 2022

This is part of a series, User’s Guide to Democracy, being published by Propublica. Election coverage often focuses on competition between rival candidates while downplaying policies and platforms. But knowing how to decipher these “horse race” stories can help you understand what’s at stake for you and can inform your political participation. Think about it […]

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Image of crowd of transgender and cisgender people

Conway Schools should be embarrassed by anti-trans restroom policy, book censorship

BY: - October 14, 2022

The Conway School Board earned a badge of shame Tuesday when it adopted two policies that will harm transgender youth. One policy bans transgender youth from using restrooms not aligned with their assigned sex at birth. Gender nonconforming students made uncomfortable by this rule can opt to use single-use restrooms, but as one person noted […]