religious freedom
Southwest Arkansas district asked to stop encouraging Christianity in public schools
A national nonprofit that advocates for the separation of church and state asked a Southwest Arkansas school district on Tuesday to stop distributing Bibles at an elementary school and leading students in prayer, according to a Tuesday news release. The Freedom From Religion Foundation asked the Prescott School District to “quit imposing Christianity on elementary […]
Pronoun restrictions in Arkansas schools head to Sanders’ desk
Arkansas public school teachers and professors will be required to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth, unless parents specifically allow them to do otherwise, if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs House Bill 1468 into law. The Senate approved the bill along party lines Wednesday. It would require written permission from a […]
Legislation aimed at religious freedom heads to Arkansas Senate
A proposed law similar to a ballot measure rejected by Arkansas voters last year passed the House of Representatives along party lines Monday. House Bill 1615 would amend Act 975 of 2015, known as the Conscience Protection Act or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Critics of the legislation at the time said it would legalize […]
Attorney general candidates spar over abortion, recreational marijuana
During an Arkansas PBS debate Wednesday, Arkansas Attorney General candidates disagreed over Roe v. Wade, which affirmed a constitutional right to abortion in 1973. Democrat Jesse Gibson said the ruling was correct while Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, a Republican, said the case was not properly decided. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the case in June. […]