New Opinion Voices Join Talk Business & Politics Line-up

Talk Business & Politics is expanding its opinion blogs to include three new voices to our existing blogs already led by Jason Tolbert and Michael Cook.

Jessica DeLoach Sabin, John Burris, and Frank D. Scott, Jr. will all write analysis and opinion columns on a regular basis for TB&P beginning in January.

“I’m proud to be adding these new voices to our opinion line-up as I think all of them will bring fresh and unique perspectives to our readers, viewers and listeners,” said Roby Brock, Talk Business & Politics Editor-in-Chief.

Sabin will write from a progressive Democratic point-of-view; Burris will offer takes from a right-of-center conservative and GOP insider perspective; and Scott will bring an independent, business conservative opinion to his writings.

All three bloggers will also regularly contribute on-air to Talk Business & Politics TV and radio programs along with Tolbert, Cook and other writers and pundits.

“In addition to our existing contributors, Jessica, John and Frank will all bring capitol perspectives to their writings that I know will be insightful,” Brock said. “We are also in conversations with other contributors to bring additional news content to our media platforms, and I look forward to making those announcements in the next few weeks.”

NEWS, ANALYSIS & OPINION
Talk Business & Politics is a multi-media, statewide news organization that focuses on the intersection of Arkansas commerce, politics and policy.

In its 15th season in 2014, Talk Business & Politics can be seen on TV Sundays at 9 a.m. on content partner KATV Ch. 7.

Our radio program airs on NPR affiliates across the state in Central, Northwest, Northeast and Southwest Arkansas.

Online at TalkBusiness.net and through our 7 days a week email newsletters, readers can keep up with daily news, analysis and opinion.

Our magazine edition is published bi-monthly with original, long-form content. Regular writing contributors include The City Wire’s Kim Souza and Michael Tilley, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, Steve Brawner, Wesley Brown and Michael Wilkey.

BIOS
Jessica DeLoach Sabin – Sabin is a free-lance columnist, strategic consultant and political analyst. Her writings appear weekly in Sync magazine and several newspapers in Southwest Arkansas. She is currently a member of Class X at the UA Clinton School of Public Service, where she is pursuing a Masters in Public Service. She is a triple major from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock earning degrees in Political Science, Theater Arts and Liberal Studies. Sabin was recently appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe to the Governor’s Advisory Council for Gifted Children and is entering her fourth year of service as a Commissioner on the Arkansas Alternative Energy Commission.

John Burris – Burris is a term-limited member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, where he represented North Arkansas. He served as the House Republican Leader from 2010–2012 and as the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health from 2013–2014. He also served as Political Director for Tom Cotton in campaigns for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Capitol Advisors Group, a lobbying and consulting firm with work in Little Rock and Washington D.C. He is originally from Harrison, Arkansas and is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a degree in History.

Frank D. Scott, Jr. – Scott is a banking executive focused on commercial lending and new business development with First Security Bank. He currently serves on the Arkansas Highway Commission and the Little Rock Port Authority. Scott worked for five years in the Gov. Beebe administration as a Senior Advisor handling a variety of public policy issues, including budgets, IT, economic development, workforce training, healthcare, and state-federal relations. A native of Little Rock, Scott received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from UALR’s College of Business. An ordained minister, he serves on the staff and board of trustees at Greater Second Baptist Church in Little Rock.