by - April 26, 2026 10:36 am
Leading on health care solutions
In Arkansas and across the heartland, we are used to solving problems together. That instinct — to step up for our neighbors, to find practical solutions and to work together…
Opinion
by - April 16, 2026 5:35 pm
Equipping future public service leaders with AI literacy
Over the past few decades, technological breakthroughs have repeatedly reshaped how we live and work, from the personal computer to the internet. While each innovation was initially met with skepticism…
by - April 12, 2026 3:08 pm
Public television is worth saving
More people are talking about public television right now than at any point in recent memory. This is a good thing. It gives us an opportunity to revisit why it…
by - April 5, 2026 11:12 am
Education reforms show early gains among parents, teachers
Three years after the passage of the LEARNS Act, Arkansas is beginning to see a clearer picture of how its education reforms are taking hold. It is still early. Student…
by - April 2, 2026 7:12 pm
Riff Raff: Observations from a geek
Editor’s note: This essay was first published Feb 1, 2004. It is reposted with a few edits to mark the April 1 successful launch of Artemis II, which will send…
by - March 28, 2026 10:13 am
NWA primed for next phase of regional growth
Like many Northwest Arkansas natives, I’ve been amazed to watch our region evolve from a quiet landscape of pastures into a thriving metropolitan hub. With our population expected to grow…
by - March 24, 2026 10:30 am
When reading starts to matter most
I teach third grade, and every year I meet children who are curious, funny, determined, and capable of far more than they realize. I also meet children who are struggling…
by - March 23, 2026 10:30 am
The businesses that drive Northeast Arkansas
The 2026 Northeast Arkansas Outstanding Business Award nominees remind us of what truly drives our regional economy: local businesses that serve their customers, employees, and communities every day. Growing up…
by - March 22, 2026 12:15 pm
Social studies has spent too long in the shadows
“I don’t have a say in government. I’m not even old enough to vote,” Jamal, a straight-A high school senior, told me during a unit on civic engagement. “Social studies…
by - March 19, 2026 8:39 pm
Lawmakers must stand up to protect our communities in the digital age
In communities across our state, we have heard from school administrators and parents who are left confronting a disturbing new challenge. Artificial intelligence tools are being used to create fabricated…
by - March 15, 2026 11:07 am
Arkansas teens asking for real health ed
No one said having important health conversations with teenagers was going to be easy, but does it have to be so hard? It doesn’t, and Teen Health Arkansas (THAR) launched…
by - March 1, 2026 11:20 am
Riff Raff: Calling for a data center pause
States and communities around the country have paused or are moving to pause data center developments. Such moves come from growing concerns about electricity demands, water use, water pollution, noise,…
by - March 1, 2026 10:13 am
NWA delivers growth, opportunity in 2026
The real estate market characteristics of the early 2020s grow smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror. For those early years we experienced an unforgettable market. But we should forget…
by - February 25, 2026 9:43 pm
Little Rock tourism growing thanks to data, research and planning
As president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB), I see how tourism impacts our city from many angles. In 2025, that impact was clear in…
by - February 24, 2026 2:00 pm
All eyes on a state tax cut
In the General Election on Nov. 2, 2010, Arkansas voters approved Constitutional Amendment 86, which required the General Assembly to meet annually, with even-numbered years designated as the fiscal session….
by - February 22, 2026 10:00 am
In search of identity
Last week, I met with a group of dynamic leaders from Northeast Arkansas who are part of the new Leadership Accelerator formed through Arkansas State University. This inaugural group of…
by - February 21, 2026 9:45 am
Motivating students to engage
Robert groaned as he stretched across two chairs in my classroom, arms crossed, pencil untouched. Around him, the hum of students writing filled the room, but he would not participate….
by - February 11, 2026 8:35 pm
Scaling best practices to enhance student learning
Innovation often begins with a bold idea, but it only succeeds with buy-in. Whether it’s a directive from the C-suite or an organization-wide initiative, lasting change simply isn’t possible without…
by - January 30, 2026 3:25 pm
A call for humanity and community safety
Editor’s note: The following commentary is from 19 outdoor recreation businesses in Northwest Arkansas. The opinions expressed are those of the businesses. The recent tragedies in Minneapolis have resonated deeply…
by - January 28, 2026 12:11 pm
The next phase of maternal health in Arkansas
As a physician and legislator, I’ve learned that statewide health progress rarely comes from a single policy win. Instead, it’s an outcome of sustained focus, disciplined implementation and common-sense systems….