Political News

Ross: Arkansas GOP ‘taking us back to the past’

Just like a strong storm system can quickly change Arkansas' weather, former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross has gone from cold to hot in just a matter of weeks and officially…

Sebastian County approves water park funding

After much discussion and delays, Ben Geren Aquatic Center is now officially funded by both the city of Fort Smith, which passed bonds to pay its portion, and Sebastian County,…

Oklahoma Governor signs four school safety laws

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) on Tuesday (April 16) signed four bills into law designed to improve public school security. She was joined at a public bill signing by Lt….

The Blue Hog Report returns to Arkansas

It indeed will be mayday for Arkansas Republican leaders when Matt Campbell returns on May 1 with his Blue Hog Report. It's been more than two years since attorney Campbell…

House OKs ‘private option’ funds, tax cuts

A lot can happen overnight at the state legislature. After a Monday afternoon failure to approve the funding bill for the “private option” plan, House members cleared the measure with…

Van Buren officials deal with budget shortfall

While much attention has been paid to revenue problems that are plaguing the city of Fort Smith, its neighbor across the Arkansas River has largely dealt with its budgetary problems…

Dining Dialogue: Modernizing a landfill

Baridi Nkokheli was a few minutes into discussing plans to further modernize the Fort Smith Landfill, when he was interrupted by a gentlemen who recognized him. “I know who you…

Sebastian County officials in software dispute

Emotions are running high at the Sebastian County Courthouse. It started with a highly charged Quorum Court study session last Tuesday, when Sebastian County Treasurer Judith Miller came before the…

Van Buren offices to get phone system upgrade

A security enhancement is in the works for city offices across Van Buren, but it will not be seen with the naked eye. The improvement will come by the way…

Medicaid ‘private option’ plan funding fails (Updated)

HB 1219, the appropriation bill for the “private option” enabling legislation, failed its first test 69-28 with one abstention. The bill needed 75 votes for passage. House Speaker Davy Carter,…

House approves ‘private option,’ funding uncertain

The Arkansas House of Representatives comfortably passed a bill that spells out the framework for a “private option” health insurance plan that would use Medicaid expansion funds to subsidize private…

Budget cuts could trim ‘Tree City’ designation

The Arbor Day Foundation announced today that Fort Smith had once again been named a Tree City USA for the seventh consecutive year, which honors the city's "commitment to effective…

State constitutional amendments proposed

A Joint committee of the legislature referred two more proposed constitutional amendments for potential voter consideration and failed a measure previously expected to easily garner committee support. The committee has…

U.S., Arkansas economy on slow, steady growth path

The near-term outlook for the U.S. economy is “bullish,” and growth in the top three metro regions in Arkansas ranges between concerns of too little and too much, according to…

Asa Hutchinson formally enters governor’s race

Former Third District Congressman Asa Hutchinson, who has previously said he would seek the GOP nomination for Governor in 2014, made it official today (April 10) via Twitter. He also…

Sterling first announced Arkansas AG candidate

Republican David Sterling has officially entered the 2014 attorney general's race and will report raising slightly more than $50,000 in the first three months of this year, according to a…

Issues with Sebastian County budget, software noted

What was intended to be a study session on Sebastian County's finances Tuesday night (April 9) escalated to a discussion on not only finances, but also bringing the Ben Geren…

Trimble to receive Jack White Leadership award

Melody Trimble, the former CEO of Sparks Health System, has been named the recipient of the Jack White Leadership Fort Smith award. The award for Trimble and six other community…

Half-cent sales tax projects coming into fruition

Often times when a new tax is started, it can be hard for taxpayers to see the visual benefits of their money being used by the government. Or at least,…

Fort Smith Board upset with Whirlpool communication

The Fort Smith Board of Directors are not at all happy about what they see as poor communication from Whirlpool related to the company’s pollution issue around its former Fort…