Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Morton to not run for Fort Smith Board reelection

Fort Smith City Director Lavon Morton said Monday (July 15) will not seek reelection to the Ward 2 Board of Directors seat he holds. Morton was first appointed to the…

Avian influenza outbreak largest animal disease outbreak ever in U.S.

The avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak that began in February 2022 is now the nation’s largest animal disease event ever, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It has spread…

$893 million committed to I-55 bridge replacement on Arkansas-Tennessee border

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) were jointly awarded on Friday (July 12) a $393.75 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation…

Supporters of abortion amendment counter Secretary of State on ballot measure rejection

Supporters of a proposed amendment to provide exemptions to abortions in Arkansas sent a letter to Secretary of State John Thurston, claiming he was erroneous in declining their proposal. On…

A warning shot for traditional higher education

Arkansas’ traditional higher education institutions may be in for a rough ride in the coming years. State leaders, including the legislature and Gov. Sarah Sanders, are calling for greater belt-tightening…

Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program distributes $588,756 for 9 projects

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has announced that nine projects will receive a total of $558,756 in funding through the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program (AURP). The AURP funds projects that…

UA Little Rock receives $970,000 grant for nursing students

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $969,200 grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Linking Industry to Growing Nurses (ALIGN) program to help…

Former Congressman Tommy Robinson dies at 82

Former U.S. Rep. Tommy Robinson has died at the age of 82, according to our content partner, KARK News. The St. Francis County coroner confirmed Robinson died around 7 p.m…

Abortion amendment rejected by Secretary of State due to lack of canvasser identification

A proposed constitutional amendment to allow for exceptions to the state’s no abortion law has been rejected by the Arkansas Secretary of State due to a lack of proper identification…

Governor, state agencies award $500,000 in outdoor recreation grants

Gov. Sarah Sanders and several key agency leaders awarded roughly $500,000 Wednesday (July 10) in outdoor recreation grants to projects in seven counties across the state. The money was allocated…

National Institutes of Health awards $31.7 million to UAMS

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Translational Research Institute announced Wednesday (July 10) that it will receive $31.7 million to continue its role in a national effort to…

Clint Schaff named general manager for KUAF

Clint Schaff has been named general manager for KUAF 91.3 FM Public Radio. He is the third-ever general manager for KUAF, the National Public Radio member station that serves western…

Jonesboro sales tax collections decline year-over-year in June

Jonesboro experienced a decline in sales and use tax collections in June after an uptick in such collections during May. Craighead County had a similar growth and decline pattern for…

Rock Region METRO awarded $3.1 million for 5 nat gas buses, bus simulator

Rock Region METRO was awarded $3,149,677 – its third largest competitive grant award to date – in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to purchase up to five 35-foot compressed natural…

Gov. Sanders to keynote NWA Business Journal Forty Under 40 luncheon

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders will be the keynote speaker at the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Rogers on Aug. 13. This year’s…

Gov. Sanders names Chris Caldwell to Game & Fish Commission

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday (July 8) that Chris Caldwell will serve as the newest Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner. Caldwell’s seven-year term will last until 2031. He is replacing…

Empowered educators lead to better student outcomes

When making tough decisions that affect our children, many of us have been told to “trust our gut” or “lean into what feels right.” Parental intuition isn’t just a catchphrase…

UAMS receives grant to relaunch family medicine residency program in El Dorado

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a $750,000 federal grant to help re-establish a family medicine residency program in El Dorado. The grant was awarded by…

Abortion amendment delivers signatures; FOIA, education, ‘pink’ tax fail

Supporters of an amendment that would legalize abortion in Arkansas submitted signatures to qualify for the November ballot on Friday afternoon (July 5), the last day to do so. However,…

Casino, marijuana groups submit ballot signatures

Groups submitted signatures for the November ballot on Friday (July 5) for a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand medical marijuana access in Arkansas and another that would revoke the…