Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Cotton prices surge as drought impacts other cotton growing states

Northeast Arkansas has gone more than a week with little to no rain and cotton farmers are taking advantage. For the week ending May 15, Arkansas cotton was 53% planted,…

Fort Smith Director: Failed sales tax extension vote will result in higher sewer rates

If Fort Smith voters do not approve a proposed continuation of a 1% sales tax in the city, residents may see a 58% increase to their sewer bills to fund…

Several Fort Smith school board candidates miss financial report deadline

Only four of the 13 Fort Smith Public School Board candidates filed their required “campaign contribution and expenditure report” by the May 17 deadline, according to documents provided by the…

Lockheed Martin, Airbus to locate new aerospace facility in western Arkansas, if contract awarded

If Lockheed Martin and Airbus win a U.S. Air Force award for an aerial refueling system, the two companies plan to locate the manufacturing facility for the project in western…

At NEA regional forum, leaders discuss growth strategies, airport study

Housing, retail sector growth, quality of life, commercial air service, workforce development and retention are among the issues civic and business leaders in Northeast Arkansas have identified as issues that…

Fort Smith utility payment assistance expanded; bike share program approved

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved an ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday (May 17) that will better aid lower income households who qualify for the city’s Project Concern…

Avian influenza spreading through poultry nationwide; Arkansas farmers brace for impacts

A flu that is nearly 100% lethal to poultry is spreading across the U.S. Thirty-four states have had confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, according to the U.S….

Michael Malone to retire from Texarkana Chamber

The Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Monday (May 16) the retirement of Michael Malone, president and CEO. Malone has served the Texarkana Chamber since February 2016. During his…

Service calls to Fort Smith Fire Department set record in 2021

With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, 2021 was another challenging year for the Fort Smith Fire Department, including 2021 being the busiest year for service calls to the…

Fort Smith school board candidates discuss student prep, teacher pay

Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education candidates on Monday (May 16) touted the need for educational alternatives so all students could be given the best opportunity for success after…

HealthTech Arkansas, MedAxiom partner on cardiovascular healthcare accelerator

HealthTech Arkansas and MedAxiom announced Monday (May 16) that they will collaborate on a new cardiovascular-focused healthcare accelerator called HeartX. The startup program will facilitate guaranteed hospital pilot projects and…

Broadband study leader talks price tag, remote delivery

Lou McAlister has been traveling Arkansas for months and he knows a thing or two about who has broadband, who needs broadband, and how hard it will be to deliver…

Fort Smith police chief touts crisis response efforts, budget savings

During what many considered another trying year, the Fort Smith Police Department managed to accomplish many positives, included the addition of mental health support, Police Chief Danny Baker told the…

In Bentonville, Asa Hutchinson sounds like a candidate sizing up 2024 White House run

Political pundits are mentioning Gov. Asa Hutchinson with more regularity as a presidential candidate in 2024. Arkansas’ term-limited Republican governor is playing coy about a possible run for the White…

Reports suggest corporate America partially responsible for inflation

Rising prices helped buoy sales and net income for like Tyson Foods, Procter & Gamble and other corporate giants. The U.S. Department of Labor recently reported the Aprl Consumer Price…

Governor: Arkansas builds steel mill faster than Pennsylvania would permit one

Arkansas’ newest steel mill will be built faster than it would have been permitted in Pennsylvania, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday (May 11). In a speech before the Arkansas Trucking…

Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney: Q&A with candidates Mosie Boyd and Dan Shue

Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue, who has held the post since January 2009, is seeking reelection in the non-partisan job. He will face Fort Smith attorney Mosie Boyd in…

AG Rutledge sues drug manufacturers, PBMs over insulin prices

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, R-Ark. announced Wednesday (May 11) a lawsuit against drug manufacturers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) for manipulating and inflating insulin and drug prices in Arkansas. In…

Senate candidate Jake Bequette to file lawsuit over wrong name on ballot

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette announced Wednesday (May 11) that he has filed a lawsuit against election officials for his name appearing incorrectly on ballots in Craighead and Phillips…

AG Rutledge: Arkansas part of multi-state settlement with TurboTax owners

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said Tuesday (May 10) the state has secured a settlement with the owner of TurboTax, Intuit Inc., for deceiving consumers into paying for tax services…