Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Reps. Womack, Hill believe McCarthy will be speaker; discuss future Congressional action

U.S. Reps. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and French Hill, R-Little Rock, believe California Congressman Kevin McCarthy will be the next Speaker of the House. Womack and Hill appeared back-to-back weeks on…

Lyon College approved to offer doctoral degrees in dentistry, veterinary medicine

Arkansas is one step closer to having its first dental and veterinarian schools. Lyon received official notification Friday (Nov. 18) from the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Actions Council (IAC) approved…

Sanders names Gretchen Conger chief of staff, Chris Caldwell to lead 2026 re-election bid

Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders named Gretchen Conger as her incoming gubernatorial chief of staff on Tuesday (Nov. 22). “Gretchen Conger’s proven experience and leadership from her time in the Arizona…

Fort Smith proposed budget calls for expense reduction, more pay for directors

Although Fort Smith city administration does not believe the city will be hit by a possible recession, the 2023 proposed city budget includes $51.875 million in general fund expenses in…

Former PSC Chair Ted Thomas launches consulting firm, lands utility software company Recurve

Former Arkansas Public Service Commission chairman Ted Thomas has formed a consulting firm to capitalize on his years of experience in the utility and regulatory industry. On Wednesday (Nov. 16),…

Little Rock Nine members part of USS Arkansas submarine ceremony

Members of the Little Rock Nine were in Newport News, Va., on Saturday (Nov. 19) to participate in a keel authentication ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800),…

With GOP taking House majority, Rep. Westerman in line for committee chairmanship

With Republicans taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, is poised to lead the House Natural Resources Committee. Westerman, who was first elected…

$35-$40 million manufacturing workforce center to locate in Conway

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday (Nov. 15) the creation of the Arkansas Manufacturing Workforce Training Center, a joint venture between the Arkansas Office of Skills Development and the Conway Development…

Police, fire department spending plans approved by Fort Smith Board of Directors

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Nov. 15) approved a capital improvement plan for the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) for funds raised from a recently passed 0.75%…

First bill of 2023 session filed to reform sentencing, parole laws

The first bill of the 2023 Arkansas General Assembly was filed Tuesday (Nov. 15) by Sen. Ben Gilmore, R-Crossett, and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould. The mirror bills, SB2 and HB1002,…

Trump makes White House bid official; Arkansas elected officials mostly quiet

As expected, former President Donald Trump on Tuesday (No. 15) announced he will seek the GOP nomination for U.S. president in 2024. The move, which was not welcome among a…

Ammo maker Fiocchi announces 120-job expansion in Little Rock

Italy-based ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi announced Tuesday (Nov. 15) it was building a second manufacturing facility in Little Rock that will employ 120 people. The company announced it had selected a…

AG Rutledge notches two wins on Google, student loan debt cancellation

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a major multi-state settlement with Google on Monday (Nov. 14) and her arguments prevailed in an appellate decision to halt President Joe Biden’s executive…

Gov. Hutchinson touts accomplishments, pushes domestic manufacturing

Speculation has swirled that Gov. Asa Hutchinson will run for President in 2024. At the Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Monday (Nov. 14) the outgoing governor didn’t make…

Senate President Bart Hester says session will focus on education, public safety reforms

Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, says improving children’s reading will be a priority for better educational outcomes, and he believes 3,000 new prison beds may be needed…

LR Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. discusses 2nd term agenda; says police chief hire imminent, wants ‘reset’ with city board

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. says he plans to name a new police chief “soon,” will advocate for state parole reforms to address city crime, and wants to “reset”…

Gov. Hutchinson receiving encouragement for Presidential run, discusses Sanders’ transition

After last week’s historic midterm elections and with former President Donald Trump expected to declare he will make another run for President, term-limited Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he is…

Taking a closer look at veteran swipe fees

It is upsetting to see that the same megabanks and credit card goliaths that continue to push their own social agenda in the name of the common good are, in…

State Senate picks Hester as leader, draws committee assignments

The Arkansas State Senate drew committee assignments, revised a rule, punished a member, and officially selected its new leader on Thursday (Nov. 10). Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, who will…

Gov.-elect Sanders taps Kevin Crass to lead transition team

Attorney Kevin Crass will lead the transition team for Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders, she announced Thursday (Nov. 10). Crass, a senior partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Friday, Eldredge &…