Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Annual Gillett Coon Supper slated for January

The 9th annual “Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception” will be held on January 11th at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett. The pre-supper reception starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Berry…

Governor, son discuss legal work done for Chinese firms in Arkansas

A November trade mission trip raised questions about business being conducted by Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s son, Asa Hutchinson III, with Chinese companies recruited by the state. Both men said their…

Customer service and technology saving Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

In the midst of a technological revolution, a simple business basic may be the salvation that rescues the 200-year old Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper. Publisher Walter Hussman and VP for audience…

Economist warns tariffs could impact consumer prices

With the holiday shopping season off and running, it’s a little too early to predict if total sales will surpass last year or expectations. Economist Mervin Jebaraj says there are…

The hemp experiment: Farmers raise their first crop of industrial hemp

Bill Carwell has farmed row crops for a number of years, but a small yet labor-intensive crop grown on 30 Cross County acres offers him the opportunity for a significant…

Gov. Hutchinson: Poll shows voters moved by highway tax’s statewide benefit

The message that generates the most support for a proposed half-cent sales tax extension is that it would affect highways in all four corners of the state, Gov. Asa Hutchinson…

Major layoff at Tenaris manufacturer

About 100 workers have been told they will be laid off at the Tenaris manufacturing facility in Hickman, on the edge of Mississippi County. A timetable for the layoffs was…

Democrats close door on fielding a candidate for U.S. Senate challenge to Cotton

Clearly frustrated by a lack of information, Democratic Party of Arkansas (DPA) chairman Michael John Gray closed the door on his party fielding a candidate to challenge Sen. Tom Cotton,…

Producers Rice Mill, Scenic Hill Solar announce 26 MW solar power plant in Stuttgart

Producers Rice Mill and Scenic Hill Solar announced plans Monday (Nov. 25) to build a 26 MW DC solar power plant combined with up to 40 MWh of energy storage…

Healthcare, insurance execs discuss ‘constant change’ in the industry

The healthcare industry is a world of constant change. The technology, legislation, benefits — they are always evolving. Employers want to know what those changes are and how they’re going…

Henderson Board of Trustees approves merger agreement with Arkansas State University

The Henderson State University Board of Trustees on Thursday (Nov. 21) approved a merger agreement and transition plan with the Arkansas State University System. The agreement is subject to approval…

$131.5 million operating budget, consent decree work to be part of Fort Smith budget hearing

The Fort Smith Board of Directors and top city staff are set to begin budget hearings Friday (Nov. 22) to review a budget that proposes more than $125 million in…

Panelists: More work needed for diversity and inclusion at Walmart, Tyson

Located in a largely rural, somewhat Southern and almost Midwest region, Tyson Foods and Walmart are each striving to become more inclusive companies, according to local execs who took part…

UAMS breaks ground on $150 million energy project at Little Rock campus

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) broke ground Wednesday (Nov. 20) in a ceremony marking the start of a more than $150 million energy project, including a new…

Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention set

Farm and ranch leaders from across the state will met Dec. 4-6 for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 85th annual convention at the Marriott Hotel and the Statehouse Convention Center in Little…

Distinguished Arkansas scientist Dr. Mary Good dies at 88

Dr. Mary L. Good, founding dean at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and former chairwoman of the Little Rock Technology Authority, passed away Wednesday…

Fort Smith city administrator, internal auditor to have employment contracts

The Fort Smith Board of Directors passed a resolution at its regular Tuesday (Nov. 19) meeting to create contracts for the city administrator and the city’s internal auditor, something those…

U.S., South Korea reach rice trade deal

Rice produced in Arkansas and the rest of the country can soon be sold in South Korea. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced…

Census Bureau: New survey shows same-sex households now top 1 million

The U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates Tuesday (Nov. 19) showing there are now more than 1 million same-sex couple households in the agency’s annual snapshot of American families and…

Arkansas’ jobless rate remains steady at 3.5%; more than 1,600 new jobs added last month

Following several big job announcements across the state in the last month, Arkansas’ unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5% as the civilian labor pool increased by a tidy 1,626 jobs…