Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Greedy lawyers or your family? You have a choice this November

As you go to the polls this fall, you will see a measure for tort reform known as Issue 1. It is similar to one we passed in Texas that…

Gubernatorial candidates talk energy policy at summit

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and his Democratic Party opponent Jared Henderson got a chance on Tuesday (Oct. 9) to share their visions on Arkansas energy policy before an audience of some…

Jonesboro doles out Community Block grants

The city of Jonesboro has doled four Community Development Block grants to nonprofits organizations in the city. The funding totals $77,142 and provides $25,209 to Mid-South Health Systems, $20,000 to…

Challengers blast Arkansas Attorney General for denying initiated measures

Arkansas Attorney Leslie Rutledge (R) took heat for denying a number of voter initiated measures. Democrat opponent Mike Lee blasted Rutledge blocked at least 70 measures from the ballot, what…

Notes from the Campaign Trail: Sarah Huckabee Sanders heading home for fundraiser; DCCC takes shot at French Hill

Talk Business & Politics has learned that Friday, Oct. 26, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be back in her native state for a GOP fundraiser. Sanders will be…

Fort Smith Board of Directors discusses possible appeal of RVSC verdict

Members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Oct. 9) discussed a possible appeal of a recent jury verdict against the city related to the abandoned River Valley…

Challengers in District 3 race attack incumbent, discuss illegal immigration, deficits, veterans affairs

Political shots were fired at U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, during a debate on AETN slated to air Tuesday (Oct. 9.). His Democratic opponent Josh Mahony accused Womack, the former…

Arkansas student loan default rate slides to 11.2%, debt climbs to nearly $11 billion

Student loan default rates for Arkansas college students declined for the fifth straight year even as the amount of debt owed by current and former college goers nears crisis level,…

LobbyUp announces new partner, expansion to multiple states

Arkansas-based tech firm LobbyUp, a legislative bill tracking company, is expanding its service to more than a dozen other states. LobbyUp Pro will launch Nov. 1, and will be available…

Health care, minimum wage, Pelosi topics in 4th District debate

The two major party candidates for the 4th Congressional District disagreed about health care policies and the minimum wage in a debate at the University of Central Arkansas Monday (Oct….

Jonesboro receives more than $1 million in grants

The city of Jonesboro has received five grants totaling almost $1.4 million during the past month. The federal and state grants will provide bulletproof vests, body-worn cameras, technology upgrades and…

Crawford, Desai clash over tariffs in 1st District debate

In a debate among 1st Congressional District candidates, Democrat Chintan Desai Monday (Oct. 8) criticized Rep. Rick Crawford, a Republican, for being a “full-throated” supporter of President Trump’s tariffs he…

District 2 candidates discuss immigration, debt and minimum wage

There were no seismic moments in the only scheduled debate between the three candidates for Arkansas’ Second Congressional District. The nearly one-hour debate hosted at UCA and airing on AETN…

Republican, Democratic candidates graduated from same high school, likely a first in state’s gubernatorial history

There are plenty of differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates in Arkansas’ gubernatorial race this year. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the Republican, and Democratic challenger Jared Henderson also have a…

Kavanaugh confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Cotton says ‘left-wing mob rule’ failed

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the “crazed, hysterical” actions by Senate Democrats “rightfully” failed to block Judge Brett Kavanaugh from a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. Sen….

Despite delays, Arkansas medical cannabis cultivator on track to be growing by early 2019

A representative for one of five companies awarded licenses to grow for Arkansas’ fledgling medical marijuana industry says the business will be ready to start cultivating and supplying the product…

Arkansas medical marijuana program well behind other states

When Arkansas voters took the step to legalize medical marijuana in the November 2016 election, the Natural State was hailed as an outlier for being the first state in the…

Rep. Westerman: Democrat’s stalling could push farm bill completion to December

Conference committee negotiations over this year’s farm bill have reached an impasse because the ranking Senate Democrat wants to wait until December to complete them, Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs.,…

Gov. Hutchinson shares personal insights on service, trade during stop in Rogers

Seeking out opportunities to be useful each day is one way Gov. Asa Hutchinson finds joy and satisfaction in his personal life, even while doing a very public job. Speaking…

Benton Mayor Mattingly endorses Terry Benham to succeed him

Benton’s incumbent mayor, David Mattingly, endorsed Terry Benham in the race to succeed him. Benham is one of three candidates vying for the Benton mayoral post. Mattingly, a two-term mayor,…