Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

The evolution of consumer payments

Since the beginning of time, people have used some form of payment to purchase goods and services. From the creation of the Mesopotamian Shekel around 2,150 BC, society has always…

Teacher pay study touts Arkansas improvements

A study conducted by The New Teacher Project says Arkansas has the highest teacher pay in the country, when you figure in cost-of-living factors, but the report is hesitant to…

Officials say Arkansas’ tourism strategy should play to its outdoors strength

Arkansas should focus on its strengths, particularly its easily accessible and affordable outdoor spaces, the state’s first gentleman said Wednesday (April 24) at Power Up Little Rock, an economic development…

Lee Wells named as new JET director in Jonesboro

Lee Wells has been selected as the new JET (Jonesboro Economical Transportation) director for the city of Jonesboro. He will assume the job immediately. Wells has served as the interim…

Rural health initiative to focus $450,000 for EMT training

Nearly a half million dollars from the Delta Regional Authority will help fund a new initiative led by the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) to train new medical workers in…

Pine Bluff lands $548,492 Department of Transportation grant

A project team co-led by the University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Go Forward Pine Bluff has been awarded a $548,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2024…

Riceland Foods Carbon Ready Program promotes sustainability practices

Several years ago, a trend began to develop. Consumers wanted to know where their food was coming from and how it was produced. A lot of data would have to…

Talk Business & Politics editorial: Pryor lessons

The passing of unique actors in Arkansas’ political and business circles provides a chance to reflect on their broad legacies and, arguably more important, the opportunity to consider how we…

President Clinton, Gov. Sanders praise the life and legacy of David Pryor

Former Arkansas Governor and U.S. President Bill Clinton on Saturday (April 20) praised the legacy of David Pryor, saying the former U.S. senator and newspaper publisher was “one of America’s…

Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor has died; hailed as ‘dedicated’ public servant, ‘true statesman’

David Pryor, a key Arkansas political figure for more than five decades from the governor’s office to the halls of Congress, died Saturday (April 20). He was 89. A U.S….

Arkansas Supreme Court to allow touch DNA testing to move forward in West Memphis Three case

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday (April 18) that advanced touch DNA testing can be done on evidence in the “West Memphis Three” case. The decision was a reversal of…

Zekelman Industries to invest $120 million in its NEA Atlas Tube operations

Zekelman Industries will invest up to $120 million to expand the manufacturing capabilities and product offerings of its subsidiary, Atlas Tube, in Mississippi County. The project will bring Zekelman’s total…

USDA to invest $4 million in Arkansas’ migratory bird resurgence

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it is now accepting applications from agricultural producers for enrollment in a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up. USDA’s Natural…

Fort Smith Board backs away from raising water rates to cover costs

The Fort Smith Board of Directors tabled an ordinance during its meeting Tuesday (April 16) that would raise water rates in the city in order to have more time to…

Legislative hearing dives into questions about $19,000 lectern purchase

Legislative auditors, members of the governor’s staff, and representatives from the Attorney General’s office met with state lawmakers on Tuesday (April 16) to answer questions about an extensive audit of…

UAPB receives $15 million for new nursing building

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) nursing program will receive a $15 million investment to construct a new academic building as part of a major federal legislative package,…

UA Little Rock receives $5 million to advance cybersecurity education

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) has received $5 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in the energy sector through education, workforce development, and…

Fort Smith Board set to discuss water system revenue, infrastructure needs

A water rate increase on the agenda for Tuesday’s (April 16) Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting proposes a “holistic look” at the city’s entire rate structure that would bring…

Legislative lectern audit finds several issues; Governor’s office calls report ‘deeply flawed’

A state legislative audit was released Monday (April 15) of the purchase made of a $19,000 lectern and road case by Gov. Sarah Sanders last year with several findings by…

We need more ‘FARM’ in the Farm Bill

As president of Arkansas Farm Bureau, I have the privilege of seeing Arkansas’s diverse agriculture industry from a front-row seat. I also understand many of the challenges facing our state’s largest industry,…