Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Arkansas is taking off

$100 million. 800 new jobs. Dassault Falcon’s recent investment announcement in Little Rock means a lot of things. More than anything, it shows the new energy that’s pumping through Arkansas’…

AG Griffin rejects four FOIA amendment proposals; new proposal filed

In an attempt to provide options for approval of a Freedom of Information Act constitutional amendment, a ballot initiative group submitted four proposals to Attorney General Tim Griffin who rejected…

Congress designates National Cold War Center in Blytheville as official museum

Congress has designated the National Cold War Center (NCWC) in Blytheville as an official museum of the Cold War. The designation aims to protect the work of the NCWC –…

Six selected for Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame

The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is slated to add six new members to its ranks this year. Inductees include the late Dr. George Berger, who served as dean of…

Drought, delay of Farm Bill lead agri headlines in 2023

Drought, the federal Farm Bill, foreign ownership of agriculture land and the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) dominated agriculture headlines in Northeast Arkansas during the 2023 growing season. For…

Cong. French Hill: Avoiding government shutdown ‘a very big challenge’

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, will be heading back to Washington D.C. this week as Congress reconvenes, but his working hours may be brief in less than a month….

Dr. Chuck Welch named President Emeritus of ASU System

The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees voted Friday (Jan. 5) to designate Dr. Chuck Welch as President Emeritus in recognition of his nearly 13 years of service as…

Black River Technical College receives $4.7 million to build law enforcement training barracks

Black River Technical College (BRTC) has received $4.7 million from the Arkansas State and Local Recovery funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act to help construct barracks to house…

St. Louis Fed selects Alberto Musalem as next President and CEO

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis announced Thursday (Jan. 4) that Alberto G. Musalem will be its next president and chief executive officer. In this role, Musalem will represent…

The Affordable Care Act: A Look Back

Ten years ago this month, the major parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became effective. Two of the biggest were the availability of healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion for low-income adults…

Fort Smith Board adopts new mission and vision statements

The City of Fort Smith has a new mission statement, vision statement and value statements following the Board of Directors first regular meeting of 2024 held Tuesday night (Jan. 2)….

Gov. Sanders: 188th commander resigns over abortion policy (Updated)

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders is citing the resignation of 188th Wing Commander Col. Dillon Patterson in a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that asks…

NEA Political Animals to host Supreme Court Chief Justice candidates

The Northeast Arkansas Political Animals Club will host its first meeting of the year at noon on Friday, Jan. 19th at the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce. The group will welcome…

Governor makes appointments to boards, including Corrections

Governor Sarah Sanders announced the following appointments: Board of Corrections Brandon Tollett, Hot Springs Village, to the Board of Corrections. Term expires on December 31, 2030. Replaces Whitney Gass. State…

Economic Developers, Chamber Execs announce organization leaders

The Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE) announced its 2024 board of directors. The terms for the newly elected directors officially commence on January 1, 2024. The statewide leaders…

Governor calls on Corrections Board Chair to resign, he says he will stay

Gov. Sarah Sanders responded Friday (Dec. 22) to a letter from Board of Corrections (BOC) Chairman Benny Magness, who requested National Guard help to assist with prison security earlier in…

Arkansas Securities Commissioner enter cease-and-desist order on fraud scheme

Arkansas Securities Commissioner Susannah Marshall entered a cease-and-desist order to stop an ongoing international scheme involving unregistered, fraudulent securities. The order found that GS Partners Global (GS Partners), Swiss Valorem…

Ballot push would make private schools taking LEARNS money meet state standards

A coalition has submitted a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that would require private schools receiving state funds to meet public school state standards. It also would obligate the…

Board of Corrections chair asks for National Guard help with prison staffing

Arkansas Board of Corrections (BOC) Chair Benny Magness has asked Gov. Sarah Sanders for 138 National Guard members to help with staff shortages in the state’s prison system that Magness…

Arkansas lithium summit planned for February

The Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit, presented by Standard Lithium, ExxonMobil, Albemarle, and TETRA Technologies, will be held at the Robinson Center in Little Rock on February 15-16, 2024. The two-day…