Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Experts: Broadband Can Reach Schools With Existing Funds

Arkansas should be able to connect all of its schools to high-speed fiber optics broadband networks within a few years using $15 million it already spends.

Africa Holds Promising Growth Amid Wal-Mart, U.S. Investment

Over the past decade, six of the 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa, which has already prompted some of America’s largest firms like Wal-Mart to step up its investments.

Fort Smith Airport Receives $4.9 Million Grant

The Fort Smith Regional Airport will receive a $4.9 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), according to members of the state’s Congressional delegation. The funding will be used…

Northeast Arkansas A ‘Battleground’ In 2014 Races

There is one thing that Republicans and Democrats in Arkansas might agree on: Northeast Arkansas could make or break both parties’ 2014 fortunes.

Jonesboro Voters Head To Polls Tuesday To Amend Special Sales Tax

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether or not to amend a 2000 sales tax ordinance that will allow the city of Jonesboro to reprioritize its budget…

Weekend Digest: The American Bandstand Edition

For our weekend business and political readers: THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MUSICAL PROGRAM IN HISTORY It started locally in Philadelphia and spread across the nation. Hosted by the late Dick Clark,…

Filing Enters The Homestretch

A pair of Osceola City Council races have developed as the municipal filing period ends its final week. Incumbent Joe Guy turned in paperwork Friday to run for the Ward…

Election Central: Senate Candidates Discuss Iraq Air Strikes

Roby Brock with Talk Business & Politics delivers Friday’s Election Central Daily Brief. CONGRESSIONALS SPEAK TO IRAQ AIR STRIKES Sen. Mark Pryor and Cong. Tom Cotton, both on the campaign trail…

Sen. Boozman To Begin Farm Tour

Arkansas’ junior senator will be visiting several farms and agricultural based businesses in Northeast Arkansas during the August recess, the senator’s office said Friday. Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, will be…

Nate Steel To Speak To Central Arkansas Political Animals

Democratic Attorney General nominee Nate Steel will be the featured speaker at the August 12th Central Arkansas Political Animals Club. The event will be held from 11:30 to 1 p.m….

Election Central: Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll Preview

Talk Business & Politics Editor-in-Chief Roby Brock delivers Monday’s top political headlines in this Election Central Daily Brief. HUTCHINSON TAX FLAP The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported over the weekend that GOP…

Tolbert: Arkansas Right To Life Endorses Cotton

Arkansas Right to Life, along with the National Right to Life, rolled out an endorsement Monday for Congressman Tom Cotton pointing to both his consistent pro-life record as well as…

Municipal Filing Period Kicks Off

The nearly three-week marathon known as the municipal filing period kicked off Friday afternoon (July 25), with candidates turning in petitions to run in the November general election. A total…

Cook: Taking Double Tax Credit A Problem For Asa Hutchinson

The past week has been a bit of a mess for Asa Hutchinson. In two separate instances, Asa Hutchinson personally contributed to the story line that he is out of…

Craighead County Voters Oppose Alcohol Expansion Initiative

By a 20-point margin, Craighead County voters oppose an effort to expand local alcohol sales, according to a new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll.

Matthew Glass: Big Government Provides Big Boost With Private Option In Practice

Editor’s note: This guest commentary is written by Matthew C. Glass, President & CEO of Fidelity Insurance Group which has offices in West Memphis, Marion and Hughes, Arkansas. Fidelity was…

Talk Business & Politics Expanding Footprint In NEA, NWA

Talk Business & Politics will launch two new web sites to provide more local coverage of news in Northeast and Northwest Arkansas. Read on for more details.

Libertarian, Green Party Senate Candidates Discuss Goals

Green Party Senate candidate Mark Swaney is promoting a business and personal carbon tax, while Libertarian nominee Nathan LaFrance is concerned with the government’s reach into personal lives.

On The Campaign Trail With Tom Cotton

KATV’s Janelle Lilley, an avid runner, takes a jog and spends a day on the campaign trail with Senate hopeful Cong. Tom Cotton. The long-form segment appeared on Talk Business…

Chesterfield, Tate Recall Civil Rights Movement

Sen. Linda Chesterfield and businessman Sherman Tate, who came of age in the civil rights era, recalled their roles and memories in the tumultuous decade, which celebrates the 50th anniversary this month of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.