Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

I-55 bridge in Memphis to shut down for two weeks

One of the two interstate highway bridges that connect West Memphis to Memphis will be closed for two weeks starting Sunday (March 10). The I-55 bridge will re-open at 8…

Federal dollars yield results for Little Rock

This year, I challenged my team at City Hall to renew its focus and energy on getting even more results for the people of Little Rock. As stewards of taxpayer…

Jonesboro mayor says ‘consistency’ key to city growth

If the city of Jonesboro were a book filled with different chapters, each one would have one thing in common – consistency, Mayor Harold Copenahver said during his State of…

State Chamber CEO: Arkansas ‘more economically competitive’ than ever

In recent years, Arkansas has become increasingly more economically competitive. Randy Zook, CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, said it has a lot…

Governor creates working group to address maternal health options in Arkansas

Gov. Sarah Sanders unveiled plans to address women’s and children’s health Wednesday (March 6) at a state capitol press conference. The governor signed an executive order to create a new…

Transforming a ‘calling’ to classroom success

Classrooms are a melting pot of personalities, academic abilities and learning styles. Teachers must be able to think quickly on their feet and adjust their strategies to meet students’ needs….

Supreme Court Chief Justice race neck-and-neck; Justice Hudson wins open seat

There will be a run-off for the Chief Justice seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court, but the two candidates advancing wasn’t clear until late on election night. A second Supreme…

Incumbent Reps. Wallace, Ladyman and Cavenaugh cruise to legislative primary election wins

Three incumbent Republicans rolled to primary election victories in their state legislative races Tuesday (March 5). State Sen. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville decisively defeated Dr. Tommy Wagner, R-Manila. Wallace received 2,975…

Rep. Womack earns nomination; Biden and Trump win respective Arkansas primaries

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, defeated challenger Arkansas Sen. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, in Tuesday’s Republican primary race for the 3rd Congressional District. With 44% of the 3rd District area reporting…

Incumbents prevail in legislative primaries

Incumbents prevailed or led in all Republican and Democratic legislative races on Tuesday (March 5). Results are unofficial and incomplete. Early returns from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office showed…

Rep. Crawford, Judges Grimes and Terry win contested primary races

Three incumbents in contested races sailed to victory Tuesday night in Sebastian County, with the Sebastian County Clerk’s office showing 13,661 total votes cast among 68,819 registered voters. In the…

‘Blue to Red’ author: Arkansas GOP in charge for foreseeable future

The Arkansas Democratic Party is in a worse position today than the minority Republican Party was in the 1970s, the author of a new book on the state’s transformation from…

‘Dead Man’s Hand’ author discusses Russian invasion of Ukraine

For more than 30 years the United States and the Soviet Union were the two nuclear titans that had a shared philosophy when it came to the launch of nuclear…

Governor: Eclipse could be among state’s largest tourist events ever

The total solar eclipse on April 8 could be “one of the largest tourism events in our state’s history,” Gov. Sarah Sanders said Monday (March 4). Various state agencies are…

Gov. Sanders makes appointments to Sentencing Commission, War Memorial board

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced the following appointments Monday (March 4): Arkansas Minority Health Commission Wes Booker, Maumelle, to the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. Term expires January 31, 2026. Replaces Gerald…

Rep. Cavenaugh, Powers square off (again) in House 30 GOP primary

Two Republicans will square off in the Tuesday, March 5th primary election race in the State House District 30 race. Incumbent Rep. Fran Cavenaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, is being challenged by…

Senate District 19 GOP primary pits Wallace against Wagner

One of the highest profile State Senate GOP primary races in Arkansas centers on District 19, which pits incumbent Sen. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, against challenger Dr. Tommy Wagner of Manila….

House District 32 primary race has Smith taking on incumbent Ladyman

Incumbent Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, is fighting off a primary challenge from former legislator Brandt Smith in the House District 32 contest to be held Tuesday, March 5. Talk Business…

Gov. Sanders appoints Scott Ford to University of Arkansas Board

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday (March 4) that she is appointing Westrock Coffee CEO Scott Ford of Little Rock to the board of trustees of the University of Arkansas. Ford,…

Hoping for journalism leadership at ASU

Pat and I graduated in 1967 as part of the first class to have “university” on our diplomas. After earning a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma, I returned…