Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Two more candidates enter Ward 3 Fort Smith Director race

Two more candidates have thrown their hat into the ring in the race for Fort Smith City Director Ward 3. Carl Nevin and Russ Bragg have announced they are running…

AEDC awards tech commercialization contract to Startup Junkie Consulting

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission awarded the contract to manage the Arkansas Statewide Technology Commercialization Center to Startup Junkie Consulting of Fayetteville. The new contract is initially for 16 months for…

Federal budget bill includes $207.9 million for foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith (Updated)

Editor’s note: Story updated to include news of Senate approval of the budget bill. The U.S. House approved Friday (March 22) a federal budget bill that could not only avoid…

AG Griffin investigating Change Healthcare cyberattack response

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Thursday (March 21) that his office is investigating Change Healthcare, Inc., which was hit with a major ransomware cyberattack in February. Change Healthcare, a…

Hutchinson joins National Cold War Center Advisory Board

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson has joined the Blytheville-based National Cold War Center’s (NCWC) National Advisory Board. Hutchinson was instrumental in helping the center garner multiple large donations, including a $1.9…

Kemp announces bid for Fort Smith city director position

Lee Kemp, pastor of Forefront Church in Fort Smith, has announced his candidacy for Fort Smith City Director for Ward 3. Ward 3 Director Lavon Morton said he has not…

Jonesboro to receive $1 million grant for safety and infrastructure improvements

Jonesboro will be awarded another seven-figure appropriation for safety and industrial infrastructure improvements, Mayor Harold Copenhaver announced Thursday (March 21). The city will receive a $1 million grant from the…

AG Griffin approves proposal to repeal Pope County casino license

Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday (March 20) modified and approved a potential constitutional amendment that would allow Arkansas voters to repeal a Pope County casino license that has been…

Elopak breaks ground on packaging site at LR Port

Norwegian food packager Elopak broke ground Wednesday (March 20) on its first U.S. production facility at the Little Rock Port Authority. The $70 million plant will produce cartons for milk,…

Jonesboro’s sales and use tax collections down 4.5% in February

Nearly every month for almost a decade Jonesboro’s sales and use tax collections have outpaced the same month from the previous year and that has led to unprecedented growth with…

Medicare Advantage plans come with advantages, pitfalls

Just when the political ads have all but disappeared after the election this November, you will be bombarded with Medicare Advantage ads as open enrollment in the U.S. nears once…

Arkansas State Broadband Office starting months-long mapping challenge

The Arkansas State Broadband Office will launch its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) mapping challenge process on Wednesday, March 20. The months-long process will enable stakeholders in Arkansas to…

A-State’s Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing receives $10 million

A $10 million Congressional appropriation, led by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., will advance plans for the Arkansas State University Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing to support the…

Supporters of education amendment say signature gathering strong, cost estimates forthcoming

For AR Kids, a ballot question committee supporting changes to Arkansas education policy, says their kick-off for signature gathering is off to a great start. Appearing on this week’s Capitol…

UA–Pulaski Tech advanced manufacturing program awarded $1.7 million grant

Pulaski Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program has received a $1,784,016 grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce Office of Skills Development to modernize its advanced manufacturing program. The Arkansas Department…

Early childhood education: The case for quantity and quality

For many parents, the first task after finding out they’re expecting is to get on a waitlist for an early childhood program. Even with quick action, it can be hard…

Construction on $25.2 million A-State Windgate Art Innovation Center set to begin

Construction will begin on the $25.2 million Windgate Art and Innovation Center at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro following approval by the ASU System Board of Trustees on Thursday (March…

DOL test changing independent contractor engagements

The American workforce has seen a recent surge in the engagement of independent contractors by businesses. Professionals may prefer the autonomy and mobility that being an independent contractor provides, such…

Gov. Sanders signs MOU with Korean business groups

Gov. Sarah Sanders signed agreements Monday (March 11) with two large South Korean trade groups as part of her Asian business tour. Sanders signed an economic memorandum of understanding (MOU)…

Susanna Watt launches new government relations firm, Anchor Strategies

Capitol lobbyist Susanna Watt has founded a new government relations and lobbying firm, Anchor Strategies, which will be located in Little Rock. The firm is a woman- and veteran-owned and…