Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Cong. Crawford Unsure If Nutrition Title Can Pass This Year

First District Cong. Rick Crawford (R) thinks House Republicans may have overreached in efforts to reform nutrition programs tied to recent farm bill votes.

The Weekend Digest: The New Prince Edition

For our weekend business and political readers: THE BILLION DOLLAR START-UP DUO New Yorkers Kevin Ryan and Dwight Merriman have had their ups-and-downs during the partners’ 17-year start-up “alliance.” Mostly…

Cong. Griffin Says Exxon Mobil To Extend Mayflower Assistance (UPDATED)

Second District Cong. Tim Griffin (R) said Exxon Mobil has reversed a decision to terminate housing assistance to affected Mayflower oil spill victims and will extend a previous Sept. 1…

Moody Nominated For Federal Judgeship

Judge James “Jay” Maxwell Moody, Jr. has been nominated by President Obama for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The nomination was announced by U.S. Senator Mark…

Tolbert: Two Republican House Challengers Emerge In Northeast Arkansas

Up in northeast Arkansas, two Republican candidates have announced they intend to run for the Arkansas House of Representatives, both in districts that were taken by Democratic candidates in the 2012…

Low-income Family Access To Internet Focus Of Cox Plan

As business and political leaders in Arkansas begin work on how to improve broadband access to public schools in the state, one of the leading cable and Internet providers in…

Legislators Mull Private Option Risks

From our content partner, KUAR-FM 89 News: Community health clinics, which provide services to the neediest Arkansans, are objecting to one aspect of the private option. At a hearing Thursday…

Thursday Kudos: Little Rock Tops Kiplinger List, RLJ McLarty Auto Group Earns Distinction

A couple of prestigious awards, a new political hire, and “FAST” money for the University of Arkansas round out the day’s kudos. LIVABLE CITY Little Rock has been named No….

Sens. Boozman, Pryor Support Student Loan Fix

On Wednesday, nearly a month after federal student loan rates doubled, the Senate passed a bipartisan measure giving potential financial relief to future college students. To sum up: It’s good…

Arkansas Times’ Blogs To Go Behind Paywall On Aug. 1

Thursday morning (July 25), the Arkansas Times announced it will begin charging for access to the digital offerings on its web site. The long-time, self-described “progressive” Little Rock news source…

Broadband Tools To Schools: Is There A Political Will And Way?

While business leaders and educators have embarked on an effort to understand and solve a broadband shortage in the state’s public schools, lawmakers will have a final say on signing off on a plan.

AG McDaniel, Judiciary Committee Discuss Death Penalty Challenges

Two weeks ago, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) said the state needed to re-open its discussion on the death penalty. The state’s method of execution by lethal injection has come…

Legislators Meet Again To Push For Parole Changes

Arkansas lawmakers met again at the state capitol to discuss problems with the state’s parole system. Legislators have been questioning state authorities ever since a May incident involving Darrell Dennis…

Conway Has Two Congressional Prospects

Tuesday’s announcement of a new commercial development at the Village at Hendrix drew a Conway crowd that included two potential Democratic prospects for Congress.

Legislators Hear Pro-Common Core Arguments

A day after hearing six hours of testimony from opponents of Common Core, members of the state House and Senate Education committees spent all day Tuesday hearing mostly from the…

XNA Airport Lands $3.4 Million Grant, Six Other Airports Also Receive Funds

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) will receive a $3,430,505 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to continue upgrades at the airport, including the…

Asa Hutchinson Discusses Forthcoming Jobs War

Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson spoke to the Political Animals Club of Central Arkansas on Tuesday morning. A group of around 100 politicos gathered for breakfast on the top floor…

Legislators Hear From Common Core Skeptics

Members of the Senate and House Education Committees are spending two days hearing testimony regarding the Common Core State Standards, the K-12 standards in English language arts and math that…

Politico: National Battleground Races To Sharpen Focus On Arkansas

Washington, D.C.-based Politico has a short analytical piece on how the 2014 swing elections for control of U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate are shaping up. In short, there aren’t…

Confusion Remains On Homeschool Law

Regulations are needed to enforce a new law allowing homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular public school activities, the law’s sponsor and the head of the state’s homeschooling association told legislators…