Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Rice farmers face turbulent 2022

U.S. agricultural commodity prices have been on the rebound, but at least one – rice – is still in a turbulent patch, USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward said…

Jay Martin enters crowded Democratic Arkansas gubernatorial primary

Former Arkansas legislator Jay Martin has announced he will enter the Democratic primary for Arkansas Governor. Martin joins an already crowded field of four Democrats running for the state’s top…

UA Little Rock receives DoD grant to research covert online information campaigns

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) has received a multi-year grant from a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to study…

Winners named for 2022 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame

The Department of Arkansas Heritage’s Arkansas Food Hall of Fame winners for the class of 2022 were announced on Monday (Feb. 7). Arkansas Heritage also honored chicken as the 2022…

LR Port Authority secures grant for security camera system upgrades

The Little Rock Port Authority has been awarded a $570,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to upgrade its security camera system throughout the port area….

Medical debt elimination coalition working on additional measures

Late last month, a broad coalition of Arkansas nonprofits and donors coordinated the elimination of $35 million in medical debt for over 23,000 Arkansans. Leaders from two of the organizing…

Grants available for nonprofits from Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation

The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, in partnership with Arkansas Community Foundation, is awarding grants to programs that benefit African American or other underserved populations in Arkansas. The deadline…

U.S. Rep. French Hill discusses Ukraine, bomb threats, Jan. 6th committee

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, said he’s concerned about Russian troop build-ups, the economy, bomb threats, and getting to the truth of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. In…

Arkansas Rural Health Partnership names new CEO

The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) has named Rex Jones as its new CEO, while former CEO Mellie Bridewell will continue to serve as president of the nonprofit. ARHP is…

Arkansas-based cannabis fintech hits $2 billion mark; U.S. marijuana sales grow

North Little Rock-based Abaca has processed more than $2 billion in transactions for the cannabis (marijuana) industry. Growth with the financial technology (fintech) banking company comes as more states in…

Gov. Hutchinson announces slate of appointments to boards, commissions

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a slate of appointments to a number of boards and commissions, including the newly created Arkansas Military Affairs Council, which was formed by Act 522 in the 2021…

Arkansas District Export Council elects new leaders

The Arkansas District Export Council elected a new executive team that includes Chairman Jonathan Bricker of Arvest Bank in Rogers; Vice-chairs Ken Gaines of Steco Corp. in Little Rock and…

Ice, sleet shut down business, government offices; knocks power out to thousands in NEA

A powerful winter storm swept through Northeast Arkansas early Thursday (Feb. 3) morning shutting down businesses, knocking out power to thousands, and creating treacherous driving conditions on virtually every road…

Let them read the books

I spent a lot of time growing up in the school library. For reasons smacking of irony, that was where they sent girls who “talked too much” in class. So…

Arkansas’ fiscal year-to-date tax revenue up 5.9%

Continued gains in sales tax revenue helped push Arkansas’ fiscal year-to-date (July 2021 to January 2022) tax revenue to $4.678 billion, up 5.9% compared with the same period in the…

GOP primary shapes up for Senate seat representing Fort Smith

A Republican primary is set for the newly drawn Arkansas Senate District 27 seat which represents Fort Smith and parts of Chaffee Crossing with Kelly Proctor Pierce entering the race….

Community learns more about pilot training center planned for Fort Smith

At the first of two scheduled virtual public scoping meetings concerning the Air Force’s proposal to put a permanent Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard…

When it comes to medical bills, no one likes surprises

I’m not really much on surprises, although I do like the kind when you find some cash in a jacket that you haven’t worn in months. Opinions on surprises such…

Court upholds ruling against city of Fort Smith on flag removal

Sebastian County Circuit Judge Gunner Delay has once again ruled that the city of Fort Smith must get a waiver from the Arkansas Historic Commission about the removal of the…

AARP Arkansas seeking grant applications for community advancements

AARP Arkansas is inviting local organizations and government entities across the state to apply for the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 22nd. Grants fund quick-action projects…