Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Of disease and ‘dogs’

It has been a long time since I saw the words raccoon dog used in a headline. However, that term has surfaced again and in an unexpected connotation. We in…

Amanda Hoelzeman joins The Peacock Group

The Peacock Group announced Wednesday (April 12) Amanda Hoelzeman has joined the agency as a public relations manager. With nearly 20 years of strategic communications experience, Hoelzeman’s background includes media…

Gov. Sanders signs two sentencing bills into law

Flanked by law enforcement, Attorney General Tim Griffin, legislative supporters and cabinet officials at the Arkansas State Police headquarters, Gov. Sarah Sanders on Tuesday (April 11) signed two bills into…

Gov. Sanders signs tax cut measure, extends tax filing deadline for tornado victims

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Monday (April 10) signed a major tax cut bill into law and put forth an executive order to extend state tax filing deadline for citizens impacted…

Former Gov. Hutchinson headed to Iowa, Midwest this week

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is headed to Iowa and other midwestern states this week ahead of his formal launch of a 2024 campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination. Hutchinson,…

Former Hutchinson chief of staff Alison Williams joins Excel by Eight

Alison Williams, chief of staff for former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has been hired by Excel by Eight as coalitions director. Williams brings more than a decade of experience in…

LR Mayor Frank Scott, Red Cross director: tornado recovery will take months or more

A week after a major tornado ripped through the center of the capital city, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. and American Red Cross Arkansas director Lori Arnold-Ellis said recovery…

Legislative session sees education, prison changes, but social issues dominate

Arkansas lawmakers wrapped up their regular session business, minus a few formalities, on Friday (April 7) and will reconvene on Monday, May 1 to “sine die,” or officially adjourn. The…

Arkansas lawmakers expected to adjourn Friday

State legislators anticipate finishing their regular session business – minus a formal adjournment – on Friday (April 7). If legislative business wraps up Friday, lawmakers will reconvene on Monday, May…

More surveillance trailers approved for Fort Smith Police Department

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved an ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday (April 4) to use donated funds to lease additional mobile surveillance trailers for use throughout the…

Medicaid rolls to dwindle with unwinding; successful transitions to other coverage vital

Medicaid enrollment in Arkansas exceeded 1.1 million enrollees during the pandemic due to increased need and federal restrictions on disenrollment by states during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In return for agreeing to…

Arkansas Supreme Court denies attempt to dismiss Echols appeal for advanced DNA testing

The Arkansas Supreme Court denied a motion Thursday (April 6) by the Arkansas Attorney General’s office to dismiss an appeal filed by Damien Echols to allow for advanced DNA testing…

SBA, ASBTDC open Business Recovery Center in Little Rock following tornado

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center Thursday (April 6) announced the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center in Little Rock. It…

Budget bills advance, anti-affirmative action bill beat on House floor

In the surest sign yet that state lawmakers may conclude their business on Friday, bills to allocate Arkansas’ $6.2 billion budget and another $1.5 billion in surplus funds moved forward…

Rep. Jack Ladyman draws early opponent in Democrat David McAvoy

The Arkansas legislative session isn’t over and at least one incumbent state representative has already drawn an opponent for the 2024 election cycle if he chooses to run again. Jonesboro…

‘Culture war’ legislation a focus of Republicans in Arkansas General Assembly

In addition to education and criminal justice reform, this year’s legislative session has also seen culture war related issues at the forefront. Various bills have been filed, passed by one…

Work on Jonesboro Sports Complex could begin in late summer

For many years, public officials and residents have wanted a multi-faceted sports complex in Jonesboro. Mayor Harold Copenhaver told Talk Business & Politics completing the project is one of his…

House, Senate debate flurry of legislation

One can always determine the pending ending of a legislative session by the full committee agendas, chamber calendars, and late-night debates on the floors of the Senate and the House….

Arkansas Department of Commerce launches resource webpage for tornado-struck businesses

The Arkansas Department of Commerce has created a webpage for Arkansans and businesses that have been impacted by the storms that hit the state on Friday (March 31). Storms swept…

Arkansas tax revenue up 5% through March, surplus tops $300 million

Arkansas tax revenue in the first nine fiscal months of the year (July 2022-March 2023) totaled $6.192 billion, up 5% compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year…