by - February 27, 2023 6:35 pm
Bathroom ban bill passes Senate Judiciary committee
A bill to make it criminal for a person who knowingly enters into and remains in a public changing facility for the opposite sex while minors are present passed a…
Talk Politics
by - February 27, 2023 4:49 pm
Gov. Sanders names Dr. Kay Chandler as Arkansas Surgeon General
Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday (Feb. 27) that she will appoint Dr. Kay Chandler to serve as the Arkansas Surgeon General. Dr. Greg Bledsoe, who held the post during the…
by - February 26, 2023 6:31 pm
New commerce secretary says entrepreneurship will be a focus
Lured out of retirement by Gov. Sarah Sanders, Hugh McDonald, former Entergy Arkansas CEO, said he still has a lot to contribute. “I got a call one night out of…
by - February 26, 2023 9:52 am
Rep. Brooks, Sen. Chesterfield discuss LEARNS bill, changes to be made
Two vice-chairs of the education committees in the House and Senate say there are changes to be made to Gov. Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS bill, but those changes are unlikely to…
by - February 24, 2023 10:53 am
U.S. Treasury expands small business support program in Arkansas
The U.S. Treasury Department announced Thursday (Feb. 23) approval of five additional state and territory plans for up to $339 million in funding under the State Small Business Credit Initiative…
by - February 22, 2023 6:11 pm
Electric utilities, solar companies strike compromise on contentious cost-shifting bill
The House Insurance and Commerce committee spent as much time debating a controversial issue as Senators did with the governor’s education bill on Wednesday (Feb. 22). HB1370 by Rep. Lanny…
by - February 22, 2023 5:21 pm
Crawford County Library System director resigns; severance package approved
The Crawford County Library System director who came under fire for placing LGBTQ+ books in the library has resigned and will receive a severance package of more than $40,000. The…
by - February 22, 2023 5:12 pm
Senate education committee advances Sanders’ LEARNS Act, but amendment coming in House
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance Gov. Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS Act Wednesday (Feb. 22), sending it to the full Senate for an expected vote Feb. 23, but with expectations…
by - February 22, 2023 2:00 pm
Department of Commerce awards $53 million for high-speed broadband funds
The Arkansas Department of Commerce announced Wednesday (Feb. 22) that more than $53 million will be awarded to 10 internet service providers in Arkansas to extend high-speed internet in eight…
by - February 22, 2023 10:28 am
Fort Smith Board to limit use of two city-owned downtown parking lots
The Fort Smith Board of Directors passed an ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday (Feb. 21) that gives the city the ability to close the Blue Lion Downtown parking lot…
by - February 22, 2023 10:06 am
Governor makes AEDC appointments
Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Tuesday (Feb. 21) that she will appoint Shash Goyal, Annemarie Dillard Jazic, Glen Johnson, John Schmelzle, and Jon Wickliffe to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Each…
by - February 21, 2023 4:51 pm
Walton, Dillard, Stephens discuss third generation Arkansas at LR Rotary
Third generation heirs of three of the state’s biggest businesses spoke with the Rotary Club of Little Rock Tuesday (Feb. 21) to discuss the future of Arkansas. They were interviewed…
by - February 21, 2023 7:16 am
The Governor’s LEARNS plan is right for Arkansas schools
Arkansas’ education system, along with our country, is seeking reform and in need of attention. Teachers feel undervalued, parents are weary, and many students are falling behind with reading, writing,…
by - February 20, 2023 6:54 pm
ACHE donates land for new no-kill animal shelter
The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education announced Monday (Feb. 20) that it has donated five acres on the ACHE campus for a new facility for Fort Smith Animal Haven, formerly…
by - February 20, 2023 5:07 pm
Governor’s education bill filed with 25 GOP Senate, 55 GOP House sponsors
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS Act was filed late Monday (Feb. 20) with enough sponsors to ensure passage. The 144-page Senate Bill 294 by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, has 24…
by - February 20, 2023 3:18 pm
Controversial bills move forward in legislature
State senators moved two controversial bills forward in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday (Feb. 20). SB 199, by Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, creates a “private right of action” allowing…
by - February 20, 2023 11:56 am
Little Rock awarded $2 million planning grant for 30 Crossing deck park
The U.S. Department of Transportation, as part of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, has awarded a $2 million planning grant to the city of Little Rock to begin the planning…
by - February 19, 2023 9:48 am
Southern Bancorp CEO watching inflation, supportive of diversity efforts
Southern Bancorp CEO Darrin Williams wears a lot of different hats. He’s the CEO of the Arkadelphia-based financial institution, serves on the Federal Reserve Bank’s Little Rock branch, is a…
by - February 19, 2023 9:06 am
Senate President Hester: Legislature will ‘work to find the money’ for education, prisons
Senate President Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, said if the omnibus education reforms championed by Gov. Sarah Sanders exceed her estimated $300 million price tag, lawmakers will find the money to…
by - February 17, 2023 2:06 pm
Drug traffickers would be charged with murder in new bill; Gov. Sanders names drug czar
Arkansas would charge drug dealers with murder if they deliver drugs that cause an overdose death, while those who traffic fentanyl to children would be charged with life in prison…