Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Taking a closer look at veteran swipe fees

It is upsetting to see that the same megabanks and credit card goliaths that continue to push their own social agenda in the name of the common good are, in…

State Senate picks Hester as leader, draws committee assignments

The Arkansas State Senate drew committee assignments, revised a rule, punished a member, and officially selected its new leader on Thursday (Nov. 10). Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, who will…

Gov.-elect Sanders taps Kevin Crass to lead transition team

Attorney Kevin Crass will lead the transition team for Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders, she announced Thursday (Nov. 10). Crass, a senior partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Friday, Eldredge &…

Governor presents budget with record $550 million increase for education, $555 million surplus

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday (Nov. 10) presented his final biennial balanced budget to the Arkansas General Assembly. The governor’s recommendation, which outlines state government spending for the fiscal year…

Gov. Hutchinson, Gov.-elect Sanders meet for transition

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders met on Wednesday (Nov. 9) a day after she was elected the 47th governor of Arkansas. Sanders defeated Democrat Chris Jones and Libertarian…

Albemarle Corp. investing up to $540 million in Magnolia facilities

Specialty chemical maker Albemarle Corp. said Wednesday (Nov. 9) it planned to invest up to $540 million to expand and modernize two bromine facilities in Magnolia. The company said the…

Watkins hired as Fort Smith prosecuting attorney

Rita Howard Watkins began as the new city prosecutor for the city of Fort Smith on Oct. 31. As prosecutor, Watkins will advocate on behalf of the city in district…

AEDC Division of Rural Services awards block grants

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Division of Rural Services has awarded 22 community grants totaling $277,586.60 and one block grant of $75,000 to counties and communities across the state….

UA Division of Agriculture gets grant to study poultry operation gas emissions

Most greenhouse gas emissions in commercial poultry operations are linked to feed production, and methods to reduce those emissions are the focus of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to…

Central Arkansas legislative races good for incumbents; Conway House race decided by 4 votes

If you ever wondered if your vote counts, the House District 56 race in Conway is the poster child for voting. Incumbent Rep. Steve Magie, D-Conway, won his challenge from…

Embattled Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. wins re-election

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., whose administration endured intense scrutiny this election year for a lack of transparency, questionable contracts, a derailed music festival, and rising crime, won comfortably…

Republicans sweep most legislative races in Northwest Arkansas

Republicans by far won a majority of the competitive legislative races in Northwest Arkansas, with Rep. David Whitaker of Fayetteville the only Democrat to win Tuesday night (Nov. 8) against…

Sens. Sullivan, Johnson re-elected to Arkansas Senate

One of the most watched state senate races on election night wasn’t competitive. District 20 incumbent Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesbor, soundly defeated Democrat Chenoa Summers. Sullivan tallied 12,940 votes (62%) to…

Fort Smith Directors Martin, Settle re-elected; Catsavis defeats Director Dawson

Two Fort Smith City Directors – Neal Martin and Kevin Settle – kept their seat while one challenger bested an incumbent Director Robyn Dawson with 60% of the vote in…

Craighead County voters slash library funding in half

Craighead County voters have decided to defund their library. The unofficial tally showed that 14,643 (54%) voted to cut funding while 12,489 (46%) voted to keep the funding in place….

Marijuana amendment, three other proposed amendments appear headed to defeat

A constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana was defeated Tuesday night (Nov. 8), and at least two of the three proposed constitutional amendments referred to voters by legislators also…

Reps. Boyd, Richardson win legislative races to represent Fort Smith metro

Rep. Justin Boyd will end his fourth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives by moving to the other end of the Capitol to represent much of Fort Smith as…

Sanders elected governor; Republicans sweep statewide offices

Sarah Huckabee Sanders will become Arkansas’ first female governor – and the first child of a former governor to be elected to the position – after easily winning election to…

Sen. Boozman re-elected to third term; All Republicans re-elected in U.S. House races

There were no surprises in the five Arkansas Congressional races, with Republicans continuing to fill all six of the state’s federal seats. U.S. Sen. John Boozman, 71, will return to…

UA System board plans public vote to pick next chancellor

A public vote by the University of Arkansas System board of directors will be held on Nov. 18 on the Fayetteville campus to determine who will be the flagship university’s…

Early childhood conference slated at A-State

Economics Arkansas appoints two

Fort Smith officials to review data center development rules

‘Sturdy’ consignment store opens in Bentonville