Video / Podcasts

Budget puzzle awaits price tags for education, public safety, healthcare

Closing out the first month of the regular session, legislative leaders have no clarity on Gov. Sarah Sanders administration’s price tag for education, public safety or healthcare, much less a…

Democrats file legislation for teacher pay raises, per pupil funding increase

Arkansas Democrats filed legislation Thursday (Jan. 26) to raise public school teacher salaries, non-teacher staff salaries, and per pupil foundation funding for the next year. In the House, Democrats filed…

AG Griffin: 5,000 new prison beds needed

Attorney General Tim Griffin is not a legislator nor is he governor, but he’s on the same page with Gov. Sarah Sanders and legislative leaders and has been instrumental in…

Medicaid’s future looms with health care, budget ramifications for legislators, new governor

Big factors affecting Arkansas’ Medicaid program loom in the near future. This legislative session will require clear healthcare and fiscal policy direction from Gov. Sarah Sanders and the new GOP…

Electric Coops CEO wrestles with ever-evolving factors to maintain reliability, affordability

With energy prices affected by everything from oil and gas supplies to the transportation limitations to the Ukranian conflict and weather, it’s not easy to keep the lights on. Buddy…

The era of Sarah: Gov.-elect Sanders lays out education, criminal justice road map

Look for fundamental, conservative changes to state policy in the areas of education and public safety, Gov.-elect Sarah Sanders said in a statewide interview that aired Sunday (Jan. 8) on…

Sen. Breanne Davis says teacher salaries, school choice decisions won’t come together until session starts

There is much talk of transforming education funding in several directions under new conservative executive and legislative leadership, but Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, doesn’t think consensus will arrive on the…

Family Council, Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families outline legislative priorities

The Arkansas Legislature is gearing up for its regular session at the beginning of the year, and many groups and organizations will be pushing changes in state laws. Family Council…

New UA chancellor discusses strategy to invest in need-based financial aid

After 15 months of holding the job on an interim basis, Dr. Charles Robinson, previously the school’s provost, officially became the chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on…

House Education leader won’t seek chairmanship again, outlines education priorities

Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, said he won’t seek another term as chairman of the House Education Committee, but plans to still be active on policy in that realm. “I’ve…

Outgoing House Majority Leader sees education, continuing tax cuts as high priorities

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the outgoing House Majority Leader, was one of the leaders who helped grow the Republican supermajority from 76 GOP members to 82 in the upcoming session….

Reps. Womack, Hill believe McCarthy will be speaker; discuss future Congressional action

U.S. Reps. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and French Hill, R-Little Rock, believe California Congressman Kevin McCarthy will be the next Speaker of the House. Womack and Hill appeared back-to-back weeks on…

Senate President Bart Hester says session will focus on education, public safety reforms

Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, says improving children’s reading will be a priority for better educational outcomes, and he believes 3,000 new prison beds may be needed…

Scenic Hill Solar looks to bolster U.S. production of array infrastructure

Little Rock-based solar power developer Scenic Hill Solar announced Thursday (Nov. 10) an initiative along with multiple U.S.-based solar array equipment manufacturers to encourage manufacturing American-made solar array components. A…

Banking exec expects more interest rate hikes, bracing for brakes on the economy

Banker Davy Carter has a unique position to offer insight on how the most recent 75-basis point interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve Bank is impacting the economy. As…

State Chamber chief expects inflation to persist, foresees Congressional gridlock

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Zook talks to business leaders – large and small – every day. Through his crystal ball, he expects major headwinds for national and…

Tourism leader says rebound evident, touts expanding attractions

Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, has seen highs and lows in the industry she oversees. She couldn’t be happier with tourism industry’s rebound…

Governor candidate Chris Jones meets with agency directors, says he’ll be ready on Day 1

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Jones said he has spent weeks over the campaign meeting with the secretaries of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s cabinet in an effort to better understand the budgets…

Notes from the Campaign Trail: Kevin McCarthy in Jonesboro to raise money

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will be the likely next Speaker of the House if Republicans take back control of the U.S. Congress. McCarthy was in Northeast Arkansas on Tuesday to…

Notes from the Campaign Trail: Sarah Sanders crime plan; Chris Jones, Jesse Gibson roll out ads

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the GOP nominee for Arkansas Governor, rolled out a plan highlighting her positions on crime and public safety. The plan outlines several policy and budget priorities without…