Appeals court rules portion of Arkansas whistleblower law unconstitutional

The Arkansas Court of Appeals struck down a key part of a state law Wednesday protecting public employees from being fired for reporting wrongdoing or misuse of funds by a government agency. A three-judge panel of the court ruled that a provision of the 1999 Arkansas Whistleblower Protection Act violates the state Constitution. The stricken…

ByArkansas Advocate1 day ago0Comments

Affordability, healthcare, accountability center of heated race for central Arkansas US House seat

Running for a seventh term, Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill is focusing on what he’s done for his central Arkansas district in the past 12 years. But his Democratic opponent, Chris Jones, is emphasizing what Hill hasn’t done and what Jones would do for the district if he wins in November. One thing Jones would…

ByTess Vrbin, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 8, 20260Comments

Events Government News

Arkansas lawmakers begin discussions on state’s budget as election looms

Arkansas lawmakers began a monthlong series of state budget discussions Tuesday, with the state military and labor departments fielding questions about how they expect to spend their money next year. The Joint Budget Committee approved both agencies’ budget proposals with no dissent. The panel will submit each approved budget recommendation to the full Legislature, which…

ByTess Vrbin, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 8, 20260Comments

Education Government News

Arkansas lawmakers adopt recommendations for per-student school funding

The Joint Education Committee recommended Monday that Arkansas increase the per-student funding directed to public schools by more than 2% over the next two years. Schools would receive $8,239 per student for the 2027-2028 academic year and $8,431 the following school year, under the recommendations advanced Monday. Schools currently receive $8,037 per student. The proposed…

ByAntoinette Grajeda, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 7, 20260Comments

Business Elections Events Government News

Northwest Arkansas growing pains, national concerns top issues at Springdale political gathering

Rain and overcast skies didn’t dampen the mood at the annual Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ event Thursday at Springdale’s Shiloh Square as residents, business owners and elected officials networked over plates of fried chicken and shrimp. During election years, the 16-year-old gathering is a popular stop for candidates in a rapidly growing region that’s home…

ByAntoinette Grajeda, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 6, 20260Comments

Elections Events Government News

Kentucky governor rallies Arkansas Democrats, says party can compete and win in South

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has a three-step guide to winning in a typically Republican state, he told Arkansas Democrats at a Thursday night fundraising dinner. “Focus, talk normal, and lead with your ‘why,’” he told an audience of about 200 people at the state Democratic Party’s Ballots, Blue Jeans & BBQ event in North Little…

ByTess Vrbin, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 5, 20260Comments

Crime Feature Government News

Arkansas lawmakers told helping inmates return to society will ease prison overcrowding

Arkansas lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates agreed Wednesday that improving the systems that help inmates return to society after incarceration will alleviate the state’s prison overcrowding problem. State correctional facilities have 15,362 beds and 16,804 inmates as of Sept. 1, and county jails are often tasked with holding inmates waiting for state prison beds. …

ByTess Vrbin, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 2, 20260Comments

Events Government News People

Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says humility key to democracy

Humility, listening and serving others are important pieces of democracy, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday during a lecture at Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. “The American spirit means to me that we don’t wait on our government to deliver for us, that we deliver for one another,” Rice said.…

ByAntoinette Grajeda, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 2, 20260Comments

Elections Government News

Arkansas governor hopefuls focus on health, education, prisons

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby said they would address affordability, healthcare, education and the state’s prison system if elected governor, but differ in their strategies. Lowering taxes “at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet,” is a top priority for Sanders, the former…

ByAntoinette Grajeda, Arkansas AdvocateOctober 1, 20260Comments

Events Government News People

Arkansas emergency management chief AJ Gary to retire

Arkansas’ top emergency management official announced Monday he’s retiring after serving in the role for more than a decade. AJ Gary, director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management and state homeland security adviser, announced he’s retiring effective Nov. 1. Gary was first appointed by former Gov. Asa Hutchinson in June 2016 and reappointed in…

ByArkansas AdvocateSeptember 29, 20260Comments