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Arkansas Advocate
Brown v. Board litigants, family mark anniversary as Biden decries ongoing school inequality
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education this week while recognizing that the full potential of the decision “remains unfulfilled.” Friday marks 70 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional in […] The post Brown v. Board litigants, family mark anniversary as Biden decries ongoing school inequality appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Former Arkansas federal prosecutor appointed to judicial disciplinary body
Patrick Harris, a veteran federal prosecutor and law school instructor, has been appointed to the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Committee by Attorney General Tim Griffin. The appointment comes two days after online news site The Intercept revealed Griffin’s previous appointee to the committee, former U.S. Attorney Duane “Dak” Kees, had resigned after publication of […] The post Former Arkansas federal prosecutor appointed to judicial disciplinary body appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. House panel debates voting by noncitizens, which is already illegal
WASHINGTON — Republicans on the U.S. House Administration Committee argued at a Thursday hearing that there is a need for legislative action to bar noncitizens from voting in federal elections — even though voting by noncitizens in federal elections is extremely rare and already illegal. “American elections are for American citizens and we intend to keep […] The post U.S. House panel debates voting by noncitizens, which is already illegal appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas Supreme Court overturns ruling challenging state election laws
This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. on May 16, 2024 to include additional comments. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a lower court’s ruling and dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of four election-related laws approved by the state Legislature in 2021. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed the suit in […] The post Arkansas Supreme Court overturns ruling challenging state election laws appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
As states loosen childhood vaccine requirements, health experts’ worries grow
Louisiana Republican state Rep. Kathy Edmonston believes no one ought to be required to vaccinate their children. So, she wants schools to proactively tell parents that it’s their right under Louisiana law to seek an exemption. “It’s not the vaccine itself, it is the mandate,” Edmonston told Stateline. “The law is the law. And it […] The post As states loosen childhood vaccine requirements, health experts’ worries grow appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to roll back guidance from the Treasury Department regarding how state and local governments can spend funding approved by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 46-49 vote on the Congressional Review Act resolution ended an attempt by several GOP senators to block the Biden administration from […] The post U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas drug overdose deaths down 13% in 2023, preliminary data shows
National drug overdose deaths declined in 2023 for the first time in five years, and Arkansas was in line with the trend, according to preliminary data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Arkansas reported 510 drug overdose deaths in 2023 compared to 591 in 2022, according to the provisional data. That’s a 13.7% decline, […] The post Arkansas drug overdose deaths down 13% in 2023, preliminary data shows appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C.
The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years — and to finalize a hotly debated deal adding flights at busy Washington Reagan National Airport. Advocates for the bill, which won votes from every ideological corner of the often-divided House, […] The post Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C. appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta
WASHINGTON — CNN announced on Wednesday morning that it will host a debate between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the network’s Atlanta studios on June 27. CNN said there would be no audience present for the debate and moderators will be announced later. A second debate will be hosted […] The post CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Deadline approaching for public input on Arkansas ‘transformation contract’ rule
Today is the final day to submit public comments on rules governing transformation contracts between struggling Arkansas school districts and a third party, like a charter management organization. The LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made sweeping changes to Arkansas’ education system, allows a public school with a “D” or “F”-rating or one classified as […] The post Deadline approaching for public input on Arkansas ‘transformation contract’ rule appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Officials mark start on homelessness village in southern Pulaski County
After at least a year of planning and land prep, officials in Central Arkansas ceremoniously broke ground Tuesday on Providence Park, a 50-acre homelessness village expected to provide 400 affordable tiny homes in southern Pulaski County when complete. “The village will provide our most vulnerable residents with a dignified place to call home, will empower […] The post Officials mark start on homelessness village in southern Pulaski County appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Commission debates where to build Arkansas Capitol’s upcoming ‘monument to the unborn’
The Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission on Tuesday tabled a vote on where to construct a “monument to the unborn” on the Capitol complex and will reconsider the issue at next month’s meeting. Act 310 of 2023 authorizes the Secretary of State to decide where to place “a suitable monument commemorating unborn children aborted […] The post Commission debates where to build Arkansas Capitol’s upcoming ‘monument to the unborn’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
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Arkansas Advocate intends to show how state government affects the lives of everyday Arkansans so they can make informed decisions about themselves, their families and their communities. We strive to amplify the voices of all Arkansans. We focus especially on the relationship between people, power and policy. As an independent, nonpartisan news organization, Arkansas Advocate will keep an eye on the levers of power and those who manipulate them, and hold public officials accountable regardless of party or ideology. We believe news is a vital community service and ethical journalism a cornerstone of democracy, making us key players in fulfilling Arkansas’ state motto, Regnat Populus: “the people rule.” Arkansas Advocate proudly publishes the work of independent journalists. If you have a great idea and a passion for ethical, truthful storytelling, we’d love to hear from you. The Advocate also provides a forum for guest commentary on issues of interest to Arkansans. We separate opinion from our news reporting and clearly label each. Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Advocate retains full editorial independence.
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