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Arkansas Advocate
Missouri AG argues to block Biden administration’s second student loan forgiveness plan
A United States District Court judge in St. Louis heard arguments Monday morning on whether the federal government can continue with a student-debt-forgiveness plan due to begin next month. The lawsuit, filed last month by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, seeks to block an income-driven repayment plan for borrowers proposed by President Joe Biden’s administration. […] The post Missouri AG argues to block Biden administration’s second student loan forgiveness plan appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress
BENTONVILLE — While elected officials’ focus shifted to recovery efforts after more than a dozen deadly tornadoes struck the state last week, Arkansas lawmakers have continued negotiating the details of a pending special session. A special session became necessary when the Arkansas Legislature failed to approve the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s budget before the […] The post Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Food insecurity in Arkansas worsens, rate ranks second highest nationwide
More than 567,000 Arkansans — 18.6% of the state’s total population — know what it’s like to experience food insecurity and struggle to find access to healthy food. Arkansas’ food insecurity rate in 2022 was the second highest in the nation, with only Mississippi in front by 0.2%. This top two pairing is not new, […] The post Food insecurity in Arkansas worsens, rate ranks second highest nationwide appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
As USDA updates the Packers and Stockyard Act, meat industry increases political spending, lobbying
This is an analysis. It is based on factual reporting, although it incorporates the author’s expertise and may offer interpretations and conclusions. Meat industry groups and major meat companies spent more than $10 million on political contributions and lobbying efforts in 2023. For some, last year’s spending was an all-time high. The federal government has […] The post As USDA updates the Packers and Stockyard Act, meat industry increases political spending, lobbying appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
The chicken and egg problem of fighting another flu pandemic
This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is reprinted here under a Creative Commons license. Even a peep of news about a new flu pandemic is enough to set scientists clucking about eggs. They worried about them in 2005, and in 2009, and they’re worrying now. That’s because millions of fertilized hen eggs […] The post The chicken and egg problem of fighting another flu pandemic appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private.
Years before the Dobbs decision, providers like Dr. Kylie Cooper were already uncomfortable with some of the reporting requirements for abortion procedures in states where they practiced. Cooper was a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for several years in Idaho before she reluctantly left the state in 2023 because of the near-total abortion ban that is now […] The post States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private. appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas education secretary withdraws Solution Tree contract after legislative opposition
Arkansas’ education chief withdrew from legislative review a $99.4 million contract with an Indiana-based education company following pushback from lawmakers on the proposal’s high cost and the vendor’s effectiveness. During Friday’s Arkansas Legislative Council meeting, Sen. Scott Flippo, R-Bull Shoals, said Education Secretary Jacob Oliva asked to withdraw a proposed seven-year contract with Solution Tree, […] The post Arkansas education secretary withdraws Solution Tree contract after legislative opposition appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, vowed to launch an appeal based “on many things” he considered unfair during his New York trial, he said Friday in the lobby of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile Friday, legal and political analysts predicted he will spend little if any time in jail […] The post An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden approves federal aid for Arkansas’ tornado-struck communities as fatalities reach 10
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for three Arkansas counties following severe storms that killed 10 people and destroyed at least 300 houses along the northern part of the state from May 24-27. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested federal aid on Wednesday for necessary recovery efforts after tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. Now […] The post Biden approves federal aid for Arkansas’ tornado-struck communities as fatalities reach 10 appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire proposal from Israel on Friday, saying the three-phase plan presented to Hamas represents the best chance to end the war. Biden, speaking from the White House, urged people around the world who have been calling for an end to the war in the Middle East to pressure […] The post Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says
WASHINGTON — With Friday marking the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden administration is spotlighting commitments from over a dozen internet service providers to offer plans at $30 or less to low-income households through 2024. This comes as Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the short-term program had to […] The post Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money
With college costs rising and some students and families questioning the return on investment of a four-year degree, a few pioneering state universities are exploring programs that would grant certain bachelor’s degrees in three years. The programs, which also are being tried at some private schools, would require 90 credits instead of the traditional 120 […] The post Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas Supreme Court rejects request to certify paper ballot initiative
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by supporters of proposed ballot initiatives that would change absentee voting procedures and require elections be conducted with paper ballots. Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative Inc., its CEO Conrad Reynolds and Restore Election Integrity Arkansas, a ballot question committee, filed the original jurisdiction complaint against Secretary […] The post Arkansas Supreme Court rejects request to certify paper ballot initiative appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Three attorneys leave Arkansas Judiciary’s disciplinary office in short succession
The Arkansas judiciary office that oversees discipline for attorneys and judges has three recent vacancies on its seven-person staff, including the executive director position, and the reason for the former director’s departure is unclear. According to Lisa Ballard’s personnel file, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, she held the Office of Professional Conduct […] The post Three attorneys leave Arkansas Judiciary’s disciplinary office in short succession appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial
WASHINGTON — Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in […] The post Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation pushed in both chambers of Congress aims to stop illegal fentanyl production and trafficking by focusing on the machinery used to manufacture pills. The Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates, or CAST, Act would redefine the criminal penalty for producing counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Counterfeiting drugs is already illegal as outlined […] The post Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas governor requests federal disaster declaration for storm damage
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday requested a major disaster declaration from the president that will make more resources available to communities recovering from damage caused by fatal tornadoes that tore through north Arkansas Sunday. “I’ve seen the destruction caused by these storms and it is heartbreaking, but Arkansas is resilient because of her people—the […] The post Arkansas governor requests federal disaster declaration for storm damage appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid
Twenty-one states are joining a push by the Biden administration to modernize America’s aging electric grid, which is under pressure from growing demand, a changing power generation mix that includes lots of wind and solar and severe weather. The administration, which has set a goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035, announced Tuesday that […] The post 21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas city’s mayor refuses to resign after council asks him to step down
Helena-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin refused to resign Tuesday night after the City Council voted 6-0 to ask that he step down. The resolution came in response to a profanity-laden video call between the mayor, his adult daughter and his adult niece that went viral online last week. The Helena World reported that Franklin abruptly […] The post Arkansas city’s mayor refuses to resign after council asks him to step down 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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