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Arkansas Advocate
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of Josh Duggar’s child pornography conviction
The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear an appeal of the child pornography conviction of Josh Duggar, a member of the Arkansas family known for their presence in reality television and Republican politics. Duggar, of Springdale, was convicted in December 2021 of possessing child pornography after a jury trial in Fayetteville. U.S. District […] The post U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of Josh Duggar’s child pornography conviction appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas AG sues pharmacy benefit managers, claiming unjust enrichment from opioids
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit Monday against two pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), alleging that they used data from drug manufacturers and distributors to maximize their financial gain instead of using it to mitigate the opioid addiction epidemic. PBMs are companies that serve as middlemen to negotiate prescription benefits among manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies […] The post Arkansas AG sues pharmacy benefit managers, claiming unjust enrichment from opioids appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessee’s ban on care for transgender minors
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessee’s 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law. Tennessee’s law prohibits doctors from […] The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessee’s ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November
WASHINGTON — Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels. Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters […] The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now that’s in doubt.
Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment of an occasional States Newsroom series called When and Where: Abortion Access in America, profiling individuals who have needed abortion care in the U.S. before and after Dobbs. The first installment can be found here, the second installment is here, the third is here, and the fourth ishere. […] The post After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now that’s in doubt. appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Protesters target organizers for abortion ballot measure in Arkansas
Originally published by The 19th One woman said she has been called a murderer at public events. Another said she was followed by a protester from location to location. A third stopped posting publicly about her real-time whereabouts. These are the realities of gathering signatures to put abortion rights on the ballot in deep-red Arkansas, […] The post Protesters target organizers for abortion ballot measure in Arkansas appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas State Police releases names of four people killed in grocery store shooting
Arkansas State Police has released the names of the four people killed in Friday’s shooting in Fordyce. Friday’s shooting is classified as a mass killing, which the Associated Press defines as incidents resulting in at least four deaths. There have been 18 mass killings in the U.S. so far in 2024. Fourteen people — 11 […] The post Arkansas State Police releases names of four people killed in grocery store shooting appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Don’t give up on the FAFSA, advocates for student financial aid urge
WASHINGTON — Though the new version of the form to apply for federal financial student aid has had its fair share of highly publicized hiccups, U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal says the department has made a lot of progress in the past couple of months. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — […] The post Don’t give up on the FAFSA, advocates for student financial aid urge appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Three dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at south Arkansas grocery
A Friday morning shooting at a Fordyce, Arkansas, grocery store left three people dead and 11 wounded, including the suspect and two law enforcement officers, according to Arkansas State Police. The suspect and the law enforcement officers are not considered to have life-threatening injuries, ASP Director Mike Hagar said at an afternoon press conference near […] The post Three dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at south Arkansas grocery appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Florida governor signs bill compensating victims of abuse while children in state custody
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved a measure that will finally provide reparations for hundreds of men who as children were beaten and raped for decades while in the custody of the state. The law (HB 21) signed by the governor on Friday morning will divide $20 million in compensation between those who attended the Arthur […] The post Florida governor signs bill compensating victims of abuse while children in state custody appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Exclusive: DNC moves ahead on all-virtual roll call for Biden presidential nomination
WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Committee has taken a significant step toward formally designating Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee before the Democratic convention in August — a move that’s necessary to place him on the Ohio ballot for November’s election, States Newsroom has been told. DNC members finalized their vote Thursday to move […] The post Exclusive: DNC moves ahead on all-virtual roll call for Biden presidential nomination appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm […] The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state since 2022, better aligning the numbers of unfilled jobs and people seeking work. Nationally, for the first time since before the pandemic, the number of job openings and unemployed people is roughly in balance: a little more than one opening per person looking for […] The post The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Ballot measure supporters can collect signatures at Arkansas town’s festival, federal judge rules
A federal judge on Thursday blocked the town of Rose Bud, Arkansas, from enforcing an ordinance limiting petitioners’ ability to collect signatures for a proposed ballot measure at an event in a public park. The ordinance would have required canvassers to rent a booth at the event, Rose Bud’s annual Summerfest marking the summer solstice, […] The post Ballot measure supporters can collect signatures at Arkansas town’s festival, federal judge rules appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Congress silenced free speech in TikTok law, platform tells federal court
TikTok and its parent company argued Thursday in a federal court in the District of Columbia that the recently enacted law forcing a nationwide ban or sale of the popular platform violates the First Amendment. TikTok Inc., which operates the video-sharing service in the United States, and its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., which was founded […] The post Congress silenced free speech in TikTok law, platform tells federal court appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Oklahoma AG praises appeals court ruling that blocks new Title IX rules from taking effect
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s top attorney celebrated a court decision that blocks the Biden administration from redefining Title IX. The 6th U.S. Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to include sexual orientation and gender identity in Title IX was invalid. The court ruled the Administrative Procedures Act […] The post Oklahoma AG praises appeals court ruling that blocks new Title IX rules from taking effect appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
‘Extremely low pay’ cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage
WASHINGTON — The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does. Arthur — the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year — testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the […] The post ‘Extremely low pay’ cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
National group seeks to help defend Arkansas school voucher program
Partnership for Educational Choice, a group that “defends educational choice nationwide,” filed a motion this week asking to join the defense of an Arkansas lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new school voucher program. Four guardians of public school students filed the lawsuit earlier this month in the Pulaski County Circuit Court. The plaintiffs asked […] The post National group seeks to help defend Arkansas school voucher program appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House
WASHINGTON — Top Democratic campaign officials Thursday pressed their case for control of Congress and the White House by pointing toward the upcoming two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. More than a dozen Democrats also introduced legislation in Congress to prevent a future Republican administration from using […] The post Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
What do Arkansas’ latest tax cuts look like for the average taxpayer?
Republican lawmakers this week voted to again lower tax rates for Arkansans, marking one step closer to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ goal of phasing out the state income tax entirely. Data from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration shows the wealthiest of residents will fare the best. But what about the average resident — […] The post What do Arkansas’ latest tax cuts look like for the average taxpayer? 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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