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Arkansas Advocate
High death rates, unchanging poverty level puts Arkansas among worst states for child well-being
The experience of growing up in Arkansas has worsened in most areas of child well-being according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation report. The group’s latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, released Monday, shows 2022 was the deadliest year on record for child deaths in Arkansas. Child poverty and low educational performance persisted. The report […] The post High death rates, unchanging poverty level puts Arkansas among worst states for child well-being appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe
Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isn’t doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of […] The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
New curriculum sparks Texas-sized controversy over Christianity in the classroom
This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. The day before he unveiled a massive new elementary school reading program laden with Bible stories, Texas education Commissioner Mike Morath sat down with a Democratic lawmaker at the state capitol. Rep. James Talarico had concerns. The third-term legislator from […] The post New curriculum sparks Texas-sized controversy over Christianity in the classroom appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum
EL PASO, Texas — Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her three-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. “I want my daughter to have everything that I didn’t have,” Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. […] The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansans urge state finance department not to reverse gender-neutral driver’s license policy
Nearly a dozen Arkansans, many of whom are transgender or nonbinary, asked the state Department of Finance and Administration not to reverse the state’s gender-neutral driver’s license policy at a public hearing Friday. The department in March rescinded a policy that had been in place since 2010 allowing driver’s license holders to change their gender […] The post Arkansans urge state finance department not to reverse gender-neutral driver’s license policy appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Prosecuting attorney declines to pursue charges over Arkansas governor’s purchase of $19K lectern
A prosecuting attorney on Friday declined to pursue further action regarding potential violations of state law tied to the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office. Members of the governor’s staff used a state-issued credit card to buy the lectern and carrying case in June 2023 from a Virginia-based company with […] The post Prosecuting attorney declines to pursue charges over Arkansas governor’s purchase of $19K lectern appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
‘Democracy begins with each of us,’ Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden, speaking from the site of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, said Friday that those who support democracy must remember what World War II soldiers sacrificed and live up to those ideals. Biden’s remarks came during commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and sought to tie the threats to […] The post ‘Democracy begins with each of us,’ Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Publication of abortion amendment canvasser list is intimidation, ballot question committee says
Supporters of a proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment that would allow a limited right to abortion denounced a conservative advocacy group’s publication of a list of paid canvassers, calling the move an intimidation tactic. The right-wing Family Council posted Thursday on its website a list of 79 people that the Arkansans for Limited Government ballot question […] The post Publication of abortion amendment canvasser list is intimidation, ballot question committee says appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media
WASHINGTON — Attempts to get kids off of their phones are ramping up in Congress, despite intense lobbying by social media giants and pushback by those worried about violations of First Amendment speech rights. Lawmakers are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media […] The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Pope County Quorum Court rejects Gulfside Casino resolution
The Pope County Quorum Court Thursday night rejected a resolution supporting Gulfside Casino Partnership’s proposal to construct a casino near Russellville. The quorum court’s 7-5 decision is the latest action in half a decade of efforts to award the state’s fourth and final casino license since Arkansas voters approved gaming operations in 2018. The courts […] The post Pope County Quorum Court rejects Gulfside Casino resolution appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
For some rural communities, a stripped-down hospital is better than none at all
On many days, some small hospitals in rural Mississippi admit just one patient — or none at all. The hospitals are drowning in debt. The small, tight-knit communities they’ve anchored for decades can do little but watch as the hospitals shed services and staff just to stay afloat. The federal government recently offered a lifeline: […] The post For some rural communities, a stripped-down hospital is better than none at all appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy
WASHINGTON — “They were brave, they were resolute, they were ready,” President Joe Biden said Thursday at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, one of five along France’s northern coast where Allied troops invaded in 1944 and turned the tide in World War II. Biden and dozens of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Normandy to […] The post On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas nonprofit sues election officials over new voter registration signature rule
A voter advocacy group filed a lawsuit Wednesday that challenges a new rule requiring Arkansas voter registration applications to be signed with a “wet signature” and asks a judge to block its enforcement. Get Loud Arkansas filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas against Secretary of State John […] The post Arkansas nonprofit sues election officials over new voter registration signature rule appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Grassroots tornado recovery efforts take hold in rural community where Arkansans feel forgotten
DECATUR — Austin and Jess Rodriguez were headed home from a friend’s funeral in Los Angeles when they learned a tornado had struck their Decatur property on May 26. After climbing through trees and brush covering the road, the couple discovered their “forever home” nestled at the bottom of a hill had been flung about […] The post Grassroots tornado recovery efforts take hold in rural community where Arkansans feel forgotten appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead
WASHINGTON — An attempt to reinforce Americans’ access to contraception failed Wednesday when U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill from advancing toward final passage. The 51-39 procedural vote required at least 60 senators to move forward, but fell short after GOP lawmakers said the measure was too broad as well as unnecessary. Alaska Sen. Lisa […] The post U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Budget Committee debated the cause of the insurance crisis plaguing homeowners around the country at a Wednesday hearing, with Democrats identifying climate change as the ultimate driving force of rising premiums and Republicans pointing to high government spending and inflation. Homeowners insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, following billions in […] The post U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Progressive lawmakers and organizers on Wednesday urged U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to testify before Congress about two flags sympathetic to insurrectionists that were displayed outside his two homes. With the Supreme Court as their backdrop, […] The post Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Parole board takes first step toward new clemency rule under Protect Arkansas Act
Arkansas’ Post-Prison Transfer Board on Wednesday took a step toward a new rule written to match the Protect Arkansas Act, a massive overhaul of the state’s parole system that became law this year. The rule addresses clemency, or the process of an official — often a governor — reducing a person’s sentence or granting a […] The post Parole board takes first step toward new clemency rule under Protect Arkansas Act appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Election monitors nervously practice for the ‘big dance in November’
MARIETTA, Ga. — Just after 3 p.m. on the third Tuesday of May, Lamont Hart began his shift outside a suburban precinct as a scorching Georgia sun reflected heat off the white-bricked Worship with Wonders Church. Tall, thin, wearing a backward flat cap and holding a notebook, Hart introduced himself to exiting voters and asked […] The post Election monitors nervously practice for the ‘big dance in November’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Pre-K enrollment surges in US, with Mississippi & New Mexico making big strides
This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Four-year-olds entering pre-K in Mississippi’s Lamar County Schools don’t spend their days on worksheets or bent over papers practicing their letters. But they do have plenty […] The post Pre-K enrollment surges in US, with Mississippi & New Mexico making big strides 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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