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Arkansas Advocate
Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress called on President Joe Biden to prove to voters that he is up for another four years in the Oval Office, though many in interviews pledged to stick with him as the presumptive nominee as they returned to the Capitol on Monday following the Fourth of July recess. Questions over […] The post Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Governor appoints her campaign manager to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Chris Caldwell — a longtime friend to Arkansas’ first family, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ campaign manager and political adviser, and the chair of a group that opposes three ballot initiatives — was appointed to the state Game and Fish Commission Monday afternoon. Sanders announced Caldwell’s appointment at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center […] The post Governor appoints her campaign manager to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correctly identify the University of Southern California as the institution that conducted a study that found a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans. Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Kansas Supreme Court strikes down state law banning second-trimester abortion procedure
The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed Friday the fundamental constitutional right of women to terminate a pregnancy and struck down a state law banning a second-trimester abortion method. In a separate decision issued simultaneously by the state Supreme Court, the majority declared unconstitutional a state law imposing a wide range of regulations on abortion providers and […] The post Kansas Supreme Court strikes down state law banning second-trimester abortion procedure appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state. The 22-minute interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent […] The post Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Education, government transparency measures fail to meet signature goal
Proponents of two proposed Arkansas constitutional amendments did not submit their petitions to the Secretary of State’s office on Friday, saying they fell short of the required number of signatures needed to make the November ballot. Spokespersons for the amendments’ supporters said they intend to resubmit similar proposals in the 2026 election cycle and work […] The post Education, government transparency measures fail to meet signature goal appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Proposed medical marijuana, anti-casino amendments submitted for Secretary of State approval
Supporters of four proposed Arkansas ballot measures delivered petitions to the Secretary of State at the Capitol on Friday in hopes they will be certified for November’s statewide ballot. A proposed constitutional amendment to expand abortion access in Arkansas received the most attention Friday, with supporters and opponents gathering at the Capitol as boxes of […] The post Proposed medical marijuana, anti-casino amendments submitted for Secretary of State approval appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Proposed Arkansas abortion amendment meets signature threshold
Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment to expand abortion access in Arkansas packed a hallway in the state Capitol Friday afternoon and cheered while movers delivered boxes full of petitions to put the amendment to a statewide vote in November. The group behind the proposed amendment announced midday Friday it had exceeded the minimum threshold […] The post Proposed Arkansas abortion amendment meets signature threshold appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Leaders in Arkansas water infrastructure hope for relief with latest federal funding
This story was updated at 10:12 a.m. on July 5, 2024 to distinguish between waitlisted projects and approved projects. Arkansas rural water systems are looking to $5 million in federal funds to help them improve aging pipes and other infrastructure, the CEO of the Arkansas Rural Water Association said this week. Dennis Sternberg, the association’s […] The post Leaders in Arkansas water infrastructure hope for relief with latest federal funding appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?
WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm […] The post ‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills? appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
The U.S. has one of the most punitive criminal justice systems — unless you’re the president
This story was originally published by The 19th. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on former President Donald Trump’s criminal immunity captures a stark reality: In one of the world’s most carceral countries, where Black men and people of color are disproportionately punished, a powerful position held almost exclusively by White men is immune from criminal […] The post The U.S. has one of the most punitive criminal justice systems — unless you’re the president appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas ballot measure supporters solicit additional signatures as deadline nears
Supporters of proposed ballot initiatives targeting abortion, education and government transparency are making a final push to collect signatures ahead of Friday’s deadline. Petitioners are gathering last-minute signatures at community Fourth of July events around the state and at a drive-though event at the Arkansas Capitol from 12 to 6 p.m. today. Groups must submit […] The post Arkansas ballot measure supporters solicit additional signatures as deadline nears appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Fourth human case of bird flu diagnosed in Colorado dairy farm worker
WASHINGTON — Public health officials have diagnosed a Colorado farm worker with the country’s fourth human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state’s department of health reported Wednesday. The Colorado case, the state’s first this year related to spread from dairy cattle to humans, was reported […] The post Fourth human case of bird flu diagnosed in Colorado dairy farm worker appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Explosion at Arkansas weapon manufacturer leaves 2 people injured, 1 missing
A morning explosion at General Dynamics, a defense company that produces aircraft guns, missiles and a variety of ammunition in south Arkansas, left at least two people injured and one missing. The explosion occurred around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday near Camden, a city of about 10,000 people in Ouachita County. One person is known to have […] The post Explosion at Arkansas weapon manufacturer leaves 2 people injured, 1 missing appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas OB-GYN says proposed abortion-rights amendment could revive standard of care
Of the several state abortion-rights initiatives trying to make it to the ballot this November, Arkansas’ is perhaps the most controversial among reproductive justice advocates, as it would reinstate an abortion policy more restrictive than under Roe v. Wade. Attempting to also appeal to the conservative voters of the deep red, heavily gerrymandered state, Arkansans […] The post Arkansas OB-GYN says proposed abortion-rights amendment could revive standard of care appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Private school participation grows in Arkansas voucher program’s second year
More than two dozen private schools have applied as first-time participants in the second year of Arkansas’ school voucher program. Created through the 2023 LEARNS Act, the Educational Freedom Account program allows state funds to be used for allowable expenses such as private school tuition. It’s being phased in with expanding eligibility criteria each year […] The post Private school participation grows in Arkansas voucher program’s second year appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Freedom isn’t free
You can’t understand the scope of 122,000 names until you see them on a wall. Stand at the foot of the National Monument to Freedom, recently dedicated by the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, and you’ll see all of them, soaring three or four stories above your head. Each name, taken from the 1870 census, […] The post Freedom isn’t free 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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