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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.
For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Child care worker Marci Then, 32, looked over at two 4-year-olds in her care who were tussling over a toy plate in a model kitchen set. “Are we sharing?” she gently asked them. They both let go. Then works at Little Learners Academy child care center near Providence, Rhode Island. Her daughter, […] The post For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas governor signs tax, appropriation bills after special legislative session ends
For the third time in 15 months, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation to lower taxes for Arkansans. This round, approved during this week’s special session, will affect approximately 1.1 million taxpayers. Along with trimming the state’s top individual and corporate income tax rates, Sanders also signed legislation to increase the homestead property tax credit […] The post Arkansas governor signs tax, appropriation bills after special legislative session ends appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
UPDATED: Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary won’t get revoked license back, judge orders
This story was updated at 3:55 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary must sell or dispose of its products by July 11 after a judge denied the owner’s request to block the revocation of his license Thursday. The board of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division voted June 12 […] The post UPDATED: Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary won’t get revoked license back, judge orders appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Equal Justice Initiative dedicates monument to slavery survivors at Montgomery memorial park
People who visit the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama, will not only face the brutality of slavery and the hardship it caused. They will also encounter the grace and love the people who were enslaved demonstrated amid their struggles. More than 200 people gathered at the park on Wednesday to dedicate the National […] The post Equal Justice Initiative dedicates monument to slavery survivors at Montgomery memorial park appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas federal judge dismisses states’ lawsuit over pregnant worker protections
A federal judge in Arkansas dismissed a lawsuit filed by 17 state attorneys general looking to stop a new rule that took effect Tuesday allowing workers time off and accommodations for abortions and other pregnancy-related health care. Though the case was tossed, another federal judge in Louisiana determined earlier this week that Louisiana, Mississippi and […] The post Arkansas federal judge dismisses states’ lawsuit over pregnant worker protections appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts blocked a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would ban bump stocks following a Supreme Court decision that repealed a Trump-era rule against using the gun accessory. Ricketts, a Nebraska Republican, objected to New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich’s request that the chamber approve his bill — cosponsored by Nevada Democratic […] The post After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas lawmakers approve resolutions opposing proposed constitutional amendments
In split decisions Tuesday, an Arkansas House committee approved two resolutions opposing proposed constitutional amendments targeting abortion access and education. The measures’ supporters decried lawmakers’ actions as interfering with the direct democracy process. “It breaks my heart that we’re here now and trying to push citizens of Arkansas to vote against something because you all […] The post Arkansas lawmakers approve resolutions opposing proposed constitutional amendments appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats held a press conference Tuesday to stand up for reproductive rights and freedoms, criticizing a plan by a conservative think tank that if adopted would hinder abortion and contraception access in a Trump administration. The lawmakers called attention to the potential restrictions former President Donald Trump could employ to reproductive health […] The post Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights 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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