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Arkansas Advocate
UPDATED: U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […] The post UPDATED: U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears
WASHINGTON — When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off — not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be […] The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas ABC upholds revocation of Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary’s license
A Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary became the first in Arkansas to have its license revoked after a nearly five-hour hearing Wednesday. The board of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division voted to uphold Director Christy Bjornson’s May 2 decision to revoke Green Springs Medical Marijuana Dispensary’s license in light of several violations of the […] The post Arkansas ABC upholds revocation of Hot Springs medical marijuana dispensary’s license appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials. The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden. House Republicans brought the contempt citation […] The post U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Public comment on Arkansas ‘wet signature’ voting rule expected to start Friday
The 30-day public comment period related to a rule requiring “wet signatures” on Arkansas voter registration forms is expected to start Friday, following action by the state Board of Election Commissioners Wednesday. Commissioners offered minimal discussion before approving the proposed permanent rule, which mirrors an emergency rule the group and the state Legislature approved earlier […] The post Public comment on Arkansas ‘wet signature’ voting rule expected to start Friday appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt’s efforts to pass legislation that would block Medicaid funding from going to states that ban in vitro fertilization were unsuccessful Wednesday when Democrats blocked the bill from advancing. Britt, who introduced the legislation earlier this year alongside Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, said during brief debate the bill […] The post Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas racing commission launches Pope County casino license review
This story was updated at 4:38 p.m. on June 12, 2024 to include comments from Gulfside Casino Partnership. The Arkansas Racing Commission on Wednesday advanced one of two applications it received for the state’s fourth and final casino license. This marks the third time officials have tried to issue the Pope County permit since voters […] The post Arkansas racing commission launches Pope County casino license review appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections
WASHINGTON — Ashly Trejo Mejia is eager to attend medical school, but she’s not sure she can pursue that dream because of an upcoming court decision that could end the Obama-era program meant to temporarily protect immigrants like her who were brought into the country illegally as children. “You’re frozen in time,” she said. The […] The post Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has launched an effort to spur planning for what the Gaza Strip will look like the “day after” the Israel-Hamas war, even as agreement over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal remains elusive. Democratic Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and David Trone of Maryland, along with Republicans Ann […] The post Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas governor says she’ll call special session to cut taxes, fund Game and Fish
This story was updated at 9:39 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday she’ll call a special session next week to cut income and property taxes and fund the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Sanders plans to cut income taxes by nearly $500 million and property taxes by about $50 […] The post Arkansas governor says she’ll call special session to cut taxes, fund Game and Fish appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted his administration’s efforts to reduce gun violence as the second anniversary of bipartisan gun safety legislation he signed into law approaches. “Never give up on hope,” Biden said during an annual conference hosted by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. The speech came hours after the […] The post Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework
WASHINGTON — Republicans on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Tuesday released their framework for a new five-year farm bill that will set the policy and funding levels for key food, agriculture and conservation programs. The top Republican on the committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, laid out GOP priorities with reporters […] The post U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas will receive more than $12.7M in Johnson & Johnson deceptive marketing settlement
Arkansas will receive more than $12.7 million of a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson over the company’s alleged deceptive marketing of baby powder and other products that contained traces of asbestos, Attorney General Tim Griffin announced in a Tuesday news release. The company “deceptively promoted and misled consumers about the safety and […] The post Arkansas will receive more than $12.7M in Johnson & Johnson deceptive marketing settlement appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Commission recommends space for Arkansas Capitol’s upcoming ‘monument to the unborn’
The Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission agreed Tuesday to recommend that the Secretary of State approve its proposed location for a “monument to the unborn” on the Capitol complex. Act 310 of 2023 authorizes the Secretary of State to decide where to place “a suitable monument commemorating unborn children aborted during the era of […] The post Commission recommends space for Arkansas Capitol’s upcoming ‘monument to the unborn’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas eligible for $20 million in federal flood funds following May severe storms
Arkansas was one of three states added to receive federal funds to reduce flood risks this week, FEMA announced Tuesday. Possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Arkansas is eligible for up to $20 million. Eighteen other states and one Tribal Nation were selected to receive funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Swift Current Program […] The post Arkansas eligible for $20 million in federal flood funds following May severe storms appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas officials fear conservation district budget cuts, loss of accompanying federal funds
Maintaining natural resources at the local level is paramount to the mission of the conservation district located in every Arkansas county, and some involved officials are concerned the state’s highest-ranking leaders no longer see the value in these groups. Debbie Moreland, program coordinator for the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, said she’s worried state officials […] The post Arkansas officials fear conservation district budget cuts, loss of accompanying federal funds appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise, annual hate report shows
WASHINGTON — Emboldened by the mainstreaming of hard-right politics ahead of a presidential election cycle, white nationalist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups increased to record levels in the United States last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s latest annual report on hate and extremism released last week. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has published […] The post White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise, annual hate report shows appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts
WASHINGTON — Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trump’s proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November. During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers […] The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work “side by side” with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the “greatest atrocity facing” the United States and should be “eradicated entirely.” During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institute’s inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in […] The post Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’ appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Arkansas school voucher program
A lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court late Friday challenges the constitutionality of Arkansas’ new school voucher program and asks a judge to block its enforcement. Created through the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, the Educational Freedom Account Program provides state funds for allowable educational […] The post Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Arkansas school voucher program 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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