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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.
Lawsuit again filed to challenge Arkansas’ final casino license
An applicant for the Pope County casino license filed a lawsuit Tuesday asking the court to invalidate the recently-awarded permit because the license holder’s requisite letters of support from local government were “coercively issued.” This is the third time the Pope County license has been the subject of a lawsuit since 2018 when voters approved […] The post Lawsuit again filed to challenge Arkansas’ final casino license 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.
Arkansas governor, education secretary call on schools to join mental health pilot project
The governor and education secretary sent a letter to Arkansas school superintendents Tuesday urging them to join a new pilot program focused on increasing access to mental health care for students and restricting in-school cellphone use. Building off recommendations from superintendents who met with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva last month, […] The post Arkansas governor, education secretary call on schools to join mental health pilot project appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout
WASHINGTON — Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee Tuesday, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so after Biden’s poor performance in last week’s presidential debate that has sent the party reeling four months before the November presidential election. Biden has acknowledged a shaky debate […] The post Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling
WASHINGTON — A New York judge agreed Tuesday to delay the criminal sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the state hush money case after Trump claimed the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision absolves him. New York Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, ordered the delay until Sept. 18 so the court could […] The post Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
WASHINGTON – Senior Biden administration officials announced a proposed rule Tuesday to prevent heat-related illness in the workplace, as climate change brings hotter temperatures around the nation. In a call to reporters Monday, officials spoke on background about the new rule, which the administration sent to the Federal Register Tuesday for review. Depending on the […] The post Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
‘No kings in America’: Biden slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity
Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision granting the presumption of criminal immunity for official actions taken by a president fundamentally altered U.S. democracy, President Joe Biden said from the White House Monday evening. Speaking for less than five minutes, Biden said the 6-3 decision contradicted the spirit of the country’s founding — set to be celebrated […] The post ‘No kings in America’: Biden slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
UPDATED: Arkansas awarded $2 million for endangered species recovery effort
This story was updated at 4 p.m. on July 3, 2024 with additional comments from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Arkansas has received a $2.2 million federal grant to support land acquisition for the recovery of endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday. The funding is part of $48.4 million in […] The post UPDATED: Arkansas awarded $2 million for endangered species recovery effort appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Advocate wins three first-place awards in Arkansas Press Association contest
The Arkansas Advocate took home first-place honors in three categories in the Arkansas Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Editorial Contest. The awards were announced June 29 at the APA’s annual convention in Jonesboro. Advocate reporters Tess Vrbin and Antoinette Grajeda placed first in the news story category among online-only news outlets for their story “A […] The post Advocate wins three first-place awards in Arkansas Press Association contest appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the president’s handling of classified documents. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, […] The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas NetChoice case differs from U.S. Supreme Court case, but both involve First Amendment
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday paused two controversial social media laws from Texas and Florida, sending them back to lower courts for further review. One party in the case is also challenging an Arkansas social media law. The Supreme Court case Moody vs. NetChoice LLC has been referred to as a significant First Amendment […] The post Arkansas NetChoice case differs from U.S. Supreme Court case, but both involve First Amendment appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case
WASHINGTON — U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s election interference case back to the lower courts. The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts […] The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case 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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