News

Below is the column for this week. I took a stab at a graphic on canva, but I can’t convert to jpg and I realize the dimensions are probably wrong.  But you get the idea. Can you guys work with it or create something similar?  Across Arkansas, school buses are back on the roads, classrooms […]

This week, several legislative committees met at the State Capitol to continue studying issues that could shape policy during the 2027 Regular Session. The House and Senate Education Committees continued their ongoing adequacy study, with much of the discussion focused on the health insurance program for public school employees. Consultants told lawmakers that while the […]

As another school year begins, hundreds of thousands of Arkansas students will once again be riding school buses each day. In fact, more than 350,000 children rely on school buses to get safely to and from school, with buses making thousands of stops in communities across our state. That makes it more important than ever […]

Back-to-school shopping is expected to reach record levels this year, with families of students in elementary through high school planning to spend an average of $864. Nationwide, total back-to-school spending is projected to reach $43.3 billion, making it one of the largest annual shopping seasons for American families. Fortunately, Arkansas families have an opportunity to […]

Whether they’re hiking our trails, floating our rivers, exploring historic downtowns, or dining at local restaurants, visitors are making a big impact on Arkansas. New figures released by the Governor this week show tourism reached another record-breaking year in 2025. According to a new report prepared by Tourism Economics, Arkansas welcomed a record 54.3 million […]

This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation signed into law on July 26, 1990. For more than three decades, the ADA has helped remove barriers and expand opportunities for Americans with disabilities. Its anniversary is also an opportunity to consider how we can continue improving accessibility, independence, and participation […]

There is something special about the Fourth of July in Arkansas. It’s neighbors gathering for backyard cookouts, veterans leading hometown parades, kids chasing sparklers, and families proudly flying the American flag. These traditions remind us that Independence Day is about more than celebrating our nation’s birthday. It’s about celebrating the freedoms we share as Americans. […]

When a crime is committed, every minute matters. Families deserve answers, victims deserve justice, and law enforcement officers need timely, reliable evidence to identify those responsible. That is why the work of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is so important—and why the General Assembly has made significant investments to strengthen its capabilities. Members of the […]

The Arkansas Legislative Council met this week to review a wide range of issues affecting education, state finances, energy policy, healthcare, and government operations. Members began by reviewing the state’s latest revenue report. Gross General Revenue collections for the fiscal year-to-date totaled approximately $7.76 billion, an increase of $323.6 million, or 4.4%, compared to the […]

June is National Internet Safety Month, a reminder that protecting children today means protecting them not only in our communities and schools, but also in the digital spaces they visit every day. The internet offers incredible opportunities for learning, communication, and creativity. But it also presents real risks. According to the Arkansas State Police Internet […]

June is National Family Reunification Month, a time to recognize the importance of keeping families together whenever it can be done safely and in the best interest of a child. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the work being done across Arkansas to support families before a crisis leads to foster care placement. […]

This week, the Arkansas State Capitol belonged to the next generation. Students from across our state gathered in Little Rock for Arkansas Boys State, Arkansas Girls State, and the Arkansas Civic Leadership Institute. For a few days, committee rooms, hallways, and the House floor were filled with young Arkansans learning firsthand how government works and, […]