Arkansas News

Arkansas - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has formally disclosed appointments to several state boards and commissions: Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board: Blake Hand, from Bryant, has been appointed for a term concluding on October 14, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Pritchett. Benjamin Hammond, residing in Sheridan, has been designated for a newly instituted position. His term will conclude on July 28, 2026. Jason Wills, from Jonesboro, also assumes a newly established role, with his term ending on July 28, 2026. Monroe County Quorum Court: Kenneth Warrick, of Roe, will serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 9. His tenure will conclude...

Arkansas - As the school year commences for students and teachers in Arkansas, several legislations implemented on August 1 stand to impact their environment. Outlined below are key laws anticipated to have an effect on educational practices this year: Act 317: Pertaining to School Policies on Overnight Trips - Commonly referred to as the “bathroom bill,” this act stipulates that students may only utilize “multiple occupancy restroom or changing area” which align with the gender designated on their birth certificates. For school-led excursions, students must either be lodged with others of the same birth certificate-listed gender or be allotted single-occupancy accommodations. Additionally,...

Eureka Springs, Arkansas - The Clear Spring School in Eureka Springs, which is among the 83 Arkansas schools partaking in the initial year of the state's education voucher initiative, has commenced its academic session. Jessica FitzPatrick, the school's Head, shed light on the institution's reasons for participating in the state's Educational Freedom Account Program (EFA). "One of our stated goals is social justice and socioeconomic access to independent schools… the EFA program is worthwhile to us because I feel like that’s really important, that socioeconomics not prevent a family from making the choice to send their child here," remarked FitzPatrick. The EFA...

Jonesboro, Arkansas - In a recent study, Arkansas emerged as the second state in the U.S. that allocates the least towards home improvement expenditures, preceded only by Mississippi. The study undertook a comparison of each state's median income against its respective expenditure on various fronts. This comprehensive analysis, carried out by the Contractor Growth Network, utilized data acquired from the Consensus Business Builder spanning the timeframe of December 2021 to December 2022. With a population of approximately 3 million, the median household earnings in Arkansas stand at $52,123. Residents, on average, devote about $2,705 annually to home enhancement endeavors. A representative from Contractor Growth...

Arkansas - As the school year commences, the need for school supplies for children becomes paramount. Recognizing this, the Martin Luther King Commission has launched its 2023 Back to School Supply Giveaway Tour. The commission has arranged for teams to be present at various strategic locations across the state to facilitate this initiative. On August 9, distribution centers will be operational from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at three sites in Little Rock, two in North Little Rock, and singular venues in Hot Springs, Stuttgart, and Lowell. Subsequently, on August 10, there will be evening distribution points established in Smackover and Norphlet. The...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Arkansas has bolstered its legal framework to curtail high-speed police pursuits. The state has ratified Act 734, which imposes penalties on individuals attempting to elude law enforcement. Notably, any high-speed pursuit exceeding the stipulated speed limit now falls under a Class D felony. State Police Director Mike Hagar has underscored the inherent risks such pursuits pose to suspects, law enforcement officers, and the general public. Act 734 aims to dissuade potential offenders from initiating perilous high-speed chases, thereby enhancing public safety. Hagar emphasized the broader implications, noting that these chases jeopardize everyone, from those involved to unsuspecting citizens on...

Arkansas - The state of Arkansas has introduced legislation facilitating employment for individuals under the age of 16. As of August 1, 2023, ACT 195, otherwise known as the Youth Hiring Act of 2023, amends existing labor laws, creating opportunities for young individuals to enter the workforce without requiring an employment certificate. This progressive law also eliminates the obligation for minors to validate their age or procure a written endorsement from a parent or legal guardian as a prerequisite for employment. However, the response from local business owners to these changes has been varied. Shelly Duty, proprietor of the Ridge Coffee in...

Fort Smith, Arkansas - In a proactive response to the opioid crisis, a new legislation, known as Act 811, is slated to take effect in Arkansas. This law mandates the distribution of opioid drug overdose kits in every high school throughout the state. The requirements laid out by Act 811 apply to both public high schools and state-supported universities. School officials have stated that the placement of these kits will directly address the opioid crisis and significantly bolster the safety measures for young individuals across the state. Dr. Hugh Jackson, an emergency medical physician at Mercy Hospital, shared, "Unfortunately, we’re seeing quite...

Arkansas - Arkansas is set to undergo a significant shift concerning temporary vehicle tags. The forthcoming change is anticipated to greatly impact both the utility of these tags and the accompanying responsibilities. In a progressive move designed to benefit the residents, the state of Arkansas is set to extend the duration for vehicle registration. Commencing from the 1st of August, vehicle buyers in the state will have an extended period during which they can use their temporary tags. This administrative alteration is expected to bring relief to drivers, possibly reducing the incidence of expired paper tags on the state's roads. "We are...

Little Rock, Arkansas - During the routinely conducted commission meeting last week, Austin Booth, Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), disclosed the initiation of a novel division within the AGFC. This division is designed to center on recreational shooting, facilitating the growth of shooting ranges and corresponding programs throughout the state. Booth underscored the enduring link between conservation and shooting, tracing back to the era of the Pittman-Robertson Act, a testament to the fact that hunters and recreational shooters often emerge as the most fervent and effective conservationists in the nation. Booth further highlighted that a prominent request...