Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Despite opposition from local right wing group, Fort Smith City Board approves EPA grant https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/12/18/despite-opposition-from-local-right-wing-group-fort-smith-city-board-approves-epa-grant Governor’s consultants pitch bad ideas for a FOIA overhaul https://arktimes.com/ark…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: 220K Arkansans will lose insurance if Republicans cut federal Medicaid expansion funds https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/12/12/220k-arkansans-will-lose-insurance-if-republicans-cut-federal-medicaid-expansion-funds Emails show officials hid purchase of land in Franklin County for prison, mocked resid…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week Can you really use an Arkansas school voucher for horseback riding lessons? Yes. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/27/can-you-really-use-an-arkansas-school-voucher-for-horseback-riding-lessons-yes Donald Trump taps Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/12…

Send us a text Prefiled bills have Republicans pushing discrimination, tooth decay and maternal health https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/20/pre-filed-bills-have-republicans-pushing-discrimination-tooth-decay-and-maternal-health Arkansas House Dems unveil 2025 agenda, but can any of it pass?https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/19/arka…

Send us a text Franklin County residents question prison location during contentious town hall https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/08/franklin-county-residents-question-prison-location-during-contentious-town-hall Failing up: 10 months after his firing, former prisons chief Profiri still has a $184K job in the governor’s office https://arkti…

Send us a text Little Rock voters say no to new sales tax, yes to incumbent city directors https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/06/little-rock-voters-say-no-to-new-sales-tax-yes-to-incumbent-city-directors Pope County casino dead after Issue 2 passes, despite local voter support for casino https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/06/pope-co…

Send us a text Vote yes: Little Rock’s 1-cent sales tax plan is the city’s chance to think big https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/29/vote-yes-little-rocks-1-cent-sales-tax-plan-is-the-citys-chance-to-think-big Will it make a difference? Analyzing Little Rock’s proposed 1-cent sales tax increase https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/21/…

Send us a text UPDATE: Franklin County selected as home of new 3,000-bed state prison https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/31/franklin-county-selected-as-home-of-new-3k-bed-state-prison New data on Ark. vouchers: More than 80% of new enrollees did not attend public school last year https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/31/new-data-on-ark…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Utility regulators say AG failed to meet deadlines in case to raise gas rates https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/23/utility-regulators-say-ag-failed-to-meet-deadlines-in-case-to-raise-gas-rates Advocates of the ‘raw milk revolution’ push legislation allowing retail sales at markets https://arktime…

Send us a text State Supreme Court requires 2 early voting sites in West Memphis, rejecting Republicans’ arguments https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/17/state-supreme-court-requires-2-early-voting-sites-in-west-memphis-rejecting-republicans-arguments Supreme Court clears path for Arkansans to vote on anti-casino amendment https://arktimes.c…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Judge sentences two former officers videotaped in infamous Mulberry beating https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/10/judge-sentences-two-former-officers-videotaped-in-infamous-mulberry-beating Overwhelmed voucher systems in West Virginia, Arkansas leave thousands of homeschoolers hanging https://arkt…

Send us a text Stories Discussed this week Billy Jack Lincks named as sole suspect in 1995 Morgan Nick kidnapping (Updated) https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/10/01/billy-jack-lincks-named-as-prime-suspect-in-1995-morgan-nick-kidnapping There’s an international bird flu summit in Arkansas this week, and this is why it is important https://arkt…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: TIF tiff: Downtown Little Rock Master Plan calls for controversial funding tool https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/09/20/tif-tiff-downtown-little-rock-master-plan-calls-for-controversial-funding-tool City board to vote on another master plan, mobile grocery stores next week https://arktimes.com/arkan…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Sarah Sanders used a July traffic stop to demonize immigrants; the dashcam footage tells a different story https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/09/18/sarah-sanders-used-a-july-traffic-stop-to-demonize-immigrants-the-dashcam-footage-tells-a-different-story Traffic stop used as anti-immigration rallying …

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: New animal waste rule would keep public in the dark on hog farm permits, environmental groups say https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/09/06/new-animal-waste-rule-would-keep-public-in-the-dark-on-hog-farm-permits-environmental-groups-say South Arkansas landowners fire back at lithium companies, call pr…

Send us a text On this week's podcast, Arkansas author Alice Driver discusses her new book on Tyson Foods and the perils faced by its largely immigrant workforce. "Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America's Largest Meatpacking Company," by Alice Driver https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Life-and-Death-of-the-Ameri…

Send us a text The Arkansas Times has been hosting a series of fundraisers in the form of a lecture series featuring Arkansas newsmakers, politicians and writers on current events and policies. The proceeds go to the Arkansas Times Investigative Reporting Fund. This month, we met at the Copper Grill to hear from Skip Rutherford, Dean Emeritus of th…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week LRSD Superintendent Jermall Wright resigns https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/08/15/lrsd-superintendent-jermall-wright-resigns Wronging Wright a huge mistake for LRSD https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/08/18/wronging-wright-a-huge-mistake-for-lrsd LRSD board hears from the public on Wright’s resi…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: AG confirms no Chinese or communist ties in land purchased by Walmart supplier https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/08/13/ag-confirms-no-chinese-or-communist-ties-in-land-purchased-by-walmart-supplier Marijuana and casino petitioner groups agree with abortion petitioners: Key argument from attorney gen…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: South Arkansas landowners, lithium extractors clash over royalty rates https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/08/07/south-arkansas-landowners-lithium-extractors-clash-over-royalty-rates Walmart supplier under investigation after state officials suggest possible Chinese ties https://arktimes.com/arkansas-…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: LRPD is asking for access to home security cameras to fight crime https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/29/lrpd-is-asking-for-access-to-home-security-cameras-to-fight-crime Little Rock will again vote on a one-cent sales tax in November https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/30/little-rock-will-a…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Ark. Supreme Court orders secretary of state to count some abortion petition signatures https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/23/ark-supreme-court-orders-secretary-of-state-to-count-some-abortion-petition-signatures State Supreme Court won’t dismiss abortion petitioners’ lawsuit, for now https://arkt…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Abortion advocates sue secretary of state over rejection of amendment https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/16/abortion-advocates-sue-secretary-of-state-over-rejection-of-amendment Little Rock City Board accepts Downtown Master Plan, plans July 30 tax vote https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/1…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Repro rights supporters cheer a milestone in push to put abortion on the ballot: https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/05/photos-repro-rights-supporters-cheer-a-milestone-in-push-to-put-abortion-on-the-ballot Secretary of state disqualifies Arkansas Abortion Amendment from ballot on technicality: htt…

Send us a text Stories Discussed this week: POSTMORTEM: Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in presidential debate https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/27/liveblog-joe-biden-and-donald-trump-face-off-in-presidential-debate Why it’s a big deal that the Supreme Court struck down Chevron deference https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/28/wh…

Send us a text Stories Discussed this week: Dashcam footage from ATF raid that killed LR airport director Malinowski released by prosecutor https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/19/dashcam-footage-from-atf-raid-that-killed-lr-airport-director-malinowski-released-by-prosecutor Bodycam footage of attorney’s arrest at bar association convention s…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: More tax cuts incoming: Governor calls special session next week https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/11/more-tax-cuts-incoming-governor-calls-special-session-next-week We can blame one of the clumsiest politicians in Arkansas history for next week’s special sessionhttps://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog…

Send us a text Stories in this week's edition: Education vendor Solution Tree abandons ship on hefty state contract https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/03/education-vendor-solution-tree-abandons-ship-on-hefty-state-contract Government sues ExxonMobil 11 years after Mayflower oil spill https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/31/government-…

Send us a text Stories discussed in this week's episode: Little Rock police say governor told them to block canvassers from public property https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/30/little-rock-police-say-governor-told-them-to-block-canvassers-from-public-property Arkansas education secretary withdraws Solution Tree contract after legislative o…

Send us a text Stories discussed in this episode: Attorney general threatens groups advertising abortion pills in Arkansas https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/21/tim-griffin-warns-against-advertising-abortion-pills-in-arkansas $15K in donations to Supreme Court Justice Barbara Webb come from industry her husband regulates https://arktimes.co…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Central High principal’s salary adjustment to close a gender pay gap up for approval Thursday https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/15/central-high-principals-salary-adjustment-to-close-a-gender-pay-gap-up-for-approval-thursday Glitch sends out contract renewals to all LRSD employees, even the ones l…

Send us a text Stories discussed this week include: Judge partly sides with plaintiffs suing to stop Arkansas’s ban on ‘critical race theory,’ ‘indoctrination’ https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/07/judge-partly-sides-with-plaintiffs-suing-to-stop-arkansass-ban-on-critical-race-theory-indoctrination Judge hears arguments in lawsuit over LEAR…

Send us a text On this week's show: More on the Legislature's stingy 2025 budget, a pair of new bitcoin mining laws are signed by the governor, the state makes it harder to register to vote, and Attorney General Tim Griffin sues to keep the gun show loophole open. Benji, Austin and Dave Ramsey have the details. Hester reelected as President of Sena…

Send us a text This week, in lieu of our regular weekly news roundup, we're sharing something special — a speech by Arkansas Times editor emeritus Max Brantley on the sorry state of politics and journalism in our state. Beginning in November 2023, the Arkansas Times started a luncheon speaker series that covers current events in Arkansas and serves…

Send us a text This week: We say a bittersweet farewell to Arkansas Times city reporter extraordinaire Mary Hennigan, but not before one last update on Little Rock news. And, Matt Campbell answers everything you want to know about the #lecterngate audit and the governor's response. Stories discussed in this edition: Little Rock city manager hopeful…

Send us a text Arkansas Times listeners, we need your feedback! What do you like about the podcast? What do you hate? What can we improve? Email us with your thoughts, please, at podcasts@arktimes.com. This week, Dave Ramsey and Benji preview the fiscal session, the governor's meager budget and the legislative fight over crypto mining; and, Omaya t…

Send us a text This week, Benji and Mary Hennigan discuss the latest in the case of Bryan Malinowski, who was posthumously awarded a $24,000 bonus by the Little Rock airport commission, as well as several actions taken by the city board of directors at a Tuesday meeting. Then, Benji and Austin Gelder talk about the latest in a new lawsuit over a pr…

Send us a text This week, Benji and Matt Campbell discuss Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins' reality show TV (coming soon to Netflix!), the latest on the long-awaited #lecterngate audit and why you shouldn't accept Arkansas's projections for April 8 eclipse tourism at face value. Plus, Austin fills us in on a GOP primary runoff in Hope that's tur…

Send us a text This week, Benji and Mary review the big news of the week — the shooting of Little Rock airport director Bryan Malinowski on Tuesday by federal agents as they attempted to execute a search warrant related to illegal gun sales. Then, reporter Debra Hale-Shelton discusses two stories she's reported this week: an ominous new effort to i…

Send us a text Show Notes: The queen’s gambit: Gov. Sanders and Co play political games with overcrowded prisons https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/28/the-queens-gambit-gov-sanders-and-co-play-political-games-with-overcrowded-prisons?fbclid=IwAR2FFU6Gw9ldB0JxOij_e81FprTrW3fL2QwkzkHeI_i8aFYkRFzBh-LFB9c Legislature OKs ’emergency’ rule limiti…

Send us a text Show Notes: Little Rock Zoo welcomes new baby orangutan https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/26/little-rock-zoo-welcomes-new-baby-orangutan We dig it! Construction slated for Little Rock’s Southeast Trail https://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/we-dig-it-construction-slated-for-little-rocks-southeast-trail Little Rock’s city boardroom stil…

Send us a text In this week's podcast, we focus on the March 5 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections coming up on Tuesday. Group pushes Womack to support Ukraine aid despite GOP blockade of bill https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-bill U.S. speaker fight influences Ar…

Send us a text Allegations against Ark. corrections board member raise questions for Gov. Sanders’ father — and Trump https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/22/allegations-against-ark-corrections-board-member-raise-questions-for-gov-sanders-father-and-trump National funders skip Arkansas’s abortion fight, locals soldier on https://arktimes.com/…

Send us a text Show Notes: University of Memphis hires Little Rock’s ex-police chief https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/13/university-of-memphis-hires-little-rocks-ex-police-chief Little Rock mayor’s annual address teases new programs, renewed sales tax push https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/09/little-rock-mayors-annual-address-teases-new-programs-r…

Send us a text This week, Benji recaps two races for the state Supreme Court in which the likely winners are already sitting justices, education reporter Jeannie Roberts fills us in on ClassWallet and the state's weird, secretive bidding process, and publisher Alan Leveritt has the dirt on the best tomato and pepper varieties for an Arkansas climat…

Send us a text Stories in this Episode Helena - West Helena Water Crisis -https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/29/shower-truck-other-resources-available-in-helena-west-helena-as-water-crisis-drags-on -https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/26/legislators-weigh-in-on-broken-water-system-in-helena-west-helena -https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/31/po…

Send us a text This week: The abortion amendment clears a key hurdle at the state attorney general's office, while the FOIA amendment makes progress. Plus, we continue talking with Dave Ramsey about how Arkansas LEARNS affects teachers, specifically job protections post-Teacher Fair Dismissal Act. Topics discussed in this episode: Ballot initiative…

Send us a text It's a relatively slow news week thanks to the winter weather, so we're talking to reporter David Ramsey at length about how the Arkansas LEARNS Act impacts teachers. Also, Mary Hennigan updates us on the situation in Stone County, where residents have been going without water amid sub-freezing temperatures. Articles discussed in thi…

Send us a text In this week’s podcast, Benji and EIC Austin Bailey update us on the status of the various ballot initiatives seeking Attorney General Tim Griffin's approval, Asa Hutchinson's chances in the Iowa caucuses, and developments in the state Board of Corrections' dispute with the governor. Among the stories referenced in this episode: Amen…

Send us a text In this week’s podcast, Benji and investigative reporter Matt Campbell take a deep dive (probably too deep) into the tangled dispute between the state Board of Corrections and the governor, attorney general and secretary of corrections. Debra Hale-Shelton updates us on the case of Deitric Williams Jr., a 26-year-old Black man who die…