KARK

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John Davis, political scientist, explains how Arkansas became a Republican state

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KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, John Davis, executive director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, explained how Arkansas went from being a Democratic state to a Republican state.

In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, Davis said the state took longer than the rest of the South to become a Republican state.

“Our demographics don’t really add up to the other southern states. A lot of the shifts really after the Civil War we saw more white conservatives feel alienated from the Democratic party and gravitate toward the Republican party. We didn’t really see that,” Davis said.

John Davis, political scientist, explains how Arkansas became a Republican state

Creative Commons

In recent years, Arkansas has become one of the reddest states in the nation. Prior to this, Arkansas used to be a Democratic stronghold.

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Lawmakers approve of the state's decision to invest ARPA funding to mental health

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KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, State Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, and State Sen. Reginald Murdock, D- Marianna, both said they approved the state’s recent announcement to invest $30 million in mental health and substance abuse programs.

Murdock said this is an issue the state has been trying to address for the past four to five years and this investment was needed.

“There’s so many aspects of mental health that the country is becoming more aware of. So as we become more aware then I am glad to see the governor and the leadership come together to make sure that we start to fund this,” he said.

Lawmakers approve of the state's decision to invest ARPA funding to mental health

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the state would be investing $30 million into mental health and substance abuse prevention.

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State lawmakers discuss changes to Medicaid as a result of COVID-era regulation ending

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During an appearance on KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, and Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, spoke about upcoming changes to Medicaid.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, former President Donald Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which stopped states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients, while the public health emergency was in effect.

Through an appropriations bill at the end of last year, Congress ended the public health emergency, which will require states to disenroll Medicaid recipients who were eligible for coverage as a result of COVID-era regulations.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-23/state-lawmakers-discuss-changes-to-medicaid-as-a-result-of-covid-era-regulation-ending

KARK Channel 4'S Capitol View

Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, and Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, are reaching out to healthcare providers and constituents to make sure eligible Medicaid recipients don't lose coverage. Last year, Congress ended COVID-era regulations that stopped states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients.

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Governor Appoints TV News Veteran As Communications Director

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LITTLE ROCK – Shealyn Sowers, an executive producer at KARK and FOX16, will be the new director of communications for the Governor’s Office, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today. She will start June 16.

“Shealyn grew up in Arkansas, went to high school and college in Arkansas, and has worked her entire career as a journalist in Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “To put it simply, Shealyn knows the Natural State. She has an intimate understanding of Arkansas and Arkansans that has prepared her well to serve the state as my director of communications.”

Ms. Sowers grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ouachita Baptist University and a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Ms. Sowers started as an associate producer at KARK in 2012 and worked her way up to produce every newscast. In 2019, she was promoted to executive producer and producer of KARK’s political show “Capitol View.” She won an Emmy for Best Newscast and an Edward R. Murrow award for the station’s coverage of the 2014 tornado that struck Mayflower and Vilonia.  She also won an Emmy for Best Producer in 2018. 

“I am excited to join Governor Hutchinson's staff as director of communications,” Ms. Sowers said. “I’ve enjoyed delivering local news to Arkansans at KARK and FOX16 for the past nine years. I am thrilled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve my home state in this new role and to work alongside the incredible team in Governor Hutchinson's office.”