Anti-Trump protest held at Arkansas Capitol

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Activists gathered on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol Saturday as part of a nationwide push against the Trump administration's policies.

Protestors crowded under the blazing sun to sing protest songs and cry out in chants against the Trump administration. The protest was part of the 50501, a recently-formed group hosting similar rallies across the nation.

Twice the group was led in a chorus of “This Land is Your Land.” The lyrics have often been interpreted as a protest song, and were initially written by Arlo Guthrie as a sarcastic response to Irving Berlin's patriotic anthem “God Bless America.”

Anti-Trump protest held at Arkansas Capitol

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Protesters crowd the Arkansas State Capitol steps Saturday opposing new polices enacted by President Donald Trump.

Bill limiting care for trans minors moves through Arkansas Legislature

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

In the current legislative session, the first bill about transgender kids Republican Rep. Mary Bentley tried to pass didn't live a day past the committee.

She pulled it after hearing testimony from Arkansas Assistant Attorney General Justin Brasher. He said, Rep. Bentley, we agree with you, but if the state gets sued, the AG'S office isn't going to bat over this one.

“We have facial constitutional concerns with this bill,” he said.

The problem with the initial draft of the bill, also called the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, is that it was too broad. Draft one could have encompassed speech protected in the Constitution: the right to cut your hair the way you want to, the right to wear what you want, the right to be called the name of your choice.

Bill limiting care for trans minors moves through Arkansas Legislature

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.

Serial storms in Arkansas ramp up residents’ anxiety, create flooding and danger

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Willadean Hergott of Jonesboro clutched a stuffed toy monkey while sitting in the Craighead County safe room in Jonesboro Friday evening and waited for the next round of storms.

“I don’t like tornadoes. I don’t like seeing what happened in Lake City,” she said, referring to a twister that smashed the western edge of the Craighead County town Wednesday evening with winds of 150 mph.

“You never know anymore where one will come up,” she said.

Hergott sat in a chair inside the shelter, which has a capacity for 600 people. She said she had the monkey for her grandchildren who would show up shortly.

Serial storms in Arkansas ramp up residents’ anxiety, create flooding and danger

National Weather Service Little Rock

The past several days of heavy rains engorged streams and rivers across Arkansas. This National Weather Service map forecasts flood stage at various points along major rivers

Bill to abolish Arkansas State Library and its board advances despite librarians’ opposition

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

After more than two hours of debate, an Arkansas Senate committee advanced a proposal on Tuesday to abolish the Arkansas State Library and its board, which disburses state funding to local public libraries.

Senate Bill 536 would transfer the agency’s and board’s powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The State Library is already under the department’s umbrella but operates independently.

The bill would delete all mentions of the State Library from existing state statute and make “prohibit[ing] access to age-inappropriate materials to a person who is sixteen (16) years old or younger” a condition for public libraries to receive state funds from the education department.

Bill to abolish Arkansas State Library and its board advances despite librarians’ opposition

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Five Arkansans spoke against Senate Bill 536 before the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. From left: Misty Hawkins, regional director of the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System; Allie Gosselink, director of the Calhoun County Library; Debbie Hall, grants manager for the Arkansas State Library; John McGraw,executive director of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library; and Clare Graham, Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System director.

Bill limiting complexity of ballot titles advances in Arkansas Legislature

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Arkansas Lawmakers have advanced another bill changing the state’s direct democracy process.

Members of a Senate committee on Thursday advanced House Bill 1713, which requires all titles of citizen-led ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments to be written at or below an eighth-grade reading level. The bill’s Senate co-sponsor, Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Little Rock, said it’s an effort to make the process more accessible to voters.

“People have points to argue, but if they’re clear that if you believe this way you’re for it and if you believe the opposite then you’re against it, that’s the way the process is supposed to work. We’re not trying to confuse people,” he said.

Bill limiting complexity of ballot titles advances in Arkansas Legislature

Arkansas AG rejects proposed ballot measure to amend state’s direct democracy process

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas’ attorney general on Tuesday rejected a proposed ballot measure that aims to amend the state’s initiative and referendum process.

Attorney General Tim Griffin cited ambiguities as his reason for rejecting the proposed ballot title and language, which Little Rock attorney David Couch submitted on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas on March 11.

State law requires the attorney general to approve or reject a proposed ballot measure along with its ballot title and popular name within 10 business days of receiving the original draft. Tuesday was the deadline for Griffin to do so.

Arkansas AG rejects proposed ballot measure to amend state’s direct democracy process

Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate

Petitioners gather signatures for a ballot initiative to expand abortion access in Arkansas during the Voices and Votes rally on Jan. 28, 2024 in Fayetteville.

Letter carriers' union: 'U.S. mail is not for sale'

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

Members of the Little Rock branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers gathered at the Arkansas State Capitol Sunday to protest a proposal from the Trump administration to move the U.S. Postal Service under the Department of Commerce.

It was part of a national day of action organized by the American Postal Worker's Union. NALC Local Branch President Chad Dollar spoke at the rally.

"The United State Postal Service employs 640,000, with over 200,000 being letter carriers. The postal service is the largest company to hire veterans, with over 73,000 hired," said Dollar. "The service we provide is a universal service. That means no one pays more, no one pays less. We just provide the service to the American people. We deliver nearly 160 million deliveries each and every day.”

Letter carriers' union: 'U.S. mail is not for sale'

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Local members of the National Association of Letter Carriers gather at the Arkansas State Capitol on March 23, 2025, to rally against attempts to privatize or dismantle the United States Postal Service.

New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas Sen. Dan Sullivan filed legislation Thursday to abolish not only the State Library Board, but the State Library as well.

Senate Bill 536 would carry out Sullivan’s promise to dismantle the library board by transferring the agency’s and board’s powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The Arkansas State Library is already under the department’s umbrella but operates independently, and the board consists of seven members appointed by the governor who disburse funds to public libraries on a quarterly basis.

In February, Sullivan introduced Senate Bill 184, which would have abolished the State Library Board but not the State Library. The bill also would have dissolved the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, which oversees Arkansas PBS and is also under the education department but operates independently.

New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, in the Senate chamber on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

'Social transition' bill pulled amid First Amendment concerns

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A bill that would open up liability to Arkansans who assist in someone's "social transition" was pulled following debate in committee.

The bill to create “The Vulnerable Youth Protection Act” would give broad litigation rights to people seeking to sue those who provide minors with gender-affirming care. A person could seek up to $10 million in punitive damages for 15 years against anyone who assists in social transitioning. The bill would expand previous legislation making it easier to sue doctors who participate in the medical transition of a minor.

The bill met pushback in a meeting of the House Judiciary committee Tuesday over its definition of “social transitioning” as “changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, and name,” meaning a person could possibly sue their barber or person who calls them by a nickname.

'Social transition' bill pulled amid First Amendment concerns

Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio

Steps leading up to the Arkansas Senate chamber in the state Capitol.

High winds fuel rare wildfire outbreak across Arkansas

KUAR | By Daniel Breen,

Maggie Ryan

Dry conditions and abnormally high winds sparked a number of wildfires across Arkansas Wednesday.

Much of Arkansas remains under extreme fire danger, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock. As of 5:19 p.m., Arkansas State Police said fire crews were responding to 54 wildfires across the state. No injuries had been reported as of early Wednesday evening.

Pulaski County/X

Flames engulf the historic St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

In a news conference, Little Rock Fire Chief Delphone Hubbard said the department received its first call of a grass fire at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday.

Hubbard said 14 locations across Little Rock had been affected by fires, including four businesses. Of the 10 residential properties affected, four sustained damage to the primary residence; Hubbard said all four are located on Chaucer Lane in southwest Little Rock. He added only one firefighter responding to Wednesday's blazes received medical attention for dehydration, and that resources were never a concern for fire crews.

High winds fuel rare wildfire outbreak across Arkansas

Pulaski County/X

Fire crews respond to a blaze near the St. Joseph's Center in North Little Rock on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Congressional delegation a no-show at packed Little Rock rally

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A rally denouncing Arkansas’ Congressional delegation, all of whom are Republicans, drew a crowd of Arkansans to downtown Little Rock Tuesday night. Shouts of “do your job” rang out in First United Methodist Church as speakers called on Rep. French Hill and Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman to respond to their demands in a town hall.

The three members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation that were invited to attend the event, but did not appear. Instead, speakers took turns speaking on recent cuts to government services led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones hosted the event.

Congressional delegation a no-show at packed Little Rock rally

Josie Lenora/Little Rock Public Radio

Attendees gather at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

KUAR | By KASU Newsroom

Officials in northern Arkansas are assessing damage and continuing recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes moved through the region over the weekend.

Paragould Mayor Josh Agee announced that the storm destroyed seven of the city's 16 outdoor warning sirens. In a video statement posted to Facebook, Agee said the city had purchased and installed three new sirens last fall and is aware of the current issues.

"We have crews out looking at those, inspecting them, making an inventory of the parts they need," Agee said. "We're going to try our best to get those replaced. Bear with us for that."

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

Arkansas Department Of Parks, Heritage And Tourism

The welcome sign for Cave City, Ark. The town was hit by an EF3 tornado on Friday, March 14, 2025, killing three people.

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

KUAR | By Sonny Albarado / Arkansas Advocate,

Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

An Arkansas Senate committee approved two bills hours apart Tuesday seeking to define a public meeting, an issue that has plagued local elected officials and government transparency advocates for decades.

Sen. Clarke Tucker, a Little Rock Democrat and sponsor of Senate Bill 227, told the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday morning his proposal would, “after 50 years, bring clarity to the law” by setting parameters for what members of city councils, quorum courts or school boards can discuss outside of a public meeting.

The bill also would amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to add cybersecurity breach as a reason to meet in executive session, introduce and regulate remote meeting attendance, and allow a court to nullify official actions taken as a result of violations of open meetings law.

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

Little Rock Democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker (left) considers a question from Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, at a Senate State Agencies Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Arkansas Legislature approves executions using nitrogen hypoxia

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A proposal to allow executions using nitrogen gas has cleared the Arkansas Legislature.

Execution Chamber - Wikimedia

House Bill 1489 now heads to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. If signed into law, Arkansas would become the fourth state in the U.S. – joining Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi – to allow executions by nitrogen hypoxia.

The bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning, introduced it on the Senate floor Tuesday.

“These are the worst of the worst in our society, and they have [gone] through the judicial system and many of them have been on death row for 20 and 30 years,” Johnson said. “We have a responsibility to those who are on death row and the citizens we serve to take this seriously and to administer this penalty.”

Arkansas Legislature approves executions using nitrogen hypoxia

Lawsuit continues between Supreme Court chief justice, court employee

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A lawsuit between Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker and court employees is set to go forward.

The suit is about Baker's alleged unprofessional conduct. Baker is said to have harassed and retaliated against employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts, a group of non-political staffers who help with day-to-day court business.

Last year, the AOC conducted a human resources investigation into her behavior. In January, Baker attempted to fire ten court employees. This was stopped by the high court in a case she is now attempting to throw out.

Lawsuit continues between Supreme Court chief justice, court employee

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Supreme Court building in Little Rock.

Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

About 75 years ago, people with severe intellectual or emotional disabilities in Arkansas were relegated to one state facility in downtown Little Rock.

In the late 1800s, it was called the Arkansas Lunatic Asylum. About 20 years later, the name changed to the Arkansas State Hospital for Nervous Diseases. And in 1933, the state settled on its current title: the Arkansas State Hospital.

Now, families have a few more options. There are five Human Development Centers scattered around Arkansas. These are long term care facilities where residents eat, work, sleep and live among people with similar challenges or diagnoses.

Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Tom Masseau, executive director of Disability Rights Arkansas, testifies against House Bill 1382 on Feb. 11, 2025.

Discussion with bill sponsor ‘saved’ Arkansas PBS governing board from dissolution, chairman says

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

A proposal to eliminate the governing board that oversees educational public television programs in Arkansas is not likely to advance further in the Legislature, the board chairman said Thursday.

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission oversees Arkansas PBS programs and finances and acts independently of the Arkansas Department of Education despite operating under its umbrella. Senate Bill 184, which passed the Senate in February, would abolish the commission and transfer its powers and authorities to the education department.

At the commission’s quarterly meeting Thursday, Chairman West Doss said he came to “an understanding” with SB 184’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro, earlier that morning.

Discussion with bill sponsor ‘saved’ Arkansas PBS governing board from dissolution, chairman says

Screenshot Via Livestream

West Doss, chairman of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, addresses the commission during its quarterly meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Former state Sen. Chesterfield talks ACCESS, HBCUs, student rights at legislative meeting

KUAR | By Maggie Ryan

Former Democratic state Sen. Linda Chesterfield spoke to lawmakers about the sweeping higher education legislation known as Arkansas ACCESS Monday.

Chesterfield, who previously served as a state lawmaker for over two decades, re-introduced herself as the Education Liaison for Pulaski County. She said her new responsibilities include establishing relationships between public schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the county, in order to “take advantage” of new funding provided through ACCESS.

Chesterfield told members of the Legislative Black Caucus she has concerns about parts of the 122-page higher education bill, but first addressed parts of ACCESS she said could offer a significant boost to students.

Former state Sen. Chesterfield talks ACCESS, HBCUs, student rights at legislative meeting

Maggie Ryan/Little Rock Public Radio

Former Democratic state Sen. Linda Chesterfield addresses members of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus on March 3, 2025.

Bill amending library system director qualifications advances

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A bill changing the requirements for library system directors is nearing final approval in the Arkansas Legislature.

Senate Bill 181 would no longer require the State Librarian or regional library system directors to hold a master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association. Instead, local oversight boards could consider relevant work experience as a substitute for a master’s degree when choosing a new director.

In a meeting of the House City, County and Local Affairs committee Wednesday, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, said local library boards can be trusted to choose the most qualified candidate regardless of their education level.

Bill amending library system director qualifications advances

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas state Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) speaks on the Senate floor in February 2023.

Arkansas Senate advances two stalled bills that would change citizen-led ballot initiative process

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

In a reversal, the Arkansas Senate allowed two proposed changes to the state’s citizen-led ballot measure process to advance to the House on Tuesday after failing to pass the bills’ emergency clauses earlier this month.

Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, is sponsoring a slew of legislation he has said would deter fraudulent behavior and protect the integrity of the signature collection process for proposed ballot measures.

Opponents of the bills have called them a threat to the public’s right to change laws and the state Constitution, which fewer than half of states allow, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Arkansas Senate advances two stalled bills that would change citizen-led ballot initiative process

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Kim Hammer (left), R-Benton, and Sen. Jonathan Dismang (right), R-Searcy, listen to the votes on the emergency clauses of two bills Hammer is sponsoring that would change Arkansas’ ballot initiative petition process on the Senate floor on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.