Law enforcement leaders and legislators gathered in the second-floor rotunda at the state capitol today as Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill that grants one-time stipends of up to $5,000 to police and probation and parole officers, and a second bill that increases the salary for Arkansas state troopers and other certified law enforcement officers […]
Governor Hutchinson Supports Prison Expansion, Presents COVID-19 Numbers in Weekly
At his weekly news briefing Thursday, February 10, 2022, Governor Asa Hutchinson addressed the issue of prison space in Arkansas and the work the Arkansas Department of Corrections will be doing to address issues. He said that over the past two years the Department of Corrections had seen a decline in prison population but that […]
Dentist gets a year and a day in prison for Public Corruption scheme involving former State Senator Hutchinson
A Florida dentist, formerly of Arkansas, was sentenced Monday to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and a $157,500 fine on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court […]
Hutchinson says Omicron is raging in Arkansas; At-home tests available; Legislators approve hospital bed funds
See Covid numbers below and read more about the new funding for hospital beds and statewide distribution of at-home tests. At his weekly news briefing Tuesday afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed the state receiving at-home COVID tests and increasing case numbers requiring more hospital beds. Total active cases have doubled since last week, rising from […]
Over 200K at-home Covid test kits to be distributed; Governor requesting funds for hospital beds also
In December, Governor Hutchinson directed the Arkansas Department of Health to acquire 1.5 million rapid at-home tests to be available for free to Arkansans, according to a statement from the Governor’s office. The State now has received the first shipment of 211,000 at-home testing kits. The process of delivering those to the respective distribution locations […]
State Legislators Honor Hornets Team for Championship 4-Peat
The Arkansas General Assembly invited the 2021 Bryant Hornets Football Team to the State Capitol Thursday morning to be recognized for the amazing feat of a 4-peat… four consecutive state championship wins in a row. Former State Senator and Bryant Alumnus Shane Broadway escorted the team through the building. Governor Asa Hutchinson congratulated the team […]
State Releases Interactive Proposed Maps of Legislative Districts; Solicits Comments
To improve transparency of the Board of Apportionment, the State of Arkansas released a set of interactive proposed district maps for the State House and Senate. Visit the Board of Apportionment’s website, type in your address and see street level detail of the proposed districts in your community. The maps display the demographic composition of […]
Bills would require moment of silence, national anthem of Arkansas schools
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge held a press conference Monday to announce legislation that would require Arkansas schools to play the national anthem before games and have a moment of silence after the pledge of allegiance in school mornings. According to a statement from the attorney general’s office, this legislation is intended for the “strengthening […]
AG submits bill “Combating Cancel Culture and Protecting Freedom of Speech”
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge introduced legislation on Thursday called AR Voices: Combating Cancel Culture and Protecting Freedom of Speech. Scroll down to see the exact bill language in an embedded PDF. This new legislation would make social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and others liable for damages when unfairly censoring or banning […]