Latest news with #ArkansasDemocrat-Gazette
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Talk Business & Politics: Olivia Walton, columnist Rex Nelson
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Maternal health has made progress in the legislative session, but there is more to do for families and children. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Olivia Walton, with Ingeborg Investments, who has been a leader on this issue in Arkansas has ideas for the state and federal level. Roby then talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson chimes in on a variety of topics in the Natural State. Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Talk Business & Politics: ASU Pres. Dr. Brendan Kelly, columnist John Brummett
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Last fall, Dr. Brendan Kelly became the third president of the Arkansas State University System, which covers campuses from Jonesboro to Mountain Home and Malvern. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Kelly to find out the appeal for him to come to Arkansas and what his vision for the future is for the A-State system. Roby then talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist John Brummett to discuss this week's most high-profile political movements in the Natural State. Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Proposed Franklin County prison site to get archeological study
A cultural resource study is likely to be done on the site of the proposed controversial Franklin County prison project to look for artifacts, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported. Why it matters: Members of the Chickamauga Nation claimed ancestors could be buried on the 815-acre site and called for the state to do an archeological survey in March. State of play: The state Department of Corrections (DOC) said a desktop study comparing the property and surrounding area to records from the Arkansas Archeological and Survey, the Automated Management of Archeological Site Data in Arkansas and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program revealed no previously recorded archaeological or historical sites there. However, in its 2025 project update, the DOC said the architecture and engineering firm hired for the project is beginning its work and the "next phase is likely to include a cultural resource study, including on-site archeological work." What they're saying: "The plan for on-site work would include engagement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the State Historic Preservation Officer so these agencies can provide their opinions and approvals," the update reads. "Those would potentially include Federal consultation with select [Native American] Tribes for review of plan and scope." The big picture: Supporters of the 3,000-bed prison point out that Arkansas prisons frequently have more inmates than capacity, so Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former Gov. Asa Hutchinson worked to increase the state's ability to house inmates. Many Franklin County residents oppose the prison's proposed location, citing poor infrastructure, challenging topography, a lack of workforce and fear of declining land values. Catch up quick: It's estimated the prison will cost $1 billion or more and would be one of the largest investments shouldered by taxpayers in recent state history. The state Board of Corrections approved a $16.5 million contract with California-based Vanir Construction Management to oversee the project in October. The board approved hiring HDR Inc. of Nebraska and Cromwell Architects Engineers of Little Rock for the prison's design in mid-April. General contractors' bids and proposals to build the project were due in late April, and interviews were to be conducted on May 7. The state department of Transformation and Shared Services denied Axios' request for a list of contractors, citing exemption from the state's Freedom of Information law while proposals are in review. The intrigue: The state didn't secure a proposed $750 million in spending authority during the legislative session, but does have access to $75 million previously allotted to the Department of Corrections. It's not yet clear if Sanders will call a special session later this year to seek spending authority. She said after lawmakers' business was mostly done after the session that the prison was still a "big priority" and "I am confident that we'll get it done."
Axios
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Arkansas AG appeals LEARNS indoctrination injunction
Federal judges heard oral arguments last week related to preventing Arkansas from enforcing the "indoctrination" section of the sweeping LEARNS education act, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The big picture: Some supporters of LEARNS say the section protects children from ideological indoctrination. But teachers, students and the Arkansas NAACP, which filed the lawsuit seeking to strike the section, say it's "unworkably vague and overly broad" — violating teachers' right to due process and students' First Amendment right to receive information. Context: According to the section, "prohibited indoctrination" is when one compels another to adopt, affirm or profess an idea in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Flashback: Last May, U.S. District Court Judge Lee Rudofsky temporarily halted implementation of Section 16 of LEARNS while the lawsuit proceeds. What they're saying:"The government speech doctrine says that when the government is self-regulating its own speech, the First Amendment doesn't apply," a lawyer for the defendants, the state and Arkansas' Education Department, said at the hearing, according to the Democrat-Gazette. The other side: Plaintiffs said Section 16 is motivated by "racial animus" or the purpose of "denying students access to ideas and information with which the State and Defendants disagree," the newspaper reported.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas governor says she's not rushing to resume executions after signing nitrogen gas bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Friday that she's not in a rush to resume executions after signing legislation allowing the use of nitrogen gas to put inmates to death. Sanders made the comments during a joint interview with The Associated Press and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, days after lawmakers wrapped up this year's legislative session. In the 30-minute interview, Sanders also stood by her plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in the state and left open the possibility of calling a special session for income tax cuts. No timeline for resuming executions Sanders said she doesn't have a timeline for restarting executions after signing the law last month making Arkansas the fifth state to legalize using nitrogen to carry them out. 'I think anybody that is rushing into a decision like that is not the one making the decision and doesn't understand the severity and the responsibility that comes with it,' Sanders said. 'I'm certainly not rushing to take action on that. We will be very thoughtful and deliberative as we go through the process.' Arkansas hasn't carried out an execution since 2017, when it put four inmates to death before its supply of a lethal injection drug expired. Supporters of the nitrogen bill said it was needed because the state couldn't obtain more drugs from manufacturers that oppose their products being used in executions. Sixteen executions were carried out when Sanders' father, Mike Huckabee, was governor from 1996 to 2007. Sanders said that provides her with perspective on the gravity of the decision. 'Anytime you are the person sitting on the chair whose name goes on the line, it makes the decision a lot different, whether it's on this or anything else you do as governor,' she said. Sanders insists her prison plan has broad support Sanders said her plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County has broad support, although a bill appropriating money for it failed in the Legislature. Sanders and supporters of the project say it's needed to ease state prison overcrowding, which has caused a large number of inmates to be housed in county jails. 'The new prison is definitely a priority, and I'm confident that we'll get it done," Sanders said. She dismissed suggestions that the state look at building smaller prisons in multiple locations rather than one mega-prison. The project has faced a backlash from local leaders, who said they were blindsided by the decision last year to purchase 815 acres (330 hectares) for the prison. Opponents have questioned the site's viability and how the state will afford the estimated $825 million cost of the facility. 'We know we need it, we know there is an overwhelming majority that supports it and we're going to keep moving forward,' she said. A special session for tax cuts? The governor would not rule out a special session to take up income tax cuts after the fiscal year ends June 30. 'I would say nothing's off the table at this point,' Sanders said. She has called for eliminating the state income tax and has successfully pushed for cuts since taking office. She held off on proposing more cuts, though lawmakers did approve her plan to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. Some legislative leaders have said they would prefer to wait until lawmakers return to the Capitol next year to consider any tax cuts. Sanders said the state budget approved this week, which increases spending nearly 3%, will make it easier to consider more tax cuts. 'By not having significant, out-of-control increases, that puts us in a position to continue chipping away and responsibly phasing it out,' she said. Sanders backs keeping Medicaid expansion Sanders reiterated her support for keeping the state's Medicaid expansion, which was reauthorized by the Legislature but could face threats from cuts being weighed by Congress. Arkansas is among several states with a 'trigger law' that would end their Medicaid expansion if the enhanced match rate for the program is cut. 'We're in no position or do we want to be in a place where our program disappears,' she said. Sanders also suggested she hoped to have influence on the debate in Washington over Medicaid. 'We're always going to want to have a seat at the table when it's something that will impact our state,' the governor said.
