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National Park Service Rejects Plan to Rebuild Original Fort in Fort Smith, Arkansas

National Park Service Rejects Plan to Rebuild Original Fort in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The National Park Service (NPS) has rejected a proposal by Fort Smith businessman Carl Corley to rebuild the original Fort I at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Corley offered to spend up to $3 million of his own money to reconstruct the 1817 fort on Belle Point, using historic archives for accuracy. The NPS cited several reasons for its decision, including concerns that rebuilding would disturb and damage the site's archaeological resources, diminishing its cultural value and integrity. J. Adam Beeco, Fort Smith National Historic Site superintendent, stated that historical evidence is insufficient to support a reconstruction that meets preservation standards without significant conjecture. Additionally, the project would require approvals from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office, and consultation with affected Native American Tribes. Corley, however, is not deterred and has sought assistance from Arkansas's congressional delegation, including U.S. Se...

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Criticized for Disbanding Maternal Mortality Committee

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Criticized for Disbanding Maternal Mortality Committee

In 2024, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders dissolved the state's maternal mortality committee. This action followed the committee's recommendations for extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum women and its focus on the well-being of pregnant individuals. Instead of the original committee, Governor Sanders established her own 'advisory' group. This move by Arkansas is part of a broader trend observed in other states, including Georgia, Florida, and Idaho, where similar committees or their functions have been altered or dismissed. For instance, Georgia dismissed all 32 members of its maternal mortality committee in 2024 after internal documents linked two women's deaths to the state's six-week abortion ban. Florida has also reduced the transparency and public access to its Maternal Mortality Review Committee's activities and membership, while Idaho disbanded its committee entirely in 2023.

Representative Sam Graves Introduces BUILD America 250 Act to Address Highway Trust Fund Insolvency

Representative Sam Graves Introduces BUILD America 250 Act to Address Highway Trust Fund Insolvency

Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has introduced the BUILD America 250 Act. This legislation proposes to authorize $75 billion annually in Highway Trust Fund contract authority, along with an additional $3 billion subject to future appropriations, over a five-fiscal-year period. This represents a seven percent increase over current Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) levels. A key distinction of the BUILD America 250 Act from the IIJA is its funding strategy; unlike the IIJA, which included $47 billion in multiyear advance appropriations from the general fund, Graves' bill contains no such provisions. Instead, it relies on future congressional action to fund new programs. This legislative effort comes as a Congressional Research Service report projects the Highway Trust Fund's balance will approach zero by fiscal year 2028, necessitating congressional action to either increase revenue or reduce highway programs before the end of t...

Congressman Scott Peters Leads San Diego Trade Mission to Japan to Bolster Economic and Security Ties

Congressman Scott Peters Leads San Diego Trade Mission to Japan to Bolster Economic and Security Ties

Congressman Scott Peters Leads San Diego Trade Mission to Japan to Bolster Economic and Security Ties

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Co-Sponsors Legislation to Regulate Data Center Costs and Power Demand

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Co-Sponsors Legislation to Regulate Data Center Costs and Power Demand

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar is a co-sponsor of a four-bill package introduced by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam aimed at regulating the rapid expansion of data centers in the U.S. This legislative initiative seeks to address concerns regarding the electricity demand, water usage, and rising utility costs associated with data centers. The proposed bills would require large data centers to bear the full cost of power and grid upgrades necessitated by their operations, rather than passing these expenses onto residential consumers. Additionally, the package includes provisions for establishing national guidelines for data center siting, creating standards for measuring energy and water consumption, and developing a federal plan to protect communities and critical infrastructure near these facilities from potential threats.

Senator Tommy Tuberville Transitions from Coaching to Politics, Addressing Tax Reform and Education Funding

Senator Tommy Tuberville Transitions from Coaching to Politics, Addressing Tax Reform and Education Funding

Tommy Tuberville, a former head football coach for Auburn, Ole Miss, and Arkansas, has transitioned into a political career as a U.S. Senator from Alabama. With a notable coaching record of 156-63 over nearly two decades in the Southeastern Conference, Tuberville retired from coaching after a tenure at Texas Tech. His entry into politics has been characterized by a willingness to challenge the status quo and address various issues, including tax reform and education funding. Despite some criticism regarding his political inexperience, Tuberville has made a significant impact in the political landscape, leveraging his outsider status to advocate for his constituents. He emphasizes his commitment to serving the people of Alabama, even if it means disagreeing with members of his own party.

Senator Kevin Cramer Announces $24 Million for Garrison Dam Spillway Rehabilitation Project

Senator Kevin Cramer Announces $24 Million for Garrison Dam Spillway Rehabilitation Project

Senator Kevin Cramer has announced $24 million in funding for the Garrison Dam Spillway Approach Rehabilitation Project in North Dakota. This project aims to address damage and potential safety risks identified after the spillway's first use during the 2011 Missouri River flood. The Garrison Dam, the world's fifth-largest earthen dam, had its spillway unused for over 50 years until the 2011 flood, which, despite operating at only 18% of its capacity, caused damage to the concrete chute and dislodged drainage covers. A post-flood review concluded that the spillway had a flaw with a low probability of failure but could still threaten downstream cities. The rehabilitation project, which began after a June 2023 study, includes dredging, riprap protection, and a complete replacement of the drainage system to eliminate manhole covers within the spillway. This phase is expected to be completed by April 2028.

D-Wave Quantum Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding from U.S. Department of Commerce for Quantum Semiconductor Development

D-Wave Quantum Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding from U.S. Department of Commerce for Quantum Semiconductor Development

D-Wave Quantum Secures $100 Million CHIPS Act Funding from U.S. Department of Commerce for Quantum Semiconductor Development

GlobalFoundries Finalizes $375 Million R Award from U.S. Department of Commerce to Boost Quantum Semiconductor Leadership

GlobalFoundries Finalizes $375 Million R Award from U.S. Department of Commerce to Boost Quantum Semiconductor Leadership

GlobalFoundries Finalizes $375 Million R Award from U.S. Department of Commerce to Boost Quantum Semiconductor Leadership

Little Rock's Riverdale Neighborhood Experiences Widespread Power Outages Affecting Over 3,000 Customers

Little Rock's Riverdale Neighborhood Experiences Widespread Power Outages Affecting Over 3,000 Customers

On Sunday evening, the Riverdale neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas, experienced significant power outages, leaving 3,171 customers without electricity. The outage began at approximately 4:17 p.m. Earlier in the evening, the Hillcrest area also reported outages, though power was largely restored there by 7:50 p.m. Entergy Arkansas's online outage map indicated an estimated restoration time of 10 p.m. for the affected Riverdale customers. The cause of these widespread outages was still under investigation as of Sunday night. This event highlights the vulnerability of local infrastructure to disruptions, impacting a substantial portion of the community in the affected areas.

Arkansas Families Face Eviction After Federal Rental Aid Administrator Liquidated

Arkansas Families Face Eviction After Federal Rental Aid Administrator Liquidated

Families in Arkansas are facing eviction and housing instability following the liquidation of the credit union tied to the People Trust Community Loan Fund, which administered federal rental assistance. The National Credit Union Administration took over the credit union, leading to its liquidation in April. This administrative change has directly impacted renters like Alexis Mitchell, a mother of three in Little Rock, whose full rent had been paid by HUD through January. She was forced to move from her home and place belongings in storage. Another parent, Brittany Robinson, a mother of five in North Little Rock, experienced similar issues with a separate People Trust-backed rental assistance program, leading to housing destabilization and a move to a home with fire hazards and sewage problems. The federal aid, specifically HUD's Continuum of Care Program, was intended to prevent homelessness and facilitate rehousing. Little Rock officials attempted to arrange a temporary agreement with HUD after People Tru...

Mexican President Sheinbaum Proposes National Security Screening for Foreign Investments in Sensitive Sectors

Mexican President Sheinbaum Proposes National Security Screening for Foreign Investments in Sensitive Sectors

Mexican President Sheinbaum Proposes National Security Screening for Foreign Investments in Sensitive Sectors