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Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' LEARNS Act Faces Criticism Over Funding and Accountability

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' LEARNS Act Faces Criticism Over Funding and Accountability

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' LEARNS Act in Arkansas is facing significant criticism, particularly concerning its school voucher program. Opponents argue that the act jeopardizes small rural public schools, benefits unregulated private schools, and violates the principle of separation of church and state. A key point of contention is the allocation of $379 million for school vouchers, with critics noting that families already paying private tuition or homeschooling are receiving these funds without a needs-based assessment. There are also concerns about the lack of accountability for private schools participating in the program, including no review of curriculum, background checks for employees, or financial need verification for recipients. The act, while aiming to improve education, is seen by some as diverting public funds to private institutions without adequate oversight or ensuring that the funds primarily benefit students transitioning from failing public schools.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Big 12 football Week 2 schedule, TV channels, how to watch games

Big 12 football Week 2 schedule, TV channels, how to watch games

How to watch Big 12 football Week 2 games on television this week, including schedule, dates, times, matchups, TV channels, streaming for every game.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Big 12 football Week 2 odds, point spreads, moneylines, over/unders

Big 12 football Week 2 odds, point spreads, moneylines, over/unders

College football Week 2 betting spreads, lines, point totals for every game on Big 12 schedule, with odds for favorites, underdogs in each matchup.
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Benton County Judge Rules $7.3 Million in Property Tax Overcharges for Elderly and Disabled

Benton County Judge Rules $7.3 Million in Property Tax Overcharges for Elderly and Disabled

A circuit judge in Benton County, Arkansas, has ruled that the county overcharged elderly and disabled homeowners by $7.3 million in property taxes. The overcharges stemmed from the county's failure to properly apply a state freeze on property tax assessments for these vulnerable groups, as mandated by Amendment 79 of the Arkansas Constitution. This amendment freezes the assessment on homesteads for Arkansans aged 65 or older or those with disabilities. The ruling, issued on Thursday, found that Benton County systematically increased the assessed values of these homesteads after the date of purchase, rather than freezing them at the purchase value. Approximately 6,665 parcels in Benton County were affected, with the excess property taxes collected since 2018 totaling over $7.3 million. The county plans to appeal the decision, according to Benton County Judge Barry Moehring.
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PotlatchDeltic Implements Complete Fire Ban Across Arkansas Due to High Wildfire Risk

PotlatchDeltic Implements Complete Fire Ban Across Arkansas Due to High Wildfire Risk

PotlatchDeltic has issued a complete fire ban for all recreational units (RUs) across Arkansas, effective immediately. This decision comes in response to persistent dry conditions and elevated wildfire danger in the region, highlighted by a recent wildfire at Cowhide Cove. The Murfreesboro Fire Department is disseminating this urgent safety notice, emphasizing the need for extreme caution from residents, property owners, and outdoor recreation groups. The temporary restrictions prohibit activities such as mowing or bushhogging, grilling or outdoor cooking with open flames, smoking, and the use of fireworks or Tannerite. Additionally, parking vehicles in tall grass or with hot exhaust systems in grassy or wooded areas is forbidden. Users are also advised to exercise extreme caution when towing to prevent sparks from equipment contact with pavement or rocks. These measures are crucial as even a small spark can rapidly escalate into a widespread fire under current conditions.
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Four Arkansas Agencies Receive $42,000 from FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program

Four Arkansas Agencies Receive $42,000 from FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program

Four Arkansas Agencies Receive $42,000 from FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program
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Kansas Republicans Criticize Kelly Administration Over Reallocation of $24 Million in Disability Funds

Kansas Republicans Criticize Kelly Administration Over Reallocation of $24 Million in Disability Funds

Kansas Republicans on a legislative budget committee have expressed renewed discontent with Governor Laura Kelly’s administration regarding the reallocation of approximately $24 million. These funds, which lawmakers contend should have been directed to Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), were instead used by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to expand aid for individuals with severe brain injuries, the frail elderly, and those requiring technology assistance for disabilities. A significant portion, about $19 million, was allocated to the needs of frail elderly Kansans. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, accused KDADS of a “blatant bureaucratic shell game,” arguing that families awaiting I/DD services deserve answers. Senator Rick Billinger, a Goodland Republican, noted that the historical challenge with I/DD programs has been a lack of providers, not a funding shortfall. However, KDADS Secretary Laura Howard stated that the reallo...
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Arkansas State University Reports Sixth Consecutive Semester of Record Enrollment

Arkansas State University Reports Sixth Consecutive Semester of Record Enrollment

Arkansas State University (ASU) has achieved its sixth consecutive semester of record-breaking enrollment, with the fall semester reaching 17,000 students. This represents a 4.7% increase from the previous year. The freshman class alone accounts for 2,000 students. The university's dormitories are operating at near full capacity, with 99.8% occupancy and over 1,500 students residing on campus. This sustained growth began in the fall of 2022, leading to an overall enrollment increase of 33% since then. ASU is currently ranked as the third-best college in the state, a factor that Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Todd Clark attributes to the university's commitment to student interaction and personalized attention, despite its growing size.
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Sebastian County Election Commission Prepares for Potential November Runoff Election

Sebastian County Election Commission Prepares for Potential November Runoff Election

The Sebastian County Election Commission convened on Friday to proactively discuss preparations for a potential countywide runoff election in November. While no definitive decisions were made regarding specific polling site closures, commissioners explored the possibility of runoffs following the November 3 general election. They also approved the ballots for the upcoming November election and outlined plans for various events in the election cycle. These include election official training on September 19 and a presentation by Election Coordinator Manda Cravey for Leadership Fort Smith, aimed at educating the public on the election process. A voter registration event is also scheduled for September 15 at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus.
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LG Energy Solution Secures 10-Year U.S. Lithium Supply Deal to Bolster Domestic Battery Production

LG Energy Solution Secures 10-Year U.S. Lithium Supply Deal to Bolster Domestic Battery Production

LG Energy Solution Secures 10-Year U.S. Lithium Supply Deal to Bolster Domestic Battery Production
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Senator Boozman Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Access to Discounted 340B Drugs

Senator Boozman Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Access to Discounted 340B Drugs

Senator John Boozman has introduced the SUSTAIN 340B Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at safeguarding access to discounted drugs provided through the federal 340B program. This program mandates that pharmaceutical companies participating in Medicaid and Medicare offer outpatient drugs at reduced prices to hospitals and clinics that serve low-income, uninsured patients, and rural communities. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have attempted to restrict access to these discounted drugs by limiting their distribution to only in-house pharmacies of safety-net clinics, which has particularly impacted rural patients who often face long travel distances to pick up essential medications. Many clinics also lack their own pharmacies. The proposed legislation seeks to codify the use of contract pharmacies by safety-net providers, thereby ensuring broader access and upholding the original intent of the 340B program. Additionally, the bill includes comprehensive reforms to prevent abuse of the program by either pha...
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Arkansas Appeals Court Upholds Act 372, Allowing Libraries to Restrict Minors' Access to 'Harmful' Materials

Arkansas Appeals Court Upholds Act 372, Allowing Libraries to Restrict Minors' Access to 'Harmful' Materials

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a lower court's injunction against Sections 1 and 5 of Arkansas' Act 372, allowing the law to take effect. Act 372, passed in 2023, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly furnishing material 'harmful to minors' and requires public libraries to adopt clear policies for material selection, relocation, and retention. It also establishes a process for citizens to challenge materials, with local elected officials holding final authority. The appeals court reversed U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks' earlier decision, which had found Section 1 overbroad and vague and Section 5 an unconstitutional empowerment of censorship. The Eighth Circuit ruled that the law complies with the First Amendment, stating that states can limit minors' access to material deemed obscene for them, even if not for adults.