Explore

U.S. Representatives Tour University of Arkansas Research Facilities to Boost Economic and Military Leadership

U.S. Representatives Tour University of Arkansas Research Facilities to Boost Economic and Military Leadership

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), U.S. Representative Steve Womack (R-Ark. 3rd), and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Ala. 3rd) recently visited the University of Arkansas (U of A) to tour two of its research facilities: the Multi-User Silicon Carbide Facility (MUSiC) and the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC). The purpose of the visit was to gain firsthand insight into the university's innovative contributions to meet state and national needs. MUSiC is the nation's only openly accessible silicon carbide semiconductor fabrication facility, focusing on developing next-generation semiconductor technologies crucial for energy systems, transportation, aerospace, and national security. CEREC researchers are developing solutions for transportation systems, structural engineering, and resilient infrastructure, including large-scale testing facilities for construction materials and bridge systems. Representative Womack emphasized that the solutions being developed have the p...

Fort Smith Group to Petition for Sunday Off-Premises Alcohol Sales Ballot Initiative

Fort Smith Group to Petition for Sunday Off-Premises Alcohol Sales Ballot Initiative

A local group in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is planning to gather signatures to place a measure on a future ballot that would allow for the Sunday sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption. This initiative follows recent discussions during a Fort Smith Board of Directors study session, where City Administrator Jeff Dingman confirmed that state law mandates a citizen-petitioned measure for such a change. The petition requires signatures from 15% of qualified electors in the city who voted in the last gubernatorial election. Currently, this number is 3,120 signatures, though it will change after the upcoming November election. City staff have indicated that it is too late for this measure to be included in the general election this November. Rhyan Besco, founder of The Riverboy Foundation, stated his group has already collected over 1,000 signatures during a St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl in March, kick-starting the conversation.

NRA Endorses Senator Tom Cotton with 'A' Rating, Opponent Hallie Shoffner Receives 'F'

NRA Endorses Senator Tom Cotton with 'A' Rating, Opponent Hallie Shoffner Receives 'F'

The National Rifle Association (NRA) Political Victory Fund has officially endorsed Senator Tom Cotton for reelection, assigning him an 'A' rating for his consistent defense of the Second Amendment. In contrast, his Democratic opponent, Hallie Shoffner, received an 'F' rating from the organization. The NRA's endorsement letter, obtained by the Washington Reporter, lauded Cotton's record, specifically mentioning his co-sponsorship of national Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation and his support for protecting veterans' gun rights from Department of Veterans Affairs determinations. Cotton also voted to eliminate a federal excise tax on suppressors and certain firearms, a move the NRA described as a significant repeal of National Firearms Act provisions. The organization further praised Cotton's support for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, and his opposition to gun-control proposals from Democratic congressional leaders. Shoffner's 'F' rating stems from her financ...

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.

Extreme Heat Accelerates Arkansas Cotton Harvest

Extreme Heat Accelerates Arkansas Cotton Harvest

Arkansas is experiencing a period of extreme heat and dry weather, which is accelerating the harvest of key crops like corn, rice, soybeans, and cotton. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Crop Progress report, 65% of the state's corn has been harvested, significantly ahead of the five-year average of 35%. Similarly, rice harvests have reached 33%, compared to 18% for the five-year average. The National Weather Service has issued a six-day heat risk map highlighting extreme heat across the Arkansas Delta and Arkansas River Valley through Saturday. Jason Kelley, an agronomist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, noted that the hot, dry conditions are expected to persist, allowing for rapid progress in harvesting activities.

Extreme Heat Warnings Issued Across Southwest and Southern Plains

Extreme Heat Warnings Issued Across Southwest and Southern Plains

Extreme Heat Warnings have been issued across parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains, including areas from Arizona to Arkansas, due to dangerously high temperatures and heat index values. The National Weather Service (NWS) has projected temperatures ranging from 105°F to 116°F (40.6°C to 46.7°C) in regions such as Death Valley, the Colorado River Valley, and the Phoenix metropolitan area. Heat index values exceeding 110°F (43.3°C) are expected in parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The warnings are in effect for consecutive days, with some extending into Friday evening, particularly in the Imperial Valley. Overnight cooling is limited due to cloud cover, exacerbating the cumulative heat stress. Heat Advisories have also been issued for surrounding areas, indicating dangerous conditions that fall short of warning criteria. Source time: Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:23:40 GMT.

Trump Administration Continues Efforts to Downsize and Relocate Department of Education Functions Amidst New State Initiative

Trump Administration Continues Efforts to Downsize and Relocate Department of Education Functions Amidst New State Initiative

The Trump administration is actively pursuing its agenda to close the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to shift its core functions to other agencies and reduce the federal government's role in education. This initiative involves relocating Department of Education staffers to other agencies' buildings and reallocating billions of dollars in education program funding to other departments. Hundreds of staffers are already working from different agency locations, and significant education funds have appeared in other agencies' spending accounts. Concurrently, the Department of Education, through its assistant secretary overseeing K-12 education, Kirsten Baesler, announced a new 'Learning Agenda Playbook.' This resource, developed in collaboration with eight states, is designed to help state education agencies strategically measure policy outcomes and make evidence-based decisions, aligning with the administration's goal of 'returning education to the states.'

University of Michigan Seminar Advances Ancient Papyrus Conservation Techniques

University of Michigan Seminar Advances Ancient Papyrus Conservation Techniques

The University of Michigan (U-M) recently hosted a Papyrus Conservation Summer Seminar, bringing together an international group of nine researchers to learn and practice the latest papyrus preservation techniques. Over two weeks, these researchers, many of whom had no prior papyrus experience, conserved more than 150 papyri fragments, both large and small. These fragments, often referred to as 'cornflakes,' are overlooked scraps of papyri that offer partial insights into ancient worlds. The seminar focused on the U-M's extensive papyrology collection, which is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and contains texts and documents dating from approximately 1000 BCE to 1000 CE, including personal letters, school primers, and sales contracts. This initiative highlights the importance of preserving these ancient texts for historical and academic study.

April 2025 Weather Summary for Little Rock, AR: Above-Average Rainfall and Temperatures

April 2025 Weather Summary for Little Rock, AR: Above-Average Rainfall and Temperatures

The National Weather Service (NWS) has released the preliminary climatological data for April 2025 at Little Rock Adams Field, Arkansas. The average monthly temperature was recorded at 66.5°F (19.2°C), which is 5°F (2.8°C) above the normal average. The highest temperature of the month was 88°F (31.1°C) on April 13, while the lowest was 42°F (5.6°C) on April 9. Precipitation for the month totaled 13.96 inches (354.5 mm), significantly exceeding the normal by 8.37 inches (212.6 mm). The greatest 24-hour rainfall was recorded at 6.05 inches (153.7 mm) on April 5. No snowfall was reported during the month. Wind speeds peaked at 36 mph (57.9 km/h) on April 30, with the strongest gusts coming from the northwest.

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.

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.

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...