Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Ark. Supreme Court orders secretary of state to count some abortion petition signatures https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/23/ark-supreme-court-orders-secretary-of-state-to-count-some-abortion-petition-signatures State Supreme Court won’t dismiss abortion petitioners’ lawsuit, for now https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/26/state-supreme-court-wont-dismiss-abortion-petitioners-lawsuit-sets-briefing-schedule Disgraced cult leader’s name to...
Jul 27, 2024•36 min
Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Abortion advocates sue secretary of state over rejection of amendment https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/16/abortion-advocates-sue-secretary-of-state-over-rejection-of-amendment Little Rock City Board accepts Downtown Master Plan, plans July 30 tax vote https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/16/little-rock-city-board-accepts-downtown-master-plan-plans-july-30-tax-vote Little Rock city board member has missed every meeting since mid-May http...
Jul 19, 2024•53 min
Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Repro rights supporters cheer a milestone in push to put abortion on the ballot: https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/05/photos-repro-rights-supporters-cheer-a-milestone-in-push-to-put-abortion-on-the-ballot Secretary of state disqualifies Arkansas Abortion Amendment from ballot on technicality: https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/07/10/secretary-of-state-disqualifies-arkansas-abortion-amendment-from-ballot-on-technicality Whiplash: Why the A...
Jul 13, 2024•31 min
Send us a text Stories Discussed this week: POSTMORTEM: Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in presidential debate https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/27/liveblog-joe-biden-and-donald-trump-face-off-in-presidential-debate Why it’s a big deal that the Supreme Court struck down Chevron deference https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/28/why-its-a-big-deal-that-the-supreme-court-struck-down-chevron-deference U.S. Supreme Court ruling against homelessness puts advocates on edge https://ar...
Jun 29, 2024•40 min
Send us a text Stories Discussed this week: Dashcam footage from ATF raid that killed LR airport director Malinowski released by prosecutor https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/19/dashcam-footage-from-atf-raid-that-killed-lr-airport-director-malinowski-released-by-prosecutor Bodycam footage of attorney’s arrest at bar association convention supports her version of events https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/19/bodycam-footage-of-attorneys-arrest-at-bar-association-convention-supports...
Jun 22, 2024•40 min
Send us a text Stories discussed this week: More tax cuts incoming: Governor calls special session next week https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/11/more-tax-cuts-incoming-governor-calls-special-session-next-week We can blame one of the clumsiest politicians in Arkansas history for next week’s special session https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/13/we-can-blame-one-of-the-clumsiest-politicians-in-arkansas-history-for-next-weeks-special-session Fight! GOP fissures laid bare as Arkansa...
Jun 14, 2024•33 min
Send us a text Stories in this week's edition: Education vendor Solution Tree abandons ship on hefty state contract https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/06/03/education-vendor-solution-tree-abandons-ship-on-hefty-state-contract Government sues ExxonMobil 11 years after Mayflower oil spill https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/31/government-sues-exxonmobil-11-years-after-mayflower-oil-spill UPDATE: Proposed $1.8 million settlement filed over Exxon’s 2013 Mayflower oil spill https://arktim...
Jun 08, 2024•30 min
Send us a text Stories discussed in this week's episode: Little Rock police say governor told them to block canvassers from public property https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/30/little-rock-police-say-governor-told-them-to-block-canvassers-from-public-property Arkansas education secretary withdraws Solution Tree contract after legislative opposition https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/31/arkansas-education-secretary-withdraws-solution-tree-contract-after-legislative-opposition Sol...
Jun 01, 2024•33 min
Send us a text Stories discussed in this episode: Attorney general threatens groups advertising abortion pills in Arkansas https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/21/tim-griffin-warns-against-advertising-abortion-pills-in-arkansas $15K in donations to Supreme Court Justice Barbara Webb come from industry her husband regulates https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/17/15k-in-donations-to-supreme-court-justice-barbara-webb-come-from-industry-her-husband-regulates Arkansas Educational Rights...
May 25, 2024•42 min
Send us a text Stories discussed this week: Central High principal’s salary adjustment to close a gender pay gap up for approval Thursday https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/15/central-high-principals-salary-adjustment-to-close-a-gender-pay-gap-up-for-approval-thursday Glitch sends out contract renewals to all LRSD employees, even the ones losing their jobs https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/15/glitch-sends-out-contract-renewals-to-all-lrsd-employees-even-the-ones-losing-their-job...
May 18, 2024•38 min
Send us a text Stories discussed this week include: Judge partly sides with plaintiffs suing to stop Arkansas’s ban on ‘critical race theory,’ ‘indoctrination’ https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/07/judge-partly-sides-with-plaintiffs-suing-to-stop-arkansass-ban-on-critical-race-theory-indoctrination Judge hears arguments in lawsuit over LEARNS ban on ‘indoctrination,’ ‘critical race theory’ https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/30/judge-hears-arguments-in-lawsuit-over-learns-ban-on-indoctrina...
May 10, 2024•22 min
Send us a text On this week's show: More on the Legislature's stingy 2025 budget, a pair of new bitcoin mining laws are signed by the governor, the state makes it harder to register to vote, and Attorney General Tim Griffin sues to keep the gun show loophole open. Benji, Austin and Dave Ramsey have the details. Hester reelected as President of Senate as Legislature wraps up fiscal session; Chesterfield honored https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/05/02/hester-reelected-as-president-of-senate-...
May 04, 2024•44 min
Send us a text This week, in lieu of our regular weekly news roundup, we're sharing something special — a speech by Arkansas Times editor emeritus Max Brantley on the sorry state of politics and journalism in our state. Beginning in November 2023, the Arkansas Times started a luncheon speaker series that covers current events in Arkansas and serves as a fundraiser for our reporting efforts. Speakers have included former LRSD superintendent Baker Kurrus; Lauren Cowles, a drafter of the Arkansas A...
Apr 26, 2024•23 min
Send us a text This week: We say a bittersweet farewell to Arkansas Times city reporter extraordinaire Mary Hennigan, but not before one last update on Little Rock news. And, Matt Campbell answers everything you want to know about the #lecterngate audit and the governor's response. Stories discussed in this edition: Little Rock city manager hopefuls include Sen. Fred Love, acting manager Emily Cox https://arktimes.com/news/2024/04/12/little-rock-city-manager-job-attracts-out-of-state-prospects U...
Apr 20, 2024•43 min
Send us a text Arkansas Times listeners, we need your feedback! What do you like about the podcast? What do you hate? What can we improve? Email us with your thoughts, please, at podcasts@arktimes.com . This week, Dave Ramsey and Benji preview the fiscal session, the governor's meager budget and the legislative fight over crypto mining; and, Omaya talks with Rhett Brinkley about John Calipari's arrival at the University of Arkansas and what it means for Razorback basketball. Stories discussed th...
Apr 12, 2024•34 min
Send us a text This week, Benji and Mary Hennigan discuss the latest in the case of Bryan Malinowski, who was posthumously awarded a $24,000 bonus by the Little Rock airport commission, as well as several actions taken by the city board of directors at a Tuesday meeting. Then, Benji and Austin Gelder talk about the latest in a new lawsuit over a provision in Arkansas LEARNS. Finally, Benji talks to Rhett Brinkley, Daniel Grear, and Stephanie Smittle about Monday's endlessly anticipated solar ecl...
Apr 05, 2024•33 min
Send us a text This week, Benji and Matt Campbell discuss Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins' reality show TV (coming soon to Netflix!), the latest on the long-awaited #lecterngate audit and why you shouldn't accept Arkansas's projections for April 8 eclipse tourism at face value. Plus, Austin fills us in on a GOP primary runoff in Hope that's turning some southwest Arkansas Republican legislators against the governor's office. Show Notes: Pulaski County weighing options for handling sheriff’s ...
Mar 29, 2024•32 min
Send us a text This week, Benji and Mary review the big news of the week — the shooting of Little Rock airport director Bryan Malinowski on Tuesday by federal agents as they attempted to execute a search warrant related to illegal gun sales. Then, reporter Debra Hale-Shelton discusses two stories she's reported this week: an ominous new effort to intimidate public libraries and Asa Hutchinson's interest in a job atop the University of Arkansas System. Show Notes: Illegal guns sales led to fatal ...
Mar 23, 2024•28 min
Send us a text Show Notes: The queen’s gambit: Gov. Sanders and Co play political games with overcrowded prisons https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/28/the-queens-gambit-gov-sanders-and-co-play-political-games-with-overcrowded-prisons?fbclid=IwAR2FFU6Gw9ldB0JxOij_e81FprTrW3fL2QwkzkHeI_i8aFYkRFzBh-LFB9c Legislature OKs ’emergency’ rule limiting gender options on state IDs, dodges public comment https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/03/15/legislature-oks-emergency-rule-restricting-gender-...
Mar 16, 2024•31 min
Send us a text Show Notes: Little Rock Zoo welcomes new baby orangutan https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/26/little-rock-zoo-welcomes-new-baby-orangutan We dig it! Construction slated for Little Rock’s Southeast Trail https://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/we-dig-it-construction-slated-for-little-rocks-southeast-trail Little Rock’s city boardroom still under construction, April return hopeful https://arktimes.com/news/2024/03/06/little-rocks-city-boardroom-still-under-construction-april-return-hope...
Mar 09, 2024•32 min
Send us a text In this week's podcast, we focus on the March 5 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections coming up on Tuesday. Group pushes Womack to support Ukraine aid despite GOP blockade of bill https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/21/group-pushes-womack-to-support-ukraine-aid-despite-gop-blockade-of-bill U.S. speaker fight influences Arkansas congressional race (via Arkansas Advocate) https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/26/u-s-speaker-fight-influences-arkansas-congressional-ra...
Mar 01, 2024•17 min
Send us a text Allegations against Ark. corrections board member raise questions for Gov. Sanders’ father — and Trump https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/22/allegations-against-ark-corrections-board-member-raise-questions-for-gov-sanders-father-and-trump National funders skip Arkansas’s abortion fight, locals soldier on https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/20/national-funders-skip-arkansass-abortion-fight-locals-soldier-on ‘No one’s coming to save us’: Abortion campaigns scramble fo...
Feb 24, 2024•20 min
Send us a text Show Notes: University of Memphis hires Little Rock’s ex-police chief https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/13/university-of-memphis-hires-little-rocks-ex-police-chief Little Rock mayor’s annual address teases new programs, renewed sales tax push https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/09/little-rock-mayors-annual-address-teases-new-programs-renewed-sales-tax-push Little Rock officials approve step toward city-owned solar array https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/07/little-rock-officials-appr...
Feb 17, 2024•32 min
Send us a text This week, Benji recaps two races for the state Supreme Court in which the likely winners are already sitting justices, education reporter Jeannie Roberts fills us in on ClassWallet and the state's weird, secretive bidding process, and publisher Alan Leveritt has the dirt on the best tomato and pepper varieties for an Arkansas climate. Show Notes: March 5 election may hand Gov. Sanders new state Supreme Court appointments https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/02/07/march-5-elect...
Feb 10, 2024•31 min
Send us a text Stories in this Episode Helena - West Helena Water Crisis - https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/29/shower-truck-other-resources-available-in-helena-west-helena-as-water-crisis-drags-on - https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/26/legislators-weigh-in-on-broken-water-system-in-helena-west-helena - https://arktimes.com/news/2024/01/31/possible-end-in-sight-for-water-outage-in-helena-west-helena-ways-to-help-from-afar State Police https://arktimes.com/news/2024/02/01/state-police-tr...
Feb 03, 2024•14 min
Send us a text This week: The abortion amendment clears a key hurdle at the state attorney general's office, while the FOIA amendment makes progress. Plus, we continue talking with Dave Ramsey about how Arkansas LEARNS affects teachers, specifically job protections post-Teacher Fair Dismissal Act. Topics discussed in this episode: Ballot initiatives: https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/23/arkansas-abortion-amendment-can-proceed-attorney-general-says https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024...
Jan 27, 2024•33 min
Send us a text It's a relatively slow news week thanks to the winter weather, so we're talking to reporter David Ramsey at length about how the Arkansas LEARNS Act impacts teachers. Also, Mary Hennigan updates us on the situation in Stone County, where residents have been going without water amid sub-freezing temperatures. Articles discussed in this episode: How does Arkansas LEARNS impact teachers? We have answers. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/01/04/how-does-arkansas-learns-impact-te...
Jan 19, 2024•28 min
Send us a text In this week’s podcast, Benji and EIC Austin Bailey update us on the status of the various ballot initiatives seeking Attorney General Tim Griffin's approval, Asa Hutchinson's chances in the Iowa caucuses, and developments in the state Board of Corrections' dispute with the governor. Among the stories referenced in this episode: Amendment to expand medical marijuana program filed with AG https://arktimes.com/news/cannabiz/2024/01/12/amendment-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program-fi...
Jan 13, 2024•21 min
Send us a text In this week’s podcast, Benji and investigative reporter Matt Campbell take a deep dive (probably too deep) into the tangled dispute between the state Board of Corrections and the governor, attorney general and secretary of corrections. Debra Hale-Shelton updates us on the case of Deitric Williams Jr., a 26-year-old Black man who died while being arrested by Conway police in July. And, Mary Hennigan catches us up again on the Little Rock city beat with a review of 2023’s homicide ...
Jan 06, 2024•34 min
Send us a text On this week's podcast, Austin and Benji dig into the state Board of Corrections' suspension of the governor's corrections secretary, Joe Profiri. (Note: We recorded this episode midday on Friday, Dec. 15; a few hours later, a Pulaski County circuit judge granted a temporary restraining order requested by the Board of Corrections. Catch up on the latest on the Arkansas Blog.) Austin and Benji also discuss the Little Rock School District's approval of a (hugely) increased construct...
Dec 16, 2023•28 min
