Arkansas Advocate || bsky @arkansasadvocate.com

Welcome to the Arkansas Advocate, a fresh voice in state news #arnews #arpx arkansasadvocate.com/2022/08/16/wel…

Internet giant Google officially announced the first phase of its $4 billion West Memphis cloud and artificial intelligence data center project Thursday in what officials called one of the largest economic investments ever in Arkansas.

President Trump signed legislation in July blocking federal Medicaid funds for certain reproductive health care providers. Clinics being forced to close provided a broad range of services, including pregnancy care, primary care and behavioral health care. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/01/rep…

Arkansas state Sen. Garry Stubblefield has died at age 74, according to the Senate public information office. The Republican from Branch had represented Senate District 26 since 2012. An Aug. 26 social media post by his daughter said he'd undergone four surgeries.

Admitted killer Travis Posey was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences and 11 20-year sentences Monday in a June 2024 mass shooting at a South Arkansas supermarket that left four dead and nearly a dozen wounded. More later from the Arkansas Advocate.

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a Little Rock federal court's block of part of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' signature education law regarding "indoctrination" and sent the case back for further proceedings. Follow the Arkansas Advocate for more details.

More #NoKingsDay photos from Northwest Arkansas.

With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is back on the chopping block. buff.ly/3VpNvAb

Marion County Library Board members were dismissed by the county judge Thursday for failing to more closely supervise the public library director who was arrested after an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct. buff.ly/4g2WjnV

Franklin County residents opposed to plans to build a state prison in their community shared their concerns with lawmakers at the Arkansas Capitol Friday. #arpx #arleg buff.ly/3VtyGgh

An Indiana education company that’s been scrutinized by lawmakers for its cost and effect on student test scores received $144.6 million over seven years to provide professional development services in Arkansas, according to an audit released Friday. buff.ly/4ghoVu5

An attorney for a physician accused of rape and sexual assault asked the Arkansas State Medical Board on Thursday to allow the doctor to return to practice with some restrictions. The board voted to wait to take action until his charges are heard in court. buff.ly/3ZoRjmt

An effort is underway to reverse a portion of a law passed last year that changed how members are appointed to county roles. Legislators pitched the new law as a way for residents to have more local control over conservation district leadership. buff.ly/3ZBRr3w

Arkansas lawmakers continued an ongoing discussion on renewable energy during a legislative meeting this week when they listened to arguments against wind turbine farms from a Washington state legislator. #arpx #arleg buff.ly/4f2GNag

Tuesday's runoffs, the final election of the year, resulted in new mayors for Fayetteville and Bull Shoals and the use of a tiebreaker to decide a city council race in Yell County. #arpx buff.ly/3CYoSEA

The Arkansas Board of Corrections this week discussed implementing longer shifts for employees at community correction centers as a way to address staffing shortages and help reduce the state's backlog of inmates in county jails. buff.ly/3VIxLsz

A state senator has filed a joint resolution that proposes shifting the redistricting process out of politicians' hands. How Arkansas legislators redrew the state's congressional district map was the subject of a lawsuit considered by a panel this week. buff.ly/3D0HiER

The economy added 227,000 jobs in November, making for a strong jobs report despite a slight increase in the unemployment rate. buff.ly/41mF64j

The law Congress passed this year to force the Chinese parent company of social media giant TikTok to either sell the service or face a U.S. ban is constitutional, a panel of federal appeals judges ruled Friday. buff.ly/3ZFcQIZ

Attorneys general in 11 states, including Arkansas, filed a joint lawsuit last month claiming three organizations’ efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices. buff.ly/4ioEe5q

The director of a North Arkansas public library was arrested this week after an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct, according to court records. buff.ly/4g2WjnV