Political News

House bill changes alcohol permit licensing rules

A bill which will soon be under consideration by the General Assembly's House Rules Committee would allow local Arkansas cities and counties to have more influence in the decision-making process when businesses apply for private club licenses, which allow businesses to serve alcohol by the drink

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 5:18pm

Grover Norquist provides cover for tax increase bill

The House Revenue and Tax committee approved a bill that would exempt most farmers from a sales tax on their utilities and a tax increase on timber companies.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 4:40pm

School vouchers improve chances of attending college

An evaluation of a school voucher program in Milwaukee showed that high school students who had used the vouchers for tuition at private schools were more likely to complete at least one year of college and start a second year than similar students who attended public high schools.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 9:28am

Womack not running for governor, open to Senate bid

Through his spokeswoman, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, denied any interest in entering the 2014 race for the Arkansas Governor’s office. However, his interest in the 2014 U.S. Senate race remains open.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 8:27am

Van Buren utility revenue hurt by Allens loss

The loss of Allens Canning Company in Van Buren is not only going to leave scores of locals unemployed, it will also cause a sizable dent in the budget of Van Buren Municipal Utilities, according to the utility's director Steve Dufresne.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 7:06pm

Arkansas tax cut talk includes state comparisons

Still short on dollar amount details, Speaker of the House Davy Carter, R-Cabot, says he will amend his capital gains income tax cut measure later this week or early next week to reflect his thoughts on the pro-business, pro-investor bill.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 3:03pm

Arkansas, Oklahoma to study Illinois River Watershed

As a follow-up from a Feb.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 2:00pm

Fort Smith, Little Rock to see public service institute

Fort Smith and Little Rock will soon be home to a public service institute for incoming high school sophomores and juniors, with the program partially supported by the Clinton School of Public Service.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 12:47pm

Greenwood group to look at annexation options

The once-quaint town of Greenwood has morphed into a thriving small city situated along U.S. 71. If city officials get their way, Greenwood could soon be growing beyond its current borders.

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 7:13pm

Bill filed to push for Arkansas-ASU football game

HB 2274 by Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley, would force the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University – two of the state’s Division 1 schools – to play at least a one-time regular season football game for a charitable cause.

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 6:06pm

Billboard talk raises idea of sign elimination

Members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors discussed outdoor advertising regulations at Monday's (March 12) noon study session, but the way some members of the Board and the crowd were talking, this may be the beginning of the end for billboards in Fort Smith.

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 3:20pm

Rural loan program loss could hurt NWA, Fort Smith area

Like all things deemed too good to be true, local homebuyers will have one less financing option as they seek out mortgage loans after March 27.

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 10:53am

New Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan group named

Members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors, along with Mayor Sandy Sanders and City Administrator Ray Gosack, met in executive session Monday night (March 11) at the Creekmore Park Community Center to make appointments to the city’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 9:38pm

Biofuel tax credit sought for Arkansas producers

A bipartisan group of Arkansas legislators – to include representatives from Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith area – are supporting legislation creating a 10-cent per gallon fuel production tax credit designed to help Arkansas based companies compete with alternative fuel producers in other

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 6:28pm

Arkansas woman travels suffrage march sites

Individuals in attendance at Monday's (March 11) League of Women Voters lunch in Fort Smith learned about the women's suffrage movement from a fellow member who spent last September exploring upstate New York and the historically significant events that lead to a more equal nation for women.

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 3:28pm