Arkansas Blog

There are a number of reasons Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith use to rationalize their lack of action, but their reasoning seems too skewed toward economic health instead of public health.

The Arkansas legislature's budget session WILL begin Wednesday.

The morning count shows cases in 59 counties. As it happens at least one county listed as without cases is the home of a woman whose mother wrote me last night about her positive diagnosis.

Today, in the middle of the worst pandemic in 100 years, a group of 16 runners passed by my car on Markham near the Capitol. They were laughing, having a good time, getting fit — and endangering us all.

Good news in bad times: Arkansas strawberries are ready for picking.

There is a world outside coronavirus. Example 1:  For my money, the best article in the morning Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was the op-ed by Tad Bohannon, chief executive of Central Arkansas Water, on plans afoot to reopen the Pegasus Pipeline, which ruptured and gushed oil in Mayflower seven years ago.

Thanks to World Central Kitchen, the Clinton Foundation, the Little Rock School District and a broad coalition of local players, all Little Rock kids have access to free food on a daily basis.

Today's video: The governor on the defensive.

Got a question for Mayor Frank Scott Jr.? Ask it Friday, Apil 10.

National Democrats will help Joyce Elliott take on Donald Trump supporter French Hill, the incumbent Republican in 2nd District congress.

Two more deaths and the governor defends not joining other states with a shelter in place order.

Mass layoffs in Arkansas? The state won't say.

A second legislator tests positive.

State revenue in March: Who knows what it means?

The Buffalo National River is closed to all visitors.

Still rising.

Red states in the South don't seem to be taking as seriously the advice to travel less.

The state has begun responding to the virus crisis. But there's more to be done. Some specifics suggested in new report.

The health department director also talks about the line he must walk between providing information and preventing people from panicking in the face of the pandemic.

Is it a good idea to require people to make a doctor's visit to renew their medical marijuana certificate?