Thawing ice on streams and ponds can present danger to livestock and pets. Huntsville Fire Department has been on calls that had tough endings, too, but this time they celebrated the rescue.

Across our country, we do not have to look very far to see the impact of federal investments such as an interstate, vocational program or medical treatment, but we may not always stop to think how they came about.

Although my work in the U.S. Senate requires me to spend a lot of time in Washington, I am always grateful to come home and connect with the people and places that make up the fabric of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Wildlife Management Division staff reported on the 2026 midwinter survey.

When I was a young child, my extended family in Adair County, Okla., got a kick out of me referring to the Illinois River as the “Ill-Noisy” River.

Physical inactivity among young people is an increasing concern for families, educators and health professionals across the country. Rising rates of obesity and chronic disease threaten not only individual well-being, but also communities’ long-term health. Helping children understand the importance of staying active early in life is one of the most effective ways to support healthier outcomes down the road.

I wrote last week about how political profiteer Jamie Barker is cashing in by becoming a “partner” in a lobbying firm, Gilmore Davis Strategy Group, with Jon Gilmore. 

The recent passing of former Washington County Sheriff Herbert “Herb” Marshall, who later was Chief Deputy under Sheriff Phillip Morgan in Madison County, represented a changing of the guard. A post on social media by Washington County Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Neville, featured a historical photo of Marshall posing with his nine deputies and their tan-colored 4-door sedan patrol cars alongside the old Washington County Sheriff’s Office on College Street in downtown Fayetteville.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month — an important time to increase awareness of one of the most heinous but hidden crimes facing our modern world. While this crime and the illegal enterprises that sustain it feel like they only exist on movie and television screens or in the shadows of distant communities, human trafficking plays out coast to coast, including right here in our state.

In my last column, I wrote about the revolving door of legislators and governor’s staff leaving state government only to personally profit by going to work directly for mega companies that they gave contracts to while in office. 

Recently, our community has been faced with an important decision regarding the possibility of separating our school from the district. It is crucial that we pause and carefully consider what this truly means for the children, educators, and the future generations.

During my journalistic career that dates back to 1985, I’ve heard numerous people of all walks of life complaining about events ignored by the media. I call that a strange phenomena, and count it a privilege when working for a publication that will help set the historical record straight.

Health care is an increasingly difficult landscape to navigate, particularly in rural communities. That is a reality for 1.3 million Arkansans — roughly 45 percent of our population — who live, …

Consultants know how to work the system for their companies and their own personal gain—not for the taxpayers.

Members of the House and Senate Education Committees reviewed updates to the Arkansas ACCESS Act this week, underscoring its focus on strengthening the path students take from the classroom into college, careers, or service.

The Huntsville Planning Commission reviewed the city’s sign code as it pertains to political signs during its Jan. 7 ad hoc meeting.

I always enjoy this time of year and the opportunity to see family and friends. These moments together are treasured and a valuable way to reflect on the year gone by.

“Set up like a big dog.”

It is an honor and privilege to represent The Natural State. While Washington’s deliberations and debates often generate splashy headlines across the country, my most important responsibility is staying connected with the issues and initiatives important to Arkansans and their communities. I am grateful for the effort constituents make to contact my office, as this direct feedback helps shape my work and inform policy decisions.

This past regular session both the Senate and House filed over 1,600 bills. Of those bills, 1,026 passed both chambers and were signed into law by the governor. Here are a few bills that stand out for the 2025 Regular Session.