Some interesting stories in this week’s paper, including our piece on Cole Yates, the new chief of Smyrna’s volunteer fire department.

Since day one, House Republicans, under the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, remained dedicated to putting America on a better path forward.

The state Department of Education has released its annual school report cards, which allow parents to evaluate how well their children are being taught and whether they are learning at grade level.

I couldn’t be happier that fall has finally arrived. The weather is visibly changing, the leaves are turning, and, if you haven’t noticed, it’s getting cooler.

I’ll just say it - there is talent on the Huntsville Eagles football team.

This week is National Newspaper Week; a week dedicated to recognizing the critical role that newspapers play in an active and healthy democracy and an annual reminder to support the vital role local newspapers play in our communities.

During the recent special session, the governor and her allies in the legislature tried to repeal the foundations of the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but thankfully their efforts failed because of an outpouring of opposition from ordinary Arkansas citizens.

The tax man cometh, as the saying goes.

Sometimes I just have to remind myself that things could have been a lot worse.

In a four-day special session, the legislature lowered state taxes by almost $250 million this year.

There was absolutely no reason for Gov. Sarah Sanders to attempt to weaken the state’s Freedom of Information Act this past week. None.

It’s amazing how Arkansas politicians tout a hot economy.

For a few years, Madison County went without good representation. Our then-state senator didn’t attend to Madison County needs.

I don’t know how often you change addresses, but I am reminded of all the myriad details that go into “a move” on an almost weekly basis. But the last bits and pieces are getting taken care of in short order.

This is an exciting time of year filled with hope and promise as students begin a new school year. It’s also a season that brings people together to cheer on their favorite football team.

Crypto mining is coming into Arkansas at an alarming rate. The out-of-state owners are choosing Arkansas because we have relatively low energy rates and because we welcome economic development.

American music as well as culture at large lost an icon last week. Jimmy Buffett, whose “Margaritaville” provides the soundtrack for many a beach vacation, passed away Friday at age 76, which, I dunno, seems kinda young.

There are a number of days in August that are important in military history and recognize the service and sacrifice of our heroes in uniform – from remembrances of V-J Day and recognition of Purple Heart recipients, to learning about the role of Navajo Code Talkers.

Participation in athletics at Arkansas institutions of higher education has increased in recent years, even as total enrollment at colleges and universities has gone down.

In the main office of The Madison County Record, there are shelves displaying old tools of journalism technology. These museum pieces, once indispensable, are a reminder of how far we’ve come in a relatively short period of time, and of how much our lives have changed in the past 30 years.