Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Arkansans. In 2020, there were 8,621 deaths due to heart disease in our state. Arkansas ranked 4th among all states for the highest heart disease mortality in 2020. In most cases, heart disease is preventable...

In 2022, the Arkansas State Crime Lab reported 457 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl was a contributing factor in 251 of those deaths. And from January to March of this year, the crime lab reported 87 drug overdose deaths. Once again, fentanyl was a contributing factor in more than half of those cases...

From battlefield tours in Prairie Grove to sunset boat cruises in DeGray Lake, Arkansas State Parks hosts more than 42,000 educational programs, activities, and special events. In Arkansas, there are 52 state parks in 48 counties covering 54,643 acres...

If you or someone you know is heading to college this fall, we want to remind you of an important deadline. July 1 is the last day to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has raised more than $1.2 billion in proceeds for scholarships. Those proceeds have funded 720,000 college scholarships in Arkansas...

One of the pieces of legislation signed into law this year creates Women Veterans Day as a state memorial day to be celebrated on June 12 each year. Act 115 states Women Veterans Day is acknowledged as an effort to honor the work of women in the United States Armed Forces and recognizes the unique challenges women have faced...

Our state has a deep-rooted history of patriotism and sacrifice. In World War II, nearly 10% of our population at the time served our country in the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. More than 3,500 were killed as a result of combat...

Employment in Arkansas has increased for seven consecutive months. The latest report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services shows the unemployment rate at 2.8%. By comparison, the national unemployment rate is 3.4%. Compared to this time last year, there are 12,869 additional employed Arkansans...

National Police Week begins on Sunday, May 14. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. National Police Week offers honor and remembrance while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. ...

In the months leading up to the 2023 Regular Session, several legislators were meeting with mental health providers, medical professionals, and behavioral health stakeholders to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mental and behavioral health care currently available in the state...

In the most recent legislative session, the Arkansas General Assembly made several changes to our laws regarding transportation...

In the final week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed a criminal justice reform bill, a tax cut, and a budget that increases spending in education and public safety...

When House members return from the spring break recess, they will begin the process reviewing proposed constitutional amendments. Those hearings will take place in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. Every member who has filed a proposed constitutional amendment will have the opportunity to present his or her proposal during the committee meetings...

House members will now be taking an extended recess. When the House reconvenes on March 27, members will be addressing public safety legislation, constitutional amendments, and the budget. In the days leading up to the recess, the House passed a number of bills addressing human trafficking, elections, and employment...

In the 9th week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed several bills addressing education, elections, and healthcare. The House also passed a bill to increase the property tax credit for Arkansas families...

In the 7th week of the 2023 Regular Session, House members voted on a number of bills impacting employment, education, and elections. This week, the House passed HB1430. This bill reduces the maximum potential unemployment compensation benefits from 4 months to 3 months. This bill also reduces unemployment insurance tax rates for employers...

On the 5th week of the Regular Session, the House passed legislation addressing substance abuse, teen pregnancy, public assistance, and transportation. The House passed HB1144. This bill creates the Arkansas Family Treatment Specialty Court Act...

House members will enter the third week of the 2023 Regular Session on Monday. In the second week, several bills passed the House and are now making their way to the Senate. On Wednesday, the House passed HB1018. This bill will allow members of municipal fire department bomb squads to carry weapons while responding to bomb threats...

The 94th General Assembly convened at noon on Monday, January 9. The House will have 26 new members taking the oath of office and 74 returning members. The longest-serving members will be serving their 7th term in the House. This body will range in age from 27 to 81. There will be 26 women serving in the House...

Nationwide, just half of all high schools offer computer science courses. That’s not the case here in Arkansas. Arkansas is recognized nationally as a leading state in the computer science education movement. When the General Assembly passed Act 187 in 2015, we became the first state to require every public high school and public charter school to offer at least one computer science course...

Did you know that more than 12% of all turkeys produced in the United States are raised right here in Arkansas? Arkansas produces 27 million turkeys per year and ranks third in the nation in turkeys raised. But that’s not the only popular Thanksgiving dish that may have started its journey on an Arkansas farm...