Federal officials open new FEMA assistance centers for storm survivors in northeast Arkansas. An escaped prison inmate is recaptured and transferred to a supermax facility. In politics, new candidates enter races for Congress and the Arkansas House. Plus, a new executive director is named for the Cold War museum in Blytheville, and Arkansas baseball heads to the College World Series.
00:00 – Intro
00:30 – FEMA opens new disaster recovery centers in Arkansas
FEMA opens sites in Clay, Lawrence, Pulaski, and St. Francis Counties to help storm survivors. Locations include city halls, electric co-ops, and community centers.
01:04 – Escaped inmate Grant Hardin recaptured and transferred to supermax prison
Hardin was located near the prison after nearly two weeks on the run and is now at Varner Supermax.
01:28 – U.S. House passes major domestic spending bill
The “Big Beautiful Bill,” backed by Rep. Steve Womack, advances President Trump’s agenda but includes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Budget analysts predict a $4 trillion debt increase.
02:40 – Democrat Diana Lawrence enters congressional race
Lawrence, a former Wisconsin candidate now living in Van Buren, will challenge Rep. Womack in Arkansas’s 3rd District.
03:04 – Steven Person announces run for Arkansas House District 77
Pulaski County Quorum Court member and veteran Steven Person seeks the seat currently held by term-limited Rep. Fred Allen.
03:38 – Arkansas Secretary of State touts election security progress
Cole Jester highlights bipartisan-backed reforms and Arkansas's #1 election integrity ranking from the Heritage Foundation.
05:24 – Advocates say Black immigrants face unique challenges in Arkansas
Black migrants report fear and isolation due to immigration status concerns, despite high education and workforce participation rates.
06:50 – Cold War museum in Blytheville names new executive director
Christian Ostermann, Cold War historian from the Wilson Center, will lead the developing National Cold War Center.
07:18 – Nine Arkansas sites added to National Register of Historic Places
New additions span the state and include homes, bridges, and university buildings, such as the Fay Jones-designed Orton House.
07:59 – Arkansas baseball team advances to College World Series
Logan Maxwell leads Arkansas to victory over Tennessee in the Fayetteville Super Regional, earning the team’s 12th College World Series berth.
