Michael Tilley

The odds of success are low for the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) to get legislation approved in the 2023 Arkansas General Assembly that would expunge records and/or alter jail sentences for those with marijuana convictions.

Issues ranging from abortion to wastewater systems were part of a 3rd Congressional District debate Monday (Oct. 17) in which U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said he would support a nationwide abortion ban if it included “certain exemptions.”

The previously estimated Arkansas budget surplus of $1.473 billion grew to a record $1.628 billion, which resulted in Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday (July 5) calling for an Aug. 8 special session to discuss possible tax cuts.

With a majority of support from legislators for a tax reduction package, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday (Nov. 30) he is calling a special legislative session for Dec. 7. The session also will include a vote on security personnel for the Arkansas House and Senate.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday (Nov. 30) there is not yet enough data “to make definitive decisions” about how to react to the COVID-19 Omicron variant but he is concerned with recent trends showing more COVID cases and hospitalizations in the state.

Jonesboro-based Hytrol Conveyor Co. said Thursday (Sept. 2) it plans to hire another 100 workers at its Fort Smith manufacturing plant to operate a new product line. The expansion would bring employment in Fort Smith to around 350.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday (March 30) lifted the statewide mask mandate even as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged governors to not lift such restrictions. Gov. Hutchinson also on Tuesday opened vaccine eligibility to all Arkansans age 16 and older.

With around 10% of Arkansans being fully vaccinated and a push by the Biden administration to open vaccine access, Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday (March 16) expanded eligibility an estimated 1.2 million Arkansans in the 1c category.

Noting “broad swaths of progress” in distributing vaccines in the state, Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday (Feb. 23) announced that those 65 to 69 in age are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Lowering the age from 70 to 65 provides vaccine access to about 115,000 more Arkansans.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday (Dec. 10) used his first primetime television address while in the state’s top office to essentially repeat pleas for Arkansans to wear masks, follow other health safety rules, and be smart about holiday gatherings.