Arkansas News Service

Anti-hunger advocates say more innovative strategies are needed for making sure children in remote, rural parts of the state have continued access to nourishing food amid the pandemic. Comments from two Save the Children officials: Audrey Freshwater, Arkansas deputy director; and Tamara Sandberg, U.S. advisor for food security and nutrition.

Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed serious gaps in the country’s healthcare system, and are urging state and local governments to examine lessons learned and increase their preparedness for the next public health crisis. Comments from Dr. Helen Boucher (boo-CHEY), chief of the Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center.

As more states and counties begin to implement election audits, experts say informing the public about what audits are and how they're used to independently review the outcomes of elections will be critical. Comments from Tammy Patrick, senior advisor, Democracy Fund; and Ben Adida, executive director, VotingWorks.

Experts say the Biden-Harris administration could expand Medicaid and implement policies that boost reproductive rights. However, in Arkansas, state lawmakers and the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court could complicate the picture. Comments from Elizabeth Nash, associate director of state issues, Guttmacher Institute.

The 2020 election is shaping up to be a bit different than 2016 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arkansas election officials have reported high numbers of absentee ballot requests, as well as large turnouts for folks casting early ballots in person.

An estimated 147,000 Arkansans may have lost their employer-sponsored health coverage because of the pandemic, according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center.

Little Rock – Early voting starts Monday, and there are several resources Arkansans can use to inform themselves about issues on their local ballot. Comments from Nell Matthews, president, League of Women Voters of Arkansas.