All Access

NW Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

Axios Northwest Arkansas

Axios Northwest Arkansas Thought Bubble

Arkansas Advocate, a news website covering the state Capitol, launches Tuesday. 

The site is free to read. An email newsletter with links to its stories will be sent to subscribers every weekday morning.  

Why it matters: Reporting on the inner workings of state government acts to hold lawmakers accountable and helps citizens make informed decisions about who to elect. 

Yes, and: More than 360 newspapers closed between late 2019 and May 2022, Axios' Sara Fischer reports, creating news deserts at the local level and exacerbating the economic divide in the U.S. 

Context: Arkansas Advocate is part of the States Newsroom network, a nonprofit organization with newsrooms in 29 states, including Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana and Kansas.

It has grown from 15 sites at the beginning of 2020 and plans to launch outlets in South Dakota and Kentucky by the end of the year.

The organization is funded through private donations, doesn't publish advertising and doesn't accept corporate underwriting. 

Details: Former Arkansas Democrat-Gazette special projects editor Sonny Albarado is the editor-in-chief of the new site. 

The outlet will launch with about a dozen stories, Albarado told Axios. Most of its three to four daily news articles will be written by its four staffers. 

However, some content that's of interest to Arkansans will come from the States Newsroom coverage out of Washington, D.C. 

Hunter Field, Antoinette Grajeda and Tess Vrbin round out the editorial staff. 

Grajeda, former reporter for KUAF-FM and ex-editor of Arkansas Soul, will be based in NWA.

Field and Vrbin had previous stints at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 

What they're saying: "My goal is to make sure that we show citizens — taxpayers — how what happens in the legislature affects their daily lives and their pocketbooks," Albarado told us. 

History lesson: The Arkansas Advocate was the "second successful newspaper in Arkansas." It started in 1830 in direct opposition to the Arkansas Gazette. Eventually named the Arkansas Times and Advocate, it closed in 1844. 

Watchdog site Arkansas Advocate set to cover Capitol

Arkansas Advocate, a news website covering the state Capitol, launches today.

Arkansas Advocate's editorial staff: Antoinette Grajeda, Sonny Albarado, Hunter Field and Tess Vrbin. Photo: Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Advocate" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/" data-vars-content-id="20746395-3c32-4d91-829f-71fe5ef44a41" data-vars-headline="Watchdog site Arkansas Advocate set to cover Capitol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Advocate</a>, a news website covering the state Capitol, launches Tuesday. <ul><li>The site is free to read. An email newsletter with links to its stories will be sent to subscribers every weekday morning. </li></ul>

Politics

Gov. Asa Hutchinson defended the FBI as simply doing its job when agents seized boxes from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. He made the comments Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." 

What he's saying: "We cannot say that whenever they went in and did that search that they were not doing their job as law enforcement officers," the Republican governor told Brianna Keilar. 

"The FBI is simply carrying out their responsibilities under the law — a lawful search warrant that a magistrate signed off on," he said. 

Driving the news: Some Republicans are making political hay out of the search, while federal agencies are sounding the alarm on an increase in threats on law enforcement.  

A gunman attempted to breach the FBI field office in Cincinnati last Thursday, and armed Trump supporters protested outside FBI offices in Phoenix on Saturday. 

"Let's support law enforcement. Let's stand with them, whether it's the DEA, the FBI or your local law enforcement," Hutchinson said. "[It's] critically important that we do that because they're simply trying to do their job and to keep anarchy away from our country."

Yes, and: Keilar also asked Hutchinson about improving health care for women and babies following the state's near-total abortion ban. 

"Our infant mortality rate is not where it should be ... and so we want to expand Medicaid coverage health care services for that mom with that young child in their home to increase the chances of survivability and better health outcomes both for the mom and both for the child," he said.

Flashback: Hutchinson announced last week the state requested a waiver to expand maternal health care services at rural hospitals through Arkansas' Medicaid program. 

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defends FBI in Mar-a-Lago search

"The FBI is simply carrying out their responsibilities under the law," Hutchinson told CNN.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas speaks from a stage with both hands in the air. 

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on June 27, 2022. Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Gov. Asa Hutchinson defended the FBI as simply doing its job when agents seized boxes from former President Donald Trump&#x27;s Mar-a-Lago residence. He made the comments Sunday on CNN&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the Union" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/shows/state-of-the-union" data-vars-content-id="62a785aa-8b98-4576-8e47-63deb8cef86c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defends FBI in Mar-a-Lago search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/shows/state-of-the-union" target="_blank">State of the Union</a>.&quot; What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;We cannot say that whenever they went in and did that search that they were not doing their job as law enforcement officers,&quot; the Republican governor told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brianna Keilar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/08/14/governor-asa-hutchinson-gop-reaction-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-sotu-vpx.cnn" data-vars-content-id="62a785aa-8b98-4576-8e47-63deb8cef86c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defends FBI in Mar-a-Lago search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/08/14/governor-asa-hutchinson-gop-reaction-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-sotu-vpx.cnn" target="_blank">Brianna Keilar</a>.

Note: The analysis includes U.S. Social Security number holders born 1984–1992 and measures their childhood locations at age 16 and young adult locations at age 26. Data: Center for Economic Studies, et al., 2022, "The Radius of Opportunity: Evidence from Migration and Local Labor Markets"; Chart: Skye Witley/Axios

The average young adult who grew up in the Northwest Arkansas metro area moved 152 miles away for their job, according to data by the U.S. Census Bureau's Center for Economic Studies (CES).

That's 29 miles below the national average.

Why it matters: The migration patterns of young people can help us understand regional labor markets nationwide, with comings and goings reflecting where opportunity is, according to a July report by the bureau and Harvard University.

Context: The CES analyzed census migration data for people born between 1984 and 1992, comparing where they lived at age 16 to where they lived at age 26.

Yes, but: The most recent available data only gives a snapshot through 2018, and we've seen major changes in the past five years because of COVID-19, the housing market boom, the Dobbs ruling and Arkansas' 2021 LGBTQ+ legislation.

Zoom in: Nearly 70% of young people stayed in NWA, but 2.4% of those who left before the age of 26 moved to Tulsa. Joplin, Missouri, and Little Rock were close behind. 

Those earning the most and the least tended to move from NWA more often than those earning middle incomes. 

About 34% of those in the bottom earning bracket and 37% of those in the highest moved from NWA.  

The other side: About 3.4% of young adult Northwest Arkansans during the timeframe moved from Little Rock, the largest group to relocate here. 

They also came from Fort Smith (3%), Joplin (2.1%) and Tulsa (1.7%).

The intrigue: The largest group moving here from states other than Arkansas, Oklahoma or Missouri came from the Los Angeles metro — 1.3%. 

Go deeper on issues that may impact young adult migration: 

Poll: Abortion bans reshape where young Americans choose to live.

Abortions in Arkansas now illegal, state AG says.

Famed urbanist tells NWA: Be mindful of success and development's pitfalls.

Where Northwest Arkansas' young adults go

The average young adult who grew up in the Northwest Arkansas metro area moved 152 miles away for their job, data shows.

Northwest Arkansas

The average young adult who grew up in the Northwest Arkansas metro area moved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="152 miles away" data-vars-click-url="https://migrationpatterns.org/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://migrationpatterns.org/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">152 miles away</a> for their job, according to data by the U.S. Census Bureau&#x27;s Center for Economic Studies (CES).<ul><li>That&#x27;s 29 miles below the national average.</li></ul>Why it matters: The migration patterns of young people can help us understand regional labor markets nationwide, with comings and goings reflecting where opportunity is, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a July report" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/28703029.54/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cyLmNlbnN1cy5nb3YvY2VzL3dwLzIwMjIvQ0VTLVdQLTIyLTI3LnBkZj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Cc1052bbe" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/28703029.54/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cyLmNlbnN1cy5nb3YvY2VzL3dwLzIwMjIvQ0VTLVdQLTIyLTI3LnBkZj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Cc1052bbe" target="_blank">a July report</a> by the bureau and Harvard University.

News

Following the adjournment of the Arkansas Legislature's special session Thursday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed three historic bills into law. 

Two identical measures provide $400 million in tax relief to residents and one commits $50 million of the state's revenue surplus to making schools safer.

The legislation is likely the last Hutchinson will sign as a term-limited governor. 

Driving the news: While inflation leveled off in July, it hasn't been this high since the 1980s, and U.S. consumers are feeling the pinch. 

Reducing income taxes will help Arkansans by putting more money in their pockets, Hutchinson said.

Yes, and: Students are returning to classrooms over the next two weeks with memories of the late May shooting in Uvalde, Texas, still fresh on parents' minds. 

The money for school safety is a tangible step to protecting the state's children, albeit a way off before it will be used.

Details: The new individual income tax is now 4.9%, the lowest in state history, Hutchinson said. The highest was 7% in 2014. 

The reduction is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022. 

The top corporate tax rate will fall to 5.3% from 5.9%, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

The act also creates an income tax credit of $150 for individual taxpayers with net income up to $87,000 and $300 for those married, filing jointly with net income up to $174,000.

It also permits Arkansas to adopt a federal depreciation schedule for businesses.

The $50 million for school safety will be set aside as a grant program, so districts will be able to apply for funding to increase protections on school campuses. 

The state Department of Education will develop regulations for districts, aimed at aligning with the School Safety Commission's final report, due in October. 

Meanwhile, the Democrats' plan to extend the session and introduce bills that would give teachers and school employees pay raises and bonuses, respectively, failed to gain traction. Several Republican legislators said it will be a priority in the next regular session in January. 

What they're saying: "This is a typical example of kicking the can down the road," Neil Norberg, a Fayetteville High School teacher and president of the Fayetteville Education Association teachers' union, told Axios.

He fears teacher pay will take a backseat to other issues during the regular session in January.

"We need to spend more money on education and other social services — full stop," Norberg said.

Hutchinson signs tax cut and school safety bills

After the adjournment of the Legislature's special session, the governor signed three historic bills into law.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signs tax cut legislation.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signs three bills into law on Aug. 11. Screenshot via Arkansas Governor's office livestream. 

Following the adjournment of the Arkansas Legislature&#x27;s special session Thursday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed three historic bills into law. <ul><li>Two identical measures provide $400 million in tax relief to residents and one commits $50 million of the state&#x27;s revenue surplus to making schools safer.</li></ul>

Here's what happened on the second day of the special session of the Arkansas General Assembly: 

1. Both the state House and Senate passed identical tax cut measures — HB1002 and SB1 — to reduce individual and corporate income taxes, provide a $150 credit to some taxpayers and align the state's property depreciation schedule with federal guidelines. 

2. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Arkansas Democrats said they would file the Raising Arkansas' Investment in Schools and Educators Act (HB1006 and SB3), aiming to give every elementary and secondary school teacher a $4,000 raise and setting the minimum starting wage at $42,000, up from $36,000 for the 2022-23 school year. The bill is valued at $600 million. 

The group also filed matching bills (HB1005 and SB4), which would provide $2,500 bonuses for teachers' aides, clerks and similar staff working in Arkansas schools for fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025. It's valued at $250 million. 

Rep. Megan Godfrey (D-Fayetteville) indicated that five Republican representatives have said they would vote for the bill if it gets to the floor.

3. The bills won't make it to the floor unless the session is extended. Democrats plan to file a resolution that would allow the introduction of other bills after concluding the business that the session was called for — tax cuts and school safety funding.

"We're hopeful, but we're not confident that we'll get the two-thirds votes in each chamber to extend the session," Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) told reporters.

What's next: Both chambers reconvene Thursday, Aug. 11, at 9am. 

Day 1 recap: Arkansas' special legislative session.

Arkansas lawmakers don't expect surprises during special session.

Arkansas governor pledges $50 million for school safety.

Arkansas' special session unlikely to address teacher raises.

Day 2 recap: Arkansas' special legislative session

Both chambers reconvene Thursday, Aug. 11, at 9am.

A screenshot of Arkansas' Senate vote for tax cuts legislation. 

Arkansas senators voted overwhelmingly for tax cuts. Screenshot from Arkansas State Legislature

Here&#x27;s what happened on the second day of the special session of the Arkansas General Assembly: 1. Both the state House and Senate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passed identical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/aug/10/tax-cut-bills-approved-by-arkansas-house-senate/" data-vars-content-id="e5e8fdb4-1540-4e15-97c6-50f9365589be" data-vars-headline="Day 2 recap: Arkansas&#x27; special legislative session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/aug/10/tax-cut-bills-approved-by-arkansas-house-senate/" target="_blank">passed identical</a> tax cut measures — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HB1002" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2022S3%2FPublic%2FHB1002.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e5e8fdb4-1540-4e15-97c6-50f9365589be" data-vars-headline="Day 2 recap: Arkansas&#x27; special legislative session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2022S3%2FPublic%2FHB1002.pdf" target="_blank">HB1002</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SB1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2022S3%2FPublic%2FSB1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e5e8fdb4-1540-4e15-97c6-50f9365589be" data-vars-headline="Day 2 recap: Arkansas&#x27; special legislative session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2022S3%2FPublic%2FSB1.pdf" target="_blank">SB1</a> — to reduce individual and corporate income taxes, provide a $150 credit to some taxpayers and align the state&#x27;s property depreciation schedule with federal guidelines.

Worth Sparkman

Featured stories

Watchdog site Arkansas Advocate set to cover Capitol

Where Northwest Arkansas' young adults go

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defends FBI in Mar-a-Lago search

Hutchinson signs tax cut and school safety bills

Day 2 recap: Arkansas' special legislative session