California Rep. Kevin McCarthy tapped to lead House Republicans By Sarah Wire California Rep. Kevin McCarthy will lead Republicans in the House minority in the next Congress, defeating a challenge Wednesday from his right for the job. Securing the minority leader spot puts the Bakersfield Republican in a prime position to become House speaker if Republicans regain control of the House in 2020. The challenge from conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus and a founding member of the group, Rep. J...
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CHS EAST student wins Congressional App Challenge By Jennifer Fleming The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a public effort to encourage kids to learn how to code through annual district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress for their district. The CAC is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields. This nationwide event allows high school students from across the country to compete agai...
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Veterans Urge Congress to Pass Wilderness Bills This Year By Pew Trust Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act (H.R. 5636) The Flatside Wilderness in Perry County, Arkansas, preserves habitat for wild turkeys, black bears, and other wildlife in an area close to Hot Springs and Little Rock, offering urban residents access to dense, untouched forests and cool, clear waters. This act is sponsored by Representative French Hill (R-AR) and would add 640 acres to that wilderness.
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State Veterans Day event draws crowd to honor service members By Hunter Field Veterans Day is about reflection, according to a variety of former service members who gathered in Little Rock on Monday. For Chindera Lewis, an Army veteran from Pulaski County, it's about honoring all veterans for protecting American freedom and opportunity. Gerald Corrigan, a Vietnam veteran from Sherwood, spent the day thinking about his two now-deceased brothers who served alongside him. For Sharri Briley of Littl...
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Sessions out, his aide's in By ADG U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned Wednesday at President Donald Trump's request and was replaced with his chief of staff who will now take charge of the special counsel investigation into Russia's election interference. Sessions delivered his resignation letter to the White House, and Trump tapped Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general. In that capacity, Whitaker assumes control of the Russia investigation, raising questions about the future of ...
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Pine Bluff native, veteran, Elaine Massacre victim to be honored By Pine Bluff Commercial Private Leroy Johnston, an African-American World War I veteran, Pine Bluff native and victim of the 1919 Elaine Massacre will be honored posthumously with the Purple Heart. Hosted by the Delta Cultural Center at Helena-West Helena, the event will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the center’s Beth-El Heritage Hall, 406 Perry St., according to a news release. A reception will follow the ceremony. The pu...
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WASHINGTON NEWS IN BRIEF: Nonprofit names Cantrell a fellow; campaigns tracker losing its appeal; lawmakers back dyslexia proposal By Frank Lockwood Nonprofit names Cantrell a fellow Arkansas Assistant Solicitor General Mike Cantrell was recently named a Ryan and Regan Haggerty Family Fellow by the Conservative Partnership Institute. The Washington-based nonprofit group, which was launched by former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., last year, announced its inaugural class of 14 fellows last month. ...
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Hill, Boozman question Trump's plan to issue order on birthright citizenship By Frank Lockwood Two members of the Arkansas congressional delegation are questioning whether it's wise for President Donald Trump to try to unilaterally change birthright citizenship. Arkansas law professors say White House efforts to alter citizenship law will face high legal hurdles. U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, said congressional action is preferable. "The immigration system is in dire need...
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Wilderness-area bill has tribute to former Arkansas congressman By Frank Lockwood Legislation expanding Arkansas' Flatside Wilderness calls for the additional acreage to be named after former U.S. Rep. Ed Bethune. The three-term Republican from Searcy fought to preserve the 9,541-acre wooded area in Perry and Saline counties, overcoming the resistance of timber companies and their political allies in Congress more than three decades ago. U.S. Rep. French Hill filed HR5636, also known as the Flat...
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In tour, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton touts grant to North Little Rock veterans cemetery By Jake Sandlin Expansion of the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock will add "many years" to the cemetery's function as a site for families and the military to bid a final farewell to veterans, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said Thursday after a brief tour of the cemetery. A $5.7 million federal grant to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs will fund 2,000 additional columbarium niches, 106 pre-plac...
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