In the News

Fed's massive 'Main Street' business rescue in danger of fizzling 06/02/2020 Politico A $600 billion Federal Reserve loan program designed to offer a lifeline to tens of thousands of struggling U.S. companies is heading for trouble before it even gets under way. Some potential borrowers complain that the "Main Street" lending program — so named because it's aimed at helping… Read more »

WWII veteran to celebrate 102nd birthday and recovery from COVID-19 05/28/2020 KATV LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A retired staff sergeant, serving in the infantry, John Jones is no stranger to tough fights, but his recent battle with COVID-19 inspired his family to honor his legacy in a big way. Some of the state's early COVID-19 came out of the Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation… Read more »

How lawmaker ties helped shape Fed chairman's COVID-19 response 05/27/2020 The Hill Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's deep ties with lawmakers are paying off as the central bank deploys trillions of dollars in financial support for the economy with the blessing of Congress. With the coronavirus crisis, Powell has drawn from years of experience negotiating with lawmakers,… Read more »

Arkansas' health chief announces departure as virus surges 05/26/2020 KATV LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas' top health official is leaving later this year as the state continues seeing a resurgence of coronavirus cases. Health Secretary Dr. Nathaniel Smith announced Tuesday that he's leaving Aug. 28 for a job with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gov. Asa… Read more »

Gov. Hutchinson’s Memorial Day remarks at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery 05/25/2020 Ozarks First ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — On this Memorial Day, America honors men and women who died while serving in the military. From North Little Rock, Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered remarks at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony: “I want to express my thanks to Major… Read more »

Arkansas hosts socially-distanced Memorial Day ceremony 05/25/2020 ABC 7 NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — While many Memorial Day services around the country were canceled due to coronavirus, Arkansas didn't skip the holiday. Instead, Governor Hutchinson led a small, socially distanced ceremony. He began by saying, “We are gathering today in a difficult and confusing time in world… Read more »

Governor Hutchinson delivers Memorial Day address 05/25/2020 KARK LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) – Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered remarks today at a Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.The following is a transcript of his remarks: I want to express my thanks to Major General Penn for his leadership; to Colonel… Read more »

Steve Brawner: French Hill to ask, what about that $500 billion? 05/24/2020 Searcy Daily Citizen U.S. Rep. French Hill is part of the five-member Congressional Oversight Commission overseeing $500 billion in taxpayer-financed coronavirus-related loans, but a chairman hasn’t been appointed yet. That means it has no budget or staff, so when a legally required first report was due,… Read more »

Fed Receives Bipartisan Critique for Stalled Main Street Lending The Washington Post 05/21/2020 The U.S. Federal Reserve received a bipartisan critique Wednesday from members of a congressional oversight panel who said the central bank has been slow to launch a key emergency lending program for mid-sized companies. Representative French Hill, an Arkansas Republican, and… Read more »

Rep. French Hill Says 'Time Is The Enemy' When It Comes To Lending To Businesses WBUR "Here and Now" 05/20/2020 The CARES Act allocated $500 billion for lending programs run through the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve. The bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission says most of that money hasn't been spent yet. We talk with Republican Rep. French Hill… Read more »