ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI

Jun 05 2026OPINION

Arkansas Embraces AI, but Is It Really Ready?

Arkansas has launched its first local magazine that celebrates artificial intelligence. The publication, created by a Little Rock consultant who also runs an AI club, claims to bring the promise of automation and new tech to residents. It paints a picture of AI as a friendly helper that can cut cost

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Jun 03 2026POLITICS

Mississippi’s Quick‑Start Rural Health Funding

Mississippi has rolled out the first phase of a nationwide plan to boost rural health care, promising more than $1 billion in federal money over five years. The state’s rapid launch comes amid worries that the tight schedule might leave providers scrambling. The federal Rural Health Transformation

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May 28 2026POLITICS

Arkansas Pushes for Less Federal Rules in Schools

Arkansas wants to change some federal rules that guide its public schools. The state says these rules slow down progress for students and make it hard to use money wisely. In April, the state’s education department sent a letter to the U. S. Department of Education asking for three special permissi

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May 28 2026TECHNOLOGY

Arkansas makes digital IDs available in Apple Wallet

Arkansas has joined a growing number of states allowing residents to store their driver’s license or state ID digitally in Apple Wallet. The move follows the state’s earlier launch of a mobile ID app in 2025, initially meant for downloading IDs to phones. Now, those digital copies can be used alongs

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May 28 2026POLITICS

Arkansas voters push back on new laws that could silence their voice in making laws

Arkansas gives its people a special power—voting directly on new laws through signatures. For years, this has let citizens push for changes like better pay or healthcare, even when politicians said no. But now, those in charge are trying to make it much harder for regular folks to do this. Last year

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May 18 2026WEATHER

Rain on the Way: What Arkansas Can Expect This Week

Arkansas residents should prepare for a mixed bag of weather this week. Forecasters predict scattered thunderstorms starting Tuesday morning, with another possible round later in the day. A cold front pushing through the region will bring the chance of heavy rain that could last into Wednesday. Whil

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

New Dean Leads Arkansas State Nursing College

Arkansas State University has officially named Stacy Walz the dean of its College of Nursing and Health Professions, ending her interim status that began in 2025. Walz, who has a long history with the college as associate dean and chair of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, will take over full responsibi

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May 08 2026POLITICS

How Arkansas politics is shaping what students learn in college

Arkansas colleges are facing growing pressure from state lawmakers to drop programs and remove professors they disagree with. In one recent case, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock agreed to cut its gender studies minor after Republican lawmakers threatened to block its budget. They argued th

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Apr 30 2026EDUCATION

Graduation Speakers Light Up Mississippi Universities in 2026

Mississippi’s graduation season is fast approaching, and each campus has lined up a mix of leaders, scholars, and celebrities to inspire new graduates. Alcorn State University will open its ceremony on May 9 with Pelicia E. Hall, the executive vice president of ViaPath Technologies, who will shar

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Apr 29 2026WEATHER

Mississippi braces for another stormy week

Mississippi isn’t done with rough weather yet. After days of storms, another round of severe weather is expected on Tuesday, April 28, this time bringing the risk of large hail, strong winds, and possible tornadoes. Nearly the entire state is under some level of warning, with the highest risks—Level

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