Sunday - May 24, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Arkansas Newsletter for Thursday May 14, 2026 ( 34 items )  

$25K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Helps Army Veteran Buy a Home in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
DALLAS, Texas, May 13 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * $25K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Helps Army Veteran Buy a Home in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas * MANSFIELD, TEXAS, May 13, 2026-A $25,000 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) helped U.S. Army veteran Alicia Cannon with the down payment that made homeowne  more

52 Affiliates Receive Grants From MOAA Charities
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news: * * * 52 Affiliates Receive Grants From MOAA Charities By: Blair Drake * MOAA Charities is awarding 74 Community Outreach Grants totaling more than $190,000 to 52 MOAA affiliates -- a program record in grants and funds awarded. The grants support MOAA councils and chapters providing services to local military and veteran families -- either directly or through partnerships with other community orga  more

A-State Presents Distinguished Performance Awards to Staff
JONESBORO, Arkansas, May 13 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * A-State Presents Distinguished Performance Awards to Staff * JONESBORO - The 33rd annual Distinguished Performance Awards at Arkansas State University were presented to seven staff members and one departmental team. The annual campus ceremony for non-faculty employees was conducted by members of the Staff Senate. The recognitions were presented by members of the award committee: Dr. Tiffany Mosley, An  more

Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * RELEASE: Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act with expanded bipartisan support to   more

Boozman, Booker, Van Drew and Bera Launch International Exchanges Caucus
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Boozman, Booker, Van Drew and Bera Launch International Exchanges Caucus * WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with Congressmen Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Ami Bera (D-CA), announced the launch of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange programs, particularly those administered by the Departmen  more

Burgum, Committee Working Together to Unleash American Energy
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on May 13, 2026: * * * Burgum, Committee Working Together to Unleash American Energy Today, Secretary Doug Burgum testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding President Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Department of the Interior (DOI). Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "Today  more

Chairman Crawford Statement on IC's Analytic Integrity Failures Around COVID-19 Origins
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on May 13, 2026: * * * Chairman Crawford Statement on IC's Analytic Integrity Failures Around COVID-19 Origins Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement after the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing addressing the Intelligence Community's a  more

ESPN's Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 14, providing live whip-around coverage of more than 20 college baseball games
BRISTOL, Connecticut, May 13 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN's Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 14, providing live whip-around coverage of more than 20 college baseball games * * Matt Schick and Mike Rooney host live coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m. ET * Four-and-a-half-hour show to feature action from the ACC, SEC, Big 12 and American Conference ESPN's fan-favorite Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 1  more

First Lady Melania Trump's 10 Achievements Transforming Outcomes for Foster Youth Since the Signing the Fostering the Future Executive Order 180 Days Ago
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The White House issued the following news on May 12, 2026: * * * First Lady Melania Trump's 10 Achievements Transforming Outcomes for Foster Youth Since the Signing the Fostering the Future Executive Order 180 Days Ago First Lady Melania Trump marked the 180-day milestone following the signing of the Executive Order on Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, highlighting 10 achievements made to expand opportunities, strengthen public and private supports  more

Golden Standard: UAPB Earns 2025-26 SWAC Sports Information Staff of the Year Honors
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, May 13 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * Golden Standard: UAPB Earns 2025-26 SWAC Sports Information Staff of the Year Honors * The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Athletics Department proudly announces that its Sports Information staff has been named the 2025-26 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Sports Information Staff of the Year, as voted on by conference peers. The award recognizes excellence in strategi  more

Harshbarger, Colleagues Renew Bipartisan Push to Put Patients Before Monopolies, Cut Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Harshbarger, Colleagues Renew Bipartisan Push to Put Patients Before Monopolies, Cut Drug Costs * Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) today reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act with expanded bipartisan support. The legislation would prohibit the joint ownership of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and pharmacies-a gl  more

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center to Host Writers' Retreat
JONESBORO, Arkansas, May 13 -- Arkansas State University posted the following news: * * * Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center to Host Writers' Retreat * JONESBORO - Where better to immerse oneself in the art of personal creative writing than to visit the location where one of America's most revered writers spent time behind the keys of a typewriter? The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (HPMEC), located in Piggott, will host a writer's retreat from Monday, June  more

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Hill Welcomes Kevin Warsh as New Federal Reserve Chairman
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement on May 13, 2026: * * * Chairman Hill Welcomes Kevin Warsh as New Federal Reserve Chairman House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh to serve as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors: "I want to congratulate Kevin Warsh on his confirmation as the ne  more

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Hill: We Cannot Fight a 21st-Century Threat With 20th-Century Tools
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Chairman Hill: We Cannot Fight a 21st-Century Threat with 20th-Century Tools Today, the House Financial Services Committee, led by Chairman French Hill (AR-02), is holding a markup of various bills that reflect the Committee's long-standing efforts to strengthen our financial system, promote innovation, and protect the American people  more

House Passes Four Financial Services Bills
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * House Passes Four Financial Services Bills Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed four bills from the House Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 2071- Save Our Shrimpers Act, sponsored by Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22), passed the House by a recorded vote of 391-18-1. H.R. 2071 requires the United States to oppose financing for for  more

Magnera Corporation to Pay $130,000 in EEOC Disability Suit
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * Magnera Corporation to Pay $130,000 in EEOC Disability Suit * Global manufacturer of plastic packaging products settles lawsuit alleging it denied employee an accommodation and fired her because of her disability NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Magnera Corporation, formerly known as Berry Global, Inc., a Fortune 500 global manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products headquartered in Cha  more

NightinGala Marks a Decade of Honoring Mid-South Nurses
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, May 13 -- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center posted the following news: * * * NightinGala Marks a Decade of Honoring Mid-South Nurses * "Never underestimate the power of showing up and serving others," said Leatriece Franklin, MHA, MSN, RN, as she received the 2026 Dr. John W. Runyan, Jr., Community Nursing Award at the recent 10th annual NightinGala. The award recognizes a registered nurse practicing in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas, who has made s  more

NWTF Accelerates Habitat for the Hatch With Strategic, Landscape-Scale Investment
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, May 14 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release: * * * NWTF Accelerates Habitat for the Hatch with Strategic, Landscape-Scale Investment With almost three years under its belt, the National Wild Turkey Federation's Habitat for the Hatch Initiative has made substantial progress in creating quality brood-rearing habitat in conjunction with nearby nesting habitat in the Southeast. Now, building upon more than 300 projects already contrib  more

Robert Madden Industries Announces Acquisition of AC Supply Co.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 11 -- The Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International issued the following news release: * * * Robert Madden Industries Announces Acquisition of AC Supply Co. Over 65 Years of HVAC Supply Experience Continues Throughout Tarrant County Expanded DFW Footprint Supports Robert Madden Industries' Mission of Building Dependable Partnerships * LUBBOCK, TX -- Robert Madden Industries announced its acquisition of AC Supply Co., expanding its presence a  more

S.D. A.G. Jackley Joins Amicus Brief Requesting U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Stay on Mifepristone Requirements
PIERRE, South Dakota, May 14 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on May 12, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Joins Amicus Brief Requesting U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Stay on Mifepristone Requirements South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has joined 22 other Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court uphold a lower court's stay of a federal regulation that removed the longstanding in-person di  more

Symposium To Bring Regional Health Finance Leaders To Kansas City Region Aug. 3-4
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, May 13 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news: * * * Symposium To Bring Regional Health Finance Leaders To Kansas City Region Aug. 3-4 * The Kansas City region will host hospital finance, reimbursement and managed care leaders at the Midwest Managed Care Symposium on Monday, Aug. 3, and Tuesday, Aug. 4. The two-day gathering is designed to help hospital teams navigate a rapidly changing payer landscape and strengthen f  more

The Buckeye Institute: Ohio Must Adopt SNAP Reforms to Avoid Bill for Waste, Fraud & Abuse
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 13 [Category: Think Tank] -- The Buckeye Institute, an independent research and educational institution that says its mission is to advance free-market public policy, posted the following news release: * * * The Buckeye Institute: Ohio Must Adopt SNAP Reforms to Avoid Bill for Waste, Fraud & Abuse * Columbus, OH - In a new policy memo (see full text below or download a PDF ), The Buckeye Institute urged Ohio policymakers to pursue reforms to how Ohio manages the Supplemen  more

Three UAPB Associate Professors Among 12 Grant Recipients Identified by Arkansas Research Alliance as Emerging Research Leaders Elevating Their Science to the Next Level
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, May 13 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * Three UAPB Associate Professors Among 12 Grant Recipients Identified by Arkansas Research Alliance as Emerging Research Leaders Elevating Their Science to the Next Level * The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) has announced 12 grant recipients from the Emerging Research Leaders Program (ERL), a new initiative created to increase the number of Arkansas researchers submitting competitive pr  more

Trojan Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 13 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * Trojan Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors * Kaylee Smith is leaving her undergraduate career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock earlier than expected -and with honors. Smith, a management major from Little Rock, will graduate this month magna cum laude with a GPA above 3.8 while continuing her volleyball career in the university's MBA program. A setter fo  more

UA Little Rock Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 13 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: * * * UA Little Rock Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM * The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has expanded its new direct admission program for transfer students with the addition of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, making it easier for Arkansas students to finish a bachelor's degree. The direct admission program creates a simpler pa  more

UAMS Researchers Identify Ways to Protect Vision, Regrow Nerves in the Eye
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, May 14 (TNSjou) -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release: * * * UAMS Researchers Identify New Ways to Protect Vision, Regrow Nerves in the Eye By Linda Satter Scientists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have discovered how to "reprogram" immune cells to help the eye heal after traumatic injuries and diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Findings from research led by Abdel Fouda, Ph.D., an associate   more

UCA's Dr. Arijit Mukherjee Awarded Grant From Emerging Research Leaders Program
CONWAY, Arkansas, May 14 -- The University of Central Arkansas issued the following news: * * * UCA's Dr. Arijit Mukherjee awarded grant from Emerging Research Leaders Program New AR-NETWORK program provides funding, guidance to scientists across Arkansas * Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) today announced that University of Central Arkansas (UCA) professor Arijit Mukherjee was among 12 grant recipients for the Emerging Research Leaders Program (ERL), a new initiative created to increase the  more

University of Central Arkansas: Rose Honored With Empowering Futures Award
CONWAY, Arkansas, May 14 -- The University of Central Arkansas issued the following news: * * * Rose honored with Empowering Futures award Recognition from CSI Youth Foundation given to leaders who create hope for youth * Dr. Stephanie Rose, associate professor and Addiction Studies Program coordinator in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas, has been recognized with the 2026 Empowering Futures award presented by the Community Service Inc. Youth Foundation  more

USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers of Available Wildfire Recovery Resources
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers of Available Wildfire Recovery Resources * Nebraska Lincoln, Neb., May 13, 2026 - Agricultural operations in Nebraska have been significantly impacted by wildfires over the past several months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from th  more

Van Drew, Bera, Boozman, and Booker Launch International Exchanges Caucus
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * Van Drew, Bera, Boozman, and Booker Launch International Exchanges Caucus * Today, U.S. Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ, 2), Ami Bera (D-CA, 6), and U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the launch of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus. The members are launching this caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange programs, p  more

Virginia Tech: Expert - More Than Half of U.S. Faces Worst Drought in Decades
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, May 14 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news: * * * Expert: More than half of U.S. faces worst drought in decades More than 60 percent of the United States is experiencing drought conditions, with more than 20 percent in an extreme drought. Andrew Ellis, a climatologist at Virginia Tech said the current conditions are among the worst in decades because the combination of intensity and aerial coverage is rare. He explained why, who is most impacted, and when we can e  more

W.Va. A.G. McCuskey, Coalition of AGs Urge SEC to Review OpenAI
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 14 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Attorney General McCuskey, coalition of AGs urge SEC to review OpenAI West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a coalition of 10 states in a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), raising concerns about OpenAI going public and the integrity of public markets. Led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, the coalition is  more

Warren, Hawley, Harshbarger, Auchincloss Renew Bipartisan Push to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Warren, Hawley, Harshbarger, Auchincloss Renew Bipartisan Push to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs PBM Act picks up key bipartisan cosponsors, including Senators Fetterman and Marshall and representatives on committees of jurisdiction in the House. Tennessee Governor could sign their version of the PBM Act into law as early as this week. * Today, Senators Elizabe  more

Womack Votes to Combat Retail and Supply Chain Theft
WASHINGTON, May 12 -- Rep. Steve Womack, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Womack Votes to Combat Retail and Supply Chain Theft * WASHINGTON, D.C. -May 12, 2026... Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted in support of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. This bill would expand criminal penalties for organized retail and supply chain crime, in addition to establishing a center within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate relate  more