Arkansas State General Assembly
Arkansas session marked by culture wars, coronavirus fights

By Andrew Demillo May. 01, 2021 11:10 AM EDT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The 108-day Arkansas legislative session that wrapped up last week was dominated by culture war issues and the coronavirus pandemic,...

Arkansas lawmakers back bans on mask, vaccine requirements

By Andrew Demillo Apr. 20, 2021 06:12 PM EDT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers on Tuesday gave initial approval to measures prohibiting requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination to access...

FILE - In this July 20, 2020 file photo, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson removes his mask before a briefing at the state capitol in Little Rock. Hutchinson has signed into law a measure that would allow doctors to refuse to treat someone because of moral or religious objections. Gov. Hutchinson on Friday, March 26, 2021, signed the legislation, despite objections that it would give medical providers broad powers to turn away LGBTQ patients and others. (Staci Vandagriff/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP, File)
Arkansas lawmakers vote to prevent mask mandate's return

By Andrew Demillo Mar. 31, 2021 06:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 20, 2020 file photo, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson removes his mask before a briefing at the state capitol in Little Rock. Hutchinson has signed into law a measure that would allow doctors to refuse to treat someone because of moral or religious objections. Gov. Hutchinson on Friday, March 26, 2021, signed the legislation, despite objections that it would give medical providers broad powers to turn away LGBTQ patients and others. (Staci Vandagriff/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP, File)
Arkansas lawmakers reject bid to end coronavirus emergency

By Andrew Demillo Mar. 29, 2021 12:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 20, 2020 file photo, Gov. Asa Hutchinson removes his mask before a briefing at the state capitol in Little Rock. State lawmakers across the country will be convening in 2021 with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic rippling through much of their work and even affecting the way they work. After 10 months of emergency orders and restrictions from governors and local executive officials, some state lawmakers are eager to reassert their power over statewide decisions shaping the way people shop, work, worship and attend school (Staci Vandagriff/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Arkansas Senate votes to refund virus fines to businesses

By Andrew Demillo Feb. 25, 2021 06:29 PM EST

Another Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus

Jan. 20, 2021 02:54 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas lawmaker on Wednesday tested positive for the coronavirus, the third to be infected since lawmakers convened this year's...

Arkansas Senate panel approves home delivery of alcohol

Jan. 19, 2021 06:34 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas Senate panel on Tuesday advanced legislation allowing home delivery of alcohol by liquor stores, a measure that would make...

2nd Arkansas lawmaker tests positive since session's start

Jan. 19, 2021 12:54 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus, a House spokeswoman said, the second to be infected since the Legislature...

Arkansas House votes to require masks as virus cases rise

Jan. 14, 2021 06:48 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas House voted Thursday to require members and staff to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. ...

Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for virus as cases rise

By Andrew Demillo Jan. 13, 2021 07:46 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas lawmaker has tested positive for the coronavirus, a House spokeswoman said on Wednesday, days after the Legislature began...

Arkansas Senate President Jimmy Hickey speaks to reporters at his office in the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Lawmakers convened at the Capitol on Monday for the first day of the legislative session. (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo)
Arkansas Legislature begins session in middle of pandemic

By Andrew Demillo Jan. 11, 2021 01:37 PM EST

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks in his office at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Hutchinson is advocating for a hate crimes bill in the upcoming legislative session, but the measure faces some obstacles. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)
Pandemic overshadows agenda as Arkansas lawmakers meet

By Andrew Demillo Jan. 09, 2021 12:23 PM EST

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks remotely to legislators on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 in Little Rock, Ark., about his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Hutchinson is proposing $50 million in tax cuts in his budget plan. State lawmakers across the country will be convening in 2021 with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic rippling through much of their work — and even affecting the way they work. After 10 months of emergency orders and restrictions from governors and local executive officials, some state lawmakers are eager to reassert their power over statewide decisions shaping the way people shop, work, worship and attend school (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo)
Another Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus

Dec. 24, 2020 03:39 PM EST

Arkansas lawmakers won't meet this year on virus declaration

By Andrew Demillo Dec. 15, 2020 07:25 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers will not meet this month to vote on whether to support the state's coronavirus emergency declaration, House and...

Governor urges Arkansans to take precautions during holidays

Dec. 10, 2020 06:46 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday evening implored Arkansans to take precautions during the upcoming holidays as coronavirus cases surge...

White House report: Virus spread is 'unyielding' in Arkansas

Dec. 09, 2020 12:00 PM EST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' positivity rate on coronavirus tests and number of new cases put the state in the “red zone” and more limitations should be...

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2020 file photo, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks remotely to legislators in Little Rock, Ark. At least 187 state legislators nationwide have tested positive for the virus and four have died since the pandemic began, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. Twelve Arkansas lawmakers have tested positive for the virus over the past month, the second largest known outbreak in a state legislature. (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo File)
Arkansas looks at tighter event rules as virus cases spike

By Andrew Demillo Dec. 03, 2020 01:12 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to reporters in Little Rock, Ark. Hutchinson isn't on the ballot in Tuesday's election but he's still a major player in it. The governor has appeared in an ad for fellow Republican Rep. French Hill, who's in an unexpectedly tight reelection fight. (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo, File)
Panel: Arkansas remains in 'red zone' for new virus cases

By Andrew Demillo Dec. 02, 2020 01:08 PM EST

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 file photo, House members participate in a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. At least 187 state legislators nationwide have tested positive for the virus and four have died since the pandemic began, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. Twelve Arkansas lawmakers have tested positive for the virus over the past month, the second largest known outbreak in a state legislature. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Many GOP lawmakers shrug off Statehouse mask-wearing rules

By Andrew Demillo Nov. 21, 2020 11:33 AM EST

FILE - In this file photo taken April 10, 2013, State Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, speaks at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. The Democratic state senator hopes to flip a House seat in solidly red Arkansas on Tuesday and become the first Black member of Congress from the state. Elliott was challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. French Hill for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District, which includes Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)
Elliott concedes to Hill in US House race in Arkansas

By Andrew Demillo Nov. 04, 2020 05:29 PM EST