Culture
State protections for religious liberty: Arkansas, Tennessee rank top in fifth annual reportIn an annual report ranking state protections for religious liberty, Arkansas placed first, followed by Tennessee, while New York ranked last. “Religious liberty… Read More
Culture
History, influence, scenery of the Southeast – FL, AL, MS, LA, AR highlighted at the Great American State Fair(Editor’s note: A series on The Great American State Fair, held in Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, written by Heartlander News interns.) From free… Read More
Government
Report finds no evidence of fraud in Arkansas’s universal school choice programArkansas’s universal school choice program has been declared fraud-free, refuting allegations it is filled with “rampant fraud, waste, and abuse.” A brand-new analysis, published by conservative think tank Opportunity Arkansas, found the state’s… Read More
Public Education
Arkansas posts steepest enrollment decline in 10+ years as parents look for tailored solutionsArkansas parents Zac and Christina George had thought public school a great fit for their daughter until she entered first grade. “Her kindergarten teacher was great and we… Read More
School Choice
National School Choice Week 2026: Momentum builds as advocates eye expansionsSchool choice has grown by leaps and bounds over the past six years, but the fight for educational freedom will continue boldly in 2026, advocates say. National School Choice Week is Jan. Read More
Government
Arkansas OKs $32 million for Education Freedom Accounts(The Center Square) – Arkansas lawmakers have approved an additional $32 million in funding for Education Freedom Accounts for the fiscal year after a request was sent by the… Read More
Government
‘No Arkansas tax dollars have gone toward’ school counselor association criticized for promoting DEI, Gov. Sanders says(The Daily Signal) – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders clarified Monday that no Bear State tax dollars supported a school counselor association that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion,… Read More
Public Education
Arkansas teachers’ union lost 36% of dues because of paycheck protection law, analysis showsThe Arkansas teachers’ union is bleeding cash after the state enacted a law to protect educators’ paychecks. The Freedom Foundation, a group advocating for workers’ rights,… Read More
Government
Arkansas’ school choice enrollment triples as families ‘vote with their feet’Arkansas’ universal school choice program is thriving with high retention rates and record enrollment as it begins its third year. In its 2024-25… Read More
Politics
Rep. Ashley Hinson rolls out bill to provide resources to parents who suffer pregnancy loss(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Republican Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson on Wednesday unveiled the Healing Mothers And Fathers Act, a bill which seeks to give parents the time and financial… Read More
Culture
Arkansas teen adopted by loving family after nearly 15 years in foster careAn Arkansas teenager has a permanent home after spending almost 15 years in foster care. Cozy, 19, had been in the foster care system for 5,429 days –… Read More
Courts
Arkansas teacher charged in killing of couple hiking with childrenA 28-year-old teacher has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a married couple who were hiking with their children at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. Read More
Government
Limits to Arkansas school choice program diminish overall success, experts warnExperts are warning “regulatory creep” in Arkansas’ school choice program is a dangerous trend that could have negative consequences for families. In the spring, the state Legislature passed… Read More
Courts
Arkansas wins lawsuit against removing CRT from public schoolsThe 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Arkansas’s ban on teaching critical race theory in public school classrooms. Gov. Read More
Homeschools
Real faces of school choice: Empowering homeschool families to learnA former public school teacher turned homeschooling mom is transforming her children’s education with the help of state-funded education savings accounts. Paula Bean taught public school for two… Read More
Christian Schools
New Arkansas private school credits school choice program for successful launchA new private school is opening in southeast Arkansas this fall, which founders say wouldn’t be possible without the state’s Education Freedom Account. Star City Christian Academy will… Read More
Courts
Lawsuit claims law requiring Ten Commandments in schools ‘unconstitutionally pressures students’(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Several families filed a lawsuit against Arkansas school districts on Wednesday over a new law mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public… Read More
Courts
Widow of Arkansas airport executive files wrongful death claim against ATF for ‘reckless’ shooting of husband in Biden-era raidThe widow of an airport executive has filed a wrongful death suit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The claim comes after agents shot Maria… Read More
Public Education
Watch: Parents brawl at kindergarten graduation in ArkansasA fight broke out between adults attending a kindergarten graduation in West Memphis, Arkansas, on Wednesday. Wild brawl breaks out at kindergarten graduation —… Read More
Public Education
Arkansas 3rd-graders who fail literacy standards may be held back according to new public-school guidelinesStarting this fall, public schools in Arkansas may need to retain third-graders who cannot meet reading standards – although those “standards” haven’t been finalized, the state’s education department says. Read More