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By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning, Advocate readers! A video of an Arkansas State Police trooper punching an 18-year-old during a traffic stop has gotten national attention. Now lawmakers and civil rights leaders want answers. Plus, there’s more movement from Arkansas counties to prevent data center projects. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news at the Advocate site here.

(Courtesy of Arkansas State Police)

(Courtesy of Arkansas State Police)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Arkansas lawmakers, NAACP seek accountability over state trooper punching 18-year-old during traffic stop

By Antoinette Grajeda

The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus and NAACP Arkansas State Conference are calling for answers about a traffic stop involving a state trooper punching an 18-year-old that has gained national attention. 

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The construction site for the Serverfarm data center in Clarksville, Arkansas on July 13, 2026. Construction on it began earlier this year. (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)

The construction site for the Serverfarm data center in Clarksville, Arkansas on July 13, 2026. Construction on it began earlier this year. (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Outside of Little Rock, Arkansas counties and cities move ahead on data center moratoriums

By Ainsley Platt

Little Rock and Pulaski County haven’t paused approvals of data centers — despite months of trying — even as they’ve faced community pushback over two major facilities planned in the area. But across Arkansas, other cities and counties aren’t having the same problem.

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A masked ICE agent stands guard outside as ICE and other law enforcement agents raid a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year. More than a dozen states have enacted laws designed to keep ICE away from schools, but recent incidents illustrate the limits of state and local authority when it comes to immigration enforcement (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

A masked ICE agent stands guard outside as ICE and other law enforcement agents raid a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year. More than a dozen states have enacted laws designed to keep ICE away from schools, but recent incidents illustrate the limits of state and local authority when it comes to immigration enforcement (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

States, cities try to keep ICE out of schools

By Stateline

Since President Donald Trump began his second term with a vow to crack down on illegal immigration, more than a dozen states have enacted laws designed to keep ICE away from schools.

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