By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! The November election is 33 days away. A topic that’s on the minds of many voters is the state’s prison system. Lawmakers continued exploring ideas about addressing overcrowding at a daylong hearing at the Capitol. Meanwhile, the governor is facing criticism for a campaign ad touting the state’s Medicaid work requirements. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news at the Advocate site here.
And speaking of the election, check out this exciting announcement about the Advocate joining the AP Fund for Journalism 2026 elections program!
Former Arkansas lawmaker Jeremy Hutchinson, who served two years in prison on federal bribery and tax charges, presents the House and Senate Judiciary committees with suggestions to reduce prison overcrowding on Sept. 30, 2026. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Tess Vrbin
Arkansas lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates agreed Wednesday that improving the systems that help inmates return to society after incarceration will alleviate the state’s prison overcrowding problem.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke with Olivia Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art board chair, during a lecture at the Bentonville museum on Sept. 30, 2026. (Photo by Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Antoinette Grajeda
Humility, listening and serving others are important pieces of democracy, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday during a lecture at Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders addresses the press after casting her vote in the primary election in Little Rock, Arkansas on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Andrew DeMillo
A campaign ad from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders portraying a Medicaid recipient playing video games and eating junk food instead of working has prompted backlash from the right and left, but for very different reasons.
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