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By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning, Advocate readers! Democrats have struggled for years to make inroads in solidly Republican Arkansas. But President Trump’s low approval ratings and national attention surrounding Senate and House candidates are raising the party’s hopes for November. But is that optimism warranted? We take a look today. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.

And, in case you missed it, check out Editor-in-Chief Andrew DeMillo’s appearance on Capitol View over the weekend to discuss the top political stories the Advocate has been covering.

Signs promote Democratic candidates on the November ballot outside a cabin at Mt. Nebo State Park during the park’s annual chicken fry on Aug. 29, 2026. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Signs promote Democratic candidates on the November ballot outside a cabin at Mt. Nebo State Park during the park’s annual chicken fry on Aug. 29, 2026. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Democrats see rare signs of hope in solidly red Arkansas’ midterms

By Tess Vrbin

Trump’s growing unpopularity, a recent poll and national attention surrounding races for the U.S. House and Senate are fueling Democrats’ belief that there’s an opening even in the reddest of states in November.

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Sisters watch as a skid-steer loader pulls a tree in Highmore, South Dakota, on June 29, 2026, after a severe storm that morning. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it will reimburse eight South Dakota counties and three tribes for storm-related infrastructure fixes. (Photo by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)

Sisters watch as a skid-steer loader pulls a tree in Highmore, South Dakota, on June 29, 2026, after a severe storm that morning. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it will reimburse eight South Dakota counties and three tribes for storm-related infrastructure fixes. (Photo by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

FEMA is off the chopping block. But disaster aid is still a guessing game.

By Stateline

Experts say there’s still confusion about President Donald Trump’s decisions to approve or deny disaster declarations, leaving states with uncertainty about whether they can expect federal recovery funds.

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Jose Palma holds the work authorization cards of a Salvadoran member of the National TPS Alliance. The individual has renewed work permits 14 times since Temporary Protected Status was granted for El Salvador in 2001, submitting a background check and fingerprints with each renewal cycle. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

Jose Palma holds the work authorization cards of a Salvadoran member of the National TPS Alliance. The individual has renewed work permits 14 times since Temporary Protected Status was granted for El Salvador in 2001, submitting a background check and fingerprints with each renewal cycle. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

As the Trump administration dismantles Temporary Protected Status, Salvadorans may be next

By DC Bureau

The Trump administration’s position on the program is that it’s “temporary,” and that country conditions have improved, despite warnings from the State Department to not travel to some of those countries where TPS designation has ended, such as Haiti.

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