By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! Tontitown was founded by Italian immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking a better life. We take a look at how local residents are now divided over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. And the editor’s commentary this week looks at the lessons from Arkansas’ indoor smoking ban, which just turned 20 years old. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.
Queen Concordia crowns are on display inside the Tontitown Historical Museum on July 23, 2026. The title is bestowed the young woman who sells the most raffle tickets for a car as part of the annual Tontitown Grape Festival.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Antoinette Grajeda
The Tontitown Grape Festival grew out of a picnic started by Italian immigrants who migrated to Arkansas in the late 1800s. But this year, an immigrant advocacy group has called for a boycott of the event over the police department’s participation in a federal immigration program.
A no-smoking sign on a doorway in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (Photo by Andrew DeMillo/Arkansas Advocate)
COMMENTARY
By Andrew DeMillo
The law is a testament to bipartisanship and the work of Arkansas public health leaders. It’s also a model for how Arkansas policymakers can address the state’s public health concerns today.
Voters line up outside Shiloh Hills Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Election Day, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By DC Bureau
The growing presence of partisans creates the possibility of even more conflict in the November midterm elections, voting rights advocates worry. They fear confusion between the two groups will contribute to an ongoing breakdown of voter trust in the process.
MORE NEWS
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