Latest Asa Hutchinson News
DOJ: 2 states' transgender restrictions unconstitutional
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday challenged bans involving transgender people that target athletes in West Virginia and children in Arkansas, slamming them as violations of federal law. The department filed statements of interest in...
ACLU asks judge to block Arkansas trans youth treatment ban
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday asked a federal judge to prevent Arkansas from enforcing its ban on gender confirming treatments for transgender youth while a lawsuit challenging the prohibition proceeds. The ACLU requested a...
Democratic candidate launches bid for Arkansas governor
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The former head of a North Little Rock nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs said Tuesday that he would seek next year's Democratic nomination for Arkansas governor. Chris Jones is the former executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation...
Arkansas to submit new Medicaid expansion plan next month
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas will give the federal government next month the state's overhauled Medicaid expansion proposal after federal officials blocked a work requirement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday. The state on Sunday began accepting public comment on t...
Arkansas governor declares emergency because of flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday declared a state of emergency because of flooding in southeastern Arkansas. The governor's declaration comes after more than a foot of rain fell on some communities in a 24-hour period this week. Hutchinson's...
The Latest: Melbourne's 4th pandemic lockdown to end Friday
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s second-largest city will emerge from its fourth pandemic lockdown Friday. But some restrictions will remain and the 5 million residents of Melbourne won’t be allowed to travel to regional centers in surrounding Victoria state. ...
Arkansas governor approves 3% merit pay raises for workers
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday approved performance-related merit pay raises of as much as 3% for state employees. Hutchinson announced that $28 million in state and federal funds was allocated for the merit pay increases, which he said...
Arkansas says vaccinated students no longer need quarantine
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas no longer requires students exposed to the coronavirus to quarantine so long as they're fully vaccinated against the virus, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday. Hutchinson said the new quarantine policy aligns with guidance from the...
Former chief justice to coordinate Arkansas redistricting
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas board that redraws legislative district boundaries every 10 years following the U.S. census has hired a former state chief justice to be the panel's coordinator. The Arkansas Board of Apportionment hired Betty Dickey on Monday at a...
Arkansas courthouse closed to public amid pandemic to reopen
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — One of Arkansas largest courthouses is set to reopen to the public after access to it was limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Pulaski County Courthouse in Little Rock was scheduled to reopen on Monday. ...
