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Uncategorized
June 11, 2026

Bobby Ballinger, Jr. Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Minors

On AR Watch has learned that an individual called the Madison County Sheriff’s office and reported that Bobby Ballinger, Jr, had molested multiple young women at the Fort Rock Family…
Sam Watson
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AR LegislatureCorruptionJustice
April 21, 2026

This Legislature Has No Spine

Today, April 21st, the Arkansas legislature showed us once again that it has no spine. Attacking queer communities? Most definitely.  Banning books and defunding public television? They’re first in line.…
Sam Watson
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AR LegislatureEducationNewsPower and Control
April 7, 2026

LEARNS Act Vouchers set to be Primary Contention for Arkansas’ Fiscal Session

Arkansas’ 95th General Assembly is set to kick off the fiscal session on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. After a year and a half of controversial prisons, the Ten Commandments in…
Aliah Rowe
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Uncategorized
March 26, 2026

Bart Hester’s Favorite Hobby: Lying About the Prison

In a wide-ranging interview with the Arkansas Advocate, Senate leader Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) discussed the upcoming fiscal session, a likely special session to cut taxes (again, which our budget…
Sam Watson
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AR LegislatureEducation
January 14, 2026

Lawmakers admit EFA vouchers are hard to police, then approve millions more

At today’s Legislative Council PEER Review meeting lawmakers approved another $32 million for the state’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, also known as school vouchers. Both lawmakers and education department…
Gennie Diaz
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CorruptionPower and Control
January 5, 2026

Sarah’s Stooges: Meet Your New Board of Corrections Members

On December 31, 2025, when she thought no one was watching, Sarah Sanders made new appointments to the Board of Corrections.  It’s her right to appoint new members. Chairman Benny…
Sam Watson
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CorruptionNews
December 4, 2025

Washington County has a pattern that’s costing residents millions

The 30,000 foot view of county shenanigans and why it matters This series on Washington County is presented in partnership with the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition. A big thank you…
Gennie Diaz
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CorruptionNews
October 9, 2025

Washington Co. judge’s transparency record under scrutiny

Washington Co. Judge Patrick Deakins is allergic to transparency and loves to hire outside counsel. Are taxpayers on the hook for Patrick Deakins’ spending on private law firms? Washington County…
Gennie Diaz
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CorruptionPower and Control
September 11, 2025

Profiri Snubs Legislature in Franklin Co. Prison Hearing

photo by Arkansas House of Representatives When lawmakers gathered to discuss the Franklin Co. prison fiasco, the one man responsible for the mess, former Corrections Secretary and current Sanders staffer…
Gennie Diaz
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News
August 12, 2025

Big raises for political insiders, pennies for the rest

While Arkansas teachers, public employees, and state workers are stuck fighting over scraps from our new merit pay system, Gov. Sanders is handing out enormous raises to her political allies.…
Gennie Diaz
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Uncategorized
July 11, 2025

What legislative audit shows us about hypocrisy

At this week's Legislative Joint Audit Committee on Educational Institutions, lawmakers came in hot. They spent the entirety of the meeting grilling the superintendent and school board president of Fouke…
Gennie Diaz
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AR Legislature
June 20, 2025

House Republicans Refuse to Help Their Own Employees with Debt Forgiveness

This morning in the Arkansas Legislative Council, House Republicans refused to review a contract to Aptus Financial, an in-state consulting firm that won a contract to help state employees determine…
Sam Watson
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Uncategorized
June 6, 2025

Don’t Paint Over Bentonville: A Community Rallies to Save Public Art

When a city tries to quietly erase approved public art, the cycling community fights back Bentonville, Arkansas has built a reputation as a popular mountain biking destination and made significant…
Sam Watson
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AR LegislaturePower and Control
March 18, 2025

A closer look at Hammer’s Boys and Girls Club grudge

Senator Kim Hammer’s attack on the Boys & Girls Club didn’t begin with SB362. His grudge against the organization — and his broader hostility toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)…
Gennie Diaz
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AR LegislatureElections
March 7, 2025

Kim Hammer’s SB296 could kill early voting in towns like West Memphis

It's Hammer time again, folks. Since yesterday's post, we've learned that SB296, a bill Hammer filed in late February, would give hand-picked Republican election commissioners unchecked power to erase early…
Gennie Diaz
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AR Legislature
March 6, 2025

The Hammer vendetta: SB362 targets the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club — an organization that provides youth with safe spaces, mentorship, and educational support— is a pillar of local communities. But now Senator Kim Hammer is…
Gennie Diaz
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AR LegislatureElectionsPower and Control
February 6, 2025

Kim Hammer wants to destroy direct democracy

Hammer's bills are designed to shut you out of the democratic process Sen. Kim Hammer is running for Arkansas Secretary of State, and if you think he wants to serve…
Gennie Diaz
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AR LegislatureNewsPower and Control
January 30, 2025

Senate cowards cave on SB3

The push to ditch public affirmative action is back, and it's uglier than ever. Last session, fifteen Arkansas state senators voted against SB71, Dan Sullivan's 2023 bill to gut public…
Gennie Diaz
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Uncategorized
January 8, 2025

Commissioner for sale? Chris Caldwell’s alarming conflict of interest

Bad news for those who value government accountability and transparency During routine conflict of interest research, On AR Watch uncovered that Chris Caldwell, the current Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner,…
Gennie Diaz
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AR LegislaturePower and Control
November 11, 2024

Senate GOP picks power + control over cooperation

The move isn't about governing but rather ruling with an iron fist In a blatant display of partisanship and disregard for its chamber's so-called contemplative nature, the Arkansas Senate GOP…
Gennie Diaz
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