Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 3h

Hallie Shoffner, the Democrat trying to unseat US Sen. Tom Cotton, has raised $663,000 since launching her campaign in July. That's well behind Cotton but a respectable amount for a first-time candidate running in an uphill race.
#Arkansas

Cotton campaign ends September with $9.4 million; Democratic opponents post first numbers | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is maintaining his campaign's strong financial standing with more than a year before the 2026 midterm elections.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 3h

Tidbit from lawsuit challenging Gov. Sanders' decision to hold open Senate seat until June: Elections officials in Franklin & Logan counties say they could organize earlier election, undercutting Sanders' excuse for longer timetable. Also say governor's office didn't consult them.
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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 4h

Arkansas daycare operators plead with state to find money to restore reimbursements they receive to serve lower-income kids, which are being reduced due to federal funding change. Survey shows 80 facilities across state in danger of closing, with 400 layoffs expected in November.

Arkansas child care providers ask state for help after changes to school readiness program | Arkansas Advocate

Reimbursement rate cuts are expected to cost providers statewide $727,000 per week, totaling $37.8 million in lost revenue for local economies.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 4h

Judge promises "quick" decision in legal challenge to Gov. Sanders' effort to disenfranchise 86,000 voters by holding open Senate seat until June to help push through her Franklin Co. mega-prison.
#Arkansas

Judge promises swift ruling in lawsuit over special election to replace Arkansas senator | Arkansas Advocate

A Pulaski County judge said she would issue a ruling quickly in a lawsuit seeking to move up the dates of the Senate District 26 special election after a hearing Wednesday.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

That JD Vance thinks it's "pearl clutching" to condemn racist & deeply offensive comments by young leaders in his own party doesn't speak to his moral relativism as much as it speaks to his moral bankruptcy.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

‘It’s revolting’: More Young Republican chat members out of jobs as condemnation intensifies

POLITICO report on private Telegram chat filled with racist slurs and tropes ignites debate from New York to Washington.

www.politico.com

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Full house at Ft. Smith city board meeting amid show of support for City Director Andre Good, under fire for refusing to participate in a moment of silence for far-right provocateur Charlie Kirk. Good thanks audience "for not just supporting me, but all of our rights."
#Arkansas

Fort Smith residents turn out to support both Director Andre Good and Charlie Kirk during meeting | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

FORT SMITH -- Around 100 members of the public filled the Blue Lion auditorium Tuesday, many in support of the city board member who stepped out of the room last month during a moment of silence for…

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Rep. Rick Crawford introduces bailout for Arkansas farmers without addressing elephant in the room: Trump's tariffs hammering exports. Dem-Gazette helps him tap dance with story that only uses "t" word once & describes tariff damage as "international shifts away from American crops."

Crawford announces bill to provide farmers with economic relief options | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has announced legislation to provide farmers with some financial support as operations continue to struggle amid poor economic conditions.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Trial begins for man accused of killing 7-year-old Pine Bluff girl on a trip with her family to Little Rock Zoo in 2022. Family's car shot at 14 times while exiting I-630; prosecutors say her uncle, who was driving, was target of attack that was culmination of gang feud.
#Arkansas

Capital murder trial for Bryant man in 2022 slaying of 7-year-old on family trip to zoo begins in Little Rock | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

A Pulaski County jury on Tuesday heard the hail of gunfire that killed a 7-year-old girl in front of the Little Rock Zoo over the Memorial Day weekend three years ago.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Arkansas Dept. of Health official fired for saying Charlie Kirk "was shot doing his evil in the public" files lawsuit over violation of her free speech rights; says firing was result of "coordinated effort by senior state officials to punish her viewpoint and make an example of her."

Firing over Kirk comments violated free speech rights, Health Department officials says in lawsuit | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

A former Arkansas Department of Health official fired last month over reported social media comments about the assasination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has filed a lawsuit claiming the…

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Proof? We don't need no stinkin' proof ...

The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Seems like a president speaking directly to Hamas terrorists might be a bigger news story ...

Reposted by The Shumater

Lakeloonatic @lakeloonatic.bsky.social · 1d

Hey Arkansans, sorry for the late reminder but, personal property and real estate taxes are due today. Otherwise, you’ll be penalized.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Not to mention that Indigenous people shot buffalo to sustain themselves; it took white people to mow them down for sport nearly to the point of extinction.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Big ice storm, in Hell.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Investing in the Argentine peso is very similar to taking your money to a casino ... except you don't get free cocktails.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

Transgender activist & icon Miss Major Griffin-Gracy dies at her home in Little Rock: “Her enduring legacy is a testament to her resilience, activism and dedication to creating safe spaces for Black trans communities and all trans people.”
#Arkansas
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...

Trailblazing trans activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy has died - Arkansas Times

Transgender elder, activist and icon Miss Major Griffin-Gracy died Monday at her home in Little Rock. She was 78. Her life was a careening history lesson in oppression and defiance.

arktimes.com

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 1d

235 Arkansas state employees furloughed due to federal govt. shutdown. 167 are federally funded state employees who work for Dept. of Military at Camp Robinson & Ft. Chaffee; 59 work for state health or human services departments.
www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/oc...

235 Arkansas government employees furloughed in executive branch agencies due to federal government shutdown | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The number of Arkansas state government employees furloughed in executive branch agencies as a result of the federal government shutdown totaled 235 during the week that ended Friday, according to a s...

www.arkansasonline.com

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

Pulaski Co. Sheriff Eric Higgins, who made headlines by letting Netflix producers into county jail to film his innovative incarceration plan, announces re-election bid: "I am running ... so we can build on the positive changes we’ve started and keep our families safe.”
#Arkansas

Sheriff Eric Higgins announces reelection campaign - Arkansas Times

Higgins, who made headlines last year in a Netflix documentary about the county jail, is seeking his third term.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

Hmmm ... what do 9 of the 10 most dangerous states have in common? 🤔

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

Good gravy. Intermittent departures from bat shit crazy do not make someone "surprisingly enlightened."

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

Arkansas Dept. of Human Services officials say it's "questionable" if state can provide SNAP program food assistance payments in November if federal government shutdown continues; department will refer recipients to food banks. Nathan Ansell reports in Dem-Gazette.

Legislative subcommittee questions DHS officials about SNAP availability in light of government shutdown | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Although Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were made available for October despite an ongoing federal government shutdown, that assistance is "questionable" for November, two…

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

DOUGH(nut) BOYS: Less-than-svelte Texas national guardsmen sent home after photo of them disembarking in Illinois leads to widespread social media mocking of Pete Hegseth ...
www.expressnews.com/politics/art...

'Fat troops' fallout continues as some Texas Guardsmen sent home

The switch comes after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he was tired of seeing “fat troops” who give the military “a bad look.”

www.expressnews.com

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

In. Over. Her. Head.

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The Shumater @theshumater.bsky.social · 2d

Perhaps Mike Johnson will change his tune on Obamacare subsidies being a "boondoggle" after voters who lose their coverage rise up and smite him ...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

Mike Johnson slams Obamacare funds as a 'boondoggle' as shutdown drags on

Johnson also addressed conservative calls to repeal Obamacare, whose enhanced tax credits form the main dispute between the two parties that led to the funding impasse.

www.nbcnews.com

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