Ainsley Platt
@ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
journalist covering environment, prisons and state gov madness for the Arkansas Advocate || frmr: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; The Crimson White; Alabama Daily News || Email: [email protected] || DM me w/ tips, dog pics or music recs
The late night court stories never end (wrote this one in a Walmart parking lot, very Arkansas of me). Story will likely be updated tomorrow with more, so stay tuned:
NEW from @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Sunday that she would comply with what she described as “unlawful” court orders to reschedule two special elections for vacant legislative seats, four days after the Arkansas Supreme Court declined to pause them. #arpx #arleg
Sanders moves Arkansas special elections, but calls court orders ‘unlawful’ | Arkansas Advocate
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Sunday that she would comply with what she described as “unlawful” court orders to reschedule two special elections for vacant legislative seats.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:14 AM
The late night court stories never end (wrote this one in a Walmart parking lot, very Arkansas of me). Story will likely be updated tomorrow with more, so stay tuned:
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Members of Ozark’s city council unanimously voted on Monday against starting discussions with the state to potentially supply water for a planned 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County. #arpx
Franklin County town rejects initiating talks with state on water supply for new Arkansas prison | Arkansas Advocate
Members of Ozark’s city council unanimously voted on Monday against starting discussions with the state to potentially supply water for a planned 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Members of Ozark’s city council unanimously voted on Monday against starting discussions with the state to potentially supply water for a planned 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program (NSTEP) after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its commitments to reduce emissions.
Arkansas environment regulator brings back environmental stewardship program | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program (NSTEP) after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program (NSTEP) after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its commitments to reduce emissions.
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to stay two lower court orders requiring her to set earlier special election dates for two legislative vacancies. #arpx
UPDATED: Arkansas Supreme Court rejects request to delay court orders in special election cases | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Supreme Court denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to stay two lower court orders requiring her to set earlier special election dates for two legislative vacancies Wednesday…
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to stay two lower court orders requiring her to set earlier special election dates for two legislative vacancies. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its commitments to reduce emissions. #arpx
Arkansas environment regulator brings back environmental stewardship program | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program (NSTEP) after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its commit...
arkansasadvocate.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality revived its Natural State Stewardship Program after a brief hiatus Thursday, inducting a Fort Smith motor factory into the program for its commitments to reduce emissions. #arpx
Love a good late night court story scramble. Read more the latest on the Arkansas special election lawsuits:
#arpx #arleg
#arpx #arleg
NEW from @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The Arkansas Supreme Court denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to stay two lower court orders requiring her to set earlier special election dates for two legislative vacancies Wednesday evening. #arpx #arleg
Arkansas Supreme Court rejects Sanders request to stay court orders in special election lawsuits | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Supreme Court denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to stay two lower court orders requiring her to set earlier special election dates for two legislative vacancies Wednesday evenin...
arkansasadvocate.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
After a Utah judge's ruling picking a new congressional map, anti-gerrymandering groups celebrated what they called a victory in a drawn out battle for fairness in a state where Republicans have long kept a strong grip on state and federal representation. #utpol
Utah Democrats likely to win congressional seat in 2026 if judge’s map order stands • Utah News Dispatch
If the judge's redistricting ruling stands, Utah Democrats are likely to win a seat in Congress in the 2026 elections.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:07 AM
After a Utah judge's ruling picking a new congressional map, anti-gerrymandering groups celebrated what they called a victory in a drawn out battle for fairness in a state where Republicans have long kept a strong grip on state and federal representation. #utpol
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Three Central Arkansas food pantries reported spikes in demand in recent weeks as those who normally receive SNAP benefits steeled themselves for possibly losing the help due to the congressional spending impasse, a first in the program’s history.
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
'Where your faith really comes in': Food pantries in Central Arkansas feeling effects of shutdown | Arkansas Advocate
Officials at three food pantries — two in Little Rock, one in Cabot — reported spikes in demand in recent weeks as those who normally receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)…
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Three Central Arkansas food pantries reported spikes in demand in recent weeks as those who normally receive SNAP benefits steeled themselves for possibly losing the help due to the congressional spending impasse, a first in the program’s history.
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
BREAKING: Senators have reached a deal to end the government shutdown.
Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown
Democrats are coalescing around a bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:03 AM
BREAKING: Senators have reached a deal to end the government shutdown.
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: As SNAP benefits remained delayed, Central Arkansas food pantries are seeing spikes in demand, while the Arkansas Foodbank warns the charitable food system can't possibly meet the total need for assistance in America's most food insecure state. #arpx
'Where your faith really comes in': Food pantries in Central Arkansas feeling effects of shutdown | Arkansas Advocate
Officials at three food pantries — two in Little Rock, one in Cabot — reported spikes in demand in recent weeks as those who normally receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)…
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: As SNAP benefits remained delayed, Central Arkansas food pantries are seeing spikes in demand, while the Arkansas Foodbank warns the charitable food system can't possibly meet the total need for assistance in America's most food insecure state. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The Advocate's mothership launches a podcast this Friday! Give it a listen.
Hey all ... we're getting into the podcast game. Listen to a sneak peek here! First episode launches Friday.
From @statesnewsroom.com
From @statesnewsroom.com
Podcast countdown! Stories From The States, our new weekly podcast, launches this Friday. Listen to the teaser and subscribe now.
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/excl...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/excl...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
November 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The Advocate's mothership launches a podcast this Friday! Give it a listen.
Going to get on my old student media soapbox here for a moment: Student journalists are journalists that just happen to be students too! Forgetting constitutional protections, it is wrong to censor journalists. Period. Full stop. Keep up the great work, IDS. From my college media ethics professor:
Some universities don't learn the lesson. A 2.5-minute blog post: www.tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/10/25/dont-mess-with-student-journalism
#Journalism #StudentJournalism
#Journalism #StudentJournalism
Don't mess with student journalism — Tom Arenberg
People take up for college journalists faster than they will for the pros, so when a university administration decides to trample on campus media, it can get really embarrassing really fast for the ad...
www.tomarenberg.net
November 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Going to get on my old student media soapbox here for a moment: Student journalists are journalists that just happen to be students too! Forgetting constitutional protections, it is wrong to censor journalists. Period. Full stop. Keep up the great work, IDS. From my college media ethics professor:
The state’s interpretation would have made the special election law “meaningless,” Judge Shawn Johnson wrote. “If the Governor has complete discretion over when to hold a special election … then there would be no reason to have a 150-day limitation at all.”
AG Tim Griffin is appealing.
#arpx
AG Tim Griffin is appealing.
#arpx
NEW from @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: A Pulaski County judge ordered House District 70’s special election moved to March 3, 2026, rejecting arguments from the state that Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has complete discretion over special election dates. #arpx
Arkansas judge rules against Sanders in second special election lawsuit | Arkansas Advocate
A Pulaski County judge ordered House District 70’s special election moved to March 3, 2026, rejecting arguments from the state that Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has complete discretion over special…
arkansasadvocate.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The state’s interpretation would have made the special election law “meaningless,” Judge Shawn Johnson wrote. “If the Governor has complete discretion over when to hold a special election … then there would be no reason to have a 150-day limitation at all.”
AG Tim Griffin is appealing.
#arpx
AG Tim Griffin is appealing.
#arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: Arkansas has roughly 1.8 million registered voters — meaning 0.013% of the state’s registered voters are potentially noncitizens. That aligns with similarly small percentages reported in states like Texas and Louisiana. #arpx
Jester says 240 potential noncitizens found on Arkansas voter rolls, 0.013% of all registered voters | Arkansas Advocate
Secretary of State Cole Jester announced his office believed there are roughly 240 alleged noncitizens on Arkansas’ voter rolls during a press conference Thursday.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: Arkansas has roughly 1.8 million registered voters — meaning 0.013% of the state’s registered voters are potentially noncitizens. That aligns with similarly small percentages reported in states like Texas and Louisiana. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Addressing barriers to child care licensing in Arkansas, such as regulatory burdens and dependence on federal funding, could lead to greater access to care, particularly in underserved and rural areas of the state, according to a new report.
My latest for @arkansasadvocate.com
My latest for @arkansasadvocate.com
Report recommends steps to improve Arkansas child care licensing | Arkansas Advocate
Addressing barriers to child care licensing in Arkansas, such as regulatory burdens and dependence on federal funding, could lead to greater access to care, particularly in underserved and rural areas...
arkansasadvocate.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Addressing barriers to child care licensing in Arkansas, such as regulatory burdens and dependence on federal funding, could lead to greater access to care, particularly in underserved and rural areas of the state, according to a new report.
My latest for @arkansasadvocate.com
My latest for @arkansasadvocate.com
Google’s Lucia Tian said at the lithium summit today that new Arkansas laws “opened doors” to speed up energy generation projects.
“We, and many of our peers, are looking to go to places where we can grow gigawatt-scale AI data centers … there aren’t many places where you can go and do that.” #arpx
“We, and many of our peers, are looking to go to places where we can grow gigawatt-scale AI data centers … there aren’t many places where you can go and do that.” #arpx
October 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Google’s Lucia Tian said at the lithium summit today that new Arkansas laws “opened doors” to speed up energy generation projects.
“We, and many of our peers, are looking to go to places where we can grow gigawatt-scale AI data centers … there aren’t many places where you can go and do that.” #arpx
“We, and many of our peers, are looking to go to places where we can grow gigawatt-scale AI data centers … there aren’t many places where you can go and do that.” #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: An Arkansas judge said during a Tuesday hearing that he planned to rule as early as Wednesday on a petition asking to set an earlier date for a special election to fill House District 70’s vacant seat. #arpx #arleg
Arkansas judge says ruling to come this week on second special election lawsuit | Arkansas Advocate
An Arkansas judge said during a Tuesday hearing that he planned to rule as early as Wednesday on a petition asking to set an earlier date for a special election to fill House District 70’s vacant seat...
arkansasadvocate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: An Arkansas judge said during a Tuesday hearing that he planned to rule as early as Wednesday on a petition asking to set an earlier date for a special election to fill House District 70’s vacant seat. #arpx #arleg
If you thought I was done with lithium, you thought wrong: I’m at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit this morning and all day tomorrow. If you see me, come say hi!
October 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
If you thought I was done with lithium, you thought wrong: I’m at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit this morning and all day tomorrow. If you see me, come say hi!
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The Arkansas Department of Human Services warned Arkansans on Wednesday to prepare themselves for possible interruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments due to the federal government shutdown. #arpx
Arkansas warns SNAP interruptions possible; urges preparation | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Department of Human Services warned Arkansans Wednesday to prepare for possible interruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments due to the federal government…
buff.ly
October 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The Arkansas Department of Human Services warned Arkansans on Wednesday to prepare themselves for possible interruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments due to the federal government shutdown. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
A Pulaski County Circuit judge ruled in favor of a Franklin County resident Wednesday and said a June 2026 special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat unconstitutionally deprives voters of a voice in next year’s fiscal session. #arpx #arleg
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
‘Far-reaching ramifications’: Judge says special election dates violate constitutional rights | Arkansas Advocate
A Pulaski County Circuit judge ruled in favor of a Franklin County resident Wednesday and said a June 2026 special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat unconstitutionally deprives voters of a…
buff.ly
October 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A Pulaski County Circuit judge ruled in favor of a Franklin County resident Wednesday and said a June 2026 special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat unconstitutionally deprives voters of a voice in next year’s fiscal session. #arpx #arleg
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
NEW from @sonnyalbarado.bsky.social: Arkansas’ third-largest school district asked a federal court Friday to let it intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s school voucher program. #arpx #arleg
Little Rock School District argues Arkansas’ school voucher program illegally diverts public funds | Arkansas Advocate
Arkansas’ third-largest school district asked a federal court Friday to let it intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s school voucher program.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:10 PM
NEW from @sonnyalbarado.bsky.social: Arkansas’ third-largest school district asked a federal court Friday to let it intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s school voucher program. #arpx #arleg
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
NEW from @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: A Central Arkansas school district ordered its staff on Tuesday to block students’ access to a wide range of LGBTQ+ books “as soon as possible,” according to an internal memo the Advocate obtained via the state Freedom of Information Act. #arpx
North Little Rock School District orders 50 LGBTQ+ books hidden on students' digital platform | Arkansas Advocate
As of Thursday morning, NLRSD spokesperson Dustin Barnes had not responded to an email asking what prompted the order.
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
NEW from @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: A Central Arkansas school district ordered its staff on Tuesday to block students’ access to a wide range of LGBTQ+ books “as soon as possible,” according to an internal memo the Advocate obtained via the state Freedom of Information Act. #arpx
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Even if a shutdown deal were reached immediately, the time needed to process the payments and make them available for recipients means benefits would likely be delayed, our D.C. Bureau reports:
Shutdown likely to halt food benefits for 42 million in just days | Arkansas Advocate
More than 42 million low-income Americans are at risk of losing food assistance Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues.
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Even if a shutdown deal were reached immediately, the time needed to process the payments and make them available for recipients means benefits would likely be delayed, our D.C. Bureau reports:
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Had a lovely chat with these #uark students. Click the link to hear them discuss their project in their own words. 🔈
Via @grajeda.bsky.social: The Amendment to Keep Arkansas Natural would preserve the state’s outdoors and natural resources for recreation, economy and public health, and give Arkansans “the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment.” #arpx
University students seek to safeguard Arkansas’ natural resources through ballot initiative | Arkansas Advocate
Inspired by peers in Montana, four University of Arkansas students are working to protect the Natural State’s resources through a proposed constitutional amendment.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Had a lovely chat with these #uark students. Click the link to hear them discuss their project in their own words. 🔈