Week of June 8, 2025

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of June 8, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions. A federal district court has sided with the state in a legal challenge against Arkansas' congressional map. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas issued a ruling on Friday stating opponents of the current boundaries failed to provide sufficient evidence proving state lawmakers acted with racial discrimination in their decision to split Pulaski County into three districts. The plaintiffs claimed the division dilutes the strength of Black voters in Central Arkansas. STORY: Federal court sides with state in congressional map dispute Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wants Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to invest more in the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Cotton's push occurs as the Army is undertaking a "transformation initiative," which could result in consolidating military installations across the country. STORY: Cotton argues for expansion of Pine Bluff Arsenal; Army secretary blames ‘constraints’ for search elsewhere Disability Rights Arkansas has started accepting new cases again after pausing this service in April. The independent nonprofit organization had to briefly halt taking new clients because the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education had not delivered necessary grant funding. Disability Rights Arkansas has credited the state's congressional delegation and lawmaker's push for the funding's release. STORY: Federal agencies release grants for Disability Rights Arkansas, group resumes accepting new clients Thank you for listening to this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for developments from the nation's capital!