As an Ally, you’ll walk alongside individuals and families working toward their goals, offering encouragement, accountability, and support as they build a more stable future. Allies help expand social capital, share valuable life experiences, and become part of a community committed to reducing poverty in NWA.

Interested in learning more? Attend one of the following ONLINE Ally Information sessions:

^{Thanks to the folks at Arkansas Strong for sharing:}

The James Yale Legacy Project has opened submissions for its 1st Annual Creative Storytelling Invitational, a multidisciplinary competition inviting writers, poets, lyricists, storytellers, and visual artists to draw inspiration from James Yale’s painting Rayaak, which depicts a space where the magical and the everyday converge. Participants may submit original essays, short stories, poems, song lyrics, screenplays, or graphic novels, with entries evaluated on originality and creative vision. The use of AI-generated content is not permitted. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries: $500 for first place, $250 for second, and $100 for third. All finalists will be invited to present their work either in person or virtually at The Medium in Springdale, Arkansas, on August 25, 2026. Deadline to apply is August 1st. Learn more HERE.

“The county’s justices of the peace on Tuesday [June 30] approved in a 14-0 vote the third and final reading of an ordinance establishing the Benton County Jail Misdemeanor Operations Fund. The fund is intended to pay for a proposed 286-bed pod at the jail to house those charged with misdemeanor offenses… Benton County spokeswoman Melody Kwok said the estimated cost to build the new pod is $20 million, and there’s no time frame for completion of the project.” Read more from Tracy Neal’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:

As we lead up to the 2026 elections, now is a good time to review for yourself and to educated your community members about the priorities of our previously elected state legislators. Maybe it’s time for a change?

From Tess Vrvin with the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas Explained: Capitol grounds crowded with monuments and some controversy - The Arkansas Legislature is the only entity that can create or remove a monument, according to a law in response to an effort to put a Satanist statue near the Capitol” and from Ainsley Platt, “Anti-abortion monument at Capitol gets OK from Arkansas secretary of state - Lawmakers behind design hope for its completion in 18 months, panel’s chair says”

The 2025-26 academic year test results for Arkansas k-12 students were released last month. Get caught up with:

The Arkansas Advocate published analysis on the gaps between the value of Arkansas voucher program from LEARNS and current private school tuition rates. Read Antoinette Grajeda’s in-dept reporting HERE.

Last week ”The High Cost of Arkansas’s Juvenile Delinquency Fees and Fines” report produced by the Arkansas Coalition to End Youth Fees and Fines was published jointly by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF), Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, Arkansas Public Policy Panel, and Disability Rights Arkansas.

“The goal of this report is to provide decision makers with evidence of the inefficiencies and harm caused by court fees and fines practices as they consider pathways for reform. This report 1) examines current court policies and practices; 2) presents quantitative and qualitative research on the impact on youth, families, and the courts; and 3) highlights reform efforts in Arkansas and nationwide.” Learn more and read the report HERE.

Earlier in June, AACF shared the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book. AACF said that “Sharp increases in the children’s uninsured rate and the number of young children not in school have contributed to Arkansas’s lower rankings, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring nationwide. The data show Arkansas leaders must do more to invest in proven solutions to boost child well-being throughout the state.” Read their recap and download the report HERE. View Arkansas’s specific report card HERE. Watch the Talk Business and Politics interview with AACF Policy Director Christin Harper HERE.

Both the democratic parties of Benton and Washington counties plan to have operational campaign offices open to candidates and the public for the remainder of the 2026 election. To keep each office running, consider showing support by donating to their fundraising campaigns linked below.

Talk Business and Politics ran a feature on Hallie Shoffner last week. She’s running for the U.S. Senate position against current Senator Tom Cotton. Read more about her story from George Jared HERE.

For those of you that vote by mail or have family that does, catch up with Tracking Arkansas and Scott Perkins post, “SCOTUS Protects Postmarked Ballots, But USPS Rule May Jeopardize Election Day Mailings - For deployed Guardsmen, overseas citizens and other voters who rely on postmark-based deadlines, a 2025 USPS rule change could determine whether ballots count.” For Benton County residents needing to vote absentee for the Nov. 3rd election, apply HERE.

Last week a federal judge declared Arkansas state laws restricting the initiative and referendum process unconstitutional. This is a BIG WIN! Read more about the ruling in Antoinette Grajeda’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.

Also last week, Protect AR Rights submitted over 100k petition signatures for the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment to the Secretary of State. The proposed constitutional amendment would protect Arkansans' right to use the citizen initiative and referendum process by establishing constitutional safeguards for direct democracy. Following the submission is a 30-day cure period, during which additional valid signatures may be submitted to make up for any signatures that are found to be invalid.

Please consider attending the following upcoming event to learn more about and support like-minded candidates running for office in Arkansas.

State Legislature and U.S. Senate: Candidate meet and greet for Mitchell Smith in House District 13 (south Bentonville and northwest Rogers) and Hallie Shoffner for U.S. Senate.

State Legislature: Candidate fundraiser for State Senate district 13 (north Little Rock) candidate Allison Grigsby Sweatman. Her race is a potential pickup for the Democratic Party in the State Senate.