Free Arkansas

In this episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Todd Simmons, CEO of Simmons Foods — one of Arkansas’s largest private companies — for a deep dive into the intersection of business, community, and policy in the Natural State.From running a multi-billion-dollar food and pet supply company to investing in health clinics, scholarships, and arts organizations, Simmons offers insight into how business leaders can help shape the future of Arkansas. They cover everything from immigration reform and workforce development to tariffs, AI, and nuclear energy.👔 Inside the episode:Todd’s journey from hourly worker to CEOHow Simmons Foods supports workers with on-site healthcareScholarships, youth sports, and investing in communityThoughts on NIL, pro sports in Arkansas, and the Alice Walton School of MedicineThe impact of AI and robotics on poultry processingHonest takes on infrastructure, state politics, and immigration policyWhy Arkansas needs to get serious about power and economic development🔊 Don’t miss this wide-ranging conversation with one of Arkansas’s most influential business leaders.

Congressman Bruce Westerman joins Andy McNeill for a wide-ranging conversation on immigration, the national debt, energy policy, and AI. They dig into Arkansas's economic growth challenges, the labor shortage, border security, and how federal policy impacts the state.

👷‍♂️ Immigration & LaborWesterman discusses border security, guest worker programs, and a new proposal for a restitution-based path to legal status for undocumented workers.

💰 National Debt & Entitlement SpendingThey break down how healthcare, Social Security, and federal programs drive the $36 trillion debt—and what can be done about it.

⚡ Energy & AI GrowthFrom new data center power demands to mining and permitting reform, Westerman talks about Arkansas’s role in meeting America’s future energy needs.

🏞️ Federal Land & PermittingDiscussion on federal land sales, NEPA reform, and why small towns near national parks are struggling to grow.

🧑‍💻 AI, Privacy & SupercomputingWesterman gives his take on AI energy demands, national security risks, and the 10-year federal preemption on state AI regulations.

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#FreeArkansas #ArkansasPolitics #BruceWesterman #ImmigrationPolicy #NationalDebt #AI #EnergyPolicy #FederalLands #PermittingReform #Podcast

What you need to know today:

🗳️ Fred Love Enters Governor’s RaceThe term-limited Democratic senator launches a 2026 bid.

🔫 Bryant Family Triple HomicideA man is charged with killing his sister and parents.

⚡ Second Lithium Deal ApprovedSaltwerx joins the lithium boom in Arkansas + why it matters.

🐕 Another Dog Attack in Saline CountyA woman was attacked weeks after a teen’s death sparked debate over animal control laws.

📲 Lawmaker Threatened Over Immigration ViewsA Bentonville man is charged after sending a threat to Rep. Kendon Underwood.

🗳️ Arkansas GOP Moves to Close Primaries, Student Loan Contract Rejected, & EFA Funding Approved — June 23

⚠️ Arkansas Republican Party votes to block Democrats from GOP primaries.

💰 Major hikes in candidate filing fees.

📉 Legislative Council nixes $1M loan forgiveness contract.

🏫 $90M greenlit for Education Freedom Accounts.

🐶 Saline County dog attack prompts meeting on animal control.

🚨 Sextortion cases skyrocket in Arkansas.

🎙️ Bonus: Don’t miss our latest Free Arkansas podcast

#ArkansasNews #GOPPrimary #StudentLoans #EFAs #Sextortion #ArkansasPolitics #FreeArkansas #DailyBriefing

In this thought-provoking episode of Free Arkansas, Andy McNeill sits down with Dr. Robert Maranto from the University of Arkansas to cover everything from school choice and education reform to postmodernism, bureaucracy, and campus free speech.🚨 Dr. Maranto pulls no punches. A self-described “center-right academic,” he talks candidly about:- Growing up working in his family’s business in inner-city Baltimore- Why charter schools and school choice can work—especially for low-income families- His time in the Clinton administration and views on bureaucratic reform- The cultural shift in academia and why he believes free speech is under threat- Why his new book, The Free Inquiry Papers, faced publishing hurdles- The role of family structure, civic education, and why “knowledge still matters”📚 From Catholic schools to Black Lives Matter, from COVID school closures to DEI policies, this conversation covers big, sometimes uncomfortable ground.🎧 Whether you're left, right, or somewhere in between, this is a deep dive worth hearing.📕 The Free Inquiry Papers is available now from AEI Press.🔗 Check out more episodes and Arkansas rankings at: www.freearkansas.com#FreeSpeech #SchoolChoice #EducationReform #ArkansasPolitics #DrRobMaranto #AndyMcNeill #CharterSchools #FreeArkansasPodcast

☀️ Summer Solstice & Arkansas Headlines | Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 20, 2025

Happy Summer Solstice! It’s the longest day of the year in Arkansas — and we’ve got a packed Daily Briefing to match. Here’s what’s making news this Friday, June 20:

🚨 Fayetteville vs. ICE?
A state lawmaker is asking the Attorney General whether Fayetteville is violating Arkansas’ anti-sanctuary law. The mayor says the city doesn’t help ICE — but local officials say that doesn’t make them a sanctuary city. We’ll break it down.

🗳️ SOS Showdown
A third Republican jumps into the 2026 Secretary of State race. Bryan Norris of Batesville, a U.S. Army vet and hand-count paper ballot advocate, joins Sen. Kim Hammer and Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison in the GOP primary.

🏛️ Steven Person Enters House Race
Pulaski County’s Steven Person announces his bid for House District 77. He’s a Democrat, an Army vet, and a longtime public service advocate focused on youth, veterans, and law enforcement.

⚖️ $602K Settlement in Death of Terrance Caffey
After a 30-year-old man died in police custody at a Little Rock movie theater, the city, county, and state have agreed to pay his family over $600K to settle the case. No charges were filed in the incident.

🎶 Weekend Picks: Music, Freedom & Fishing
Kid Rock and Hank Jr. headline the Rock the Country fest in Little Rock. Juneteenth celebrations are happening statewide. And with 14+ hours of daylight, it’s prime time for fishing.

Subscribe for your daily dose of Arkansas news and tune in every weekday morning!

📍 #ArkansasNews #ARPolitics #ArkansasDailyBriefing #SummerSolstice #SecretaryOfStateRace #Fayetteville #Juneteenth #RockTheCountry #TerranceCaffey #LittleRockNews #ArkansasPodcasts

Today on the Arkansas Daily Briefing:🎯 Nearly $1M for Student Loan Help?A controversial $917K contract to help state employees navigate student loan forgiveness moves forward. The full Arkansas Legislative Council votes Friday.⚖️ AG Griffin: Don't Pay LawyerThe AG is asking the courts to block payment to a board-hired attorney who helped sue the governor.🚨 Prison Needs Fort Smith's WaterThe proposed 3,000-bed Franklin County prison could draw up to 500,000 gallons of water a day. Fort Smith is in talks, but upgrades could take 3–6 years.🧊 Fayetteville's Sanctuary ClashAfter the city refused to assist ICE, Rep. Kendon Underwood says it violated Arkansas’ anti-sanctuary city law. The AG’s office is reviewing the complaint.⚾ Razorbacks Baseball Season EndsArkansas falls to LSU. That’s it. We’re sad. Moving on.🎶 Rosanne Cash & Trisha Yearwood at ASU!Mark your calendars: September 12 in Jonesboro. 📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for your daily dose of Arkansas news!#ArkansasNews #StudentLoanForgiveness #PrisonWater #Fayetteville #SanctuaryCity #Razorbacks #RosanneCash #DailyBriefing #FreeArkansas #ArkansasPolitics #TimGriffin #SarahSanders #ASUJonesboro #JohnnyCash

Good morning, Arkansas! From missing persons to political shakeups, school choice funding, and Razorback baseball in Omaha. Let’s get into it ⬇️

🔍 MISSING IN ARKANSAS
Arkansas ranks 8th in the nation for open missing persons cases — and over 100 children are still missing statewide. We break down the numbers, new alert systems, and how the state is modernizing the way cases are handled.

🗳️ SENATE DISTRICT 15 HEATS UP
A third Democrat has jumped into the race to replace Sen. Fred Love. Educator Dr. Charity Smith-Allen joins what’s becoming one of the most competitive primaries in Arkansas.

💸 VOUCHER FUNDING SOARS
Lawmakers just approved another $90 million for the Educational Freedom Account program. Over 44,000 families have applied for the upcoming school year. We explain what it means, who’s applying, and how the money works.

⚾ HOGS STAY HOT IN OMAHA
Arkansas takes down UCLA in a must-win game at the College World Series. Aloy homers, Root dominates on the mound, and now it’s on to a rematch with LSU tonight.

🎙️ Subscribe to stay updated on the top stories shaping Arkansas — politics, policy, people, and the things you care about.

#ArkansasNews #FreeArkansas #ArkansasPolitics #LEARNSAct #MissingPersons #ARLeg #Razorbacks #CollegeWorldSeries #CharitySmithAllen

📢 Today on the Arkansas Daily Briefing – June 17, 2025🧑‍⚖️ Library Book Law Back in CourtThe state is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that struck down parts of Act 372, Arkansas’ controversial library materials law. Attorney General Tim Griffin says the decision was overbroad and that the state has a right to regulate obscene materials for minors.⚖️ Corrections Board Drama Heats UpThe Arkansas Board of Corrections votes to open settlement talks over its lawsuit with AG Griffin—but Griffin fires back, calling the board’s attorney illegally hired and saying he has no interest in settling.🚨 Grant Hardin Pleads Not Guilty to Escape ChargeThe former police chief convicted of murder and rape walked out of a state prison in May. Now he's pleading not guilty, and a trial is set for November. He's currently locked up at Varner Supermax.⚾️ Razorbacks vs. UCLA – Elimination Game TonightAfter a no-hitter by Gage Wood — just the third in College World Series history — Arkansas takes on UCLA in a must-win game. Winner faces LSU. 🌩 Weather delays are in play, so watch the clock.📉 Black Mayors Association Sued Over $87M Grant DisputeA Little Rock consulting firm says it helped secure millions in USDA flood prevention funding, but never got paid. Now they’re suing for over $51K, plus damages.🗳️ 2026 House Races Shake Up👑 Beth Anne Rankin Baker, former Miss Arkansas and longtime Huckabee policy adviser, jumps into the race for District 99 with a lineup of big-name endorsements.📦 Rep. Fran Cavenaugh won’t seek re-election and backs Josh Longmire to take her place in District 30.🌲 Schools Wanted for Outdoor Education PilotThe Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is now accepting applications from schools to join a first-of-its-kind outdoor education pilot. Only 30 schools will be chosen. This is your chance to integrate outdoor learning directly into the school day. Interested admins should email 👉 [email protected].📬 Subscribe for more Arkansas news, politics, policy, and razorback updates — every weekday.#ArkansasNews #FreeArkansas #CWS2025 #Razorbacks #LibraryLaw #CorrectionsBoard #GrantHardin #BethAnneBaker #ArkansasPolitics #OutdoorEducation #DailyBriefing

In this episode of Free Enterprise Arkansas, host Andy McNeill sits down with Marshall Saviers — CEO of Sage Partners and co-founder of Natural Capital Partners — for a deep dive into what’s fueling the explosive growth of Northwest Arkansas.

🌆 What’s Covered:

• Why office space in NWA is booming — with record-low vacancy rates

• The rise of Centerton and outlying towns, and the infrastructure crunch that’s following

• Why Northwest Arkansas is beating national trends on real estate, jobs, and livability

• Behind the scenes of Natural Capital Partners and how they're mobilizing capital for Arkansas-based growth

• What’s still holding us back: health care deserts, sewer limitations, and political distractions

• Why pro sports (like soccer) and public investment matter for long-term momentum

📊 Real stats. Big vision. And Marshall’s personal take on leadership, entrepreneurship, and what makes Arkansas special — plus how he thinks we can build a better, more connected future.

🎧 Tune in for a straight-shooting conversation on real estate, capital, and how to plan smart for Arkansas' future.

#NorthwestArkansas #ArkansasEconomy #FreeArkansas #MarshallSaviers #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #Infrastructure #NaturalCapital #AndyMcNeill