Scott Loftis “Regnat Populus.” That’s Latin for “the people rule.” It’s also the Arkansas state motto, though thats seems to mean less and less nearly every day. I had the opportunity to …

  Brawner Should the big companies that reimburse local pharmacists for their drug costs be able to operate their own pharmacies that compete with them? That’s one of the questions remaining to be …

    Loftis It’s Sunshine Week, and with apologies to Steve Brawner, I’m not talking about Daylight Savings Time. The kind of sunshine that I’m discussing here is the kind that recently seems …

  Brawner Someday Arkansans may no longer have to undergo the twicea- year ritual of changing their clocks for daylight savings time. When that happens, perhaps they will be able to thank Rep. …

      Loftis My dislike for the cold is well-documented. So it looks as if I’m in for a rough week. By the time this newspaper hits our subscribers’ mailboxes on Tuesday (yes, our goal is to …

 Brawner How do you make Arkansas’ initiative process as clean as possible without making it impossible for citizens to initiate anything? That balance must be considered as state House lawmakers …

Brawner Should some Medicaid recipients be required to work, go to school, or serve in order to keep their benefits? For the second governor in a row, Arkansas says yes. “The requirement is …

     Loftis I’ve been meaning to write on this topic for a while now, and a story on the front page of this week’s paper reminded me to finally get around to it. First, congratulations to …

    Loftis Sometimes, I take criticism personally. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. I use it as motivation to do better. I attended a meeting recently where someone I respect stood …

   Brawner The 2023 legislative session transformed the state’s K-12 education system through Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ LEARNS Act. This year, the focus will be on colleges and universities. …

      King Sen. Dale Bumpers used to say that when you see a turtle on a fence post, always keep in mind that it didn’t get there by itself. Whenever government does something good, remember …

Brawner Could a bipartisan commission help Congress do what it won’t do on its own? Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Arkansas, thinks so. That’s why he and Rep. Ed Case, a Democrat from …

In a time when so many are doubting the goodness of humanity and are afraid of strangers, please read this account of good Samaritans. While delivering Meals on Wheels, I encountered a completely …

      King As Mark Twain put it, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” It’s an effective and persuasive phrase to use when bolstering a weak position or casting …

Letter to the Editor: In 2006, voters in the Osage area elected John Howerton as justice of the peace. He made clear from the start that he would defend the county’s tradition of property …

   Loftis Dear readers, Perhaps nothing that has ever been published in any newspaper is as well known as the piece I’d like to share with you today. Although it was written more than 120 years …

Christie Erwin did not know when she sat down in a rocking chair in January 1993 that her life was about to change, and that she would help reduce the number of foster children in Arkansas waiting to …

   Brawner With President Trump in the White House and Republicans having majorities in both the House and Senate, one party will control the two lawmaking branches of government next year. History …

We are Blessed beyond measure to have family, friends, and neighbors to care for us so dearly. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us, who brought food and supplies for us. Thank you to everyone who …

Dear Editor, Please allow me to share my memories of the incredible love and support I witnessed given to Rainbow School (now TLCNA) during my tenure as founding director/head teacher (19751986). …