Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM

Articles

Reset
State Capitol Week in Review
State Capitol Week in Review
LITTLE ROCK – The Senate Education Committee has begun its review of the adequacy and equity of Arkansas public school funding. 01/18/2024 04:00 AM
Nacho Burger Dogs
Nacho Burger Dogs
Do you get tired of cooking the same stuff and find it hard to think of new ideas? I know it’s been a bit chilly outside to be grilling, but if you’re the type who enjoys a gigantic fire with smoke rolling from the pit no matter the weather.. then get ready to excite your tastebuds! (Or save it for warmer weather, ha!) 01/18/2024 04:00 AM
Storm and Snow, the Star Spangled Banner Still Stands
Storm and Snow, the Star Spangled Banner Still Stands
Friday morning Calhoun County awoke to storms just before dawn. The fierce winds (70-90 mph) took out several 100 year old trees including one on the courthouse square (pictured at right.) An old pecan tree between buildings north of Main Street (center right) no longer will be providing pecans and Mrs. Goolsby slept through the one falling on her house (bottom right.) News media across the state made mention of the damage and the volunteer help in Calhoun County. 01/18/2024 04:00 AM
Calhoun Calendar
Calhoun Calendar
JANUARY 19 01/18/2024 04:00 AM
State Capitol Week in Review, January 5, 2024
State Capitol Week in Review, January 5, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – Thanks to legislation passed last year, Arkansas businesses will save about $31 million in taxes paid for unemployment insurance in 2024. Legislative approval of Act 196 was a priority for the state’s business community, and it passed in the Senate by a vote of 29-to-3. The act grants tax relief to businesses in a variety of ways. It lowers the unemployment insurance tax rate for new employers from 2.9 percent to 1.9 percent. The new law also repeals the rates of 14 percent and 10 percent that used to be levied on deficit rated employers. When the unemployment trust fund is above $600 million the taxable wage base is set at $7,000. The act limits increases to the taxable wage base to $2,000 a year. At the end of 2023 the balance in the fund was about $918 million. Act 196 reduces the maximum length of time for collecting benefits from 16 weeks to 12 weeks. The act also allows revenue from assessments on businesses to be used for upgrades in technology and hardware, and for training. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services administers unemployment benefits. It also offers education and job training to unemployed people and helps them find work. Another new state law that went into effect on January 1 is Act 587, which provides that people getting unemployment shall become ineligible for benefits for any week during which they do not make at least five contacts seeking new jobs. Similarly, Act 106 disqualifies claimaints for unemployment benefits if they fail to respond to an offer of a job, or if they don’t show up for a previously scheduled job interview on at least two occasions. Act 106 took effect on January 1. Act 854 is another new law that went into effect last October penalizes claimants who fraudulently receives more than $1,000 in unemployment insurance. They shall be ineligible for unemployment benefits for 10 years. Election Laws Arkansas voters go to the polls this year and numerous new election laws will be in effect. They include Act 194 of 2023, which authorizes the state Attorney General to review ballot titles and popular names of proposed amendments and initiatives. For years the Attorney General reviewed ballot titles, but in 2019 the legislature transferred that authority to the Board of Election Commissioners. Act 194 transfers it back to the way it was before 2019. Act 766 makes it a crime to destroy signatures gathered on petitions to place an issue on the ballot. Act 300 schedules all special elections on the same day as ordinary elections. In other words, special elections will be held on the May primary or the November general election date. In years when voters elect a president, as they will in 2024, the Arkansas primary election is in March. Act 620 requires the state Board of Election Commissioners to conduct more frequent reviews of election-related documents and results. It also creates and Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General’s office. 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
HISTORY MINUTE
HISTORY MINUTE
M INUTE 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
Wanda Sue Sisson,
Wanda Sue Sisson,
79 of Fordyce, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024. She was born October 8, 1944 in New Edinburg to the late Willie Campbell and Elvie Parker Marks. She was also preceded in death by her husband Billy Sisson, three sisters, and three brothers. 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
Ella Mae Strickland Oliver
Ella Mae Strickland Oliver Parrott,
99 of Hampton, died Saturday January 6, 2024 at St. John’s Place in Fordyce. Born May 17, 1924 in Woodberry, she was a daughter of the late William and Matty Strickland. 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
Sherry Lou Robertson
Sherry Lou Robertson,
78 of Percy, Ark. formerly of Hampton, Ark. died Saturday, January 6, 2024 at her home. She was born February 21, 1945 in Warren, AR a daughter of the late Wesley Richards and Emma Alvern Martin Richards. She was a housewife and homemaker, a member of the Pentecostal Church and a graduate of the Warren and Hermitage School systems. Also preceding her in death was her son, Marvin Edward Robertson, Jr and greatgranddaughter Addison Major and a brother Michael Richards. 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
Hampton School District Honors January School Board Member Recognition Month
Hampton School District Honors January School Board Member Recognition Month
The Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) announced that January is School Board Member Recognition Month in Arkansas. School board members play an essential role in our community. Hampton School District will join other districts in Arkansas in celebration of our board by thanking them for the time, talents, and knowledge they bring to our district and for their commitment to the families and children of our community. 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
Bulldogs face off against Bearden
Bulldogs face off against Bearden
Bulldogs face off against Bearden 01/11/2024 04:00 AM
HISTORY MINUTE
HISTORY MINUTE
For decades, they have been a common site for weary travelers along the highways of America. The Holiday Inn has become one of the largest hotel chains in the United States. And the story of the iconic hotel has its roots in one small town in Arkansas. 01/04/2024 04:00 AM
e-Edition
South Arkansas Sun
Facebook
South Arkansas Sun