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Sunday, July 21, 2024

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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

'Day on the Hill' in Arkansas calls for investment in families

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Thursday, April 11, 2024   

Family advocates are at the State Capital for a "Day on the Hill" rally today, to voice their concerns to lawmakers about issues affecting Arkansans' quality of life.

The Arkansas Coalition for Strong Families and other organizations would like to see more investments in programs such as preschool, disability services and affordable housing.

Syard Evans, CEO of the Arkansas Support Network and co-chair of the coalition, said it wants to raise awareness and ensure marginalized communities have a voice in state budgeting.

"It's to make sure that when our legislative body convenes and they engage in the work of decision-making around the finances of the state and the budget of the state, we want to make sure that everyday Arkansans need investments in the services and supports," Evans explained.

She pointed out data show in order to be a healthy, functional family, the annual cost of living for a two-parent family with two children in Arkansas should be a little more than $90,000. It represents what it costs to meet basic needs of housing, food and clothing. However, the median household income in Arkansas is about $56,335.

Evans explained members of the coalition are witnesses to the deficiencies in underfunded service systems and she contended the latest appropriation does not adequately fund state services.

"The governor recently announced her draft budget and was very proud of the fact that the budget really has a tiny, tiny increase in it, like a 1.7% increase, which doesn't keep up with inflation," Evans stressed.

Evans noted the coalition works on mental health care, education, disability rights, racial equity, family economic well-being and more. She added they teamed up with the nonprofit child advocacy organization Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families for the Day on the Hill.


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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

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