Stories by Frank E. Lockwood

Capitol incidents outlined in filing; Barnett’s release till trial opposed Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette approached a line of police officers in the U.S. Capitol rotunda on Jan. 6. "We're American citizens," Barnett shouted. "We're patriots. Your boys maced me. This is... April 13, 2021

White House outlines infrastructure needs in Arkansas The White House outlined state-by-state infrastructure challenges Monday, arguing that the entire country would benefit from what it calls the American Jobs Plan. A document titled "The Need for Acti... April 13, 2021

Washington news in brief Senator points out U.S.-aided entities U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., last week highlighted Arkansas businesses that have benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program. The companies he singled ou... April 11, 2021

3 GOP congressmen decry border problem Three members of the all-Republican Arkansas congressional delegation visited the nation's southern border Friday, observing, firsthand, what they portrayed as a deepening humanitarian and public heal... April 10, 2021

Transgender name ban advances Arkansas teachers wouldn't be required to address students by a name or pronoun inconsistent with the student's biological sex under proposed legislation that passed Thursday in the House, one of the ... April 9, 2021

Job-fair businesses say positions galore, need people to apply With the number of covid-19 cases declining and the number of vaccinations climbing, Arkansas businesses are hiring and anticipating a post-pandemic economic upturn. At a Sherwood job fair Wednesday,... April 8, 2021

Didn't recall encounter with Arkansan, Hunter Biden says in book Hunter Biden fought an Arkansas paternity suit because he had no memory of the incident that led to the pregnancy, he said in a memoir released Tuesday. In "Beautiful Things," the president's son des... April 7, 2021

Washington news in brief CARES Act panel still has no leader The Congressional Oversight Commission, created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, still lacks a chairman, more than a year after the legis... April 4, 2021

Arkansas pastor organizes Easter event at MLK memorial Organizers have canceled this year's Easter service at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., because of covid-19 concerns, but a smaller celebration, spearheaded by an Arkansas minister, will stil... April 3, 2021

Covid loan helps travel firm pull through A federal loan program shoring up some of the nation's major airlines also helped a Northwest Arkansas travel company survive the pandemic. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ... April 2, 2021

Panel OKs extension of state's virus emergency Arkansas' yearlong public health emergency was extended by another 60 days on Monday, after lawmakers defeated an attempt by several Republicans to end the emergency and lift all remaining executive o... March 30, 2021

Pension system, Goldman Sachs go to high court WASHINGTON -- Goldman Sachs Group asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to overturn a federal court ruling that cleared the way for a securities fraud class action lawsuit to advance. An attorney fo... March 30, 2021

U.S. high court set to hear state teacher-pension case WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in the case of Goldman Sachs Group v. Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, which pits the state's largest public pension fund and oth... March 29, 2021

PAC free with cash for GOP hopefuls WASHINGTON -- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, through his political action committee, gave more money to 2020 U.S. House and Senate candidates than did the leadership PACs affiliated with House Sp... March 28, 2021

Minister in Stuttgart joins Senate contest A Stuttgart minister who opposes covid-related state restrictions on churches and supports former President Donald Trump is running for the U.S. Senate, hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. John Boozman in the ... March 26, 2021

Conway man in Jan. 6 case says innocent WASHINGTON -- A Conway man accused of beating a police officer with a flagpole during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol was formally arraigned Wednesday, pleading innocent to seven federal charg... March 25, 2021

Arkansas sees new-case tally decline to 52 The number of covid-19 cases in Arkansas continued to dwindle as the state proceeds with efforts to see that vaccinations are provided to those deemed most vulnerable and to a wide variety of people d... March 23, 2021

Bill seeks to honor Arkansan who championed Buffalo National River WASHINGTON -- As a Bentonville doctor, Neil Compton helped deliver a multitude of Arkansas babies. As a conservationist, he helped give birth to the country's first national river. Now, more than two... March 23, 2021

Mask decree nears its end, governor says WASHINGTON -- Citing Arkansas' progress in battling covid-19, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday that he anticipates eliminating mask requirements by the end of the month. "I set a goal that, if we have... March 22, 2021

WASHINGTON NEWS IN BRIEF: Bill seeks to add medical ed slots | Report on damage at border sought | Trump '24 favorite in politics market Bill seeks to add medical ed slots WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., reintroduced legislation last week that would increase access to graduate medical... March 21, 2021

Boozman-backed bill to get vets vaccinated passes WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Friday evening authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to give covid-19 shots to all veterans, their spouses and caregivers. ... March 21, 2021

Gun-rights activist Jan Morgan kicks off Senate run Three years after unsuccessfully challenging Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in the Republican gubernatorial primary, Garland County gun range co-owner Janet Leigh “Jan” Morgan is targeting another longt... March 18, 2021

Former gubernatorial candidate Jan Morgan launches U.S. Senate bid Three years after unsuccessfully challenging Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in the Republican gubernatorial primary, Garland County gun range co-owner Jan Morgan is attempting to unseat U.S. Sen. John B... March 17, 2021

Active cases fall to 2,863 as more get covid shots With covid-19 vaccination efforts expanding, Arkansas is witnessing a sharp drop in the number of people afflicted by the virus, state Department of Health officials said Monday. The number of active... March 16, 2021

GOP's vaccination skeptics 'troubling,' Hutchinson says WASHINGTON -- Arkansas' covid-19 vaccination efforts face "troubling" resistance from some of his fellow Republicans, particularly younger people, Gov. Asa Hutchinson told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Su... March 15, 2021

Vaccine rules' easing for VA is focus of bill WASHINGTON -- Many elderly veterans are reluctant to get covid-19 vaccinations from the Department of Veterans Affairs unless their spouses can also get the shots, lawmakers say. But under existing fe... March 15, 2021

Democrats slash fees to get on ballot Democratic Party of Arkansas officials on Saturday sharply reduced or eliminated many of the filing fees for next year's elections, a move intended to spur competition and reduce the number of Republi... March 14, 2021

WASHINGTON NEWS IN BRIEF: Boozman cites gun rights in AG no vote | Womack part of bid for review at border | Ex-Hill spokesman has chat with Biden Boozman cites gun rights in AG no vote WASHINGTON -- After voting against the confirmation of Merrick Garland as attorney general, U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said the former federal judge's pos... March 14, 2021

State's share of U.S. aid $1.7B WASHINGTON -- The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will provide Arkansas with $1.7 billion in state fiscal relief, the White House said Friday. Another $1 billion is earmarked for local... March 13, 2021

Arkansas Medicaid litigation is on hold WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court has canceled this month's oral arguments in a case involving the Arkansas Works program. The court provided no explanation for the decision. The Biden administra... March 12, 2021

Farmer in state testifies to panel WASHINGTON -- Rice growers are implementing environmentally friendly practices in the Natural State and across the country, an Arkansan told the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday. Mark Isbell, 39... March 12, 2021

Trump throws support behind 3 allies in state WASHINGTON -- Former President Donald Trump is giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement" to several Republican allies, including three from Arkansas, but he's warning others in the party not to use ... March 10, 2021

State's Hill moves to limit U.S. sign-off on IMF cash program WASHINGTON -- The International Monetary Fund shouldn't give 189 countries access to hundreds of billions of dollars worth of additional hard currency with minimal strings attached, U.S. Rep. French H... March 7, 2021

At D.C. hearing, riot suspect rails at stay in lockup WASHINGTON -- A Gravette man charged in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol expressed frustration with his continued confinement Thursday, noting that others facing charges already have been relea... March 5, 2021

Westerman drafts voting bill WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., introduced legislation Tuesday that would require post-election audits in all 50 states, predicting they would increase public confidence in the nation... March 3, 2021

State due 24,000 doses of 3rd vaccine this week Arkansas is awaiting 24,000 doses of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccine and expects to receive them by the end of this week, state Epidemiologist Jennifer Dillaha said Monday. Th... March 2, 2021

Arkansas expects 24,000 doses of one-shot vaccine this week Arkansas will receive 24,000 doses of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccine this week, State Epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Dillaha said Monday. The Food and Drug Administration gave e... March 1, 2021

WASHINGTON NEWS IN BRIEF: Senator notes Arkansas kids are in school | Cotton introduces China-limits bills | Hill backs study on entrepreneurship Senator: Arkansas kids are in school WASHINGTON -- Arkansas students have successfully returned to the classroom, U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said Wednesday during a speech on the Senate floor. ... February 28, 2021

Cotton's defense of U.S. embraced Three years ahead of the 2024 presidential primaries, potential Republican candidates are lining up to address the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Ar... February 27, 2021

Cotton bill to lift minimum wage to $10 in nation WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced legislation Thursday that would raise the minimum wage for millions of Americans but not the workers of Arkansas. It would also mandate use of E... February 26, 2021

Ex-leader of USDA is given 2nd turn WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Tom Vilsack as secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, enabling him to return to the job he held during the Obama adminis... February 24, 2021

Cotton grills Garland, offers praise on McVeigh bomb case WASHINGTON -- In his first appearance as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., questioned attorney general nominee Merrick Garland about his positions on the death ... February 23, 2021

Drop Medicaid work case, U.S. high court urged WASHINGTON -- The Biden administration Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to cancel March 29 oral arguments in a case involving the Arkansas Works program, pointing to what it called "greatly changed... February 23, 2021

2-party relief plan needed, governor says; shots lauded WASHINGTON -- Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson praised White House covid-19 vaccination efforts but criticized President Joe Biden's covid-19 relief legislation, telling CNN Sunday that the administration... February 22, 2021

WASHINGTON NEWS IN BRIEF: Cotton 9th in poll on 2024 hopefuls | Hill advocates for Coptic Christians | Boozman supports blind-gear tax bill Cotton 9th in poll on 2024 hopefuls WASHINGTON -- The 2024 presidential primaries are roughly three years away, but pollsters are already surveying voters to determine their favorite candidates. The... February 21, 2021

After 4 years, kin hang on to hope; video asks Syria to free ex-Arkansan WASHINGTON -- The family of former Arkansan Majd Kamalmaz marked the fourth anniversary of his disappearance this week, releasing a video on YouTube appealing for his release. The Syrian-American psy... February 20, 2021

Filing pans Medicaid work-rule OK as 'arbitrary' WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court should strike down Arkansas' Medicaid work requirements, lawyers challenging the provisions said Thursday. The granting of waivers allowing the demonstration proj... February 19, 2021

Boozman, Cotton vote to acquit WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton voted Saturday to acquit former President Donald Trump of inciting insurrection. The Arkansas Republicans said Congress lacked constitutional auth... February 14, 2021

Virus aid topic at Biden meeting WASHINGTON -- Gov. Asa Hutchinson talked about covid-19 recovery efforts with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Friday, joining a bipartisan group of governors... February 13, 2021

Unlike Arkansas' senators, Louisianian wrestling on Trump WASHINGTON -- When the U.S. Senate reaches a verdict on former President Donald Trump's impeachment, there's little doubt about how the two Arkansans will vote: Republican Sens. John Boozman and Tom C... February 13, 2021