Arkansas

Arkansas TV’s CEO discusses funding surge to possibly keep PBS

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2026

Arkansas TV’s CEO discusses funding surge to possibly keep PBS

CONWAY, Ark. – Three months after Friends of Arkansas PBS formed to try to preserve PBS programming in the Natural State, it now looks like a legitimate possibility. After a whirlwind few months, Carlton Wing, CEO & Executive Director of Arkansas TV, is ready for any outcome.

Wing, since taking over the role around six months ago, has spearheaded a rebrand and the disaffiliation from PBS, which was set to take place at the end of June.

The dues cost Arkansas TV $2.5 million a year, and with that cost, they felt they couldn’t stay afloat after federal funding cuts, while retaining PBS programming.

In turn, they became the first state to say they’d end the partnership.

“Whatever politics happened, happened way above us in Washington D.C., we have to deal with the financial realities of how we keep public television alive,” Wing said.

He said they immediately entered into emergency budgeting, attempting to get the network out of the red. A grim financial outlook at the time from his perspective.

“The financial realities are there, and we have to deal with that financial reality regardless of one of our providers of public television content,” Wing said.

When the announcement gained traction, a group, spearheaded by former first ladies of Arkansas Barbara Pryor and Gay White, formed to try and keep PBS alive.

“We recognize that there’s a lot of emotions tied to anything that we like,” Wing said.

Friends of Arkansas PBS gained enough eyeballs to bring top PBS executives, including CEO Paula Kerger, to the state.

“Well, you have to understand what they’re doing when they come is they’re trying to protect that paycheck that has come from Arkansas for decades now,” Wing said.

The momentum was enough to get the Arkansas Public Television Commission to vote to pause the disaffiliation until their next quarterly meeting, creating a window for funds to be raised in the meantime.

Since a pledge of $1 million a year for the next three years coming from an anonymous donor, along with the Arkansas TV Foundation creating a separate dues fund, that’s allowed them to commit to $1.5 million a year as well over the next three.

While Wing has helped the station plan to increase local programming from 5% to 30%, that won’t change, but things may have to be arranged now that they’re closing in on the funds needed to retain PBS.

“People recognized this is a very real situation and stepped up to be able to make that happen. We’re not quite there yet, but everything is heading in the right direction. There’s still money that needs to be raised,” Wing said.

He has maintained his stance throughout, while conversations may be political above him, this decision is strictly fiscal on his and the station’s end.

“I have said many times that people have tried to make this a red vs blue issue. It’s all about green and about whether you operate in the black or red,” Wing said.

Wing has said that despite being painted as his opposition, his relationship with Pryor and White is far from that.

“My wife and I went and had lunch with them just a couple of weeks ago, and they’re so excited to be involved with a cause,” Wing said.

He was also adamant that he doesn’t have some form of vendetta against PBS; in fact, it’s played a pivotal role in helping his own daughter, who’s set to graduate with an MBA from the University of Chicago soon.

“PBS played a very vital role in her enthusiastically learning how to read. Yes we absolutely want that, we just have to be able to afford it because I can’t jeopardize the whole network to be able to pay for one provider of public television,” Wing said.

Still, the commission would need to vote to approve resuming the partnership, a vote that would be held at the next quarterly meeting on June 4th.

“I’m hesitant to predict because I don’t know what’s going to happen between now and that meeting,” Wing said on the vote.

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Arkansas

Governor, AEDC award $12.5 million in grants to rural Arkansas communities – Talk Business & Politics

Published

12 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

Governor, AEDC award .5 million in grants to rural Arkansas communities – Talk Business & Politics

Governor Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced more than $12.52 million in funding for Arkansas cities, counties, and communities.

Eight-eight (88) grants, totaling $12,522,736, were awarded during the latest grant cycle. The funding was provided through the General Assistance and Rural Services Block Grant set-asides of the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, and State Rural Community Grant programs.

“Arkansas’ success starts with our local communities,” said Governor Sanders. “The places that shape our towns and cities are often the ones that define them – a park, walking trail, community center, safer street. These funds help local leaders build those places that bring neighbors together, improve quality of life, and build on what Arkansans already know: there is no better place in America to live, work, and raise a family than the Natural State.”

State CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of public facility and infrastructure projects, including senior centers; childcare centers; public health facilities; youth centers; residential water and wastewater; street, curb, gutter, sidewalk, or storm sewer; and flood control and drainage projects; as well as towards economic development grants incentivizing the location or expansion of jobs in the state. Funds are awarded on an annual basis with counties and municipalities also allocating resources to meet urgent needs and to benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

The Rural Services Block Grant program funds new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, as well as the purchase of fire trucks and fire equipment. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas with low to moderate incomes of 51 percent or higher are eligible for up to $100,000 in funds under the program with a 10 percent match.

The Rural Community Grant Program is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, and walking trails. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in 50/50 matching funds under the program.

“The Division of Rural Services and the Rural Development Commission are proud to present recipients of the Rural Community Grant and the Rural Services Block Grant for fiscal year 2026,” said Becca Caldwell, director of AEDC’s Division of Rural Services. “These grant programs are essential for the development of rural Arkansas as they help communities improve their quality of life, address safety concerns, and improve infrastructure. The Division of Rural Services is committed to help set up our rural communities to thrive.”

View the full list of recipients and awards below:

Rural Community Grant Program
Altus Fire Department
$15,000.00

Atkins Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Bradley Fire Department
$15,000.00

Carlisle Fire Department
$15,000.00

Cato Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Charleston Fire Department
$7,500.00

City Of Bay
$15,000.00

City of Cedarville
$5,094.29

City Of Cherry Valley
$15,000.00

City Of Chidester
$10,990.50

City Of Diamond City
$15,000.00

City Of Hampton
$15,000.00

City Of Harrisburg
$15,000.00

City Of Hazen
$15,000.00

City Of Hughes
$8,012.32

City of McCrory
$15,000.00

City Of Mulberry
$15,000.00

City Of Ogden
$7,401.95

City of Pangburn
$15,000.00

City Of Sparkman
$15,000.00

Community of Compton
$1,500.00

Community of Rover
$7,300.00

Cotter Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Drew County
$13,495.50

Enola Fire Department
$6,111.52

Fouke Fire Department
$15,000.00

Hackett Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Harmon Fire Department
$15,000.00

Highfill Volunteer Fire Department
$12,151.42

Imboden Fire Department
$12,376.45

Izard County
$15,000.00

Junction City Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Lake City Fire Department
$15,000.00

Landis Volunteer Fire Department
$15,000.00

Lincoln Fire Department
$15,000.00

Marshall Fire Department
$15,000.00

Mineral Springs Fire Department
$15,000.00

Mount Holly Volunteer Fire Department
$12,705.00

Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District
$15,000.00

Poyen Fire Department
$15,000.00

Prim Fire Department
$5,203.00

Star City Fire Department
$7,259.00

Strawberry Volunteer Fire Department
$14,974.40

Town Of Bergman
$15,000.00

Town Of Big Flat
$15,000.00

Town Of Caulksville
$15,000.00

Town Of Emerson
$14,986.26

Town Of Guy
$15,000.00

Town Of Letona
$4,984.00

Town Of Oak Grove
$15,000.00

Town Of Prattsville
$9,345.00

Town Of Shirley
$15,000.00

Town of St. Joe
$7,488.24

Welcome Home Community
$9,000.00

Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department
$6,758.75

Rural Services Block Grant Program
Ashley County
$89,999.74

City Of Ash Flat
$90,000.00

City Of Banks
$89,999.99

City Of Hackett
$99,900.00

City Of Huntington
$90,000.00

City Of Tillar
$100,000.00

Independence County
$100,000.00

Town Of Cove
$100,000.00

Town Of Powhatan
$90,000.00

General Assistance
City of Bradley
$499,939.00

Cleburne County
$116,665.00

City of Cotter
$487,620.00

City of Evening Shade
$500,000.00

City of Glenwood
$499,828.00

City of Gurdon
$500,000.00

City of Hartford
$498,545.00

Izard County
$482,509.00

Jackson County
$387,630.00

City of Junction City
$498,635.00

Town of Lafe
$499,560.00

City of Leslie
$499,200.00

Town of Louann
$499,999.00

City of Marianna
$500,000.00

City of Marked Tree
$499,000.00

Town of Maynard
$499,706.00

City of McNeil
$499,606.00

City of Prescott
$499,988.00

Town of Sedgwick
$500,000.00

City of Wickes
$495,612.00

Town of Widener
$500,000.00

Town of Willisville
$499,438.00

City of Wilton
$499,720.00

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Arkansas

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Celebrate America 250 with responsible boating | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

1 day ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Celebrate America 250 with responsible boating | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

This summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest boating celebrations of the decade. This year, tens of thousands of anglers, water skiers, kayakers and pleasure boaters will converge on Arkansas waters to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’s formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking everyone to boat responsibly and avoid situations that could ruin the celebration — namely, boating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Sgt. Sydney Grant, Game and Fish boating law administrator, said Arkansas game wardens will be on the water to increase safety and reduce boating accidents that result from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Boating while intoxicated can be even more dangerous than driving a car while intoxicated, as most boaters have less experience operating a boat. Boats also don’t have brakes and are slower to maneuver than cars. These slower reaction times to a sudden danger can be the difference between life and death.

Grant adds that the effects of alcohol are magnified by the conditions that boating creates.

“Sun, heat, wind and wave action all intensify alcohol’s impact,” Grant said. “A person who normally wouldn’t feel much effect of one or two beers in an air-conditioned home may find themselves impaired by the same amount of alcohol on the water.”

Even passengers should pay attention to their consumption levels.

“Drinking too much can lead to a dangerous situation or poor decisions for anyone,” Grant said. “We’ve also caught many people who enjoyed a day on the water, but then got in a car for the ride home, still under the effect of alcohol. Practicing a little restraint during your boating day helps us make both the roadways and waterways of the state safer during this big family summer.

“If we didn’t have to give a single ticket this summer for intoxicated boating, I think every game warden in Arkansas would celebrate,” Grant said. “Our job is to make sure people can enjoy the water safely and come home with great stories from their trips. We’re not here to ruin the fun. We simply ask everyone to be responsible, avoid overindulging, and always make sure you have a sober boat operator and designated driver.”

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Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas waste district merger talks make progress with agreement on executive committee size | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

2 days ago

July 13, 2026

Press Room

Northwest Arkansas waste district merger talks make progress with agreement on executive committee size | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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