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Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024? Arkansas organizers hope to join the list. – The Boston Globe

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Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024? Arkansas organizers hope to join the list. – The Boston Globe


The fate of the measures could reshape or confirm the trendlines that have developed in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court removed the nationwide right to abortion.

Since the ruling, most Republican-controlled states have new abortion restrictions in effect, including 14 that ban it at every stage of pregnancy. Most Democratic-led states have laws or executive orders to protect access.

Voters in all seven states that have had abortion questions before voters since 2022 have sided with abortion rights supporters, including California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont.

Here’s a look at the abortion measures that could be on ballots in November:

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What is on the 2024 ballots?

COLORADO

Colorado’s top election official confirmed in May that a measure to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution, including requirements that Medicaid and private health insurers cover it, made the ballot for the fall election.

Supporters said they gathered more than 225,000 signatures, nearly double the requirement of over 124,000 signatures. Amending the state constitution requires the support of 55% of voters.

Those backing a dueling measure — a law to ban abortion — did not submit signatures and the measure will not go before voters.

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Abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy in Colorado.

FLORIDA

The state Supreme Court ruled in April that a ballot measure to legalize abortion until fetal viability could go on the ballot despite a legal challenge from state Attorney General Ashley Moody, who argued there are differing views on the meaning of “viability” and that some key terms in the proposed measure are not properly defined.

Advocates collected nearly a million signatures to put a state constitutional amendment to legalize abortion until viability on the ballot, surpassing the nearly 892,000 required.

To take effect, the measure would need agreement from at least 60% of voters.

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Abortion is currently illegal in Florida after the first six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant, under a law that took effect May 1.

MARYLAND

Voters also will be asked this year to enshrine the right to abortion in Maryland’s constitution. The state already protects the right to abortion under state law and Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Abortion is allowed in Maryland until viability.

NEVADA

The Nevada Secretary of State ‘s office announced in June that a ballot question to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution has met all of the requirements to appear in front of voters in November.

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Under the amendment, abortion access for the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, or later to protect the health of the pregnant person, would be enshrined. Such access already is ensured under a 1990 law.

To change the constitution, voters would need to approve it in both 2024 and 2026.

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota voters will vote this fall on a measure to ban any restrictions on abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. It would allow the state, in the second trimester, to “regulate the pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.”

An abortion ban would be allowed in the third trimester, as long as it included exceptions for the life and health of the woman.

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The state’s top election official announced May 16 that about 85% of the more than 55,000 signatures submitted in support of the ballot initiative are valid, exceeding the required 35,017 signatures.

Opponents have sued to try to take the initiative off the ballot.

Where else could abortion be on the ballot in 2024?

ARIZONA

Abortion rights supporters submitted more than 823,000 signatures on Wednesday to put an abortion access measure before voters in November. That’s more than twice as many as required.

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Election officials still need to verify the signatures.

Under the measure, the state would not be able to ban abortion until the fetus is viable, with later abortions allowed to protect a woman’s physical or mental health.

Abortion is currently legal for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy in the state. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in April that enforcement could begin soon for a near-total ban already on the books. The governor has since signed a bill repealing that law. It is still expected to be in effect for a time, however.

ARKANSAS

Proponents of an amendment to allow abortion in many cases must gather nearly 91,000 signatures by Friday for the measure to get on the Nov. 5 ballot. They also must submit a minimum number of signatures from 50 of 75 counties.

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Supporters said on Wednesday they were about 5,800 short of the requirement with two days left to circulate petitions.

The measure would bar laws banning abortion in the first 20 weeks of gestation and allow abortion later in pregnancy in cases of rape, incest, threats to the woman’s health or life, or if the fetus would be unlikely to survive birth.

Because it allows abortion to be banned 20 weeks into pregnancy, the proposal does not have the support of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which includes Arkansas. The state currently bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with narrow exceptions.

Anti-abortion groups in the predominantly Republican state also have campaigned heavily against the measure, and one group published the names and hometowns of canvassers gathering signatures for the proposal.

MISSOURI

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Missouri abortion rights advocates turned in more than 380,000 signatures, more than twice the required 171,000, for a measure asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion until viability. Local election officials have until July 30 to verify the signatures, then it’s up to the secretary of state to declare whether there were enough.

A group of moderate Republicans have for this year abandoned efforts for an alternate amendment that would have allowed abortion up to 12 weeks, with limited exceptions after that time.

Abortion is currently banned in Missouri at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.

MONTANA

Abortion rights proponents in Montana have proposed a constitutional amendment that would bar the government from denying the right to abortion before viability or when it’s necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

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After a legal battle over the ballot language, the Montana Supreme Court in April wrote its version of the language that would appear on the ballot if enough valid signatures are certified. Sponsors were required to submit about 60,000 by June 21. They turned in about 117,000, nearly twice the amount needed.

Counties have until July 19 to verify the signatures and the secretary of state would have until Aug. 22 to determine whether the amendment goes on the ballot.

Abortion is legal until viability in Montana under a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion.

NEBRASKA

Competing abortion measures could come before voters in November after supporters of each said Wednesday they turned in far more signatures than the 123,000 required for ballot access.

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One would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution until viability. Supporters said they submitted more than 207,000 signatures.

The other would write into the constitution the current law which bars abortions after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Its backers said they submitted more than 205,000 signatures.

Organizers for a third effort did not submit petitions. It would have defined embryos as people, thus barring abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

Where did ballot efforts fail to gain traction?

Some efforts that sought to restrict or ban abortion also have failed to reach ballots. In Wisconsin, the House approved a measure asking voters to ban abortion after 14 weeks, but the legislative session ended without a vote from the state Senate.

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Likewise, Iowa lawmakers ended their session without approving a measure asking voters to find there is no constitutional right to abortion. Pennsylvania lawmakers previously pursued a similar amendment, but it’s not expected to be added to the ballot this year.

A Louisiana measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution died in committee, one in Maine effectively died when it fell short of receiving the approval of two-thirds of the House and a Minnesota measure was not passed by lawmakers.





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Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions


The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.

Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.

Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.

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– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions

Prediction

Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73

BET ARKANSAS (-102).

This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.

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What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.

The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.

In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.

PASS.

No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.

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BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).

Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Cristina LaRue

clarue@adgnewsroom.com

Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.

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Arkansas PBS to drop PBS, rebrand as Arkansas TV

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Arkansas PBS to drop PBS, rebrand as Arkansas TV


Arkansas PBS, the statewide network operated by the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, announced Thursday that it will drop PBS programming and change its name to Arkansas TV.

The current PBS contract ends June 30, 2026, and local viewers will start seeing the branding change across platforms over the next several months. Starting next summer, the organization plans to deliver “several new local shows, as well as favorites from the last 60 years,” according to a news release.

For the time being, the broadcast lineup will change little, according to the release. Arkansas TV will be the third public television station or network to formally cut ties with PBS, following WEIU-TV in Charleston, Ill., and WSRE in Pensacola, Fla.

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The decision follows the organization’s loss of approximately $2.5 million to its annual budget due to the rescission of federal funding by Congress. In the release, Arkansas TV said continuing to pay its annual PBS membership dues of nearly $2.5 million was “simply not feasible for the network or our Foundation.”

The eight-member AETC voted 6-2 at a meeting Thursday not to renew the PBS contract. Arkansas’ governor appoints AETC members to eight-year terms.

Wing

The discussion was led by new Arkansas TV CEO Carlton Wing, who was appointed to the role in September and replaced Courtney Pledger, who resigned in May. Wing said the network has been able to survive fiscal year 2026 “by dipping into reserves and by some unprecedented fundraising from our foundation. That’s not a long-term business strategy.”

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Wing is a former Republican state representative and is also co-founder of the Wing Media Group, which produces lifestyle content about outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. He said Arkansas TV plans to produce about 70% of its programs locally, with the remaining 30% coming from American Public Television and the National Educational Telecommunications Association.

“I have already had multiple meetings with people who have never even thought about doing business with public television before that are now very interested with an Arkansas-centric focus, because most of our programming has not been Arkansas,” Wing said. “In fact, 5.5% of our programming is locally-produced.”

Before the vote, commission member Annette Herrington said the foundation could cover PBS dues for at least another year. “I think this decision doesn’t have to be made today,” she said.

“We come back a year later and end up potentially making the same decision, however, with far less of a financial cushion to make that decision,” replied Wing, who said waiting could drain the foundation’s coffers.

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Harrington and commission member Cynthia Nance voted no to cutting PBS.

Arkansas PBS signed on in 1966 and became a PBS station in 1970. In its release, the network said PBS content will continue to be accessible in “a number of ways.”

In an FAQ on its website, Arkansas TV directs viewers seeking to continue their PBS Passport member benefits to WKNO-TV in Memphis, Tenn.; Ozarks Public Television in Springfield, Mo.; Mississippi Public Broadcasting; Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.

Arkansas TV will also drop PBS Kids programming and the Create and World channels. The network will have “award-winning children’s programming that’s been created locally over the last several years, and we’re planning even more for the future,” it says on its website.

The new branding for Arkansas TV drops the blue color associated with PBS.

“We’ve got a great lineup coming in 2026 with two children’s series, two food-related series, two history series, and even more that are in the initial phases of development and fundraising,” it adds.

During the meeting, Arkansas TV CFO James Downs said he estimates an annual cost of $969,000 for programming going forward, comprising $500,000 for new local productions and $469,000 for acquisitions.

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The FAQ page says the Arkansas PBS Foundation will be renamed and that there are no plans to close it. The network says it is hoping that current donors and members will continue to support it.

The change was met with criticism online. In one Facebook post, multiple viewers said they would transfer their monthly donations to other PBS stations to maintain access to their favorite programs. “I cannot believe that the Arkansas educational TV organization would vote to walk away from DECADES of quality programming!” viewer Ken Howard wrote. “My family will be transferring our donations and our support to PBS.org. Very shortsighted decision!”

At least two viewers called the move a “bait and switch,” pointing out that the state network had asked for donations in the months following the rescission yet dropped PBS.

“I bet this comment section isn’t going the way you wanted it to,” wrote viewer Amy Bradley-Hole.

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