Between the Lines Blog
Letting Growth Fund Growth: Why Issue 3 Matters for Arkansas
October 28, 2026
by Robbi Riggs Watson
In 2024, I joined a group of Arkansas attorneys, economic development professionals, and community leaders who had one goal in mind: creating an economic development proposal that would help Arkansas communities compete for jobs, investment, and growth. Over the next year, I and other Mitchell…
The LEARNSing Curve: Navigating Arkansas Education Law
A Short Survey of The LEARNS Act Three years later, the Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and Safety Act (“LEARNS Act” or the “Act”) continues to reshape Arkansas education law. This article surveys the Act’s major provisions: (1) the Education Freedom Account program…
NAIC Reciprocal Exchanges (E) Working Group Advances Proposed Amendments to Model 440 and Model 450
On July 22, 2026, the NAIC Reciprocal Exchanges (E) Working Group met virtually to discuss proposed amendments to the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act (Model #440) and the Insurance Holding Company System Model Regulation (Model #450). Formed in November 2025 under the Financial…
The NAIC Data Breach: A Turning Point for Data Collection and Privacy in the Insurance Industry
On June 17, 2026, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publicly disclosed that it had identified unauthorized access to its PeopleSoft systems. The breach—attributed to the threat actor group ShinyHunters and part of a broader campaign exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in…
Essential Employment Documents and Procedures for Growing Businesses
As your business grows and you begin hiring employees, the excitement of expansion can sometimes overshadow the critical need for proper employment documentation and procedures. Yet the foundation you lay during this stage of growth can make the difference between a thriving workplace and costly…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
PM2.5/U.S. EPA Initial Air Quality Designations: 23 Environmental Organizations Submit Joint Comments
November 11, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, and 20 other environmental organizations (collectively, “NRDC”) submitted November 5th comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regarding: Initial Air Quality Designations for the 2024…
Five-Year Status Reviews/Endangered Species Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Initiation for 81 Southeastern Species (1 Related to Arkansas)
November 11, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Fish and Wildlife (“Service”) announced in the November 9th Federal Register that it has initiated status reviews for 81 animal and plant species under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). See 91 Fed. Reg. 70892. One of the species’ range includes the State of Arkansas. Pursuant to…
American Public Power Association Annual Customer Satisfaction Award: Conway Corp (Arkansas) Named Silver Award Recipient
November 11, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The American Public Power Association (“APPA”) announced in an October 26th news release the 19 public power utilities that were recognized with the 2026 Public Power Customer Satisfaction Awards. The Conway Corp of Faulkner County, Arkansas was named a recipient in the Silver category. The Awards…
Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids: National Association of Clean Water Agencies Comments Addressing U.S. EPA Draft Guidance
November 10, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) submitted October 5th comments on a document the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published on June 29th titled: Comments on the EPA’s Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and…
Voluntary Public Access/Habitat Incentive Program: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Funding for an Additional 10 Projects - Arkansas Game and Fish Selected for Continued Funding
November 10, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $21 million in an additional 10 projects to increase public access to private lands for wildlife-dependent recreation while benefiting farmers, ranchers and private landowners through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (“NRCS”)…