From me: Sitting across the table from the president during last week's farmer roundtable, Crittenden County farmer Charles Williams had a "deer-in-the-headlights" look on his face. The story of one Arkansan and whether the $12 billion farmer relief package will be enough to help farmers like him:

From me: Arkansas farm leaders appreciate the Trump administration's $12 billion farm assistance package, but stress more will need to be done. "It's not going to be enough to keep a lot of producers, especially in the south, in business."

Interested education reporters! Join our Little Rock newsroom and cover a education system that always seems to make headlines.

Happy Thanksgiving from a former AP U.S. History student.

Before we mark the Thanksgiving holiday, here’s one more “Arkies in the Beltway” episode for you! Another busy week on Capitol Hill with plenty to discuss!

From Facebook: Rep. French Hill goes on a duck hunt.

Me, mid-explaining the Olivia Nuzzi ethics debacle to my parents and realizing I should really leave the Beltway more

BREAKING: Trump signs a bill to release files on Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure after months of resistance.

From me: After 8,823 consecutive votes, Rep. Steve Womack's voting streak is over. Womack missed Monday's votes, ending the longest active streak in the House.

Since Rep. Steve Womack first arrived on Capitol Hill in January 2011, he has never missed a single vote in the House. Until today. “After almost fifteen years with a perfect voting record, I am sad to report that my streak will end today.”

Need catching up on how the federal government shutdown ended? “Arkies in the Beltway” has you covered.

A little pro-tip from Ol’ Alexander: Don’t do anything Olivia did. You will not get a rehabilitation tour and a book deal; your career will instead be over and no one will move heaven and Earth to save it.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services: SNAP participants "should now expect to receive full benefit amounts for November, and that these funds will be disbursed to cards late tonight into tomorrow."

Over on the other app, Rep. Crawford announces he is driving from Jonesboro, Arkansas, with sights on being in Washington for tomorrow's House vote on the shutdown plan.

ICYMI: Arkansas' senators backed the Senate plan to bring the government shutdown to an end. "The shutdown has been needless and harmful," Cotton told me last night.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court rejects a call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Justices decline case seeking to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling

The government shutdown continues into a new week. We have the latest on this week’s “Arkies in the Beltway.”

Rather big news from USDA: Officials are "working towards implementing" November SNAP benefits following a federal judge's order instructing the government to fully support these benefits.

JUST IN: Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election, ending a nearly 40-year career in Congress.

BREAKING: Democrat Jay Jones was elected Virginia attorney general after text message scandal, unseating GOP incumbent Jason Miyares. Follow AP for live updates.

JUST IN: California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.

BREAKING: Dem Rep. Mikie Sherrill has won the race for New Jersey governor. She defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli to retain Democratic control of the governor's office as Dems win both of the year's gubernatorial races.  Read more: politi.co/49xNGRV

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC

JUST IN: Spanberger, a former congresswoman, flips the governor's mansion from red to blue after campaigning against the Trump administration's federal layoffs and tariffs.

Former President Bill Clinton: "Throughout his long career in public service, Dick Cheney was guided by a deep belief that he was doing what was right for America. Though we often disagreed, I always respected his dedication to our country and his unwavering sense of duty."

BREAKING: Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents of US history, dies at 84.

"If you keep looking back, you got nothing. If you look ahead to what is there before you, then life is good."

Major kudos to Jennifer! She's one of the best on Capitol Hill!

Today is the first day of Arkansas' candidate filing period for the 2026 midterms and state elections. President Donald Trump, as part of a stream of social media posts backing Republicans, has endorsed all four House members (the president previously announced his support for Sen. Tom Cotton).

Imagine looking at this weekend, the races and the coverage, and somehow thinking things within the sport are good. A 0/10 end to a lackluster and aggravating season. I can't believe I'm actually relieved this year is over. See you all in February, I suppose. #NASCAR

Saturday marked one month of the government shutdown. On this week’s “Arkies in the Beltway,” we hear from the entire delegation about the funding lapse and what’s next.

Granted, this quote is from Tuesday, but Sen. Boozman on keeping the filibuster in place: "I would argue that bipartisan legislation is going to be something that withstands the test of time. Because of that, that particular function of the Senate, I think, is really important."

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has directed $500,000 to six food banks across the state to help people during the federal government shutdown as thousands of Arkansans prepare to lose SNAP benefits. Her office notes "additional allocations" will be considered as the shutdown continues.

A few weeks ago, I was joking with a few Arkansans on Capitol Hill about the challenges facing the next coach of the Arkansas football team, given the SEC and college football's current landscape. Hey, it could be worse.

From me: Sen. John Boozman, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says the Department of Agriculture is right not to use contingency funding to support SNAP next month, even as millions of Americans prepare to lose food benefits at week's end.

INBOX: "Congressman Don Davis Introduces Legislation to Hit Reset on Mid-Decade Redistricting Across the Country"

From the weekend: Arkansas leaders were worried enough about food assistance during the first weeks of the shutdown. Days before SNAP benefits are set to expire, those concerns have grown exponentially. "[Food banks] are now distributing food that they stockpiled for the holiday season."

The latest episode of the podcast is now live! Check it out!

The latest episode of the podcast is now live! Check it out!

Just to be clear, #SCOTUS has done nothing to indicate any interest in this case besides calling for a response—something that a *single* justice can request, and that is *not* remotely predictive of a cert. grant. Everything else is standard practice for *all* cases filed in the Supreme Court.

The latest fundraising email from Sen. Cotton: “On Saturday, while ordinary Arkansans and Americans watched college football and enjoyed the weekend, radical leftists in cities across the country held their little ‘No Kings’ protests.”

The government shutdown continues, as does “Arkies in the Beltway!” Give this week’s episode a listen!

Good morning from #NoKings in downtown Little Rock, which coincides with Central Arkansas #Pride. I'm here for @arkansasadvocate.com

I’m in New Bern, North Carolina, for a wedding, and I happened to stumble across one of the many No Kings demonstrations taking place today across the country. “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” was the chant of choice as I was walking away.

From me: We have fundraising numbers from Arkansas' congressional candidates. The first story looks at next year's Senate race, with Sen. Cotton maintaining his strong financial standing:

In non-shutdown news, Rep. Rick Crawford has introduced legislation to provide farmers with some financial support as operations continue to struggle amid poor economic conditions. "The conditions didn't just materialize .... The conditions have been on this trajectory for the last several years."

With the government shutdown still happening, this week’s “Arkies in the Beltway” takes a look at two topics in the spotlight amid the funding lapse:“Obamacare” subsidies and nutrition assistance.

The UA Division of Agriculture’s Dr. Hunter Biram has been talking with agricultural lenders about the grim prospects for farmers. The government shutdown has only worsened the situation by disrupting programs that benefit growers. Here's a highlight from tonight's "Arkansas Week."