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tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Tess Vrbin
@tessmvrbin.bsky.social
440 followers 97 following 66 posts
watching libraries, maternal health, other state policy issues
@arkansasadvocate.com. she/her. send tips and cat photos to tvrbin@arkansasadvocate.com. #MizzouMade #LetsGoBucs
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tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Tess Vrbin @tessmvrbin.bsky.social · Jun 16
The Mountain Pine school board voted in March 2023 to limit elementary schoolers' access to LGBTQ+ books. The state lawmakers representing the small city sponsored a new law this year that makes these restrictions mandatory for elementary schools statewide. #arpx arkansasadvocate.com/2025/06/16/l...
Law limiting access to LGBTQ books in school libraries began with rural Arkansas district | Arkansas Advocate
Lawmakers who represent Mountain Pine sponsored a new law requiring "non-age-appropriate sexual content" in K-5 schools to be locked away.
arkansasadvocate.com
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Correction: Adams is running against Justice Nicholas Bronni, also a Sanders appointee, not Justice Hiland.

(Bronni and Hiland are running for each other's seats because as appointees, they can't defend their own seats.)
tessmvrbin.bsky.social Tess Vrbin @tessmvrbin.bsky.social · 2d
The last point in this story is worth highlighting: Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland, a Sanders appointee, will run for election against John Adams, an attorney who represented the plaintiffs against the 2023 library "obscenity" law and got it enjoined. #arpx
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/11/13/a...
Arkansas' 2026 election cycle will feature several rematches, returning candidates | Arkansas Advocate
The Democratic Party of Arkansas is fielding 75 candidates in 2026. Fewer contested races were on the ballot in 2024, when the party fielded 72 candidates.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:46 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
The last point in this story is worth highlighting: Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland, a Sanders appointee, will run for election against John Adams, an attorney who represented the plaintiffs against the 2023 library "obscenity" law and got it enjoined. #arpx
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/11/13/a...
Arkansas' 2026 election cycle will feature several rematches, returning candidates | Arkansas Advocate
The Democratic Party of Arkansas is fielding 75 candidates in 2026. Fewer contested races were on the ballot in 2024, when the party fielded 72 candidates.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Via @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: Elementary and middle school administrators in a Central Arkansas school district ordered faculty and staff to remove a book from library shelves in October after a parent complained it was “grooming” children by portraying LGBTQ+ characters. #arpx
Benton public schools hide books from students after parent's complaint, citing two Arkansas laws | Arkansas Advocate
The decision came around the same time North Little Rock School District administrators ordered dozens of LGBTQ+ books hidden from students.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Rep. French Hill and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, all Republicans, filed their paperwork with the Secretary of State to run for reelection. Democratic challengers of all three candidates also filed Monday. #arpx
✍️: @tessmvrbin.bsky.social, @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
2026 Elections: Candidates for Arkansas' federal and state seats begin filing to run | Arkansas Advocate
Arkansas’ first candidates for next year’s elections packed the Capitol rotunda on Monday to formally declare their candidacies, kicking off the 9-day filing period and the 2026 election cycle.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
statesnewsroom.com
Here’s a teaser, a snippet of our pilot episode about the impact of Medicaid funding cuts.

www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/excl...

#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
An Exclusive Sneak Peek: Stories From The States | News From The States
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
anitawadhwani.bsky.social
Rural Tennessee residents are going to be hit hard by SNAP freeze. In some rural counties, one out of every five residents relies on SNAP for food.

tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/a...
@friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Can't believe I gave up watching this game in the top of the 18th
cjzero.bsky.social CJ Fogler @cjzero.bsky.social · 18d
Sweet merciful lawd Freddie Freeman finally ends it in 6:39 and 18 innings
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
From @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: The grant will bring “comprehensive, team-based care closer to home” in Ashley and Union counties, Dr. Nirvana Manning, the grant recipient and chair of the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said in a Monday news release. #arpx
UAMS to use $4M federal grant to bring more maternal health care to rural South Arkansas | Arkansas Advocate
The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
An internal memo shows NLRSD admin told staff they are "required to hide" dozens of titles with LGBTQ+ characters and themes.

"Certain reading materials... may not align with the diverse belief systems of all our school district families," the memo states.
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/10/23/n...
North Little Rock School District orders 50 LGBTQ+ books hidden on students' digital platform | Arkansas Advocate
As of Thursday morning, NLRSD spokesperson Dustin Barnes had not responded to an email asking what prompted the order.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Hundreds of Arkansans marched down Capitol Avenue in downtown Little Rock Saturday morning in a joint effort to protest the Trump administration and to celebrate LGBTQ+ Arkansans.

@tessmvrbin.bsky.social has a recap of the Pride and #NoKings rallies. #arpx

arkansasadvocate.com/2025/10/18/h...
Hundreds gather in Little Rock for second No Kings rally, annual LGBTQ+ Pride festivities | Arkansas Advocate
The two events coincided after Central Arkansas Pride moved its events to Little Rock's Capitol Avenue to accommodate growing attendance.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Some religious counterprotesters are playing live music on the Capitol steps. No violence between them and the #NoKings supporters gathered here. @arkansasadvocate.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:18 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Teana Bailey of Perryville (50 min. from Little Rock) said she was raised Republican but protests the Trump administration because "right is right and wrong is wrong." #nokings @arkansasadvocate.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Elizabeth Wiggins drove two and a half hours from El Dorado to Little Rock to protest with friends. Being here is important because Trump "wants us to be silent," Wiggins said. #NoKings @arkansasadvocate.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Good morning from #NoKings in downtown Little Rock, which coincides with Central Arkansas #Pride. I'm here for @arkansasadvocate.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Arkansas’ child care system needs additional funding to avoid widespread closures and layoffs due to changes to the state’s financial aid program for low-income families, providers told the state Early Childhood Commission during a Wednesday work session.

✍️: @tessmvrbin.bsky.social
buff.ly/kPS6Zkv
Arkansas child care providers ask state for help after changes to school readiness program | Arkansas Advocate
Reimbursement rate cuts are expected to cost providers statewide $727,000 per week, totaling $37.8 million in lost revenue for local economies.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
My contribution to States Newsroom's coverage of the proposed federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood:

This has been the law in Arkansas for years, and while low-income people have some other affordable health care options, those options don't specialize in women's health.
October 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Rural hospitals in need of financial stability can get more federal money if they cut inpatient beds. The Camden hospital is willing to do this even though they'd have to scale back labor and delivery services. Other hospitals decided the exchange isn't for them.
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/10/06/t...
Trading inpatient care for more federal money works for some, not all rural Arkansas hospitals | Arkansas Advocate
Rural hospital administrators consider patient volume and the needs of the communities they serve when deciding whether to pursue new federal funding streams.
arkansasadvocate.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
There's a possibility of two Arkansas legislative special elections before the regular ones next year: one to replace the late Sen. Gary Stubblefield (will definitely happen) and one if Rep. Carlton Wing takes over Arkansas PBS (not a done deal yet). #arpx
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/09/17/a...
Arkansas PBS Commission recommends North Little Rock lawmaker to be network's new leader | Arkansas Advocate
Republican Rep. Carlton Wing would be required to resign from the House if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirms the appointment.
arkansasadvocate.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Via @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders officially declared state Senate District 26 a vacant seat in the Legislature yesterday, paving the way for a special election to succeed Sen. Gary Stubblefield, who died earlier this month. #arpx #arleg
Arkansas governor requests parties' method of choosing candidates for special Senate election | Arkansas Advocate
The state's major parties must decide whether to hold a primary or a convention of delegates for the election to succeed the late Sen. Gary Stubblefield.
arkansasadvocate.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
theshumater.bsky.social
Arkansas legislators reverse decision to withhold state funding for 40 municipalities that missed deadline to submit audits, despite concerns by some lawmakers that extending deadline in violation of state law was “dangerous uncharted territory.” @tessmvrbin.bsky.social reports
Arkansas lawmakers agree to return withheld funds to 40 municipalities after two-hour debate | Arkansas Advocate
A panel of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee voted in July to withhold certain funds from 43 cities and towns whose 2022 water and sewer audits were outstanding.
buff.ly
September 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Via @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: Up to 40 Arkansas National Guard members will assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in apprehending migrants at risk of deportation under the federal Title 32 program, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday. #arpx
Arkansas governor orders National Guard to assist ICE with immigration enforcement | Arkansas Advocate
Up to 27 Air National Guard Airmen and 13 Army National Guard soldiers are subject to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' order.
buff.ly
September 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
fischler.bsky.social
Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University. @utahnewsdispatch.com story by @kmckellar.bsky.social:
Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University • Utah News Dispatch
Charlie Kirk was shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem during his American Comeback tour, according to reports from the scene.
utahnewsdispatch.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Kansas recently signed a $44M deal with RedMane Technology to upgrade its child welfare information system.

What does that have to do with Arkansas? RedMane had a similar contract here that ended after two years of the state's frustration over lack of progress.
arkansasadvocate.com/2025/09/08/e...
arkansasadvocate.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
arkansasadvocate.com
Via @tessmvrbin.bsky.social: Arkansas public libraries will receive their usual allotments of state funding for the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, a Department of Education attorney told the new State Library Board during its first meeting Tuesday. #arpx
No change to Arkansas libraries' funding this quarter after new State Library Board's first meeting | Arkansas Advocate
Tuesday's meeting was organizational for the six board members that the Arkansas Senate has not yet confirmed.
buff.ly
September 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Tess Vrbin
mikebaker.bsky.social
Teens calling Idaho's suicide hotline are being told they can't proceed with the conversation without parental consent. Many of the callers are then hanging up.

Idaho approved a strict parental consent law last year.

idahocapitalsun.com/2025/08/29/i...
September 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM