Natalie James announces U.S. Senate candidacy

LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock native, small business owner and community advocate Natalie James announces her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for United States Senate.

James announces with the endorsement of Democratic state legislators Jay Richardson of Fort Smith and Denise Ennett of Little Rock.

'Today, as a mother, a small business owner, and as an Arkansan who believes we deserve better, I'm announcing my candidacy for the Democratic nomination to be Arkansas' next United States Senator.

'I launch this campaign to restore the promise of the American Dream to all Arkansans and all Americans,” James said.

'We have faced turbulent times, and we have overcome them, not by drowning out our neighbors or closing off our hearts, ears and mind. But by realizing that having our differences in opinion does not mean we can not find common ground to get things done and make progress for all.

'I refuse to believe that Arkansas isn't worth fighting for, and I refuse to believe that we ought to sit on the sidelines and wait for another political cycle.' She kicked off her campaign with a nine-city tour beginning June 14.

***

MARIANNA — A Phillips County fugitive wanted on a murder charge is in custody following an overnight operation involving Arkansas State Police Troopers and Special Agents, U.S. Marshals and Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies.

David Coley, Jr., 30, of Helena-West Helena, was arrested without incident about 10:45 PM (June 15th). He was located inside an abandoned bus at 3323 Lee Road, southeast of Marianna, and transported to the Phillips County Detention Center at Helena-West Helena.

Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division began developing leads earlier this week that led them into Lee County yesterday.

Coley is charged with firstdegree murder in connection with the May 19, 2021 homicide of Paul Eric Amos.

***

Arkansas to submit new Medicaid expansion plan next month

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas will give the federal government next month the state’s overhauled Medicaid expansion proposal after federal officials blocked a work requirement, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday.

The state on Sunday began accepting public comment on t he proposed Medicaid plan and will hold two public hearings next week on the proposal. Hutchinson said the state planned to submit the proposal to President Joe Biden’s administration on July 14 and hoped for federal approval by November or December.

As with the current program, the overhauled expansion would continue using Medicaid funds to place recipients on private health insurance. It also includes incentives aimed at encouraging participants to work or meet certain health goals.

Arkansas unveiled the proposal after the Biden administration moved to roll back Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and several other states. A federal judge blocked the Arkansas work requirement.

Hutchinson said he planned to go to Washington after submitting the proposal to meet with administration officials and advocate for the state’s plan.