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☆ Walmart will close all of its health care clinics
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, will close all 51 of its health care clinics in six states and end virtual health care services, the company said Tuesday. Walmart had made a big push into health care in recent years, opening clinics next to its superstores that offered primary and urgent care, labs, X-rays, behavioral health and dental work in six states — Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri and Texas. Walmart had targeted rural and underserved areas that have a shortage of primary care facilities. The announcement is an abrupt reversal in Walmart’s strategy and may leave a gap in health care access, particularly for lower-income patients without insurance who relied on the clinics. Walmart also said it will end virtual health care services.

Persons: “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart Locations: New York, United States, — Arkansas, Florida, Georgia , Illinois , Missouri, Texas

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas authorities on Monday captured a detainee being held on murder charges who escaped a local jail. Bryant was taken into custody without incident, the sheriff's office said in a release. Bryant and Noah Roush were discovered missing Jan. 22 from the Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center in Pine Bluff. The sheriff's office said it also planned to pursue criminal charges against anyone who assisted Bryant and Roush.

Persons: Jatonia Bryant, Bryant, Noah Roush, Jan, Roush Organizations: —, Sheriff's, Detention, Roush Locations: — Arkansas, Jefferson, Pine Bluff, Little, Bryant

(AP) — Arkansas election officials on Monday said online news personality Cenk Uygur, who was born in Turkey, can't appear on the state's Democratic presidential primary ballot next year. The determination comes weeks after Uygur proclaimed that he had become the first naturalized citizen on a presidential ballot after filing paperwork with the state and the Arkansas Democratic Party. “My office has received your candidate filing paperwork,” Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston said in a letter to Uygur. Reed Brewer, a spokesman for the Arkansas Democratic Party, said based on past court rulings, the party didn't have authority to determine whether Uygur was eligible for the ballot. “Because of the vagaries of state law, rejecting a filing is simply not an option for us,” Brewer said.

Persons: Cenk Uygur, Uygur, “, State John Thurston, ” Uygur, I’m, ”, Joe Biden, Reed Brewer, ” Brewer, Brewer Organizations: —, Democratic, Arkansas Democratic Party, State, Turks Locations: — Arkansas, Turkey, Arkansas, New Hampshire, Nevada, California

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as former President Donald Trump's press secretary, on Monday endorsed his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. It’s normal versus crazy, and President Biden and the left are doubling down on crazy," Sanders said in a statement. He had called on the former president to drop out of the race after Trump was indicted in March by a grand jury in New York. Trump publicly encouraged Sanders to run for governor when she left the White House in 2019 to return to Arkansas. As a candidates and after taking office, Sanders adopted many of his targets, including critical race theory and the media.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump's, Sanders, Trump, “ It’s, Biden, Donald Trump, ”, “, it’s, Asa Hutchinson, Joe Biden's, ” Sanders Organizations: —, Republican, Trump, ” NBC, White, GOP, White House Locations: — Arkansas, Arkansas, Florida, America, Hialeah, New York, Joe Biden's State

Northrup is a subsidiary of Syngenta Seeds, which is owned by China National Chemical Company, or ChemChina, a Chinese state-owned company. Concern has been growing in many states about foreign ownership of farmland. Prior to this year, 14 states had laws prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership and investments in private farmland. Under the Arkansas law, if a company doesn’t divest of the land, the state can take action in court. The surge in state laws targeting land ownership by certain foreigners represents a “a political flashpoint” that Brown says stems from some highly publicized cases of Chinese-connected entities purchasing land near military bases in North Dakota and Texas.

Persons: Tim Griffin, Northrup King, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Northrup, ” Sanders, Griffin, Syngenta, Micah Brown, ”, Brown, David Lieb Organizations: —, Northrup King Seed, Republican, GOP Gov, Syngenta, China National Chemical Company, National Agriculture Law Center, University of Arkansas, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Associated Locations: — Arkansas, Craighead County, Arkansas, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, North Dakota, Texas, Jefferson City , Missouri

(AP) — Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday voted to audit the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for Gov. The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the state for the purchase on Sept. 14, and Sanders’ office has called the use of a state credit card for the lectern an accounting error. Sanders’ office said it received the lectern in August. Sanders’ office has not said what features contributed to the lectern’s seemingly high cost. The lectern's purchase was uncovered by Matthew Campbell, a blogger and attorney who has sued Arkansas State Police and claimed the agency withheld documents about Sanders' security and travel.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, Sanders ’, ” Hickey, Donald Trump, Alexa Henning, ” Henning, Tom Mars, Hickey, Matthew Campbell, Campbell, Roger Norman, Jimmy Gazaway, “, ” Norman, Grant Hodges, Republican Sen, John Payton Organizations: —, Republican, Republican Party of Arkansas, GOP, Beckett, Arkansas State Police, Legislative Audit, ” Republican Locations: — Arkansas, Virginia

After two years of receiving federal subsidies, 220,000 child care programs across the country were cut off from funding Saturday. The largest investment in child care in U.S. history, the monthly payments ranged from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, and stabilized the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said taxpayers will end up paying more in the long run to welfare programs if the government doesn't make investments now in child care. There are just two child care centers in the entire county, and the community can't afford to lose either one, she said. If West Virginia wants to grow its economy, child care is part the infrastructure necessary for that to happen, Tiffany Gale said.

Persons: WILLIAMSON, W.Va, — Kaitlyn Adkins, wouldn’t, ” Adkins, Adkins, Williamson, she's, ”, Jackie Branch, didn't, Goldie Huff, They’ve, Branch, Melissa Colagrosso, “, Tiffany Gale, she’s, Gale, Gale doesn’t, she'll, —, “ They’re Organizations: Century Foundation, Washington , D.C, D.C, Democratic, Child Care, American, U.S . Bureau of Labor, Children’s, West Virginia’s Department of Health, Human Resources, — Locations: West Virginia, Washington ,, — Arkansas, Montana , Utah, Virginia, Washington, Williamson , West Virginia, Mingo County, U.S, Williamson, Fayetteville , West Virginia, West Virginia's

Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Thursday restricting release of her travel and security records after the Legislature wrapped up a special session marked by a fight to more broadly scale back the state Freedom of Information Act. Sanders sought the security exemptions as the State Police was sued by an attorney and blogger who accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor’s travel and security. Supporters of the bill said the governor's higher profile has raised the security risk she and her family faces. The broader exemptions originally sought prompted an outcry from media groups, transparency advocates and some conservatives who said it would create massive holes in the state's open records law. Sanders also signed legislation prohibiting state and local governments from requiring someone to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, she's, Donald Trump, ” Sanders, Andrew Collins, ” Collins, Matthew Campbell, Campbell, David Ray, We're, David Couch, ” Couch Organizations: —, GOP, State Police, White, Democratic, Republican, COVID, Legislative Locations: — Arkansas

(AP) — Arkansas lawmakers voted Wednesday to shield travel and security records for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ administration, a day after ditching a more far-reaching proposal that critics said would weaken government transparency. Sanders and Republican legislators on Tuesday backed off a broader plan that would have closed off access to other records, including any “reflecting communications” between the governor's office and her cabinet secretaries. I want to be able to see the documents,” Joey McCutchen, a Fort Smith attorney who has specialized in public records cases, told lawmakers. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor’s travel and security.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, ” Joey McCutchen, “, Scott Gray, she's, Donald Trump's, Sen, Clarke Tucker, It's, ” Tucker, Nicole Clowney, Lawmakers, Bart Hester, he’s, Hester Organizations: —, Gov, Republican Senate, State Police, Tuesday, Fort, The Arkansas Press Association, Saline County Republican, Democratic Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Saline County, Pulaski County, Arkansans

Republican lawmakers filed legislation exempting release of the travel and security records after an outcry over a proposal to significantly scale back the state's Freedom of Information Act. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor's travel and security. The newest bill also removes proposals facing opposition that would have created an attorney-client privilege exemption for state records and a change in how attorneys' fees are awarded in open records lawsuits. The legislation filed Tuesday would require State Police to file quarterly reports that identifies by month and budget category expenses for the governor’s security. It would also make the exemptions on the governor's security retroactive to June 1, 2022.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, Bart Hester, Donald Trump’s, Democratic Sen, Clarke Tucker, “, ” Tucker, Robert Steinbuch, William H, ” Steinbuch, ” Organizations: —, GOP, Republican, Senate Republicans, State Police, Democratic, University of Arkansas, Bowen School of, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Press Association, Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Republican Party Locations: — Arkansas, Arkansas, Little

The plan to restrict records has prompted an outcry from press groups, transparency advocates, Democrats and some conservatives who said it undermines the state’s 1967 law that protects the public’s access to government records. Opponents have also questioned the need for quickly pushing for the legislation in a special session. The bill would close off access to records that are at the center of a lawsuit an attorney and blogger has filed against the Arkansas State Police. David Couch, an attorney who has authored successful ballot initiatives on medical marijuana and the minimum wage, said earlier Monday he was working on a referendum effort on the FOI changes if they become law. A Senate committee on Monday endorsed the tax cut legislation, which calls for cutting the top individual and corporate income tax rates by .3%.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, “ We've, Bart Hester, Hester, “, ”, Joey McCutchen, she's, Donald Trump's, “ We’re, Matt Campbell, David Couch, I've, Couch Organizations: —, Senate, Fort, State Police, Republicans, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Republican Party, Prosperity Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas

☆ 2 big takeaways from the Supreme Court ruling on Biden's student loan forgiveness plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Supreme Court justices listen to arguments. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts poses during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. They pointed out that the lender's revenue was actually expected to rise because of some student loan servicers recently leaving the space and it picking up extra accounts. "I was surprised the court found Missouri had standing," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. That law was passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and grants the president broad power to revise student loan programs during national emergencies.

Persons: Bill Hennessey, Joe Biden's, John Roberts, Roberts, John G, Evelyn Hockstein, servicers, Mark Kantrowitz, Luke Herrine, Antonin Scalia, Herrine, Elena Kagan, Kagan Organizations: Biden, Finance, GOP, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, Supreme, Reuters, University of Alabama, Liberal, U.S . Department of Education Locations: — Arkansas, Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska, South Carolina, . Nebraska, Missouri, Washington , U.S, delinquencies

☆ Supreme Court decision on student loan forgiveness expected Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Visitors with signs regarding student loan payments outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesWhat's at stake in loan forgiveness decisionThe justices' ruling will determine whether the Biden administration can move forward with its plan to wipe out more than a quarter of the country's $1.7 trillion in outstanding federal student debt. Roughly 14 million people would have their student debt entirely cleared by the program, according to an estimate by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Justices consider executive authority to cancel debtIn the cases, the justices examined whether Biden has the power to forgive so much student debt without authorization from Congress. The country was operating under an emergency declaration due to Covid-19 when the president rolled out his forgiveness plan.

Persons: Al Drago, Biden, Mark Kantrowitz, Grant, overreach Organizations: US, Bloomberg, Getty, Republican, Supreme, GOP, South Carolina —, Job, Network Foundation Locations: Washington , DC, — Arkansas, Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska, South Carolina

☆ Why the Supreme Court still hasn't decided on Biden's student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Administration officials insist that he's acting within the law, pointing out that the Heroes Act of 2003 grants the U.S. secretary of education the authority to make changes to the federal student loan system during national emergencies. The need to prove so-called legal standing is designed to prevent people from suing against different policies and programs simply because they disagree with them. Meanwhile, the complaint by the Job Creators Network Foundation centers on two student loan borrowers who would be partially or fully excluded from the aid. "Barrett was vocally and deeply uncomfortable about ruling that any of the plaintiffs had standing," Shugerman said. At least one or two other conservative justices also seemed conflicted over the question of standing, Shugerman said, adding more reason to why the deliberation is taking time.

Persons: Biden, Schwinn, they'd, Barrett, Jed Shugerman, Amy Coney Barrett, Shugerman Organizations: Washington Post, The Washington Post, Getty, Administration, GOP, South Carolina —, Job, Network Foundation, Network, Fordham University, Boston University Locations: — Arkansas, Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska, South Carolina

☆ Here are key things to know as Supreme Court nears decision on Biden's student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The United States Supreme Court Building Geoff Livingston | Moment | Getty Images1. You'll be able to read the ruling on the Supreme Court's website, likely some time in the morning of decision day. A top Education Department official recently warned that resuming student loan bills without Biden's loan cancellation could trigger a historic rise in delinquencies and defaults. They said the decreased revenue for MOHELA, or the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, could leave the agency unable to meet its financial obligations to Missouri. Student loan borrowers gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 27, 2023, the night before the court hears two cases on student loan forgiveness.

Persons: Geoff Livingston, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, You'll, Biden, Elizabeth Prelogar, Prelogar, they'd, Mark, servicers, Amy Coney Barrett, James A, Campbell, Barrett wasn't, you've, Annie Nova Organizations: United States Supreme, Supreme, Department, Republican, GOP, South Carolina –, Job, Network Foundation, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, CNBC, U.S Locations: delinquencies, — Arkansas, Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska, South Carolina, Missouri, Nebraska

☆ Student debt forgiveness heads to the Supreme Court—here's what borrowers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Activists and students protest in front of the Supreme Court during a rally for student debt cancellation in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2023. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments this week against and for President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness plan. The Biden administration has appealed both rulings, maintaining the president is within his authority to cancel federal student debt. Who will benefit the most from student debt forgiveness? What happens if the Supreme Court stops debt forgiveness?

☆ Biden's student-loan forgiveness is about to have its day at the Supreme Court. Here's everything you need to know.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Supreme Court will hear two challenges to Biden's student-debt-relief plan on Tuesday. But the Biden administration has defended its legal authority and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold the plan. Prominent figures in the legal and political worlds have weighed in on the two high-profile Supreme Court cases in dozens of briefs filed to the Supreme Court. More than 170 Republican members of Congress have argued against Biden's relief, along with 17 Republican-led states, the US Chamber of Commerce, and over a dozen conservative-leaning advocacy groups. Millions of student-loan borrowers' financial futures hang in the balance.

☆ Hormone therapy improves mental health for transgender youths, a new study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Transgender youths reported more life satisfaction and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety after receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy for two years, according to a new study. However, medical associations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, oppose efforts to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. In addition to the New England Journal of Medicine study, about half a dozen others have shown that access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy can improve mental health outcomes, including reducing suicidal ideation, among transgender youths. Three studies — two published in 2020 and another published in 2021 — found that earlier access to gender-affirming medical care is associated with better mental health. They also noted that improvement in mental health varied widely, and that some participants continued to report high levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of positive emotions and life satisfaction.

☆ With over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills before state legislatures in 2023 so far, activists say they're 'fired up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

So far, Texas has taken the lead with 36 such bills, according to Equality Texas, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group. Four states — Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Arizona — have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors, though federal judges have blocked them from taking effect in Arkansas and Alabama. State Sen. David Bullard, the Republican sponsoring the bill, told The Oklahoman that gender-affirming medical care is a “permanent change in your body that cannot be reversed. Accredited medical associations — including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association — have supported gender-affirming care for minors. Advocates and doctors who treat trans youth have said many of the health care restrictions proposed by state legislators mischaracterize what gender-affirming care is.

The rise comes as other respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are also spreading early and rapidly. Common winter viruses tend to peak in December and January — not October and November — though it's unclear how the early and intense spread of respiratory viruses will ultimately play out this season. It's the first time since the beginning of the Covid pandemic that run-of-the-mill respiratory viruses are again circulating widely. Other respiratory viruses, including rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, are also circulating widely, and could account for some of those illnesses. "We'll probably start seeing cases rise on the West Coast in the coming weeks," said Dr. Meredith McMorrow, a pediatrician and team lead for Enhanced Surveillance Platforms at the CDC.

☆ Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is on hold. Here are key issues borrowers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Porquenostudios | Istock | Getty ImagesFor those with student debt, the last few months may have given you whiplash. Here's what borrowers need to know about the development, and what it could mean for your student debt. They filed an appeal, and asked the court to stay the president's plan, which was supposed to start unfolding as early as this week, while their request is considered. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the states' emergency petition, leaving the Biden administration unable to start forgiving any student debt for now. The U.S. Department of Education had said borrowers who hold these FFEL, or Federal Family Education Loans, can take this step to qualify for its relief.

☆ CVS drops prices on its tampons and will pay the ‘pink tax’
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —CVS will reduce prices on its store-branded menstrual products nationwide and pay the sales taxes on those products in a dozen states. Starting Thursday, CVS (CVS) will drop prices by 25% on CVS (CVS) Health and Live Better tampons, menstrual pads, liners and cups. The chain last week also began paying sales taxes for customers on period products in 12 states — Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia. CVS said it cannot cover the taxes in other states that levy them due to laws preventing third parties from paying taxes on a customer’s behalf. “Too often period products are taxed as luxury items and not recognized as basic necessities,” the organization said.

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