Jay Townsend

Concern about the aging levees have waned since the floods, but experts say there's potential for a disaster if not maintained. read more >

The Port of Fort Smith sits on a portion of the river shipping channel that is 26 feet deep, plenty deep for the heaviest of barges that could come th read more >

Five months ago, state officials scrambled to prepare for a pandemic scenario in which the added caseload of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed the Arkansas network of hospitals. read more >

The historic spring flooding in Arkansas caused at least $100 million in damage. Now comes the re-evaluation of Arkansas’ long-neglected levee system, which will surely seek to address at least two big public policy questions: Who should be responsible for the levees? Who should pay for their maintenance? read more >