Our Story

From a county newsletter to a statewide newsroom

Arkansas Coverage began with a simple question: why was so little local news reaching the people who needed it most? What started as a two-person operation covering city council meetings in one county has grown into a network of reporters embedded in communities across the state.

2019

The first edition

We launched a weekly newsletter covering the Pulaski County school board and municipal planning meetings. Subscriptions grew slowly at first, but the demand for straightforward reporting was clear from the start.

2022

County-by-county expansion

Reader requests pushed us beyond our original coverage area. We added district correspondents in the Delta and the Ozarks, focusing on flood preparedness, rural school funding, and local business openings that larger outlets overlooked.

2025

A statewide newsroom

Today our reporters file daily briefings from all 75 counties. We still cover every city council meeting we can, but now we also produce weekend features on regional culture, seasonal guides, and investigative pieces on public safety and infrastructure.

75

Counties covered

40+

Community correspondents

12k

Daily newsletter readers

Who we are

Arkansas Coverage

We are a local newsroom built around the communities we serve. From city council votes to high school science fairs, our reporters are on the ground across Arkansas, covering the stories that shape daily life in each county and district.

Our work is straightforward: factual reporting on municipal updates, public safety, education, local business, and regional weather. No noise, no national echo chamber — just clear journalism that helps you stay informed about what is happening near you.

Community-first reporting

We prioritize stories that matter locally — neighborhood developments, school board decisions, and the people behind them.

Organized by county

Content is structured by county and district, so you can follow updates specific to your immediate area without wading through unrelated news.

Daily briefings & features

A mix of concise daily briefings, weekend feature stories, and seasonal guides to civic programs and local attractions.

Accessible journalism

We write in plain language and keep our reporting transparent, so residents can trust what they read and act on it.

The Newsroom

The people behind the coverage

Our reporters live in the communities they cover. That proximity shapes how we gather facts, verify details, and frame the stories that matter to Arkansas residents.

Marlene Whitfield

City Hall & Municipal Affairs Reporter

Covers city council meetings and zoning decisions across Pulaski County. Previously reported on county budgets for a regional wire service. Known for translating dense public records into plain-language briefings.

Dale Okafor

Education & School Board Correspondent

Tracks school district initiatives, teacher training programs, and student outcomes in rural counties. Spent six years as a classroom instructor before moving into journalism. Focuses on STEM access and vocational education.

Ruthanne Calder

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Editor

Works with county emergency managers to publish flood alerts, severe weather updates, and evacuation guidance. Background in meteorological data analysis and community outreach for the National Weather Service.

Hector Villanueva

Neighborhood & Development Reporter

Documents commercial openings, housing projects, and infrastructure changes in Northwest Arkansas. Regularly attends ward meetings to track how growth affects long-time residents and new arrivals.

Greta Lindqvist

Cultural Events & Weekend Features Writer

Profiles local festivals, art exhibitions, and civic programs across the state. Has contributed to regional travel guides and community calendars for over a decade. Prefers stories that highlight volunteer organizers.

Marcus Bell

Regional Weather & Climate Data Lead

Compiles weekly rainfall totals, river levels, and heat advisories for county-specific reports. Former hydrology technician who now focuses on making climate data useful for farmers and rural residents.

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