First News With Toby Howell

Toby visits with The Heritage Foundation's Dr Allen Mendenhall PhD about Dr Fauci and what might actually happen.

In our weekly visit with Mark Hamrick, Chief Economic Analyst at The Hamrick Brief, Toby starts it off asking about the lower than expected jobs report last week

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Ron Humphrey with Middleton Heat and Air. We find out about how they can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Find out more at middletoninc.com

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby starts it off asking about DSA and the take over of the Democratic Party by socialists who want communism

Opportunity Arkansas' Nick Horton is back after his summer break, Toby starts it off by asking about the rejection of the Medicaid Expansion in Arkansas by the Federal Gov't.

Filling in for Toby Howell, Steve Finnegan visits with Rep Rick Crawford, they start it off with an update on Iran

Filling in for Toby Howell, Steve Finnegan visits with Senator Tom Cotton, they start if off talking about jobs coming to Lockheed Martin in Camden

Filling in for Toby Howell, Steve Finnegan visits with Arkansas A.G. Tim Griffin, they start if off by talking about the upcoming fraud summit. 

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Jennifer Wells, COO at Advanced Alarm Technologies, They're the sponsor 5 Things You Need to know every morning on First News. We find about how they can protect your home, business or property. 

Toby visits with NBA free agent and Arkansas native Nick Smith Jr.. Nick will be honored with the naming of the Jacksonville Boys & Girls Club gymnasium, He'll be participating in the Who Run It alumni basketball tournament taking place on July 25–26, 2026, at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Toby gets details on what he's doing in the off season and where he might land next season.  

Toby visits with Arkansas Diamonds Arena Football Head Coach Bones Bagaunte. We find out about the excitement and fun of Arena Football and take a look at the team that's making the play offs the season

Toby visits with former Razorback and Golden State Warrior Moses Moody as he returns to Little Rock to give back once again with the Motivate One Foundation. On Friday night, he will host the annual “Night with Moses Moody” with teammate and four-time NBA Champ Steph Curry. 

Toby visits with Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas CEO Buddy hasten we find out about how the grid is holding up this summer and the challenges operators are having keeping the electricity flowing

Toby visits with Rep French Hill, we get the latest from the House Floor in Washington D.C.

Toby visits with Amy Finster, Committee Chair of the Cave City Watermelon Festival. We get all the details on this year's celebration of the watermelon!

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with AGFF's Deke Whitbeck and gets a preview of the AGFF's 2026 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet,  presented by Banded, which will be held on August 29th, 2026 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock!  Doors open at 6:00 PM.  Bid on items in the "Super Silent" auction that features the latest hunting and fishing gear, boats, ATVs, campers, hunting trips, experience packages, and more!  We look forward to seeing you there!

Toby visits with the AGFC's Ass't Chief of Comms Randy Zellers about the new $10.50 fee to use AGFC WMA lands if you don't already have a hunting or fishing license. We find out what the money will go for and how it will be enforced. 

Toby visits with Rep. French Hill, Toby starts it off asking about the loss of Sen Lindsey Graham

Toby visits with LR Ward 5 City Director Lance Hines, we get more details on the 30 Crossing Park as to where the rest of the money will come from to complete the project

Toby visits with Reed Lewallen, Event Coordinator with Rock City Margarita/Great Arkansas Beer Festival happening Saturday July 18th at the State House Convention Center. we get the details on the big party! 

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Jason Hollis, one of the managers at Genesis of Conway, we find about about the brand, the vehicles and the deals! find them at  https://www.genesisofconway.com

Toby visits with Rep Rick Crawford, he starts it off asking about the re-escalation this week with Iran

Toby visits with Rep French Hill, he starts it off asking about the re-escalation this week with Iran

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight Toby Visits with Kerry McCoy, President of Flagandbanner.com, e find out about all the different flags and accessories they have, You can even get custom flags, We also thank her for Flag and Banner providing the flags for our KARN Honor Flag Project.

Toby visits with Matt Thibault with the City of Benton, we get the details on the Red White & Boom Fireworks show happening Friday July 3rd.

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, we get the latest from the House Floor in Washington DC and the details of what the Congressman has planned for the 4th of July 

Toby visits with Opportunity Arkansas CEO & Founder Nick Horton, we get more information about the Educational Rights Amendment and how it will affect Arkansas 

Toby visits withe Professor Steinbuch about the enhanced conceal carry lawsuit. We get an update on the recent ruling.

Toby visits with ASO Associate Conductor Valery Saul and gets the details about the 2026 Pops on the River concert & fireworks show. .More details and reserved seating at https://pops.arkansasonline.com/

Toby visits with Doug Schneider, co-owner of Torpedo Joe's Fireworks, we the details on having a "blast" this 4th of July!  You can find our more about their selection at https://www.torpedojoesfireworks.com/

Toby visits with Mark Hamrick, Chief analyst at The Hamrick Brief, we be gin by finding out about this new chapter in Mark's journalism career, then we get the latest information about finances in the USA. 

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Nate Deakin, Co-Owner at North Shore Golf Range and Putt, Chip & Chill. We find out that you can practice your golf swing in the middle of the night!!!

Toby visits with Electric Cooperative of Arkansas CEO Buddy Hasten, they talk about the challenges of providing electricity in the heat of the summer and how the grid will be affected when data centers get going in Arkansas

Toby visits with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. We get the details of a new lawsuit against Roblox & Discord.

Toby visits with Rep French Hill and starts it off asking about the Housing Bill that President Trump didn't sign yesterday and whether it will be signed soon. 

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas' Nick Horton, we dive deeper into the Educational Rights Amendment and what it will actually do to education in The Natural State

Toby visits with Bill from Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa on Lake Ouachita about the what they have to offer for a get away spot. Visit https://mountainharborresort.com/ for more info and to book your stay!

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Farm Bureau EVP Jarrod Yates about why Farm Bureau is a Partner in Conservation as a sponsor of Call of the Wild. 

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Raouf Kassissieh, owner of The Soccer Center in Little Rock about their facility, the activities and the World Cup watch parties going on thru the tournament. 

Toby visits with comedian Dave Landau performing at The Loony Bin in Little Rock this weekend!

Toby visits with Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva, we get the details on how Arkansas is asking the Federal Government to streamline public school compliance. We also ask about the Educational Rights Amendment and what affect it will have on the Natural State

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby gets us the latest from The House floor in Washing DC

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas' Nick Horton, Toby asks Nick about Education Rights Amendment.

Toby visits with Ward 5 LR City Director Lance Hines about the data centers being built in central Arkansas, Lance says data centers mean jobs & positive economic impact for The Natural State.

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby Visits with Donnie Faulkner, owner of Pickup Truck Accessory Warehouse & Vortex Sprayliner. One of our Honor Flag Project sponsors, about the variety of services they offer. 

Toby visits with Adam Hunter who is performing at The Loony Bin comedy club in LR this weekend. 

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby starts it off by asking about the War Powers Resolution vote and why the Democrats are pushing for a bad idea 

Toby visits with UA-Little Rock Trojans Baseball Coach Chris Curry and gets a preview of the NCAA Super Regional at Riddle-Pace Field in Troy, Ala., first game Friday afternoon 4pm, you can watch the game on ESPNU.

Toby visits with Opportunity Arkansas's Founder & CEO Nick Horton. Toby starts it off by asking about the end of the fiscal year surplus in the Arkansas State Budget. 

Toby visits with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin about the recent Fraud Round Table with VP Vance in Washington DC. AG Griffin also lets us know about the efforts to fight fraud in The Natural State