First News With Toby Howell

Toby visits with 1st District Representative Rick Crawford, He starts it off asking Rep Crawford about the $5 million loan to Arkansas peanut farmers

Toby visits with Mark Hamrick, Chief Economic Analyst at The Hamrick Brief. We get a look at financial matters affecting us this week.  

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Matt Manning, Administrator for Wellington Woods Memory Care. We find out how they care for loved ones suffering from memory related health issues. 

Toby visits with Arkansas 4H Foundation's Managing Director, John Thomas, we get the details on the Dinner at the Vines fundraiser happening 9-29-26. 

Toby visits with Kala Strickland VP of Site Services & Marketing with David's Beef & Burgers. We get details on the proposed beef processing plant near Jacksonville & North Little Rock and the steps they're taking to protect water & air in the area. 

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby starts it off asking about President Trump's meetings and speech at the UNGA in New York City.

Toby visits with Opportunity Arkansas' Nick Horton, he starts it off getting a recap of The Homegrown Solutions Summit last week

Toby visits with KARK Chief Meteorologist Todd Yakoubian, we get a Fall preview of the weather for next couple of months. Todd also explains the La Nina/El Nino weather patterns and how they affect The Natural State's weather.

Toby visits with Hearts of our Heroes' Andrea Fisher. She lets us know about his year's Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display at the Conway Veterans Park Fri Sept 25 - Sun Sept 27 honoring our fallen service members from Arkansas since 9/11...we invite everyone to visit the boots, read the names and take a minute to remember those who served and sacrificed for all of us. We do need volunteers as well. Set up Friday morning, take down Sunday morning and Boot Guards throughout the weekend for 24/7 protection over the boots. They stood for us, its our turn to stand for them. The volunteer sign up link is here: https://bit.ly/2026CombatBootDisplay.

Toby visits with Mark Hamrick, Chief Economic Analyst at The Hamrick Brief.

Toby visits with Mark Goodsell, owner of Goodsell Truck Accessories about The Wheelin' & Healin' Car & Truck Show going on Saturday at Goodsell Truck Accessories in Jacksonville.

Toby visits with Hollywood stuntman Corey Eubanks about the life of a stuntman, Corey will be appearing at a fundraiser at The Museum of Automobiles at Petit Jean Mountain this weekend. 

Toby visits with Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas CEO Buddy Hasten, Buddy introduces us to the newest member of their team Jonathan Dismang. 

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas' Founder & CEO Nick Horton. Toby starts it off asking about a recent article about the price of private schools going up since the Learns Act implementation.

This week on the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with April Johnson with Hoco Turf. From lawn mowers and Tractors to Go Carts and Blowers, they have all the newest outdoor power equipment at one convenient location! Find out more at https://www.hocoturf.com/

On the 25th Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, Toby visits with former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. The Governor recounts his experience being near The Pentagon that day when the plane hit.

Tobu visits with Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation about the most important lessons from the 9-11 attacks is being forgotten: government agencies must share information to prevent tragedy. Ries highlights the story of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old whose alleged killer was released after encounters with law enforcement and an active warrant. Her mother, Jessica Gorman, has become a leading voice challenging sanctuary policies and asking elected officials why cooperation with ICE was not pursued.

Toby visits with Paul T. Conway, American Association of Kidney Patients, Chair, Policy & Global Affairs. We find about about their mission, and a big conference for kidney patients happening in Little Rock this week. 

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Brett Berry, GM at Chris Crain Hyundai in Conway about deals on their selection of cars and how they support local school sports programs.  

Toby visits with Host of the High School Football Scoreboard show Friday nights at 10 and the voice of the Ouachita Tigers Football broadcast, Rex Nelson. We get a look at last week's high school and college games and a preview of this weekend in high school and college. We also find out what Rex will be doing with a Saturday off during football season!

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby starts it off asking about the continuing resolution to fund the government that the House passed

Toby visits with Opportunity Arkansas' Policy Director, J. Robertson. Toby starts it off asking about a recent article written by J. about how states without state income tax are benefitting and how Arkansas can join in on those benefits. 

Toby visits with Trav's PxP announcer Steven Davis, we get a wrap up of the season, a look at the players who moved up to the big show and what's coming up this weekend at the stadium.

Toby visits with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. We take a look at her time in office, find out about accomplishments, what's to be done and find out what she's been up to lately. 

Toby visits with Coast Guard Auxiliary's Blake Sasse, we find about the free boat safety inspections happening this Saturday at I-30 Boat Ramp, 140 Riverfront Drive, North Little Rock.

Toby visits with LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright, we get a look at how the 2026 school year is starting off in Little Rock

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with AGFF President Deke Whitbeck about The Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation - 2026 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet and Auction happening Saturday Aug 29 at the State House Convention Center

Toby visits with Rex Nelson, we get a preview of the 2026 football season, what's in store for the High School Football Scoreboard Show every Friday night at 10, the OBU season, and gives his thoughts on what the Razorbacks will look like this year under Coach Silverfield.

Toby visit with NAMI-Arkansas Executive Director Tricia Clem about the upcoming 5k race/runs to benefit NAMI Arkansas, and we find out about their mission to help Arkansas with mental health.

Toby visits with 1st District Representative Rick Crawford, he starts by getting Rep Crawford's thoughts on the economic D-Day proposed sanctions against Iran and the countries that are helping Iran.

Toby visits with 2nd District Representative French Hill, he starts by asking about the economic D-Day proposed sanctions against Iran and the countries that are helping Iran.

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas;' Nick Horton, we find out more about a two year temporary extension of the existing ARHome waiver.

Toby visits with Shane Broadway and gets a preview of the 2026 Salt Bowl between Benton and Bryant

Toby visits with Safari Club International's Lavon Winkler, we get the details on their Hunter's Happy hour happening August 27 at Southern Tail Brewing at 900 E. 9th Street in Little Rock.

Toby visits with American conservative columnist, commentator, writer, and radio host Todd Starnes about his new book The Golden Age, How Trump Saved America. We also find about about Todd's recent visit to the new Buc-ee's in Benton.

Toby visits with Chief Economic Analyst at The Hamrick Brief, Mark Hamrick. Toby starts it off asking about the minutes from the last Fed meeting

This week on The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Open for Business Spotlight, Toby visits with Kimbro Stephens with The Jurist Law Group, we find about about how they can help with estate planning and elder law.

In our weekly visit with Rep French Hill, Toby starts it off asking about President Trump's Crypto and Technology Summit, and whether there will be more regulations on crypto transactions 

Toby visits with  Zack Smith, Heritage Foundation's Senior Legal Fellow, Courts and the Constitution, Legal Policy Center about the new FBI data show violent crime fell 9.3% and murders dropped 18.1% in 2025, marking the largest one-year decline in nearly a century. 

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas' founder & CEO Nick Horton, Toby starts it off asking about food stamp error rates that may cost Arkansans more money

In our monthly visit with Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas  CEO Buddy Hasten, Toby starts it off asking about nuclear power in Arkansas.

Toby visits with Sherwood Public Education Foundation's Noah Treat. We find out about the effort to get Sherwood it's own school district.

Toby visits with Lonoke County Sheriff Candidate Larry Behnke, we get the details on why he's running for Sheriff

Our weekly visit with Mark Hamrick, Chief Economic Analyst at The Hamrick Brief.  

Toby visits with Thomas Thrash, owner of Hooten's Football Magazine & website. We get an in depth look at their football coverage for Arkansas high schools, colleges & universities..

Toby visits with PCSSD Superintendent Jeff Senn, we get a preview of the 2026 school year and hear about the challenges they faced with over 100 AC units not working, thanks to their team, all the class rooms are cool!

Toby visits with ASU Play by Play announcer Matt Stolz, we get a preview of the Redwolves 2026 season and team.

Toby visits with Central Arkansas Water's Doug Shackleford, we get details on how our water systems are protected against those who wish to do harm via access and hacking.

In our weekly visit with Opportunity Arkansas' Nick Horton, Toby starts it off asking about the proposed Personal Education Tax Credit which is separate from the EFA/s

Toby visits with NLRSD Superintendent Dr Greg Pilewski, we get a preview of the 2026 school year.