Ainsley Platt
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ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
Ainsley Platt
@ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
journalist covering environment, prisons and state gov madness for the Arkansas Advocate || frmr: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; The Crimson White; Alabama Daily News || Email: [email protected] || DM me w/ tips, dog pics or music recs
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The city of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s modification of a Northwest Arkansas treatment plant’s permit that discharges into the watershed that supplies the Oklahoma city’s drinking water. #arpx
Tulsa challenges Arkansas-issued sewage permit, says it violates 2003 federal court settlement | Arkansas Advocate
The city of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s modification of a Northwest Arkansas treatment plant’s permit that discharges into the watershed that supplies the Oklahoma city’s drinking water.
arkansasadvocate.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
No clue what was going through the committee’s head but I’ll take it. If Bama can’t beat Oklahoma this time around as revenge for the last two losses then we may be doomed lol

ROLL TIDE TILL I DIE
December 7, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @arkansasadvocate.com: The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has identified more than 100 scholarships to be modified to comply with laws related to race and diversity, and at least one donor has ended his financial support as a result. #arpx

arkansasadvocate.com/2025/12/04/u...
University of Arkansas continues to modify scholarships that mention diversity | Arkansas Advocate
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has identified more than 100 scholarships to be modified to comply with laws related to race and diversity, and at least one donor has ended his financial su...
arkansasadvocate.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Thanks to everyone who donated this week, we met our $1,000 matching grant! That means we're about halfway to our goal of raising $5,000 by Dec. 31.

Can you chip in a few bucks to support local, independent journalism in Arkansas? We appreciate your generosity!

arkansasadvocate.com/donate/
December 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I would not be where I am or who I am today without University of Alabama student media. I am proud to sign this letter along with my fellow student journalism alumni as we stand in support of Nineteen Fifty-Six, Alice Magazine and the right to a free and fearless campus press. Read the letter here:
Letter to the Editor | Eighty student media alumni condemn shuttering of campus magazines, urge support for students
The University of Alabama’s suspension of Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six magazine has gravely disappointed decades of University of Alabama alumni who worked for the University’s student media ...
thecrimsonwhite.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:45 AM
I cannot emphasize enough how damaging this is for free speech, on a campus that was already incredibly hostile to the work of student reporters. So incredibly infuriating.
Via Andrea Tinker: The University of Alabama suspended publication of two student-run magazines on Monday, claiming that the publications were not in compliance with federal guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
University of Alabama suspends student magazines for Black students, female students | Alabama Reflector
The University of Alabama suspended publication for Nineteen Fifty-Six Magazine and Alice Magazine citing a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
alabamareflector.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Working for the Advocate has been such a joy. If you're able, please consider supporting us as we continue to report on Arkansas state government in a way that is accessible to all.
If we’ve succeeded in keeping you informed throughout the year on new state policies, please consider donating to our nonprofit this #GivingTuesday. Your gift will be doubled, up to $1,000, thanks to a matching grant from Skip Rutherford.

Thank you for your continued support!

buff.ly/9hC4cIe
December 2, 2025 at 5:28 PM
As an alumni of Bama student media, saying I'm furious doesn't even begin to cover it. The work done by these two nationally-recognized publications is incredible, and I cannot emphasize enough how wrong this is. Shame on the University of Alabama for this cowardly attack on student media.
University suspends Alice, Nineteen Fifty-Six student magazines
The University of Alabama Department of Student Life suspended Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice Magazine, two University-funded student magazines, on Monday, citing a federal memo issued by U.S. Attorney ...
thecrimsonwhite.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The state of play for Arkansas’ young-yet-ambitious lithium industry has changed markedly compared to one year ago, even as questions remain about the impacts of low lithium prices on projects.

via @arkansasadvocate.com
Optimism for lithium in Arkansas is running high, even as challenges for industry growth remain
The state of play for Arkansas’ young-yet-ambitious lithium industry has changed markedly compared to one year ago, even as questions remain about the impacts of low lithium prices on projects.
www.newsfromthestates.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
A staunch opponent of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County will be on the ballot as an independent candidate for the Senate District 26 special election. #arpx #arleg

✍️: @tessmvrbin.bsky.social
Independent candidate confirmed to appear on Arkansas Senate District 26 special election ballot | Arkansas Advocate
A staunch opponent of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County will be on the ballot as an independent candidate for the Senate District 26 special…
buff.ly
November 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
apnews.com/article/coll... State earns spot in Big Ten title game, Georgia and Alabama meet again in SEC championship
Ohio State earns spot in Big Ten title game, Georgia and Alabama meet again in SEC championship
The final regular season week of college football has set the stage for conference championships. Virginia clinched a spot in the ACC title game with a win over Virginia Tech.
apnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
ROLL TIDE TILL I DIE

I love the Alabama Crimson Tide, folks. That is all.
November 30, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Big ol plane spotted from my office window! Don’t think it’s a C-130, so possibly a Boeing Globemaster?
November 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Very happy birthday to The Red & Black, UGA's independent student newspaper! I wouldn't have gotten my start in journalism without my time there. Show you support for college journalism by giving to the paper today! givebutter.com/B1Cs9u?s=O70...
The Red & Black NewsMatch Fundraiser 2025
Andrew and Hilary DeMillo just contributed $100 to The Red & Black! 💛
givebutter.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Got into an argument with my Michigan fan of a father this weekend and need to prove my point. Which rivalry has more hatred, the Iron Bowl (Bama vs Auburn) or The Game (Ohio State vs Michigan)?

The answer is obviously the Iron Bowl, but I’m open to counter arguments
November 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has made little discernible progress in fixing an aging wastewater plant that regularly violates its federal water permit, public records show.

✍️: @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
Fix for aging Arkansas prison wastewater plant years behind schedule | Arkansas Advocate
The wastewater plant serves two of the state’s largest prisons and has been under a consent administrative order from the state’s environmental agency since 2022.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, a Rome Republican, announced her plans to resign from Congress Friday evening in an unexpected video message.
Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign in January • Georgia Recorder
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, a Rome Republican, announced her plans to resign from Congress Friday evening in an unexpected video message. Greene, who was first elected in Georgia’s ...
georgiarecorder.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The Board of Corrections voted Tuesday to spend $1.95 million on upgrades and repair work at the Cummins-Varner Wastewater Treatment Plant. The decision came after the Arkansas Advocate published a deep dive into the delays and shifting timelines for fixing the plant.
Corrections board approves funds to start struggling prison wastewater plant upgrades | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted Tuesday to spend $1.95 million on upgrade and repair work at the Cummins-Varner Wastewater Treatment Plant.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The Board of Corrections has approved $1.95 million to construct new screening equipment at the Cummins-Varner Wastewater Treatment Plant, the first step in a much larger upgrade project that is years behind schedule. #arpx
Corrections board approves funds to start struggling prison wastewater plant upgrades | Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted Tuesday to spend $1.95 million on upgrade and repair work at the Cummins-Varner Wastewater Treatment Plant.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Man, anyone else remember when crypto mining was the thing that everyone in Arkansas was worrying about? That feels like a lifetime ago now.
November 19, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Some exciting professional news.

I’ve been blessed to work with my amazing colleagues at AP over the past 20 years. I’m thrilled about this next chapter leading Arkansas Advocate’s incredibly talented newsroom.

statesnewsroom.com/press-releas...
Andrew DeMillo named top editor of Arkansas Advocate by States Newsroom • States Newsroom
States Newsroom today announces the hiring of veteran political journalist Andrew DeMillo as editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Advocate, Arkansas’ leading state government-focused nonprofit news outlet....
statesnewsroom.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I can't think of anyone better equipped to take over from Sonny. This is such awesome news!
November 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Ainsley Platt
Via @ainsleyplatt.bsky.social: The Arkansas Department of Corrections has made little discernible progress in fixing an aging wastewater plant that regularly violates its federal water permit, public records show. #arpx
Fix for aging Arkansas prison wastewater plant years behind schedule | Arkansas Advocate
The wastewater plant serves two of the state’s largest prisons and has been under a consent administrative order from the state’s environmental agency since 2022.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
In my latest for @arkansasadvocate.com, I did a deep dive on the delays and shifting timelines for fixing the Cummins-Varner Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats the waste from Arkansas’ largest prisons. It’s a continuation of reporting I did at the ADG last year. Give it a read #arpx
Fix for aging Arkansas prison wastewater plant years behind schedule | Arkansas Advocate
The wastewater plant serves two of the state’s largest prisons and has been under a consent administrative order from the state’s environmental agency since 2022.
arkansasadvocate.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM