Antoinette Grajeda

Antoinette Grajeda

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Antoinette Grajeda is the Deputy Editor at the Arkansas Advocate. She is a multimedia journalist who has reported since 2007 on a wide range of topics, including politics, health, education, immigration and the arts for NPR affiliates, print publications and digital platforms. A University of Arkansas alumna, she earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and a master’s degree in documentary film.

Federal judge permanently blocks Arkansas laws restricting direct democracy process
Arkansas

Federal judge permanently blocks Arkansas laws restricting direct democracy process

Aug 21, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
A federal judge on Friday declared laws restricting Arkansas’ initiative and referendum process unconstitutional and permanently blocked their enforcement. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks wrote Friday that laws requiring all canvassers to be Arkansas residents and paid canvassers working on...
Special election called to fill vacancy created by Arkansas lawmaker’s resignation
Arkansas

Special election called to fill vacancy created by Arkansas lawmaker’s resignation

Aug 21, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussions of domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. A special election to fill the House District 8 vacancy resulting from Austin McCollum’s...
Arkansas Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging rejection of direct democracy ballot measure
Arkansas

Arkansas Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging rejection of direct democracy ballot measure

Aug 20, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday that sought to reverse the secretary of state’s decision to disqualify a direct democracy ballot measure from the ballot. Supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment filed the lawsuit earlier this month after...
Issue Spotlight: Gubernatorial candidates on future of Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion 
Arkansas

Issue Spotlight: Gubernatorial candidates on future of Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion 

Aug 17, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Arkansas’ next governor will likely help shape the state’s Medicaid expansion , which faces an uncertain future. The state requested permission to continue the program through the end of 2028 after the Trump administration denied its request to renew the...
Northwest Arkansas airport officials seek federal loan to support terminal expansion
Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas airport officials seek federal loan to support terminal expansion

Aug 12, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260812_XNALoa… Listen to an audio version of this story produced by reporter Antoinette Grajeda. Broadcasters: Here is a downloadable version with a host intro script. Officials at Arkansas’ busiest airport are hopeful they’ll be the first in the nation to...
Arkansas lawmakers, NAACP seek accountability over state trooper punching 18-year-old
Arkansas

Arkansas lawmakers, NAACP seek accountability over state trooper punching 18-year-old

Aug 11, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus and NAACP Arkansas State Conference are calling for answers about a traffic stop involving a state trooper punching an 18-year-old that has gained national attention . Rep. Jay Richardson, a Fort Smith Democrat and caucus...
Arkansas governor to appoint temporary Supreme Court justice to fill in for Webb
Arkansas

Arkansas governor to appoint temporary Supreme Court justice to fill in for Webb

Aug 10, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will appoint a temporary special justice to fill in for Barbara Webb, who has been recovering from a fall at her home, the governor’s office said Monday. In a letter dated Monday, Chief Justice Baker...
Federal judge dismisses part of lawsuit against Arkansas classroom ‘indoctrination’ ban 
Arkansas

Federal judge dismisses part of lawsuit against Arkansas classroom ‘indoctrination’ ban 

Aug 05, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed an equal protection claim in a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ ban on “indoctrination” in public schools and ordered additional briefing on whether the statute is unconstitutionally vague. Filed in March 2024 , the lawsuit challenges...
Arkansas mother and son file suit accusing police department of illegal detention 
Arkansas

Arkansas mother and son file suit accusing police department of illegal detention 

Aug 05, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Two Benton County residents who are U.S. citizens are suing Centerton police for detaining them at the request of federal immigration officers even though they showed valid identification. In a federal lawsuit filed last week, Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez and her...
Teeter wins special election for late Arkansas representative’s seat
Arkansas

Teeter wins special election for late Arkansas representative’s seat

Aug 05, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Republican Bill Teeter will serve the remainder of the late Rep. Stan Berry’s term after winning a special election for the Arkansas River Valley seat Tuesday. All 41 votes cast in the election were in favor of Teeter, the sole...
Petitions for Arkansas direct democracy proposal fall short, secretary of state says
Arkansas

Petitions for Arkansas direct democracy proposal fall short, secretary of state says

Jul 30, 2026
Ainsley Platt Antoinette Grajeda
All signatures submitted in favor of putting on the November ballot a proposal to strengthen Arkansas’ initiative and referendum process were tossed because none of them were countable under state law, the secretary of state’s office announced Thursday. Secretary of...
Judge hearing testimony in case over Arkansas’ initiative process restrictions 
Arkansas

Judge hears testimony in case over Arkansas’ initiative process restrictions 

Jul 28, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
A federal judge who prevented Arkansas from enforcing new limits on the initiative and referendum process heard testimony Tuesday as he weighs whether to permanently block the restrictions. The case stems from a lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Cole...