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.

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...
Governor appoints nonprofit executive to Arkansas State Board of Education
Arkansas

Governor appoints nonprofit executive to Arkansas State Board of Education

Jul 27, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders named Gary Stark as the newest member of the Arkansas State Board of Education Monday. A sixth-generation native of Cleburne County, Stark is a “lifelong educator, military veteran, and nonprofit executive who has spent more than...
An Arkansas community founded by Italian immigrants becomes a flashpoint over ICE
Arkansas

An Arkansas community founded by Italian immigrants becomes a flashpoint over ICE

Jul 27, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
A quiet, empty field near a cream church with green roofing will come alive with the sounds of summer when the Tontitown Grape Festival returns in early August. Children lapping up melting grape ice cream cones, teens gleefully screaming on...
Issue Spotlight: What Arkansas gubernatorial candidates say about legalizing recreational marijuana
Arkansas

Issue Spotlight: What Arkansas gubernatorial candidates say about legalizing recreational marijuana

Jul 16, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Medical marijuana has generated more than $1 billion in Arkansas since voters legalized it in 2016. After the state opened its first dispensary in 2019, thousands of Arkansans joined the program and spent a record $291.1 million on medical marijuana...
Arkansas governor announces trade mission to Belgium, Ireland, UK
Arkansas

Arkansas governor announces trade mission to Belgium, Ireland, UK

Jul 13, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will travel to Belgium, England and Ireland next week for an overseas trade mission, officials announced Monday. Sanders’ trip is scheduled from July 19-24 and includes a stop at the Farnborough International Airshow in England...
Arkansas communities receive $12.5 million to support local projects
Arkansas

Arkansas communities receive $12.5 million to support local projects

Jul 13, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Arkansas cities, counties and communities are receiving more than $12.5 million in grant funding to support public facility and infrastructure projects, state officials announced Monday. The 88 grants come from the Community Development Block Grant and State Rural Community Grant...
Issue Spotlight: What candidates running for Arkansas secretary of state say about paper ballots 
Arkansas

Issue Spotlight: What candidates running for Arkansas secretary of state say about paper ballots 

Jul 10, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
When Arkansans elect a new secretary of state in November, the winning candidate will be in charge of the state’s elections. That includes ones conducted with paper ballots. A few Arkansas counties in recent years have made a push toward...
Signatures submitted for Arkansas ballot measure on initiative process
Arkansas

Signatures submitted for Arkansas ballot measure on initiative process

Jul 06, 2026
Andrew DeMillo Antoinette Grajeda
Arkansas officials are reviewing thousands of signatures submitted in favor of a proposal to preserve the state’s initiative and referendum process to determine if it’ll qualify for the November ballot Protect AR Rights submitted 108,837 signatures Friday to the secretary...
Federal judge rules Arkansas initiative restrictions unconstitutional
Arkansas

Federal judge rules Arkansas initiative restrictions unconstitutional

Jul 01, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
A federal judge on Tuesday declared unconstitutional state laws restricting Arkansas’ initiative and referendum process that are being challenged in court by ballot measure sponsors. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks also allowed a handful of claims in the case to...
Teeter wins special GOP runoff for late Arkansas House member’s seat
Arkansas

Teeter wins special GOP runoff for late Arkansas House member’s seat

Jul 01, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Republican Bill Teeter is one step closer to serving the remainder of the late Rep. Stan Berry’s term, after winning a special primary runoff election for an Arkansas River Valley area seat Tuesday. The retired Russellville dispatcher and volunteer firefighter...
Applications show gaps between Arkansas vouchers and private school tuition rates 
Arkansas

Applications show gaps between Arkansas vouchers and private school tuition rates 

Jul 01, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Key points: Nearly 57,000 students applied for Arkansas’ school voucher program. The average private school tuition among applicants is about $2,600 more than state funding. Some private schools address affordability through scholarships and discounts. This summary was produced by an...
Love vows order halting school vouchers if elected Arkansas governor 
Arkansas

Love vows order halting school vouchers if elected Arkansas governor 

Jun 26, 2026
Antoinette Grajeda
Democratic state Sen. Fred Love said Friday he would issue an executive order halting the administration of Arkansas’ school voucher program if elected governor in November. The term-limited legislator made his remarks during a gubernatorial candidate debate with Libertarian nominee...