A letter from our editor

Facts matter.

Like a rare mineral or a precious gem, facts must be unearthed. Facts must be pursued. Facts must be found. That is the difficult, important work of reporters. Biographer Robert Caro said in 2019: “What is a great reporter? Someone who never stops trying to get as close to the truth as possible.”

Now, more than ever, great reporters are needed. To whom does one turn to see the world as it is? To whom does one turn for facts unvarnished, for facts not spun but facts presented in pursuit of truth?

Turn to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. You can count on us to deliver serious, thoughtful journalism based on our craft’s time-honored principle of objectivity in reporting. That work is challenging and costly. Donations to the Community Journalism Project help us expand our coverage. Donations help us dig deeper and do more. Donations help us serve you and the people of Arkansas.

For example, our exclusive reporting on the LEARNS Act, Arkansas' education overhaul signed into law in 2023, has been funded by the Community Journalism Project. This allows us to devote a reporter entirely to chronicling the impact of that landmark legislation. We have delivered stories showing that taxpayer money for private schools and homeschool families was used to purchase Shaquille O'Neal ergonomic gaming chairs and Ray-Ban and Ralph Lauren clothing accessories. Other stories have tracked the tens of millions of dollars spent on the program, academic performance and the law's effects on public schools.

We can do more with your help. We can explore in greater detail the issues of health, economic development, income mobility and homelessness and addiction, all subjects critical to the future of our state. 

Link hands with us. Help us relentlessly pursue truth. Because we all know it matters.

Lee Wolverton

Executive Editor

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette