In 2021, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Stephen Simpson won a grant from the University of Southern California’s Center for Health Journalism to work on a series about health disparities in the Arkansas Delta. In his six-part series, called the Great Delta Divide, Simpson explores a number of issues in a region that was once an economic powerhouse in the American South. Such issues include mental health, population declines, access to healthcare and the impact of the pandemic.
On this episode of Capitol & Scott, Simpson discusses his reporting and what the future looks like for those who continue to call the Arkansas Delta their home.
Background reading: Simpson's series on the health and economic disparities Delta: arkansasonline.com/delta-divide/
Let us know what topics would you like to hear about in future episodes: arkansasonline.com/capitol-and-scott/
Chronic Wasting Disease, a sickness that affects deer, elk and other cervids, has been found in more Arkansas counties, raising questions as to how...
Violent crimes, including homicides, have been on the rise in Little Rock, with some parts of the city experiencing murder rates more than 100%...
Duck hunting is big business in this tiny Arkansas Delta town that’s host to the annual Wings Over the Prairie Festival, a week-long celebration...