A shift in the population across Arkansas will likely result in political gains for the northwest region of the state and a loss for the southeast in the Arkansas legislature as well as restructure Arkansas’s U.S. Congressional Districts.

During a meeting of the Political Animal’s Club on Wednesday, Jamie Gates, Executive Vice-President of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, outlined the population gains and losses predicted for the upcoming 2020 state redistricting.

Arkansans have less than a year to get a Real ID that will comply with an Act passed by Congress in 2005. The enhanced identification will be required to board a flight or enter a federal facility on October 1, 2020. Congress passed the Real ID ACT in response to the 911 Commissions Report to improve security in both airports and federal buildings.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello says its chancellor will resign at the end of the semester as the school faces a budget deficit amid a large drop in student enrollment.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Monday that Karla Hughes will resign on Dec. 31 after three years leading the school. She is the first woman to lead a four-year University of Arkansas System school.

Gregg Reep, who chairs the school's board of visitors, says the administration told the board that it expects there to be a $1 million to $2 million budget shortfall.

The Arkansas House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to expel Rep. Mickey Gates, R-Hot Springs, after he pleaded no contest to not paying state taxes.  With a vote of 88-4, Gates becomes the first member in over 100 years to be expelled from the House.

Arkansas saw an 11% increase in public schools earning an A and a 14% decrease in schools earning an F on accountability reports released by the Arkansas Department of Education Wednesday. Meanwhile, eight Little Rock schools scored an F. It was the same number as last year, but not the same eight schools.

Those scores had been reported Oct. 4 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after it obtained them from the Little Rock School District via a Freedom of Information Act request.

A doctor from southwest Arkansas has been arrested on charges of overprescribing opiates and other drugs.

Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday the arrest of Dr. Lonnie Joseph Parker and unsealed a grand jury indictment charging the Texarkana, Arkansas, physician with nine counts of prescribing without a legitimate medical purpose. Jordan is to appear in court Wednesday.