Ronak Patel
ReporterRonak Patel is a reporter for Little Rock Public Radio; he previously served as Politics and Government Reporter between March and August of 2022.
A graduate of Little Rock Central High School, Ronak attended the University of Central of Arkansas, where he graduated with a major in English and a minor in journalism in spring 2021. As a student at UCA, he developed an interest in politics when he took a political reporting class and interviewed candidates for the Arkansas Senate District 32 seat, which covers parts of Little Rock and Cammack Village. As a student, Ronak also reported on a state legislator requesting syllabi from UCA, a report that won a second place award for in-depth reporting from the Arkansas College Media Association.
Ronak's first job after college was as a general assignment reporter for the Southwest Times Record. After six months, he was hired by the statewide Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where he wrote feature stories, season previews for high school sports and worked on special publications.
Despite working in print, Ronak has always been a fan of broadcast news and NPR Morning Edition Host Steve Inskeep is one of his favorite political reporters.
Outside of work, Ronak enjoys watching basketball— either the Milwaukee Bucks or the UCA Bears.
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Earlier this year, Congressional Republicans passed a budget resolution requiring each committee in Congress to provide a plan of how it will cut at least $1 billion. -
In response to the Sackett decision by the U.S Supreme Court, the EPA is working on redefining what a wetland is. -
The continuing resolution will keep the government funded until September. -
Last year, Arkansas conducted a pilot program to see the results a cell phone ban would have on learning outcomes. -
In an interview, Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, said part of the reason for the increase in the state budget is in the increase on funding for education. In January, lawmakers will convene for the 2025 fiscal session. -
U.S Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, is expected to be the conference chair for the Republicans, which is the third highest ranking leadership position. -
Arkansas is one of 19 states to receive $1 billion or more from the federal government to expand broadband access. -
In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, Hill said there is more left work to do for Congress.
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Last week, the U.S House of Republicans did not pass a short-term budget for the federal government. Womack said if the House fails to act then it will have to defer to the Senate. -
Boozman said firefighters are expressing concerns about the cost the proposed regulations would place on smaller fire departments.
