The Texarkana Arkansas School District began this cell phone ban program at the beginning of this school year, and honestly, I haven't heard anything good, bad, or indifferent about the success or not, until now. Today, (January 29, 2025) Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that this once-pilot program is going state-wide in the fall of 2025 for all Arkansas schools.

It must be working pretty well.

In a press release from the Governor's Office, Sanders says;

After the overwhelming success of our phone-free schools pilot program, it’s clear that it’s time for Arkansas to ban smartphones, bell to bell, in every school in our state.”

The Bell to Bell No Cell Act will effectively ban all smart devices during the school day, including phones, and personal electronic devices, including smart watches, during the school day in all Arkansas public schools.

State Senator Tyler Dees of District 35, and Representative Jon Eubanks from District 46 are bill sponsors in the legislature.

Yes, there are exemptions due to health reasons, Individualized Education Programs, after-school extracurricular activities, and emergencies.

Governor Sanders was speaking at a Mental Health Day event at the Capitol today when she explained the new Bell to Bell - No Cell Act and backed it up with some amazing stats on the success of the pilot programs this year.

Take a look at the video below.

Texarkana Downtown Murals

Downtown Texarkana has several artistic murals that are painted by a local artist.

Gallery Credit: Mario Garcia

Texarkana Photos - Google Street Views 2007 Through Today

Gallery Credit: Jim Weaver

2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Winners

2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Winners

Gallery Credit: Lisa Lindsey