Arkansas began it’s long journey out of the backwoods hillbilly culture when Winthrop Rockefeller became governor. Then it fell back, and again had to be forced to move forward into the Real World.
The bottom two states have always been Mississippi and Arkan-saw. (The un official motto of Arkansas for years was “Thank Heavens for Mississippi!” as it kept Arkansas off the bottom.) Now NW Arkansas is a great place to live due to all that Walmart Money flowing into the area.
Both states’ unofficial motto is...”Thank Heavens for New Mexico!” which is now on bottom. Quite a change from 60 years ago
First time in history…geez that is over due.
Unfortunately, parts of heavily and historically GOP NW AR are trending to the demonic Stalinazi party.