Jordan Hickey Named Arkansas Today Editor-in-Chief

Deep South Today has selected the veteran journalist to lead its new nonprofit news operation in Arkansas.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in People

Jordan Hickey Named Arkansas Today Editor-in-Chief

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Deep South Today has appointed Jordan Hickey as the editor-in-chief of Arkansas Today. The new nonprofit outlet aims to expand local journalism coverage across the state.

Why it matters

The appointment is part of a broader push by Deep South Today to reinvigorate the media landscape in Southern states. The organization intends to provide new, nonprofit news resources to communities throughout the region.

Jordan Hickey, 39, brings experience to the role spanning back to 2013, when he first began reporting in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

The players

Jordan Hickey

He is the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Arkansas Today and a University of Missouri School of Journalism alumnus who has covered Arkansas since 2013.

Deep South Today

This organization operates a network of nonprofit news outlets with the stated goal of strengthening the media environment across the Southern United States.

The details

Jordan Hickey was selected for his journalism background and deep familiarity with the Arkansas media market. Arkansas Today will function as a nonprofit news outlet under the Deep South Today network.

Jordan Hickey began working as a journalist in Arkansas in 2013.
Deep South Today announced the launch of Arkansas Today in May 2026.
Jordan Hickey was named editor-in-chief on October 8, 2026.
Arkansas Today is expected to officially launch in the fall of 2026.

Market Landscape

This move highlights the ongoing consolidation of nonprofit news networks aimed at competing with traditional local media business models. By establishing Arkansas Today, the parent organization is positioning itself to capture audience share in a region currently undergoing significant media shifts.

Readers can expect the launch of a new, nonprofit-funded information source later this fall. This development may offer the public alternative news coverage focused on state-level issues.

The takeaway

The appointment of an experienced local journalist signals a commitment to regional expertise for the new outlet. Residents should look for the official launch of the platform later this year to determine its specific editorial impact.