Tag Archives: Arkansas

Arkansas Grocery Store Chain Ad: “Heaven Has A Wall”

ABC News reports: A family-owned Christian grocery store with several locations in Southeast Arkansas is dealing with backlash as customers argue a weekly ad mailer included a controversial political message. The ad book was sent to four Mac’s Cashsaver stores in Arkansas. According to the store, the mailer typically includes a religious or political message. The current mailer includes a …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: State Supreme Court Strikes Down LGBT Rights Law Opposed By Famous Christian Child Molester

The Associated Press reports: Arkansas’ highest court says a city can’t enforce an ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, saying it’s already ruled the measure violates a state law aimed at preventing local protections for LGBT people. The state Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a Washington County judge’s decision to allow Fayetteville to continue enforcing its …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Dem Candidate Left Off County Ballot

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports: An Arkansas county temporarily closed most of its early voting sites after the Democratic nominee for secretary of state was left off the ballot, a glitch the candidate said left her in “sheer disbelief.” An official with the Garland County Election Commission said three of the county’s four early voting sites were closed at times …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: False Gunman Report Sparks Mass Panic, Empties Football Stadium, Game Canceled [VIDEO]

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports: A fight at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium during the Salt Bowl high school football game Saturday night set off a panic that sent fans running for the exits, ending the game early. Little Rock police spokesman Steve Moore said no shots were fired, but a fight among teenagers during the third quarter knocked over a …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Satanic Temple Delivers Statue To Capitol In Battle Over Ten Commandments Monument [VIDEO]

Little Rock’s Fox affiliate reports: Dozens attended a rally held by the Satanic Temple at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday. The rally comes after the Arkansas legislature approved the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. During the Satanic Temple’s Rally for the First Amendment, a more than 8 feet tall Baphomet statue was unveiled. “The …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Satanic Temple To Deliver Own Statue At Rally Against Capitol’s Ten Commandments Monument

Via press release from the Satanic Temple: The Satanic Temple’s infamous Baphomet statue will make an appearance at the Arkansas state Capitol on August 16th from 1-3pm during “The Satanic Temple’s Rally for the First Amendment.” The rally is intended to bring together religious leaders of different faiths to discuss the importance of the First Amendment and its protection for …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Three Tire Makers Request Exemption From Trump’s Steel Tariffs Or They Will Go Out Of Business

Arkansas Online reports: Bekaert Corp., Kiswire America and Tokusen USA jointly requested blanket exclusion from what they described as “grade 1078 and above wire rod for tire cord” that they import, arguing that the quality of wire rod they require is unavailable from U.S.-based steel producers. If they can’t get access to the imported steel they need, the companies say …

Read More »

SCOTUS Rejects Challenge To Arkansas Abortion Law

Reuters reports: In a setback to abortion rights advocates, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday paved the way for Republican-backed restrictions on medication-induced abortions to take effect in Arkansas that could lead to the shuttering of two of the state’s three abortion clinics. The nine justices declined to hear an appeal by abortion provider Planned Parenthood of a lower court …

Read More »

Christian College President Pleads Guilty In Kickback Scheme Involving State Grants Pushed By GOP Reps

Arkansas Online reports: Oren Paris III, former president of Ecclesia College in Springdale, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to a fraud charge in a kickback scheme involving state grants for his school. Paris was scheduled to go to trial Monday alongside former state Sen. Jon Woods (R) of Springdale and consultant Randell G. Shelton Jr., formerly of Alma but currently of …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Former Judge Get Five Years For Dismissing Charges Against Men In Return For Sexual Favors

Courthouse News reports: A former Arkansas judge was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison for dismissing minor criminal cases in exchange for nude photographs or sexual favors from male defendants. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker also fined 72-year-old Boeckmann $50,000 and sentenced him to three years of supervised release after he does his time. O. Joseph Boeckmann, a …

Read More »

Anti-Gay Nutjob To Run For Arkansas Governor

The Kansas City Star reports: A gun range owner who drew national attention for calling her establishment a “Muslim Free Zone” will run for Arkansas governor. Jan Morgan, owner of the Gun Cave Indoor Firing Range in Hot Springs, made the announcement in a video posted to YouTube on Dec. 30. In the Republican primary, she’ll challenge incumbent Asa Hutchinson, …

Read More »

Arkansas Court Blocks All New Birth Certificates Until State Complies With Order On Same-Sex Parents

CBS News reports: An Arkansas judge on Friday blocked the state from issuing any birth certificates until officials are able to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the state’s birth certificate law illegally favors heterosexual parents. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox on Friday set aside his orders requiring the state and three same-sex couples go into mediation …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Judge Pleads Guilty To Giving Men Lighter Sentences In Return For Sexual Favors, Nude Photos

The Associated Press reports: An Arkansas judge who gave lighter sentences to men guilty of minor crimes in return for nude photographs or sexual favors could get a bit of leniency himself after admitting Thursday that he engaged in what one state official called one of Arkansas’ worst-ever cases of judicial misconduct. Joseph Boeckman had faced possible sentences of 260 …

Read More »

Man Arrested After Filming Himself Destroying Ten Commandments Monument Installed Yesterday [VIDEO]

The Associated Press reports: Arkansas’ new Ten Commandments monument was smashed to pieces early Wednesday by someone driving a vehicle into it less than 24 hours after the 6-foot (1.8 meter) granite statue was placed on state Capitol grounds. Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Chris Powell said capitol police arrested the male suspect early Wednesday. Pulaski County jail records show …

Read More »

Supreme Court Strikes Down Anti-Gay Arkansas Birth Certificate Law, Neil Gorsuch Among Dissenting Votes

The Associated Press reports: The Supreme Court has ruled for same-sex couples who complained an Arkansas birth certificate law discriminated against them. The justices on Monday issued an unsigned opinion reversing an Arkansas high court ruling that upheld the law. Under the law, married lesbian couples had to get a court order to have both spouses listed as parents on …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Town Hall Crowd Boos Sen. Tom Cotton For Defending Trump Over Hiding Tax Returns [VIDEO]

Think Progress reports: During a town hall event Monday afternoon, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) defended President Trump’s decision not to release his tax returns. “As far as I’m aware of the president says he’s still under audit,” Cotton said, prompting the crowd to erupt in boos. Once they subsided, Cotton went on to say that he believes Trump has already …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Federal Court Blocks Mass Executions

The Associated Press reports: A federal judge on Saturday halted Arkansas’ unprecedented plan to execute several inmates before the end of the month because one of its execution drugs is about to expire. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker granted a preliminary injunction requested by the inmates to block the executions. Arkansas was set to execute the first two of six …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Bathroom Bill Dead For Current Session

The Associated Press reports: An Arkansas lawmaker dropped her proposal Wednesday prohibiting individuals from using bathrooms in government buildings that do not match their gender at birth after the legislation had faced opposition from the state’s Republican governor and tourism groups. GOP Sen. Linda Collins-Smith withdrew her proposal, which would have required every restroom or changing facility accessible by multiple …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: Duggar-Affiliated Church Goes Door To Door With Flyers Claiming Gay People Don’t Exist

Fayetteville’s NBC affiliate reports: A Fayetteville Baptist Church is attaching controversial pamphlets to people’s homes, voicing their opinions on homosexuality. “I was just offended that they would be going door-to-door in this community with that information. I think most neighbors were pretty offended,” Fayetteville Resident, Joanna McCusker said. Some Fayetteville residents up in arms as flyers addressing the topic of …

Read More »

ARKANSAS: GOP Lawmakers File Bill To Ban Recognition Of Same-Sex Marriages From All Jurisdictions

Little Rock’s CBS affiliate reports: A bill has been proposed to make marriage only between a man and a woman. Twenty Representatives and one Senator introduced House Bill 2098. Representative Stephen Meeks [photo] is the lead sponsor of the bill. HB2098 would not recognize marriages between two people of the same sex, even if the marriage happened in a different …

Read More »