Arkansas

Arkansas, Indiana attack SNAP purchases

Published

10 months ago

April 16, 2025

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, continues to be in the crosshairs of state and federal lawmakers.

The Trump administration and the U.S. House of Representatives want to reduce the benefit. On Tuesday, Arkansas and Indiana entered the debate, stating they will seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove soda and candy from SNAP. The two became the first states to make such a request.

Arkansas wants to restrict the purchase of soda—including no- and low-calorie options—fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, drinks labeled “unhealthy,” and candy, including chocolate and artificially sweetened varieties. SNAP recipients, however, would be allowed to buy ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken, which is currently ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Indiana’s plan is less detailed. It simply proposes the exclusion of candy and soft drinks from SNAP. However, Gov. Mike Braun signed executive orders that add work requirements for SNAP recipients and reinstate income and asset verification rules. Indiana will also review improper payments and other administrative errors to ensure SNAP complies with federal standards set by the Trump administration.

The National Confectioners Association was among several food industry groups that criticized the actions of Arkansas and Indiana. The NCA said SNAP recipients have virtually the same purchasing patterns as non-SNAP recipients.

Legislation would allow hot food purchases with SNAP benefits

“This policy approach is misguided and not needed when it comes to chocolate and candy,” the NCA said in a statement. “SNAP participants and non-SNAP participants both understand that chocolate and candy are treats—not meal replacements.”

Carly Schildhaus, a spokesperson for the NCA, said only about 2% of SNAP purchases are candy—significantly less than categories like soda, prepared desserts, salty and savory snacks, and baked goods.

“This is why these proposed bans are not needed when it comes to candy,” Schildhaus said. “There are other categories that rank far higher than chocolate and candy.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joined Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders during Tuesday’s announcement of the state’s plan and praised the direction, encouraging other states to follow suit.

“Gov. Sanders is confronting childhood diseases head-on, and it starts with what families consume,” Rollins said in a statement. “[Tuesday’s] waiver announcement is a welcome one, and I look forward to moving through the approval process swiftly.”

Louisiana is among the states considering similar restrictions. State lawmakers there want to remove soda from the list of SNAP-eligible foods.

SNAP benefits on the chopping block

However, Louisiana is also introducing a new initiative aimed at increasing access to healthy foods. The state Department of Children and Family Services launched a pilot program that gives SNAP recipients a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at select Walmart stores in six parishes. SNAP shoppers can earn up to $25 per month in bonus benefits during the pilot phase.

Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Idaho are also pursuing initiatives to restrict the purchase of junk food with SNAP. The Healthy SNAP Act, filed by Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., would ban items such as candy and ice cream.

The NCA warned that implementing such restrictions would be nearly impossible.

“If retailers are required to scrutinize individual product eligibility and flag each eligible and non-eligible item at their point of sale, this will substantially increase compliance challenges for retailers and will decrease the number of eligible SNAP retailers,” the group said.

The NCA also argued that definitions of “candy” vary by state. “The same granola bar or trail mix could be banned as a SNAP-eligible purchase in one state, but be eligible across the border in another,” it said.

No city-owned grocery store for Chicago

In Washington, the House Republicans’ proposed budget aims to cut $2 trillion in mandatory spending over the next decade. About $230 billion of that would come from the USDA, which oversees SNAP.

A report released last year by the House Republican Study Committee recommended a 22% cut to the food security program.

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Arkansas

Little Rock’s Star of India named Arkansas Asian Business of the Year for 2026

Published

6 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Press Room

Little Rock’s Star of India named Arkansas Asian Business of the Year for 2026

Some journeys begin with a recipe and a dream, restaurant Star of India said after they were named the 2026 Arkansas Asian Business of the Year.

Nestled just off Shackleford Road in Little Rock, Star of India has served generations of hungry Arkansans since its opening in 1993.

The restaurant thanked their community in a post to their Facebook page.

Behind this recognition are decades of early mornings, late nights, quiet sacrifices, and an unwavering belief in serving the community with heart. What started as a small family vision grew only because generations of guests welcomed us into their lives, their celebrations, and their traditions.

This award is accepted with humility and gratitude — not as a finish line, but as a reminder of the responsibility to keep serving with the same dedication, warmth, and respect that built this legacy.

To our community in Little Rock and beyond thank you for walking this journey with us for more than thirty years.

The award was presented by the Arkansas Association of Asian Business at the East Meets West ceremony.

Check out some photos shared by the restaurant below:

Little Rock’s Star of India named Arkansas Asian Business of the Year for 2026 (Photo Star of India)

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Arkansas

Arkansas baseball has pitchers that need work against ‘more potent’ Arkansas State lineup | Whole Hog Sports

Published

18 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas baseball has pitchers that need work against ‘more potent’ Arkansas State lineup | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas

Where Alabama Basketball Ranks in Polls After Beating Arkansas, LSU

Published

1 day ago

February 23, 2026

Press Room

Where Alabama Basketball Ranks in Polls After Beating Arkansas, LSU

After 15 weeks into the regular season, Alabama men’s basketball entered its matchups against then-No. 20 Arkansas and LSU as the No. 25 team in the AP Top 25, but was outside of the Coaches Poll for the third straight week.

The Crimson Tide came into this past week winning its previous four contests, and Alabama continued the streak with a 117-115 home win over the Razorbacks in double overtime on Feb. 18 and an 90-83 road victory over the Tigers on Feb. 21.

These wins helped Alabama move up to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 and No. 18 in the Coaches Poll on Monday.

Against Arkansas, Alabama’s 117 points became the second-most scored in school history following career-high scoring performances by guard Labaron Philon Jr. (35 points) and Aiden Sherrell (26). In addition to the scoring total, Alabama had a couple more season bests: 76 percent from the field in the second half, 40 made field goals and 58 points in the paint.

Against LSU, Aden Holloway led the way with 17 points and put up what head coach Nate Oats called the guard’s best game “on the defensive end all year.” Amari Allen and London Jemison were also big down the stretch as they finished the game with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Aiden Sherrell had 12 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.

Alabama aims to further the winning streak at home against Mississippi State on Feb. 25 and on the road against No. 22 Tennessee on Feb. 28.

AP Top 25

(Ranking, Team, First-Place Votes, Record, Points)

Duke (56), 25-2, 1520
Arizona (5), 25-2, 1439
Michigan, 25-2, 1433
Iowa State, 23-4, 1272
Houston, 23-4, 1251
UConn, 25-3, 1211
Florida, 21-6, 1112
Purdue, 22-5, 1062
Gonzaga, 27-2, 1039
Illinois, 22-6, 895
Virginia, 24-3, 884
Nebraska, 23-4, 858
Michigan State, 22-5, 856
Kansas, 20-7, 774
St. John’s 22-5, 763
Texas Tech, 20-7, 592
Alabama, 20-7, 402
North Carolina, 21-6, 388
BYU, 20-7, 361
Arkansas, 20-7, 356
Miami-Ohio, 27-0, 335
Tennessee, 20-7, 288
Saint Louis, 25-2, 242
Louisville, 20-7, 186
Vanderbilt, 21-6, 171

Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin 47, Saint Mary’s 30, Villanova 15, Miami 10, Utah St. 8, NC State 7, SMU 4, Texas A&M 3, Iowa 3, UCF 3, High Point 2, Stephen F Austin 2, Navy 1.

Coaches Poll

(Ranking, Team, First-Place Votes, Record, Points)

Duke (27), 25-2, 771
Arizona (4), 25-2, 733
Michigan, 25-2, 723
Houston, 23-4, 647
Iowa State, 23-4, 629
UConn, 25-3, 604
Florida, 21-6, 547
Purdue, 22-5, 538
Gonzaga, 27-2, 532
Nebraska, 23-4, 463
Illinois, 22-6, 453
Virginia, 24-3, 449
Michigan State, 22-5, 404
Kansas, 20-7, 373
St. John’s, 22-5, 359
Texas Tech, 20-7, 332
Arkansas, 20-7, 235
Alabama, 20-7, 192
North Carolina, 21-6, 166
Louisville, 20-7, 154
Vanderbilt, 21-6, 144
Tennessee, 20-7, 141
BYU, 20-7, 137
Saint Louis, 25-2, 131
Miami-Ohio, 27-0, 116

Schools Dropped Out: No. 24 Clemson; No. 25 Wisconsin.

Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin 35; Villanova 25; Georgia 18; Utah State 7; Iowa 6; Saint Mary’s 5; Miami (FL) 5; Clemson 1.

Alabama Basketball’s 2025-26 Season in the Polls

Preseason: No. 15 in AP Poll, No. 16 in Coaches Poll
After Week 1 (North Dakota win, St. John’s win): No. 8 in AP Poll, No. 9 in Coaches Poll
After Week 2 (Purdue loss): No. 11 in AP Poll, No. 11 in Coaches Poll
After Week 3 (Illinois win): No. 8 in AP Poll, No. 9 in Coaches Poll
After Week 4 (Gonzaga loss, UNLV win, Maryland win): No. 12 in AP Poll, No. 12 in Coaches Poll
After Week 5 (Clemson win, UTSA win): No. 12 in AP Poll, No. 12 in Coaches Poll
After Week 6 (Arizona loss): No. 16 in AP Poll, No. 16 in Coaches Poll
After Week 7 (USF win, Kennesaw State win): No. 14 in AP Poll, No. 15 in Coaches Poll
After Week 8 (Holiday break): No. 15 in Coaches Poll (AP Top 25 not released during break)
After Week 9 (Yale win, Kentucky win): No. 13 in AP Poll, No. 12 in Coaches Poll
After Week 10 (Vanderbilt loss, Texas loss): No. 18 in AP Poll, No. 18 in Coaches Poll
After Week 11 (Mississippi State win, Oklahoma win): No. 17 in AP Poll, No. 17 in Coaches Poll
After Week 12 (Tennessee loss): No. 23 in AP Poll, No. 23 in Coaches Poll
After Week 13 (Missouri win, Florida loss): Not ranked in AP Poll, Not ranked in Coaches Poll
After Week 14 (Texas A&M win, Auburn win): Not ranked in AP Poll, Not ranked in Coaches Poll
After Week 15 (Ole Miss win, South Carolina win): No. 25 in AP Poll, Not ranked in Coaches Poll
After Week 16 (Arkansas win, LSU win): No. 17 in AP Poll, No. 18 in Coaches Poll