Arkansas
Arkansas families suing to block Ten Commandments in public classrooms, libraries
Texas lawmaker challenges Ten Commandments bill on the ‘Sabbath’
A Texas state bill that would require public schools to post donated placards of the Ten Commandments created an “ironic” moment in debate.
Seven Arkansas families have filed a federal lawsuit to block a new law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms in the state, arguing that the law will infringe on their constitutional rights.
In the complaint, filed June 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, the families challenged an upcoming state law that requires the Ten Commandments to be “prominently” displayed in every public classroom and library. The law, which takes effect in August, was signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in April.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a multifaith group of families by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU), and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The defendants include four school districts — Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, and Siloam Springs — in northwest Arkansas.
Attorneys for the families, who are Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, or non-religious, said the law “violates longstanding U.S. Supreme Court precedent and the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.”
The attorneys are asking a federal judge to declare the state requirement unconstitutional. In addition to the complaint, the attorneys are planning to file a motion for a preliminary and permanent injunction to block the implementation of the law while the suit is pending.
“By imposing a Christian-centric translation of the Ten Commandments on our children for nearly every hour of every day of their public-school education, this law will infringe on our rights as parents and create an unwelcoming and religiously coercive school environment for our children,” Samantha Stinson, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement.
The lawsuit was publicly released by the AU on June 11 and viewed by USA TODAY. The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on June 11.
Lawsuit: Ten Commandments law interferes with religious freedom
According to the complaint, the display of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms and libraries will interfere with parents’ right to direct their children’s religious education and upbringing. The lawsuit further argues that the state requirement will create a “religiously coercive” school environment for children.
Under the state law, each classroom and library will be required to post the Ten Commandments “in a conspicuous place,” the lawsuit states. The display of the text must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and be printed in a “typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the room,” according to the complaint.
The law also mandates that schools and libraries display a specific version of the Ten Commandments, which the suit states is associated with Protestant faiths and conflicts with the version followed by many Jews and Catholics.
“Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library—rendering them unavoidable—unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the state’s favored religious scripture,” the complaint states.
“It also sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments … do not belong in their own school community and pressures them to refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the state’s religious preferences,” the complaint added.
Republican-led states push for religion in public classrooms
Authorities in Republican-led states across the country have been pushing to spread religious teachings into public school classrooms, including incorporating the Bible into lessons and requiring schools to post state-selected versions of the Ten Commandments.
School administrators and civil rights advocates have expressed opposition to the mandates, saying they violate students’ constitutional rights.
“Our Constitution’s guarantee of church-state separation means that families – not politicians – get to decide if, when and how public-school children engage with religion,” Rachel Laser, president and CEO of the AU, said in a statement on June 11.
“This law is part of the nationwide Christian Nationalist scheme to win favor for one set of religious views over all others and nonreligion — in a country that promises religious freedom. Not on our watch. We’re proud to defend the religious freedom of Arkansas schoolchildren and their families,” Laser continued.
The Arkansas law is similar to a Louisiana requirement that was signed in June 2024 by Gov. Jeff Landry. The Louisiana law was later blocked by a federal judge who declared it unconstitutional. The case, which is currently on appeal, is also being represented by the same counsel as the Arkansas lawsuit, attorneys said.
In November 2024, Texas officials proposed a curriculum that includes teachings from the Bible. The state legislature also recently passed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the measure, which would take effect in September.
In July 2024, Oklahoma’s top education official ordered public schools to teach the Bible, which large state school districts have largely ignored. Despite the state’s Republican-controlled legislature’s rejection of his $3 million request to fund the effort, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has insisted classrooms would all have Bibles by fall 2025.
Contributing: Murray Evans, The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When thinking in terms of stretches, some of the Razorbacks’ hardest games come at random times throughout the season.
However, there is a crucial stretch of games that takes up the whole month of October that will ultimately define how the season will be perceived.
Of course, it’s not completely fair to grade a first-year coach based on his win total in Year One no matter how good he was at his previous stop. But when it’s all said and done, Arkansas’ success under coach Ryan Silverfield will be graded upon how hard his team fights, and how disciplined they’ve become before the wins begin flowing in.
Embracing the 12th Man
When Arkansas heads to College Station for its first SEC road game of the season, it’ll be the first time since 2012 that the Razorbacks will play in front of a full capacity Kyle Field crowd.
The Aggies will be coming off a relatively tough four game stretch to being the season against Missouri State, Arizona State, Kentucky and at LSU in Tiger Stadium. Coach Mike Elko’s teams are 15-1 in September and October since his arrival in 2024 with his lone loss coming in his debut against Notre Dame.
The Razorbacks will be facing an offense loaded with weapons between Marcel Reed, Rueben Owens, Mario Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman and many others. This will be a major test for Arkansas’ rebuilt defense if they can figure out a way to slow the Aggies down.
Will Lightning Strike Twice in Fayetteville?
Arkansas fans remember Oct. 5, 2024 fondly. That was the last time the Razorbacks won a home game against a power conference opponent, which happened to be Tennessee 19-14 and it resulted in a field rush of a capacity crowd.
It was mentioned Monday that there are some similarities between this game and the last meeting between the two in 2024. One is the fact that a highly regarded former 4-star and redshirt freshman quarterback, George Macintyre, will make his first SEC road start.
But he’ll at least be tested heavily against the likes of Georgia Tech, likely preseason No. 1 Texas, and Auburn before heading to Fayetteville.
There are some questions for Josh Heupel this season after gutting his defensive coaching staff by hitting the reset button with his hiring of respected coordinator Jim Knowles. There’s enough talent on that side of the ball to possibly bail the offense out if things stall multiple possessions per game.
For an Arkansas offense under new direction from offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, this stretch will tell fans a whole lot about the Razorbacks program trajectory and complete buy-in.
One unique nugget is Silverfield is 5-1 against the current group of SEC head coaches, which includes a thrilling 50-49 victory over UCF in 2020. The Golden Knights were coached by Heupel, who was in his final year with the program before being hired by Tennessee.
Encore in Music City?
Heisman finalist Diego Pavia finally ran out of eligibility after last season, which means the Commodores have to start over but this time with 5-star quarterback signee Jared Curtis.
Arkansas has been quite successful in games played at FirstBank Stadium through the years with a 4-0 all-time record in Nashville.
Coach Clark Lea will field a solid defensive unit that features a potentially dominant group of linebackers in Nick Rinaldi and Brian Longwell.
However, it was Vanderbilt’s secondary that struggled to stop the passing game, finishing No. 118 nationally at 249 yards per game.
Cramsey’s offense is predicated on getting playmakers room to work in space and there’s certainly an opportunity to find wiggle room against a rather suspect coverage group.
This is a game the Razorbacks have to win before going into a much needed bye-week and final stretch of the regular season.
Hogs’ Tricking or Treating Against Mizzou?
On paper, this Missouri team will have its most talented roster under Eli Drinkwitz 43 former 4-star recruits and only 25 3-stars. Led by new starting quarterback Austin Simmons, he’ll be tasked with giving the Tigers’ offense more explosive with a downfield passing attack.
Between Beau Pribula and Matt Zollers, the two completed just 30 passes that surpassed 20+ yards in 2025, which ranked No. 106 nationally. The biggest of questions will be whether or not star running back Ahmad Hardy will be ready to go when the season begins or by the time Halloween comes around to carry Missouri to its first College Football Playoff bid.
Drinkwitz’s team will have a murder’s row of a schedule from Oct. 3 through the conclusion of the regular season with games against Florida, Texas A&M, at Ole Miss, at Arkansas, Texas, at Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
An interesting note is the Razorbacks are 11-5-1 all-time in games played on Halloween, but 4-1 on that same date at home.
2020: L @ A&M
2009: W vs Eastern Michigan
1998: W @ Auburn
1992: T @ Auburn
1987: W @ Rice
1981: W @ Rice
1970: W @ Texas A&M
1964: W @ Texas A&M
1953: W vs Texas A&M
1942: L @ Texas A&M
1936: W vs Texas A&M
1931: L vs TCU
1925 W vs LSU
1914: L @ Oklahoma State
1908: L @ Oklahoma
Silverfield’s team will probably be playing for their postseason lives at this point in the season, but his program can’t be graded on its win-loss record alone this fall.
There’s a possiblity that his team goes 0-4 in this stretch or sneak up and beat the likes of Tennessee, Vanderbilt or even sneak up and bring the Battle Line Rivalry trophy back to Fayetteville for the first time since 2020.
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The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Monday, June 29, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 29 drawing
10-14-41-53-59, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 29 drawing
Midday: 1-9-5
Evening: 7-2-9
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 29 drawing
Midday: 1-6-7-1
Evening: 4-9-8-3
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 29 drawing
11-12-23-27-32
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 29 drawing
04-25-26-31-36, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Monday, June 29, Republican Harrell Wilson announced his candidacy for the Arkansas State Senate District 1.
Wilson currently serves as President of the Cleveland County School Board, on the AgHeritage Board of Directors, Camp Wyldewood Board, Arkansas Forestry Association Board, AFA Education Board and UAM Foundation Board and Board of Visitors.
He is endorsed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Attorney General Tim Griffin, and Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge.
The Senate seat is being vacated by Senator Ben Gilmore.
From the Senate to the Attorney General’s Office, Gilmore’s exit opens District 1 seat
The district includes all of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot and Cleveland counties and part of Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.
Wilson also operates a family-owned hardwood sawmill and farms pine and hardwood timber.
He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
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“As your state senator, I will always fight to protect life, oppose any encroachment on the Second Amendment, and defend Arkansas family values. District 1 will continue to have a senator who will fight for limited government, less regulations on Arkansas businesses, lowering our tax burden, and solutions facing our forestry and agricultural industries. As a Christian conservative Republican, I understand and take seriously protecting our shared family values and our God-given individual liberties. Southeast Arkansas will have a senator who will continue making our community the best possible place to live, work, do business, and raise a family,” Wilson said.
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