Arkansas
Arkansas Governor Sanders pushes to eliminate grocery tax
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) -Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders reiterated in a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 21 that she wants to eliminate the grocery tax in Arkansas.
“We’re going to eliminate Arkansas’s most regressive tax, the grocery tax, and ease the burden of families trying to put food on their tables,” Sanders said.
The tax currently sits at an eighth of a cent, one of the lowest among states that still have a grocery tax. With the high cost of groceries, Jonesboro resident Jo Boyd believes eliminating this tax could make a difference.
“I mean we have to have groceries and they do cost more than they ever have ever. I don’t know how people make ends meet so alleviating some of that burden would be great,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she thinks it is a great idea even if it’s a small amount of help.
“The tax isn’t that much but you know every little bit helps, especially when you live on Social Security,” Boyd said. “A lot of folks live in Social Security without having any retirement or anything else.”
“We will have a productive session, helping families in Arkansas living the very best lives,” Sanders said. “We want to make sure that every single person growing up here can call this the best place possible to live, to work, and to raise their family.”
If the state of Arkansas were to eliminate the grocery tax, it would equal a small pay raise for everyone in Arkansas.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2025 KAIT. All rights reserved.
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
IDEMIA Public Security North America and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles have launched Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet, allowing residents to securely store and use their credentials on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The new feature gives Arkansans the ability to present their identification at participating businesses and venues, at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in more than 250 airports, and online or within apps when age or identity verification is required.
The launch builds on Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to expand digital identification options. In March 2025, the state introduced the Arkansas Mobile ID app, and officials say adding IDs to Apple Wallet offers residents another secure and convenient way to access their credentials.
“We’re proud to build on our partnership with the Arkansas DFA’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles, expanding on the launch of the Arkansas Mobile ID app in March 2025. The launch of ID in Apple Wallet in the state provides Arkansas residents a new, secure way to store and present their digital credentials, with transparency and control over how their information is shared at the forefront,” said Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity.
To add an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, users can tap the plus sign at the top of the Wallet app on their iPhone, select “Driver’s License or State ID,” and follow the verification process.
Officials say privacy and security were central considerations in the rollout. Information stored in Apple Wallet is encrypted on a user’s device, and users control when and how their information is shared. When presenting an ID, only the information necessary to verify age or identity is provided.
Apple and the Arkansas Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles also do not receive information about when or where residents use their digital IDs.
The technology is also designed to make verification easier for businesses. Participating businesses can use IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify app to accept and verify mobile IDs directly from an iPhone without requiring customers to hand over their devices or use additional hardware.
The launch marks another step toward broader adoption of digital credentials in Arkansas, giving residents a secure alternative to carrying a physical driver’s license or state ID while maintaining control over their personal information.
For information on the launch of IDs in Apple Wallet in Arkansas, click here.
READ ALSO: Adam O’Neal Stepping into Chancellor Role at UA-EACC
-
Michigan2 minutes agoMichigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for June 3, 2026
-
Massachusetts9 minutes agoMass. House votes to set new rules for DiZoglio’s audit
-
Minnesota12 minutes agoMinneapolis considers closing dog park sitting on Indigenous land
-
Mississippi17 minutes agoMississippi Court of Appeals Brings ‘Court on the Road’ Prog…
-
Missouri24 minutes agoTwo airlifted after serious crash in Cole County
-
Montana27 minutes agoClark Fork River remains central to Missoula’s identity, conservation groups say
-
Nebraska32 minutes agoMiss Nebraska festivities kick off with opening ceremonies
-
Nevada39 minutes agoHillel of Northern Nevada Builds Community at the University
