Arkansas
Arkansas governor signs legislation allowing executions by nitrogen gas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation Tuesday allowing executions using nitrogen gas, making Arkansas the fifth state to adopt a method that opponents say is unconstitutional.
The measure signed into law by the Republican governor has been promoted by supporters as a way to carry out executions for the first time in eight years. Arkansas currently has 25 people on death row.
Arkansas has not had an execution since 2017, when it put four people to death before a sedative used in its lethal injection protocol expired. The attorney general’s office has said the state has been unable to purchase more lethal injection drugs because of manufacturers’ opposition to their use in executions.
“As a state we have failed to keep our promises to the friends and family of victims to execute those sentenced to death under our laws,” Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement. “That ends now. Act 302 gives the state the tools needed to carry out these sentences and deliver justice.”
Under the nitrogen hypoxia execution method, an inmate is forced to breathe the gas and deprived of the oxygen needed to stay alive. Alabama, the first state to use nitrogen gas, has carried out four executions using that method since it began last year.
Three other states — Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma — have laws allowing it but have not employed the method so far. On Friday a federal appeals court said Louisiana could carry out its first nitrogen gas execution, scheduled for Tuesday.
The number of executions in the U.S. last year remained near historic lows, and they happened in a small number of states.
“The decision to use nitrogen suffocation as an execution method is a dangerous and regressive move that puts Arkansas out of step with national trends away from the death penalty,” Megan Bailey, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties of Arkansas, said in a statement.
Opponents say the method increases suffering, citing accounts from witnesses to Alabama executions who said inmates gasped and shook during executions. State officials say those are involuntary movements associated with oxygen deprivation.
Arkansas has expanded the secrecy surrounding its execution process in recent years, enacting laws shrouding the source of lethal injection drugs and other details. Critics worry that the state is not required to disclose the type or source of nitrogen gas it would use.
The law takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which will happen in April at the earliest.
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The No. 8 Houston Cougars face the No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET. Both teams have won their past four games, including ranked wins for the Razorbacks over Louisville and Texas Tech.
Houston vs. Arkansas will air on CBS, and streams live on DIRECTV (free trial).
What: Men’s college. basketball regular season
Who: No. 8 Houston Cougars vs. No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), fuboTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent college basketball story via the Associated Press:
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Trevon Brazile scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field to lead No. 14 Arkansas to a 108-80 victory over Queens on Tuesday night.
Arkansas (9-2) was never in trouble, taking a 24-point lead into halftime behind 60% shooting from the floor. Brazile had 18 points in the opening 20 minutes. Darius Acuff Jr., who finished with 23 points and 10 assists, scored 16 in the first half.
Brazile went 5 for 7 from 3-point range and Arkansas was 14 of 28 compared to 6 for 25 for the Royals (5-7). The Razorbacks also outscored Queens 32-14 on fast-break points.
Atlantic Sun preseason player of the year Chris Ashby entered averaging 13 points per game but was limited to just two on 1-of-9 shooting, including 0 for 7 from 3-point distance. The Royals were led by Nasir Mann, who had 16 points.
Four other Arkansas players joined Brazile and Acuff in double figures. Billy Richmond III scored 15 points off the bench, Nick Pringle added 14, Karter Knox had 11 and D.J. Wagner provided 10.
The win was Arkansas’ fourth in a row since losing to then-No. 4 Duke on Thanksgiving.
Up next
Queens faces another Southeastern Conference opponent Monday when it visits Auburn.
Arkansas plays No. 8 Houston on Saturday in New Jersey.
Can I bet on the game?
Yes, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve compiled some of the best introductory offers to help navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and more.
Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson covers higher education across the state. He joined the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in August 2022 after covering education — and other topics — for a decade at four newspapers in three states. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ryan attended DePaul University in Chicago and now resides in Fayetteville.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This week, host Alex Kienlen sat down with reporter and KARK News Anchor Mattison Gafner to discuss her report on the surge of runaway youth in Arkansas.
Topics included not just the numbers but also causes, consequences, and what can be done.
If you, or someone you know, is dealing with running away, or considering it, help is available through the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
Make It Make Sense is a KARKFOX16+ exclusive show that airs weekly at 7 p.m. Monday on the free app. For more information on how to get the free app, head to KARK.com/Streaming.
Questions? Considerations? Reach out at MakeItMakeSense@Nexstar.TV.
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