Arkansas

Arkansas’ New Information Services Director Is State Veteran

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2025

Arkansas’ New Information Services Director Is State Veteran

Arkansas has named a new leader for its state Division of Information Services (DIS), making their relationship official after roughly one year.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has named Jay Harton, a veteran of state service, as the division’s director, the Department of Transformation and Shared Services announced Friday. Harton stepped in as interim director in February 2024, and previously spent nine years as DIS’ chief operating officer (COO).

“Jay’s leadership has been essential in implementing Arkansas Forward and ensuring Arkansans are safe as modern technology advances, and I look forward to his continued leadership as the head of the Division of Information Systems,” Sanders said in a statement.

Harton replaces Jonathan Askins, who served as DIS director from June 2021 to February 2024, according to LinkedIn. His title then was chief technology officer (CTO); according to state code, the director also serves as CTO.

The division is part of Arkansas’ Department of Transformation and Shared Services, which was created in 2019 to consolidate more than 42 state agencies into 15 departments. DIS is responsible for IT products and solutions — alongside cybersecurity — for state agencies, public schools, cities, counties and public safety organizations. Arkansas Forward, which the governor referenced, is the state’s plan to improve IT administration across the state, improve customer experience, reduce cyber risk, and trim up to $130 million in annual costs.

“I am honored to assume the role of director for DIS,” Harton said in a statement. “I am grateful to Gov. Sanders for this opportunity to continue serving the great state of Arkansas alongside the dedicated professionals at DIS.”

As COO, Harton managed the division’s daily operations and strategic initiatives. As division director of Enterprise Solutions starting in April 2013, he oversaw strategic technology, improvements and operational enhancements; as a manager, he oversaw Windows systems support. He has around 29 years in Arkansas state government service.

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Arkansas

6th Annual Be a Part of the Cure Walk Supports Cancer Research in Arkansas

Published

11 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

6th Annual Be a Part of the Cure Walk Supports Cancer Research in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A major event aimed at raising awareness and funding cancer research in Arkansas is coming up this weekend.

The 6th Annual Be a Part of the Cure Walk benefits the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, helping fund cancer research, clinical trials, and long-term survival studies, with every dollar raised staying in Arkansas.

Joining us this morning are Elizabeth Birrer, co-chair of the walk, and Lesley Murphy, this year’s emcee.

Murphy, a professional travel journalist, has shared her own cancer prevention journey after undergoing a preventative double mastectomy at UAMS when genetic testing revealed she carried the BRCA2 gene. She now uses her experience to help educate and raise awareness about cancer prevention.

The walk is designed to bring the community together, survivors, families, and supporters, while highlighting the importance of research and patient care. Participants can expect a day of walking, activities, and opportunities to learn more about the institute’s ongoing work.

Online registration is available at here and closes at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1st. In-person registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2nd at War Memorial Stadium, Gate 1.

Every dollar raised during the event directly supports research and clinical studies here in Arkansas, helping to advance treatment and improve outcomes for patients across the state.

The 6th Annual Be a Part of the Cure Walk is a community effort that combines awareness, education, and support, all focused on the fight against cancer.

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Arkansas

OPINION | WALLY HALL: ASHOF remains a wonderful organization | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

23 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Wally Hall

whall@adgnewsroom.com

Wally Hall is assistant managing sports editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A graduate of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, he is a member and past president of the Football Writers Association of America, member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, past president and current executive committee and board member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and voter for the Heisman Trophy. He has been awarded Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year 10 times and has been inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and Arkansas Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.

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Arkansas

3 people killed, passenger injured in Arkansas crashes | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

3 people killed, passenger injured in Arkansas crashes | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Three people were killed and another injured in crashes on Arkansas roads from Wednesday to Friday, according to preliminary police reports.

On Wednesday, Lonnie Scott, 81, of Clinton was killed when the car he was driving struck another vehicle in Clinton, a report from Clinton police says.

Scott was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Impala west on Volunteer Parkway at 10:22 a.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2023 Dodge 5500 headed south on Quality Drive, the report says.

On Friday, Marvin Brown, 48, of McNeil was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Camden, a report from Camden police says.

Brown was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado north on Cash Road near Washington Street at 5:09 p.m. when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole, the report says. Shamika Milton, 39, of Camden, a passenger in the truck, was injured, the report says.

Around 6:50 p.m. Friday, Ricki Rich, 77, of Parkdale was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Arkansas 8 in rural Ashley County, a report from the Arkansas State Police says.

Rich was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox east near Ashley Road 34 when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree, the report says.

Rafael Escalera Montoto

[email protected]

Rafael is a crime and breaking news reporter at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Before joining the Democrat-Gazette, he wrote breaking news and feature stories at Reuters in Mexico City, where he covered a range of topics across Central and South America. He has also covered housing, education, business and other topics at The Baltimore Banner. He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY) and is from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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