Arkansas
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.
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.
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