Arkansas
Arkansas plan to implement SNAP junk food restrictions ‘not feasible,’ lawmaker says
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas’ prohibition on the use of SNAP benefits for unhealthy food items like soda and candy takes effect next year, and state lawmakers and retailers are questioning how it can realistically be implemented.
At an Arkansas Legislative Council meeting Tuesday, State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, (R) District 18, expressed concerns about the lack of clarity from the state on what food items are banned.
“I have started getting concerns from retailers on how we’re going to implement the nutrition side of the program,” Dismang said.
There’s not a clear list of SNAP-prohibited junk food products Arkansas has named in its new ban, which only says that “soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice, unhealthy drinks, and candy” are now ineligible for SNAP.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services has planned to put the burden of defining what is or isn’t eligible on retailers rather than creating its own list.
The plan was for retailers to refer to GS1 U.S. food product classifications as a guide, but very few retailers actually use that. The state has two other options.
“If they choose to use a third party to help take that GS1 framework and apply it to their own individual product array that they sell, that’s an option as well… the third option is take the broad definitions that we are providing through the GS1 framework and apply it in good faith to their own product array,” said Mary Franklin, director of the DHS Division of County Operations, at Tuesday’s ALC Peer meeting.
“Your three options are not workable options for retailers. That may be the easiest thing for DHS to do, but it is not feasible for every grocer or retailer in the state to maintain their own list,” Dismang responded, “we’re going to be asking our retailers to make those judgment calls at their own peril if they do it incorrectly.”
The senator expressed concern that it may discourage retailers from participating in SNAP, potentially costing recipients their access to benefits, particularly in rural areas.
“What I’m scared you’re going to do is create a scenario where entities, probably in areas that they need it the most, are not going to be able to offer SNAP because of the risk associated with not appropriately categorizing an item,” Dismang said.
“We want to make sure that the rules don’t unintentionally reduce access across communities that already face barriers,” Claire Tiffin, director of community engagement with the Arkansas Food Bank, told KATV.
Dismang has asked that DHS establish its own list of SNAP-ineligible food items that retailers can rely on.
The No. 36 Arkansas men’s tennis team had a pair of matches in Austin on Sunday to close out a Texas road trip and the Hogs went 1-1 in the outings.
The Razorbacks (15-10, 3-8) started the day with a 4-0 loss to No. 3 Texas (18-6, 9-2). The Longhorns’ Kalin Ivanovski and Abel Forger defeated No. 64 Connor Smillie and Jakub Vrba 6-3 to start doubles. No. 23 Sebastian Gorzny and Lucas Marionneau then took down Brendan Boland and Dmitry Kopilevich 6-1, and Texas claimed the doubles point.
In singles, No. 90 Abel Forger quickly won over Arsène Pogault on court four at 6-1, 6-1. Oliver Ojakaar made it 3-0 Texas with a 6-4, 6-1 takedown of Gabriel Elicha Navas, and Lucas Marionneau sealed the sweep for the home team with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Brendan Boland.
Against the University of Incarnate Word (10-3, 2-0) later in the day, two of Arkansas’ doubles pairings won: Vrba and Smillie 7-5 over Santiago Flyckt and Marcel Moralles and Boland and Kopilevich 6-3 over Alexandre Chauvel and Alejandro Hernandez. Lukas Palovic and Eric Padgham were also up 6-5 over Augustin Salazar and Emilio Vila.
The Hogs continued to dominate in singles as No. 18 Vrba defeated Vila 6-4, 6-3, Kopilevich won 6-1, 6-1 over Salazar and Smillie took down Christian Cuellar 6-0, 6-4 for a 4-0 clean sweep to close out the day.
The Razorbacks return to action at home on Thursday, April 2 with an SEC matchup against Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m.
For the latest information on all things Arkansas Men’s Tennis, follow the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Men’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackMTennis).
We’ve got clouds to start out this Sunday with temperatures on the cool side. Once clouds exit, which should be later this afternoon, temperatures will warm into the 70s.
We’ll be back into the 80s both tomorrow and Tuesday. Dry conditions will continue through the next couple of days with a high wildfire danger persisting statewide.
Rain chances return midweek, with Wednesday through Friday bringing what could be a meaningful rainfall. Rainfall amounts are still uncertain, but we’re getting closer to pinpointing that. Stay tuned for updates!
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — After a hotly contested race, Renegade emerged as the winner of the 2026 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on Saturday.
The horse is owned by Robert & Lawana L. Low and Repole Stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Renegade entered the race with 3/2 odds to win.
Silent Tactic finished in second place and Taptastic took home third.
In addition to his share of the $1.5 million purse, Renegade also earned points toward the Kentucky Derby.
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