Arkansas

Arkansas Republican says LGBTQ+ community is ‘of the devil’ in viral video

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2024

Arkansas Republican says LGBTQ+ community is ‘of the devil’ in viral video

A homophobic Republican politician in Arkansas not only confirmed he said the LGBTQ+ community is “of the devil” in a recent sermon posted to social media, but also embraced the comments. The video clip has since gone viral.

Jason Rapert, the man responsible for the comments, is a former state senator most recently appointed to the Arkansas State Library Board. The video was uncovered and posted to X, formerly Twitter, by Right Wing Watch.

“The LGBTQ movement in the country is of the devil,” Rapert said at the beginning of the 38-second clip, beginning his comments with an anti-trans slur.

“That’s right,” one member of the congregation said, as others murmured in agreement

“Period. Of the devil,” Rapert continued. “So you don’t need to be supporting people or voting for people that do things of the devil.”

“That’s exactly right,” an attendee said in approval.

“Amen,” said another.

“There’s no way a real Christian can do that,” Rapert said, before looking at the camera. “I don’t know if you’re live-streaming this or not. I’m telling all of you today: you cannot be a Christian and vote for people that do the devil’s work. You can’t do it.

Rather than shy away from the public spotlight on his anti-LGBTQ+ comments, Rapert embraced the controversy in a post to X Twitter.

“I am Jason Rapert and YES I endorse this message from my recent sermon,” Rapert said in a post to X Twitter on Monday.

Rapert is a former State Senator from 2011 to 2023 representing Arkansas’s 18th and later the 35th districts. He is also the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers.

Rapert was appointed to the Arkansas State Library Board by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He made headlines recently after attempting to use the board to withhold state funds for libraries suing the state in opposition to Act 372, which requires libraries to segregate LGBTQ+ books deemed offensive by some community members, the Arkansas Advocate reported at the time.

He tried but was prevented from reading an excerpt All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson at a board meeting in August. He claimed the book was pornography and inappropriate for children.

“We do not ban books on this board,” board member Shari Bales, another Sanders appointee, told Rapert during heated discussions.

“I will never vote for censorship.” board member Pamela Meredith told Rapert at another point in the meeting.

Later in the same meeting, Rapert said he had been contacted by state politicians wanting to disband the board unless they approved his proposals.

“And unless the board acts, I say, amen, destroy it and put it in the hands of somebody who knows you shouldn’t be putting pornography in front of children,” Rapert warned.

Source link

Click to comment

Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Powerball, Cash 3 winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 2-3-5

Evening: 7-2-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 0-1-9-4

Evening: 8-3-6-1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

12-16-27-34-41, Lucky Ball: 12

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

16-18-25-27-36

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Arkansas

College Basketball AP Top 25: Vanderbilt, Arkansas lead SEC’s 7 ranked squads

Published

14 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

College Basketball AP Top 25: Vanderbilt, Arkansas lead SEC’s 7 ranked squads

The Week 7 college basketball AP Top 25 came out on Monday morning. Like it did much of last season, the SEC again paces the nation in ranked teams (7). The order and composition of those respective schools, though, is a bit non-traditional.

Vanderbilt (No. 13) is the conference’s highest-ranked team. The Commodores, under head coach Mark Byington, are 10-0 following a victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday. They won the Battle 4 Atlantic during Feast Week and are the SEC’s last unbeaten squad. Arkansas (No. 14) slots right behind Vandy following an impressive 93-85 triumph over then-No. 16 Texas Tech. The Razorbacks had the second-biggest jump (+3) of any team in the AP poll, worse than only Nebraska (+8).

Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn and Florida all remain in the top 25. They were joined by Georgia, who snared the No. 25 spot. The Bulldogs (9-1) are ranked in back-to-back seasons for the second time this century (2001-02 & 2002-03) after an 84-65 drubbing of Cincinnati. You can see the full AP poll below:

No. 1 – Arizona
No. 2 – Michigan
No. 3 – Duke
No. 4 – Iowa State
No. 5 – UCONN
No. 6 – Purdue
No. 7 – Gonzaga
No. 8 – Houston
No. 9 – Michigan State
No. 10 – BYU
No. 11 – Louisville
No. 12 – North Carolina
No. 13 – Vanderbilt
No. 14 – Arkansas
No. 15 – Nebraska
No. 16 – Alabama
No. 17 – Kansas
No. 18 – Illinois
No. 19 – Texas Tech
No. 20 – Tennessee
No. 21 – Auburn
No. 22 – St. John’s
No. 23 (Tied) – Florida
No. 23 (Tied) – Virginia
No. 25 Georgia

Source link

Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Cash 3, Cash 4 winning numbers for Dec. 14, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 14 drawing

Evening: 0-8-3

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 14 drawing

Evening: 7-8-7-9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 14 drawing

08-23-32-33-34, Lucky Ball: 15

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from Dec. 14 drawing

06-11-17-18-37

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link