Arkansas
Arkansas Supreme Court rejects challenge to ballot measure that would revoke casino license
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday rejected part of a lawsuit challenging a measure on the ballot that would revoke the license issued for a planned casino.
Justices unanimously rejected the lawsuit’s claims that the measure should be disqualified for violating several laws regarding signature gathering. The court has yet to rule on a second part of the lawsuit challenging the wording of the ballot measure.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which had been awarded the license to build the casino in Pope County earlier this year, sued along with an affiliated group, the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee.
A special master appointed by the court to review evidence disagreed with the lawsuit’s claim that Local Voters in Charge, the group behind the measure, did not submit required paperwork about its paid canvassers. The special master also rejected the lawsuit’s claim that the group violated a ban on paying canvassers per signature.
Local Voters in Charge said it was grateful for the ruling.
“Issue 2’s message of local voter control — that communities should have the final say on a casino in their own hometown — is resonating across the state,” Hans Stiritz, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement. “We look forward to the court’s final decision on the ballot language challenge, with hope that the vote of the people will be counted on Issue 2 in November.”
Ads regarding the casino measure have been blanketing Arkansas’ airwaves. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has donated $5.6 million to Local Voters In Charge. Cherokee Nation Businesses has donated $2.8 million to Investing in Arkansas, the group campaigning against the measure.
The proposed amendment would revoke the license granted for a Pope County casino that has been hung up by legal challenges for the past several years. Pope County was one of four sites where casinos were allowed to be built under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2018. Casinos have already been set up in the other three locations.
“While disappointing, we still await the Court’s decision on the ballot title challenge,” Allison Burum, spokesperson for the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, said in a statement. “Issue 2 is misleading, and its sole purpose is to undo the will of Arkansas voters by eliminating the fourth casino license they approved in 2018.”
Arkansas
Questions for Hester on prison, kowtowing to Sarah | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
John Brummett
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
Arkansas
Ole Miss basketball vs Arkansas live updates, score, start time, TV channel
Ole Miss basketball continues conference play with its SEC home-opener against No. 15 Arkansas and coach John Calipari.
The Rebels (8-6, 0-1 SEC) will host the Razorbacks (11-3, 1-0) at Sandy and John Black Pavilion on Jan. 7 (8 p.m. CT, SEC Network). This will be the second time this season Ole Miss faces a ranked team.
Ole Miss coach Chris Beard’s squad will be challenged with shutting down the Razorbacks, who have the best 3-point percentage in the SEC at 39.1%.
Ole Miss basketball vs. Arkansas live score updates
When does Ole Miss basketball vs. Arkansas start?
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 7
- Time: 8 p.m. CT
- Where: Sandy and John Black Pavilion, Oxford
What TV channel is Ole Miss vs. Arkansas on today?
- TV: SEC Network
- Streaming: SEC Network
- How to watch online: FUBO (Free trial)
Ole Miss vs. Arkansas prediction
Arkansas 88, Ole Miss 71: Arkansas is a talented team with a balanced offense that should have few problems overcoming Ole Miss, despite the Rebels being second in the SEC in scoring defense.
Ole Miss basketball 2025-26 schedule
Next five games
- Jan. 10: Missouri (5 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
- Jan. 14: at Georgia (6 p.m. CT, ESPN2/ESPNU)
- Jan. 17: at Mississippi State (7:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network)
- Jan. 20: Auburn (8 p.m. CT, ESPN/ESPNU)
- Jan. 24: at Kentucky (11 a.m. CT, ESPN)
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
Arkansas
Law enforcement searching for missing Arkansas man in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Law enforcement officials are searching for a missing Arkansas man on the east side of Franklin County, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel Harold Wenger, 26, was with his friends in Bay County, and they reported him missing on Sunday to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. He was added to the missing persons database on Monday, according to FCSO.
Wenger’s truck was found abandoned on Tuesday in Franklin County at Leonard’s Landing, and authorities also located his discarded jacket.
Law enforcement is searching the wooded areas near his car across from Leonard’s Landing and Bay North.
Those with information about Wnger’s whereabouts are encouraged to call FCSO at 850-670-8500.
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