Arkansas
Audit of Arkansas governor's security, travel records from State Police says no laws broken
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Auditors reviewing travel and security records that were restricted from public release under a measure Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed last year did not find any violations of law in how money was spent, according to a report released to lawmakers on Friday.
The review of about $4 million spent by State Police on security and travel for the governor was the second part of an audit lawmakers requested last year that had initially focused on a $19,000 lectern purchased for Sanders’ office that had drawn widespread scrutiny.
Auditors earlier this year said that purchase potentially violated state laws on purchasing and state records, though a local prosecutor declined to pursue criminal charges.
Friday’s audit reviewed expenses related to the governor’s protection between June 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2023. The reviewed covered roughly the first year of Sanders’ administration and the last six months of her predecessor, former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Sanders last year signed into law a measure that shielded much of the information about her security and travel from public view, after initially proposing more far-reaching changes to the state’s open records law. Under the new law, State Police is required to submit quarterly reports on its expenses protecting the governor — though those reports don’t detail costs of individual trips.
The audit said the first two quarterly reports had understated expenses by $58,973 because it used outdated hourly cost rates for its airplane and helicopter. State Police has since updated how those are calculated, the report said.
“So the bottom line is there wasn’t anything wrong with this?” Republican Sen Kim Hammer asked, aside from the expenses initially being understated.
“Yes, sir, that’s it,” Field Audit Supervisor David Gasaway responded.
Sanders’ office did not comment on the audit’s findings, and State Police said it would defend any governor and their family in accordance with state law.
“We constantly reevaluate and update our methods and procedures based on numerous factors, including the number of protectees and threat level that vary with each administration and from day to day,” Col. Mike Hagar, the director of state police and public safety secretary, said in a statement.
The travel and security report was released with much less fanfare than the audit surrounding the lectern, which had drawn national attention from late night host Jimmy Kimmel to the New York Times. Only a couple of members of the panel asked questions after a brief presentation of the report.
The lectern for Sanders, who served as former President Donald Trump’s press secretary, was initially purchased with a state credit card. The Republican Party of Arkansas later reimbursed the state for the purchase, and Sanders’ office has called the use of a state credit card for the lectern an accounting error.
Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who had requested the audits, said he believed the review was necessary to address concerns about the changes to the open-records law.
“I believe that legislative audit committee, in approving that request, it was something they needed to do to provide that transparency and that oversight to the citizens out there,” Hickey said.
Arkansas
Where to watch Houston vs. Arkansas today: College basketball free stream
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The No. 8 Houston Cougars face the No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET. Both teams have won their past four games, including ranked wins for the Razorbacks over Louisville and Texas Tech.
Houston vs. Arkansas will air on CBS, and streams live on DIRECTV (free trial).
What: Men’s college. basketball regular season
Who: No. 8 Houston Cougars vs. No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), fuboTV (free trial)
Here’s a recent college basketball story via the Associated Press:
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Trevon Brazile scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field to lead No. 14 Arkansas to a 108-80 victory over Queens on Tuesday night.
Arkansas (9-2) was never in trouble, taking a 24-point lead into halftime behind 60% shooting from the floor. Brazile had 18 points in the opening 20 minutes. Darius Acuff Jr., who finished with 23 points and 10 assists, scored 16 in the first half.
Brazile went 5 for 7 from 3-point range and Arkansas was 14 of 28 compared to 6 for 25 for the Royals (5-7). The Razorbacks also outscored Queens 32-14 on fast-break points.
Atlantic Sun preseason player of the year Chris Ashby entered averaging 13 points per game but was limited to just two on 1-of-9 shooting, including 0 for 7 from 3-point distance. The Royals were led by Nasir Mann, who had 16 points.
Four other Arkansas players joined Brazile and Acuff in double figures. Billy Richmond III scored 15 points off the bench, Nick Pringle added 14, Karter Knox had 11 and D.J. Wagner provided 10.
The win was Arkansas’ fourth in a row since losing to then-No. 4 Duke on Thanksgiving.
Up next
Queens faces another Southeastern Conference opponent Monday when it visits Auburn.
Arkansas plays No. 8 Houston on Saturday in New Jersey.
Can I bet on the game?
Yes, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve compiled some of the best introductory offers to help navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and more.
Arkansas
23 state senators back University of Arkansas’ inquiry | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson covers higher education across the state. He joined the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in August 2022 after covering education — and other topics — for a decade at four newspapers in three states. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ryan attended DePaul University in Chicago and now resides in Fayetteville.
Arkansas
Arkansas runaway youth numbers rising, what does that mean? | Make It Make Sense
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This week, host Alex Kienlen sat down with reporter and KARK News Anchor Mattison Gafner to discuss her report on the surge of runaway youth in Arkansas.
Topics included not just the numbers but also causes, consequences, and what can be done.
If you, or someone you know, is dealing with running away, or considering it, help is available through the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
Make It Make Sense is a KARKFOX16+ exclusive show that airs weekly at 7 p.m. Monday on the free app. For more information on how to get the free app, head to KARK.com/Streaming.
Questions? Considerations? Reach out at MakeItMakeSense@Nexstar.TV.
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