Arkansas
East North Street Foundation Donates $1M for Arkansas Children's Hospital Expansion
David Hendrix and Doug Hendrix, co-founders and owners of the East North Street Foundation (Karen E. Segrave)
The nonprofit East North Street Foundation has donated $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock in support of the hospital’s $235.2 million expansion project, the pediatric care provider announced Tuesday.
According to a news release, the expansion will add bed capacity and transform inpatient and outpatient surgical approaches at Arkansas Children’s Hospital with the addition of an ambulatory surgery center. Additionally, the expansion will redesign clinical spaces to promote multidisciplinary care and create an inviting and accessible campus experience.
Arkansas Children’s announced their $318 million expansion project for the campuses in Little Rock and Springdale in May 2023. Donors of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raised $5.42 million for the two expansions in 2023, Arkansas Children’s announced in May.
Phase one of construction on both campuses began earlier this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
“This generous investment will have a lasting impact on the hospital’s ability to provide cutting-edge pediatric care and improve the overall well-being of our young patients and their families,” Marcy Doderer, president and CEO of Arkansas Children’s, said in the release. “Pediatric health needs are more complex than ever before, and we are committed to the highest levels of access and health care quality for the children across Arkansas and the region.”
The East North Street Foundation is co-founded and operated by David Hendrix and Doug Hendrix of Bryant, who founded Big Red Stores in 1997 and sold the franchise for $225.7 million to Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. in April 2023.
The brothers own Summerwood Partners LLC of Bryant, parent company of the convenience store chain Big Red, which ranked No. 34 among the largest private companies in Arkansas in 2024.
The release stated that the family foundation has strong ties to Arkansas and is a long-time supporter of Arkansas Children’s.
“This partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital is a profound honor for us,” David Hendrix said. “Contributing to the hospital’s expansion project is not only an investment in advanced medical care but also a commitment to building a brighter, healthier future for families across Arkansas.”
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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