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ExxonMobil exec: Arkansas poised to be 'center' of lithium industry in North America – Talk Business & Politics

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ExxonMobil exec: Arkansas poised to be 'center' of lithium industry in North America – Talk Business & Politics


Arkansas can become the center of the lithium industry in North America, but success will require predictable and efficient regulations, fiscal competitiveness and certainty, and infrastructure, said Patrick Howarth, lithium global business manager for ExxonMobil.

“I believe that if we can do this together, we can achieve great things,” Howarth said at the inaugural Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit in Little Rock Thursday (Feb. 15). “We have the opportunity to start a new foundational industry in Arkansas, and with that [comes] significant capital investment. That leads to economic development, which means jobs and opportunities, and really, and I think why many of you are here, it’s about additional revenue – individuals, businesses, and the states.”

Howarth was one of a number of speakers on the first day of the two-day summit, which brought to Little Rock nearly 700 energy sector executives, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the growing lithium extraction industry in south Arkansas.

Howarth said in the last 12 months, ExxonMobil has built a leading acreage position in south Arkansas, started the state’s largest lithium drilling campaign, conducted engineering design work on multiple projects, and showcased its Arkansas projects to global customers. He said the state “could be the center of the industry here in North America.”

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ExxonMobil aims to produce enough lithium to supply the manufacturing needs of one million electric vehicles per year by 2030, he said.

Howarth announced at the Summit that his company was creating the ExxonMobil Charitable Endowment for Southwest Arkansas. A $100,000 endowment will support education, quality-of-life and public safety initiatives in Lafayette and Columbia counties.

The excitement stems from Arkansas’ strategic position atop the Smackover Formation, a collection of saltwater brine 8,000 feet below the earth’s surface that stretches from Texas to Alabama. The formation contains rich deposits of lithium, the key component in batteries that power electric cars. Arkansas is the only one of those states that has a developed bromine industry, meaning an infrastructure is already in place to birth the new industry.

New direct lithium extraction technologies will enable the lithium to be extracted easily, more cheaply and in a more environmentally responsible way than traditional methods.

In her opening remarks, Gov. Sarah Sanders noted that while the industry is new and has many challenges, the state is already ahead of the curve thanks to its existing regulatory framework. She said the state is taking an “all-of-government approach on lithium.”

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“Who knew that our quiet brine and bromine industry had the potential to change the world?” she said. “There are plenty of reasons for us to be bullish on Arkansas lithium. Frankly, we can do it cleaner here than it’s produced anywhere else in the world. No strip mining or huge evaporation ponds. Just wells that extract brine straight out of the ground. We can ensure America has a supply of this critical material, almost all of which currently comes from overseas, in large part from our number one adversary – communist China.”

Also speaking at the event were leaders of other companies with a growing presence in south Arkansas. Those included Robert Mintak, CEO of Standard Lithium; TETRA CEO Brady Murphy; and Wesley Hamilton, Albemarle’s chief technology officer for specialities. That bromine and lithium producer employs 675 in Magnolia, making it the largest private employer in Columbia County. In November 2020, it announced a multiyear investment of more than $500 million.

Standard Lithium’s Mintak said that when his company came to Arkansas in 2017 to look at the formation, no one was mentioning Arkansas as a potential major lithium source.

But Arkansas has turned out to be an ideal spot to develop the resource. He said the state is sitting on one of the most prolific lithium brine resources in the world, with the highest lithium concentrations in North America. Unlike other places with lithium deposits, Arkansas has an infrastructure in place. It has a regulatory environment favorable to development, available skilled labor, and enthusiastic support from Arkansas because the industry is established here.

“Comparing it to other projects in North America – I’m not trying to throw shade on anyone – there’s no reason anyone would go anywhere but Arkansas,” he said.

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Among the other presenters was Andrew Miller, chief operating officer of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a consulting firm. He said the state has the opportunity not only to take a leading role in lithium extraction but also to establish positions elsewhere in the supply chain.

Miller said that in electric vehicles, the battery pack is the biggest cost, and the battery cell is the biggest part of that. But economies of scale are being achieved. The cost of producing batteries has fallen enough that raw materials are the cost driver.

To meet future needs, more projects are needed, but raw materials markets move more slowly than the electric vehicle market. It takes years if not decades to bring assets to production.

“Raw materials are now very much at the center of not just geopolitics, but they will guide the competitiveness of the automotive sector of the future,” he said.

Also speaking was Bob Galyen of Galyen Energy, another consultant. Galyen said he spent eight years in China helping build the world’s largest battery manufacturer. He said China is in a leadership position with electric vehicle technology because of government support, the private equity investment that followed that support, technologies, good quality machines, and trained and educated workers.

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He said energy densities are improving while prices are falling. Meanwhile, battery manufacturers are becoming huge companies.

Galyen said manufacturers should locate close to the site of the materials to reduce the high cost of shipping and transportation. Moreover, Arkansas also would be a good place for a recycling facility.



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Arkansas

11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


Arrests

Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Scott Minor, 45, of Elm Street in Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested Friday on suspicion of computer child pornography and sexually grooming a child. Minor was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,000 bond set.

Bentonville

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Damond Drake, 52, of West Highland Drive in Rogers was arrested Saturday on suspicion of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine. Drake was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Fayetteville

Cornelius Anderson, 33, of Dawn Street in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. Anderson remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Eduard Korshakov, 37, of Prairie Dunes Trail in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree domestic battery and interference with emergency communications. Korshakov remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Efrain Quiroz, 29, of North Shamblin Avenue in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree battery and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Quiroz remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

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Leo Ward, 21, of West Tanner Drive in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of aggravated residential burglary and stalking. Ward was released from the Washington County Detention Center Monday on $25,000 bond.

Rogers

John Jenkins, 21, of Arkansas 351 in Jonesboro was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit/debit card. Jenkins was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Springdale

Ashlyn Neal, 19, of Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, second-degree battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operations. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

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Jose Neal, 37, of South Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree domestic battery, third-degree domestic battery, interference with emergency communications and resisting arrest. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Skyler Shane, 31, of Highway 62 in Westville, Ok., was arrested Sunday on suspicion of Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, carrying a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. Shane was released from the Washington County Detention Center Sunday on $3,500 bond.

University of Arkansas Police Department

Celso Adame-Gallegos, 19 of Jade Street in Springdale was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. Adame-Gallegos was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

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Erika Kirk to Join Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Announcement at Arkansas State Capitol

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Erika Kirk to Join Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Announcement at Arkansas State Capitol


Arkansas leaders are set to take the stage at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon for an announcement already drawing statewide attention.

At 1 p.m., Sarah Huckabee Sanders will appear alongside Erika Kirk, the chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA, at the Arkansas State Capitol.

While officials with the governor’s office have not yet released details about the announcement, the joint appearance is expected to draw significant attention from political leaders and supporters across the state.

The moment also brings renewed focus to the legacy of Erika Kirk’s late husband, Charlie Kirk, a nationally recognized conservative activist who built one of the country’s largest student political organizations aimed at mobilizing young voters on college campuses.

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In 2025, Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Authorities say the gunfire erupted during a gathering connected to student political programming, sending attendees scrambling for safety.

Kirk was rushed from the scene but later died from his injuries, sparking shock and an outpouring of reaction from political leaders, students, and supporters across the country.

In the weeks that followed, memorials and tributes appeared nationwide. In Arkansas, supporters and lawmakers honored Kirk’s life and work with a memorial exhibit displayed inside the Arkansas State Capitol, recognizing the influence he had on conservative youth activism and campus politics.

Following his death, Erika Kirk stepped into a leadership role at Turning Point USA, pledging to continue the organization’s mission and expand its outreach to students across the nation.

On Wednesday, Kirk will again be at the Arkansas State Capitol, this time standing beside Governor Sanders for a joint announcement, as leaders gather and the state waits to learn what the two will unveil.

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Stetson shuts down Arkansas baseball, wins 4-1 in third game of series | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Stetson shuts down Arkansas baseball, wins 4-1 in third game of series | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


FAYETTEVILLE — The ninth-ranked Arkansas baseball offense was tamed Sunday by Stetson junior right-hander Trace Hartman. 

Hartman allowed a run in the first inning but held down the Razorbacks for the rest of his 6 2/3-inning start, and the Hatters won 4-1 at Baum-Walker Stadium. Arkansas (12-4) had a five-game winning streak snapped. 

The Razorbacks had chances against Hartman. They put the leadoff batter on base against him in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings, but they could not come through with the big hit. Arkansas finished the game 1 for 16 with runners on base and 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

“Hartman just kept finding a way,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’d get behind in the count and he’d come back — 3-2, 3-1 and he’d get you out. He just pitched. Give credit to him. He did a good job.” 

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Stetson (6-10) snapped its three-game losing streak and gave itself a chance to split the series with a win in Monday’s series finale. First pitch is scheduled for noon. 

Hartman, a former NCAA Division II standout at University of Charleston (W. Va.) who entered the game with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, scattered 5 hits and 4 walks, and struck out 3 during his 101-pitch outing. 

“I was getting the fastball across the plate,” Hartman said, “really just challenging the hitters and making them get themselves out.” 

MORE FROM WHOLEHOGSPORTS: Notes, observations from 4-1 loss to Stetson

Stetson homered twice against Arkansas starting pitcher Colin Fisher in the fourth inning to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Left fielder Foster Apple led off the inning with a home run to left field to tie the game 1-1. 

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After a throwing error by Arkansas shortstop Carson Brumbaugh and a 1-out double by Stetson shortstop Landon Russell, right fielder Jayden Hylton hit a 3-run homer to left to give the Hatters the lead for good. 

    Stetson players celebrate with right fielder Jayden Hylton (17) after he hit a home run during a game against Arkansas on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
 
 

It was the third home run of the season for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Hylton, who Stetson coach Steve Trimper said before the series was likely the team’s best pro prospect. 

“When Jayden gets hot he can be really good,” Trimper said. “He’s had kind of a roller coaster start to this [season]. He’s one of our better players and he just hung a breaking ball to him on that. 

“Foster, he just hit a good pitch. That was a ball that the pitcher was doing a great job and he just got his hands inside the ball and was able to turn on it enough to where the wind — the only place the wind was out today, I think, was kind of down that left-field line.” 

Three of the runs were earned against Fisher, who had not allowed an earned run in 22 innings prior to the fourth. It was the second-longest stretch without an earned run during Van Horn’s 24-year tenure. Barrett Astin threw 22 2/3 innings without an earned run to begin the 2012 season during the dead-bat era. 

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Van Horn said Fisher was not as sharp as his recent outings. He gave up leadoff singles to Juan De La Cruz in the first inning and Paul Napolitano in the third, but he worked out of the jams. 

Fisher struck out Yohann Dessureault with three consecutive curveballs in the first inning, and Renzo Gonzalez hit into an inning-ending double play in the third. 

“You could kind of tell early that he was either going to have to get better [and] he was going to have to recover,” Van Horn said. “We were hoping after maybe the second inning he would like make a jump and start pitching better, but it really just kind of stayed the same.” 

Fisher allowed 4 runs (3 earned) and 6 hits and struck out 4 during his 4-inning, 69-pitch start. 

The Razorbacks plated a run quickly against Hartman in the first inning when Damian Ruiz led off with a double and scored on Camden Kozeal’s 1-out double. 

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But there was little pressure on Hartman from that time until he left the game with runners on the corners in the seventh. Right-hander Andrew Lepine replaced Hartman and got Ruiz to ground into a force play at second base to end the seventh. 

  photo  Arkansas second baseman Camden Kozeal (8) flips to shortstop Carson Brumbaugh to start a double play during a game against Stetson on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
 
 

Kozeal said the Razorbacks should have been more aggressive offensively. 

“Maybe guys [were] taking it off a little bit 1 through 9,” Kozeal said. “We’ve got to have an aggressive lineup 1 through 9, trying to hit the ball hard.” 

Lepine worked around a leadoff walk by Ryder Helfrick in the eighth and a 2-out walk by Carter Rutenbar in the ninth. His 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work Sunday followed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Razorbacks on Friday. 

Trimper called Lepine “a really tricky guy” and a true submariner. 

“We got our little sinker baller, sidearmer to come in and get ground balls,” Trimper said. 

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Stetson out-hit Arkansas 7-5. De La Cruz and Russell both had 2 hits for the Hatters, and Ruiz and Maika Niu both had 2 hits for the Razorbacks. 

Cole Gibler did not allow a hit and worked around 2 walks and Brumbaugh’s second throwing error in 3 scoreless innings. Ethan McElvain pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

Box Score

Stetson 4, Arkansas 1.pdf

Highlights

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