Arkansas

Government transparency group sues Arkansas AG over rejection of proposed amendment – Arkansas Advocate

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Government transparency group sues Arkansas AG over rejection of proposed amendment – Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas government transparency advocates sued Attorney General Tim Griffin on Tuesday, claiming his repeated rejection of a proposed amendment to the state Constitution is a misuse of his powers.

The nonpartisan Arkansas Citizens for Transparency (ACT) has been trying since November to gain Griffin’s approval of language for two proposed ballot measures: an initiated act to alter the state Freedom of Information Act and a constitutional amendment that would create the right to government transparency and restrict the Legislature’s ability to limit it.

Griffin has until Wednesday to approve or reject the third iteration of the proposed amendment and until Thursday to approve or reject the third iteration of the proposed act.

ACT’s complaint to the Arkansas Supreme Court alleges that Griffin’s refusal to certify previous versions of the Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment was based on personal disapproval and an attempt to prevent the group from having enough time to gather signatures in support of the measures. Proposed amendments require 90,704 signatures from registered voters by July 5 to qualify for the November ballot.

“The power to initiate an amendment is specifically reserved to the people of this state,” ACT wrote in the complaint. “The Attorney General is using his statutory duty to review and approve a ballot title to prevent the people from proposing the text of the amendment they want, denying approval of a popular name and a ballot title unless the text of the proposed amendment is written as directed by him, and using the ballot title process to prevent the petitioner from collecting signatures on the petition.”

The first two amendment proposals said the state Legislature “shall not make a law that diminishes public access to government” without the approval of the people of Arkansas. The third proposal did not include this clause or a definition of the phrase “diminishes public access to government” in response to one of Griffin’s continuing concerns.

It is not the Attorney General’s right to effectively decide the fate of this measure by denying approval of a popular name and ballot title.

– Arkansas Citizens for Transparency, CV-24-40

Griffin rejected the first draft of the amendment Dec. 11, saying it lacked clarity in its use of specific terms, including “government transparency,” which he claimed had “partisan coloring” and “seems more designed to persuade than inform” potential voters.

ACT submitted a new draft, which included four potential ballot titles, on Dec. 20 with a definition of government transparency as “the government’s obligation to share information with citizens.”

Earlier this month, Griffin rejected the second draft and wrote in his opinion that a definition was not enough because the existing Arkansas Freedom of Information Act does not use the term “government transparency.”

“The Attorney General again refused to approve and certify any of the proposed popular names and ballot titles submitted by the Petitioner and failed to substitute and certify a more suitable and correct ballot title and popular name,” ACT’s complaint states. “Instead, he issued a condescending and improper opinion chastising the Petitioner for not following his previous opinion in not writing the text of the measure as he wanted it written and not as the Petitioner wanted.”

David Couch, one of the five attorneys on ACT’s seven-member drafting committee, said after the second rejection that a lawsuit was “imminent” and that Griffin’s decisions violated the people’s constitutional rights.

“I am confident in our review and analysis of ballot submissions and look forward to the Arkansas Supreme Court’s review in this case,” Griffin said in a statement through a spokesperson.

ACT lawsuit CV-24-40

Reasons for rejection

The Arkansas AG’s office had long reviewed ballot titles and popular names until the General Assembly, with support of then-Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, shifted ballot title certification responsibility to the State Board of Election Commissioners in 2019.

Early last year, Act 194 of 2023 shifted this power back to the attorney general’s office.

The attorney general may reject a ballot title and popular name if they “would be misleading or designed in such manner that a vote “FOR” the issue would be a vote against the matter or viewpoint that the voter believes himself or herself casting a vote for, or, conversely, that a vote “AGAINST” the issue would be a vote for a viewpoint that the voter is against,” according to Act 194.

This was not the case regarding ACT’s first two submissions of the proposed amendment, the complaint states.

“Because he did not find the ballot title was designed in a misleading manner, he is required to either approve and certify the ballot title submitted or to substitute and certify a ballot title,” the complaint states.

Griffin cited the “lack of the full text” of the amendment as reasons to reject both proposals. He clarified in his second rejection that this meant an “attempt to incorporate key provisions of the FOIA into the constitution by referencing the FOIA’s key terms” without specifically referencing the law or defining those terms. He also wrote that the proposed amendment did not clarify the impact it would have on state statutes.

ACT wrote in the complaint that these reasons did not merit a rejection of the ballot title and popular name.

“The Attorney General’s rejection of the ballot title and popular name demonstrates that he has either a complete lack of understanding of his role in the initiative process or he is intentionally thwarting the effort of the petitioner to get this amendment approved for the ballot so that the voters of the state can decide its merits,” the complaint states. “It is not the Attorney General’s right to effectively decide the fate of this measure by denying approval of a popular name and ballot title.”

State law allows petitioners to appeal to the Supreme Court if they believe a measure has been unfairly rejected. ACT’s complaint asks the court to “compel the Attorney General to approve or rewrite the popular name and ballot title for each measure.”

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Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Powerball, Cash 3 winning numbers for June 20, 2026

Published

37 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Saturday, June 20, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing

16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 3-6-2

Evening: 7-6-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 8-9-5-3

Evening: 8-0-6-0

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 20 drawing

01-16-20-36-39

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LOTTO numbers from June 20 drawing

02-14-18-20-23-32, Bonus: 13

Check LOTTO payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing

01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

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.

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Arkansas

Joshua Harris tackles “American Ninja Warrior” and Arkansas health problems

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Joshua Harris tackles “American Ninja Warrior” and Arkansas health problems

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Most people can barely conquer the monkey bars at a playground, but Joshua Harris is out here tackling American Ninja Warrior obstacles and using that spotlight to help Arkansans eat healthier.

Harris recently competed on American Ninja Warrior for the second time, calling it “an incredible experience” and saying it’s fun to be part of a national show while taking on the obstacles.

Away from the course, Harris runs a nonprofit called Well Fed, which operates across Arkansas and provides healthy food for people struggling with diet-related illnesses. He said the goal is to improve health outcomes by helping people access healthier options.

“Well, Arkansas has a lot of bad statistics when it comes to health, and we need to find ways to help change those health outcomes,” Harris said. He added that healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, can help people dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and that the mission fits with his own lifestyle of training, exercise and staying healthy.

Harris said his Ninja Warrior training and his nonprofit work connect in more ways than one. He described the Ninja Warrior community as full of like-minded people, and said the show embraced the story behind his work on food access in Arkansas.

He also said Well Fed runs food-as-medicine programs across Arkansas, working with health care to bring fruits and vegetables to people who need them. Harris said the aim is to make a measurable difference, including the possibility of seeing “type two diabetes reversed.”

As for what it’s like competing on TV, Harris said many viewers don’t realize the show is filmed overnight.

“When I’m doing Ninja Warrior on the TV show, a lot of people don’t realize that’s filmed at night, so it’s like three in the morning,” Harris said. He said he focuses on staying awake and locked in, with plenty of distractions from crowds and bright lights, but called the crew and community “amazing.”

Harris said his episode is coming up soon and he hopes people will watch and cheer him on.

And he’s not slowing down after that. Harris said he plans to keep training and will head to Ireland in August for the OCR (obstacle course racing) world championship, where he’ll represent Team USA.

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Arkansas

Tulsa downs Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

21 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Tulsa downs Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SPRINGDALE — Tulsa scored two runs in the first INNING and four more in the second to grab an early lead en route to a 9-1 win over Northwest Arkansas on Friday night in front of 4,076 fans at Arvest Ballpark.

The Drillers (44-23) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on Chris Newell’s two-out, RBI-single and a bases-loaded walk by Kole Myers. Tulsa snapped a two-game skid.

Naturals manager Brooks Conrad just gave credit to the Drillers for a strong effort.

“You’ve got to tip your cap to the opposing pitching staff,” Conrad said. “They threw great. We had one run in the first, then they blanked us the rest of the game. It wasn’t our lack of effort or lack of preparation. It was just one of those games where we couldn’t get anything going offensively.

“I think the bright spot was our defense. (Carson) Roccaforte continues to do well. It’s a point now that I see him night in and night out, and it’s to the point I see him every night and it’s just another good night.”

Tulsa, which took advantage of 11 walks by Naturals pitching to go with 12 hits, has already wrapped up the Texas League North Division first-half title. The half ends on Sunday.

Myers added a two-run single in the second, while Zyhir Hope chipped in a run-scoring single and Jake Gelof drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 6-1.

Myers drove in three runs, while center fielder Mike Sirotka finished with three hits, scored a run and drove in one.

Naturals starter Hunter Owens (1-3) allowed six runs on seven hits over two innings of work to absorb the loss. He struck out one and walked four.

Northwest Arkansas (29-36) got a run in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-out RBI single by shortstop Daniel Vazquez. But the Naturals had a runner thrown out at the plate when Rudy Martin Jr. tried to score from first on Colton Becker’s double.

Despite the back-to-back losses, the Drillers improved to 12-4 in June.

Drillers manager Eric Wedge declined to comment following the game.

Prior to joining the Drillers last year, he had previously spent ten seasons managing at the major league level, including seven years with the Cleveland Indians and three with the Seattle Mariners. His most successful season came in 2007, when he was named the American League Manager of the Year after finishing just one game shy of leading Cleveland to the World Series.

The same two teams continue the series on Saturday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 2:05.

Naturals 6, Drillers 5 (10 innings)

Martin singled up the middle to drive in the winning run and help Northwest Arkansas outlast Tulsa 6-5 in 10 innings in a game that started an hour late because of a rain delay on Thursday night.

Spencer Nivens started the 10th inning at second base, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Vazquez and scored on Martin’s hit.

Northwest Arkansas rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to claim the win. The Drillers scored four times in the top of the second, but the Naturals got three back in the fourth and tied the game on Colton Becker’s RBI triple.

Tulsa bounced right back with a run in the top of the seventh, but again Northwest Arkansas bounced back to tie the game in the eighth. Martin reached on an error and scored on a wild pitch.

Martin and Vazquez had two hits each. They drove in a run each. Martin scored twice.

Augusto Mendieta (2-2) picked up the win in relief. He tossed two hitless innings of relief, struck out five and walked one.

Paul Boyd

pboyd@nwaonline.com

Paul Boyd is an award-winning sportswriter who covers prep and college sports for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. He has covered sports in Arkansas for more than 30 years. Paul grew up in Northeast Arkansas and earned a journalism degree from Arkansas State University. He has been working in Northwest Arkansas since 2005.

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