Arkansas

Herb Rule, a historic figure in Arkansas politics, dies at 86

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2023

Herb Rule, a historic figure in Arkansas politics, dies at 86

Herb Rule, a Little Rock lawyer who served within the Arkansas legislature and on the Little Rock Faculty Board throughout a few of their stormiest days, died Monday. He was the victor in probably the most well-known (if not probably the most well-known) legislative races in Arkansas historical past;his defeat of the legendary boss of the nation boys, Consultant Paul Van Dalsem of Perryville, within the Democratic primaries of 1966.

Van Dalsem, a Home chief throughout the Little Rock college disaster of 1957–59 who shepherded a number of the segregation payments for Governor Orval E. Faubus by committees and the Home of Representatives, made a derogatory remark at a civic membership luncheon in 1963 about conserving nosey girls in Perry County barefoot and pregnant so they’d keep out of politics and public affairs. He paid a worth for it in 1966 when he organized for Perry County, his dwelling, to be moved right into a district with Pulaski County after the US Supreme Courtroom’s one-man, one-vote selections. He ran for his seat once more with the promise to do for metropolis of us what he did for the agricultural areas of the state, which he thought would enchantment to the enterprise leaders within the county. The ladies who led the revolt in opposition to Faubus in 1959 and the individuals who opposed segregation and the closing of the town’s excessive faculties banded collectively once more because the Barefoot Ladies for Rule and elected the younger lawyer by a landslide in 1966.

Rule led a band of rejuvenated liberals within the final years of the Nineteen Sixties, usually supporting the taxes and reforms promoted by the Republican governor, Winthrop Rockefeller. Rule was the creator in 1969 of the mixed-drinks regulation, supported by Rockefeller, that allowed communities to have local-option elections to promote combined drinks at eating places, resorts and personal golf equipment. He additionally championed different reforms by constitutional amendments, together with one that might have established a particular state courtroom to see after the appointment of impartial judges and to manipulate issues of the conduct and competency of judges.

He practiced regulation on the state’s first regulation agency, identified now because the Rose Legislation Agency, for 48 years, a part of it with Hillary Rodham Clinton, the spouse of the governor and president, Invoice Clinton. When Rule made an ill-fated race for the US Home of Representatives within the Second District in 2012, after Republicans took management of nearly each county within the state within the wake of the election of a Black Democrat as president, the ex-president endorsed Rule. Regardless of an arrest for driving whereas intoxicated at Fayetteville, Rule simply carried Pulaski County in that race, however he acquired solely 40 p.c of the districtwide votes in opposition to Republican Tim Griffin and candidates of the Libertarian and Inexperienced events.

Herbert Charles Rule III was born in 1937, the center of three youngsters. He graduated from Little Rock Central Excessive Faculty in 1955, a number one participant of the state champion Central Excessive Faculty Tigers soccer workforce. He attended Yale College on a naval ROTC scholarship, served as an officer with the Marine Corps Third Division within the Far East and later with the Marine Reserves, earned a regulation diploma on the College of Arkansas Fayetteville and joined the agency of Rose, Meek, Home, Barron, Nash & Williamson—now the Rose Legislation Agency. He practiced quite a lot of regulation—utility regulation, labor, enterprise, environmental, actual property—and eventually ran for the state legislature in 1966, regardless of the agency’s unspoken coverage of staying out of energetic political observe. He didn’t run after his second time period, reportedly on the urging of the agency’s senior members. He wanted to observe regulation or play politics. He ignored the coverage once more in 2012, getting into the race for Congress on the final minute, to the shock of his companions.

The race in 1966 was a part of a resurgence of liberal reform not solely in Pulaski County however the state. The elections of 1966, 1968 and 1970 produced a large variety of liberal lawmakers in each the Senate and Home of Representatives, which helped reform politicians like Dale Bumpers and David Pryor succeed with reform agendas, though it did little for the liberal Republican Rockefeller.

As a consultant, Rule usually took the ground to protect elements of the Rockefeller program, together with taxes, alcohol gross sales and the Freedom of Data Act, which was written in his regulation agency. He later would champion reform causes like abolition of the demise penalty and marriage equality. In his 2012 marketing campaign for Congress he embraced the concept individuals of the identical intercourse must be allowed to marry and undertake youngsters, which was subsequently affirmed, in 2015, by each the US and Arkansas supreme courts. He championed assist for homeless veterans.

His political stardom, nonetheless, was his defeat of Van Dalsem, who got here nearer than anyone of his era to being the final word legislative boss. He chaired the Home committee that went after integrationists and “subversives” within the Central Excessive Faculty disaster, as soon as declaring that communists have been behind it. The 2023 claims by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are harking back to the claims then by Van Dalsem, Faubus and Legal professional Common Bruce Bennett.

Van Dalsem’s downfall started with the speech about uppity girls. Referring to the native department of the group known as the American Affiliation of College Ladies, Van Dalsem joked: “We don’t have any of those college girls in Perry County, however I’ll inform you what we do up there when certainly one of our girls begins poking round in one thing she doesn’t know something about. We get her an additional milk cow. If that don’t work, we give her a bit extra backyard to are inclined to. After which if that’s not sufficient, we get her pregnant and preserve her barefoot.” The Arkansas Gazette reported the comment and it resurfaced when he ran for one of many Home seats from Pulaski and Perry counties. George Fisher, the Gazette cartoonist, captured the humor of the occasion. His cartoon of a bonneted Van Dalsem was distinguished in Rule’s marketing campaign. After his defeat and a reapportionment that put Perry County in a distinct district, Van Dalsem made a comeback as a champion of girls’s rights and sponsored the federal Equal Rights Modification, which was blocked within the Senate.

Rule, a champion of integration and college reform, was elected to the Little Rock Faculty Board in 1978 and served two phrases, by 1984, a interval of authorized turmoil when the county’s faculties got here below federal courtroom supervision to finish racial disparities in class services and features.

In 2012, Rule ran for the U.S. Home from the Second District, submitting close to the final minute when nobody else had introduced as a result of the district had clearly change into overwhelmingly Republican with the election in 2010 of Tim Griffin. The Democratic Social gathering largely discounted his marketing campaign, given his age, 74, and the daunting prospect of getting many votes within the six counties round Pulaski. His arrest and wrangling with the Fayetteville officers who stopped him made his prospects much more forlorn.

His well being had declined in the previous couple of years, together with a leg harm that might not heal. He remained an avid tennis participant practically till the top. Choral music—practiced on the Second Presbyterian Church and generally, the Arkansas Choral Society and the Arkansas Chamber Singers—was one other ardour. He did a bit enterprise and in addition a bit farming close to Keo.

Survivors embrace his brother, Jim, and two sons, Chris and Nick, of Little Rock.

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Arkansas

Diggs '100% cleared' for big return to Arkansas lineup

Published

6 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Diggs '100% cleared' for big return to Arkansas lineup

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn gave a long-awaited update Wednesday on the status of senior outfielder Kendall Diggs, who suffered a torn labrum during the 2024 season.

Diggs, who exited a game against McNeese State in March with the injury, was hitting .357 at the time before finishing the year with a lowly .229 batting average.

It seems, after an offseason of recovery, the SEC veteran is on track for a major return for the Diamond Hogs.

“He’s 100% cleared to do everything now,” Van Horn said Wednesday. “Now, it’s all about timing at the plate. Getting that bat speed back that he’s had in the past. Seeing live pitching and just feeling confident…now it’s not about him being part of the team, because he’s going to be a big part of the team. It’s just a matter of how soon. We know what he can do when he’s full-go.”

A 6-foot-0, 210-pound lefty hitter from Olathe, Kansas, Diggs was named to the All-SEC Second Team in 2023 after slashing .299/.436/.547 with 12 home runs and a team-high 63 RBIs.

“You look at what (Kendall) has done in the past, he played 50-some games last year with major tears,” Van Horn said. “He’s swinging the bat, he’s going to hit live pitching tomorrow. When I say live pitching, not just batting practice, we’re talking live pitching. So, we’ll see how that goes. He’s a little bit behind, but he’ll get there.”

Even after his 2024 injury, many expected Diggs to be selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, and his return gave Arkansas another competitive piece in a loaded outfield full of transfer portal additions.

“He’s stronger than ever, even with the shoulder injury,” Van Horn said. “He’s had a chance to work on his lower half and he’s a full-grown man now. It’s time to go, and I think he’s excited about being out there.”

The Razorbacks will open their season Friday, Feb. 14, against Washington State at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

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Arkansas

New address, same issues: Why John Calipari's dismal start at Arkansas mirrors his fall from favor at Kentucky

Published

14 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

New address, same issues: Why John Calipari's dismal start at Arkansas mirrors his fall from favor at Kentucky

Jan 14, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari reacts after being defeated by the LSU Tigers at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Give John Calipari credit for stumbling upon a foolproof way to avoid extending his streak of early-round NCAA tournament flameouts.

You can’t get Gohlked again if you’re watching from the couch.

Arkansas is in major jeopardy of missing the NCAA tournament in Calipari’s highly anticipated debut season after an unremarkable non-league showing and a nightmare start to SEC play. The preseason No. 16 Razorbacks lost 78-74 at previously struggling LSU on Tuesday night to fall to 11-6 overall and 0-4 in the SEC.

It was concerning when then-No. 1 Tennessee outclassed Arkansas by 24 in Knoxville on the first Saturday of January. The warning signs grew more ominous when the Razorbacks followed that with back-to-back home losses against nationally ranked Ole Miss and Florida last week. Now it’s full-blown panic time in Hog Country after Arkansas went to Baton Rouge for an apparent get-right game against one of the SEC’s only non-NCAA tournament contenders and somehow lost that too.

Despite playing without its third- and fourth-leading scorers due to injury, LSU erased deficits of 12 points late in the first half and eight points a few minutes into the second half. The Tigers (12-5, 1-3) built a nine-point lead of their own with less than five minutes to go, then withstood full-court pressure and a late scoring flurry from standout Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland to close out the victory.

Calipari’s postgame news conference Tuesday night was reminiscent of many that he delivered after losses late in his Kentucky tenure. He shouldered the blame for not preparing his team well enough yet offered few specifics regarding adjustments he intended to make.

Twice, Calipari told reporters in Baton Rouge, “I’ve got to do a better job with my team.” Later, he described himself as disappointed he’s “not getting through to these guys” and claimed he “may have to drag them to the finish line in some of these close games.”

There’s still time for Arkansas to dig its way out of this midseason hole, but the Razorbacks’ road to the NCAA tournament is uphill and obstacle-laden. A neutral-court victory over Michigan is Arkansas’ lone Quadrant 1 or 2 victory this season in seven opportunities. The Razorbacks’ second-best win of the season is … Lipscomb? Troy? Maybe 4-13 ACC doormat Miami?

The historic strength of the SEC could be Arkansas’ salvation or demise. On one hand, plenty of chances for marquee victories remain in a league with nine teams in the current AP Top 25. On the other hand, per Ken Pomeroy, the Razorbacks will only be favored in five of their remaining 14 conference games. At this point, Arkansas is more likely to finish in the bottom third of the SEC than to make the NCAA tournament.

That Calipari’s former program is flourishing in his absence only highlights Arkansas’ struggles. Kentucky coach Mark Pope didn’t inherit a single returning player from Calipari, yet the roster he rebuilt on the fly via the transfer portal is 14-3 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. Fueled by its sleek, modern offense, Kentucky boasts impressive victories over Duke, Gonzaga, Louisville, Florida, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. If the season ended today, the Wildcats would be no worse than a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Deep-pocketed Arkansas boosters envisioned a similar outcome when they plunked down big money to lure Calipari from Kentucky last spring. The fresh start appeared to be a win-win for both parties with Calipari in need of an offramp out of Lexington and Arkansas in search of a jolt of excitement.

Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky was perfect, until it wasn’t. For almost a decade, he fulfilled Big Blue Nation’s wildest dreams. The revolving door of one-and-done talent he recruited won SEC titles, made deep NCAA tournament runs and even captured the 2012 national title. But the program that was two wins away from a historic 40-0 season in 2015 never approached those heights again. The atmosphere in Lexington turned especially toxic after Calipari’s Wildcats lost to 15th-seeded St. Peters in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament and to 14th-seeded Oakland last year.

What observers have since learned is that a fresh start requires more than a change of address and an influx of red blazers and quarter-zip pullovers. You can’t hire a 65-year-old coach, allow him to bring over an assortment of longtime assistants and then expect different results.

Armed with a war chest of NIL money that few other programs could match, Calipari assembled a roster that doesn’t mesh well with one-another or fit the modern game. Fland and fellow perimeter players DJ Wagner, Johnell Davis and Karter Knox can all hit a 3-pointer but are best with the ball in their hands attacking downhill. The spacing gets worse with forward Adou Thiero and center Jonas Aidoo in the frontcourt together, as neither are a threat from 3-point range.

Arkansas is shooting 33.7% from behind the arc as a team and is 248th nationally in percentage of points scored from 3-point range. Opposing defenses can afford to clog driving lanes, pack the paint and dare the Razorbacks to hoist contested jumpers early in the shot clock.

The hallmark of Calipari’s best Kentucky teams were long, athletic defenses that aggressively hounded 3-point shooters yet surrendered nothing easy at the rim. This Arkansas team is better defensively than some of Calipari’s most recent Kentucky teams, but it commits too many fouls and surrenders too many second-chance points to make up for the Razorbacks’ offensive woes.

Against LSU, it also didn’t help that a tough call went against Arkansas at a key juncture of the second half. LSU led 53-52 when referees called this a flagrant foul on Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile. The Razorbacks trailed 58-52 by the time they got the ball back.

How will Arkansas respond to a dismal SEC start made worse by the LSU loss? With effort and energy, Calipari says, despite a difficult upcoming schedule. Arkansas visits Missouri on Saturday, then hosts Georgia and Oklahoma. Matchups with Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Texas and Texas A&M await in February.

“I told them after the game, ‘I’m not cracking so let’s just keep going,’” Calipari said Tuesday.

The Razorbacks have no choice.

Either they turn their disappointing season around now, or Calipari’s debut campaign in Fayetteville will end shy of the NCAA tournament.

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Arkansas

UL prepares to face Troy, Arkansas State twice in 11-day stretch

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

UL prepares to face Troy, Arkansas State twice in 11-day stretch

LAFAYETTE — The Louisiana women’s basketball team is off to its best Sun Belt Conference start since 2020, holding a 4-1 record as they aim to replicate the success that led them to a regular-season title just three years ago.

However, the Cajuns face a critical 11-day stretch as the team will take on Arkansas State and Troy twice, both teams boasting potent offenses ranked second and fourth in the conference, respectively.

Head coach Garry Brodhead emphasizes that defense will be the key to weathering this challenging stretch.

“Anytime that you have any type of system, if the kids believe in it, it seems like it works a little bit better or a lot better,” Brodhead said. “On the road, that’s one of the things that we really, really preach. You know, we may not be making shots like we’re capable of… but you can always defend.”

The coach acknowledged the difficulties posed by Arkansas State and Troy, pointing out changes in the Red Wolves’ system, which now prioritizes a faster pace, three-point shooting, and relentless pressing.

“Troy is a tough team to play,” Brodhead added. “Both games will be tough. Can we withstand that, especially from the first game to the second game?”

The Cajuns’ pivotal run begins Wednesday in Jonesboro, where they’ll face Arkansas State at 7 p.m. A strong showing could position Louisiana for second place in the standings, trailing only James Madison.
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