Arkansas
Hot Springs police handcuff advocate for government transparency, remove her from public venue • Arkansas Advocate
Police officers handcuffed Bentonville attorney Jen Standerfer on Friday and escorted her out of the Hot Springs Convention Center after she collected two signatures for citizen-initiated ballot measures, she said.
Standerfer is a founding member of the nonpartisan Arkansas Citizens for Transparency (ACT), which received Attorney General Tim Griffin’s approval in January to seek support from registered voters in hopes of putting two government transparency measures on the November ballot.
The incident marks at least the second time in the last month that supporters of potential ballot measures faced police opposition while collecting signatures in a public space ahead of a July 5 deadline.
Publication of abortion amendment canvasser list is intimidation, ballot question committee says
In May, Little Rock police told supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a limited right to abortion that they could be arrested for obstructing traffic. The canvassers told reporters they were not blocking traffic but instead sought the attention of drivers while standing on a public sidewalk.
The Arkansas Bar Association held its annual conference from Wednesday to Friday in Hot Springs. Standerfer said in an interview that she attended the conference as a member of the association and to complete her required continuing education as an attorney. She said brought petitions for both measures in case anyone wanted to sign them.
One proposed measure would alter the state Freedom of Information Act to codify a definition of a “public meeting,” broaden the legal definitions of a “governing body” and “communication” among members of government bodies, create stiffer civil penalties for violating the FOIA and protect citizens’ right to appeal FOIA decisions, among other things.
The other proposed measure would amend the state Constitution to create the right to government transparency, defined as “the government’s obligation to share information with citizens.”
Proposed acts require 72,563 signatures by July 5 in order to appear on the November ballot, while proposed amendments require 90,704 signatures.
Standerfer said Hot Springs police first asked her to stop soliciting signatures Thursday evening when she brought a wagon full of petition documents with a sign on it into the convention center. She complied with the request not to bring the wagon and sign back Friday morning, she said.
The convention center has a policy against solicitation of any kind, said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, which runs the convention center.
“We have an obligation to the people who rent our space that they can use it without being bothered,” Arrison said.
He added that the content of the petitions had “nothing to do with” the opposition to Standerfer collecting signatures.
Standerfer said she did not ask anyone for signatures or share information about the proposed ballot measures unless someone approached her and asked about them directly.
“It didn’t feel contentious to me. This wasn’t me going up to people and saying ‘Hey, can I talk to you about the FOIA?’” she said. “Literally, it is the most minimally intrusive kind of speech… Anytime someone approaches me about it, I will engage with them.”
After two people signed petitions on Friday, police approached Standerfer and said both the convention center and the bar association did not want her soliciting signatures. Officers threatened her with jail time, handcuffed her and escorted her from the building, but then removed the handcuffs and said she had been trespassing but would not be charged or sent to jail, she said.
Arrison said he was not present Friday and did not see Standerfer collect signatures or interact with police, but “she must have done something that made them think she was soliciting signatures again.”
The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission owns the convention center and is responsible for spending the city’s 3% tax on prepared food and lodging to promote the city. The commission authorized nearly $4.5 million in capital improvements for the center last year, according to the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record.
Standerfer said she was not trespassing at the convention center, contrary to what police told her, because it was paid for with taxpayer dollars.
Transparency advocates hear public input on proposal to enshrine FOIA in Arkansas Constitution
She also said it was unusual for the Arkansas Bar Association to take issue with her being willing to collect signatures because its conferences consistently have a “political undertone.” Attorneys frequently run for office, and Standerfer herself once ran as a Democrat for a seat in the state House of Representatives.
“I have never been at a bar meeting where you did not have a candidate wearing a sticker, or hand you a sticker, hand you a palm card or ask you for support in an election,” she said.
She added that the Bar Association told her it took no position on the government transparency ballot measures, but the Hot Springs police told her the organization wanted her to leave because she was collecting signatures.
“I would hope that government bodies that serve the people would do the people the service of telling them, ‘Hey, we’ve got a policy against that,’ before calling the police and having them removed from the building,” Standerfer said. “It’s sad to me that we’ve lost this sense of community… because people are so incensed by the idea of politics.”
The Arkansas Bar Association and the Hot Springs Police Department did not return requests for comment as of Friday evening.
The Advocate has sent FOIA records requests to the police department, asking for Standerfer’s arrest report, if there is one, and the body camera footage from the officers that escorted her from the convention center.
Little Rock, Ark. (KATV) — Rising transportation, labor and food costs continue to reshape Arkansas’ restaurant industry, forcing owners to adjust menus while customers rethink how they dine out.
Food prices have increased, placing additional pressure on restaurants.
Restaurant owners say the cost of staple ingredients such as produce; dairy and meat remain one of their biggest challenges.
“When they had a freeze, our tomatoes went from $34 a case to $104 a case,” said Cole Treece of Buffalo Grill. “So little things like that, you mix in amongst the inflation already and it really puts a burden on the restaurant owner.”
At Allsopp & Chapple, owner Dillon Garcia is opening a new restaurant and said he is keeping menu items and maintaining premium ingredients.
“People aren’t ordering as many desserts, as many appetizers or as many drinks,” Garcia said.
“We’re still going to focus on really high-quality, premium ingredients. It’s just going to be at a lower price point. We’re going to focus on burgers and sandwiches versus filets and halibut.”
Alicia Payseno with the Arkansas Restaurant Association said families are scaling back what they order when dining out.
“A family that would come in and typically order an appetizer, four entrees and a dessert are really splitting meals,” Payseno said. “They’re having to be very selective in what they decide to purchase that day.”
Garcia said customers have become noticeably more price-conscious than in previous years.
“We’re definitely seeing people more concerned about prices than we’ve typically seen,” he said. “For the first time, people are actually asking, ‘Is tax included in the liquor?’”
While many restaurants have increased menu prices to offset higher operating costs, others have delayed passing those expenses to customers.
“We haven’t passed those costs yet,” Treece said. “It will get to a point where we have to pass them on to the customer because we just can’t eat it forever.”
For longtime restaurants such as Buffalo Grill, Treece said loyal customers have helped keep the business afloat despite ongoing inflation.
“We’ve been very fortunate that we have a longtime core group of customers in this area,” Treece said.
“They don’t mind paying because they know what they’re getting.”
As costs remain elevated, restaurant owners say they will continue looking for ways to balance affordability for customers while maintaining the quality that keeps diners coming back.
Monday starts off quiet, but the cloud will grow this afternoon and thunderstorms will develop.
A couple isolated thunderstorms are possible by 2:00 p.m., but they will be more likely between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.. Thunderstorms will produce dangerous lightning, of course, and some may produce very strong wind gusts. Storms will carry into the evening, and should end in Central Arkansas by 10:00 p.m., but in South Arkansas they may last as late as Midnight.
Tuesday afternoon will bring a few more thunderstorms in the afternoon with the same threats. The rain and storm chance will drop even lower on Wednesday.
Then, with no rain or storms in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, it will be just plain old hot!
Rain and thunderstorm chances will return over the weekend.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Here are the biggest stories you might have missed in the week of June 28-July 4.
1. Arkansas SNAP ban on soda and candy takes effect under Sanders waiver
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1. (PHOTO: KATV)
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1.
Under the waiver, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to soft drinks, including low- and no-calorie sodas, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, candy, and other “unhealthy beverages.”
The Governor’s office claims the SNAP reform plan is the first of its kind in the nation, calling it an attempt to restore food stamps’ focus on nutrition.
CLICK HERE for full story.
2. Republican Party of Arkansas files FEC complaint against Chris Jones campaign
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (PHOTO: KATV)
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The complaint alleges that yard signs promoting “Chris Jones for Congress” failed to include the disclaimer “Paid for by The Committee to Elect Chris Jones” in the correct format. Under federal election law and FEC regulations, any printed campaign materials are required to have disclaimers inside a printed box away from the other contents of the communication.
The complaint also includes an image of Jones’ online campaign store which sells a yard sign with the correct disclaimer.
CLICK HERE for full story.
3. Riceland sounds alarm on farm crisis, weighs permanent closure of drying facilities
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening. (PHOTO: KATV)
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening.
Just over a week ago, Riceland announced that it would temporarily close 38 percent of its rice drying facilities because of a nearly 40 percent drop in rice planted this year. Now, the co-op says it’s forced to consider permanent closures and layoffs.
“We’re not in a posture right now where we’re ready to announce the number,” said Ben Noble, Riceland Foods executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As we look real closely at what the signup is and how much rice we’re actually going to get beyond just estimates, of course, we’re going to have to evaluate. Do we have enough supply and demand to match our assets? And we may have to face some tough decisions in the future.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
4. Dad reportedly forgets he didn’t drop toddler off at daycare, finds him dead in backseat
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle. (PHOTO: File)
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle.
According to a statement issued by police on X at 8:40 p.m. on Monday, June 29, a toddler was found dead inside a vehicle Monday outside a Plantation preschool, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Plantation Police and Fire Department and Plantation Fire Department responded at about 5:39 p.m. Monday to A World of Discovery Academy after receiving a report of a deceased child inside a vehicle.
CLICK HERE for full story.
5. Arkansas SNAP gets hard stop on soda, candy, soft drinks – off the table starting July 1
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it.
Arkansas is rolling out new restrictions on SNAP purchases, banning the use of food assistance benefits for soda, candy, and certain sugary drinks. That includes both traditional and diet sodas, along with fruit and vegetable drinks that contain less than 50 percent natural juice.
State leaders say the move is aimed at steering families toward healthier choices and reducing access to heavily processed foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The change follows a federal waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, setting the policy to take effect July 1, 2026.
CLICK HERE for full story.
6. Malvern School District mourns death of rising high school senior Kai Reed
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed. (PHOTO: Malvern School District Facebook)
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed.
In a statement posted to Facebook, district officials says they were heartbroken by the loss of Reed and extended their condolences to his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and loved ones.
“The Malvern School District extends its deepest condolences to Kai’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the days ahead,” the post said. “The loss of a young person affects an entire community.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
7. Hayward Finks selected to serve as North Little Rock police chief
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief. (PHOTO: City of Little Rock)
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief.
Officials say that Chief Hayward Finks, who was selected by North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick to serve as the city’s next Chief of Police, will be introduced on Jul. 6.
“We are honored to have Chief Finks serve as Chief of Police for our city. He is a proven, professional leader with uncompromising devotion to customer service and community safety. I believe he is an exemplary choice as our next police chief,” said Hartwick.
CLICK HERE for full story.
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