Arkansas

No more Boogie: Set to enter draft | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 year ago

April 5, 2025

No more Boogie: Set to enter draft | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas freshman point guard Boogie Fland announced plans to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft via social media Friday afternoon.

“Thank you to all my fans and supporters, this year has been nothing short of unforgettable,” Fland said in an Instagram post. “Returning to the team for March Madness and competing alongside my brothers was an experience I’ll cherish forever. Much love to Razorback Nation, Coach Calipari & the entire coaching staff and every one of my teammates for believing in me.”

Coming out of high school, Fland had committed to Kentucky and followed Coach John Calipari from the Wildcats to Arkansas last offseason. He was a 5-star recruit out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y.

He started 18 of the Razorbacks’ 36 games this season, appearing 21 times overall. He averaged 31.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 turnovers per game. This week he was named a freshman All-American by CollegeInsider.com and was a finalist for the Kyle Macy Award for the nation’s top freshman.

Fland injured his right (shooting) thumb in a Jan. 11 home loss to No. 8 Florida and played through it for two games. Then he had his UCL surgically repaired and missed the next 15 games.

He returned for the NCAA Tournament and played in all three games of the Razorbacks’ run to the Sweet 16 off the bench — the only times he didn’t start in games he played this season. He totaled 52 minutes and 12 points. In an opening win over Kansas, he recorded three assists and three steals in 23 minutes of his first game action in two months.

Fland is at No. 44 in the Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft released March 31, dropping 17 spots from the previous release. He was knocked for his athleticism and size when finishing at the rim, yet lauded for his ball-handling, creation, shot-making and playmaking.

Teammate Adou Thiero, who was also injured and practically out for the last month of the season, was listed at No. 39 to the Toronto Raptors by the Bleacher Report. The junior has not officially declared.

Assuming Fland does not eventually return, it marks the fourth offseason departure for the Razorbacks.

Fland would then join the lengthy list of one-and-done players — 35 — Calipari has coached. Of those, 19 are classified as guards, like Fland.

Before this season began, ESPN predicted Fland would be taken 36th overall in the second round. The latest ESPN projections from mid-March had Fland at 38th, six picks higher than Bleacher Report.

Regardless of Fland’s destination, if it isn’t back with the Hogs, Calipari is already prepped with incoming talent at the point guard position for next season. Darius Acuff Jr., a 6-2 highest-rated point guard in the country, per 247Sports, signed his national letter of intent to Arkansas.

The NBA Draft will be held June 25-26 in Brooklyn, N.Y., across the East River from the Bronx, where Fland was born.

“To my family, especially my mom and dad — thank you for all of the sacrifices you’ve made for me to be in this position,” Fland continued on his Instagram post. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Arkansas guard Boogie Fland makes a pass during practice March 26 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Fland, who helped lead the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 in 2024-25, declared for the NBA Draft on Friday after one collegiate season.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)

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Arkansas

Arkansas DFA Agents seize illegal products in Corning

Published

3 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas DFA Agents seize illegal products in Corning

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.

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Arkansas

Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs now available in Apple Wallet

Published

13 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs now available in Apple Wallet

Arkansans can now present their driver’s licenses and state identification cards on mobile devices using Apple Wallet, state finance officials announced Wednesday.

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

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Arkansas

Your Arkansas Driver’s License Can Now Live on Your iPhone

Published

23 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Your Arkansas Driver’s License Can Now Live on Your iPhone

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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