Arkansas
Online retailer Temu responds to news of lawsuit from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Online retailer Temu has offered a response two days after being sued by the state of Arkansas.
In a response sent to KARK 4 News Thursday, a Temu spokesperson said the company was “surprised and disappointed” by Attorney General Tim Griffin filing the lawsuit Tuesday without what the company called “any independent fact-finding.”
In a statement released by Griffin’s office announcing the suit, the AG referred to Temu as “functionally malware and spyware,” and claimed the app was “purposefully designed to gain unrestricted access to a user’s phone operating system.”
Temu’s response stated that the allegations behind Griffin’s suit were “based on misinformation circulated online, primarily from a short-seller, and are totally unfounded.” The statement went on to say that the company would “vigorously defend ourselves” in the case.
News of the lawsuit drew sharp reactions from Arkansans who shop on Temu, many of whom said the retailer had reliable prices and deals they called “sometimes too good to pass on.”
Other shoppers said that they believe most online retailers use personal information from users anyway and questioned whether the suit would stop anyone from shopping on Temu.
The statement from Temu noted that some people may misunderstand what the company called its “innovative supply chain model” and not welcome the new retailer, but the spokesperson added that the company was committed to the long-term believes scrutiny will benefit the retailer’s development.
“We are confident that our actions and contributions to the community will speak for themselves over time,” the response finished.
FULL RESPONSE FROM TEMU TO ARKANSAS LAWSUIT
We are surprised and disappointed by the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office for filing the lawsuit without any independent fact-finding. The allegations in the lawsuit are based on misinformation circulated online, primarily from a short-seller, and are totally unfounded. We categorically deny the allegations and will vigorously defend ourselves.
We understand that as a new company with an innovative supply chain model, some may misunderstand us at first glance and not welcome us. We are committed to the long-term and believe that scrutiny will ultimately benefit our development. We are confident that our actions and contributions to the community will speak for themselves over time.
Temu spokesperson
Officials with the AG’s office said the case is predicated on alleged violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act.
The state wants a jury trial and is seeking a permanent block from Temu’s data-gathering actions, as well as $10,000 fines for each violation of the Deceptive Practices Act.
Arkansas
Congressional subcommittee to hold hearing in Little Rock on ‘failures’ of local housing authority | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Joseph Flaherty
Joseph Flaherty covers the city of Little Rock for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, he has worked for the newspaper since 2020.
Arkansas
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
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.
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.
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.
Arkansas
Erika Kirk to Join Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Announcement at Arkansas State Capitol
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — 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.
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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