SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — John Brown University was recently named among the top colleges in the country and the top private school in Arkansas by the Wall Street Journal.

A news release from the university said JBU ranked 358th on the journal’s 2025 America’s Best Colleges in the U.S. list, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. colleges and universities.

The Wall Street Journal ranked the top 500 undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to students based on the learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity, the release said.

A look at how ‘spring’ cities in Arkansas got their names

“We are grateful that The Wall Street Journal has recognized JBU as one of the top schools in our nation,” John Brown University President Chip Pollard said.

Four other Arkansas schools were listed:

• University of Arkansas (No. 233)

• Harding University (No. 368)

• Arkansas State University (No. 486)

• Arkansas Tech University (No. 491)

JBU was the highest-ranked school in Arkansas in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and ranked second in the 2021 edition. A list was not created in 2023.

To view the full rankings, visit the Wall Street Journal’s website.

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A Saline County Republican Committee meeting in Benton, Arkansas, erupted into violence on Thursday night when a man sucker punched a member in the face.

The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62, landing a punch on Johnathan Newcomb following a heated verbal exchange.

The chaotic scene unfolded after Newcomb allegedly made a disparaging remarks about a woman’s nose ring, according to conservative activist Cavin. 

Cavin, reportedly standing at 5’9′ and weighing 195 lbs, claimed he ‘feared for his life’ and acted in ‘self-defense’ against the ‘massive’ Newcomb, who he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his thirties.

The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62 (pictured),  landing a punch on Johnathan Newcomb following a heated verbal exchange

Cavin has now come forward with his account of the altercation on Facebook. 

According to Cavin, tensions flared when Newcomb allegedly heckled and harassed Kandi Cox, a respected community figure, as she approached the microphone. 

‘Newc, who is easily 6’5 or better and 350 plus pounds, was yelling at, cursing, and flipping off several attendees during the meeting. He particularly focused on a lady by the name of Kandi Cox,’ Cavin wrote.

‘If you don’t know Kandi, she is a wonderful lady doing miracles in our State and is beloved in the community.’

Witnesses claim Newcomb shouted, ‘Go polish your nose ring,’ and made offensive gestures. 

‘During the meeting, Kandi went to the microphone in order to make a motion from the floor. Newc and others at his table began to heckle and harass Kandi who happens to wear a nose ring. Newc went so far as to flip her off and shout ‘Go polish your nose ring.” 

The situation escalated when Cox returned to the microphone later in the meeting. 

Cavin said he intervened when Newcomb began intimidating the woman.

According to Cavin, tensions flared when Newcomb allegedly heckled and harassed Kandi Cox, a respected community figure, as she approached the microphone 

Cavin, reportedly standing at 5’9′ and weighing 195 lbs, claims he acted in ‘self-defense’ against the ‘massive’ Newcomb, who he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his thirties

Cavin maintains he doesn’t advocate violence but believes it was necessary as ‘a last resort in the defense of myself and others

Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an ‘intimidating manner’ as she walked past. 

‘I was standing at the back of the room and when I saw what [Newcomb] was doing, I told [Newcomb] to not look at her but to look at me and to leave her alone,’ Cavin wrote on Facebook. ‘I was hoping that would defuse [Sp] the situation. 

But tensions escalated when Newcomb allegedly approached Cavin, asking, ‘What are you gonna do, boy?’ 

‘I was standing at the back of the room and when I saw what Newc was doing, I moved to go stand by Kandi’s side and told Newc to not look at her but to look at me and to leave her alone.’

Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an ‘intimidating manner’ as she walked past

But tensions escalated when Newcomb allegedly approached Cavin, asking, ‘What are you gonna do, boy?’

‘I was hoping to take his attention away from Kandi and that would diffuse the situation. Newc then began coming at me stating ‘What are you gonna do boy.’

‘I am 62 years old, 5’9 and 195lbs. As I stated earlier, Newc is a massive man and looks to be in his thirties. With the look on his face, I knew I was in certain danger and felt Kandi and others were as well.’ 

Video footage captured the moment Cavin took a defensive stance and warned Newcomb to back away.

When Newcomb continued to advance, Cavin threw the punch that left Newcomb bleeding.

‘As he got close, I prepared myself by taking a defensive position and told him to back off which did not faze him one bit so I put my hand up in an effort to stop him again.’

‘However, he just kept coming, I could not hold him back, and when he was upon me, I knew I had no choice but to defend myself in the hopes of not getting hurt or worse. Thankfully that paid off other than I injured my shoulder throwing the punches.’ 

Cavin maintains he doesn’t advocate violence but believes it was necessary as ‘a last resort in the defense of myself and others.’

‘To be clear, I do not advocate violence. However, I believe that violence is a last resort in the defense of myself and others as is our right under Arkansas law. Had I not acted to defend myself, I and others could have been severely hurt.’

‘My attorney spoke to several persons present last night and they all reported feeling threatened by Newc. Newc approached my attorney and attempted to fight him as well after I had left the building.’ 

The woman with the nose ring later thanked Cavin on social media for coming to her defense.

As of now, no charges have been filed.

STILLWATER, Okla. — The new-look Arkansas Razorbacks found a way to tap into an old familiar script in a body blow of a double-overtime road loss at No. 16 Oklahoma State on Saturday.

The University of Arkansas dominated the first half and crushed the Cowboys statistically but committed three critical turnovers and missed a pair of field goals to fall 39-31 before an announced crowd of 52,202 at Boone Pickens Stadium.

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Linebackers Kendal Daniels and Gabe Brown combined to stop 186-pound tailback Rodney Hill on a fourth-and-1 snap from the Arkansas 16 on the final play of the second overtime.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball,” Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman said. “I like the intensity that we played with, and it came down to we turned the ball over too many times and we got beat.

“It’s early in the year. I think we’ve proved that we’ve got a good team. We’ve just got to hang on to the football and we’ll win a lot of games.”

Arkansas outgained the Cowboys 648-385 in total offense, a disparity of 263 yards. But the turnover battle went 3-1 in the Cowboys’ favor and each lost ball proved critical.

“The only thing I can say statistically is we won the turnover margin,” Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy said. “Obviously we won the penalties and then we were really good in overtime on both sides of the ball.”

Oklahoma State (2-0), triggered by Kale Smith’s 73-yard interception return for a touchdown when the Hogs were seemingly in control midway through the first quarter, rallied from a 21-7 deficit with the aid of two more takeaways in the second half.

The turnovers after halftime for Arkansas (1-1) were self inflicted: Big tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson, who chugged for 149 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, simply dropped the ball on a toss play at midfield late in the third quarter, and punt returner Isaiah Sategna muffed a punt with teammate Krosse Johnson legally pushed into his lower legs early in the fourth.

Kody Walterscheid’s recovery of the Jackson fumble led to Logan Ward’s 35-yard field goal to pull the Cowboys within 21-13. Deep snapper Shea Freibaum’s recovery of the Sategna muff at the Arkansas 25 led to Brennan Presley’s 7-yard touchdown catch and a tying 2-point conversion grab by De’Zhaun Stribling with 9:37 left in regulation.

Winning tight games and winning at home, even in the face of tough odds, has become an Oklahoma State specialty. The Cowboys improved to 35-16 (.686) in one-score games since 2015, while the Razorbacks fell to 15-29 (.341).

Oklahoma State is 25-3 at home since 2020, tied for second in the FBS in home wins in that span behind Alabama. The Cowboys also broke a five-game losing streak against the Razorbacks and improved to 5-4-1 at home in the series, which Arkansas now leads 30-16-1.

Arkansas lost its fourth game when leading by 14-plus points under Pittman, joining games against BYU in 2023, Texas A&M in 2022 and Missouri in 2020. The Razorbacks, who had been 3-0 in overtime games under Pittman, lost a multiple-overtime game for the first time since a 41-38 loss at Tennessee in six overtimes in 2002.

Arkansas drove into Oklahoma State territory on 10 of its 13 offensive possessions and took another series to the 50 while enduring only one three-and-out series.

Quarterback Taylen Green completed 26 of 45 pass for 416 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 61 yards, a figure that was dinged by 43 yards in losses as the Cowboys sent consistent blitzes at him. Jackson had 170 all-purpose yards but he was slowed by cramps a few times and was not available for the last snap in double overtime. Receiver Andrew Armstrong, held out with a hamstring issue last week, had 10 catches on 13 targets for a career-high 164 yards, including 66 yards after the catch.

Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman passed for 326 yards and a touchdown, while Presley scored twice and amassed 94 all-purpose yards.

Arkansas contained Ollie Gordon, the nation’s leading returning rusher, who never got heated up. Gordon had 6 carries for 11 yards at halftime and 17 attempts for 49 in the game.

“Basically we knew that if we stopped the run that would make their offense scramble,” Arkansas defensive tackle Cam Ball said. “But at the end of the day, it was only so much, because we still lost.”

A chunk of Gordon’s yards came in overtime, including his 12-yard touchdown on a pitch at left end to give the Cowboys a 37-31 lead. Gordon also caught the mandatory 2-point conversion pass. That touchdown came after linebacker Xavian Sorey committed a costly unnecessary roughness penalty with a suplex-style tackle on Presley at the Arkansas 24 when a regular tackle would have set up third and 9 in the second overtime.

Arkansas gained early control by scoring touchdowns on its second and third possessions on 5-yard Jackson runs that capped drives of 45 and 83 yards.

The Hogs’ defense stopped a fourth-and-1 play at its 20 on a Jaylon Braxton pass breakup to open the game, then dominated the rest of the half.

Leading 14-0, Arkansas was in the midst of a 55-yard march that reached the Cowboys’ 29 when the Oklahoma State defense forced a mistake. Ace pass rusher Collin Oliver hit Green as he fired a crossing route for Sategna and the pass landed in the hands of Smith, the trailing defender who returned it for a score and got the Cowboys and their fans back in the game.

The Razorbacks responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Jackson’s 11-yard touchdown run, to make it 21-7 at the half.

Arkansas rattled off a 49-yard drive early in the fourth quarter while leading 21-13 but could not expand on it as Kyle Ramsey missed a 41-yard field-goal try just to the right.

With the game tied at 21-21, Arkansas drove to the Oklahoma State 24 and faced fourth and 5. Instead of attempting a 41-yard field goal, the Razorbacks went on fourth down and Green was stopped after a gain of 4 yards.

A scoring frenzy engulfed the last six minutes of regulation. Oklahoma State took a 28-21 lead on Presley’s end around from 3 yards out with 5:13 to play. The Razorbacks answered with a three-play sequence started by Sategna’s 31-yard catch and run and capped by Luke Hasz’s 43-yard touchdown catch to forge a tie.

Helped by two pass interference calls, the Cowboys drove 55 yards and took a 31-28 lead on Ward’s 38-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining. Arkansas turned in a clutch, two-minute drill, with Green directing a 48-yard march, capped by Ramsey’s tying 45-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.

Both kickers missed a field goal in the first overtime, Ramsey from 46 yards and Ward from 41 yards, to set up the decisive second overtime.