Arkansas

SESSION SNAPSHOT: 2024 fiscal session gets underway in Little Rock • Arkansas Advocate

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

SESSION SNAPSHOT: 2024 fiscal session gets underway in Little Rock • Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas lawmakers returned to the Capitol Wednesday for the start of the state’s eighth fiscal session. Held in even-numbered years, fiscal session work is focused on finalizing the state budget.

Legislative sessions occur in odd-numbered years, but lawmakers can take up non-appropriation matters during the fiscal session with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber.

The fiscal session lasts a maximum of 30 days unless three-fourths of the Arkansas Legislature votes to extend it. Legislative leadership has said they expect the session to be straightforward and wrap up in less than three weeks.

Throughout April lawmakers will consider the governor’s proposed $6.3 billion general revenue budget. The proposed 1.76% increase of $109 million, if approved by the Legislature, would be a significantly smaller increase to the state budget than what has been proposed in recent years.

1) State of the State

In her first State of the State address, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders touted the success of legislation targeting education and public safety, her two biggest priorities during her first year in office.

About $100 million of the governor’s proposed budget increase will support initiatives in the LEARNS Act, Sanders’ signature law that made wide-ranging changes to the Arkansas’ education system, including raising the state’s minimum teacher salary to $50,000 and creating a school voucher program.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders shakes hands with Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, as she enters the Arkansas House to give her first State of the State address on April 10, 2024. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

The Educational Freedom Account program allows state funds to be used for allowable education expenses, such as private school tuition. Roughly 60% of the state budget’s proposed increase is directed toward the EFA program.

Sanders’ budget proposal also includes $3.8 million to “replenish” the ranks of the Arkansas State Police. Sanders said she wants to add 100 new officers to the force.

Sanders also lauded several other policies enacted during her first year, including two laws cutting income taxes, plans to open a new 3,000-bed prison, an executive order banning certain gender-neutral terms in government documents and a social media age verification law, which has been temporarily blocked in court.

2) Correctional costs

The Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee on Thursday debated whether to give the state Department of Corrections extra money during the current fiscal year to be distributed to county jails as reimbursement for housing state prisoners.

Sanders sent a letter to lawmakers requesting the approval of $4.2 million in general revenue funds for jail reimbursements for the 2024 fiscal year, which ends June 30.

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The legislative panel ultimately approved the requested funds, but Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, took issue with approving the total amount after the state budget director said the Department of Corrections likely needed closer to $3 million because fewer inmates have been kept in county jails than originally predicted.

Hickey also voted against the request because he said he disapproved of the committee giving state agencies money that would carry over from one fiscal year to another.

Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, said she supported the $4.2 million appropriation in case $3 million would not be enough.

3) Cryptocurrency mining

The Arkansas Senate laid the groundwork for considering legislation that falls outside the scope of the fiscal session by approving resolutions to amend the state employee pay plan as well as a 2023 law that limited the state’s ability to regulate cryptocurrency mining operations.

Crypto mines are large groups of computers that harvest digital currency and are often located in rural areas because they take up a lot of space. A significant amount of electricity is also needed to keep the computers running and water to cool them.

The crypto-focused resolutions propose implementing noise limits, prohibiting ownership by foreign entities and requiring licensure by the Department of Energy and Environment.

Seven of eight proposed crypto mining resolutions passed the Senate. Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, sponsored six of the resolutions, including the one that did not pass.

To introduce legislation unrelated to the state budget during the fiscal session, lawmakers must file resolutions proposing the legislation by the end of the first day of the session. Both chambers of the Arkansas Legislature must then approve the resolutions with a two-thirds majority vote.

The Senate-approved resolutions will be heard by the House on Monday and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote there in order for bills to be filed and assigned to committees for further discussion.

The Arkansas House and Senate are both scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. on Monday.

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Arkansas

What John Calipari said about Dairus Acuff after Arkansas basketball’s Sweet 16 exit

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

What John Calipari said about Dairus Acuff after Arkansas basketball’s Sweet 16 exit

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A humbling loss to Arizona means Darius Acuff Jr.’s career with Arkansas basketball is likely over.

Acuff is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He scored a game-high 28 points as the No. 4 Razorbacks (28-9) fell to the No. 1 Wildcats (35-2) 109-88 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 26.

After the loss, John Calipari reflected on Acuff’s historic season. The Hall of Fame coach will remember the Detroit native’s fierce spirit while hunting victories.

“(Acuff) was the ultimate competitor. He had a will to win and would make baskets because he wasn’t afraid to miss late in games,” Calipari said. “He and Meleek (Thomas) and the other guys, they set the stage for growth. You’re going to have an opportunity to get better, but it’s hard. The league is hard. You’ve got to be a gym rat if you really want to do this. Those guys proved it. I had a ball coaching them.”

Acuff became just the third person to win the SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards handed out by both the coaches and media, joining Anthony Davis (2012) and Brandon Miller (2023). He became the league’s first player since Pete Maravich to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists.

His final season-long stats were 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game. He shot 48.4% from the field and 44% on 3-pointers.

Acuff was short on words in his final press conference with the Hogs, but he didn’t bring up his individual accolades when asked what he will remember the most from a dynamic collegiate season.

“Brotherhood, for sure,” Acuff said. “With the team, great support from the fans. I don’t know, a lot of good stuff. It was a great year, for sure.”

Arkansas fans won’t soon forget his dominance.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Arkansas

What channel is Arkansas basketball vs Arizona on today? March Madness game time, TV, streaming

Published

22 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

What channel is Arkansas basketball vs Arizona on today? March Madness game time, TV, streaming

Darius Acuff Jr. and the fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks will face Brayden Burries and the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats as the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament continues with the Sweet 16 Thursday in San Jose, California.

The Razorbacks (28-8) reached the West Region semifinals by beating Hawaii and High Point. Meanwhile, the Wildcats (34-2) beat Long Island and Utah State.

Here’s how to watch the Razorbacks-Wildcats game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Watch March Madness live with Sling TV

What time is Arkansas vs Arizona today? When is NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game today?

Date: Thursday, March 26
Start time: 8:45 p.m. CT
Where: SAP Center in San Jose, California

What channel is Arkansas vs Arizona on today? How to watch, stream NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

TV: TBS/truTV
How to watch online: Sling (free trial)

Arkansas vs Arizona betting odds for March Madness Sweet 16 game

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, March 26:

Moneyline: ARI -375 | ARK +290
Spread: Arizona (-8.5)
Over/under: 165.5

All times CT

Print your own March Madness bracket for 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament

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Arkansas

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction, Odds, Best Prop Bet for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction, Odds, Best Prop Bet for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Arkansas Razorbacks parlayed an SEC Tournament Championship into two straight wins to start their NCAA Tournament run, getting past Hawaii and High Point in impressive fashion. Now, they’ll face their toughest challenge yet, a Sweet 16 showdown with the 1-seed Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona cruised past both Long Island University and Utah State in the first two rounds, and still has just two losses on its record all season. As you’d expect, they’re favored in this SEC vs. Big 12 showdown. Let’s take a look.

Arkansas vs. Arizona Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spread

Arkansas +7.5 (-110)
Arizona -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Arkansas +278
Arizona -355

Total

OVER 166.5 (-110)
UNDER 166.5 (-110)

Arkansas vs. Arizona How to Watch

Date: Thursday, March 6
Game Time: 9:45 pm ET
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose
How to Watch (TV): CBS
Arkansas Record: 28-8
Arizona Record: 34-2

Arkansas vs. Arizona Betting Trends

The OVER is 9-2 in Arkansas’ last 11 games
The OVER is 5-1 in Arkansas’ last six games vs. Big 12 opponents
Arkansas is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games as an underdog
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last five games
The OVER is 4-2 in Arizona’s last six games
Arizona is 5-1 ATS in its last six games vs. SEC opponents

Arkansas vs. Arizona Best Prop Bet

Brayden Burries OVER 17.5 Points (-106) via FanDuel

Brayden Burries has a chance to have a phenomenal performance on Thursday night. Arkansas may be a strong offensive team, but its defense leaves a lot to be desired. They rank 200th in the country in defensive efficiency and are allowing 80.3 points per game this season, which ranks 325th. If Burries brings his best stuff, the Razorbacks are going to be in trouble.

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction and Pick

Let’s try our best not to overreact to Arkansas being in the Sweet 16. They had a relatively easy path to win the SEC Championship, squeaking by both Oklahoma and Ole Miss by just three points before beating Vanderbilt in the final, completely avoiding the Florida Gators. Then, in the NCAA Tournament, they had the easiest path to the Sweet 16, getting to face a 13-seed and a 12-seed in the first two rounds.

The Arizona Wildcats are no joke and will be by far the Razorbacks’ biggest challenge. There’s a case to be made that Arizona is the best team in the country, and they have the interior defense to completely shut down the Arkansas offense. The Razorbacks rank 50th in the country in two-point shot rate. Now, they have to face an Arizona defense that ranks second in the country in opponent two-point field goal percentage, keeping teams to shooting just 43.7% from two-point range.

Arizona also mainly shoots two-point shots, ranking third in two-point shot rate, and now they get to face an Arkansas team that ranks 278th in opponent two-point field goal percentage, allowing teams to shoot 54% from two-point range.

This is a nightmare matchup for Arkansas.

Pick: Arizona -7.5 (-110)

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