Arkansas

Source: Butch Jones hiring DeMarkco Butler as Chief of Staff – Arkansas State Football

Published

1 hour ago

April 3, 2026

Source: Butch Jones hiring DeMarkco Butler as Chief of Staff – Arkansas State Football

DeMarkco Butler is leaving Kent State after one season to become chief of staff for Arkansas State Football, sources tell FootballScoop.

Butler joined the Golden Flashes on Aug. 28, 2025, as assistant general manager and director of player personnel under then-interim head coach Mark Carney. In that role, he oversaw key aspects of football operations and player personnel management for a Kent State program that competed in the Mid-American Conference. His arrival came as the Flashes looked to stabilize and build infrastructure following coaching transitions.

A veteran of college football operations, Butler most recently served as assistant athletic director for football operations and player personnel at the University of Central Missouri, a role he held since joining the Mules in 2022. There, he managed day-to-day program logistics, player personnel duties, and acted as a liaison between the football team and university departments and external partners. His experience also includes director of football operations positions at Western Illinois University and a brief stint at Baylor University earlier in his career.

Butler played college football at Monmouth College (Ill.), earning his bachelor’s degree in communications and business with a minor in Spanish in 2010. He went on to earn a master’s degree in sport management from Western Illinois in 2016, where he began his administrative career as a graduate assistant in facilities, events, and game-day operations before advancing to an operations assistant role from 2014-15.

The move to Arkansas State represents a step up in responsibility and conference profile. As chief of staff under head coach Butch Jones, Butler will support high-level program operations in the Sun Belt Conference, working closely with the head coach on staff coordination, strategic planning, and day-to-day execution. The Red Wolves have been active in reshaping their support staff entering the 2026 season, and Butler’s background in player personnel and operations makes him a natural fit to help provide continuity and efficiency behind the scenes.

Butler’s quick ascent through operations and personnel roles highlights a career built on logistics, recruiting support, travel coordination, and building program infrastructure at multiple levels. His time at Kent State, though brief, added FBS experience to a resume that previously featured strong work at the Division II level.

Arkansas State, coming off recent staff adjustments, now adds a proven operator in Butler as it pushes forward under Jones. Sources tell FootballScoop Butler is on the job and is working with Jones in hiring additional support staff.

The move continues a trend of experienced operations and personnel specialists moving between Group of Five programs seeking greater stability and support-staff depth. Butler’s track record positions him well to contribute immediately in Jonesboro as the Red Wolves prepare for spring practices and the 2026 campaign.

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Arkansas

Arkansas gas prices climb again as crude oil costs continue to rise

Published

14 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas gas prices climb again as crude oil costs continue to rise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Gas prices are climbing again across Arkansas, and AAA says the main driver is higher crude oil costs tied to global uncertainty.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Arkansas is $3.52, according to the AAA Arkansas Weekend Gas Watch. That’s three cents more than this day last week and 68 cents more per gallon than this day last year.

Among the major metro areas surveyed in Arkansas, Texarkana currently has the highest average at $3.80 per gallon, while Fort Smith has the lowest at $3.25 per gallon.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.08, according to AAA Gas Prices. That’s 10 cents more compared to this day last week and 84 cents more per gallon than at this same time last year.

AAA says instability in global energy markets is pushing crude oil prices higher, which is the biggest factor in what drivers pay at the pump. Heightened tensions in the Middle East and concerns about possible supply disruptions through key shipping routes have added upward pressure to crude oil.

While current pump prices are the highest Arkansas drivers have seen since 2022, the statewide average is still below the record high of $4.54 per gallon set on June 14, 2022.

“Drivers across Arkansas are continuing to see gas prices move higher, and the main reason is the rising cost of crude oil,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria.

“With road trip travel increasing, now is a good time for drivers to build higher fuel costs into their travel budgets. The AAA Gas Cost Calculator can help motorists estimate fuel expenses before they hit the road and make it easier to plan ahead.”

AAA also shared a few fuel-saving tips for drivers looking to stretch each tank a little further:

– Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive driving, since rapid acceleration and hard braking can significantly reduce fuel economy.

– Slow down and follow the speed limit; fuel efficiency typically drops quickly at speeds above 50 mph.

– Keep tires properly inflated, because underinflated tires create more resistance and reduce fuel efficiency.

– Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, as extra cargo makes the engine work harder and lowers fuel economy.

– Use the AAA mobile app to find cheaper gas by locating the lowest prices nearby.

– Use AAA tools like TripTik and the AAA Gas Cost Calculator to map your trip and estimate fuel costs.

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Arkansas

Univ. of Arkansas fires professor over alleged support of Ayatollah, anti-Israel remarks

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Univ. of Arkansas fires professor over alleged support of Ayatollah, anti-Israel remarks

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Dr. Shirin Saeidi, former director of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville’s Center for Middle East Studies, has officially been fired following alleged pro-Iranian regime stances and anti-Israel remarks.

Saeidi was given a warning letter in July from the Dean of the Fulbright College, Brian Raines, after she allegedly used the school’s letterhead to campaign for the release of Hamid Nouri, who was convicted by a Swedish court in 2022 for ordering the execution of thousands of political prisoners at Gohardasht Prison in 1988.

Saeidi was suspended in December 2025 following posts on X in support of Palestine and former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, referenced in the letter sent to Saeidi.

Raines expressed that her posts could be harmful to the university, especially its Israeli and Jewish students.

I am very concerned by your repeated statement that Israel, a nation recognized by the United States, must be ‘dismantled’, including being ‘dismantled by international forces,’” Raines wrote. “This could be taken as advocacy for a military invasion and destruction of a U.S. ally, which is not similar to criticism that would be voiced against any other nation.

Such statements are likely to create a chilling effect on many Israelis or Jews considering involvement with our Middle East Studies Program, and others, as well,” Raines added. “It also undermines any perception of our program as a scholarly and objective source of research and information rather than indoctrination.

I am also concerned that your actions reflect lack of judgement and are requiring repreated involvement from my office, creating unnecessary controversy and distracting from other university priorities.

Saeidi’s X account is suspended, and previous posts cannot be found.

Raines said that her actions could “undercut any notion of diverse intellectual opportunity when it comes to one of the most important political issues in the Middle East.”

In February 2026, the University of Arkansas Faculty Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure voted unanimously to restore Saeidi to her position as associate professor of political science at the university.

Despite the unanimous vote, on March 30, UofA President, Dr. Jay Silveria, overruled the unanimous decision, terminating Saeidi effective immediately.

In his written response, Silveria cited concerns that the university could lose funding as a result of Saeidi’s comments.

I am also concerned that the University could suffer a reduction or elimination of funding under Ark. Code Ann. 6-16-2004 if its responses to antisemitism are determined to be inadequate,” Silveria wrote. “Moreover, other institutions of higher education have endured funding losses at the federal level due to their insufficient responses to antisemitism under Title VI. Such an outcome could be devastating to the University of Arkansas—not just disruptive.

Saeidi and her legal team are expected to appeal the decision.

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Arkansas

Arkansas baseball vs. Auburn Game 1: How to watch and listen, pitching matchup, forecast, what to know | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas baseball vs. Auburn Game 1: How to watch and listen, pitching matchup, forecast, what to know | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

SCHEDULED GAME TIME

The game is scheduled to begin Thursday at 6 p.m. at Plainsman Park (6,300) in Auburn, Alabama.

RECORDS

Arkansas: 19-11, 4-5 SEC

Auburn: 20-8, 4-5 SEC

STREAKS

Arkansas: Lost 4

Auburn: Lost 4

LAST 10 GAMES

Arkansas: 5-5

Auburn: 4-6

COACHES

Arkansas: Dave Van Horn — 952-483 in 24th season at Arkansas and 1,272-640 in 32nd season overall in Division I.

Auburn: Butch Thompson — 344-240-1 in 11th season at Auburn and overall in Division I.

SERIES HISTORY

Arkansas leads 56-50

LAST MEETING

Auburn defeated Arkansas 8-6 on March 23, 2024, in Auburn to salvage a game in a 2-1 series loss.

TELEVISION

The game will be televised by ESPN2 and can be accessed on WatchESPN.com and via the ESPN app (subscriber login required). Richard Cross (play-by-play) and Jensen Lewis (analyst) will call the game.

RADIO

Phil Elson (play-by-play) will call the game on the Razorback Sports Network, which can be accessed through local FM and AM affiliates, via the Arkansas Razorbacks Gameday app, via the Varsity Network app or on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Blackouts may apply.

FORECAST

According to the National Weather Service, Thursday will be partly cloudy with a high of 83 degrees and a low of 62 in Auburn. Southeast winds will be around 5 mph.

STARTING PITCHERS

Arkansas: RHP Gabe Gaeckle (3-2, 3.58 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings).

Auburn: RHP Andreas Alvarez (4-1, 0.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP in 31 2/3 innings).

TEAM COMPARISONS

Earned Run Avg.: Arkansas 4.02; Auburn 3.06

WHIP: Arkansas 1.24; Auburn 1.11

Scoring Avg.: Arkansas 7.30; Auburn 6.46

Batting Avg.: Arkansas .281; Auburn .285

Opp. Batting Avg.: Arkansas .230; Auburn .218

Slugging Pct.: Arkansas .483; Auburn .426

On-Base Pct.: Arkansas .382; Auburn .399

OPS: Arkansas .865; Auburn .825