Arkansas
Two positions key for Arkansas’ success
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will be at the SEC Media Days on Thursday which is an indication that football season is near again.
Arkansas is looking to be vastly improved over 2023. The addition of four new assistants on offense including Bobby Petrino calling the plays should help tremendously. Here’s a look at two positions, one on each side of the ball, that could help determine the success in 2024.
Offensive Line
This unit wasn’t good last fall. Eric Mateos has replaced Cody Kennedy coaching the unit. The play calling last fall didn’t help the offensive line or any other position on that side of the football. With Petrino it’s a certainty that will improve. Mateos also has brought in three transfers who are in the starting lineup. Fernando Carmona is stationed at left tackle and Keyshawn Blackstock is at right tackle. That allowed Patrick Kutas to move to his more natural position of guard. He and Joshua Braun are the starting guards. Addison Nichols came from Tennessee and is starting at center. That should be a much better unit than the one last year if everyone plays up to their potential. It is a must this unit is much better because last year’s offensive line gave the team no chance at success. As noted that isn’t putting all, or even most of the blame on the offensive line itself, but the predictable play calling made it very difficult for this unit as well as the others on offense. Some depth pieces for the offensive line are E’Marion Harris, Ty’Kieast Crawford, Joe More, Amaury Wiggins and others. If this group plays well under Mateos the chances for success goes up tremendously for the entire team.
Linebackers
Gone from last season are Chris “Pooh” Paul, Jahiem Thomas and others. Travis Williams almost had to completely rebuild the position. Brad Spence returns after a very impressive freshman season. Arkansas also added Xavian Sorey Jr., Larry Worth III and Stephen Dix Jr. from the transfer portal. All three were very successful at their previous schools and should fit in well with this group. Arkansas also returns Carson Dean, Alex Sanford and Kaden Henley from last season. They also added freshmen such as Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons, JuJu Pope and Justin Logan. If Williams can get four of five linebackers he’s comfortable with this group has a chance to avoid the dropoff many expected with Paul and others entered the transfer portal. A key to that may be Spence making the progression many expected, the three transfers all being as good as expected and another young linebacker or two make a move up the depth chart. If all that happens this group should help the defense.
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.
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
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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