BATON ROUGE, La. – Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most recognized figures in Christian broadcasting and Pentecostal evangelism, is in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday morning.

Swaggart, 90, was discovered by family members shortly after 8 a.m. unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. During a special prayer service broadcast Sunday night over the SonLife Radio Network, his son Donnie Swaggart provided a somber update on his father’s condition.

“Right now he is in ICU,” Donnie Swaggart said. “Without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God. We’re not giving up.”

Jimmy Swaggart, a native of Ferriday, Louisiana, rose to national prominence in the 1970s and 1980s through his fiery preaching style and weekly television program, which at its peak aired on more than 3,000 stations worldwide. A cousin to rock-and-roll legends Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, Swaggart carved out a distinct place in American religious life, founding the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and launching the SonLife Broadcasting Network.

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Despite controversy and scandal that erupted in the 1980’s, Swaggart continued preaching and built his own independent network of churches, media, and theological training through Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. He also owns his own network of radio and television stations across the country which have furthered his ministry to millions.

In recent years, he remained active in his ministry, appearing regularly on broadcasts and sermons alongside his son and grandson, Gabriel.

No further details on Swaggart’s medical condition were released Sunday night.

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NORMAN, OK – Renowned storm chaser and extreme weather researcher Reed Timmer is bringing his 2025 Fall Speaking Tour to Arkansas this September and October, delivering powerful presentations on the art and science of tornado intercepts.

Timmer, known for his daring pursuit of violent storms and the deployment of his armored vehicle, the Dominator 3, will make two stops in Arkansas as part of a nationwide tour. On September 23, he will appear at Arkansas State University in Mountain Home. A few weeks later, on October 11, he will take the stage at Temple Live in Fort Smith.

The tour, which spans dozens of venues across Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley, highlights some of the most intense tornado intercepts of Timmer’s career. Audience members will get an inside look at the raw power of tornadoes through firsthand accounts, video footage, and scientific data collected from within the storms themselves.

In addition to sharing personal stories and storm footage, Timmer will discuss forecasting techniques and the latest advancements in storm intercept technology. Several stops on the tour, including the Arkansas appearances, may also feature the Dominator 3—a customized vehicle designed to withstand the strongest tornadoes.

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Both Arkansas events are open to the public and are expected to draw large crowds of weather enthusiasts, students, and emergency preparedness professionals.

CALICO ROCK — Grant Matthew Hardin, an Arkansas prison escapee with a violent criminal history, was captured Friday afternoon roughly 1.5 miles north-northwest of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, authorities confirmed.

The Izard County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hardin’s identity was verified through fingerprint analysis before releasing the information to the public.

Hardin, 56, escaped from the Arkansas Department of Corrections facility on May 25, prompting a statewide manhunt involving local, state, and federal agencies. He was previously serving a 30-year sentence for the 2017 murder of James Appleton in Benton County. In 2019, he received an additional 50-year sentence after DNA evidence linked him to a 1997 rape case in Rogers.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections, along with the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, coordinated the effort to locate and apprehend Hardin. No further details were immediately available regarding the circumstances of his capture or whether any additional charges will be filed in connection to his escape.

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In a brief statement, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office said, “We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

VAN BUREN — A tornado touched down just before 8:00 a.m. Friday morning, causing significant damage as it moved through parts of western Arkansas. The tornado originated on the north side of Fort Smith and tracked into the Van Buren Industrial Park, then moved east of the Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center before continuing into the Alma area.

Officials report that at least 45 structures were damaged, with homes and an apartment complex among those affected. The most severe damage was reported near the 19th Street and Mulberry Circle area of Van Buren. Several homes lost roofs, walls were torn away, and debris was scattered across multiple neighborhoods. A gas leak was also reported following the storm, prompting emergency response.

Residents described a brief but violent storm, with heavy rain and wind gusts strong enough to uproot trees and damage vehicles. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries as of Friday morning.

In addition to the tornado that moved through Van Buren, another tornado was reported by storm spotters north of Interstate 40 near the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line. Authorities continue to assess the damage across the region as more reports come in.

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The National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings for several counties in the area prior to the storm’s arrival. Emergency officials are urging residents to remain alert, as more severe weather is possible over the weekend.

Cleanup efforts are underway, and local authorities are coordinating with utility crews and emergency services to restore power and secure damaged areas.

MORRISON BLUFF — A high-speed crash on the Morrison Bluff Bridge late Friday night claimed the lives of two people and led to manslaughter charges against both a teenage driver and an adult who allegedly furnished him the vehicle, according to KARV Radio in Russellville.

Arkansas State Police say the collision happened around 11:15 p.m. on May 30 along State Highway 109 in Logan County. Investigators determined that a 16-year-old boy from Scranton was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro southbound at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour when he rear-ended a Toyota RAV4.

The impact forced the RAV4 into the northbound lane, where it was struck head-on by a semi-truck. The driver of the RAV4, 20-year-old Mackenzie Arthur of Scranton, and her 17-year-old female passenger were both killed in the crash.

The juvenile driver of the Camaro has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and is being held at the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

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State police also charged Martha Jane Phillips, 71, of Scranton, with two counts of manslaughter for allegedly providing the Camaro to the teenager, who did not have a driver’s license. She was booked into the Logan County Detention Center.

The crash remains under investigation by Arkansas State Police.