LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday submitted a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting a ban on soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.

The proposed change, which would make Arkansas one of the first states to limit sugary and highly processed items under the program, is aimed at improving the health of low-income residents.

“President Trump and his administration have put a laser focus on solving America’s chronic disease epidemic, and reforming our food stamp program is a great place to start,” Sanders said in a statement. “Banning soft drinks and candy from food stamps will remove some of the least-healthy, most-processed foods from the program and encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better.”

The waiver also seeks to add rotisserie chicken to the list of SNAP-eligible items. The state intends to use the GS1 US food categorization system to implement the policy changes.

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Kristi Putnam, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, praised the move.

“Helping Arkansans improve their health is a top priority for our agency across all programs,” Putnam said. “Encouraging people to use their SNAP benefits for healthier foods is an important step that we believe will be truly beneficial to the people we serve.”

SNAP is a $119 billion federal program that provides food assistance to low-income Americans. About 23% of spending—roughly $27 billion annually—goes toward soft drinks, unhealthy snacks, candy, and desserts, according to recent studies. Arkansas has one of the nation’s highest rates of chronic conditions, with one-third of residents experiencing diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Citing data from Stanford University, state officials noted that banning sugary drinks from SNAP could prevent 141,000 cases of childhood obesity and 240,000 cases of adult-onset Type 2 diabetes.

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The waiver submission opens a 30-day public comment period in Arkansas. Sanders first announced her intent to pursue the change in December 2024.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Sanders administration to address food insecurity and promote healthier diets. Earlier this year, Sanders signed legislation providing free breakfast for all Arkansas students and redirecting medical marijuana tax revenue to sustain summer and school meal programs.

Last summer, the state served 260,000 students through its Summer EBT program, which will continue this year. Sanders also signed a bill making school lunch free for students who previously qualified for reduced-price meals.

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has officially kicked off his 2026 re-election campaign with a strong financial showing, reporting more than $570,000 raised during the first quarter of 2025 and a cash-on-hand total of $1.09 million.

The fundraising figures were disclosed in Griffin’s first campaign finance report of the election cycle. The Republican incumbent, who previously served as the state’s lieutenant governor and a U.S. congressman, touted the early momentum as a sign of broad support for his record as the state’s top legal officer.

“I am extremely grateful to all those who have helped us achieve this incredible start to the re-election campaign,” Griffin said in a statement. “We are just getting started, but I am looking forward to taking my campaign to every corner of the state and sharing my track record of getting conservative results for the people of Arkansas.”

Griffin was first elected attorney general in 2022, succeeding Leslie Rutledge, who reached term limits and ran for lieutenant governor. Since taking office, Griffin has focused on issues including public safety, consumer protection, and lawsuits challenging federal policies under the Biden administration. He has frequently aligned himself with other Republican attorneys general across the country on matters such as border security and environmental regulations.

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The 2026 attorney general’s race is still in its early stages, with no major Democratic challengers having officially entered the race. Griffin’s early financial advantage may serve as a deterrent to potential opponents, giving him a significant head start in what could become a closely watched down-ballot contest.

Griffin, 56, is a former U.S. Attorney and served two terms in Congress representing Arkansas’s 2nd District. A longtime figure in Arkansas Republican politics, he has also held leadership roles in the military and legal fields.

LITTLE ROCK – One of Arkansas’s most beloved voices in sports and television is celebrating a milestone today. Dave Woodman, the longtime KARK sportscaster and former “Voice of the Razorbacks,” turns 90.

Woodman’s name is synonymous with Arkansas broadcasting. For decades, he was a nightly fixture in homes across the state, delivering sports headlines with a distinctive voice and a steady presence. He began his Arkansas career in 1970 as KARK’s sports director, part of a powerhouse news team that dominated local television ratings for more than a decade.

But Woodman’s career began long before his Arkansas days. Raised in Alabama, he got his start in broadcasting as a teenager and quickly climbed the ranks, working for NBC and CBS affiliates in Alabama and Louisiana before settling in Arkansas. His early years behind the mic gave him the polish that would later define his legendary status in the Natural State.

In 1974, Woodman stepped into one of the most prestigious roles in Arkansas sports media — radio play-by-play announcer for the Razorback football team. For three seasons, he was the “Voice of the Razorbacks,” calling unforgettable games including the team’s 31-10 Cotton Bowl victory over Georgia in 1976.

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He returned to KARK after that stint and continued covering Arkansas sports through some of their biggest moments, from Lou Holtz’s football teams to the Razorback basketball program’s rise. Later, he transitioned into news anchoring, hosting KARK’s morning and noon newscasts through the 1990s before retiring from daily broadcasting in 2000.

Even after retirement, Woodman remained active behind the scenes, producing KARK’s Community Service Awards for more than a decade. That work earned him a regional Emmy and cemented his reputation as a broadcaster who never stopped giving back.

Over the years, Woodman has been inducted into the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and was most recently honored with the NATAS Mid-America Gold Circle Award for more than 50 years in broadcasting.

For many Arkansans, Dave Woodman isn’t just a sportscaster — he’s a voice that brings back memories of big Razorback wins, Friday night high school highlights, and trusted news coverage. His career helped shape the way sports were covered in Arkansas, and his legacy continues to inspire young broadcasters across the state.

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Today, colleagues, fans, and viewers alike are celebrating a career that defined an era — and the man who made Arkansas sports come alive on screen.

Happy 90th birthday, Dave Woodman.

CONWAY – The Conway Police Department is investigating a mass shooting that left two people dead and nine others injured at 5th Avenue Park on Sunday evening.

Officers responded to the scene earlier in the evening and confirmed that a total of 11 individuals were shot. Two victims were pronounced dead, while the other nine were transported to area hospitals. All surviving victims are currently listed in stable condition.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 501-450-6130. Detectives urge callers to leave a message if their call is not immediately answered.

Law enforcement continues to secure the area, and the public is urged to avoid the vicinity as the investigation remains active. Further details are expected to be released as the case develops.

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PINE BLUFF – White Hall head boys basketball coach Matt Williams has died following a two-vehicle accident late Saturday night in Pine Bluff, according to Deltaplex News.

The accident occurred near the intersection of 46th Avenue and Hazel Street, law enforcement officials told Deltaplex News. Multiple sources confirmed Williams’ death to the outlet on Sunday.

Williams had just completed his first season as head coach at White Hall, leading the Bulldogs to a 15-14 overall record and an 8-8 mark in 5A South conference play. He previously spent one season as head coach at Texarkana, guiding the Razorbacks to a 7-23 record and their first conference wins since 2021.

Before taking over head coaching roles, Williams served as an assistant coach at Springdale and Jonesboro. He began his coaching career at the collegiate level, working as Director of Basketball Operations for the men’s basketball program at Southeast Missouri State University from 2009 to 2011.

As of Sunday, the Pine Bluff Police Department had not released further details about the cause of the crash.

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