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Jonesboro Police Identify Persons of Interest After Four Flock Safety Cameras Destroyed by Gunfire

Jonesboro Police Identify Persons of Interest After Four Flock Safety Cameras Destroyed by Gunfire

The Jonesboro Police Department (JPD) is actively investigating the destruction of four Flock safety cameras by gunfire last weekend. According to incident reports obtained from JPD, the first attack was discovered around 1:45 a.m. on September 5, in the area of Christian Valley Drive, Mt. Carmel Road, and West Lawson Road. Additional cameras were found damaged at three other intersections: Lawson Road and South Culberhouse Street; West Matthews and West Washington Avenues; and Woodsprings Road and Southwest Drive. JPD Public Information Official Sally Smith confirmed on September 14 that the cameras were struck by gunfire and noted that there were no calls for service in those areas at the time of the attacks. The JPD has identified persons of interest and is working to establish their identities as the investigation progresses toward filing charges. This incident follows similar attacks in Brookland, another city in Craighead County, where four of its 14 Flock cameras were also targeted and damaged by gu...

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Urges Pre-Season Treestand Safety Inspections

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Urges Pre-Season Treestand Safety Inspections

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is advising hunters to conduct thorough pre-season inspections of their treestands to prevent accidents during deer hunting season. Matt Gideon, Hunter Education and Boater Education Coordinator for the AGFC, highlighted that treestand falls account for 75 to 80 percent of hunting accidents annually, with many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Gideon recommends inspecting all welds, straps, and cables on treestands. He particularly stresses the importance of replacing straps that have been exposed to the elements all year, as squirrels, rats, and weather can weaken materials. Ideally, treestands should be taken down at the end of each season for thorough inspection. Gideon also noted that misuse or non-use of safety harnesses is a primary cause of treestand falls, with many incidents occurring during the climb up or down when harnesses are unattached. The AGFC compiles an annual Hunter Incident Report to inform Hunter Education instructors and identif...

Arkansas and Japan to Host Agricultural Summit Focused on Rice and Technology Collaboration

Arkansas and Japan to Host Agricultural Summit Focused on Rice and Technology Collaboration

Arkansas and Japan to Host Agricultural Summit Focused on Rice and Technology Collaboration

Anheuser-Busch Foundation Awards $130,000 Grant for Arkansas Rice Research

Anheuser-Busch Foundation Awards $130,000 Grant for Arkansas Rice Research

Anheuser-Busch Foundation Awards $130,000 Grant for Arkansas Rice Research

Heat Advisories Issued Across 12 U.S. States, Heat Index to Reach 114°F (46°C)

Heat Advisories Issued Across 12 U.S. States, Heat Index to Reach 114°F (46°C)

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Heat Advisories spanning 12 U.S. states from Texas to Indiana, effective from September 14 to September 16, 2026. Heat index values are forecast to reach up to 114°F (46°C) in southern Texas, with other areas experiencing indices between 105°F (41°C) and 114°F (46°C). The advisories cover regions including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. The extreme heat is attributed to a strong upper-level ridge moving from the Southeast to the central U.S., creating hazardous conditions across the Southern Plains and Mid-South. The advisories highlight the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for those engaging in outdoor activities or not acclimated to the heat.

ICE Subpoenas Transaction Records in Investigation of Anti-ICE Protesters, Including Don Lemon

ICE Subpoenas Transaction Records in Investigation of Anti-ICE Protesters, Including Don Lemon

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE, issued subpoenas for transaction records as part of a broad investigation into protesters and journalists, including former CNN host Don Lemon. This investigation stems from an anti-ICE demonstration that took place in a St. Paul church in early 2026, where Lemon was present. One notable subpoena was sent to outdoor retail co-op REI, requesting transaction records for individuals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area who purchased a specific dark green beanie from the brand Coal from January 1, 2024, onward. The summons requested dates and locations of purchases, buyer identities, contact information, payment types, and complete credit or debit card numbers. This REI subpoena was one of 92 issued by HSI, some broad in scope to identify unknown participants, and others targeting specific defendants. Some companies, like T-Mobile, complied with demands, while others, such as Google and YouTube, rejected them.

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two Peachtree City Officers Removed After Flock Safety Audit Reveals Misconduct

Two officers from the Peachtree City Police Department in metro Atlanta have been removed from service following an internal audit of the department's use of Flock Safety technology. The audit uncovered two distinct incidents involving the misuse of this technology. Each instance was independently flagged, leading to an immediate referral to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for an independent criminal investigation. The Peachtree City Police Department confirmed that both officers involved are no longer employed by the department. The GBI has acknowledged that an investigation is underway but has not released specific details regarding the individuals under investigation or the nature of the misconduct.

Reps. Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for ALPRs Amidst Growing Surveillance Concerns

Reps. Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for ALPRs Amidst Growing Surveillance Concerns

Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri have introduced the 'Flock-Off Act' in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for the purchase or operation of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Furthermore, it mandates that any existing ALPR systems funded by federal money must be shut down within 180 days of the act's passage. The move comes amidst increasing bipartisan concern over the widespread deployment of ALPR technology, particularly systems from companies like Flock Safety, which critics argue facilitate warrantless mass surveillance. Lawmakers and civil liberties advocates contend that these AI-powered cameras, which scan and record vehicle license plates, infringe upon fundamental privacy rights by creating a comprehensive tracking network of American drivers. This federal initiative mirrors actions taken at the state level, where officials in Texas and Florida have moved to restrict or remove ALPRs, and numerous loc...

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) have introduced H.R. 10221, known as the 'Flock-Off Act.' This legislation aims to address growing concerns about government surveillance by prohibiting the use of federal funds for the purchase, installation, maintenance, operation, or upgrade of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. The move comes amidst increasing scrutiny of companies like Flock Safety, which provides extensive surveillance networks, including drone-based systems capable of automatically launching in response to incidents and collecting vast amounts of data. Critics argue that these technologies, such as Flock's Alpha drone, which can fly at 60 mph and use thermal imaging to read license plates from 2,000 feet, turn public spaces into searchable surveillance networks and can lead to mass data collection on innocent individuals.

Alien Terrorist Removal Court Deports Legal U.S. Resident to Afghanistan in First-Ever Case

Alien Terrorist Removal Court Deports Legal U.S. Resident to Afghanistan in First-Ever Case

The Justice Department has utilized the Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time to deport Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old legal U.S. resident originally from Afghanistan. Haji Zada conceded to being an 'alien terrorist' and waived her rights to challenge the detention, leading to her removal order by Senior U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen. Prosecutors alleged that Haji Zada supported a plan by her son and son-in-law to commit an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting on Election Day in 2024. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, 19, was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement. The family allegedly raised funds for the attack by selling assets and planned to move to an ISIS-controlled location before the attack, leaving the son and son-in-law behind to carry it out. Haji Zada's court-appointed attorneys contested the constitutionality of the case, citing that they were not permitted to review classified evidence, which the government stated posed a risk to national security. The court...

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Upholds Individual Treatment in College Admissions, Rejecting Race-Based Criteria

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Upholds Individual Treatment in College Admissions, Rejecting Race-Based Criteria

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for the majority in a 2023 Supreme Court ruling, affirmed that applicants to colleges and universities must be treated as individuals and not on the basis of race. This decision directly influences the approach to college admissions, particularly in how institutions consider an applicant's background. While the ruling prohibits race-based considerations as a primary factor, Chief Justice Roberts also clarified that it should not be interpreted to prevent universities from acknowledging how race may have impacted an applicant's life, whether through experiences of discrimination, inspiration, or other relevant factors. This nuance suggests a continued, albeit altered, role for discussions of race within the admissions process, focusing on individual narratives rather than broad racial classifications.

Senator John Boozman Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Fund State-Led Paid Leave Programs

Senator John Boozman Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Fund State-Led Paid Leave Programs

Senator John Boozman (R-AR) is co-leading the bipartisan More Paid Leave for More Americans Act alongside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). This legislative effort aims to establish and fund state-led pilot programs for paid leave across the United States. The bill also seeks to help states coordinate paid leave regulations through a new 'I-PLAN' framework. Senator Boozman has highlighted the connection between paid leave and maternal health, noting that Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, with many deaths being preventable. He argues that paid leave is directly linked to improved survival rates for mothers and infants during pregnancy and birth. Data cited by Senator Boozman suggests that mothers with paid maternity leave experience approximately half the odds of postpartum hospitalization, and infants see a similar reduction in hospitalization risk. Furthermore, just ten weeks of paid leave is associated with a significant decrease in infant mortality.