We’re starting off in south Arkansas, where a major showdown is underway this morning over how much landowners should be paid for lithium extraction.
SWA Lithium, a joint venture between Canada-based Standard Lithium and Norwegian energy giant Equinor, is trying — for the third time — to get its royalty payment plan approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.
Their current proposal? A 2.5% royalty rate based on the value of the lithium extracted from the brine under private land. Landowners would also get a $65 per acre annual fee — bringing the total package to around 3% based on current prices.
But not everyone’s on board. Weyerhaeuser, which owns major tracts of land in the region, filed a formal objection, calling the proposed rate “unreasonably low.” They say they’ve received royalty offers ranging from 3% all the way to 10%.
A group of local landowners organized under the South Arkansas Minerals Association is also pushing back — they want the commission to implement a “sliding scale” system. That would mean royalty percentages would rise or fall with the price of lithium on the global market, instead of being locked in at one rate.
ExxonMobil, which operates brine extraction company Saltwerx, has filed a letter supporting SWA Lithium's plan, saying it fairly reflects the risk and investment taken on by developers.
This hearing only applies to SWA Lithium’s Reynolds Unit, which spans parts of Columbia, Lafayette, and Miller counties. But the decision could influence how future lithium extraction projects — by Exxon, Albemarle, and others — are structured in Arkansas.
This is the third time a royalty plan has come before the commission — previous proposals, including one as low as 1.82%, were rejected for not being “fair and equitable.”
The stakes are high. Lithium is considered a critical mineral by both the Biden and Trump administrations, and Standard Lithium has received $225 million in federal grant funding to develop their process in Arkansas. Today’s hearing could help determine whether the region becomes a national leader in lithium — and whether the people who own the land see their fair share of the profits.
Now moving from minerals to meals — there’s still no decision yet on Arkansas’ request to restrict sugary items from SNAP, the federal food assistance program.
While Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa have already been approved to implement bans this month, Arkansas’ request is still pending at the USDA.
The proposal from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders would remove the ability to buy:
At the same time, hot rotisserie chicken would be added to the list of items allowed under SNAP.
Sanders says the change is about getting junk food off taxpayer tabs, noting that 23% of Arkansas SNAP spending currently goes toward soda, candy, and snacks.
If approved, the change would go into effect in July 2026 and last for five years.
Let’s head outdoors now — the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has been busy with some big decisions and proposals at last week’s meeting at DeGray Lake.
First, they voted to restore the two-day Veterans and Active Duty Military Waterfowl Hunt, returning to its original format. The hunt had been reduced to a single day for the 2024–25 season, but public comments made it clear: folks wanted it back to two. So now, the hunt will run February 7–8, 2026, alongside the annual Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt.
They also read the first proposals for some new hunting and boating rules:
There’s also a big change being considered for turkey season. The Commission is proposing dividing the state into five hunting zones with staggered open dates, allowing some regions — especially in the south — to start earlier.
Rather than break down each zone here, we’ll point you to AGFC’s website at agfc.com, where you can find full details on the proposed zone structure and other regulation changes. A final vote is expected at their June 19 meeting.
Campaign season is officially underway for 2026, and two Arkansas House candidates have already stepped forward.
First up, Rep. Paul Childress, a Republican from Benton, has announced he’ll run for reelection in House District 83, which covers parts of Benton, Bryant, and Hot Springs Village.
Childress, a former police officer and insurance agent, is leaning into his real-world experience in this campaign. In his announcement, he said, “We can't expect economic growth if the people making decisions lack real-life experience.”
During his first term, Childress chaired the Public Transportation and Rail Subcommittee, served on the Aging, Children and Youth Committee, and was appointed to the Boys State Committee. He’s also been deeply involved in community service — from CASA to the Mercy Hospital Child Advocacy Council.
On the Democratic side, Max Deitchler has launched his campaign for House District 20, covering northeast Fayetteville and nearby unincorporated areas.
That seat is currently held by Rep. Denise Garner, who’s leaving to run for Senate District 30 — the seat currently held by Sen. Greg Leding, who’s term-limited.
Deitchler is an attorney, small business owner, and former Washington County Election Commissioner. He says he’s running because “Arkansas needs real solutions to real problems.” His platform includes expanding affordable housing, public education, childcare access, voting rights, and support for small businesses and public lands like the Buffalo National River.
And it’s a big week for Razorback fans — Arkansas Baseball has secured the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host a Fayetteville Regional starting Friday.
The Hogs face North Dakota State at 2 p.m., followed by Creighton and Kansas at 7 p.m. — all part of the double-elimination format.
Coach Dave Van Horn says the team is “calmly excited” and happy to get the early game — less chance of weather delays. Arkansas is 32-4 at home this season, and they’ll need every bit of that momentum if they want to advance. The Hogs haven’t made it out of their home regional in the past two years.
If they do win this weekend, they’ll likely face Tennessee, the No. 14 seed, in a super regional.
North Dakota State comes in at 20-32 and ranked 141st in RPI — but Creighton and Kansas are both strong road teams with 40+ wins each.
This one’s shaping up to be a tight battle — and Razorback fans are ready.
And finally, Arkansas is mourning the loss of a familiar voice and a local legend.
Ed Buckner, former chief meteorologist at THV11, passed away Monday at age 59 after complications from cancer.
Buckner joined THV11 in 1996 and played a key role in the station’s rise in the late 90s — especially after the 1997 tornado outbreak, when THV11’s upgraded radar stayed live while other stations went off the air.
Colleagues like Dawn Scott and Craig O’Neill said Buckner brought both accuracy and empathy to weather reporting — always calm, always reliable.
He stepped down in 2020 due to Tourette syndrome, a condition he openly talked about in schools and on-air. He told students: “Everybody’s got something.”
Buckner also wrote and performed children’s songs about weather, including “Roy G. Biv” and “Puffy the Cumulus Cloud.”
He’s survived by his wife, Carolyn, four children — including THV11 reporter Brooke Buckner — and seven grandchildren. His daughter Ashton Eakin passed away in 2019, also from cancer.
Ed Buckner wasn’t just a weatherman — he was Arkansas’ weatherman. And he’ll be deeply missed.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
That’s your news for today. This is the Free News Arkansas Daily Briefing — we’ll be back tomorrow with more from around the state. Stay safe and stay informed.