LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has selected a long-time law-enforcement officer as the state’s new Drug Director. Boyce Hamlet will assume the position on August 29. He replaces Kirk Lane, drug director since July 2017, who has accepted a job as director of the newly created Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership. “Boyce is a veteran in Arkansas’s fight against the plague of substance abuse in Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “The combination of his commitment to the enforcement of law and his compassion for those caught in the cycle of substance abuse will serve Arkansas well as he continues the pursuit of

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed A.J. Gary, Director of Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, to Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, and J.R. Hankins, Chief of Staff to the Department of Public Safety, to the Director of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, the Governor announced today. “A.J. Gary has managed some of the most difficult natural disasters in our state, and the value of his contributions cannot be overstated,” Governor Hutchinson said. “The experience and skills that A.J. brings to this expanded role ensure that Arkansas’s public safety agencies will continue their good service to

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today released the Interim Report of the Arkansas School Safety Commission. The report emphasized the importance of districts using layered, comprehensive school safety strategies and ensuring school safety policies and procedures are being followed. The report noted the passage of Acts 551, 622, and 648 of the 2021 General Session, and several new projects since 2018 which focus on creating positive school environments. The Commission also highlighted the base state funding that the Arkansas Center for School Safety has been provided since 2019, and the increase of 145 School Resource Officers in school districts

LITTLE ROCK – The following is a list of public appearances by Governor Asa Hutchinson from Sunday, July 31, 2022, through Saturday, August 6, 2022:  Wednesday, August 3, 2022 HOT SPRINGS Arkansas Municipal Police Association Convention 10 a.m. Double Tree by Hilton Thursday, August 4, 2022 LITTLE ROCK Arkansas Teacher of the Year Recognition Ceremony 11 a.m. Grand Hall Governor’s Mansion  Schedule is subject to change. For further updates from Governor Hutchinson, follow on Facebook or Twitter (@AsaHutchinson). CONTACT: Press Shop (press@governor.arkansas.gov)

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – Two weeks ago, I passed the gavel to my successor as chair of the National Governors Association, and today I’d like to talk about my year as leader of the NGA and the opportunity to work with other governors on some of our nation’s biggest challenges. I accepted the gavel virtually in my office at the capitol a year ago during the NGA’s annual summer meeting. This year, we met in Maine, so I passed the gavel in person to the new chair, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. My term

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement in regards to the Arkansas Legislative Council’s decision on the use of money from the American Rescue Plan. “While I am pleased the Arkansas Legislative Council supports funding bonus pay for teachers, their action to rescind $500 million in spending authority for the Arkansas Department of Education is contrary to the Council’s statutory authority and contrary to the principles of separation of powers underlying the Arkansas Revenue Stabilization Act. “I am disappointed by the Legislative Council’s vote to rescind its approval to give the Arkansas Department of Education authority to spend $500

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced that Jami Cook has resigned as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and Director of the Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. In Secretary Cook’s resignation letter to Governor Hutchinson, she states she will step down after battling multiple health issues. She states she will be following her doctor’s advice to “slow down” and focus on her health.  “Since the day I met Jami, I have known her to be a passionate public servant who cares deeply about serving the citizens of Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “She has spent her

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed attorney Kolby Harper as District Judge for the Thirty-Eighth District to replace Judge Tony Yocom, who will retire on July 31, 2022. The Thirty-Eighth District is made up of Hempstead and Nevada counties. “Kolby Harper’s experience as a deputy prosecutor in three different judicial districts has prepared her well for the job as judge in the Thirty-Eighth District,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Judges, prosecutors, and other attorneys who have worked with her are high in their praise of her knowledge of the law and her interaction with those she encounters in the court system.”

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed Fort Smith attorney Sam Terry to fill a vacant judgeship in the Sebastian County District Court-Fort Smith District.  “Sam Terry is an energetic attorney who always steps up when there’s a need for his skills,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I saw firsthand Sam’s integrity, wisdom, impartiality, and temperament when I appointed him as a district judge and as a Special Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of Arkansas. He will bring that same work ethic to this job, and I am grateful he was willing to step up again.”  Mr. Terry’s term will begin

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – The ability to read well is one of the most crucial skills we can give our students, and today I’d like to encourage you to join in our efforts to build a culture of reading in Arkansas. Reading is not simply one skill of many that we choose to master. Young people who don’t learn to read well will always struggle in life. Reading changes everything. We can give our children the gift of reading by providing books at home and reading aloud to them. Children with age-appropriate books at