mike hagar

Arkansas authorities see ‘high risk’ of violence against religious nonprofits from Mideast war

BY: - November 17, 2023

Arkansas lawmakers will direct $500,000 in state funds to bolster security for religious nonprofits considered at risk of violence in light of ongoing conflict in the Middle East once state law enforcement officials specify how the money will be used.  Col. Mike Hagar, DPS secretary and head of the Arkansas State Police, asked on Nov. […]

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs a slew of bills passed during the special legislative session held from Sept. 11-14, 2023, in Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas officials’ security records shielded from public under altered FOIA law

BY: - September 14, 2023

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Thursday altering the state’s Freedom of Information Act, one of her stated goals of the special legislative session she called for this week. Senate Bill 10, which passed the Senate on Wednesday and the House on Thursday, shields from public access all records and communications concerning the […]

Bill to shield Arkansas officials’ security records moves forward

BY: and - September 13, 2023

Arkansas lawmakers’ third attempt this week to alter the state’s Freedom of Information Act advanced in both the House and Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 1012 and Senate Bill 10 would exempt from FOIA all records and communications concerning the planning or provision of security services to the governor and other state elected officials. The […]

Jimmie Cavin, right, is escorted from the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee meeting by a State Capitol Police officer after being told to leave by committee chairman Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning.

Lawmakers offer narrower change to Arkansas FOIA after bipartisan pushback

BY: - September 12, 2023

After two days of bipartisan backlash against proposed changes to Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act, lawmakers late Tuesday filed narrower legislation to exempt information related to security services provided to the governor and other state officials. It’s the third attempt in as many business days to alter the state’s 1967 public records law. The first […]

Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders (at podium) said Monday Dec. 5, 2022, that she plans to nominate Mike Hagar (center) to serve as secretary of public safety and director of state police; Hagar is currently commander of the state police’s Troop A, which includes Pulaski, Faulkner, Lonoke and Saline counties. Current Public Safety Director A.J. Gary (right) will remain as the director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. The announcements were made at the Arkansas State University System Offices in Little Rock, across the street from the state Capitol. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces appointment for Arkansas Public Safety secretary

BY: - December 5, 2022

This story was updated at 4:40 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2022, with additional details about Capt. Mike Hagar’s U.S. Marshal nomination. Arkansas Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday announced her first cabinet appointment, tapping a current Arkansas State Police troop commander to be her public safety chief. Sanders said she would nominate Capt. Mike Hagar, […]