The 11 biggest Arkansas stories for 2022
From Sarah Huckabee Sanders' historic win in the governor race, to the lasting impacts of Roe v. Wade's overturning, here are your top stories for 2022.
It's been quite an eventful year in many ways for Arkansas and one that's been covered in several 'firsts' for the state.
From the historic election of Sarah Huckabee Sanders to become the state's first female governor to an 18-year-old becoming the youngest Black mayor in the entire country.
Below you'll find the 11 biggest stories for 2022.
Inmate jumps out of wheelchair to escape
In May, an Arkansas convict made headlines after jumping out of a wheelchair before escaping from police. The man, Joel Delgado, escaped from police custody outside of the Little Rock circuit courthouse downtown.
Delgado wasn’t gone for long, as authorities were able to locate him and take Delgado back into custody just hours after his escape.
Police said that Delgado had numerous felonies and misdemeanors on his record linked to firearm possession, burglary, and theft.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders becomes Arkansas governor
Following months of campaigning, Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders made history in November after she won the 2022 election to become Arkansas's first female governor.
Her win was called by the Associated Press minutes after polls closed. Sanders beat out Democrat Chris Jones and Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington to become the 47th Arkansas governor.
She follows in the footsteps of her father, former governor Mike Huckabee and is set to take over the job from current governor, Asa Hutchinson
Lockdown after shooting at Sherwood hospital
Arkansans were rocked by tragedy following an active shooter incident at a Sherwood hospital, which forced the facility to be placed under lockdown.
The shooting left 21-year-old Leighton Whitfield dead. Whitfield was visiting his 24-year-old fiancée before being shot by Raymond Lovett, who was charged with capital murder and aggravated assault.
Little Rock police arrested Lovett and detained him until Sherwood officers arrived.
Two arrested after kidnapping of Hot Springs teen
Two people were arrested in April for their involvement in the kidnapping of a teen that was previously reported missing in Hot Springs.
Both 38-year-old Samuel Wayne Bolling Jr., and 19-year-old Dayla Ferrer pleaded guilty to their roles in the crime.
Little Rock woman rescued in Miami from human trafficking
A Little Rock woman was rescued in Miami, Florida after being subjected to alleged human trafficking in December.
29-year-old Kyron Richardson was arrested in Miami for his alleged connection to the human trafficking of a 21-year-old woman that he said was “too beautiful” to be in Little Rock.
The victim was eventually able to contact her father, who was able to call police and alert authorities of the victim’s location.
Richardson was arrested by authorities with $18K in his possession and multiple guns at his home.
Arkansas woman wins $2M Mega Millions prize
An Arkansas woman won a big prize back in August and said that she was planning to use the winnings for the "vacation of a lifetime."
Judy Dudley, a resident of Lake City, bought the winning ticket at a Kum & Go station in Jonesboro.
She retired from Arkansas State University in May of 2021, and her husband retired three years ago.
As for the plans for the money? Well, a vacation for she and her family.
Body of missing paddle boarder found along Arkansas River
The body of Ashley Haynes was found on the north side of the Arkansas River in Maumelle in January.
She was initially reported missing on January 12 after she went out paddle boarding and never returned.
Her body was then found around four days later around noon on January 16.
Newlyweds save money on micro-weddings
A new "micro-wedding" trend emerged in August, as many newlyweds continued to face financial woes from the pandemic and rising inflation.
At the time, the increased pricing for food, wedding dresses, and shortage of flowers made wedding planning an even more stressful process.
With that in mind, more people began to follow the micro-wedding trend, which is where the couple has a quicker, scaled down wedding with a smaller quest list.
Father-son sauce duo make deal with Walmart
An Arkansas father-son duo made strides in the business world this year, as their award-winning Truth Sauce made it into Walmart stores.
Keith Tucker Jr. and Keith Tucker III, owners of the father-son culinary business, saw their dreams come true in May as the major retail giant began selling their Truth Sauce inside of select stores.
35 Arkansas churches split from United Methodist
In November, the United Methodist Church saw 35 Arkansas churches disaffiliate from the denomination.
The churches throughout the Natural State decided to split due to “reasons of conscience” in relation to "the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals."
Before the split was made official, the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church held a special session, where they determined if the congregations were allowed to leave the denomination.
Arkansas teen becomes youngest Black mayor in America
A small Arkansas town recently made national headlines following a December runoff for a local mayoral office.
The City of Earle elected 18-year-old Jaylen Smith as their next mayor. Smith’s appointment as the city’s mayor was historic as he will become the youngest Black mayor in the country.
As for his plans, Smith promises improvements to public safety in the small town. He also wants to tear down abandoned houses and open a grocery store.