JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s ASU-TV will host three political debates in October for candidates vying for office.
The debates will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1; Thursday, Oct. 8; and Thursday, Oct. 22.
The Oct. 1 debate will focus on the Arkansas House District 36 race between Republican Rep. Johnny Rye and Democratic challenger Shamal Carter. Rye was invited, but they have not confirmed if they will attend. Carter has confirmed that he will be present at the debate.
The Oct. 8 debate will highlight the U.S. House District 1 race between Republican incumbent Rick Crawford, Democratic candidate Dr. Terri Yarbrough Green, and Libertarian candidate Dr. Steve Parsons. Crawford will not attend, but Green and Parsons will be present.
The Oct. 22 debate will focus on the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Sen. Tom Cotton, Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner, and Libertarian candidate Jeff Wadlin. Cotton will not be present, but Shoffner and Wadlin will attend.
“We are excited to air these three political debates because they help connect voters with the candidates seeking to represent them. Meaningful debates are essential, as they allow the public to compare ideas, hear differing perspectives and make informed decisions at the ballot box,” said Johnathan Reaves, instructor of mass communication, who will also serve as producer.
Panelists for the debates include Allie Carson, editor-in-chief of The Herald; Lexie Burns, KASU reporter; LaGanzie Kale, KLEK general manager; Samantha Mitchell, KASU news director; and Levi Seward, A-State Pre-Law Club president.
Marty Scarbrough, KASU program director, will serve as moderator for the Oct. 1 and Oct. 22 debates. Reaves will moderate the Oct. 8 debate. Students in instructor Galen Perkins’ Video Production Two class will organize the programs.
“I am excited to see our students play such a vital role in bringing these debates to the viewers. Not only is this an invaluable learning opportunity, but it also gives them valuable real-world experience in live television production while contributing to an important civic event. There is no better classroom than working on a broadcast that directly serves the community and helps inform voters,” Reaves added.
The debates will air on ASU-TV, KASU Public Radio at A-State, Red Wolf Radio, and KLEK-FM. They will also be available on ASU-TV’s YouTube channel and social media channels.
Demonstrators protest in Jonesboro at the June 14 No Kings protest, organized by the Coalition for Change of Northeast Arkansas (CCNEA). The second protest, also organized by the CCNEA, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Photo Courtesy of the Democratic Party of Craighead County Facebook Page.
JONESBORO – The Coalition for Change of Northeast Arkansas (CCNEA) will hold a second No Kings protest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in Jonesboro at the intersection of Highland and Red Wolf, next to the Turtle Creek Mall.
One of 13 others scheduled in Arkansas and more than 2,500 worldwide as of Oct. 10, the demonstrations aim to protest against policies and alleged authoritarian actions from President Donald Trump and his administration. Carol Davis, CCNEA member, said those who attend the No Kings protests are rallying together over a variety of concerns and causes. She cited government overreach and concerns about community safety as reasons for her expected presence at the protest.
“If what it takes is large amounts of people continually coming out and saying and showing that they disapprove, that they’re concerned, that there are issues, then the hope is that they’ll listen,” Davis said. “And if they won’t listen, then the hope is that we can encourage people to vote with their conscience and with their interests.”
Jayne Schack, another member of the CCNEA, said Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in specific cities across the United States also highlights the need for another No Kings protest. Schack noted her participation in the first No Kings protest, held June 14, was a singular experience.
“The kind of ‘high’ that I had from attending the June 14 protest is like nothing else that ever happened,” Schack said. “There was such a bond of solidarity of ‘We are people who believe in our democracy, we are people who believe in our Constitution, and we are not going to let it change into something else.’ That’s what the No Kings is about.”
Nationally, the first No Kings protests saw a turnout between 4-6 million, according to data journalist G. Elliot Morris. Schack said more than 400 attended the rally in Jonesboro, far exceeding the CCNEA’s expectations.
Davis said while the CCNEA is comprised of people from a wide variety of beliefs, what binds the group together is a desire to see their community get involved and succeed. The CCNEA started in Paragould, Arkansas, in response to the 2024 presidential election results. Schack said she attended her first CCNEA meeting in December 2024.
“We are a grassroots organization. We are nonpartisan. We want to empower individuals to take action and make a difference in their communities,” Schack said.
The CCNEA is an offshoot of Indivisible, a progressive movement that started in 2016. According to their website, Indivisible is committed to nonviolence and rejects all forms of political violence and intimidation.
Schack and Davis said the CCNEA shares these values and has taken measures to ensure all attendees stay safe at the upcoming protest. Although it was not mentioned, any form of violence has been an issue in the past; therefore, it is strictly prohibited at the protest.
Davis said the CCNEA hosts training sessions for members, educating them on safety and their rights as protesters. The CCNEA will also designate trained safety marshals for use in the protest. Schack said safety marshals maintain peace, de-escalate conflicts, and help wherever needed.
Davis said those attending should take care of themselves by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and taking breaks as needed. She says the CCNEA will be ready to help anyone who has any questions or concerns during the protest.
“It’s a serious subject and it’s an important thing, but ultimately, you should feel like you’re enjoying the company of the people around you,” Davis said. “It’s a fun thing to be able to have that opportunity, to have that right and to exercise it.”
Protesters present signs to passing vehicles at the Turtle Creek Mall during the first No Kings protest on June 14. Photo courtesy of the Craighead County Democratic Party Facebook page.
Schack said counter-protesters have as much of a right to assemble as the CCNEA. Still, she said they will not engage with any counter-protesters and all attendees should act in a non-confrontational manner.
“It takes work to keep a democracy, it takes understanding, it takes compassion. You have the right to say what you think. I have the right to think something different. It’s fine, that doesn’t mean we have to hate each other,” Schack said.
Despite disagreeing with the message of the No Kings protests, Arkansas Sen. Dan Sullivan said he wholeheartedly supports allowing diverse voices to challenge perceived power structures without fear of reprisal.
“I also recognize the irony of the protesters’ claims,” Sullivan said. “That if we truly lived in the authoritarian regime that they decry, their public demonstration of dissent would be swiftly suppressed. Thus, their very ability to rally is a testament to the freedoms they claim lost.”
Others voice stronger opposition.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the No Kings protests are outrageous gatherings for outrageous purposes. “This ‘Hate America’ rally that they have coming up for October 18th, the Antifa crowd and the pro-Hamas crowd and the Marxists, they’re all gonna gather at the (National) Mall,” Johnson said.
The No Kings coalition issued a response following Johnson’s statements, writing that Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down and that the protesters are committed to nonviolence.
“Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, he’s attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings,” the statement read. “All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.
Schack said protesters are still people and should not be demonized, nor should their opposers.
“We’re all just people. Nothing special about us. We’re not demons. People who disagree with us are not demons,” Schack said. “Most of us are patriotic for our country and what it stands for. We differ in our views on what the future might be and how we see it. But there’s no reason why we can’t be respectful.”
Arkansas 1st District Rep. Rick Crawford did not respond to statement requests before publication.
Davis questions whether the rhetoric surrounding protests as inherently violent and ineffective, especially in the Arkansas Delta, will discourage people from attending. She said the CCNEA would love anyone interested to participate in it if they feel safe to do so, but understands that it’s not for everyone.
“I think the important thing about demonstrations, especially in this area, is first and foremost to encourage other people who are similarly concerned,” Davis said. “When I went to the first No Kings demonstration, I didn’t expect a tremendous amount of support. So to see so many people in my community motivated and concerned was really encouraging.”
Davis said she hopes those who attend the protest are encouraged to continue their activism. Whether through civil disobedience or running for office, Davis said she hopes the protest motivates people to continue demanding to be heard.
Schack said the CCNEA will host an event at an undetermined date after the protest to receive feedback from attendees and discuss improvements for future demonstrations.
“If you want to be involved in an organization that is going to foster your ability as an individual to engage and mobilize and promote social justice, this is it,” Schack said.
More information about the CCNEA, No Kings, and Indivisible can be found at ccnea.org, nokings.org, and indivisible.org. -30-
