former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel

LITTE ROC — President- elect Donald Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.

David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” by Trump’s selection of Huckabee.

Several of the state’s Republicans on Tuesday applauded the announcement that former Gov.

Mike Huckabee has been nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

In announcing the nomination, President-elect Donald Trump said Huckabee, who served as Governor from 1996 to 2007, has visited the Middle East on many occasions.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor and Leader in faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him,” the President-elect said. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East.”

Rep. French Hill (R-Little Rock) said Tuesday he believes Huckabee, who must be confirmed by the Senate, will work toward peace.

“My longtime friend Gov. Mike Huckabee is an outstanding choice for US Ambassador to Israel. He was a terrific Governor of Arkansas and will continue his public service in working to secure peace in the region,” Hill said.

Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, who served in the Huckabee administration before becoming Attorney General and later Lt.

Governor, said she supports the nomination.

”Congratulations to my friend, Gov. Mike Huckabee,” on his appointment as Ambassador to Israel by President Trump! Gov. Huckabee, my former boss and predecessor, has long been a steadfast advocate for Israel. This is a superb choice,” Rutledge said.

Rep. Steve Womack (RRogers) said he believes the former governor will provide leadership in a part of the world facing constant threats.

”I’m excited that @real-

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HUCKABEE STATE

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DonaldTrump has nominated my friend Gov. Mike Huckabee as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel! Fantastic choice by President Trump. Mike was an effective governor for the great state of Arkansas and will serve our nation well by working to support America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. His support for Israel is impeccable. Congratulations Gov. Mike Huckabee,” Womack said. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday on social media that she was proud of her father’s appointment.

“Unbelievably proud that @realDonaldTrump nominated my dad @GovMike-Huckabee to be US Ambassador to Israel! I went to Israel for the first time with my dad when I was eleven and it changed my life,” Sanders said on social media. “There is no one President Trump could have picked with a greater love for the Israeli people and commitment to the unbreakable bond between America and Israel than him. Love you dad.”

President-elect Trump is scheduled to meet with President Biden Wednesday at the White House, to discuss a peaceful transition.

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Governor unveils $102 million plan to update state employee pay plan

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed on Tuesday a $102 million overhaul of the pay plan for state employees, a change that her office said will raise compensation for more than 14,000 state workers.

The Republican governor detailed the planned overhaul, which she said will be part of the balanced budget proposal she's scheduled to make to lawmakers later this month.

Sanders said the changes are aimed at bringing state employees up to comparable rates paid in the private sector and are targeted at positions facing shortages such as correctional officers, state troopers, nurses and social service workers.

'We took the existing pay plan down to its studs to rebuild a compensation system that rewards hard work and encourages Arkansans to apply to our most hard-to-fill positions,' Sanders said. 'I look forward to working with the Legislature to pass this plan and deliver these long overdue reforms for our state employees.'

About $60 million of annual cost of the pay plan will come from general revenue, while the remainder will come from other sources such as savings from existing vacancies. Sanders said she has asked agency heads to first look at funding the plan through their existing budgets. The proposal also reduces the number of job titles from about 2,200 to just over 800. It also expands the number of pay tables to six.

The proposal comes as public employers across the U.S. have struggled to fill jobs and have hiked wages to try and retain and attract workers amid competition from the private sector.

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State Capitol lighting ceremony Dec. 7

LITTLE ROCK —Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston welcomes you to enjoy the tradition of the Arkansas State Capitol Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m.

Host, former Arkansas Razorback, and NFL player D.J. Williams will emcee the 86th anniversary of this event.

Rev. Kenneth Martin of Greater Archview Baptist Church in Little Rock will give the invocation. There will be musical performances by Miss Arkansas Camille Cathey and the Shuffles and Ballet II Dance Studio. Other special guests include Santa Claus, Miss Teen Arkansas Peyton Bolling, the Catholic High Jr. ROTC, and more.

Following the ceremony and fireworks show, the public is invited inside the Capitol to view the beautiful Christmas decorations, visit Santa in his workshop, check out the LEGO exhibit in the first floor galleries, view the display of vintage tin toys on the fourth floor, and shop in the Capitol Gift Shop. The 2024 Capitol Christmas Ornament will be available for purchase.

The Arkansas State Capitol Christmas Lighting Ceremony is a free, event that is open to the public.