In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, we sit down with Bryan Norris, decorated Army veteran and grassroots leader, as he officially announces his campaign to become Arkansas’s next Secretary of State. Bryan shares his motivation for challenging Senator Kim Hammer, discusses what’s at stake in our election system, and outlines his vision for restoring transparency, trust, and voter control—starting with hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots.

From battlefield leadership to courtroom battles, Bryan Norris has proven he won’t back down. Tune in to hear how he plans to bring that same relentless energy to the Secretary of State’s office—and why this race could redefine Arkansas politics.

In this explosive episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, host Kandi Cox sits down with Laurie Gross, former Searcy County Election Commissioner, to unpack how Arkansas's only paper ballot county—with a flawless 100% audit match—was sanctioned and banned for 14 years by the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners. Laurie shares how a fully legal $100 lease for ballot monitoring equipment became the basis for accusations of fraud, how state officials refused to allow her to testify, and why this scandal is about more than just her team—it’s about the war on transparent, auditable elections in Arkansas.

Listeners will hear about the state's lack of due process, failed accountability, and what Laurie believes is a spiritual battle for truth and integrity in our election system. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation.

You’ll learn how CIA is transforming lives through Christ-centered programs like literacy classes, life-skills training, addiction recovery, and the Better Dads initiative. Michael also shares about the upcoming 8th Annual Roast & Toast Fundraiser on June 26th at Chenal Country Club—honoring Jennifer Lancaster and featuring keynote speaker State Treasurer John Thurston and DJ Williams of KARK as MC.

If you’ve ever doubted that one man’s obedience could change generations, this episode will restore your faith and stir your heart to action.

New Podcast Episode Out Now! From Chains to Change: Michael Johninson on Faith, Literacy & Second Chances

Today on Arkansas 1st Reports, I sit down with Michael Johninson, Executive Director of Compassion In Action Re-entry, whose powerful testimony and mission are transforming lives inside jails, courtrooms, and transitional housing across Arkansas.

Hear how God turned a prison cell into a ministry calling—and why you don’t want to miss the upcoming 8th Annual Roast & Toast Fundraiser honoring Jennifer Lancaster on June 26th at Chenal Country Club.

In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, host Kandi Cox is joined by Retired Army Colonel Conrad Reynolds, a 29-year veteran and Military Intelligence Officer, to discuss the critical issue of election integrity in Arkansas. As CEO of the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative, Colonel Reynolds is leading the charge for hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots across the state.

Together, they unpack the national call from President Trump to return to paper ballots, what Arkansas counties are doing at the JP level, and whether Governor Sarah Sanders is truly working on election reform as she claims. They also expose the behind-the-scenes pressure from the State Board of Election Commissioners and share what YOU can do to protect your vote and restore trust in our elections.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation with a decorated military leader turned election reform warrior.

In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, host Kandi Cox sits down with 1SG Bryan Norris (Ret.), a decorated combat veteran turned election integrity warrior. From leading combat missions overseas to launching the first successful countywide petition for paper ballot voting in Arkansas, Bryan has never backed down from a fight. Hear how his citizen-led effort in Independence County made national history, how he stood firm through legal challenges all the way to the state’s Supreme Court, and what’s next as citizen-led ballot initiatives come under attack from legislation like the “Hammer Bills.” This is a must-hear episode for every patriot concerned about election integrity, voter transparency, and the right of We the People to control how our votes are cast and counted.

In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, host Kandi Cox is joined by Shannon Everett, co-founder of American Truckers United. Together, they tackle the growing crisis within the American trucking industry—highlighting how unvetted drivers, open border policies, and corrupt brokerage practices are putting lives at risk and crushing wages. Shannon shares how American Truckers United is fighting back with advocacy, reform efforts, and grassroots mobilization. They also break down HB1569, the Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, and discuss how his efforts have made an impact all the way to the Federal level with President Trump’s executive order requiring English proficiency for all U.S. commercial truck drivers. If you care about safety, sovereignty, and standing up for hard working Americans, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, host Kandi Cox sits down with Myka Sample, Saline County Circuit Clerk, to unpack Act 752 (formerly SB406)—a new Arkansas law requiring photo identification when recording real estate deeds. Then they discuss the REAL IDs that time is pressing for you to obtain for travel and access into Federal Buildings.

Together, they explore:

• Why this law was introduced and whether deed fraud is a growing concern

• The real-world impact on local clerk offices and private property owners

• Broad exemptions for attorneys, realtors, financial institutions, and government officials

• Privacy concerns around filing personal IDs under seal

• Whether the law strikes a proper balance between fraud prevention and individual liberty—or crosses into government overreach

In this episode of Arkansas 1st Reports, host Kandi Cox sits down with Randy Sams — President and CEO of SMMG Financial, LLC, Senior Markets Management Group, LLC, host of Your American Retirement radio show, and Chair of the Arkansas 1st Committee — for an in-depth look at the recent Arkansas legislative session. Kandi and Randy break down key highlights, discussing whether the session leaned more red or purple, and identifying which pieces of legislation upheld strong conservative principles and which ones reflected government overreach. They also share insights into what these developments mean for Arkansas moving forward and how conservatives can stay engaged and prepared for the battles ahead. Packed with real talk, expert analysis, and a look toward the future, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about protecting Arkansas values.