Arkansas takes home top ranking for religious freedom after Gov Sanders expands key protections
FIRST ON FOX: Arkansas has been ranked the nation's top state for religious liberty after Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a series of laws expanding faith protections that helped lift the state to the top.Earning a score of 89.2%, Arkansas became one of only two states to earn the First Liberty Institute's annual Religious Liberty in the States index's first-ever "excellent" rating.
Reported by 1 outlet — Fox News Latest. See all sources ↓
FIRST ON FOX: Arkansas has been ranked the nation's top state for religious liberty after Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a series of laws expanding faith protections that helped lift the state to the top.Earning a score of 89.2%, Arkansas became one of only two states to earn the First Liberty Institute's annual Religious Liberty in the States index's first-ever "excellent" rating. The index evaluates states using 50 legal protections across 20 religious liberty safeguards spanning education, healthcare, family law, economic activity and other areas of daily life."Religious liberty is America’s First Freedom, and Arkansas is leading the nation in protecting it," Sanders said."Our rights come from God, not government, and every American should be free to live according to their faith and conscience. We’ll continue defending that freedom and ensuring the Natural State remains the best place in the country to live, work and worship."AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDRENThe Natural State climbed six spots from last year's rankings after lawmakers approved several measures expanding legal protections for religious exercise and conscience rights.Arkansas' rise was driven largely by Act 677, legislation Sanders signed last year that bars state and local governments from penalizing people, businesses and religious organizations for acting according to their religious beliefs regarding marriage and biological sex.APPEALS COURT REVIVES LAWSUIT BY ALASKA AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FIRED AFTER OPPOSING PRIDE MESSAGEThe state's religious liberty push also included the Conscience Protection Act, signed by Sanders in 2023, which expanded Arkansas' Religious Freedom Restoration Act by prohibiting state government discrimination against religious organizations based on their religious identity or status.Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel at First Liberty, said other states should follow Arkansas' lead and "strengthen religious liberty protections in their own states.""Religious liberty is best protected when leaders are willing to act before the rights of people of faith are threatened," Shackelford said.GOV SANDERS REVEALS 'MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH' ON EDUCATION AS RED STATE POSITIONS ITSELF AS 'BLUEPRINT' FOR NATIONDr.
Read the full report at Fox News Latest ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- FIRST ON FOX: Arkansas has been ranked the nation's top state for religious liberty after Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a series of laws expanding faith protections that helped lift the state to the top.Earning a score of 89.2%, Arkansas became one of only two states to earn the First Liberty Institute's annual Religious Liberty in the States index's first-ever "excellent" rating.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 14m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Arkansas takes home top ranking for religious freedom after Gov Sanders expands key protections
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest