ANDREW DeMILLO, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - This combo of images released by the Arkansas Department of Corrections shows the recapture of escaped inmate Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer, by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol, June 6, 2025, near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of Calico Rock prison. in Calico Rock, Ark. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP, File)

‘Devil in the Ozarks’ planned prison escape for months, cited lax security in kitchen, report says

August 15, 2025

An internal review reveals that a former police chief, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” spent months planning his escape from an Arkansas prison. The Department of Corrections released the report Friday detailing Grant Hardin’s May 25 escape from Calico Rock prison. Hardin was serving sentences for murder and rape and was captured June 6. He used a fake law enforcement uniform to walk out of the facility. Two employees were fired for procedure violations that aided his escape. Hardin was misclassified and shouldn’t have been in a primarily medium-security prison. He faces trial for escape charges in November.

Arkansas authorities say additional employees disciplined at prison where ex-police chief escaped

August 11, 2025

Additional employees at an Arkansas prison have been disciplined for not following procedures at a prison where an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped earlier this summer. Arkansas Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne told lawmakers on Monday that employees at the Calico Rock prison had been suspended. Payne says another demoted for allowing inmates to use an outdoor kitchen dock unsupervised. The dock played a key role in the May 25 escape of Grant Hardin. Payne says corrections officials have nearly completed the report on their critical incident review of the escape.

The trail head to the Devil's Den trail at Devils Den State Park remains closed Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark. Police in Arkansas are searching for a suspect in the deaths of a couple who investigators said were attacked while on the wooded walking trail with their two young daughters. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Teacher hired in Arkansas charged in Devil’s Den park killing of couple that was hiking with kids

July 30, 2025

Officials say a 28-year-old Arkansas man has been arrested in the killings of a married couple in front of their children at Devil’s Den State Park over the weekend. Arkansas State Police arrested the man from Springdale on Wednesday and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Police did not mention a possible motive. Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were found dead Saturday on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. Authorities have said their young daughters were not hurt and are being cared for by family members.

Arkansas police arrest man in Devil’s Den park killings after dayslong search, finding him nearby

July 30, 2025

Police release picture of man wanted for questioning in investigation into Devil’s Den park killings

July 29, 2025

Arkansas police have released a photo of a man wanted for questioning in their investigation into the killing of a married couple at Devil’s Den State Park. The attack happened over the weekend, and the couple were killed in front of their children. Police say the killer was likely injured during the attack. Authorities have asked the public to review photos and videos from the park on Saturday. The FBI is assisting with the investigation. Trails at the park remain closed, and rangers have increased patrols. The couple had recently moved to Arkansas from South Dakota.

Arkansas prison employees fired after ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ escape

July 10, 2025

Two Arkansas prison employees have been fired after an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped in May. Corrections officials said Thursday that the employees violated policies, allowing Grant Hardin to leave the Calico Rock prison wearing a fake law enforcement uniform. Hardin is a former police chief serving sentences for murder and rape. He was captured on June 6 not far from the prison. Lawmakers criticized the incident, calling it a sign of deeper systemic issues. Hardin has pleaded not guilty to an escape charge and is scheduled to face trial in November.

This combo of images provided by the Arkansas Department of Corrections shows an actual photo of inmate Grant Hardin, left, and a photo rendering of the convicted former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks" as the search for the escaped inmate headed into its second week. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP)

Arkansas authorities release photo rendering of ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ as manhunt continues

June 3, 2025

Arkansas authorities have released a photo rendering of a convicted murderer and former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” who escaped from prison. The Arkansas Department of Corrections said Tuesday the rendering shows what 56-year-old Grant Hardin may look like more than a week after his escape from the Calico Rock prison. Hardin was serving sentences for rape and murder when he escaped May 25. Authorities have said he donned an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform. Police continued to search the north-central Arkansas region for Hardin.

FILE - The exterior view of a CVS branch is shown on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez,File)

CVS and Express Scripts sue Arkansas over restriction on pharmacy benefit managers

May 29, 2025

CVS and Express Scripts are asking a federal judge to block an Arkansas law prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from owning or operating pharmacies in the state. The lawsuits are challenging the first such restrictions enacted by a state on PBMs, which run prescription drug coverage for big clients that include health insurers and employers that provide coverage. Supporters of Arkansas law say it’s needed to protect independent pharmacies that are being closed because of PBMs. The lawsuits call Arkansas’ law unconstitutional and say it could have devastating impacts on access to medications.

ANDREW DeMILLO.