Rutledge receives nod from president

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who visited the White House earlier this month, says it was nice to get a shoutout from the president and to visit with so many people with Arkansas ties.

Donald Trump singled out the Republican attorney, acknowledging her presence during a meeting with women leaders.

“It’s an honor to participate in those things and certainly to have the president to note that I’m present on behalf of Arkansas,” she said. “We’re trying to develop a good relationship with the administration and be accessible to them and them accessible to us.”

During the meeting, she was able to visit with Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson.

“She seemed really pleased with all that we’re doing at the air base in Little Rock,” Rutledge added.

While on Pennsylvania Avenue, Rutledge also got to visit with two highly visible former Little Rock residents: White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and CNN political analyst Alice Stewart.

She checked in, as well, with Judd Deere, her former communications director.

Deere, a Benton native, left the attorney general’s office in November. He’s now the White House’s director of state communications.

“As his former boss and friend, I could not be more proud of him and the work he’s doing to help communicate the administrations and the White House’s message to millions of people,” Rutledge added.