Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Represenatives 11-18-22: Did you know that more than 12% of all turkeys produced in the United States are raised right here in Arkansas? Arkansas produces 27 million turkeys per year and ranks third in the nation in turkeys raised. But that’s not the only popular Thanksgiving dish that…
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Jefferson Regional receives Leapfrog Safety Rating
The national Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for Fall of 2022 were revealed on November 16, and Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff is pleased to announce that it has received a “B” rating. Leapfrog is a national non-profit watchdog organization. Using evidence-based measures, Leapfrog assigns a letter grade twice a year to nearly 3,000 hospitals based…
As Mississippi River rises, so do commodity prices
LITTLE ROCK — As rain feeds the Mississippi, the rising river is also buoying the commodity prices farmers are receiving at the elevators. Months of drought throughout the Mississippi River basin dropped the river to record low levels in October; bottlenecking — and at one point halting — barge traffic between Osceola, Arkansas, and Greenville, Mississippi.…
Boozman, Blumenthal lead bipartisan effort to safeguard veterans filing benefit claims
WASHINGTON–– U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), senior members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to hold unaccredited entities that target men and women who served in uniform accountable for their predatory practices. The Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claim representatives who charge…
So, what issues are on the 2022 ballot in Arkansas?
There are a total of four issues which Arkansas voters will make their voice known on this election. Saline River Chronicle is happy to share with you an easy-to-read guide from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture which describes in detail what each issue is about, plus what a yes or no vote…
Arkansas delegation travel to Guatemala for disaster relief conference
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In 2021, representatives of the Guatemalan Army visited Little Rock, Arkansas, to see how the state responds to natural disasters as part of a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response Conference with the Arkansas National Guard. During the conference, the Guatemalan delegation visited Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Arkansas Wing headquarters, toured CAP aircraft and…
With Mississippi River shipping at a crawl, farmers seeing prices for their grain falling
LITTLE ROCK — Farmers faced with high fuel and fertilizer costs this growing season could at least look for consolation in relatively high commodity prices. However, even that right spot may be slipping away as low water on the Mississippi River slows shipping and keeps grain backing up at local elevators. On Monday the U.S. Coast…
Voter registration deadline is Tuesday
There is an important deadline approaching for Arkansans planning to vote in the November election. If you have not already registered to vote, you have until October 11 to file your voter registration application with your county clerk. If you submit your application close to an election registration deadline, you are strongly advised to follow…
How to apply for disaster assistance for 2022 livestock forage losses
Producers in Drew, Bradley and Calhoun counties are eligible to apply for 2022 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on full season improved pasture, annual rye grass, and small grains. LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally…
Jefferson Regional welcomes pulmonologist
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Jefferson Regional is pleased to announce that Sarenthia Epps, MD, MBA has joined the staff at Jefferson Regional Pulmonary Associates in Pine Bluff. Dr. Epps earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, where she also completed an Internal Medicine residency, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary…
Arkansas industries celebrate Manufacturing Day with plant tours, trainings
LITTLE ROCK – October 7, 2022, is National Manufacturing Day, and manufacturers throughout the state are partnering with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions Division to celebrate all month with tours of local facilities, community and employee training seminars, and chamber of commerce events. “Manufacturing is vital to our state’s economic health,” said…
Arkansas House of Representatives recognizing October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., one in eight women will develop breast cancer. It is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among women. However, more women are living longer and healthier lives after a diagnosis. The key is early detection. October is Breast Cancer Awareness…
Bill assistance still available for qualified Entergy Arkansas customers
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Although the weather is cooling off, Entergy Arkansas bill assistance programs are still available for qualified customers. One-time bill credits, charitable contributions and weatherization efforts are just a few of the offerings provided to help ease the strain of higher bills caused by record temperatures this summer. For July and August…
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas dispatch 64 line crews to Florida
Little Rock, Ark. — Sept. 27, 2022 — The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have dispatched 64 line workers and utility vehicles, along with construction and right-of-way equipment, to assist Peace River Electric Cooperative of Wauchula, Fla. with anticipated power outages from Hurricane Ian. The 64 professional line workers are with Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI)…
Arkansas House of Representatives recognizes September as Suicide prevention month
As Arkansas students head back to school, we want to take this week to remind drivers to be mindful of student safety when approaching school buses. It is estimated that close to 350,000 students in our state ride a bus to school. Those buses make stops in every community. It is illegal to pass a…
Boozman, Peters, Manchin, Rounds introduce legislation expanding veteran burial benefit
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced Gerald’s Law Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits eligibility to terminally ill veterans who pass away at a non-VA facility while receiving hospice care. Under current law, the VA will cover nearly…
Next week is Adult Education Week in Arkansas
Every community feels the impact when adults lack a high school diploma or the skills to compete in the 21st century workforce. Not only is it devastating for the adults who may dream of a better life for their families, but it may impact education for future generations. Studies show that children of adults with low…
New program assists low-income households with water and wastewater bills
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – Arkansans at risk of losing their water and wastewater service may now get some bill-payment assistance through the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). LIHWAP can help with past-due bills, threats to disconnect water or wastewater, and disconnection or reconnection fees. The maximum benefit amount available to each eligible household is…
Senators introduce resolution recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Air Force Caucus Co-chairs Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Air Force as an independent military branch. “As an air, space and cyberspace leader, the Air Force continues to innovate, accelerate and thrive in order to meet the…
Mainline Health Systems garners awards for excellence
MONTICELLO, Ark. (September 13, 2022) – Mainline Health Systems recently received several awards from the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for being a health center quality leader and for advancing health information technology (HIT). Mainline received the silver Health Center Quality Leader award from HRSA, reflecting the organization’s rise to the top 11-20% of…
Arkansas Tourism releases 2021 economic impact report
Data released today by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism indicates that Arkansas’s tourism industry experienced record-breaking visitation in 2021 and has recovered after the significant decline in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Arkansas welcomed just over 41 million visitors in 2021 compared to 29.2 million in 2020 and 36.3 million in…