JONESBORO, Ark. — The United States is expected to harvest its lowest number of cotton acres since the 19th century, according to an estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “USDA projected this year’s harvested acres at 7.13 million,” said Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “That would…
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End of summer State Police patrols aimed at impaired drivers
Arkansas motorists will begin to see more Arkansas State Troopers, sheriff’s deputies and local police on patrol later this week. The increased presence of law enforcement officers on state highways and local roads is part of a joint mission with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) to stop impaired driving. Beginning…
Arkansas House of Representatives weekly column
After passing legislation to accelerate tax cuts and provide funding for school safety, the 93rd General Assembly adjourned from a special session on Thursday. In December of 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation outlining the largest tax cut in state history. That legislation lowered the state income tax from what was then 5.9% to 4.9% incrementally…
Sustained financial pressure on hospitals could threaten access to care for Arkansans
LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 9, 2022) – A recent financial survey conducted by the Arkansas Hospital Association shows that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create profound financial volatility for the state’s hospitals. On average, hospitals responding to the survey saw a total margin decrease of 3.5 percentage points between the first quarter of 2019, prior…
Man wanted for murder in Phillips County surrenders to the Warren PD
According to KARK 4 News, Helena-West Helena Police Department officers responded to a shooting Monday, August 8, 2022 at 1205 Highway 49. Upon arriving on the scene, Demarcius Foreman, 43, was found lying down and not responding. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Sherman LeFree Gill, 42, was identified as a person of interest.…
HHS Invests Nearly $60 Million to Strengthen Health Care Workforce and Improve Access to Care in Rural Communities
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced investments of nearly $60 million to grow the health workforce and increase access to quality health care in rural communities, including nearly $46 million in funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The Biden-Harris Administration is…
White Hall Career Fair happening August 23
School Safety Commission delivers report to Governor Hutchinson
The Governor is calling the General Assembly into an Extraordinary Session next week to address the use of surplus funds to provide tax relief and funding for school safety measures. The Arkansas School Safety Commission was reinstated in the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Members of the original commission created in March 2018…
August is Catfish Month in Arkansas
The catfish industry is the largest component of aquaculture in the United States and a significant industry in Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas catfish farmers contributed $19.5 million to Arkansas’s agricultural economy in 2021. That’s up 17% from the previous year. The month of August has been proclaimed as Arkansas Catfish Month. This designation recognizes the impact…
Back to school sales tax holiday coming August 6
It is estimated that the average family will spend more than $600 per child on back-to-school shopping this year. This time of year can bring a financial burden to many families across Arkansas. That is why we want to remind you about the upcoming Arkansas Sales Tax holiday. This year, the event will begin at…
Attention Medicaid recipients
This week we want to remind Arkansans who receive Medicaid coverage to make sure their contact information is up to date. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government temporarily stopped some Medicaid requirements and conditions. This was done to help keep people with Medicaid from losing their health coverage during the pandemic. However, Arkansas will…
LIHEAP application period begins July 25
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have announced residents can begin submitting applications Monday, July 25 for help with the costs of summer cooling bills, including those from Entergy Arkansas and other utilities. LIHEAP is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is…
Boozman celebrates groundbreaking of National Desert Storm Desert Shield Memorial
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) celebrated the groundbreaking of the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial on Thursday. “One day a memorial will stand in this location as a symbol of reverence to and respect for the veterans and their families, and help teach future generations about this important moment in our nation’s tradition of…
Arkansas Department of Agriculture increases wildfire danger risk level designations for all 75 counties
LITTLE ROCK, AR – With hot, dry conditions throughout the state, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division has increased the wildfire danger risk level designations for all 75 counties over the past two weeks. Twelve counties in Northwest Arkansas were raised to the “high” risk level, and the remaining counties were rated as being at…
“Obey the sign or pay the fine”; Speed enforcement operation readied
Speeding violations on Arkansas roadways continue to rise and law enforcement officers across the state plan to ban together in a united operation under the banner, “Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine”. The two-week crackdown directed at speeders begins Monday, July 18th. “It’s an acknowledged fact, as a motor vehicle speed increases, so do…
State mourns the loss of first female nominee for Governor and longest-serving State Treasurer, Jimmie Lou Fisher
LITTLE ROCK – On Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Arkansas announced the passing of Jimmie Lou Fisher (1941 – 2022). Fisher served as Arkansas’s State Auditor and State Treasurer, a post she held for a record 22 years. She also held the distinction of being the first female nominee for Governor of Arkansas. Fisher served…
Commerce Secretary Mike Preston names new broadband director
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (July 11, 2022) – Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston today announced that Glen Howie has been named the state’s new Director of Broadband. Howie comes to the Commerce Department from Louisiana’s Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity. “I’m pleased to welcome Glen Howie to Arkansas, and I am confident that he is…
Arkansas House of Representatives weekly column
This week, we received the Fiscal Year 2022 Revenue Summary. It shows we ended the last fiscal year with the largest surplus in state history. It is likely we will convene for a special session in August to address additional tax relief. Fiscal Year 2022 ended on June 30. Net Available General Revenue collections totaled…
Governor Hutchinson reacts to revenue report; announces date for special session
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson reacted Tuesday to the record state surplus and announced his intent to call an Extraordinary Session of the Arkansas General Assembly the week of August 8. “June revenue collection was more than $150 million above forecast, leaving a net surplus for the year in excess of $1.6 billion for…
Entergy Arkansas eyeing renewable energy
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas officials announced Thursday it has issued a request for proposals for 1,000 megawatts of solar and wind generation resources, emissions-free renewables that can provide cost-effective energy supply, capacity, fuel diversity, and other benefits to its customers. “Entergy Arkansas has a commitment to providing our customers with low-cost, reliable energy…
Cattle producers urged to monitor cattle for ticks; take preventative measures
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas cattle producers are being urged to check their herds for unusual ticks and take measures to prevent transmission of theileriosis or other tick-related diseases. The warnings follow the recent finding of additional Asian longhorned ticks in northwest Arkansas by scientists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The invasive…