PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff is pleased to welcome Otolaryngologist Joel Link, M.D., who will be seeing patients at the new Jefferson Regional Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. Dr. Link received his medical degree from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then completed residencies in General Surgery…
All posts in State News
Doc Washburn announces gubernatorial candidacy
The Doc Washburn for Governor campaign proudly announces the candidacy of Doc Washburn of Little Rock in the state-wide Republican gubernatorial primary on May 24, 2022. Washburn, 66, formally filed as a candidate in the Republican primary for Governor on February 25, 2022. He was the longtime host of a popular conservative radio talk show…
Come meet the local and statewide candidates running in the May 24 primary
Voters will have the opportunity to meet local and statewide candidates who will be running in the May 24, 2022 primary at an event this evening, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the old courtroom of the Bradley County Courthouse. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Candidates were invited to share their ideas and…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 4-1-22
LITTLE ROCK – On Monday of this week, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees met jointly with the Charitable, Penal, and Correctional Institutions subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council. Members reviewed reports from the Department of Corrections concerning the current prison population and recidivism rates. Currently, the recidivism rate for the entire department is 46.1%.…
Arkansas growers go in strong for cotton and soybean, pull back from corn
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas growers intend to plant significantly more cotton and soybean acres in 2022, while greatly reducing corn acreage, according to the 2022 Prospective Plantings report released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The estimates in the report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March. The…
Former U.S. Senator from Arkansas Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. passes away
Former United States Senator Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. passed away March 23 at age 83. Hodges was appointed to fill the remainder of the term of Arkansas Political Giant Senator John L. McClelland upon McClellan’s death in 1977. Hodges served through January 3, 1979. Senator Hodges was a longtime Methodist pastor and lawyer. He had worked…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 3-25-22
LITTLE ROCK – Whether it was due to a job loss, reduction in income or increased costs in healthcare, many homeowners fell behind in mortgage payments and utilities during the pandemic. If you or someone you know is behind on payments, we want to direct your attention to a resource that could help. Recently, the…
NIH Awards $437,000 to Study Effects of COVID on Aortic Valve
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The National Institute of Health awarded $436,642 to associate professor of biomedical engineering, Kartik Balachandran, to study the downstream effects of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on the aortic valve. Specifically, Balachandran hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship between the infection and heart valve pathology. Acute respiratory syndrome…
Leslie Jackson of Desha County appointed to SEACAC Board
Members of the board of the Southeast Arkansas Community Action Agency met Tuesday, March 15. Some of the members were in attendance in person while several took part virtually by phone or zoom. The board covered the monthly financials, and heard reports on all programs and from each committee. The members then approved the appointment…
Governor Hutchinson declares March 20-26 as Arkansas Agriculture Week and March as Arkansas Peanut Month
LITTLE ROCK, AR – During a ceremony today at the State Capitol, Governor Hutchinson joined agriculture leaders and industry partners in declaring March 20 – 26 as Arkansas Agriculture Week and March as Peanut Month in Arkansas. The proclamations highlight the agriculture industry as a whole, the state’s peanut industry, and the value both contribute…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 3-18-22
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas is a better place today than yesterday because of our teachers.We cannot thank them enough for their work and the difference they make in our children’s lives. If you’ve ever thought about making a difference in the classroom, now is the perfect time to act.The Arkansas Department of Education and Forward…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 3-11-22
LITTLE ROCK – From one-time bonuses to increased funding for safety equipment, the 93rd General Assembly made support for law enforcement a top priority in this fiscal session. Act 224 provides a one-time stipend of $5,000 to full-time certified city and county law enforcement officers as well as probation and parole officers.It also provides for…
Remember to move the clocks forward tonight
Snow piling up in parts of South Arkansas Friday evening
WARREN, Ark. – As a winter storm pushes through Arkansas Friday, South Arkansas is now feeling the brunt of the quick change in weather. As of Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., nearly three quarters of an inch of snow have fallen in Warren with more to come. Temperatures are also plunging. At 7:18 p.m. temperatures…
Dr. Corey Wiggins confirmed by U.S. Senate as Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chair
CLARKSDALE, Miss. – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today announced Dr. Corey Wiggins has been confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate to serve as DRA Federal Co-Chairman. Nominated by President Biden on December 15, 2021, Wiggins becomes the fifth DRA Federal Co-Chairman to serve in the position. A native of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Chairman Wiggins brings a…
Thousands arrive in South Arkansas in search of a bargain during Highway 35 Junk Hunt
RISON, Ark. – The seventh annual Historic Highway 35 Junk Hunk officially kicked off Thursday, March 10, 2022 as vendors opened for business during the early morning hours, welcoming shoppers from across Arkansas for the uniquely Southern Arkansas event. The massive yard sale experience extends 93.2 miles south from Benton to Grapevine, Sheridan, Rison, and…
AEDC names Jennifer Emerson Deputy Director, Executive Vice President of Operations
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has named Jennifer Emerson as the agency’s Deputy Director and Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations. Jim Hudson previously held the deputy director and EVP position but vacated the role upon being named Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Department of Commerce. Emerson has served in AEDC’s…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 3-4-22
LITTLE ROCK – The Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) is typically one of the last items passed every session. It categorizes and prioritizes state spending. Members are now reviewing the proposed Revenue Stabilization amendment schedule reflecting the allocation of general revenue funds for Fiscal Year 2023. The proposed amendment outlines $6.02 billion in spending. That is less…
Governor Hutchinson condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine; calls for three days of prayer, review of Arkansas business ties
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson declared his unambiguous condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine today with a directive to determine whether Arkansas has business contracts with Russia and a call for “Special Days of Prayer for Ukraine.” In a letter to his 15 cabinet secretaries, Governor Hutchinson called for a review of all of…
Weekly Column from the Arkansas House of Representatives 2-25-22
Little Rock – The House will begin the 3rd week of the 2022 Fiscal Session on Monday. The second week was an abbreviated one due to the federal holiday and winter weather across the state. In addition to several appropriation bills, the House also passed the following pieces of legislation this week: SB87-This bill establishes…
Boozman celebrates National FFA Week
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded the positive impact of FFA on future agricultural leaders in commemoration of National FFA Week. “FFA is sparking an interest in the field of agriculture. This is a program that provides students with the tools and knowledge to grow into the next generation of agriculture leaders. I…