State to observe National Recovery Month in September

State to observe National Recovery Month in September

September is National Recovery Month. It is a national observance held every to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. In 2021, more than 200 Arkansans died from opioid-related causes. And 37% of inmates admitted to the Division of Correction had a drug offense. Medical researchers now consider dependence on alcohol or drugs…

AEDC releases 2022 Aerospace & Defense report

AEDC releases 2022 Aerospace & Defense report

Little Rock, Ark. (August 25, 2022) – The aerospace and defense industry in Arkansas is flying high, and it continues to grow as more companies discover the benefits of doing business in The Natural State. Aerospace and defense is a significant part of the Arkansas economy – the state’s top export is civilian aircraft and aircraft parts. Aerospace…

Governor Hutchinson addresses efforts to reduce Violent Crime and Crawford Co. Incident

Governor Hutchinson addresses efforts to reduce Violent Crime and Crawford Co. Incident

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson held a news conference Monday afternoon to provide an update on the expansion of the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) in Central Arkansas and also discussed the recent incident regarding three Crawford County deputies. Crawford County Incident: In regard to the video showing three officers making an arrest in Crawford County, the…

USDA: Drought drops U.S. cotton harvest to be lowest level since the 19th century

USDA: Drought drops U.S. cotton harvest to be lowest level since the 19th century

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…

End of summer State Police patrols aimed at impaired drivers

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

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

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

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

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…

School Safety Commission delivers report to Governor Hutchinson

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

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…

Growers need forecast precipitation to be a ‘slow, soaking rain’

Growers need forecast precipitation to be a ‘slow, soaking rain’

TRUMANN, Ark. — Arkansas’ thirsty farm fields and emptying reservoirs may get some relief this weekend, with hopes that the forecast rainfall is gentle rather than furious, said Mike Hamilton, extension irrigation educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Weeks of triple-digit highs and dry weather at a time when crops are…

LIHEAP application period begins July 25

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

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

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…