Jonesboro, AR – Urban and community forestry professionals from across the Southeast converged in Jonesboro this week for a unique mock-disaster training event. The training, hosted by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division and the Southern Group of State Foresters, qualified participants to deploy in Urban Forest Strike Teams (UFSTs) following natural disasters nationwide. UFSTs…
The House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee met jointly with the Senate Children and Youth Committee this week to hear from groups actively working to combat human trafficking. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) testified that there were 13 arrests for human trafficking charges in Arkansas in 2021. In 2022, there…
JONESBORO, Ark. — A much-needed stretch of sunny days has enabled Arkansas’ cotton farmers to get more than half of their planting done as December futures prices hit highest their highest level in 11 years. For the week ending May 15, Arkansas cotton was 53 percent planted, up from 32 percent the previous week and…
LITTLE ROCK — A nationwide shortage of infant formula is impacting families across the United States. For mothers who rely on formula to provide critical nutrition for their newborns, it’s important to proceed with caution for their child’s health and safety. Bryan Mader, extension professor and health specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division…
From patrolling morning rush hour to responding to a domestic call late at night, we ask a great deal from our men and women in law enforcement. We cannot thank them enough for their selfless service. The Governor issued a proclamation declaring May 15-May 21 as National Police Week. Sunday, May 15 is designated as…
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Thirty-four states have had confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The most recent were in backyard cases in Oregon and Washington state. On May 1, Oklahoma was added to the list of states after the disease was confirmed in a commercial breeder flock…
All children deserve to grow up in a loving and stable home. Unfortunately, many children in Arkansas are lacking that stability. Currently, there are more than 4,600 children in foster care in Arkansas. There are fewer than 1,700 foster families statewide. May is National Foster Care Month. Children in foster care do better in homes…
Teachers are the heart of our educational system. They inspire hope and instill a life-long love of learning. The week of May 2 is National Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s a perfect time to show our appreciation to the 41,000 teachers in our state who lend their passion and skills to educate our students. The commitment…
Little Rock – Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar Stores, Inc. for selling potentially harmful or contaminated products following a massive rodent infestation at its West Memphis, Arkansas distribution center. The complaint alleges that Family Dollar, under the parent company Dollar Tree Inc., knew about the rodent infestation for years but…
From online homework assignments to scheduling telehealth visits, we live in a digital world where high-speed access is no longer a luxury. Unfortunately, too many households across Arkansas are still unable to access high-quality broadband internet. According to a report released this week, Arkansas currently has 110,000 households that are underserved when it comes to…
LITTLE ROCK — New customers are the lifeblood of any business. A May 11 matchmaking event at Heifer International headquarters will provide minority- and women-owned businesses a chance to meet potential clients. The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Matchmaking Event runs from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required.…
The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time to raise awareness and inspire collective action so that every child can lead their best life. In the 2021 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed Act 920 which created the Blue Ribbon Task Force to End Child Abuse. Child Abuse Hotline…
LITTLE ROCK – When it comes to protecting the state’s waterways, Arkansas farmers are uniquely qualified to lead efforts in water quality management. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is offering a new leadership training program for farmers, farm advisors and crop consultants to learn more about how they can lead stewardship efforts.…
Arkansas ranchers will have an opportunity on May 13 to either earn certification in the Beef Quality Assurance program or be re-certified during an event led by faculty and staff from the Cooperative Extension Service and Southern Arkansas University. The event, which will be held at SAU, has two sessions. The morning session, from 9…
An important deadline is approaching if you plan on voting in the May 24 Preferential Primary Election and Nonpartisan General Election. If you have not already registered to vote, you have until April 25 to file your voter registration application with your county clerk. If you submit your application close to an election registration deadline,…
Researchers compared stock sales patterns before and during pandemic and found U.S. insiders of China-connected corporations saved millions by selling early. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A new study of stock sales by U.S. executives with corporate ties to China indicates that corporate insiders sold stock in their companies during the earliest stages of the coronavirus outbreak…
LITTLE ROCK — College students who are studying agriculture have many potential career paths into the state’s largest industry. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture hopes to spotlight some of the agriculture industry’s resources and job opportunities during a five-day tour for college juniors and seniors. The tour runs May 16-20 and is…
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff is pleased to announce that Michael Ault has joined the hospital as staff chaplain. Ault has more than 20 years of experience serving as a Pastor, including nine years as a Chaplain at the Arkansas Department of Corrections. “I enjoy being a chaplain,” Ault said. “It…
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting scholarship applications from students majoring in agriculture or an agriculture-related field at one of the following universities: Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas System, and Arkansas Tech University. Applications will be accepted through June 1, 2022 and can be found…
More than two dozen students were inducted into the South Arkansas Community College chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society recently. The Alpha Gamma Iota Chapter inducted new members Lindsey Downs of Stamps; Laura Ebey, Lexi Pyle, Sandra Shanks and Holly Hulet of Magnolia; Keisha Hardiman and Chantry Ross of Camden; Christel Heath…
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…
