VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Wednesday (06.24.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
Pope County Casino License Now Uncertain After Commission Confirms Scoring Bias
By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
Gulfside Casino Partnership, which on June 18 was awarded a license for a a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, must now work with a competitor and the Arkansas Attorney General’s office to determine the future of the license.
The Arkansas Racing Commission on Monday agreed 6-0 that scoring bias tainted awarding of the license.
The Mississippi-based company was awarded the license over Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB). In August 2019, the Pope County Quorum Court endorsed the $225 million Cherokee Nation project. The Cherokees’ bid included a partnership with Legends, a stadium-management, sports, and live entertainment company founded in 2008 by Arkansas native and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the late George Steinbrenner, former owner of the New York Yankees.
In November 2018, Arkansas voters approved Issue 4, now Amendment 100, to allow for expanded casino operations at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Garland County), Southland Casino Racing (Crittenden County) and new casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties.
The approval and licensing process in Crittenden, Garland and Jefferson counties was relatively quick and smooth. Oaklawn Racing and Gaming announced plans for a $100 million-plus project that will include a new high-rise hotel, multi-purpose event center, a larger gaming area and extra on-site parking. Privately-held Delaware North is building a new 240,000 square foot casino complex and a 20-story, 300-room hotel in the Crittenden County bedroom community across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tenn. It is expected to open in early 2021. The Quapaw Nation was the only applicant for a casino to be located in Jefferson County. Its $350 million complex is under construction.
Pope County Casino License Now Uncertain After Commission Confirms Scoring Bias
Not so fast on placing your bets. Gulfside Casino Partnership, which on June 18 was awarded a license for a a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, must now work with a competitor and the Arkansas Attorney General's office to determine the future of the license.
Pandemic SNAP Cards Available to Arkansans
Arkansas is one of more than 40 states that applied for and received Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding. Electronic benefits transfer payment cards worth hundreds of dollars are in the mail this month to qualifying families for food purchases. Laura Kellams with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families says the benefit fills a major gap caused by the shuttering of school-based free breakfast and lunch programs during the pandemic.
Qualifying Arkansas Families Receive Pandemic SNAP Cards in Mail
Arkansas is one of more than 40 states that applied for and received Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding. Electronic benefits
Neighboring Texas COVID-19 Cases Rise Substantially
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,489 new cases and Governor Abbott said the hospitalization rate is at an all-time high.
Texas is seeing a sharp rise in cases; it was just days ago that the state crossed the 4,000-case mark for the first time in its daily tally.
The Houston area has been hit so hard that the Texas Children's Hospital is now admitting adult patients. The move comes despite the fact that Houston is home to the massive Texas Medical Center — deemed the largest medical center in the world. Those diagnosed with the coronavirus are being cared for in an expanded special isolation unit, according to Texas Children's Hospital.
Texas now has 120,370 cases, trailing New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois.
5,489 New COVID-19 Cases: Texas Reports All-Time Daily High
Update at 6:02 p.m. ET "Today, Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive" for the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday, adding that for the first time, his state would surpass 5,000 new cases in a single day.
Wednesday's Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Case Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 606
Active Positive: 192
Recovered: 408
Deaths: 6
Negatives: 3,054
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 70
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 41
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 990
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 36
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 34
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 803
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 67
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 54
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,229
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,439
From the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees
List of COVID-19 Testing Sites from the CADC (Central Arkansas Development Council)
LIVE: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update From Mountain Home Tuesday (06.23.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media in Mountain Home on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Update for Tuesday with Maps and Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 592
Active Positive: 193
Recovered: 393
Deaths: 6
Negatives: 3,015
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 68
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 977
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 32
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 794
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 67
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 54
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,194
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,427
Racing Commission Awards Pope County Casino To Gulfside, Appeal Expected
By TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS STAFF
The Arkansas Racing Commission on June 18th awarded a coveted license to Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership for a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, but expect more litigation to be filed before anyone rolls the dice on a groundbreaking.
Earlier this year, the commission had narrowed its choices to a casino operated by Gulfside and another proposal led by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
In ranking the proposals, commissioners graded Gulfside’s proposal with a higher score than the Cherokee Nation plan, which had secured the backing of the Pope County Quorum Court. The Cherokee Nation has 15 days to appeal the decision, which they indicated would happen.
Racing Commission Awards Pope County Casino To Gulfside, Appeal Expected
The Arkansas Racing Commission on Thursday (June 18) awarded a coveted license to Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership for a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, but expect more litigation to be filed before anyone rolls the dice on a groundbreaking.
Visitors To Arkansas State Parks Now Have Passport Option
By DAVID MONTEITH
Visitors to any of the Arkansas state parks now have the option to add stamps to a park passport. The new program was announced last week. Grady Spann, the director of Arkansas State Parks, says other park systems around the county have similar programs.
Passport booklets can be picked up and stamped at any of the state's 46 parks that have active park rangers on duty at visitor's centers. Stamps are available at the remaining six parks via medallions that visitors can use to create rubbings in their passport books. Spann says he hopes the new incentive helps maintain the increase in usage the parks have seen in the last few months.
The state's parks have received around 1.7 million visitors since the middle of March, when many indoor facilities were closed as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The offerings at some parks remain limited or closed while the state is in Phase Two of re-opening, per Governor Asa Hutchinson's mandates. Group lodging at several parks are closed. All playgrounds are closed. Masks are required in indoor venues, and public swimming areas are operating at 50% capacity. Despite these limitations, Spann says the parks are receiving significantly more visitors than normal. Hiking and camping are unrestricted.
Visitors To Arkansas State Parks Now Have Passport Option
Visitors to any of the Arkansas state parks now have the option to add stamps to a park passport. The new program was announced last week. Grady Spann, the director of Arkansas State Parks, says other park systems around the county have similar programs. "The national parks do have a passport program, as do other state's park systems around the nation.
Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls To 9.5% In May
By SARAH KELLOGG
For the first time in months, Arkansas’s unemployment has dropped, though the number of those unemployed still remains higher than before the coronavirus pandemic hit the state.
Arkansas’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% in May, around 1.3% lower than its April percentage of 10.8%. The decrease in unemployment follows the national trend, though the United States’ jobless rate is almost 4% higher at a rate of 13.3%.
According to numbers from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, over 46,000 Arkansans gained employment in the month of May, a result the division says is due to the partial re-opening of the state’s economy.
Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls To 9.5% In May
For the first time in months, Arkansas's unemployment has dropped, though the number of those unemployed still remains higher than before the coronavirus pandemic hit the state. Arkansas's unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% in May, around 1.3% lower than its April percentage of 10.8%.
CADC (Central Arkansas Development Council) Meeting Open to the Public
De Queen Graduate, Jesus Wences, Receives Blue and Gold Scholarship from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia
Southern Arkansas University has awarded a Blue and Gold Scholarship valued at $26,400 to De Queen honor graduate Jesus Wences. Jesus is the son of Jose Wences and Maria Wences. He is a member of National Honor Society, FCCLA, Quiz Bowl, GT Interact and Leopard Football. Jesus plans to major in Sports Medicine.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (06.22.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, June 22, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
A few weeks ago, we reminded Arkansans of the upcoming deadline for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. This week, we received word that the deadline has been extended to August 1.
Unlike in prior years, students who are already receiving the scholarship, have a sufficient number of hours, and have earned satisfactory academic progress before March 27 are automatically eligible for the scholarship for the 2020 fall semester.
Traditional students must score at least 19 on the ACT to qualify for the scholarship. The latest ACT score accepted by Arkansas Department of Higher Education will be from the July testing. Students who have yet to achieve a score of 19 on the ACT may take the Accuplacer test remotely as a substitute.
Meanwhile, we want to remind Arkansans of another valuable scholarship funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
The Workforce Challenge Scholarship was created in the 2017 legislative session and is funded by lottery revenue. The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify.
To meet minimum eligibility requirements, those applying for the Workforce Challenge Scholarship must be 1) an Arkansas resident, 2) a high school graduate or received high school equivalency, 3) cannot be a current recipient of the Academic Challenge Scholarship, and 4) be accepted for admission into an approved program as defined by ADHE. The degree list for the 2020-2021 academic year can be found on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
Arkansas Workforce Challenge is a non-renewable grant. Students who successfully complete their program of study will be allowed to reapply for award in another eligible program. Students who receive funding from Workforce Challenge and do not successfully complete their program will be allowed to reapply one time.
The Workforce Challenge Award will be the cost of a certificate program or program of study not to exceed $800. Students must apply at least 30 days prior to enrollment in an eligible program. There is no deadline to apply, however applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the program.
To apply for either scholarship visit the Department of Higher Education’s website, scholarships.adhe.edu, and complete the Arkansas YOUniversal Scholarship Application. The online YOUniversal application is your one-stop-shop for state and lottery-funded financial aid.
Monday's COVID-19 Arkansas Area County Active Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 588
Active Positive: 201
Recovered: 382
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,973
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 68
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 950
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 32
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 793
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 64
Active Positive: 11
Recovered: 53
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,057
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,375
NPR: China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas
NPR
June 21, 2020 12:18 PM ET
JASON SLOTKIN
China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility.
Tyson Foods confirmed to NPR that the announcement pertains to its Berry Street facility in Springdale, Ark., where 227 workers tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. All but four of them were asymptomatic, according to Tyson.
The company said that tests of its facilities in northwest Arkansas showed that 481 employees, or 13% of 3,748 employees, had tested positive. The company said 455 of those employees (95%) were asymptomatic.
China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas
China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility. The nation's General Administration of Customs office made the announcement on Sunday, saying shipments from the plant would be temporarily suspended, while products that have already arrived will be seized.
Sunday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 563
Active Positive: 182
Recovered: 376
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,913
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 62
Active Positive: 24
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 927
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 4
Recovered: 31
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 770
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 63
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 50
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,051
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,344