LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly COVID-19 Update (04.06.21)
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide the weekly COVID-19 update to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
LIVEVIDEO: Governor Asa Hutchinson Holds Pen and Pad Session with Local Media Monday (04.05.21)
Governor Asa Hutchinson Holds a Pen and Pad session with Local Media Monday.
Fresh Start Program Continuing Through CDC
Texarkana Airport Receives $4.9 Million in Federal Funds
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $4.96 million in federal funds to Texarkana Regional Airport-Webb Field.
The money will be used to reconstruct the airport’s terminal building. This funding is awarded through the FAA’s second round of FY21 Airport Improvement Program grants.
The purpose of the Airport Improvement Program is for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/texarkana-airport-receives-4-9-million-in-federal-funds/
Arkansas Tax Revenue Surplus Near $550 Million; Year-To-Date Collections Up 7.5%
By TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS STAFF
Tax revenue through the first nine months of Arkansas’ fiscal year is up 7.5%, and the fiscal year-to-date revenue surplus – “net available revenue” collected beyond what was estimated – totaled $549.9 million.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) reported that gross revenue for fiscal year-to-date (July 2020 to March 2021) is $5.482 billion, up 7.5% compared with the same period in 2019-2020 and up 11.3% over the budget forecast. Part of the gain includes a shift in collections when the 2020 tax due date was moved from April to July, according to the DFA report.
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Alternative To Hate Crimes Bill Filed In Arkansas Legislature
By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
Arkansas is one of the only states without some type of hate crime law on the books, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said more than once it’s a top priority for him during the current legislative session. SB622, filed Thursday will attempt to solve that problem.
The bill, filed by Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr., R-Texarkana, Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, and Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, had not been assigned to a committee as of Thursday morning. Talk Business & Politics has confirmed that the bill is an alternative to the previously filed hate crimes legislation which has stalled during the session. It’s described as a “class protection bill.”
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/alternative-hate-crimes-bill-filed-arkansas-legislature
A hate crimes bill has so far not gained any momentum in the Arkansas General Assembly, so SB622 was filed Thursday as an alternative.
CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS
Bill Modifying Absentee Voting Process Passes Arkansas House
The Arkansas House has passed a bill that makes a variety of changes to the state’s absentee voting process.
Members voted 74-22 Thursday, largly on bipartisan lines, in favor of House Bill 1715. It now goes to the Senate.
Some changes the bill includes are: denying absentee ballots to voters if signatures don’t match between their application and voter registration application, and not allowing county clerks or other designated officials to give to voters "unsolicited absentee ballot applications."
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-modifying-absentee-voting-process-passes-arkansas-house
Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, presents House Bill 1715 to the House floor.
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AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Rounding the Bend with COVID
LITTLE ROCK – This time last year, I knew COVID-19 was a serious threat, but I was confident if we pulled together as a state and nation, then we could over time defeat the virus.
Now we seem to have rounded the bend with the development of three effective vaccines. I am thankful to see the dramatic decline in the number of deaths, the number of new and active COVID-19 cases, and the number of those in a hospital. I’m also grateful that more than 250,000 Arkansans have recovered.
The pandemic isn’t over, but I am hopeful that the worst of it has passed. To be cautious, we have extended the emergency declaration for Arkansas for sixty more days. I have lifted the mask mandate, but businesses still may require employees and customers to mask up, and I encourage you to respect others. Arkansans have responded well to our vaccination program, but we need even more of you to get a vaccination. That is our path out of the pandemic.
Today, I’d like to share the story of 23-year-old Maleek Caton, one of the many Arkansans who has survived COVID-19.
Maleek had just started his senior year at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge when he tested positive for COVID on Labor Day weekend. He was a member of Williams’ wrestling team and was ranked 7th nationally in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He had spent the summer of 2019 working construction and was in the best condition of his life. He went home to North Little Rock on Tuesday after Labor Day, and by Wednesday, he was in intensive care on one-hundred-percent oxygen. He felt as if had glue in his lungs when he breathed. He refused the doctors’ recommendation to go on a ventilator. He was in the hospital for a week and a half and went home with oxygen. In that short time, he had lost the bulk and strength he had added over the summer. Doctors told his mother, Glenda, that Maleek came as close to dying as possible without actually dying.
Maleek returned to school in November to finish the semester and resume training. In January and February, he won most of his matches and tournaments on his way to the national tournament in Park City, Kansas, where he won three matches and lost three to finish in eighth place.
Although he didn’t win the tournament, Maleek did enjoy a sweet moment on the mat in Kansas.
His opponent was Ethan Bunch, a wrestler who had beaten him in each of their three previous college matches. But in their fourth meeting, which was his last match of the tournament as well as the last match of his career, Maleek beat Ethan seventeen-to-nothing.
Maleek’s story is miraculous, and so is the story of every person who recovered. And as spring arrives, I ask everyone over 16 to get their vaccination. This is how we turn spring into a wonderful summer and fall.
Saturday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 144 new cases; 1,684 active cases; 161 hospitalized, which is down 7 from Thursday; 26 on ventilators, which is unchanged from Thursday; deaths added today, 3, for a total of 5,639; a total of 330,753 cases; PCR tests, 4,246; antigen tests, 1,103.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 21; Benton, 13; and Greene, 9.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“We continue to see declining cases in our COVID-19 numbers. We are not increasing in cases like we see in many other states. Let’s all be mindful over Easter that we must continue to guard against the spread of the virus. Get a vaccine this weekend because this helps everyone. Yesterday, we saw an increase of over 29,000 vaccine doses administered.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
UA Cossatot to Host Fiesta Fest May 1 in Downtown De Queen
PRESS RELEASE
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1124
www.cccua.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 01 April 2021
CONTACT: Dustin Roberts, Director of Development
UA Cossatot to Host Fiesta Fest in Downtown De Queen
UA Cossatot will host Fiesta Fest on Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Downtown De Queen on North 3rd Street and West De Queen Avenue in front of the Courthouse from 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
The festival’s focus is bringing the community together to celebrate the cultures of Southwest Arkansas while raising scholarship money for UA Cossatot students.
Festivities will include food, vendors, live music, a DJ and light show, folkloric dancing, carnival rides, games, inflatables, and more.
“It a great time for all of us to come together for a common cause to celebrate the cultures that make up our community and help provide students of the college with an opportunity to benefit from the money that is raised from this event. These scholarships will help students complete their degree at the college,” said Director of the Center for Student Success, Erika Buenrrotro.
To become a sponsor or vendor for Fiesta Fest, contact Dustin Roberts, Director of Development, at droberts@cccua.edu or 870-584-1172. ###
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in De Queen April 8
Early Soybean and Corn Planting Set to Begin
by Talk Business & Politics staff
Anecdotal reports from growers across Arkansas indicate corn producers are eager to take advantage of clear weather as it occurs. Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said fields in the southern part of the state are already seeing scattered activity.
“There are areas of south Arkansas where some producers have a substantial amount of corn planted,” Kelley said. “Some might even be close to done planting, while their neighbors haven’t even begun to plant yet. A lot of this corn was planted within the last week to 10 days. Calendar-wise, that’s still pretty early. With the warm weather earlier this week, a lot of that corn is already coming up out of the ground.”
Early planting is a gamble for growers. Early planted crops often have superior yields, compared to late-planted crops. In corn, however, those yields hinge on successfully establishing a stand. In years when spring brings heavy or recurring, intermittent rainfall, stands may be less than ideal, resulting in a lower yield from early planting.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/early-soybean-and-corn-planting-set-to-begin/
Cold Weather May Impact Cattle Breeding this Spring
by George Jared
Record cold weather just prior to the start of spring could have a significant impact on the number of cattle produced during 2021. Cattle breeding experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are urging cattle producers to test the fertility of their bulls before the spring breeding season.
Charles Looney, professor of cattle improvement for the Division of Agriculture, said the unusual freeze event the state experienced in mid-February may have resulted in infertility in bulls that did not have adequate shelter.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/cold-weather-may-impact-cattle-breeding-this-spring/
Bill to Curtail Scams on Seniors Unveiled
Arkansas lawmakers want to make it more difficult for scammers who target senior citizens.
A bill filed this week would create a reporting system that involves financial institutions and investigative authorities.
Co-sponsor of HB 1391, Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock, said he was inspired to file the bill after his Sunday school teacher was duped.
Wing along with another co-sponsor of the bill, Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, R-Ark., held a press conference announcing the bill’s purpose on Wednesday (March 31).
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/bill-to-curtail-scams-on-seniors-unveiled/
Bill Eliminating Voting The Monday Before An Election Day Fails In Committee
A bill that would have eliminated the ability for Arkansans to early vote the day before Election Day failed to advance a Senate committee on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 485 would modify the early voting period for primary and general elections to where it ends at 4 p.m. the Saturday before Election Day as opposed to 5 p.m. the Monday before Election Day.
In presenting the bill to the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, framed it as an opportunity to give election staff a day to prepare for Election Day. He also said Arkansans would be able to vote on any other day of early voting if they wanted to.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-eliminating-voting-monday-election-day-fails-committee
Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, presented numerous bills regarding voting to the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
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Arkansas Legislature Passes Medicaid Expansion Program
The Arkansas Legislature has passed a new version of its Medicaid expansion program.
The House voted 64-34 Tuesday to pass Senate Bill 410, meaning it now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, where if signed, the bill will become law.
The state’s current plan, Arkansas Works, is set to sunset, or end, this year. The new plan, entitled the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me or ARHOME, would retain the current private insurance model for purchasing health plans for participants. Unlike Arkansas Works, there is no work requirement.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-legislature-passes-medicaid-expansion-program
Rep. Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne, presents Senate Bill 410 to the House.
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Arkansas Lawmakers Consider Proposed Constitutional Amendments for 2022 Ballot
The Arkansas legislature can refer up to three constitutional amendments to Arkansas voters in the 2022 General Election. We talk to Kristin Higgins from the Arkansas Public Policy Center to learn more about the process for narrowing down proposals.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-lawmakers-consider-proposed-constitutional-amendments-2022-ballot
Thursday COVID-19 Update from AR Dept of Health
In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 212 new cases; 1,695 active cases; 166 hospitalized, which is down 4 from Tuesday; 27 on ventilators, which is up 2 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 10, for a total of 5,626; a total of 330,398 cases; 253,685 recoveries; PCR tests, 5,767; antigen tests, 1,120.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 34; Pulaski, 26; Washington, 16; Faulkner, 14; and Sebastian, 13.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“The total number of vaccine doses administered since last week has increased by over 141,000. We also have over 61,000 additional Arkansans who are fully vaccinated. These numbers are encouraging, and with all Arkansans 16 and older eligible to receive the vaccine, we hope these numbers will continue to increase.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Here are today's COVID-19 vaccine statewide numbers:
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases:
Active Probable Cases:
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases:
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases:
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 4
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases:
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases:
