Governor Asa Hutchinson will conduct a media availability Thursday morning to discuss the expiration of the current COVID-19 State of Emergency in Arkansas.
Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Appointments
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the following appointments:
Dr. Beth Anne Rankin, Magnolia, to the State Board of Education. Appointment expires June 30, 2022. Replaces Brett Williamson.
Brett Morgan, Little Rock, to the Parole Board. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Abraham Carpenter.
Bill Clary, Conway, to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Tech University. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Replaces Tom Kennedy.
Amy Denton, Roland, to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Elizabeth Farris.
JoAnne Bush, Lake Village, to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Ann Cash.
Eddie Glover, Conway, to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Replaces Fred Fowlkes.
Graycen Bigger, Pocahontas, to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Appointment expires May 1, 2025. Replaces Bill Clary.
Dr. Jerry Cash, Harrison, to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Appointment expires May 1, 2026. Replaces Chris Gilliam.
Dr. Kyle Miller, Helena, to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Appointment expires May 1, 2024. Replaces Sherrel Johnson.
Suzett Sparks, Rogers, to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Appointment expires December 31, 2023. Replaces Doyle Yates.
Mary Zunick, Hot Springs, to the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Steve Faris.
Mary Chambers, North Little Rock, to the Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Appointment expires January 14, 2022. Replaces Anne Xu.
Tommy Wren, Violet Hill, to the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Ed Mabry.
George Dunklin, Humphrey, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2030. Replaces Bobby Johnson.
Steve Cousins, El Dorado, to the Board of Trustees of South Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment.
Courtney Crotty, El Dorado, to the Board of Trustees of South Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Replaces Tasha Sinclair.
Scott Street, El Dorado, to the Board of Trustees of South Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Replaces Dr. Kermit Parks.
Nathan Evers, El Dorado, to the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Replaces Lawrence Bearden.
Laura Winning, Little Rock, to the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University. Appointment expires January 14, 2025. Replaces Gary Golden.
Bobby Glover, Carlisle, to the Board of Corrections. Appointment expires December 31, 2027. Reappointment.
Kevin Case, Little Rock, to the Medical Marijuana Commission. Appointment expires December 31, 2024. Replaces Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman.
Deborah Knox, Mountain Home, to the State Library Board. Appointment expires October 18, 2027. Reappointment.
Dr. Anes Abraham, Blytheville, to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Northeastern College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment.
Gordon Miller, Leachville, to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Northeastern College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Replaces Sandra Kennett.
Randy Scott, Blytheville, to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Northeastern College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment.
Alan Curtis, Forrest City, to the Board of Trustees of East Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment.
Beverly Devazier, Forrest City, to the Board of Trustees of East Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Replaces Carrell Billingsley.
Al Miller, Forrest City, to the Board of Trustees of East Arkansas Community College. Appointment expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment.
Steven Smith, Springdale, to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Appointment expires January 14, 2027. Reappointment.
Ted Thomas, Conway, to the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2027. Reappointment.
Marcus Lamberth, Batesville, to the Arkansas Racing Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Reappointment.
Jeremy Baltz, Pocahontas, to the Board of Trustees of Black River Technical College. Appointment expires June 30, 2027. Replaces Ruth Ellis.
Bennie Cooper, Melbourne, to the Board of Trustees of Ozarka College. Appointment expires July 1, 2027. Reappointment.
Dr. Kelly Johnson, Springdale, to the Board of Directors of Northwest Technical Institute. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Replaces Thomas Free.
Darrell Hess, Wynne, to the State Plant Board. Appointment expires March 17, 2022. Replaces John Fricke.
David Hendrix, Jr., Benton, to the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Kevin Case.
Kerry Lott, Dardanelle, to the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Jay Hickey.
Sam Jackson, Blytheville, to the Division of Aeronautics. Appointment expires November 9, 2025. Reappointment.
Ray Nabholz, Conway, to the Contractors Licensing Board. Appointment expires December 31, 2025. Reappointment.
Don Weaver, Conway, to the Contractors Licensing Board. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Steve Cranford.
Sarah Bennings, Little Rock, to the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Appointment expires May 1, 2022. Replaces Jeff Jenkins.
Beverly Jones, Little Rock, to the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Appointment expires May 1, 2023. Reappointment.
Mike Orndorff, Little Rock, to the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Appointment expires May 1, 2022. Replaces Cassandra Toro.
James Smith, North Little Rock, to the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Appointment expires May 1, 2023. Reappointment.
Vickie Burlsworth, Harrison, to the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Dr. Allison Hall, Clarksville, to the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Jerry Himes, Helena-West Helena, to the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Dr. Eric Rosenbaum, Little Rock, to the State Crime Laboratory Board. Appointment expires January 14, 2028. Reappointment.
Daryl Bassett, Little Rock, to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System. Appointment expires March 9, 2026. Reappointment.
Derek Scott, Bentonville, to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Julius Odom, Bald Knob, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Appointment expires June 30, 2026. Reappointment.
Dr. Michael Courtney, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas State Chiropractic Examiners. Appointment expires June 9, 2025. Reappointment.
Dr. Bob Carlisle, Benton, to the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners. Appointment expires September 1, 2025. Replaces Dr. Fred Church.
Sterling Penix, Little Rock, to the State Board of Private Career Education. Appointment expires April 15, 2027. Replaces Joshua Blevins.
Jasmine Wilson, Morrilton, to the State Board of Private Career Education. Appointment expires April 15, 2026. Replaces Danny Knight.
Dr. David Beasley, Jonesboro, to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Lorie Tudor, Little Rock, to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2023. Replaces Scott Bennett.
Dr. Rodney Williams, Fayetteville, to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Troy Keeping, Little Rock, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2021. Reappointment.
Hugh McDonald, Little Rock, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2022. Reappointment.
Dr. Keith Vire, Fayetteville, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2022. Reappointment.
Kenneth Calhoun, Carlisle, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Replaces D. Burton Weis.
Scott Copas, Little Rock, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Stephen Percival, Fayetteville, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Jeff Standridge, Conway, to the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.
Evelyn Keels, De Queen, to the Sevier County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 2. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Charles Keels.
Andy Johnson, Carthage, to the Dallas County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 6. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Walter Hawkins.
Jeff Mays, Marshall, to the Searcy County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 6. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Steve McCallister.
Duane Coatney, Eureka Springs, to the Carroll County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 4. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Marty Johnson.
Larry Garrett, Magazine, to the Logan County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 8. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Denny Stone.
Bill Ussery, Springdale, to the Washington County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 4. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Judith Yanez.
Richard Taylor, Bella Vista, to the Benton County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 10. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Renona Crowden.
Jenny Whitehead, Magnolia, to the Columbia County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 11. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Jason Ray.
Brian Fletcher, Paris, to the Logan County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 5. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces John O’Brien.
Bryan Smith, Newport, to the Jackson County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace for District 4. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Jennifer Ballard.
Flash Flood Watch Extended Through Thursday Evening and River Flood Warning
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas...Louisiana...southeast Oklahoma
and Texas, including the following areas, in southwest Arkansas,
Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller,
Nevada and Sevier. In Louisiana, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo,
Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red
River, Sabine, Webster and Winn. In southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain.
In Texas, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg,
Harrison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk,
Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur and Wood.
* Through this evening
* Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated locally higher
amounts possible.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should
Flash Flood Warnings be issued....Forecast flooding changed from Minor to Moderate severity and
increased in duration for the following river in Oklahoma...
Arkansas...
Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River
and Howard Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive cars through flooded areas.
Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All
interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles....Forecast flooding increased from Minor to Moderate severity and
increased in duration until Saturday evening...
The Flood Warning continues for
the Little River At Horatio.
* Until Saturday evening.
* At 7:00 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 28.3 feet.
* Flood stage is 27 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast.
* Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending
at 7:00 AM CDT Thursday was 28.3 feet.
* Forecast...The Little River is expected to rise to a crest of 28.6
feet this Thursday evening. It will then fall below flood stage
early Saturday morning.
* Impact...At 29.0 feet, The boat ramp recreation area at Wilton,
Arkansas downstream from Horatio is flooded and closed. Also the
golf course west of Haratio, Arkansas suffers from overflow.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Joins TN Governor Lee to Discuss Status of I-40 Bridge
Governor Asa Hutchinson joins Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee and other officials in Memphis Tuesday to discuss the status of the Interstate 40 Bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee.
VIDEO: Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday (05.19.21)
UA Cossatot Chancellor's and Vice Chancellor's Honors Lists for Spring 2021
Flash Flood Watch Remains in Effect Through Thursday Morning
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas, Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma,
and Texas, including the following areas, in southwest
Arkansas, Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little
River, Miller, Nevada, and Sevier. In Louisiana, Bienville,
Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln,
Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster, and Winn. In
southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain. In Texas, Angelina, Bowie,
Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion,
Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San
Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Wood.
* Through Thursday morning
* Additional rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher
amounts of 3 inches or more possible.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and
rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7pm and 4am, then showers after 4am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. High near 78. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
DEA Raided Several Area Landsdell Family Clinics on Tuesday
Several locations of Landsdell Family Clinics in southwest Arkansas were raided Tuesday morning by DEA agents and local authorities. The known locations of the raids included: Lockesburg, Dierks, Texarkana, and 2 locations in De Queen, AR. The investigation is underway and in the early phase of collecting information. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office out of the Western District of Arkansas.
VIDEO: CARES Act Steering Committee Meeting Tuesday (05.18.21)
The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
Flash Flood Watch in Effect Through Thursday Morning
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas, Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma,
and Texas, including the following areas, in southwest
Arkansas, Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little
River, Miller, Nevada, and Sevier. In Louisiana, Bienville,
Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln,
Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster, and Winn. In
southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain. In Texas, Angelina, Bowie,
Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion,
Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San
Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Wood.
* From 7 AM CDT this morning through Thursday morning
* Additional rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches with isolated higher
amounts in excess of 6 inches possible.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and
rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Washington County Judge Joseph Wood Joins Lt. Governor’s Race
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
Washington County Judge Joseph Wood announced Monday (May 17) he would be a Republican candidate for Arkansas Lt. Governor. Wood is serving his second term as county judge.
“I’m running for Lt. Governor because there are big issues facing our state and my record of cutting government waste, recruiting new businesses, and standing for conservative values are needed for a better Arkansas,” said Wood. “I will bring to the office real–world experience from working with major corporations in the private sector to being a small business owner and fighting for our shared pursuit of life and liberty in the state.”
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/washington-county-judge-joseph-wood-joins-lt-governors-race/
Sen. Hendren, Four Ex-Legislators Sign on to New ‘Call for American Renewal’
by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)
Sen. Jim Hendren, I-Gravette, and four former Arkansas state legislators are founding signatories of “A Call for American Renewal,” a movement that says it is “pushing for the Republican Party to rededicate itself to founding ideals—or else hasten the creation of an alternative.”
Hendren was joined by former Speaker of the House Davy Carter and former Rep. David Meeks, both Republicans, former Rep. Nate Bell, who served as a Republican from Mena before becoming an independent in his final term, and former Sen. Bruce Maloch, a conservative Democrat from Magnolia who was defeated in his bid for re-election last November.
The group’s website says that “forces of conspiracy, division, and despotism” have arisen, and it calls for a “rebirth of the American cause.” It seeks political reforms and ethical government. It calls for American leadership in promoting freedom by example and with “the judicious application of power.”
Rent Relief Program Using $173 Million in Federal Funds Launches in Arkansas
by Marine Glisovic (msglisovic@sbgtv.com)
Additional help is available for Arkansas renters who have lost jobs or are struggling financially due to the pandemic. The Arkansas Department of Human Services launched the Arkansas Rent Relief program Monday (May 17), which utilizes $173 million in federal funds.
“The need for rental assistance has been present since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “I appreciate the work that’s being done by the Arkansas Department of Human Services in conjunction with our federal partners to help renters and landlords who need assistance during this time.”
The program is aimed at covering past rent, future rent and certain utilities such as water, electricity and gas. Mary Franklin, DHS’s Director of Division of County Operations, said payment assistance can be used for up to 15 months of rent or utilities incurred between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
Arkansas Inspector Fired, Ignored I-40 Bridge Damage; Criminal Probe Possible
By DANIEL BREEN
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has fired a bridge inspector who failed to notice damage on at least two separate occasions on a now-closed bridge over the Mississippi River.
Department officials said they terminated the inspector Monday over his failure to notice damage to the Interstate 40 Mississippi River bridge during inspections one year apart, in Sept. of 2019 and 2020. This comes after the department identified a contractor's drone footage dating back to May 2019 showing significant damage.
ARDOT director Lorie Tudor says the department has contacted the FBI to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
ARDOT Chief Engineer Rex Vines stands next to an image captured by a drone showing damage to the Interstate 40 Mississippi River bridge in 2019.
CREDIT DANIEL BREEN / KUAR NEWS
Cases Involving COVID-19 Variants Increase in Arkansas
Arkansas health officials are monitoring for COVID-19 variants, which are increasing in number across the state. To learn more about the process of identifying these mutations, we speak with Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state epidemiologist and medical director for immunizations and outbreak response at the Arkansas Department of Health.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/cases-involving-covid-19-variants-increase-arkansas
COURTESY / ADH
Tuesday's COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the AR Dept of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
Tourism Still Suffering as Pandemic Lingers
By KYLE KELLAMS
Fourteen months into a pandemic and Arkansas tourism is still suffering, especially hotels. Michael Tilley, with Talk Business and Politics crunches the latest tourism numbers as part of our weekly review of the news.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/tourism-still-suffering-pandemic-lingers
COURTESY
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Nurses Make A Difference
LITTLE ROCK – This is National Nurses Week in Arkansas, and today I’d like to talk about how the pandemic has highlighted the value of our nurses and about the laws the General Assembly passed this year that allow nurses to offer more services.
Over the past year, nurses have risked their health to care for COVID patients in hospitals, private homes, nursing homes, and prisons and jails.
Susie Marks, executive director of the Arkansas Nurses Association, says that many nurses, especially bedside nurses, have worked in settings they never thought they’d work in.
Some Arkansas nurses served in COVID hot spots in New York, Texas, and Louisiana. Nurses don’t run from danger, Ms. Marks said, they run towards it. Those who worked in other places returned to Arkansas with innovative solutions for patient care and to minimize risk to health care workers.
Registered nurses are the largest health care profession in the United States, and 60,000 of them work in Arkansas. The theme for this year’s National Nurses Week is “You Make a Difference,” a nod to the unparalleled care and service they have provided during the pandemic.
Professional nursing is an indispensable link in the care of hospitalized patients, and the demand for registered nurses is growing as Baby Boomers age, and as the quality of health care and medicine helps Americans live longer than ever.
The cost-effective safe and high-quality health care services that registered nurses provide will play an ever-more important role in our health care delivery system.
The General Assembly passed several laws this year that expand the services that nurses can offer. Act 569 allows Advance Practice Registered Nurses to serve as a primary care provider in the Medicaid Program without a physician agreement. This allows people who live in rural areas to see an advanced practice registered nurse for certain care and prescriptions rather than drive to a city.
Act 412 creates the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee, which can grant full practice authority to certified nurse practitioners.
Act 449 allows a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist to work in consultation with licensed physicians, dentists, and others who are licensed to order anesthesia.
And Act 607 grants full practice authority to Certified Nurse Midwives, which allows them to evaluate patients, diagnose medical conditions, and order diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatment and care plans.
These new laws expand access to medical care and allow nurses to work to their education level.
As we add nursing programs at the high school and community college level, and increase the ability of nurses to provide services, Arkansas is poised to increase the number of nurses. As we have seen during the pandemic, we can’t live without them. Nurses make all the difference. Thank you, nurses, for choosing this profession.
Governor Promotes Hunter Ballard To Deputy Chief of Staff for Internal Operations
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has promoted Hunter Ballard, director of operations since 2019, to deputy chief of staff for internal operations. Mr. Ballard has worked for the Governor since 2015.
“From the day we hired Hunter during my first year in office, his commitment to serve the people of Arkansas has been evident,” Governor Hutchinson said. “As he served in his first position as a counselor in constituent services, we saw his leadership potential, so Hunter was a natural fit to move into the role of deputy chief of staff.”
Mr. Ballard, whose first day as deputy chief is May 17, replaces Ateca Foreman, whom the Governor appointed director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission.
Mr. Ballard is from Poyen and graduated from Poyen High School in 2008. He is a graduate of Henderson State University, where he earned a bachelor’s in business administration. He started as one of the Governor’s constituent services counselors in August 2015, became deputy director of that department in April 2016 and director in July 2016. He was promoted to director of operations in May 2019.
Sunday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
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: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 0
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 0
