By KYLE KELLAMS
Most Arkansas students will be attending classes in just a couple of weeks as a new school year launches. This academic year comes after an odd school year which also produced low test scores for Arkansas students. Sarah McKenzie from Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas provides some insight.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/test-scores-drop-across-board-arkansas-students
YUSTINUS TJIUWANDA / UNSPLASH
Robert Byrd, Athletic Director and head coach of UA Cossatot Colts and Lady Colts, recently spoke at De Queen Lions Club about the success of the basketball teams’ previous season, the upcoming benefit golf tournament at De Queen County Club, and the upcoming season.
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 108 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana,
southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and
east and northeast Texas.
* WHEN...From 11 AM to 7 PM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur, particularly for those working or
participating in outdoor activities.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to UA Cossatot. This grant supports a Medical Mobile Unit and creates a healthcare simulation lab and telemedicine space at all four campuses. This EDA grant is expected to create 105 jobs.
“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Cossatot Community College will provide rural communities with access to healthcare and healthcare training programs to prepare students for good-paying, quality jobs.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This EDA investment will create a Wellness Education Learning and Living (WELL) community with a Medical Mobile Unit to provide urgent care and create a healthcare simulation lab and telemedicine space to train workers in high-demand healthcare fields.”
“This grant is a real benefit to rural Arkansas,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for more healthcare options in rural Arkansas and the benefit of telemedicine. The funds will make a positive impact on the economy and the health of Arkansans.”
“Congress came together in a bipartisan way to pass the CARES Act to strengthen our communities’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent challenges it presents,” said Senator John Boozman. “I am pleased the EDA recognizes the need for expanded health care access and training in Southwest Arkansas and is making this investment to help the region better meet existing and future needs that will also result in more good jobs.”
“Rural America is too often overlooked for federal grants,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “That’s why I’m so grateful that the bipartisan CARES Act is making this critical health care investment possible. The residents of De Queen and the students at Cossatot Community College will benefit greatly from the jobs and training opportunities this grant will support. Smart, targeted investment like this greatly aids rural America’s post-pandemic recovery.”
“We feel this grant will impact Medical Education in Southwest Arkansas like nothing ever before, said UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole. “This WELL grant will allow UA Cossatot to establish four medical simulation/telemedicine labs on each of our four campuses in DeQueen, Lockesburg, Nashville, and Ashdown, two Ambulance Simulators on two campuses, the establishment of a new Medical Lab Technician program, and we will be purchasing a complete mobile medical unit that our medical faculty and students will be using to assist with health care needs around our service area. It is truly a game-changer for our college, and we can’t be more thankful to our Federal Delegation for helping see this through”.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District (SWAPDD). EDA funds SWAPDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development road map to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Greetings to all students, faculty, and staff at UA Cossatot.
Here it is, the start of a fresh semester and here we are, dealing with another outbreak of COVID-19.
The Chancellor’s Cabinet at UA Cossatot has been monitoring the prevailing health conditions of our local area and, as we did this past year, we will continue to sanitize classrooms and other public spaces and provide masks and hand sanitizers for all students and employees that choose to wear one.
For the upcoming fall semester, here are a few things we want everyone to consider:
If you have questions about vaccinations, mask use, etc., please talk to your family physician, pharmacist, or other professional who is specifically trained in this area. Please don’t rely on social media, unreliable “news” sources, or other unqualified messengers. The most important thing is for everyone to make really good, informed decisions about their own health and how they can help reduce the spread of COVID and reduce the risk associated with it in case they test positive for it.
Getting vaccinated remains your best option for protection against the virus. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. If you need additional information about how and why to get vaccinated locally, please reach out to Dr. Ashley Aylett (aaylett@cccua.edu) for a complete list of locations that offer free vaccines.
There is currently a state law that states that UA Cossatot cannot require masks on our campuses. Even though we don’t require masks when you are on campus, masks are effective in preventing direct exposure to airborne virus particles, and we strongly encourage you to wear a mask if social distancing is not possible.
Communication and contact tracing are still vitally important as we monitor students and employees who may be exposed to COVID. The rules and guidance related to quarantine and isolation (based on Arkansas Department of Health guidelines) continue to evolve depending on your vaccination status. If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID or if you have tested positive, please contact the following people:
For UA Cossatot students, contact Dr. Ashley Aylett (aaylett@cccua.edu)
For UA Cossatot employees, contact Ms. Kelly Plunk (kplunk@cccua.edu)
We are looking forward to a fantastic fall semester! We will all have to work hard to take care of one another and have a successful academic year.
As always, please let me know if I can do anything for you!
Dr. Cole
This week, House members convened in the House Chamber for two orders of business.
In accordance with ACT 403 of the Regular Session, the House convened as a committee of the whole on Tuesday, August 4, to consider whether to terminate the Governor’s July 29, 2021 declaration of a statewide public health emergency.
When it was determined that no concurrent resolutions had been filed in the House and that one resolution filed in the Senate had been withdrawn, the House adjourned its committee of the whole. Since no resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, the Governor’s declaration remains in effect for 60 days.
The House convened on Wednesday, August 4, for an Extraordinary Session.
The Governor called for the session primarily for two purposes.
The first item on the call was to allow public school boards and open enrollment charter schools to implement masking protocols for children under 12. Children under 12 are currently not eligible to receive the vaccine for COVID-19.
The second purpose listed on the call was to concur with the Governor's decision to terminate the state’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment compensation program often referred to as PUA.
In response, to the call the House considered two pieces of legislation
HB1001 outlines the General Assembly’s concurrence with the termination of PUA in Arkansas.
This bill passed in the House with a vote of 74-17-0
HB1003 stated that a public school district can mandate the use of a face mask, shield, or other face covering only with approval of the school board and if the district or area served by an open-enrollment charter school has a fourteen-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least 50 new known infections per 10,000 residents of the public school district based on the most recent data published by the Department of Health or the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Currently, 100 school districts meet that criteria.
HB1003 outlined certain exemptions and limits such mandates to 60 days. This bill underwent Committee review, but did not advance to the House floor. The House adjourned the special session on Friday, August 6.
We will continue to update you on the actions of the General Assembly regarding the current emergency.
All of our meetings are streamed live and archived on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
UA Cossatot Has Announced the Honor Graduates for Summer 2021
To earn a place on the Chancellor's List a student must complete at least 12 hours of college level credit classes and achieve a semester gpa of 4.0. Ariel Dinkins of Gillham made the Chancellor's List while earning an Associate of Science Degree in Business.
Students who achieve the honor of Vice Chancellor's List, must complete at least 12 hour college level credit classes and earn a semester gpa of 3.50 to 3.99. Vice Chancellor's honorees include:
Weston Harp Associate of Arts De Queen
Sofia Velaquez AS in Business De Queen
Shalene Cardenas AS in Business Nashville
Congratulations to each of our honor students!
UA Cossatot Graduate List for Summer 2021
Erica Alexander Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Shreveport
Michael Barnard Associate of General Studies De Queen
Payton Bobo Associate of Arts & Associate of General Studies Dierks
Marlene Briones Health Professions Technical Certificate De Queen
Jade Burgess Psychology Associate of Science & General Studies Technical Certificate Idabel
Shannon Burkland Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Texarkana
Dillon Cheater STEM Associate of Science Sallisaw, OK
Hannah Coffman Cosmetology Technical Certificate Amity
Brayden Counts Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Dierks
Haley Davis Associate of General Studies Nashville
MaKayla Dixon STEM Associate of Science Ashdown
Delaney Eckert Associate of General Studies & General Studies Technical Certificate Dierks
Sha'uri Esquivel STEM Associate of Science De Queen
Maya Fant Psychology Associate of Science & General Studies Technical Certificate Nashville
Aubree Gauldin Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Foreman
Lacie Grace Cosmetology Technical Certificate Nashville
Triston Green General Technology Associate of Applied Science Nashville
Weston Harp Associate of Arts & General Studies Technical Certificate De Queen
Jerimiyah Harris Business Associate of Science Nashville
Samantha Henderson Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Broken Bow
Candice Hughes Associate of General Studies Murfreesboro
Alyssa Jackson Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Fouke
Sophie Jackson STEM Associate of Science Cove
Jacques Ketant Associate of General Studies & General Studies Technical Certificate North Miami, FL
Brayden Kirby Associate of General Studies & General Studies Technical Certificate Dierks
Garrett Lance Associate of General Studies & General Studies Technical Certificate Nashville
Hope Littles Associate of Arts & General Studies Technical Certificate Murfreesboro
Aubrey Lockeby Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Ashdown
Megan Lovelis Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Star City
David Mitchell Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Ashdown
Crystal Morgan Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Texarkana
Breanna Mounts Associate of General Studies & General Studies Technical Certificate Newhope
Rena Owens Associate of General Studies & Teaching: K-6 Associate of Science Waldron
Callie Redfearn Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Ashdown
Erica Resendiz Physical Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science De Queen
Raven Revels Agri Business Associate of Science De Queen
Garrett Talley Associate of General Studies Nashville
Congratulations to all of our UA Cossatot Summer Graduates!
By Linda Haymes
The Myeloma Center at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is offering a new cutting-edge immunotherapy treatment for myeloma patients.
UAMS is the first and only medical facility in Arkansas approved to provide cellular therapy to myeloma patients.
“This is exciting because this is the first cellular therapy product commercially available for myeloma patients,” said Myeloma Center clinical director Frits van Rhee, M.D. Ph.D.
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
Four-term State Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, told Talk Business & Politics on Friday (Aug. 6) he intends to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, in the Republican primary in 2021.
Smith, 62, said he’s talked with many constituents in Northeast Arkansas during recent years and he thinks there’s a disconnect between Crawford and people in the district. “Politicians don’t own these seats … They belong to the people of Arkansas. I’ve been blessed to be elected to four terms, but I only occupy that seat as long as the people re-elect me. It belongs to them,” he said.
Smith, a Jonesboro native, said he had a “heated conversation” with Crawford about his plans to challenge him. Smith claimed the conversation grew so contentious that he hung up the phone.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/08/rep-brandt-smith-to-challenge-u-s-rep-rick-crawford-in-gop-primary/
by Talk Business & Politics staff
Col. Leon Dodroe, former commander of the 188th Wing in Fort Smith, was promoted to brigadier general and assumed command of the Arkansas Air National Guard. Col. Jeremiah Gentry was promoted to 188th commander.
Dodroe replaced Brig. Gen. Thomas Crimmins who was selected by the U.S. Air Force as senior defense official and defense attaché to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dodroe enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1993 and served with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. In 1995, he was selected for pilot training and received his commission through Officer Candidate School. Upon completion of flight training school in 1996, he was assigned as the Fixed Wing Platoon Leader for the Southern European Task Force at Vicenza, Italy. He has also served in the Arizona Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve, holding numerous leadership positions before joining the Arizona Air National Guard in 2010.
C-130 aircraft line up to take off at the Little Rock Air Force Base.
by Talk Business & Politics staff
The University of Arkansas System announced Monday (Aug. 9) that Charles Robinson, provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the UA, will become interim chancellor for the state’s flagship university beginning Aug. 16.
Bill Kincaid has served as acting chancellor since former chancellor Joe Steinmetz resigned on June 18. Kincaid will move back into his role as senior managing associate general counsel.
UA System President Donald Bobbitt said over the next year a national search will take place to consider internal and external candidates for the permanent chancellor position, and he will form a representative search committee to assist in the search.
Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas.
On Tuesday Tyson Foods announced office employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 1, while frontline workers are required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, pending talks with representatives from plant labor unions. Magaly Licolli with Venceremos, a Springdale-based organization that advocates for poutlry workers, says the decision is a good step for Tyson, but she believes the company should do more.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/poultry-worker-advocate-reacts-tyson-vaccine-requirement
An Arkansas House committee failed to advance two bills that would have amended the state’s current ban on mask mandates, likely ending the chance of passing before the end of the special session. By a series of voice votes Thursday, members of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor did not pass either House Bill 1003 or House Bill 1004. Both would have given school boards the authority to require the wearing of masks.
House Bill 1004, which the committee considered after over two hours of public testimony, would give public school boards or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school a broader ability to mandate the wearing of masks, face shield or other coverings to "reduce the spread of infectious, contagious and communicable diseases."
Rep. Tippi McCullough (far left) presents House Bill 1004 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee
CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 85
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 66
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 95
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 74
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
LITTLE ROCK – This week, I issued a call for a special session of the General Assembly, and today I’d like to explain why my action was necessary.
In the spring, I signed Act 1002, a law that prohibits a government agency from establishing a mask mandate. That made sense to me at the time because I oppose any government-issued statewide mask requirement. And now we have vaccines available. Also, at the time, the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths and hospitalizations was very low. In other words, we were coming out of the pandemic nicely. But as happens in life, everything changed.
The Delta variant, which is more transmissible than previous variants, arrived, and our cases, hospitalizations, and COVID-related deaths increased. It became clear to me that the law needed to change, and I actually said I regret signing the bill. That statement created somewhat of a firestorm, but it is important for leaders to adapt and change strategies when the facts change – particularly when you are in an emergency.
With public schools opening for in-person instruction this month, I decided we needed to enact exceptions to Act 1002 to give schools some flexibility regarding face masks in congregate settings, and this should be limited to those students under twelve years of age. This was necessary because those under twelve are not eligible for a vaccine.
I convened the General Assembly to make this limited exception in order to provide more protection for those under twelve, and the law would leave the final decision in the hands of the local school board.
Pursuant to my call, the General Assembly met and considered the exception but failed to act. This leaves us all with the urgent need to get more of our students, teachers, parents, and community vaccinated. If we can’t provide life-saving vaccines to those under twelve, then we have to form layers of protection around them.
So that will be my focus in the coming days. Perhaps you will join me in one of my Community COVID Conversations – or Town Halls – to respectfully discuss how we can stop this virus with more vaccinations.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 66
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 76
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 84
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 73
A bill that would allow Arkansas school districts to implement mask mandates if they meet a COVID-19 case threshold is being reworked to address the concerns of some lawmakers. Members of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee spent just under three hours Wednesday discussing and listening to public comments on the proposed legislation.
According to the bill, a school district must have a 14-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least 50 new infections per 10,000 residents based on data published by either the Arkansas Department of Health or the Arkansas Center for Health improvement.
Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, is the bill’s sponsor and said she was open to whatever suggestions lawmakers had if it helped pass the legislation.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-amends-arkansas-mask-mandate-ban-stalls-house-committee
Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, presents House Bill 1003 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on the first day of the special legislative session.
CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has called members of the 93rd General Assembly into Extraordinary Session to begin at 10 a.m. on August 4 to create an exception to Act 1002 that will give public school boards flexibility to protect those school children who are 11 and younger and not eligible for a vaccine.
Act 1002 prohibits state and local government, including school boards, from requiring people to wear a mask. Governor Hutchinson will ask legislators to provide an exception to the law that would grant each school board the authority to decide whether to require students younger than 12 to wear a mask.
“Under CDC guidelines, students 11 and younger cannot receive the COVID vaccine, and without it, they are at a greater risk of contracting the virus, particularly the Delta variant,” Governor Hutchinson said today after he issued the Call. “COVID‐19 impact is escalating among children, particularly those 12 and older, as we have seen in the increased number and severity of COVID‐19 cases at Arkansas Children’s during July.
“Last week, Children’s daily census of 24 COVID-19 patients was a 50 percent increase over previous peaks. Because of this increased risk of illness in children, we see the necessity of allowing leaders in school districts the flexibility to decide whether students wear masks. We must allow local school boards to make the best decision for the students in their schools.
“I understand that some legislators are reluctant to allow school boards this freedom, even in this limited way,” Governor Hutchinson said. “But the exceptions for which I am asking are true to the conservative principle that puts control in the hands of local government.
“Some argue it should be up to the parents to decide for the children. For that reason, school boards will have many options after listening to the parents. The goal is to be safe and to keep schools open. Local flexibility will help get us there.
“I am asking lawmakers to simply allow public school boards and open enrollment charter schools to make their own decision to implement masking protocols to protect children younger than 12 in a school building, school bus, or other educational setting where several students are in close proximity.”
Last week, seven children were in Arkansas Children’s ICU, and four were on ventilators. The average length of stay and the number of days on a ventilator have doubled for COVID‐19 patients during July compared to January.
The Governor also will ask members of the General Assembly to affirm the decision of the director of Workforce Services to terminate Arkansas’s participation in extraordinary federal unemployment benefit and relief programs related to COVID-19.
“It is more important that we reduce the number of unemployed and put more people to work than it is for the state to accept any federal relief programs related to unemployment,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I will ask legislators to affirm that the director of Workforce Services may exercise discretion in her decisions to participate in or to cease participation in any voluntary, optional, special, or emergency program that the federal government offers.”
