Farmers for Tomorrow fundraiser set Oct. 19 to support aspiring farmers

By John Lovett
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food will hold a fundraising event 5-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 to support the Farmers for Tomorrow fund, a new program to help Farm School and Apprenticeship program graduates start their farm business.

FARMERS FOR TOMORROW — Graduates of The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food's Farm School and Apprenticeship programs can be supported through the new Farmers for Tomorrow fund. (U of A System Division of Ag photo)

The event will occur at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 1005 W. Meade St., in Fayetteville. The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) is a part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. If it rains that evening, the event will be held at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences near the farm at 1371 W. Altheimer Dr.

Farmers for Tomorrow was established to help new farmers who have invested their time in their farm training through CAFF’s Farm School and Apprenticeship programs. The fundraising event will feature canapés from Chef Micah Klasky of The Hive, made with fruits and vegetables grown by CAFF students. The Creek Rocks, featuring musicians Cindy Wolf and Mark Bilyeu, will also perform. Wines from Arkansas wineries, beer from local breweries and a cocktail prepared with Arkansas fruits will also be served. A selection of non-alcoholic drinks will be available.

“Starting a new farm can be very expensive for first-generation farmers whose dream is to work the soil and provide healthy foods for their communities,” Heather Friedrich, program manager for CAFF, said. “Aside from land, the bare start-up essentials for fruit and vegetable production add up quickly.”

Once former CAFF Farm School students or apprentices have acquired farmland in Arkansas and are ready to break ground, they can apply for start-up funds from Farmers for Tomorrow, Friedrich said. The funds are designated for purchasing tools, equipment, irrigation materials and seeds.

“Students who’ve completed the CAFF programs have positioned themselves to succeed in farming,” Friedrich said. “They’ve trained in small farm production and farm entrepreneurship. Once they’ve acquired their farmland, they are well on their way to providing food for Arkansas. Farmers for Tomorrow can give these new farms a boost to launch. Ticket purchases and donations are an investment in our community’s regional food system, the local economy, and food security.”

General admission tickets to the Farmers for Tomorrow fundraiser are $65 per person, or $1,200 for reserved tables of six people. Event tickets include complimentary food and drinks. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the event website, http://farmersfortomorrow.org/.

For those who may be unable to attend but still wish to support Farmers for Tomorrow, please visit the website and click the “Donate to Farmers” button at the top of the screen.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Arkansas Senate votes to suspend Clark for making 'frivolous' complaint

KUAR | By Steve Brawner / Talk Business & Politics

The Arkansas Senate voted Tuesday to accept a Senate Ethics Committee finding that Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, had filed a “spurious, frivolous and retaliatory” ethics petition against Sen. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff.

Votes were 26-4 on three separate motions. One affirmed that Clark had filed the unmerited charges. Another moved him to 35th in seniority in the Senate and to recommend to next year’s 94th General Assembly that he remain there. Next year's session convenes Jan. 9. The third was to suspend him until the end of Jan. 8, 2023, from Senate activities except for organizational and orientation meetings of the 94th General Assembly, including having the use of staff, his Senate license plate, Senate digital devices, and his email account.

Clark was on vacation and did not attend the session — a fact pointed out by several of his Republican colleagues.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-27/arkansas-senate-votes-to-suspend-clark-for-making-frivolous-complaint

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Sen. Alan Clark speaking with reporters on Sept. 9 after the Senate Ethics Committee determined he made a frivolous and retaliatory complaint against Sen. Stephanie Flowers. On Tuesday, the full Senate voted to accept the committee's recommendation to sanction Clark.

SWEPCO looks to buy up to 2,400 megawatts in wind, solar farms

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a utility of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power (AEP), wants to purchase up to 1,900 megawatts of wind resources and up to 500 megawatts of solar resources, according to a Thursday (Sept. 29) news release.

Wind resources must be at least 100 megawatts, and solar resources must be at least 50 megawatts. All projects must interconnect to the Southwest Power Pool and be located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri.

According to the proposal request, the commercial operation for the solar and wind resources would be no later than Dec. 1, 2026, with a preference of being operational by Dec. 1, 2025. The projects would need regulatory approval in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. However, like in previous projects, if one state doesn’t approve the project, the other states could increase the amount of generation allotted for them, according to a presentation on the new proposal request.

Link here for more information on the proposal request.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/swepco-looks-to-buy-up-to-2400-megawatts-in-wind-solar-farms/

Modeling estimates $984 million in Arkansas marijuana sales by 2027, tax gain of more than $260 million

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas voter approval in November of adult use (recreational) marijuana could add $2.4 billion to the state’s economy over five full years of implementation, and add up to 6,400 jobs by 2027, according to modeling from the Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI).

The AEDI, housed at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), was commissioned by Responsible Growth Arkansas (RGA) to conduct an economic modeling forecast of legal marijuana sales in Arkansas over a five-year period. RGA is the group that worked to get the proposed amendment on the November general election ballot.

If the issue is approved by voters, it would amend the existing law for medical marijuana and allow those who are at least 21 to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries would receive licenses to sell recreational use cannabis at the dispensaries and obtain licenses to establish recreational cannabis dispensaries at another location. Licenses also would be available for additional dispensaries and cannabis cultivation facilities.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/modeling-estimates-984-million-in-arkansas-marijuana-sales-by-2027-tax-gain-of-more-than-260-million/

State might tax canceled student loan debt

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Arkansas is one of seven states in which canceled student loan debt may be treated as taxable income, but whether it is, student loan forgiveness is expected to create a tax burden shift from the borrowers.

Recently, President Joe Biden announced plans to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt, depending on borrowers’ income. Pell Grant recipients qualify for up to the total amount in relief, while other borrowers can cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt. Eligible borrowers must have an annual income of less than $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples or heads of households.

According to Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible for relief automatically because the agency already has relevant income data. By early October, an online application is expected to become available at studentaid.gov, allowing borrowers to apply for the relief. The application deadline will be Dec. 31, 2023.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/state-might-tax-canceled-student-loan-debt/

Rutledge announces suit against Biden for unlawfully cancelling debt

LITTLE ROCK— Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and the U.S. Department of Education for violating federal law when the Biden Administration attempted to categorically cancel student loan debt in August. The suit alleges that Biden violated federal law, the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act when he skirted congressional authority to implement this policy.

“President Biden’s unlawful political play puts the self-wrought college-loan debt on the backs of millions of hardworking Americans who are struggling to pay their utility bills and home loans amid Biden’s inflation,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “President Biden does not have the power to arbitrarily erase the college debt of adults who chose to take out those loans.”

The lawsuit highlights that President Biden knew he did not have the proper authority to authorize this type of executive action, which is why he attempted to work with Congress to find a legitimate and legal solution to the student loan crisis. After Congress routinely failed to pass legislation addressing the issue, Biden attempted to unilaterally act far beyond the authority granted to him by the Constitution. This action will result in approximately half a trillion dollars in losses to the federal treasury and contribute to the already rampant inflation the nation is experiencing.  

The Democrat Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, summarized it best when she said, “people think the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not.” 

The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina are joining Arkansas in the suit.

UA Cossatot Receives Harvest Regional Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education Award

UA Cossatot was selected as Harvest Regional Food Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education at this year’s Hunger Action Luncheon held on September 27, 2022, in Texarkana, TX. Erika Buenrrostro and Alisa Cooke with UA Cossatot attended the luncheon and accepted the award.

Harvest Regional Food Bank recognized UA Cossatot and the work the college’s Center for Student Success’s food pantry has done to help combat hunger on all four campuses.

“Joining during an unprecedented global pandemic and jumping right in to provide food assistance to students in not one but four of our counties is no small task! This is why we will be honoring our partnership with UA Cossatot and our other award recipients,” said Callie Buckley, Harvest Regional Food Bank Impact Coordinator.

“We are super excited to receive the “Harvest Regional Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education Award” recognition presented by Harvest Foods. Food insecurity is an issue in every community but also impacts college campuses nationwide. While food and housing costs continue to increase, we wanted to create a safe place on campus where students could receive weekly food voucher cards and bags, allowing them to focus more on academics. The Center for Student Success takes pride in its services and feels honored to be

chosen as the recipient of this award. Opening the Center in 2017 has been one of our most significant accomplishments on campus,” said Erika Buenrrostro, Director of Student Success and Enrichment.

For more information, contact Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133 or ebuenrrosto@cccua.edu.

Governor appoints Katie Anderson as Chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission

LITTLE ROCK –  Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his appointment of Katie Anderson of Scott as Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Anderson currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge for the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. She is also a Vice President of I.F. Anderson Farms, Inc. in Lonoke, a 4th generation family-owned bait fish farm in operation since 1949.

She previously served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Erin L. Wiedemann, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Arkansas; the Honorable Audrey R. Evans, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas; and the Honorable Karen R. Baker, Judge, Arkansas Court of Appeals.

From 2012 - 2015 she was Senior Manager of the State and Local Policy Team for Walmart Stores, Inc. Anderson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law.

“Katie has proven to be a fair arbiter of important issues throughout her career,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I'm confident she will bring a fair and balanced approach to matters before the Public Service Commission. She has served the state well as an Administrative Law Judge and her judicial temperament and sense of fairness make her a good fit in the Public Service Commission.”

“I want to thank Governor Hutchinson for his confidence and trust in me to serve as Chairman of the Public Service Commission,” Anderson said. “I am truly honored to accept this appointment, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. In this new capacity, I will continue to serve the people of Arkansas with the utmost level of integrity and professionalism.”

Anderson will replace Chairman Ted Thomas, and her start date is October 2, 2022. She will serve the remainder of Thomas’s term which expires January 14, 2027. 

Cooperative Extension Service's online beekeeping course now available

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — As backyard vegetable gardens and chicken coops become more popular, so does another element of modern homesteading: beekeeping. For people interested in learning about the practice or brushing up on their skills, the Cooperative Extension Service’s new online beekeeping course provides information about the tools, costs and safety precautions involved.

BEEKEEPING BASICS — In his new online course, Jon Zawislak, extension apiculture specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, provides information about bee hive structures, basic tools and equipment needed, bee biology and behavior, honey production and harvesting as well as safety precautions. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The free Complete Beekeeping Short Course is available at uaex.uada.edu/bee-class and on the Cooperative Extension Service’s YouTube page. Jon Zawislak, extension apiculture specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Eastern Apicultural Society-certified Master Beekeeper, teaches the course, which is divided into multiple topics. The series covers the structure and function of each component of a modern bee hive, basic tools and equipment needed and information about safe practices and protective clothing. Zawislak also covers basic honey bee biology and behavior, honey production and harvesting and honey bee health, including how to recognize and treat honey bee diseases, parasites and hive pests.

Zawislak said honey bee biology and behavior is “often neglected in training beekeepers.”

“Some books and classes focus mainly on what a beekeeper should be doing at different times of the year, without a lot of explanation on what the bees will be trying to do,” he said. “Honey bees are fascinating and intelligent living creatures, and they are constantly trying to explore their world and gather resources from it, and they make some very complex decisions as a group. If beekeepers are better able to understand what their bees want, then they can better manage those colonies to help them thrive and be productive.”

The online beekeeping course also includes information about the practice’s challenges. Zawislak said people should expect to spend between $500-$800 to get started, and the work can be physically demanding.

“Expect to spend hot hours inside a bee suit, doing some heavy lifting, and there will always be occasional bee stings when you are least expecting them,” he said.

Zawislak said part of his goal with the beekeeping course is to encourage people who feel they are “prepared to take it on,” and to also “discourage those who may not be ready for this kind of commitment.”

“It’s a little like gardening,” he said. “It takes lots of hard work to do it right, but it’s a labor of love. A homegrown Arkansas tomato will always be superior to one from the grocery store that has been shipped across the country on a truck. The same is true for your own backyard honey. It will always outshine the stuff available to you on a supermarket shelf. And once you’ve tasted fresh honey, you can’t settle for anything less.”

Zawislak started offering in-person beekeeping classes in 2010. He said he received a “very positive response” to these classes, which led to many requests from local beekeeping clubs and county extension agents to offer similar classes in locations around Arkansas.

Amy Cole, extension digital media program manager, said beekeeping content brings many visitors to the Cooperative Extension Service’s website and social media pages.

“The honey bee pages on our website are always very popular, and we are found in Google in the top search results for keywords such as ‘beekeeping’ thanks to relevant and robust content from Dr. Zawislak,” Cole said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person classes were suspended. While he continued to offer programs through Zoom and consult with individual beekeepers through email and phone calls, Zawislak said it “became obvious that there was a significant need for this type of course to be widely available and on-demand online.”

“I wanted this course to be available online to anyone, at no cost, to provide people with a solid foundation of knowledge for keeping honey bees,” Zawislak said. “It will benefit beginners before they begin and can be a good refresher course for experienced beekeepers, who may have never taken a formal class.

“It needed to be thorough without being overwhelming,” he said. “There are some great videos available online on specific topics, but not a complete, comprehensive series that is scientifically valid and up to date. That’s the niche we set out to fill.”

The beekeeping course videos became available Sept. 20, and the Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association is already planning to use the course material in an upcoming series of classes and workshops.

“The Basic Beekeeping Class that Dr. Zawislak taught in-person over the years was without a doubt the best classroom training available in Arkansas, and we are really excited to see the Cooperative Extension Service offer the course material on-line so that it is available to anyone and everyone at any time,” said Debra Bolding, membership chair for the Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association.

Zawislak said he hopes to add more beekeeping content to the Cooperative Extension Service’s YouTube page in the future.

“Anyone who has ever considered keeping bees could benefit from watching this series,” he said. “The industry continues to change, so even experienced beekeepers can tune in to gain a deeper insight into what they are already doing. Once people realize how amazing honey bees really are, they may not be able to resist trying beekeeping.”

For more information and to access the Complete Beekeeping Short Course, visit uaex.uada.edu/bee-class or the Cooperative Extension Service’s YouTube page.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Poultry science grad student wins research award for 3D tech in visual pathways of birds

By Jessica Wesson
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The neural pathways in a bird's brain can be very complex, prompting poultry scientists at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station to employ 3D imaging technology for research and teaching.

RESEARCH AWARD — Parker Straight was awarded by the Poultry Science Association for his presentation on poultry physiology and reproduction. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

The Agricultural Experiment Station is the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Parker Straight, poultry science graduate student in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, recently received the Award of Excellence for Best Oral Presentation in the areas of physiology and reproduction at the Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Straight and his research team wanted to model the tectofugal pathway, the primary visual pathway in chickens.

Two-dimensional visuals can only provide information on one anatomical plane within the brain of an organism. Three-dimensional techniques are vital for visualizing the complete set of structures, their connectivity and functions. Straight's team used histochemistry and diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT), with data reconstruction programs such as Brainmaker, Avizo and Blender, to create their 3D interactive models.

"Histochemistry uses chemical reagents like dyes to stain tissue to allow it to undergo image analysis," Straight said. "DiceCT is very similar to an MRI but utilizes iodine to stain the tissue so that one can delineate groups of cells from fiber tracts, and this is imaged by using x-ray scans to 'digitally' slice the brain."

The iodine used in diceCT is not permanent and can be removed from the sample tissue without damaging or distorting the tissue, which is important for the integrity of the 3D imaging.

"The beauty in the techniques that we're using is that they're reversible and non-destructive and allow you to obtain more accurate spatial and structural data for components of the neural systems," Straight said. "It is important to maintain the true natural structural formation of the brain to achieve high accuracy of things such as relative location, volume, linear dimensions and connectivity."

"What these methods can do is allow for the generation of complex models that can be used in both research and education," Straight said. "It allows students and those in the field to learn a complex pathway in a more effective manner."

Straight's research can be applied in a variety of scenarios, he said.

"It's important to show the application of the techniques I'm using, because ideally it can be used for other neural systems in birds and other vertebrates," Straight said.

Straight also presented his research at the International Symposium of Avian Endocrinology in Edinburgh, Scotland. There he was named runner up for the Early Career Researcher Award for his poster presentation. The two awards were determined by highest number of ballots cast by all delegates who attended the meeting and voted at the end of the poster sessions.

"I was overcome with satisfaction and validation for the work I have done, and I felt fulfillment knowing the research I am doing is meaningful," Straight said.

Straight's research team included Wayne Kuenzel, professor of physiology and neuroendocrinology at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and Paul Gignac, associate professor of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona. Funding for this project was provided by a Chancellor's Grant, awarded to Kuenzel and Gignac. Additional funding was provided by a grant from the Arkansas Biosciences Institute to Kuenzel.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Doctoral student wins American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society awards

By Robby Edwards, Director of Communications
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Carrie Ortel, a University of Arkansas doctoral student in crop, soil and environmental sciences, was named winner of two prestigious awards by national organizations and will be recognized at their joint annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, in November.

AWARD WINNER — Trent Roberts, associate professor of soil fertility and soil testing, and senior graduate assistant Carrie Ortel, examine soybean plants for signs of nutrient deficiency. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

The American Society of Agronomy named her one of five winners of the Nelson Yield-Limiting Factors Graduate Student Scholarship. The scholarship is for $3,000.

The Crop Science Society of America named her recipient of the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science.

Trenton Roberts, professor and the Endowed Chair in Soil Fertility Research for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is Ortel’s graduate advisor. She is a senior graduate research assistant conducting experiment station research on soil fertility.

Ortel earned her bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech University before earning her master's degree from the U of A and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Her research evaluates late season potassium applications to Arkansas soybeans, striving to maximize yield and profit potential for producers.

She has worked as an extension agent in North Carolina, placed in several graduate student oral presentation contests and served as president of the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Club.

Ortel is a repeat winner of the Nelson Yield-Limiting award, also earning the ASA honor in 2021.

The Nelson award is named for Werner L. Nelson, and recognizes leadership, accomplishments and long-term goals to research and develop improved diagnostic techniques and solutions to yield-limiting factors in agronomy. Nelson was a professor of agronomy at North Carolina State University.

The Mott award is named for the first CSSA president, who trained 75 graduate students during his 45-year career at Purdue University and the University of Florida.

ASA is an international scientific and professional society that empowers scientists, educators and practitioners in developing, disseminating and applying agronomic solutions to feed and sustain the world. It is home to 7,000-plus members and 12,000-plus certified professionals dedicated to advancing the field of agronomy.

CSSA is an international scientific society that fosters the vision to improve the world through crop science. It is home for 4,000-plus members dedicated to discovering and applying plant science solutions to improve the human condition and protect the planet.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and on Instagram at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

UAMS Breaks Ground on Child Development Center

By Chris Carmody

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) broke ground today on a nearly $10 million Child Development Center on a four-acre property in Little Rock.

The approximately 20,000-square-foot Child Development Center will be built at the intersection of 11th and Monroe streets, just south of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and across Interstate 630 from the UAMS campus. The facility is expected to open in spring 2024.

Chancellor Cam Patterson stands with Jeannette “Jan” Shorey, professor emerita in the UAMS College of Medicine. Image by Bryan Clifton

The center will be able to provide services for about 200 children, from infancy through prekindergarten, UAMS employees, and students. Of those, 10% of the slots will be reserved for the children of employees who live in the surrounding community, and another 10% will go to workers or students who qualify for Child Care and Development Fund vouchers through the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/09/14/uams-breaks-ground-on-child-development-center/

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Chancellor Cam Patterson speaks Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Child Development Center project in Little Rock. Image by Bryan Clifton

UAMS will co-lead research to develop inexpensive toxin detectors

KUAR | By Michael Hibblen

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is co-leading a research project to develop inexpensive devices that can detect harmful toxins in water and people. It’s part of a four-year, $6 million project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Shuk-Mei Ho, vice chancellor for Research and Innovation at UAMS, says the detectors ideally will be made using printers, then naturally decompose in the environment.

“We’re developing the technology into various formats that can be put into an ambient environment like soil, water, and get real-time signals,” she said in an interview with KUAR News.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-21/uams-will-co-lead-research-to-develop-inexpensive-toxin-detectors

UAMS

The main campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. It’s one of six universities nationwide taking part in a project to develop devices that will be used to monitor potentially hazardous toxins that can leach into surface and groundwater.

Coalition forms against proposed changes to Arkansas ballot initiative process

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A coalition of nonprofit groups has formed in opposition to a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution on the November ballot.

The group, called Protect Arkansas Rights, opposes Issue 2 which would raise the number of votes needed to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives as well as constitutional amendments proposed by both citizens and state lawmakers.

Kwami Abdul-Bey, elections coordinator for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, says a number of crucial state laws directly resulted from the state’s ballot initiative process.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/2022-09-22/coalition-forms-against-proposed-changes-to-arkansas-ballot-initiative-process

Meg Kelly/NPR

Issue 2 on the November ballot would make it harder to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives and proposed constitutional amendments in Arkansas.

The Supply Side: Drone delivery among retailers becomes more prevalent

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Once seen as a small possibility, drone delivery for online orders has become a reality for Walmart and some of its competitors. Drone deliveries are increasing with ongoing investments among big retailers following more leeway from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Walmart has tested drone deliveries with various partners for the past two years but more recently ramped up investments in the final-mile delivery method following the guidelines released by the FAA in January 2021.

Walmart announced in May 2022 that it was expanding its investment with DroneUp to 34 sites by the end of the year. The drone towers have become fixtures at local Walmart stores in Pea Ridge, Store 100 in Bentonville, and the Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Farmington.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/the-supply-side-drone-delivery-among-retailers-becomes-more-prevalent/

Barth, Coon analyze independent voters, issue of abortion from latest poll data

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Dr. Jay Barth and Robert Coon offer bipartisan analysis on every Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll that comes out. In our final installment of analysis, Barth and Coon look at different groups of voters from an “Independent” political affiliation and on the issue of abortion.

In the latest survey of 835 likely Arkansas voters, the poll found that roughly 30% of voters identify as Independent versus 38% who say they vote Republican and 25% who vote Democrat.

Some common traits of Independent voters in 2022 include:

• They tend to be younger, lean slightly more college-educated, and are represented more by males than females.

• Independent voters find unfavorable both Donald Trump (55%) and President Joe Biden (60%).

• At the state level, a plurality of Independents currently say they plan to vote for U.S. Senator John Boozman (36%) and Lt. Governor Tim Griffin (44%), but narrowly (+2%) support Chris Jones in the Governor’s race.

• In key races, Independents are more likely to still be undecided in their candidate choices.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/barth-coon-analyze-independent-voters-issue-of-abortion-from-latest-poll-data/

Arkansas Supreme Court puts marijuana amendment back on the November ballot

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Recreational marijuana use will be on Arkansas’ November election ballot. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday (Sept. 22) overturned a State Board of Election Commissioners (SBEC) decision to deny certification of the constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana use for adults.

The SBEC on Aug. 3 denied certification of a proposed constitutional amendment – Issue 4 – to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. The panel cited concerns regarding sufficient background checks for dispensary owners and limits on THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical found in marijuana. The SBEC review is part of a new process for ballot petitions.

In a 5-2 opinion, the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the panel’s concerns about ballot sufficiency. Justices Shawn Womack and Barbara Webb dissented. (Link here for a PDF of the opinion.)

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/arkansas-supreme-court-puts-marijuana-amendment-back-on-the-november-ballot/

LIV Golf in Northwest Arkansas? John Tyson discusses the idea with Greg Norman

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

John Tyson is exploring the idea of offering his Northwest Arkansas golf course as a venue for a LIV Golf tournament.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal has learned that Greg Norman, a two-time major champion and CEO of the highly lucrative upstart golf league, traveled to Northwest Arkansas in early September to visit with Tyson at Blessings Golf Club.

Tyson, chairman of Springdale-based meat giant Tyson Foods Inc., owns Blessings, which opened 18 years ago near Fayetteville.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/liv-golf-in-northwest-arkansas-john-tyson-discusses-the-idea-with-greg-norman/

Greg Norman

Governor Hutchinson Appoints Mark White as Secretary of The Department of Human Services

LITTLE ROCK –  Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his appointment of Mark White of Bryant as the Secretary of the Department of Human Service. He will replace Cindy Gillespie.

White currently serves as Chief of Staff and Chief Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer. He represents DHS before the Arkansas Legislature and serves as a primary point of contact for legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and other state agencies. He was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the Arkansas Health Services Permit Commission.

Since he first joined DHS in 2013, he has served in a variety of capacities including work in the Secretary’s Office, the Office of Chief Counsel, and the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services.

In 2017, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed him to the Governor’s Transformation Advisory Board, which helped lay the groundwork for the reorganization of state government culminating in the Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019. 

He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Arkansas School of Law.

“I have the utmost confidence in Mark to lead the Department of Humans Services. His breadth of experience, working relationship with the legislature, and his close working relationship with transformation within DHS makes him the perfect fit to lead a department that provides critical services to children, senior citizens, and provides health care needs to the most vulnerable Arkansans.” Governor Hutchinson said.

“I am grateful to Governor Hutchinson for the opportunity to lead the Department of Human Services as we serve the people of Arkansas. The mission of DHS is to improve the quality of life for all Arkansans by protecting the vulnerable, fostering independence, and promoting better health,” White said. “Secretary Cindy Gillespie has led DHS in making great strides to pursue this mission, and I look forward to working with the Governor and the Arkansas General Assembly in continuing that good work.”

White's term will begin October 8, 2022, and his salary will be $201,700. 

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address Celebrating the Heritage of Hispanic Americans

LITTLE ROCK – Today I would like to talk about Hispanic Heritage Month and what this occassion represents. Hispanic influence can be seen in all aspects of American life and culture.

In the 1980’s Arkansas saw a growth in the Hispanic population, which continued well into the 21st century. According to the 2020 census, Arkansas was one of 15 states where the Hispanic population made up more than half of all population growth in the state. Hispanic roots in Arkansas run deep and have become a vital part of our communities around the state.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a week-long celebration for Hispanic Heritage. He believed that it was important to celebrate the heritage of our American citizens who were of Hispanic descent because it was those who came before them who helped settle our land and built our country into what it is now.

Later in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week grew into Hispanic Heritage Month after President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.

It is no coincidence that this falls in September as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15. But also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Hispanic Heritage is American heritage because the American story is about every person who takes responsibility, works hard, and dreams big. When we take the time to honor those who made this American story possible, we can overcome America’s challenges and continue to be a beacon of freedom for the world.

When President Reagan signed into law the month-long celebration, he did so because he believed that the celebration of Hispanic Heritage was an example of how fundamental family is to our country.

He believed that the strength of America’s families translated into the strength of our country. This time of celebration looks into a culture’s strongest qualities, and Hispanic Heritage Month is a time where we can honor a love for family and connect through the stories of those who came before us.