Larry Walther announced as new Arkansas Treasurer

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration Larry Walther will assume the position of State Treasurer. He will fill out the remainder of the term of Mark Lowery, who died on July 26 after suffering two strokes.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her new appointee became emotional during the announcement Thursday.

“Our state lost a deeply dedicated public servant,” Sanders said. “Lowery spent decades serving the people of the state he loved so much.”

Sanders said Walther was “another longtime public servant” and was excited to hand down the role to him.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-08-03/larry-walther-announced-as-new-arkansas-treasurer

Sarah Huckabee Sanders/Facebook

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders embraces incoming Arkansas State Treasurer Larry Walther on Thursday.

Arkansas Turfgrass Field Day returns in person after four years

By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aside from a hook or slice, a lot can go wrong on a golf course, with pathogens that cause problems like “dollar spot” and water-repellent soil that can impact performance.

TURFGRASS — The 2023 Arkansas Turfgrass Field Day was held Aug. 1 in Fayetteville. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Nick Kordsmeier)

Information to help golf course managers keep greens and fairways in prime shape represented a large part of Tuesday’s Turfgrass Field Day, hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Research to support sports turf managers and lawn care experts was also presented during the first in-person turfgrass field day at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in four years, said Mike Richardson, professor of turfgrass science for the Division of Agriculture. COVID-19 pandemic-era field days were held virtually.

Welcoming the field day participants, Deacue Fields, vice president of agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, said turfgrass experts must be able to interact with customers and have the technical knowledge to “do what’s right for the environment.”

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Director Jean-François Meullenet noted Richardson has built the turfgrass program up over the past 25 years and, with two new faculty members, has “the strongest team we’ve ever had.” The new faculty members are Hannah Wright-Smith, assistant professor of turfgrass weed science, and Wendell Hutchens, assistant professor of turfgrass science and pathology.

“We look forward to having a great impact on your industry over the years,” Meullenet told the approximately 175 field day participants.

While golfers are more concerned about where their golf ball lands on the grass, scientists with the experiment station are pushing the limits of that turfgrass to survive with minimum resources. In addition to conducting trials of wetting agents, which work to improve the flow of water through water-repellent soils found on putting greens, researchers are also testing herbicides to control unwanted grasses and fungicides to control pathogens that cause diseases like “brown patch,” “yellow spot,” and “dollar spot.”

“Dollar spot is the most common, widespread problem on putting greens,” Hutchens said. “It’s fairly easy to manage, but it occurs everywhere.”

Dollar spot appears as white or tan spots of dead turf about the size of a silver dollar and is common on golf course putting greens that are mowed below one-eighth of an inch. Hutchens has compared many different experimental and market-available fungicides with an untreated control. Results indicate that all the fungicides performed “very well” in this trial, Hutchens said, but they worked best when applied on 14-day intervals compared to 21-day intervals.

“For dollar spot, there are a lot of good 21-day products, but I really like the idea of leaning on the side of caution with 14-day intervals,” Hutchens said. “In low disease pressure situations, I trust 21-day intervals, but in high disease pressure situations, 14-day intervals are the way to go.”

Based on his research, Hutchens said he was also in favor of using two active ingredients in fungicide applications to cover a wide variety of diseases and combat resistance, or the ability of a pathogen to withstand the fungicide treatment.

“Focusing on one mode of action, or one group of fungicides, that’s where you start to slowly develop resistance,” Hutchens said. “But a critical approach to reducing resistance is keeping inoculum levels down in such low populations that it’s hard to really build up resistance. That’s why we go with regular intervals.”

For lawn care professionals, Wright-Smith gave a presentation on her research to control difficult broadleaf weeds with two new herbicide active ingredients from Corteva Agriscience — Arylex™, available for commercial turf as GameOn and Relzar. She is also testing Rinskor™. Relzar and Rinskor™ are not yet commercially available. The study aimed to compare herbicides for broadleaf weed control and evaluate how new herbicides performed compared to currently used herbicides.

ARKANSAS TURF — Speakers and organizers of the 2023 Arkansas Turfgrass Field Day gather for a photo in front of the Arkansas Razorback logo. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by John Lovett)

Her report states that multiple applications made four to eight weeks apart are still recommended for complete control of broadleaf weeds in turf.

Wright-Smith has also been a partner with Richardson on a study to develop management tools for new putting greens using Zoysiagrass.

Some field day-goers also heard insights on turfgrass management from guest speakers John Reilly, director of agronomy at Longboat Key Club near Sarasota, Florida, and John Rowland, U.S. Golf Association’s Southeast region agronomist. They demonstrated the USGA’s GS3, a Bluetooth-enabled golf ball with sensors that measure turf firmness and rolling metrics. The device sells for about $3,000 and comes with a subscription to the USGA Deacon app for data analysis.

Use of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

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.

Truth in advertising: NALC webinar to discuss alternative enforcement methods

By Tru Joi Curtis
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Claims about misleading food advertising are typically made to federal agencies, the courts, or the manufacturer, but there is another avenue – the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that provides information and ratings on businesses and charities.

Kim Bousquet and Alli Condra of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP will present the National Ag Law Center webinar on August 16, 2023, highlighting corporate use of the National Advertising Division as an alternative enforcement method.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture have primary responsibility for regulating packaging and point-of-purchase advertising for food sold in retail establishments. Food labeling laws and regulations also cover the claims made through product marketing. If false or misleading claims are made, complaints may be made to entities within the government or to organizations that provide self-policing for food and agriculture companies.

“Companies can use the National Advertising Division process by filing challenges to advertisements on NAD’s online portal and paying the fee,” Counsel Kim Bousquet of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. “NAD offers a fast-track option for single, well-defined issues, a standard track option for typical challenges, and a complex track for challenges that require complex claim substantiation.”

The Better Business Bureau says NAD is an industry-led system designed to build consumer trust in advertising and support fair competition in the marketplace.

According to Bousquet, NAD provides companies with an alternative means of challenging false and misleading advertising statements made by competitors. Food and agriculture companies regularly use NAD’s process for challenges.

“NAD is an important industry-led complaint process for truth-in advertising claims,” Bousquet said. “Understanding the NAD process is beneficial to food and ag companies when determining whether — and how — they want to address false or misleading advertising claims.”

Generally, the process involves NAD’s consideration of the challenger’s materials and those provided by the advertiser, meetings with the parties, and issuing a decision. No matter which track a company chooses, NAD decisions are often much faster than challenging a decision in court or raising an issue with an agency, said Bousquet.

“While it’s true that NAD’s decisions are not binding, NAD challenges often lead to the advertiser making modifications or discontinuing advertisements,” Bousquet said. “And, if the advertiser refuses to participate or modify an advertisement, NAD is likely to refer the case for further investigation by the relevant government agency, often the Federal Trade Commission or FDA. In addition, NAD case decision summaries are made public, which can also incentivize companies to modify advertisements.”

Alli Condra and Kim Bousquet of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP will present the National Ag Law Center webinar on August 16, 2023, highlighting corporate use of the National Advertising Division as an alternative enforcement method.

Bousquet and Alli Condra, an associate at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, will be discussing several high-profile examples of how food and agriculture companies use NAD, as well as various components of the organization. They’ll place this in context through an overview of federal food requirements during the NALC’s upcoming webinar, “How Food and Ag Companies Can (and Do) Use the National Advertising Division to Combat Unfair Competition and Test the Waters of Emerging Issues.” The webinar will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. Central/noon Eastern.

“Understanding NAD and the role the organization plays in ensuring truth in advertising helps to provide consumer confidence in products and create a fair marketplace,” Bousquet said. “Alli and I look forward to sharing our knowledge and this important information in the webinar.”

The webinar is free of charge and registration is online.

“We’re looking forward to this webinar and all of the beneficial information that Kim and Alli will provide,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “Federal food labeling laws are incredibly complex, and learning more about potential mechanisms that ensure truth in labeling will be beneficial to consumers and companies alike.”

For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on Twitter. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s twice-monthly newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture.

Johnelle Hunt Gives UAMS $250,000 To Support Northwest Regional Campus

By Andrew Vogler

Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., pledged $250,000 to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to establish the Hunt Family Fund for Excellence.

The fund will support activities of the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, including funding a feasibility study for the development of operations on 48 acres of land in Rogers, Arkansas, near Interstate 49, which was acquired by UAMS in 2021.

“I am pleased with the impact that UAMS has had in Northwest Arkansas and am honored to help continue to support its mission here,” said Hunt. “Northwest Arkansas continues to grow, which means it needs a robust health care system to keep up with the demand for quality clinical care that is supported by excellent health care education and research. I believe UAMS’ presence in the area is integral in fulfilling the area’s need for first-class health care.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/08/03/johnelle-hunt-gives-uams-250000-to-support-northwest-regional-campus/

Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., pledged $250,000 to UAMS to establish the Hunt Family Fund for Excellence.

UAMS Kidney, Liver Transplant Programs Again Ranked Among Nation’s Best

By Linda Satter

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) kidney and liver transplant programs continue to rank among the highest in the nation in categories that have the largest impact on patients’ survival.

In a report released this month by The Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients (SRTR), both programs received the highest ranking possible — five bars — for the speed at which patients obtain transplants after being listed. That, according to the registry that benchmarks transplant program outcomes across the country at the behest of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has the largest impact on survival — an indication of the programs’ overall quality.

The report also gave the UAMS kidney transplant program five bars for patient survivability one year after transplant, placing it for the third consecutive year among only a handful of transplant centers across the country that scored five bars in both the speed and one-year survivability categories.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/07/31/uams-kidney-liver-transplant-programs-again-ranked-among-nations-best/

UAMS' kidney and liver transplant programs rank among the top in the nation.

Anti-LEARNS group CAPES believes it has enough signatures after all

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

A day after saying it had failed to collect enough signatures to qualify its referendum for the ballot, the anti-LEARNS Act group Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) now says it thinks it qualified.

“It’s a wait and see but we expect the number to be above the needed initial count,” said CAPES Executive Director Steve Grappe.

After an all-out push, the all-volunteer group believed it was still 500 signatures short of the 54,422 it needed to qualify for the ballot when it submitted its signatures to the secretary of state’s office Monday (July 31).

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/anti-learns-group-capes-believes-it-has-enough-signatures-after-all/

State of the State Mid-Year 2023: Unwinding of the health care system

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

While the COVID-19 pandemic is considered by the federal government to be over, its effects on the health care system remain. In many ways, the state of the state’s health care might best be described as “unwinding.”

That’s especially the case with Medicaid, where “unwinding” is the word often used to describe what is happening. Throughout the pandemic, states halted their typical redetermination process because the federal government provided them extra money if didn’t cut their rolls. As a result, Arkansas’ Medicaid population increased by 230,000.

That changed in April, the month that states could resume redeterminations. Under state law, Arkansas has six months to complete its process.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/state-of-the-state-mid-year-2023-unwinding-of-the-health-care-system/

Arkansas tax revenue up 4.5% to begin new fiscal year

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

Arkansas began the new fiscal year with total tax revenue of $643.3 million in July, up 4.5% compared with July 2022 and 3.5% above the budget forecast, according to a report posted Wednesday (Aug. 2) by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

“All major collection categories were above forecast in July, led by Individual Income Tax at $13.0 million above forecast. Sales Tax collection growth was broad-based but notably above a year ago in Retail Trade, Motor Vehicles, and Restaurant sales. Corporate Income collections were above forecast across all subcategories of filings,” John Shelnutt, DFA administrator of economic and tax research, noted in Wednesday’s report.

Individual income tax revenue in July was $276.2 million, up 9.1% compared with July 2022 and 4.9% above the budget forecast. Sales and use tax revenue was $282.3 million, up 3.6% compared with July 2022 and up 0.6% above the forecast. Corporate income tax revenue was $31.2 million, down $3.9 million compared with July 2022 and $9 million above the forecast.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/arkansas-tax-revenue-up-4-5-to-begin-new-fiscal-year/

State of the State Mid-Year 2023: Transportation industry manages soft demand, uncertainty

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The trucking/transportation and logistics industry faces uncertainty in freight demand, including when it will begin to recover.

Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, has seen multiple economic cycles in her past two decades in the industry and offered an optimistic outlook. She’s hopeful the past includes the worst of inflation and consumers right-sizing spending. Still, she doesn’t expect a robust recovery.

“We’re going to toddler-walk out of it…in the way we’ve kind of walked into it,” she said. “We’re upright. We’re just a little unsteady in our steps. The industry as a whole has fared – [in] what is certainly economic uncertainty – fairly well,” added Newton, noting inexplicable demand and high costs. “Most of the members I’m talking with are weathering the uncertainty and trying to find ways…to maintain their talent, watch their costs, and wait until the economy becomes more stable and inflation subsides.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/state-of-the-state-mid-year-2023-transportation-industry-manages-soft-demand-uncertainty/

Gov. Sanders names DFA Secretary Larry Walther as Treasurer

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Thursday (Aug. 3) appointed Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary Larry Walther to fill out the term of the late Treasurer of State Mark Lowery.

Lowery died of complications from a stroke in July.

Walther has served as DFA secretary since former Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed him in 2015. He also served as former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Walther began his career as an engineer at SBC Communications, rising to the role of vice president of corporate services and also serving as chairman of SBC’s Foundation. SBC is now AT&T.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/gov-sanders-names-dfa-secretary-larry-walther-as-treasurer/

Renk, who helped move faculty inventions into the real world, retires after 8 years

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bryan Renk, retiring after eight years as director of commercialization for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Technology Commercialization Office, had the right combination of skills and know-how to bring faculty inventions into the real world.

RETIRED — Bryan Renk reflects on his time with the Technology Commercialization Office within the U of A System Division of Agriculture. (Division of. Agriculture photo)

“He’s done an especially amazing job at finding good homes for the Division of Agriculture’s inventions,” said Lisa Childs, a Division of Agriculture vice president and head of the Technology Commercialization Office.

Renk was also good at “helping us and the researchers we support to think about the downstream impacts of our decisions,” Childs said. “We are a better, more professional team as a result of his time with us.

“I was so excited about Bryan joining us eight years ago because of the breadth and depth of his relevant experience,” Childs said. “I have to say that he’s surpassed all my expectations.”

Renk retired in June.

Propelling growth

Renk called his work with the Division of Agriculture’s world-renowned fruit breeder John Clark “both significant and satisfying,” but said it had something of an uncertain start.

When Renk first came to Arkansas, he thought he could use his experience to advise the Division of Agriculture on intellectual property.

“Then Clark dropped off a paper he wrote on intellectual property. It was more recent than the one I’d written,” Renk said with a laugh. Then, he thought, “Maybe I’ll help with marketing. Then searching around, I found the most recent marketing study was one Clark co-authored as well.”

At the time Renk thought, “I guess I’m not going to help him at all.”

Clark “had strengths I didn’t and vice versa. We meshed really well and it turned out to be a good friendship,” Renk said. “At the end of the day, the fruit program has more income now than it had before and is in a nice position to improve” with Clark’s successor, Margaret Worthington.

Renk said he enjoyed his faculty interactions at Arkansas but would especially miss his co-workers in the Technology Commercialization Office.

Renk’s efforts have made a large impact on the results of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s world-class fruit breeding program, said Jean-François Meullenet, who heads the experiment station, which is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.

“Bryan’s professionalism and focus on cultivating strong relationships with our partners have driven the remarkable growth of our technology transfer program over the last eight years,” Meullenet said. “Bryan’s efforts propelled our fruit licensing program to new heights. All of us with the experiment station wish Bryan the best in this next chapter of his life.”

Badger fan in Razorback land

Parker Cole, associate director of technology commercialization, spent the last year working closely with Renk.

“Bryan Renk is a phenomenal guy – despite his love for the Wisconsin Badgers!” Cole said. “Stepping into my new role was somewhat nerve-racking but Bryan has served as a sounding board and has continuously encouraged me along the way.

“Having had the opportunity to work with Bryan for the past year is something I will cherish for my entire career,” Cole said. “I hope to carry on his legacy and build on the work he has done for the Division of Agriculture.”

Renk, who earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in meat and animal science and muscle biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also fenced for the school, advancing to the 1984 Olympic trials in saber. He admitted to maybe “needling Cole a little bit” about team loyalties.

Renk joined the commercialization office in 2015, where he was responsible for assessing technology, patenting, licensing and marketing. Renk is an emeritus member of the Board of Visitors for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at University of Wisconsin at Madison.

He also sits on the board of directors for Maple Leaf Farms, the largest vertically integrated duck producer in the United States. He was formerly the executive director of BioForward, a member-driven state trade association that represents Wisconsin’s life science industry. He has also served as president and chief executive officer of aOvaTechnologies, an ag-biotech startup company, and has held positions as director of licensing and director of patents and licensing at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. He has also served as a board member for William F. Renk and Sons and FluGen.

The future

As for the future, family looms large. He and his wife, Mary, have three sons: Zachary, Jonathan and Lewis. Although retirement plans include some consulting work, and staying on the board at Maple Leaf Farms, Renk’s first grandchild is expected in November and he said he is “getting ready for that. “And our third boy has gotten engaged last month.

“We will be in their hair a little more than they want us to be,” Renk said.

There will also be travel. Renk said he’s looking forward to seeing how some of the licensing agreements he put into place about herbicide tolerance and resistance and animal probiotics work out.

“You never know what will happen,” he said. “It takes seven to 10 years to prove me or the invention right or wrong.”

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 us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Hot Spring County teen wins Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE – Hot Spring County teen Jack Berryhill’s term as president of Arkansas 4-H ended on a high note — with him receiving the Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award, the highest honor awarded in Arkansas 4-H.

WINNER — Jack Berryhill of Hot Spring County is the 2023 Arkansas 4-H Governor's Award winner. UADA photo

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Berryhill, 18, as the winner on July 26 in a recorded message played during the Arkansas 4-H Awards of Excellence ceremony at the University of Arkansas. More than 250 4-H members from across the state spent the week on the Fayetteville campus competing in State 4-H O’Rama events, ranging from archery and ATV safety to public speaking and poultry judging.

“The Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award is the highest honor a 4-H’er can receive,” Sanders said. “Each of our finalists has done fantastic work in their community and is setting themself up for a lifetime of service. Though only one can receive the award, all four of you have achieved amazing results for 4-H and the entire state of Arkansas.”

Berryhill received a $3,000 college scholarship, a silver tray, and his name will be added to a plaque on permanent display at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock.

“I’m just incredibly honored and grateful,” he said after receiving the award.

Three other 4-H members were in the running for the top award — Laven Franklin of Madison County; Lani McClure of Pope County; and Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County. They each received a $1,000 scholarship.

“We had an exceptional group of finalists for our governor's scholarship this year. All four demonstrated a strong connection to their communities, amazing leadership skills, and an excitement for their futures,” said Debbie Nistler, assistant vice president for 4-H and youth development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “I did not envy the judges having to make a decision. Jack Berryhill is an amazing example of our young people in Arkansas 4-H and did a wonderful job leading our officer team as president this year. Jack is passionate about mentoring other members and providing a positive example for others to follow.”

Selection is based on nominees’ accomplishments in leadership, citizenship, community service, 4-H projects and activities and overall contributions to Arkansas 4-H. The award is presented during the week-long Arkansas 4-H State O’Rama, when 4-H members also elect state officers for the next year. For Berryhill, receiving the Governor’s Award was the perfect end to his year as president.

Over the past year, Berryhill has promoted 4-H at events across the state, sharing his experiences and his message that “4-H is better when we’re in it together.”

That doesn’t mean he’s done though. Berryhill plans to be active in Collegiate 4-H at the University of Arkansas, where he will be a freshman his fall. He plans to major in poultry science and agricultural leadership – two areas in which he has gained skills and knowledge through 4-H.

“4-H completely put me on the path I’m on now,” he said. “I think I’d like to work for Extension one day.”

Berryhill, a Hot Spring County native, joined 4-H when he was 8. He started with an Animal Science project with chickens and rabbits but later switched to Foods and Nutrition and Leadership. He has been involved in 4-H at every level. At the county level, he showed chickens and rabbits, attended workshops, and worked on community service projects. At the district level, he competed in the Poultry BBQ Contest and O’Rama. At the state level, he worked as a 4-H camp counselor, a member of the Arkansas 4-H Video Crew and served as state president.

“Leadership has certainly been my biggest project, and it’s the one that means the most to me,” he said.

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.

Hundreds of new Arkansas laws set to take effect Aug. 1

KUAR | By Arkansas Advocate Staff

Arkansas lawmakers passed 890 laws during this year’s legislative sessions, and most take effect on Tuesday.

In Arkansas, new laws take effect 91 days after the end of a legislative session (This year’s session ended May 1).

A handful of those are already in effect because they contained emergency clauses, meaning they become law immediately after being signed by the governor.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-08-01/hundreds-of-new-arkansas-laws-set-to-take-effect-aug-1

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

The Arkansas State Capitol is seen in this file photo from Feb. 23, 2023.

UAMS Opens New Radiation Oncology Center; Proton Therapy Coming Soon

By Marty Trieschmann

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute opened a new Radiation Oncology Center today with expanded capabilities to provide advanced radiation treatments for children and adults with cancer, including the state’s first Proton Center.

The $65 million, 58,000-square-foot structure at 3900 W. Capitol Ave. in Little Rock was built to accommodate three new linear accelerators that customize radiation delivery based the type and stage of a patient’s cancer.

“The opening of this facility marks an unprecedented commitment to the future of cancer treatment in Arkansas and the region,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. “The innovative therapies and advanced technology available here place UAMS among the top centers worldwide at the forefront of cancer treatment.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/07/18/uams-opens-new-radiation-oncology-center-proton-therapy-coming-soon/

The new and expanded UAMS Radiation Oncology Center will open to patients on July 24.

Anti-LEARNS group CAPES believes it has enough signatures after all

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

A day after saying it had failed to collect enough signatures to qualify its referendum for the ballot, the anti-LEARNS Act group Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) now says it thinks it qualified.

“It’s a wait and see but we expect the number to be above the needed initial count,” said CAPES Executive Director Steve Grappe.

After an all-out push, the all-volunteer group believed it was still 500 signatures short of the 54,422 it needed to qualify for the ballot when it submitted its signatures to the secretary of state’s office Monday (July 31).

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/anti-learns-group-capes-believes-it-has-enough-signatures-after-all/

Arkansas Higher Education Board approves A-State’s preliminary plan for veterinarian school

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved Arkansas State University’s outline for its College of Veterinary Medicine, including the potential for 40 new faculty and staff positions dedicated to the program.

The state board also approved the program of study along with the individual program requirements and courses. The next step for A-State is to forward ADHE’s approval on to the national accrediting agencies associated with veterinary colleges.

“Today is another milestone for residents of the state of Arkansas and for our significant agricultural industry,” Chancellor Todd Shields said. “We appreciate the approval of the coordinating board and we are looking ahead to becoming the university of choice for those residents who want to become veterinarians. Right now, everyone who dreams of becoming a vet has to leave the state. That’s a hardship to them and to their families.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/07/arkansas-higher-education-board-approves-a-states-preliminary-plan-for-veterinarian-school/

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

From 2012 to 2021, speeding-related fatalities increased by 19% nationwide. Speeding fatalities have continued to increase over the past few years. From 2020-2021 alone, law-enforcement agencies documented an 8% increase in speeding-related fatalities.

In 2021, speeding killed more than 12,000 people nationwide, accounting for more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities.

That is why throughout July, Arkansas State Police will be on higher alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign. This summer, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits. If you’re pulled over for speeding, you can expect to be issued a ticket for breaking the law.

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration reports that 35% of male drivers and 21% of female drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2021 were speeding, the highest among the age groups.

Last year, 648 crash deaths occurred on Arkansas roads. The goal for every individual, every family, and every community should be zero deaths on Arkansas roads.

Obeying the speed limit and paying attention are just two things we can all do to prevent future accidents.

In the most recent legislative session, the Arkansas General Assembly strengthened our distracted driving laws by passing Act 445.

It states if a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious physical injury or death of another person, the driver upon conviction is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The act also requires law enforcement officers to indicate on the written accident form if the driver was using a wireless telecommunications device at the time of the accident.

Every time we get behind the wheel, we become responsible for not only our own lives but also the lives of others on the road. For more on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDArkansas.org.

Sales Tax Holiday 2023 Saturday, August 5, in Arkansas

As summer winds down and the excitement of a new school year builds, families across the state are planning for the added expense of back-to-school shopping.

This year, consumers are expected to spend close to $600 per child on clothes, shoes, and school supplies. That is why we want to take this time to remind you about the upcoming Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday.

This year, the sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 6.

Act 757 of 2011 provides for a sales tax holiday in Arkansas during the first weekend of August each year. A sales tax holiday is a temporary period when state and local sales taxes are not collected or paid on the purchase of certain products.

Arkansas is one of 17 states that provides a sales tax holiday before the beginning of the school year.

Clothing less than $100 per item is exempt during the weekend, as well as clothing accessories less than $50 per item. Clothing accessories include handbags, cosmetics, jewelry, umbrellas, and more. Most school supplies, including book bags, binders, paper, crayons, pencils, and rulers, are also exempt.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed Act 944. The act expanded the sales tax holiday to include electronics. Examples include a calculator, desktop computer, cell phone, e-reader, computer mouse, laptop, monitor, printer, keyboard, and tablets. It does not include video game systems or televisions.

The sales tax holiday does include purchases made online.

The Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday benefits families, students, and local businesses. Providing financial relief to parents, the holiday is helping to ensure children have the necessary tools for learning.

We have posted a comprehensive list of eligible items and answers to frequently asked questions on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

OER Digest lists UA Cossatot in Stories from the Field

UA Cossatot made the OER Digest again! The OER Digest is a monthly newsletter for open education created in 2015 by Creative Commons USA, SPARC, and the Student PIRGs. While the primary audience is the OER community in the U.S. and Canada, subscribers come from around the globe.

UA Cossatot is listed in “Stories from the Field” right along with Michigan and Ireland.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Quick snapshots of those making change on the ground level, and those impacted

FROM MICHIGAN: Northern Michigan University has established an Open Educational Resource (OER) Faculty Learning Community. This pioneering initiative is part of a two-year pilot program aimed at promoting widespread OER adoption across campus and facilitating professional development opportunities. Reflecting the university's commitment to accessibility, this community of faculty members is working to revolutionize higher education. Leslie Warren, interim associate provost and dean of Library and Instructional Support, remarked, "The open education resource movement is another way that faculty can remove barriers and support students." With Olson Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning leading the charge, Northern Michigan University takes pride in laying the groundwork for OER, striving to reduce textbook costs, enhance affordability, bridge equity gaps, and empower more students to successfully complete their degrees.

FROM IRELAND: Dundalk Institute of Technology’s National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education recently received an esteemed UNESCO Prize. Their work developing the National Resource Hub and Open Courses was recognized and applauded. One of the members of the team, Dr. Ronan Bree played an instrumental role in the development of the National Resource Hub, a user-friendly platform facilitating engagement with open educational resources across the sector. He shared how “The National Resource Hub…offers opportunities for anyone to submit and access open educational resources… in any form, and in any media format.” This hub makes accessing and sharing OER easier than ever. The goal of this project is to support Irish Higher Education and contribute to transformative education.

FROM ARKANSAS: Since launching its Open Educational Resource program in 2015, the University of Arkansas Cossatot has made strides in saving students textbook costs. The college has successfully saved students a total of $3,197,081.25 to date, with each academic year showing notable savings. Educational Resources Director and OER Specialist Relinda Ruth, who chairs the Arkansas OER Taskforce, stated “Saving our students nearly 3.2 million in textbook expenses is one way UA Cossatot shows its commitment to student success… we’re excited to look at more open educational practices like open pedagogies, scholarship, and educational technologies that will continue to make higher education more accessible to students.” As UA Cossatot prepares to begin the fall 2023 semester, an impressive 71% of courses will offer OER options, ensuring continued benefits for students.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In 2022, the Arkansas State Crime Lab reported 457 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl was a contributing factor in 251 of those deaths.

And from January to March of this year, the crime lab reported 87 drug overdose deaths. Once again, fentanyl was a contributing factor in more than half of those cases.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

This year, the 94th General Assembly passed legislation aimed at preventing overdose deaths and legislation to hold drug traffickers accountable.

Act 584, titled the Fentanyl Enforcement and Accountability Act, creates death by delivery felony offenses, including aggravated death by delivery, death by delivery in the first degree, and death by delivery in the second degree, that apply when a person delivers or conveys fentanyl or another controlled substance that causes the death of another person. The act provides that trafficking of fentanyl is an unclassified felony that carries a penalty of 25 to 60 years or life imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000. The act creates the felony offense of predatory marketing of fentanyl to minors that applies when the packaging, shape, color, or other appearance of fentanyl is created in a way that appeals to minors. The act also decriminalizes fentanyl testing strips.

Act 739 creates the offense of knowingly exposing another person to fentanyl as a Class A felony if the victim is a first responder or employee of a correctional facility and a Class B felony otherwise.

Act 811 requires that by January 1, 2024, each public high school campus have a clearly visible and labeled opioid overdose rescue kit and requires that the location of each opioid overdose rescue kit be registered with the school nurse and school resource officer of each public high school.

Overdose numbers are more than just data. Each number represents an individual who lost their future, and families, friends, and entire communities left in devastation. If you or a family member is struggling with opioid addiction you can find a list of resources available at www.artakeback.org