Walton College Adds University of Arkansas Cossatot to Community College Transfer Program
The Sam M. Walton College of Business has added University of Arkansas Cossatot to its "Turn 2 into 4" program that helps students at two-year institutions in Arkansas transition to complete a four-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.
UA Cossatot is the third community college in Arkansas to formally partner with Walton College in the program and the second in the University of Arkansas system.
Students will earn an Associate of Science in Business at UA Cossatot and transition to any of the Walton College majors within the B.S.B.A. degree program, including opportunities for online majors in general business, accounting and supply chain management.
UA Cossatot has its main campus in DeQueen and also has campuses in Nashville and Ashdown.
The Walton College also has partnered with North Arkansas College and UA Pulaski Tech, part of the U of A system. Walton College also has a long-standing agreement with Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) — one both campuses are building on to transition into the Turn 2 into 4 program.
Such agreements with two-year institutions are designed to lower costs and help students transition to four-year degrees more easily. The articulation agreement is intended to increase the number of college graduates in Arkansas reduce duplication for courses toward degree completion and provide opportunities for cities and counties in Arkansas to retain talent in their communities through online degree programs.
Contact transfer@walton.uark.edu for more information.
Arkansas Highway and Interstate Speed Limits to Rise Soon
By PHOEBE SANDERS • JUL 7, 2020
The speed limits on Arkansas highways and interstates will soon be increasing, but there are concerns it will lead to more accident fatalities, as has happened in other states.
Last year the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation which puts the state on pace with neighboring states like Texas and Oklahoma. The maximum speed on rural stretches of interstates will go from 70 to 75 miles-per-hour. Some urban sections and four-lane highways will increase from 60 to 65 mph.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Holds Media Availability Thursday with U.S. Attorney General William Barr
Governor Asa Hutchinson will hold a media availability Thursday afternoon, 07/09, at 1:30 p.m. after a luncheon with U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Senator Tom Cotton, and Congressman French Hill.
VIDEO: Wednesday's Meeting of the CARES Act Steering Committee (07.08.20)
The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, met virtually at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Thursday's Updated COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 769
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 671
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,559
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 115
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 85
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,531
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 0
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 877
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 81
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 72
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,586
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 12
Active Positive: 5
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,883
Arkansas Nursing Homes Have Reopened to Visitors
As visitations resume in nursing homes, visitors will have to follow new Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, like limiting visits to two guests per resident, wearing face masks, and passing a health screening. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities closed to the public March 13 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable residents in these facilities.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-nursing-homes-reopen-visitation
COVID-19 Latest Maps and Numbers for Wednesday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 758
Active Positive: 86
Recovered: 663
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,538
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 106
Active Positive: 24
Recovered: 81
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,508
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 875
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 71
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,574
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 11
Active Positive: 4
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,865
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Wednesday (07.08.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
UA Cossatot Now in Phase 2 of Reopening
Just a reminder that during our Phase 2 of reopening, all UAC campuses are closed on Fridays. You can schedule an appointment to visit with any department on campus Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm.
Arkansas Activities Association School Athletics COVID-19 Update
The Triple A released a statement this afternoon regarding fall sports in Arkansas in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 748
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 650
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,512
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 102
Active Positive: 25
Recovered: 76
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,486
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 869
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 71
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,563
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,852
COVID-19 Update for Monday, July 6th
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 743
Active Positive: 100
Recovered: 635
Deaths: 8
Negatives: 3,487
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 101
Active Positive: 27
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,450
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 867
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 77
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 70
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,540
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,839
COVID-19 Updated Numbers for Sunday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 732
Active Positive: 104
Recovered: 621
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,447
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 100
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,408
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 864
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 76
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 69
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,525
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,815
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
As the state began a new fiscal year this week, we received some good news about the state budget.
The fiscal year for the state budget always ends on June 30 and begins on July 1.
While general revenue for Fiscal Year 2020 was $168 million less than the year before, it was $369 million above what economic forecasters predicted in the wake of the health emergency.
This means the budget outlined in the Revenue Stabilization Act for the previous year ended fully funded with $3.2 million in excess.
The Department of Finance and Administration says the fiscal year ended above forecast as a result of the following:
1) Better than expected sales tax collections from retail activity and vehicle sales.
2) Individual income tax payments from filings ahead of the shifted July 15th due date
3) Reduced individual refund claims related to the shifted tax filing date
4) Continued gains in corporate income tax
However, the negative financial impact of COVID-19 was still evident in low annual growth from sales tax and payroll withholding tax.
State budgets are directly linked to how well the economy is performing. The recent revenue reports show while our economy is certainly not where it was a year ago, it is performing better than expected.
The latest unemployment numbers show our state unemployment rate is 9.5%. The national unemployment rate is 13.3%.
As more Arkansans are going back to work, it is imperative that we all continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask in public.
Saturday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 732
Active Positive: 104
Recovered: 621
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,447
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 100
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,408
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 864
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 76
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 69
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,525
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,815
COVID-19 Friday Numbers and Maps Updates
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 717
Active Positive: 124
Recovered: 586
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,410
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 96
Active Positive: 28
Recovered: 67
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,312
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 854
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 75
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 66
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,465
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 9
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,749
July 4th Weekend Closings
The De Queen branch of the Sevier County Public Library will be closed this Friday and Saturday. The library staff wishes everyone a happy and safe Independence Day Weekend!
Horatio City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3rd for the Independence Day weekend. They will reopen on Monday.
Area Counties in Arkansas COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 706
Active Positive: 134
Recovered: 565
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,359
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 94
Active Positive: 31
Recovered: 62
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,233
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 38
Active Positive: 0
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 846
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 75
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 63
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,440
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 94
Active Positive: 31
Recovered: 62
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,233
Heat Advisory for Thursday Issued by the National Weather Service
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values will range from 105 to 109 in all of
our four state area.
* WHERE...For southeast Oklahoma, all of southern Arkansas, all
of northern Louisiana and for northeast and deep east Texas.
* WHEN...This heat advisory continues through 7 PM this evening.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses to occur to those exposed to these oppressive
conditions.
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.