Neighboring Texas COVID-19 Cases Rise Substantially

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,489 new cases and Governor Abbott said the hospitalization rate is at an all-time high.

Texas is seeing a sharp rise in cases; it was just days ago that the state crossed the 4,000-case mark for the first time in its daily tally.

The Houston area has been hit so hard that the Texas Children's Hospital is now admitting adult patients. The move comes despite the fact that Houston is home to the massive Texas Medical Center — deemed the largest medical center in the world. Those diagnosed with the coronavirus are being cared for in an expanded special isolation unit, according to Texas Children's Hospital.

Texas now has 120,370 cases, trailing New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois.

5,489 New COVID-19 Cases: Texas Reports All-Time Daily High

Update at 6:02 p.m. ET "Today, Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive" for the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday, adding that for the first time, his state would surpass 5,000 new cases in a single day.

Wednesday's Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Case Update

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 606
  Active Positive: 192
  Recovered: 408
  Deaths: 6
  Negatives: 3,054

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 70
  Active Positive: 29
  Recovered: 41
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 990

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 36
  Active Positive: 2
  Recovered: 34
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 803

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 67
  Active Positive: 13
  Recovered: 54
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,229

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 7
  Active Positive: 1
  Recovered: 6
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,439

VIDEO: 15-minute COVID-19 Test Results with new System

Angie Walker of Dr Randy Walker's Clinic in De Queen talks about their new rapid result COVID-19 system which provides test results within 15 minutes.

From the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees

List of COVID-19 Testing Sites from the CADC (Central Arkansas Development Council)

LIVE: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update From Mountain Home Tuesday (06.23.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media in Mountain Home on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.

COVID-19 Update for Tuesday with Maps and Numbers

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 592
  Active Positive: 193
  Recovered: 393
  Deaths: 6
  Negatives: 3,015

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 68
  Active Positive: 29
  Recovered: 39
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 977

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 35
  Active Positive: 3
  Recovered: 32
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 794

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 67
  Active Positive: 13
  Recovered: 54
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,194

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 7
  Active Positive: 1
  Recovered: 6
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,427

Racing Commission Awards Pope County Casino To Gulfside, Appeal Expected

By TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS STAFF

The Arkansas Racing Commission on June 18th awarded a coveted license to Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership for a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, but expect more litigation to be filed before anyone rolls the dice on a groundbreaking.

Earlier this year, the commission had narrowed its choices to a casino operated by Gulfside and another proposal led by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

In ranking the proposals, commissioners graded Gulfside’s proposal with a higher score than the Cherokee Nation plan, which had secured the backing of the Pope County Quorum Court. The Cherokee Nation has 15 days to appeal the decision, which they indicated would happen.

Racing Commission Awards Pope County Casino To Gulfside, Appeal Expected

The Arkansas Racing Commission on Thursday (June 18) awarded a coveted license to Mississippi-based Gulfside Casino Partnership for a $254 million casino resort in Pope County, but expect more litigation to be filed before anyone rolls the dice on a groundbreaking.

From the Howard County Farmers' Market in Nasvhille

We will be open Monday, 22 June starting at 3 pm with some great produce and baked goods!

The following vendors will be there with:

- Heirloom Farm -
Squash, Kale

- Wenta Farms -
Fresh handpicked Blueberries, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini

- Threat Farm -
Free-range chicken eggs (pullet and mature)

- Green's -
Plum jelly, Apple Plum jelly, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry teacakes, old fashion teacakes

- Owensburg Farm -
Free-range duck eggs

- Carolyn's Kitchen -
Baked loaves of bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies

- Don's Fresh Produce -
Squash, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, zucchini, tomatoes

Thank you to all who support our market!  This new market time and day is designed to give those who might not get the chance to come to the Friday morning market the opportunity to get some local goodness!  Please share this fact with your friends and co-workers.  😀  WIC and SNAP Accepted from participating vendors.

Visitors To Arkansas State Parks Now Have Passport Option

By DAVID MONTEITH 

Visitors to any of the Arkansas state parks now have the option to add stamps to a park passport. The new program was announced last week. Grady Spann, the director of Arkansas State Parks, says other park systems around the county have similar programs.

Passport booklets can be picked up and stamped at any of the state's 46 parks that have active park rangers on duty at visitor's centers. Stamps are available at the remaining six parks via medallions that visitors can use to create rubbings in their passport books. Spann says he hopes the new incentive helps maintain the increase in usage the parks have seen in the last few months.

The state's parks have received around 1.7 million visitors since the middle of March, when many indoor facilities were closed as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The offerings at some parks remain limited or closed while the state is in Phase Two of re-opening, per Governor Asa Hutchinson's mandates. Group lodging at several parks are closed. All playgrounds are closed. Masks are required in indoor venues, and public swimming areas are operating at 50% capacity. Despite these limitations, Spann says the parks are receiving significantly more visitors than normal. Hiking and camping are unrestricted.

Visitors To Arkansas State Parks Now Have Passport Option

Visitors to any of the Arkansas state parks now have the option to add stamps to a park passport. The new program was announced last week. Grady Spann, the director of Arkansas State Parks, says other park systems around the county have similar programs. "The national parks do have a passport program, as do other state's park systems around the nation.

Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls To 9.5% In May

By SARAH KELLOGG

For the first time in months, Arkansas’s unemployment has dropped, though the number of those unemployed still remains higher than before the coronavirus pandemic hit the state. 

Arkansas’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% in May, around 1.3% lower than its April percentage of 10.8%. The decrease in unemployment follows the national trend, though the United States’ jobless rate is almost 4% higher at a rate of 13.3%.

According to numbers from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, over 46,000 Arkansans gained employment in the month of May, a result the division says is due to the partial re-opening of the state’s economy.

Arkansas Unemployment Rate Falls To 9.5% In May

For the first time in months, Arkansas's unemployment has dropped, though the number of those unemployed still remains higher than before the coronavirus pandemic hit the state. Arkansas's unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% in May, around 1.3% lower than its April percentage of 10.8%.

CADC (Central Arkansas Development Council) Meeting Open to the Public

De Queen Graduate, Jesus Wences, Receives Blue and Gold Scholarship from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia

Southern Arkansas University has awarded a Blue and Gold Scholarship valued at $26,400 to De Queen honor graduate Jesus Wences. Jesus is the son of Jose Wences and Maria Wences. He is a member of National Honor Society, FCCLA, Quiz Bowl, GT Interact and Leopard Football. Jesus plans to major in Sports Medicine.

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (06.22.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, June 22, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

A few weeks ago, we reminded Arkansans of the upcoming deadline for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. This week, we received word that the deadline has been extended to August 1.

Unlike in prior years, students who are already receiving the scholarship, have a sufficient number of hours, and have earned satisfactory academic progress before March 27 are automatically eligible for the scholarship for the 2020 fall semester.

Traditional students must score at least 19 on the ACT to qualify for the scholarship. The latest ACT score accepted by Arkansas Department of Higher Education will be from the July testing. Students who have yet to achieve a score of 19 on the ACT may take the Accuplacer test remotely as a substitute.

Meanwhile, we want to remind Arkansans of another valuable scholarship funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

The Workforce Challenge Scholarship was created in the 2017 legislative session and is funded by lottery revenue. The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify.

To meet minimum eligibility requirements, those applying for the Workforce Challenge Scholarship must be 1) an Arkansas resident, 2) a high school graduate or received high school equivalency, 3) cannot be a current recipient of the Academic Challenge Scholarship, and 4) be accepted for admission into an approved program as defined by ADHE. The degree list for the 2020-2021 academic year can be found on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

Home

Arkansas Workforce Challenge is a non-renewable grant. Students who successfully complete their program of study will be allowed to reapply for award in another eligible program. Students who receive funding from Workforce Challenge and do not successfully complete their program will be allowed to reapply one time.

The Workforce Challenge Award will be the cost of a certificate program or program of study not to exceed $800. Students must apply at least 30 days prior to enrollment in an eligible program. There is no deadline to apply, however applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the program.

To apply for either scholarship visit the Department of Higher Education’s website, scholarships.adhe.edu, and complete the Arkansas YOUniversal Scholarship Application. The online YOUniversal application is your one-stop-shop for state and lottery-funded financial aid.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education | College for You

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Monday's COVID-19 Arkansas Area County Active Case Numbers and Maps

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 588
  Active Positive: 201
  Recovered: 382
  Deaths: 5
  Negatives: 2,973

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 68
  Active Positive: 29
  Recovered: 39
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 950

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 35
  Active Positive: 3
  Recovered: 32
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 793

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 64
  Active Positive: 11
  Recovered: 53
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,057

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 7
  Active Positive: 1
  Recovered: 6
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,375

Monday's Ark-La-Tex Weather from the National Weather Service in Shreveport

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will keep our temperatures at or below normal for today. A few severe storms with damaging wind gusts cannot be ruled out.

A line of strong thunderstorms, which may produce gusty winds and
brief heavy rainfall, will move southeast across the area today.
Redevelopment is possible this afternoon across Southeast
Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and Northeast Texas, but this is
very uncertain. If thunderstorms redevelop this afternoon, a few
storms could be severe. Damaging winds and large hail will be the
primary threats. The threat for severe weather should diminish
this evening.

Widespread thunderstorms are expected Tuesday as a cold front
slowly moves into the area. A couple of severe storms cannot be
ruled out, especially south of the Interstate 30 corridor.
Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threat.

More thunderstorms are expected along the from Wednesday and
Thursday. Severe weather is not anticipated, but multiple rounds
of locally heavy rainfall could lead to isolated flooding.

Rain chances will decrease after Thursday, but isolated to widely
scattered thunderstorms will remain in the forecast Friday through
Sunday.

NPR: China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas

NPR
June 21, 2020 12:18 PM ET
JASON SLOTKIN

China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility.

Tyson Foods confirmed to NPR that the announcement pertains to its Berry Street facility in Springdale, Ark., where 227 workers tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. All but four of them were asymptomatic, according to Tyson.

The company said that tests of its facilities in northwest Arkansas showed that 481 employees, or 13% of 3,748 employees, had tested positive. The company said 455 of those employees (95%) were asymptomatic.

China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas

China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility. The nation's General Administration of Customs office made the announcement on Sunday, saying shipments from the plant would be temporarily suspended, while products that have already arrived will be seized.

Sunday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
  Total Positive: 563
  Active Positive: 182
  Recovered: 376
  Deaths: 5
  Negatives: 2,913

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
  Total Positive: 62
  Active Positive: 24
  Recovered: 38
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 927

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
  Total Positive: 35
  Active Positive: 4
  Recovered: 31
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 770

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
  Total Positive: 63
  Active Positive: 13
  Recovered: 50
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,051

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
  Total Positive: 7
  Active Positive: 1
  Recovered: 6
  Deaths: 0
  Negatives: 1,344

A Message from Dr. Steve Cole to All UA Cossatot Students and Future Students