4-H Outdoor County O’Rama in Sevier County

Sevier County 4-H held their annual Outdoor County 4-H O’Rama. Due to COVID, the Outdoor O’Rama was held over various dates in March. The competitive events included gun safety and BB gun marksmanship, reel into sports fishing, and bicycle. The winners of these events will be eligible to compete at the District 4-H O’Rama that’s held in June. Even though it was a COVID year, 42 4-H’ers competed, which broke the record for the highest number of participants. Winners from each competition are as follows:

Gun Safety and BB Gun – JUNIORS: 1st – Drake Click, 2nd – Jake Seymour, 3rd –Ty Wagner, 4th - Charlie Collins, and 5th – Kaedon Davis. SENIORS: 1st – Hunter Frachiseur, 2nd – Ethan Wolcott, 3rd – Laikyn Morris, 4th - Brayden Frachiseur, and 5th – Kinlee Stivers.

Reel into Sports Fishing – JUNIORS: 1st – Landon Frachiseur, 2nd – Drake Click, 3rd – Pace Frachiseur, 4th – Jake Seymour, and 5th – Keegan McCoy. SENIORS: 1st – Hunter Frachiseur, 2nd - Brayden Frachiseur, 3rd – Ethan Wolcott, 4th – Kinlee Stivers, and 5th – Laikyn Morris

Bicycle – JUNIORS: 1st – Blair Bissell, 2nd – James Bartek, 3rd – Keegan McCoy, 4th- Wade Melton, and 5th - Libbie Bartek. SENIORS: 1st - Dori Bartek.

For more information on 4-H, contact Sevier County Extension Service at (870) 584-3013.

County Agent Rex Herring performing the skills portion of the 4-H Outdoor O’Rama Gun Safety test with Alex McCoy

Private School Tax Credit Measure Clears Senate Revenue & Tax Panel

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

A program that would create a tax credit scholarship for impoverished students to attend private schools was passed Wednesday (April 14) during the state Senate Tax and Revenue Committee meeting.

SB 680, also known as the “Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program Act” will be capped at $2 million and will help up to 250 students in the state each year, bill sponsor Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, told the committee.

For a student to qualify, their family must have an annual income that is less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The credits and application process will be handled by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DF&A). Credits will be given on a first come basis. It will cost DF&A about $100,000 per year to handle the program, according to estimates. Taxpayers who donate to the program will get an off-setting tax credit.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/private-school-tax-credit-measure-clears-senate-revenue-tax-panel/

Medicaid Expansion Bill Fails in House for Second Straight Day

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas lawmakers considered a variety of bills on Wednesday (April 14), but the main drama centered on the state’s Medicaid program. For the second day in a row, House members could not muster enough votes to approve a Department of Human Services budget that includes funding for a revamped Medicaid expansion program.

SB 55 outlines the spending for the state’s DHS Division of Medical Services budget, which includes Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. In 2013, Arkansas first adopted a Medicaid expansion program through the ACA, known as the private option. It struggled nearly every session to reach the three-fourths vote needed for passage as Republican opposition to the ACA hardened.

Under Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s oversight, the expansion program was reworked to include a work requirement and the program was renamed Arkansas Works. A lawsuit struck down the work requirement, but it has often barely cleared the 75% threshold needed for budget bills.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/medicaid-expansion-bill-fails-in-house-for-second-straight-day/

Nonprofit Offers Free Legal Assistance to DACA Applicants

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

ImmigrationHelp, a nonprofit immigrant legal aid center founded in 2019 by Harvard University lawyers and students, now independently operated, helps undocumented youth across the U.S., including in Arkansas, obtain federal DACA credentials. Fernando Urbina, outreach director for ImmigrationHelp, describes how the legal team works.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/nonprofit-offers-free-legal-assistance-daca-applicants

COURTESY / IMMIGRATIONHELP

Senate Education Committee Advances Bills on Patriotism, Planned Parenthood Restrictions

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

The Senate Education Committee advanced bills Wednesday (April 14) preventing schools from transacting with abortion providers, requiring students to have a moment of silence after saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and requiring the national anthem to be sung before sporting events.

Meanwhile, it declined to endorse a bill returning school districts to local control within five years of being taken over by the state, and a bill that would treat students’ voluntary religious expression the same as secular expression.

House Bill 1592, the Arkansas Student Protection Act by Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, prohibits public schools from knowingly entering into any transaction with an individual or entity that provides abortions. It passed 5-3 on a roll call vote. The panel’s five Republicans voted yes and its three Democrats voted no.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/senate-education-committee-advances-bills-on-patriotism-planned-parenthood-restrictions/

Thursday COVID-19 Active Cases Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 4

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 3

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1

In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 220 new cases; 1,715 active cases; 151 hospitalized, which is up 3 from Tuesday; 20 on ventilators, which is up 1 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 7, for a total of 5,680; a total of 332,666 cases; PCR tests, 4,798; antigen tests, 924.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Washington, 79; Pulaski, 58; and Benton, 50.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

“Vaccination efforts continue across the state, with an increase of nearly 26,000 yesterday. New cases, hospitalizations, and ventilator use remain steady compared to last week. We can't become complacent because of these improved numbers, and it's important we continue to get vaccinated.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Arkansas Bill Allowing Misgendering of Trans Students Progresses to Senate

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

A proposed Arkansas law to protect teachers and school administrators who misgender public school and college students is expected to be approved by the state legislature. House Bill 1749, which prohibits requiring public school and college employees from identifying students by genders inconsistent with a student’s biological sex, was approved by the House and is now being considered by the Senate. It's one of nearly a dozen anti-transgender bills proposed this session.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-bill-allowing-misgendering-trans-students-progresses-senate

COURTESY / INTRANSITIVE ARKANSAS

Bill Eliminating Early Voting On The Day Before An Election Again Fails In Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would eliminate early voting in Arkansas on the Monday before an Election Day has failed in a Senate committee for a second time.

During a voice vote Tuesday, members of the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee did not have enough yes votes to advance Senate Bill 485. It would eliminate all early voting in Arkansas on the day before both a preferential primary or general election day.

Four members of the public spoke against the bill, including Joshua Price, an election commissioner with the Pulaski County Election Commission. He addressed claims brought up in the prior hearing on the bill suggesting that poll workers needed a day off before Election Day in order to prepare.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-eliminating-early-voting-day-election-again-fails-committee

Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, again presents Senate Bill 485, to the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

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Arkansas Pauses Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

By ALEXANDRIA BROWN

Arkansas is among states pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after reports of people developing unusual blood clots. This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration announced they were investigating six cases of women who developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. One death was reported among the women.

At his weekly press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said while he respects the White House’s recommendation to pause the Johnson & Johnson vaccine distribution, this doesn’t mean Arkansans should delay getting the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-pauses-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-0

Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged Arkansans on Tuesday to still get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines despite Johnson and Johnson distribution pause

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Arkansas Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Campaign Funds To Go For Childcare Expenses

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has given final approval to a bill that would allow campaign funds to be used for childcare services in certain circumstances.

The Senate on Tuesday voted 24-6, with 5 present, to pass House Bill 1728. It now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The legislation, which has had bipartisan support, makes the distinction that the use of campaign funds to pay for a candidate’s childcare expenses would not be considered as a "taking of campaign funds as personal income" as long as the childcare being paid for because the candidate is engaging in campaign activity.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-pass-bill-allowing-campaign-funds-go-childcare-expenses

Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, presents House Bill 1728 to the Senate floor.

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$20 Million Deal Keeps Razorback Basketball Coach Musselman in Fayetteville

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

Eric Musselman, the most successful Arkansas Razorback basketball coach since Nolan Richardson, has signed a five-year $20 million deal with additional compensation and incentive payments available based on success in SEC and NCAA Tournaments.

The deal, which includes roughly $4 million in annual pay for Musselman, follows the Hogs first NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance in more than 25 years. The new agreement will run from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2026 and includes the potential for a pair of one-year automatic agreement extensions (2027, 2028) based on Arkansas receiving bids to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament within the timeframe of the agreement.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/20-million-deal-keeps-musselman-in-fayetteville/

More than 40,000 Pounds of Medical Marijuana Sold in Arkansas with Value of $285 Million

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

More than 40,000 pounds of medical marijuana have been sold in Arkansas since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, according to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (AMMC). A dispensary in Bentonville has sold the most medical marijuana.

The 42,769 pounds sold is valued at $285 million, according to a press release from Scott Hardin, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the parent agency of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission. State taxes on the dispensary sales since May 2019 total just under $30 million. Most of the tax revenue is placed in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund.

The AMMC has issued licenses for 38 dispensaries, with 32 dispensaries in operation and six working toward opening. There are 12 dispensaries that have reached at least 2,000 pounds in sales. The Arkansas Department of Health reports 74,779 active patient cards. Over the last 30 days, patients across the state spent an average of $880,000 each day on medical marijuana purchases, according to the AMMC.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/more-than-40000-pounds-of-medical-marijuana-sold-in-arkansas-with-value-of-285-million/

Bill to Raise Hunting and Fishing License Fees Passes Committee

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

For decades, there have been no changes made to the cost of fishing and hunting licenses issued to residents in Arkansas. That could change in the near future.

In a narrow 5-3 vote, the state Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee passed SB 670 and it now heads to the full Senate. The bill would incrementally increase fees charged for these licenses.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Pat Fitts told committee members the fee increases were necessary to keep pace with infrastructure improvements that will be needed in the coming decades.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/bill-to-raise-hunting-and-fishing-license-fees-passes-committee/

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 4

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0

Showers and Thunderstorm Activity Wednesday Morning

Today and Tonight...

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue to
spread east northeast across much of the region this morning,
before diminishing from west to east late this morning through the
afternoon. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms will be
possible this morning, with large hail the primary threat.
Additional scattered to numerous showers and a few thunderstorms
will move back into the region tonight, but no additional
hazardous weather is expected.

Thursday through Tuesday...

Showers and a few embedded thunderstorms will move back into the
region Thursday night, and persist through much of Friday, before
diminishing from west to east Friday night with the passage of a
cold front. However, no hazardous weather is expected. Cooler and
drier conditions are expected for the upcoming weekend into the
start of the new work week.

De Queen FFA Show Team at District Livestock Show

Press Release: 4/12/21

De Queen FFA Show Team does well at the District Livestock Show. On Saturday, April 10, three members of the De Queen FFA showt team exhibited their livestock projects at the Southwest District Spring Livestock Show held at Hope Ar. The members in attendance were Tristan Whisenhunt, Olivia Cooley, and Katie Cooley.

Whisenhunt exhibited a Chianina bull and won Grand Champion honors. He also had a steer who placed second in his class. Katie Cooley presented her Hereford heifer and brought home a Reserve Grand Champion placing for the team. Olivia Cooley showed a Simmental heifer and placed first in her class.

Congratulations to these De Queen FFA students who did a great job with their cattle exhibits. They have plans to exhibit at more shows later this spring.

$10.8 Million NIH Grant to Establish Metabolic Research Center

A $10.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will enable an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the U of A and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to address the role of cell and tissue metabolism in rare and common diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and mitochondrial disorders.

The five-year award, funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, establishes the Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center as an NIH-designated Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. The award recognizes the university’s unique combination of expertise in advanced imaging techniques, bioenergetics and data science.

“Our center will support important scientific contributions not only in specific biomedical fields associated with metabolic diseases, but also broader contemporary research on metabolism, exploring issues such as the sensitivity of mitochondrial biomarkers to explain the onset and progression of rare and common diseases,” said Kyle Quinn, associate professor of biomedical engineering. “Ultimately, the center will help cultivate a critical mass of researchers determined to solve multiple human health problems with metabolic underpinnings that have been particularly devastating in Arkansas and the southeastern United States, such as cancer, diabetes and obesity.”

https://biochemistry.uams.edu/2021/04/07/10-8-million-nih-grant-to-establish-metabolic-research-center/

Top row, from left: Kyle Quinn, director of Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center and associate professor of biomedical engineering; Chenguang Fan, assistant professor of biochemistry; Shilpa Iyer, assistant professor of biological sciences; and Isabelle Racine Miousse, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Bottom row: Adam Paré, assistant professor of biological sciences; Narasimhan Rajaram, associate professor of biomedical engineering; Young Hye Song, assistant professor of biomedical engineering; and Justin Zhan, professor of computer science and computer engineering.

New VA Initiative Expands COVID-19 Vaccinations to All U.S. Veterans

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Many millions more U.S. veterans, including those not presently enrolled in VA health benefits, will be able to access no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, under the new Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse Act, or SAVE LIVES Act. Kelvin Parks, medical director of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, explains how the new law will work.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-va-initiative-expands-covid-19-vaccinations-all-us-veterans

American flags flutter in front of VHSO Medical Center in Fayetteville.

COURTESY / FACEBOOK/VHSO

UAMS Breaks Ground on New $85 Million Surgical Hospital

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

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences broke ground Monday (April 12) in Little Rock on construction of an $85 million surgical hospital, which is expected to be complete by spring 2023.

The project is being paid for by a bond issue approved this year by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.

With four floors providing more than 158,000 square feet in space, the hospital will be an extension of the UAMS Medical Center. It will contain:

· 24 private patient rooms for overnight observation and inpatient stays.
· 12 examination rooms for Orthopaedic Trauma, Orthopaedic Oncology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
· 12 operating rooms in its surgical center.
· Eight examination rooms and two procedure suites for use by the Pain Management team.
· Faculty and administrative offices for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
· Department of Orthopaedic Surgery resident educational space.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/uams-breaks-ground-on-new-85-million-surgical-hospital/

Arkansas Lawmakers Pass 'Hate Crimes Bill' That Some Say Doesn't Go Far Enough

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that increases sentences for those who knowingly commit certain crimes against "recognizable groups" in Arkansas is on its way to the governor’s desk. The Arkansas House gave final approval Monday to Senate Bill 622.

The bill is defined by some as hate crimes legislation, while others say it is not specific enough to be considered as a hate crimes bill.

Under the bill, Arkansans convicted of certain violent offenses against members of a "recognizable and identifiable group" would have to serve at least 80% of their sentences. The bill defines these groups as sharing "mental, physical, biological, cultural, political, or religious beliefs or characteristics."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-pass-hate-crimes-bill-some-say-doesnt-go-far-enough

House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, presents Senate Bill 622 to the House

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