Members of the Lady Colts basketball team took some time on Monday afternoon to visit with Arkansas' 4th District Congressman Bruce Westerman at the construction site of the Sevier County Medical Center.
4-H Food Challenge Team Places 5th at National Contest
Howard County 4-H members Adelene Westfall, Alex Trombley and Sarah Lamb placed 5th in the National 4-H Food Challenge Competition held early this week at the Texas State Fair. Fourteen teams representing nine states competed in the day long challenge. Like the popular tv show, “Chopped”, teams were given a secret ingredient to create a dish utilizing pantry items. Teams were assigned a section of MyPlate and were given a spending allowance to purchase additional items at the pantry. According to Jean Ince, County Extension Agent-Staff Chair, “The group had no prior knowledge of the category or “secret” ingredient they would be preparing until the time of the contest.”
In round one, the Howard County team, who called themselves “Seniors with Spatulas” was given whole grain pasta and $4.00 to spend. The group worked as a team to create a vegetable pasta dish within the 40-minute time limit. The group also had to develop a 5-minute presentation stating what they made, the nutritional value of the dish, how many people it served, food safety procedures taken and what substitutions they would make to increase the overall healthiness of the dish. Only six teams advanced to the final round.
The Arkansas team (Howard County) advanced to the final round where the secret ingredient was sirloin steak. “In this round they given $5.00 to spend at the pantry. The group prepared a pepper steak stir fry. Again, they had 40 minutes to develop the recipe and prepare their presentation” according to Ince.
This was the first year Arkansas has participated in the National 4-H Food Challenge and the first year to have a statewide contest. Howard County team won the state contest in August
and the opportunity to represent Arkansas. Ince stated, “This group has worked very hard practicing for both contests. I am super proud of them.” Locally, the program was funded by a Healthy Habits grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Media Briefing Wednesday (10.06.21) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2021.
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Taking Arkansas’s Computer Science Education Initiative to the Nation
LITTLE ROCK – I became chair of the National Governors Association in July, and today I’d like to talk about this as an opportunity for Arkansas to inspire other states with our focus on computer science education.
Each chair of the NGA is allowed to launch a Chairman’s Initiative. Today at the National Press Club in Washington, I announced that during my year as Chair, I will showcase Arkansas’s successful computer science education initiative as a model for others.
NGA’s tradition of bringing governors together dates back to 1908 when President Teddy Roosevelt invited governors to Washington to discuss conservation issues.
President Roosevelt knew that to improve conservation practices in the United States, he needed the support of the governors. In the same fashion, Arkansas has the chance to increase our leadership role in computer science education.
As we emerge from the pandemic, governors are concerned about the shortage of employees. This was the perfect opportunity to share with others what we have learned about strengthening the workforce with a robust computer science education foundation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2029, the number of computer science and information technology jobs will grow by 11 percent. Computing occupations are currently the top source of new wages in the United States. A computer science major can earn up to 40 percent more than the average college graduate.
There are over 410,000 open computing jobs nationwide, and there aren’t enough qualified people to fill the jobs. The global competition for talent is intensifying, which is why it is so important for the United States to step up computer science education. If Arkansas companies can’t fill their openings with homegrown talent, they will recruit elsewhere. The story is the same nationally.
Computer science courses are mandatory for students in 44 countries, but in the United States, only 47 percent of high schools offer computer science. Only three states require all students take at least one computer science class in order to graduate.
In Arkansas, we were the first state to require all schools to offer at least one class, and we are one of the three states that requires a computer science credit to graduate.
The education of computer science reaches beyond coding. Young people who take computer science perform better on AP calculus exams than students without computer science. Even as early as elementary school, students who study computer science outperform their peers in reading and writing. Digital literacy is the foundation our nation needs to succeed in the high-tech economy of the 21st-century in everything from logistics to farming to national security.
In Arkansas, we have been increasing the options for a high-tech education, and now, thanks to Teddy Roosevelt’s vision to gather governors, we have the opportunity to tell our story to the rest of the nation.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. That equates to more than 10 million women and men.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it.
We want to take this time to remind you about the new laws passed this year in an effort to prevent abuse and protect victims.
ACT 800 creates the Arkansas Phoenix Act of 2021, which amends the statute of limitations for offenses involving domestic violence and provides for training to be given to law enforcement officers on additional topics that arise in which domestic violence is suspected.
Act 1068 provides that a court may enter an order enjoining a party from engaging in course of control. The act defines course of control as a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with the free will and personal liberty of a person.
ACT 980 creates a mechanism to protect the address information of victims of domestic violence on all voter registration materials.
Act 913 provides that if a person requests from the Department of Finance and Administration the residence address of a driver's license holder who participates in the address confidentiality program due to domestic violence, the department shall provide the information only if the person presents a current court order finding a compelling reason and the person has not been convicted of domestic violence against who the order of protection has been entered.
No person should be subjected to the fear, shame, and humiliation that an abusive relationship produces. And leaving those relationships is not easy.
If you are someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, visit www.laurascard.ar.gov today to find resources near you.
Arkansas Planning and Development Districts Resident Survey
The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) & the ASU Delta Center are asking for our help with the historic Covid-19 study and survey to help all Arkansas Community Leaders, Business Organizations, and Citizens with Resiliency & Recovery. Southwest has received 2 survey links, one for Organization, and the other for all Southwest Region Residents.
All 8 Arkansas Planning & Development Districts (PDD) are working together to get feedback from their Region on how the pandemic has influenced health and economic well-being at this moment in time for each of the 8 Arkansas Regions. We are asking our Southwest Residents to please take a few minutes and fill out this important, and anonymous, Survey. Each PDD will use the information received from the Surveys to create their Region’s Strategic Plan for any future disasters/pandemics. When completed this coming Spring, all 8 Regional Plans will help all of Arkansas be better prepared and more resilient in the face of future disasters. We sincerely thank you for helping us with this enormously important project.
Link: http://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIkTI1MfodIbo5U
Public Schools and Colleges in SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers
The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges, and the numbers for most area schools continue to trend downward. Some area schools of note include:
UA Cossatot, Mineral Springs, Kirby: less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)
Mena 8
De Queen 5
Ashdown 5
Centerpoint 5
Nashville 8
South Pike County 13
Horatio 9
Texarkana, AR 8
Cossatot River 7
Dierks 5
Foreman 6
For the complete report, please visit:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09272021.pdf
UAMS Research Team Upends Understanding of How Blood Clots Form; NIH Awards $2.5 Million for Further Study
By David Robinson
Sept. 29, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — A UAMS-led research team has found that blood clots form in puncture wounds similar to a skyscraper, with rooms and furnishings that scientists can now see. Published in Communications Biology, the discovery of the vaulted thrombus (blood clot) structure surprised researchers and is a big change from a long-held hypothesis.
The Sept. 16 Communications Biology publication follows a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) award in August to expand on the research by UAMS’ Brian Storrie, Ph.D., lead author and principal investigator. The findings could affect drug development for bleeding regulation, which is one area he will explore as part of the grant.
Collaborators outside of UAMS include researchers from the University of Kentucky and the NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB).
What To Expect When You're Redistricting
By DANIEL BREEN
Arkansas lawmakers are returning to the state Capitol Wednesday following an extended recess to formally begin the process of re-drawing the state’s four U.S. Congressional districts.
KUAR News spoke with Heather Yates, Ph.D., an associate professor of American Politics at the University of Central Arkansas, on what to expect from this year’s redistricting session. You can read an edited transcript of the conversation below.
What exactly is redistricting?
“Redistricting is the process that states undergo every 10 years to literally redraw the geographic electoral boundaries of the state's congressional districts, and on a state level its state Senate and state House districts. And the reason why the states do this is because they are commanded by Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution to take a count of the population. So every 10 years we take the Census, and then the state legislature uses that Census data then to reapportion the congressional districts to make sure that every person living in the United States has representation in the House of Representatives.”
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/what-expect-when-youre-redistricting
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Arkansas Expects Tourism Bump From Leaf Peeping In October
State parks in Arkansas, which have seen increased visitation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, expect to see even more traffic as temperatures drop and leaves become more colorful. Monika Rued, spokesperson for Arkansas State Parks, says leaf-peeping — visiting an area specifically to view its foliage — is very popular as trees change color each fall.
The state park's website gives general dates to expect trees to be most colorful in different regions of Arkansas, but weather can be a factor, with times potentially varying by more than a month.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-expects-tourism-bump-leaf-peeping-october
Leaves were beginning to show fall colors Saturday at the historic Cunningham Cabin at Cabot Middle School South.
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UAMS Study: An Antibody Could Be Cause Of Long-Term COVID Symptoms
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences say they have discovered an antibody that may be the cause of long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
The study shows some patients who contract COVID-19 have responses where their bodies produce a second antibody called autoantibody. The antibody then attacks an enzyme called ACE2 that balances the body's response to the virus. When the second antibody attacks ACE2, it causes organs to not function properly.
Dr. John Arthur, director of nephrology at UAMS and one of the lead researchers, said he and his team focused on the enzyme because they estimated there was an increase in immune system activation.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/uams-study-antibody-could-be-cause-long-term-covid-symptoms
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Poll: Arkansas Legislature Gets Mixed Reviews from Voters
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of 916 likely Arkansas voters tested the job approval of the legislature as well as a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers the power to call themselves into special session, a duty reserved exclusively to the governor. In the survey, conducted Sept. 20-22, 2021, participants were asked:
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Arkansas legislature is doing?
9% Strongly Approve
37.5% Somewhat Approve (46.5% Approve)
19% Somewhat Disapprove
28% Strongly Disapprove (47% Disapprove)
6.5% Don’t Know
Q. Earlier this year, the state legislature placed several constitutional amendments on the ballot for consideration by Arkansas voters in the November 2022 general election. One proposal would give the legislature the authority to convene a special legislative session by issuing a proclamation of House and Senate leadership or by 2/3rds of the members of both the House and Senate. If the election were held today, would you plan to vote for or against this constitutional amendment?
8% Definitely For
32% Probably For (40% For)
24% Probably Against
14% Definitely Against (38% Against)
22% Don’t Know
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/poll-arkansas-legislature-gets-mixed-reviews-from-voters/
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 86
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 40
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 71
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 51
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 42
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Media Briefing Tuesday (09.28.21) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Governor Hutchinson Issues Statement on Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement ahead of the first "Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students" on September 29.
“On this Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students, I ask all Arkansans to pray, meditate, or otherwise reflect on success, health, and safety for our students, teachers, school administrators, and school districts. Prayer has been important in our nation's history for times of strife and conflict to days of drought and days of plenty. Prayer remains important in this time as well."
"A Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students" to be observed annually on the last Wednesday of September was created by Act 902 of 2021. Governor Hutchinson's proclamation for this day can be viewed HERE.
Poll: President Biden Sees Job Disapproval Grow in Arkansas
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
President Joe Biden’s job disapproval among Arkansans is growing, led by independent voters whose confidence in his handling of the job has declined. And a new survey of likely Arkansas voters finds more dissatisfaction than satisfaction in the institution of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The latest Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of 916 likely Arkansas voters was conducted Sept. 20-22, 2021 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.04%. The survey asked:
Q: Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Joe Biden is doing?
17% Strongly approve
22% Somewhat approve (39% Approve)
6% Somewhat disapprove
53% Strongly disapprove (59% Disapprove)
2% Don’t know
Q: Do you approve or disapprove of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing?
7% Strongly approve
38% Somewhat approve (45% Approve)
29% Somewhat disapprove
19.5% Strongly disapprove (48.5% Disapprove)
6.5% Don’t know
VIDEO: Chamber Chat with Callie Miller and Christie McCullough
On this week's Sevier County Chamber Chat, Callie and Christy have more details about Denim and Diamonds on October 2nd, as well as several other upcoming Chamber events.
New Study Examines Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program
By DANIEL BREEN
Arkansas’ medical marijuana program is the subject of a new study examining its link to overall health outcomes.
Researchers with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement will lead the three-year study, funded by a $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
ACHI president and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson says little research exists on the link between medical cannabis and health outcomes.
“We don’t know whether we’re going to have findings that medical marijuana helps, for example, lowering individuals that have pain, their opioid prescription rate, or whether medical marijuana may have unintended effects of having new mental health conditions emerge,” Thompson said.
UAMS Receives Additional $4.75 Million to Train Primary Care Physicians, Improve Rural Health Care
By Linda Satter
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received an additional $4.75 million in federal grant money to continue efforts to improve health care in rural Arkansas through training and retaining primary care physicians.
The supplemental award from the Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, comes in the third year of a four-year medical student education grant.
UAMS initially received $4.6 million in 2019, followed by an additional $2.83 million in 2020, to fund a multipronged approach to enhancing medical student education at UAMS as part of the Arkansas Medical Education Primary Care Partnerships project.
The project aims to recruit and retain medical students from rural and underserved areas of Arkansas in the hopes that they return to practice in those areas.
Gov. Hutchinson Rules Out Vaccine Mandates For Arkansas School Kids
By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
Arkansas will not mandate COVID-19 vaccines for school children when a vaccine becomes available for those under the age of 12, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday. The governor said state law bans a public mandate vaccine for any purpose and demographic.
It’s possible the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could approve an emergency authorization to Pfizer for vaccines among those between the ages of 5 and 11 by Halloween. Pfizer has provided vaccine trial data to the FDA for proposed vaccine, which would be 10 micrograms compared with the 30 microgram dose used for those 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 to 11 would also be a two-dose regimen.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the FDA and a board member at Pfizer, recently said during a CNBC Squawk Box interview that Pfizer could submit to the FDA “very quickly.”
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/gov-hutchinson-rules-out-vaccine-mandates-arkansas-school-kids
Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaking with reporter's during Tuesday's press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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