State Sees End To Months-Long Decrease In Unemployment

Arkansas’ unemployment rate ended its decreasing trend in the month of August, increasing by .3%. The current unemployment rate in the state is now 7.4%

According to data produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Arkansas’ unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate, which totaled 8.4% in August.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/state-sees-end-months-long-decrease-unemployment

State Sees End To Months-Long Decrease In Unemployment

Arkansas' unemployment rate ended its decreasing trend in the month of August, increasing by .3%. The current unemployment rate in the state is now 7.4% According to data produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Arkansas' unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate, which totaled 8.4% in August.

As Judge Considers Challenge To Early Census Deadline, Arkansas Officials Consider Impact

Arkansas could lose billions of dollars in future federal funding because of a new 2020 census deadline. On Thursday, a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order that was to expire that day to Sept. 24 because the government had not produced all documents requested by the court.

On Aug. 3, U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced the deadline for states to accept responses is now Sept. 30, a full month earlier than the original deadline.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/judge-considers-challenge-early-census-deadline-arkansas-officials-consider-impact

As Judge Considers Challenge To Early Census Deadline, Arkansas Officials Consider Impact

Arkansas could lose billions of dollars in future federal funding because of a new 2020 census deadline. On Thursday, a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order that was to expire that day to Sept. 24 because the government had not produced all documents requested by the court. On Aug.

Sunday's COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,193
Confirmed Cases: 1,184
Probable Cases: 9
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 10
Active Probable Cases: 1

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 455
Confirmed Cases: 450
Probable Cases: 5
Total Active Cases: 15
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 3

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 344
Confirmed Cases: 330
Probable Cases: 14
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 251
Confirmed Cases: 250
Probable Cases: 1
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 1

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 218
Confirmed Cases: 216
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 0

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Arkansas’s Growing and Successful Tech Environment

LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to share two pieces of news that illustrate how Arkansas has fostered an environment that encourages high-tech entrepreneurs and the educators who mentor and inspire them.

On Wednesday, I helped cut the ribbon for the Tech Depot in Newport. Tech Depot is an information technology education center with classrooms and training labs for apprentices who are employed by Arkansas companies. Tech Depot will offer courses in general IT skills, data analysis, cyber security, and software development.

The Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, one of the partners in this innovative program, will match companies to apprentices. Arkansas State University-Newport will provide the educational content for the IT Generalist class, which will start at the end of the month. The school has a long track record for creating training programs that fit the needs of industry. The Newport Economic Development Commission, the third Tech Depot partner, will coordinate the different elements of the program and help integrate them into the local economy.

We were cutting the ribbon at the Tech Depot in Newport a day after the leaders at the Venture Center in Little Rock learned they had captured the top prize at the Finovate conference. Finovate – which is a combination of “finance” and “innovate” – is the world’s top fintech conference. Five other winners of awards have worked with the Venture Center in Little Rock.

This award is appropriate because Little Rock is the birthplace of fintech. Fintech, by the way, is a combination of the words finance and technology.

I liked what Venture Center Executive Director Wayne Miller had to say about the award. Little Rock has always been known as the birthplace of fintech. Now, Wayne said, Little Rock is the epi-center of fintech innovation.

These two bits of news coming in the same week illustrate the strength of the technology industry in Arkansas. We see how education and business combine in public-private partnerships to produce tech-savvy entrepreneurs, strengthen our economy, and polish Arkansas’s reputation as a leader in technology. 

The Venture Center programs help new companies accelerate their growth. Tech Depot in Newport will turn out graduates ready to join innovative companies or start their own.

In my remarks at the Tech Depot ribbon cutting, I celebrated a tech center in the rural part of our state. I also told of a trip I made to Silicon Valley to recruit technology companies. I quickly concluded they were reluctant to come. They were happy to lure Arkansans out to California, but they weren’t that excited about coming to Arkansas. I realized that we were going to have to build our own high-tech industry, and that we would build it from our own stable of world-class talent.

We are accomplishing that with a speed and success that exceeded my hopes but didn’t surprise me. That’s the way Arkansans work. Educators, business leaders, and elected leaders have embraced the challenge. We are equipping our workforce and bringing home the prizes.

Challenge To Eye Doctor Law Knocked Off Ballot By Arkansas Supreme Court

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a proposed initiated act to overturn a state law expanding optometric procedures does not qualify for the November ballot. The measure would have overturned Act 579 of 2019, which permitted optometrists to perform limited eye surgeries.

Safe Surgery Arkansas, which was supported by the state’s ophthalmologists, is the group that was pushing to overturn Act 579. Arkansans for Healthy Eyes, a group led by optometrists, had challenged the ballot initiative.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/challenge-eye-doctor-law-knocked-ballot-arkansas-supreme-court

Challenge To Eye Doctor Law Knocked Off Ballot By Arkansas Supreme Court

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a proposed initiated act to overturn a state law expanding optometric procedures does not qualify for the November ballot. The measure would have overturned Act 579 of 2019, which permitted optometrists to perform limited eye surgeries.

Friday COVID-19 Arkansas Health Department Update

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,188
Confirmed Cases: 1,183
Probable Cases: 5
Total Active Cases: 16
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 3

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 450
Confirmed Cases: 447
Probable Cases: 3
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 10
Active Probable Cases: 1

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 337
Confirmed Cases: 325
Probable Cases: 12
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 252
Confirmed Cases: 250
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 1

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 215
Confirmed Cases: 213
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 15
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 0

Governor Hutchinson Announces Record Antigen Testing in Today’s COVID-19 Update

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson announced record antigen testing in today’s COVID-19 update.

In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 724 new cases; 5,767 active cases; 381 hospitalized, which is down 8 from Thursday; 77 on ventilators, which is up 5 from Thursday; a total of 72,338 cases; and 65,542 recoveries.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 59; Benton, 34; Crawford, 33; Jefferson, 32; and Craighead, 27.

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

“Today we set a record for our antigen COVID-19 testing in Arkansas. We had over 11,000 tests with both PCR tests and antigen tests. Our cases were down from yesterday at 724, but we want this to go down more. Five hundred seventy-eight of the tests were community and 146 were in corrections. Have a great weekend but be safe and always remember to protect yourself and others.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Create Bridges - Murriel Wiley and Matt Gilley in the Ed 88 Studio

Create Bridges is a cooperative effort to promote commerce and tourism through education and community involvement. Murriel Wiley of Create Bridges is the 3 C's region program coordinator for Little River, Howard, and Sevier counties here in Southwest Arkansas. Today Murriel visits with Matt Gilley of Big Gilley's Smokehouse, LLC in Ashdown. The topic: Barbeque and Branding: Marketing a Rural Restaurant".

New Workforce Classes Coming Soon to UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot's David Sirmon talks about a pair of workforce classes in the medical and pharmacy fields beginning soon at UAC.

Fit 4 Life with Dr Andi Reeves

Awareness Of Holocaust Declining Among Younger Generations, Especially In Arkansas

A new report released Wednesday details just how little younger generations of Americans know about the Holocaust, especially those in Arkansas.

The U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey breaks down state-by-state what Millennials and Gen Z know about the deaths of Jews by the Nazis during World War II. It was commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/awareness-holocaust-declining-among-younger-generations-especially-arkansas

Awareness Of Holocaust Declining Among Younger Generations, Especially In Arkansas

A new report released Wednesday details just how little younger generations of Americans know about the Holocaust, especially those in Arkansas. The U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey breaks down state-by-state what Millennials and Gen Z know about the deaths of Jews by the Nazis during World War II.

New Program Provides Free Legal Assistance to Families Affected by Opioids

Getting a job, paying rent and other matters can be difficult after struggles with opioid abuse that might have included legal difficulties, which creates long-term issues for individuals who are trying to get or stay sober. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas have launched a new program called Beyond Opioids to provide free legal assistance to families who have been affected by the opioid epidemic.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-program-provides-free-legal-assistance-families-affected-opioids

New Program Provides Free Legal Assistance to Families Affected by Opioids

Getting a job, paying rent and other matters can be difficult after struggles with opioid abuse that might have included legal difficulties, which creates long-term issues for individuals who are trying to get or stay sober.

Thursday COVID-19 Numbers and Maps

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,186
Confirmed Cases: 1,184
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 16
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 1,154
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 1,153
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 16
Confirmed Deaths: 16
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 450
Confirmed Cases: 447
Probable Cases: 3
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 429
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 427
Recovered Probable Cases: 2
Total Deaths: 8
Confirmed Deaths: 8
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 332
Confirmed Cases: 322
Probable Cases: 10
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 297
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 292
Recovered Probable Cases: 5
Total Deaths: 23
Confirmed Deaths: 18
Probable Deaths: 5

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 249
Confirmed Cases: 247
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 10
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 234
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 233
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 4
Confirmed Deaths: 4
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 215
Confirmed Cases: 213
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 19
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 193
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 192
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 3
Confirmed Deaths: 2
Probable Deaths: 1

Governor Hutchinson Releases Statement on Today’s COVID-19 Numbers

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson released the following statement on today's COVID-19 numbers:

“The increased use of antigen point-of-care testing is encouraging. This shows our investment in point-of-care testing is helping address the new demand for rapid tests on our K-12 and college campuses. Today’s report includes almost 10,000 tests between the PCR tests and the antigen tests. Of course, this means we identified new cases, and this will allow our more than 770 contact tracers to do their work and reduce the spread of the virus. Right now, we are concentrating on identifying communities that have an increased level of spread and encouraging stricter compliance with our health guidelines.”

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,185
Confirmed Cases: 1,183
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 15
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 1,154
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 1,152
Recovered Probable Cases: 2
Total Deaths: 16
Confirmed Deaths: 16
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 450
Confirmed Cases: 447
Probable Cases: 3
Total Active Cases: 15
Active Confirmed Cases: 14
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 427
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 425
Recovered Probable Cases: 2
Total Deaths: 8
Confirmed Deaths: 8
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 331
Confirmed Cases: 321
Probable Cases: 10
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 295
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 290
Recovered Probable Cases: 5
Total Deaths: 23
Confirmed Deaths: 18
Probable Deaths: 5

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 249
Confirmed Cases: 247
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 232
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 231
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 4
Confirmed Deaths: 4
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 215
Confirmed Cases: 213
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Confirmed Cases: 23
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 189
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 188
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 3
Confirmed Deaths: 2
Probable Deaths: 1

VIDEO: UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr Steve Cole COVID-19 Report 09.15.20

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr Steve Cole gives a UA Cossatot COVID-19 status report

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update from Batesville Wednesday (09.16.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media from Batesville on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

UA Cossatot Celebrates National Hispanic Serving Institutions Week

De Queen Lions Club Met Tuesday 09.15.20

De Queen Lions Club new members were inducted and club directors and officers were installed at Tuesday's noon meeting. New members are Stephen Copley and Tiffany Maurer. Lion Scott Simmons was elected to the office of president and will replace outgoing president, Bryan Blackwood. The Lion of the Year also happened to be the Lion Instigator of the Year - De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown.

Tuesday COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,183
Confirmed Cases: 1,182
Probable Cases: 1
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Confirmed Cases: 17
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 1,150
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 1,149
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 16
Confirmed Deaths: 16
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 448
Confirmed Cases: 446
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 14
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 426
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 424
Recovered Probable Cases: 2
Total Deaths: 8
Confirmed Deaths: 8
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 323
Confirmed Cases: 318
Probable Cases: 5
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 293
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 288
Recovered Probable Cases: 5
Total Deaths: 18
Confirmed Deaths: 18
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 248
Confirmed Cases: 246
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 1
Total Recovered Cases: 231
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 230
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 4
Confirmed Deaths: 4
Probable Deaths: 0

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 212
Confirmed Cases: 211
Probable Cases: 1
Total Active Cases: 22
Active Confirmed Cases: 22
Active Probable Cases: 0
Total Recovered Cases: 188
Recovered  Confirmed Cases: 187
Recovered Probable Cases: 1
Total Deaths: 2
Confirmed Deaths: 2
Probable Deaths: 0

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Tuesday (09.15.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

Brush Cleanup Day in Gillham Saturday September 19th

The Gillham Volunteer Fire Department, with the help of volunteers, and the town of Gillham will have a chipping day this coming Saturday September 19 starting around 1:30PM. If you have limbs in your yard, over grown hedges next to your house we can help you get rid of them. You can pull to the edge of the road or if your not able call me or text me your name and the address same goes if you have limbs and brush next to your house that needs trimmed back my cell is (870) 584-9434 if you would like to help us call me or show up at the fire station at 1:30. This is a community project we hope you will take advantage of it. Please share and tell your neighbors. This will be our project for our Firewise program.

The Fire Department was able to purchase a chipper and a Husqvarna chainsaw with a 24 inch bar from the Firewise grant which only certain preventative tools could be approved for purchase and no firefighting equipment. We have found over the past few years that on the annual project the hardest thing to do is dispose of brush. The Firewise program we entered it in 2017 to help inform the community on fire prevention measures. It is less costly to prevent fires than to fight one.

Thank you for your time.

Marc Rosson

Chief GVFD