State Representative DeAnn Vaught got her first boar hog with a bow and soon after a nice buck came up the trail.
Sunday's COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,213
Confirmed Cases: 1,197
Probable Cases: 16
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 3
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 503
Confirmed Cases: 476
Probable Cases: 27
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Confirmed Cases: 18
Active Probable Cases: 5
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 371
Confirmed Cases: 352
Probable Cases: 19
Total Active Cases: 16
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 1
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 279
Confirmed Cases: 277
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 22
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 1
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 237
Confirmed Cases: 233
Probable Cases: 4
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 2
Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address Big News for Computer Science Education in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK – In the six years since I signed the Computer Science Initiative legislation, the success of it has far exceeded my expectations, and today I’d like to talk about a new report that offers some bold recommendations for the future of computer science education in Arkansas.
The report is the work of the Arkansas Computer Science and Cybersecurity Task Force, which I established in December 2019. The team, which included representatives from education, business, industry, and technology, and philanthropic organizations, formally submitted its report to me this week, which I released at a news conference on Thursday.
In 2015, the first bill I signed as governor required every public school in the state to offer at least one computer-science course. Arkansas was the first state to do that.
National publications and technology organizations such as Wired magazine and Code.org have noted our success. The executive director of Computer Science Teachers Association told Education Week that no other state “has done more than Arkansas. They have a really strong, multifaceted plan that is well thought out. … The state is far better off than anyone else.”
But we can’t rest on our success. In the spirit of our past initiatives, the task force recommends two dramatic changes. The first is that Arkansas require students to have at least one computer-science credit to graduate. The second is that every school in Arkansas employ at least one certified computer science teacher. I am fully committed to these recommendations.
I also shared news about other initiatives that will give even more students access to high-speed internet. As part of its Project 10Million, T-Mobile is donating 18,000 internet access devices to Arkansas students. The company also is donating 100 gigabytes of data also at no cost to eligible households. Combined with the 20,000 devices the state is providing through CARES Act funding, more than 38,000 will be distributed around the state.
I also announced that we will increase high-speed broadband capacity to K-12 school districts, charter schools, and education cooperatives from the current 200 kilobits per second per user to at least 1 megabit per second. That is five times faster than current speeds. Arkansas will be one of the first states in the nation to meet the new standard of 1 megabit per second per user. The upgrade to the network should be completed by July 1 of next year.
This has been an important week for Computer Science Education in Arkansas. We have developed a national reputation for our computer science initiatives, which is nice. But our motivation and the payoff is the high-quality opportunities we are creating for our young people.
VIDEO: Daniel Martinez Visits with Ed88 About Statewide Community Survey
Daniel Martinez visited our De Queen studio this week to talk about a statewide community policing survey that every citizen in Arkansas is encouraged to take part in. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and can be found at:
Tell Us Your Views on Community Policing
1. This survey is designed to measure your views of community policing in YOUR community. Your participation will help improve the Governor's Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas's understanding of the community needs and attitudes toward Law Enforcement. 2.
Fit 4 Life with Dr Andi Reeves
Friday COVID-19 Arkansas Health Department Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,208
Confirmed Cases: 1,193
Probable Cases: 15
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 493
Confirmed Cases: 468
Probable Cases: 25
Total Active Cases: 22
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 10
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 366
Confirmed Cases: 347
Probable Cases: 19
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 1
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 272
Confirmed Cases: 270
Probable Cases: 2
Total Active Cases: 16
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 1
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 234
Confirmed Cases: 231
Probable Cases: 3
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 11
Active Probable Cases: 1
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 958 new cases; 7,330 active cases; 475 hospitalized, which is down 10 from Thursday; 89 on ventilators, which is down 3 from Thursday; deaths added today, 7, for a total of 1,391; a total of 85,779 cases; 74,473 recoveries; PCR tests, 12,316; antigen tests, 757.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Craighead, 46; Pulaski, 39; Faulkner, 34; Sebastian, 33; and Pope, 27.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“We’ve received our first shipment of over 59,000 of the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests from the federal government. Today was another record breaking day of testing. This is welcome news as we continue to increase our testing efforts. This weekend, let’s all do our part to protect ourselves and others.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Governor Hutchinson’s CS Task Force Recommends Computer Science Requirement to Graduate
Governor Also Announces T-Mobile to Donate 100 GB of Data,
18,000 Internet Access Devices, to Eligible Households
LITTLE ROCK – In its report submitted to Governor Asa Hutchinson today, the Arkansas Computer Science and Cybersecurity Task Force recommends that Arkansas add a requirement for a computer-science credit in order to graduate from high school.
The task force also recommends that every public high school have at least one computer science teacher.
“From the day in 2015 when I signed Act 187 and Arkansas became the first state to require every high school to offer computer science, we have led the way nationally,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “But we can’t rest on our success. We owe it to our students to provide access to cutting-edge computer science education, and the task force’s recommendations will achieve that. As more students study computer science, we will strengthen our workforce and attract even more businesses that will bring high-paying, satisfying jobs.
“The members of the task force have produced a far-reaching blueprint that will assure Arkansas’s place as a national leader in computer-science education.”
Governor Hutchinson formally accepted the 52-page report today during a news conference in the Governor’s Conference room. The Governor established the panel in December 2019 to review the Arkansas Computer Science Initiative and to recommend ways to build on the initiative and maintain Arkansas’s national leadership on computer science education.
The Governor also announced that T-Mobile will donate 100 gigabytes of data to eligible households and 18,000 internet access devices to Arkansas students as part of its Project 10Million, a nationwide program to increase access to the internet in rural areas.
“This generous donation, combined with the Arkansas Access Point Project, will further increase the number of students with home access to the internet,” the Governor said. “T-Mobile’s leaders understand that students need reliable access to the internet. This is especially welcome as we search for ways to continue school during the pandemic.”
“T-Mobile has been working closely with schools, state governments and technology partners since the pandemic started to connect those who need it most, including more than 1.6 million students nationwide and nearly 5,000 right here in Arkansas,” said Mike Katz, Executive Vice President, T-Mobile for Business. “Now, with Project 10Million, we are going even bigger to tackle this critical issue head on – connecting thousands more across the state! We believe access to the internet means access to opportunity, and we’re going to give millions of students in the U.S. the connectivity they need and deserve.”
In a third announcement, the Governor said that Arkansas will increase high-speed broadband capacity to K-12 school districts, charter schools, and education cooperatives from 200 kilobits per second per user to at least 1 megabit per second. That is five times faster than current speeds. The upgrade will be completed by July 1, 2021. Arkansas will be one of the first states to meet the new standard of 1 Mbps per user.
VIDEO: Alicia Gonzalez Talks About 2020 Trunk or Treat in De Queen
We recently visited with Alicia Gonzalez about the 2020 Trunk or Treat Event coming to the Sportsplex in De Queen on Halloween.
VIDEO: Sevier County Hospital Board Meeting on Thursday October 1
Thursday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,207
Total Active Cases: 8
Total Recovered Cases: 1,181
Total Deaths: 18
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 485
Total Active Cases: 17
Total Recovered Cases: 456
Total Deaths: 12
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 362
Total Active Cases: 11
Total Recovered Cases: 325
Total Deaths: 26
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 268
Total Active Cases: 15
Total Recovered Cases: 249
Total Deaths: 4
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 234
Total Active Cases: 14
Total Recovered Cases: 217
Total Deaths: 3
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,124 new cases; 7,244 active cases; 485 hospitalized, which is down 5 from Wednesday; 92 on ventilators, which is down 1 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 15, for a total of 1,384; a total of 84,821 cases; 73,734 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,244; antigen tests, 1,154.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 79; Washington, 77; Benton, 55; Craighead, 40; and Sebastian, 37.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“I never like the increase in cases, but I am encouraged by fewer hospitalized, the increased testing and the decline of active cases in K-12 and colleges. There were over 12,000 PCR and antigen tests yesterday, which is a record for our daily reporting. This high testing volume is vital to our efforts to slow the spread of this virus. Remember, we all have to be disciplined and serious about COVID-19.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson To Release Computer Science/Cybersecurity Task Force Report Thursday 10AM
Governor Asa Hutchinson held a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 1, to release the report from the Arkansas Computer Science and Cybersecurity Task Force Report.
Little Rock Police Chief Sues Officers' Union Claiming Conspiracy
Little Rock's police chief is suing the local police union, two assistant chiefs and several officers, accusing them of a conspiracy aimed at forcing him out of his job.
The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by Chief Keith Humphrey is the latest round in an escalating public fight within the department centered on his response to the fatal shooting of a Black motorist by a white police officer last year.
Little Rock Police Chief Sues Officers' Union Claiming Conspiracy
Little Rock's police chief is suing the local police union, two assistant chiefs and several officers, accusing them of a conspiracy aimed at forcing him out of his job. The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by Chief Keith Humphrey is the latest round in an escalating public fight within the department centered on his response to the fatal shooting of a Black motorist by a white police officer last year.
Outfit Targeted Latinos with COVID-19 Scam, AG Lawsuit Claims
FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge sued a Fayetteville organization Wednesday she claims targeted Hispanics with fraudulent covid-19 cures.
Rutledge sued Arkansas Regenerative Medical Center; Dr. Sarah Knife Chief, the firm's medical director; and chiropractor Serge Francois.
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/oct/01/outfit-targeted-latinos-with-covid-scam-ag/
Outfit targeted Latinos with covid scam, AG lawsuit claims
In this file photo Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is shown during a news conference. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford) FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge sued a Fayetteville organization Wednesday she claims targeted Hispanics with fraudulent covid-19 cures. Rutledge sued Arkansas Regenerative Medical Center; Dr. Sarah Knife Chief, the firm's medical director; and chiropractor Serge Francois.
Harvest Fest in Nashville October 31st
Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight at UA Cossatot
Lizz Garza
In Observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Center for Student Success would like to recognize some of our UA Cossatot Hispanic employees that are making an impact on our students throughout the month of September -October!
Lizz Nayeli Garza has been an employee of the college since 2015 as a work study, part time in 2016 and became full time in 2018 working in Student Services as an Admissions Advisor and Recruiter. Her family originates from Tamaulipas Mexico. Lizz graduated in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in University Studies and is working towards her Masters in College Counseling and Student Affairs with SAU. Her ultimate goal is to one day become a Licensed Professional Councilor (LPC) and work in a community college setting. Besides her working in student services at UA Cossatot she also donates her time as one of two student ambassador sponsors. Lizz states “to be Hispanic, for me, means to be proud of all my ancestors and acknowledge the sacrifices they made for me to be all that I am today. It means working for a better tomorrow for future generations for the yesterday that my ancestors created.” We are proud to have Lizz Garza in our campus community!
UA Appoints First Woman to Lead College of Engineering as Dean
Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas, has been named to a one-year appointment as dean of the College of Engineering.
Needy will replace John English, who will assume the role of vice chancellor for research and innovation in November. Needy will be the first woman to lead the College of Engineering as dean, according to a UA news release sent Tuesday (Sept. 29).
https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/ua-appoints-first-woman-to-lead-college-of-engineering-as-dean
UA appoints first woman to lead College of Engineering as dean - Talk Business & Politics
Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas, has been named to a one-year appointment as dean of the College of Engineering. Needy will replace John English, who will assume the role of vice chancellor for research and innovation in November.
UAMS Modeling Shows Fewer Long-term Cases, But State Still Seeing ‘Significant Growth’
Updated COVID-19 modeling from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences shows a possible long-term reduction in cases, and also provides survey results indicating that most Arkansans wear masks but a majority do not support the opening of schools.
The update, posted Tuesday (Sept. 29), notes that mid-term modeling predicts 124,054 known cumulative cases and 2,501 deaths by Nov. 15.
UAMS modeling shows fewer long-term cases, but state still seeing 'significant growth' - Talk Business & Politics
Updated COVID-19 modeling from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences shows a possible long-term reduction in cases, and also provides survey results indicating that most Arkansans wear masks but a majority do not support the opening of schools. The update, posted Tuesday (Sept.
Arkansas School Superintendent Dies From COVID-19
An Arkansas school superintendent died Tuesday from the illness caused by the coronavirus, as a White House task force said the state continued to have one of the highest rates of new virus cases in the country.
The Atkins School District announced that Superintendent Jody Jenkins died due to complications from COVID-19. Jenkins, 57, announced on Sept. 13 that he had tested positive for the virus and had been hospitalized for the past several days.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-school-superintendent-dies-covid-19
Arkansas School Superintendent Dies From COVID-19
An Arkansas school superintendent died Tuesday from the illness caused by the coronavirus, as a White House task force said the state continued to have one of the highest rates of new virus cases in the country. The Atkins School District announced that Superintendent Jody Jenkins died due to complications from COVID-19.
UAMS Northwest Receives Grant to Develop Rural Residency Training Track
A federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant award is enabling the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest to develop a rural training track for medical school residents. Family physician Ronald Brimberry, M.D., an associate professor at UAMS-NW’s Family Medicine Residency Program, will direct the training track.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/uams-northwest-receives-grant-develop-rural-residency-training-track
UAMS Northwest Receives Grant to Develop Rural Residency Training Track
A federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant award is enabling the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest to develop a rural training track for medical school residents. Family physician Ronald Brimberry, M.D., an associate professor at UAMS-NW's Family Medicine Residency Program, will direct the training track.
DHS Launches Campaign to Encourage Childhood Vaccinations
Arkansas has seen a decline in childhood vaccinations compared to last year. ARKids First and the Department of Human Services have launched the Don't Wait, Vaccinate! campaign to encourage parents who may have delayed their children's vaccinations due to the pandemic to get those vaccines now.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/dhs-launches-campaign-encourage-childhood-vaccinations
DHS Launches Campaign to Encourage Childhood Vaccinations
Arkansas has seen a decline in childhood vaccinations compared to last year. ARKids First and the Department of Human Services have launched the Don't Wait, Vaccinate! campaign to encourage parents who may have delayed their children's vaccinations due to the pandemic to get those vaccines now.