Sarah Huckabee Sanders To Run For Governor Of Arkansas

By SARAH KELLOGG

Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running to become the 47th Governor of Arkansas.

Sanders, who had the longest tenure as Press Secretary to former President Donald Trump, announced her gubernatorial campaign for the 2022 election Monday through a video announcement.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/sarah-huckabee-sanders-run-governor-arkansas

Sanders announced her candidacy for Governor of Arkansas on Monday morning through a video published on her social media accounts.

CREDIT SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Confirmed Cases: 23
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 66
Active Confirmed Cases: 31
Active Probable Cases: 35

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 17

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 93
Active Confirmed Cases: 85
Active Probable Cases: 8

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 32
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 11

Governor Hutchinson Announces Arkansas Unemployment Rate Drops To 4.2 Percent In December

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s unemployment rate dropped by 2.1 percent to 4.2 percent in December, which is 2.5 percent lower than the national average of 6.7 percent, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today.

“The coronavirus knocked the wind out of our sails for a moment, but the strong economic foundation we had built before the pandemic held firm, as I knew it would, and now a robust recovery is in sight,” Governor Hutchinson said. “The falling unemployment rate combined with the $319 million more than we expected in state revenue for fiscal year 2021 are signs that we have taken the right steps to limit the economic damage of COVID-19. This news does not soften the blow of the human toll on our state. We must continue to do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus and to come to the aid of the thousands of Arkansans who have lost loved ones to this disease.”

Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 38,904, a result of 65,543 more employed and 26,639 fewer unemployed Arkansans, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services released the report today.

The unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in February and jumped to 5 percent in March when the state recorded its first COVID-19-related death. Arkansas’s unemployment rate peaked at 10.8 percent in April and has declined every month but one since.

Daily Legislative Update From State Representative Deann Vaught:

The third week of the 2021 Regular Session is now underway.

This morning, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1202. This bill requires counties to post sample ballots on the Secretary of State website at least 20 days before each preferential primary and general election and at least 10 days before each general primary, general runoff, school, or special election.

The afternoon, the House passed several bills, including HB1056. This bill amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by allowing public meetings to be held via phone or video conference during a declared emergency.

The House passed HB1009, which authorizes the Veterinary Medical Examining Board to promulgate rules for the use of telemedicine.

The House also passed HB1013, which amends Arkansas Music Appreciation Day to add James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum, Buddy Jewell, and Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm. September 1 was established as Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by the 92nd General Assembly. The legislation states Arkansas has a proud history of contributing music and musicians to the nation, including Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Glen Campbell, Charlie Rich, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Al Green, Conway Twitty, Floyd Cramer.

The House will reconvene Tuesday at 1 pm.

Tuesday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 2,316
Confirmed Cases: 1,645
Probable Cases: 671
Total Active Cases: 39
Active Confirmed Cases: 25
Active Probable Cases: 14

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,301
Confirmed Cases: 900
Probable Cases: 401
Total Active Cases: 52
Active Confirmed Cases: 29
Active Probable Cases: 23

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,002
Confirmed Cases: 782
Probable Cases: 220
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 17

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,614
Confirmed Cases: 1,403
Probable Cases: 211
Total Active Cases: 99
Active Confirmed Cases: 86
Active Probable Cases: 13

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 862
Confirmed Cases: 669
Probable Cases: 193
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Confirmed Cases: 23
Active Probable Cases: 10

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 636 new cases; 17,792 active cases; 1,084 hospitalized, which is up 4 from Sunday; 187 on ventilators, which is up 17 from Sunday; deaths added today, 44, for a total of 4,650; a total of 284,702 cases; 211,684 recoveries; PCR tests, 6,486; antigen tests, 357.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 138; Washington, 69; Benton, 66; Craighead, 33; and Jefferson, 29.

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

"While we saw a significant decline in new cases, our testing was also lower. An additional 44 deaths and a slight increase in hospitalizations remind us of the challenge we continue to face with this pandemic and what happens if we don't follow health department guidelines."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Here are today's COVID-19 vaccine statewide numbers:

LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly COVID-19 Update Tuesday (01.26.21) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In the second week of the 2021 Regular Session, the House voted on bills addressing everything from car tags to jury duty pay.

The bills now advancing to the Senate include:

HB1028-This bill changes the length of time a consumer has to tag their vehicle. Current law gives car buyers 30 days to pay the sales tax and register a vehicle after purchase. HB 1028 would extend it to 60 days.

HB1059-This bill allows participants in a specialty court program, such as drug court, to transfer to a similar program if they move to another court district. This bill also includes guidelines for courts to establish a veterans treatment specialty court program and a DWI specialty court program. In addition, HB1059 sets to develop a domestic violence specialty court program.

Specialty courts are designed to lower the prison population by directing individuals to needed treatment programs.

HB1185-This bill allows the Department of Correction to make an administrative transfer of an inmate to the Division of Community Correction. This would not impact the length of a sentence but rather allow the department to transfer an inmate if they need behavioral or substance abuse treatment.

HB1058-This bill allows a juror to donate their per diem compensation and mileage reimbursement to an eligible nonprofit entity. The administrative office of the courts will be tasked with compiling a list of eligible nonprofits.

An eligible nonprofit should offer services in multiple counties and have as one of its primary goals the providing of:

• Crime victim assistance or counseling

• Services for abused or neglected children

• Shelter for victims of domestic violence

• Services for veterans

• Legal education for students seeking a Juris Doctor degree

HB1107-This bill amends the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to allow the Arkansas Department of Health to request physical or electronic copies of prescriptions from prescribers or dispensers when checking for accuracy.

The House reconvenes on Monday at 1 pm. You can find a list of all agendas and links to live-streams of all meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.

Drawdown and Fish Dinner Benefit Coming to UA Cossatot March 12th

UA Cossatot will host TWO drawdowns for UA Cossatot’s Colts and Lady Colts! It will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021. The first drawdown starts at 5:30 PM and the second drawdown at 7:30 PM at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium. Dr. Steve Cole and Loren Hinton will emcee the event. Head Coach and Athletic Director, Robert Byrd and the entire Colts and Lady Colts teams will be in attendance to root on each ticket holder!

How does a Drawdown work?

Tickets are eliminated until only one is left. The last ticket on the board is the winner of the Drawdown prize. The last ten (10) people holding tickets are given the option to keep drawing and eliminating tickets or to split the money among themselves. All must agree to split or keep drawing until they all agree or only one is left as the winner. Winner does not have to be present to win.

Why would you want to buy a $50 Drawdown Ticket?

· With only 120 tickets being sold per drawdown, each ticket has a 1 in 120 chance of winning $2,500!

· Each ticket includes a delicious fried fish dinner for 2 (can take order to-go)

· Fun fellowship with friends and excitement to see whose ticket is drawn next (Can also watch on Facebook live from home)!

· Door prizes

· Proceeds benefit the UA Cossatot Colts and Lady Colts

How do I buy a ticket?

Tickets are available online by texting the word Cossatot to 41444.

Dustin Roberts, Foundation Director, will give participants their ticket number(s) after purchase.

Cash and check is also accepted. Call or text 870-584-1172 or email droberts@cccua.edu to purchase tickets with cash or check.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Peaceful Transfer of Power

LITTLE ROCK – The inauguration of President Joe Biden was like no other in our history. I have had the privilege of attending five inaugurations before President Biden’s this week, and the atmosphere this year was understandably more somber than the others. With all that our nation has been through over the past year, including the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol, it was if the nation was holding its breath. But as we always have, the United States peacefully transferred authority from one administration to the next.

This year, I attended the inauguration as a member of the opposition party. After more than two months of angry debate about the outcome, Democrats and Republicans put the arguments in the past and convened peacefully in the nation’s capital to witness our new president swear that to the best of his ability, he will “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The inauguration of President Reagan was special for me, even though I watched it from a distance. He followed Jimmy Carter when the country was still healing from the Vietnam War, and we were struggling with high inflation in a sluggish economy. The two main political parties were as divided as they ever had been.

But we handed off the baton without incident. In his inaugural address, President Reagan noted that Americans take for granted the peaceful quadrennial transfer of power.

He said, “The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.”

At this year’s inauguration, my seat was about fifteen yards behind the 46th President of the United States as he delivered his first speech as our Commander in Chief. When you are there, you can’t help but think of all the other presidents and significant Americans who have walked on that very ground over the past two centuries to participate in this wonder of self-government.

This year’s inauguration was no less a miracle than the fifty-eight others that preceded it. Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old youth poet laureate who delivered her poem, The Hill We Climb, captured it beautifully when she said: “And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.”

One of the most difficult hand offs was in 1801 when selection of the president fell to the House of Representatives, who elected Thomas Jefferson over the incumbent John Adams. In a letter that President Jefferson wrote to President Adams towards the end of their lives, Mr. Jefferson recalled that time through the long lens of history. When it was all said and done, he wrote, they had fought for the same cause. He wrote, “It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man … Laboring always at the same oar, with some wave ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us, and yet passing harmless ... we rode (safely) through the storm.”

Once again, the United States has sailed safely through the storm of an election and the transfer of power. It’s a journey I don’t take for granted.

As President Reagan said: “That's our heritage; that is our song. We sing it still. For all our problems, our differences, we are together as of old, as we raise our voices to the God who is the Author of this most tender music. And may He continue to hold us close as we fill the world with our sound—sound in unity, affection, and love—one people under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom that He has placed in the human heart, called upon now to pass that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world.”

These words still ring true today.

Sunday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 39
Active Confirmed Cases: 24
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 57
Active Confirmed Cases: 33
Active Probable Cases: 24

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 54
Active Confirmed Cases: 34
Active Probable Cases: 20

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 117
Active Confirmed Cases: 99
Active Probable Cases: 18

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 46
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 14

Landmark Legislation Provides Improved VA Care to Women Veterans

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The Deborah Sampson Act is an omnibus bill signed into law Jan. 5, intended to remove barriers to and improve women veterans' medical care at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country. Roseanne Harris, RN, Women Veteran Program manager at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, details the expanding medical care.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/landmark-legislation-provides-improved-va-care-women-veterans

Health benefits for women are expanding says Roseanne Harris, RN, Women Veteran Program manager at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks.

COURTESY / VHSO

Round Two of Paycheck Protection Program Now Open to Applicants

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act of 2021, approved by Congress in late December, includes $284 billion dollars to assist small business and the self-employed, under a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program. Collaborating with the Small Business Administration, lending institution web portals in Northwest Arkansas are now open for loan applications. Mary Beth Brooks, director of the Small Business Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, explains the process.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/round-two-paycheck-protection-program-now-open-applicants

Mary Beth Brooks is director of the Small Business Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas.

COURTESY / UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 37
Active Confirmed Cases: 22
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Confirmed Cases: 28
Active Probable Cases: 16

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 19

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Confirmed Cases: 103
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 58
Active Confirmed Cases: 37
Active Probable Cases: 21

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 3,106 new cases; 20,618 active cases; 1,160 hospitalized, which is down 19 from Wednesday; 195 on ventilators, which is down 17 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 55, for a total of 4,496; a total of 279,220 cases; 205,950 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,413; antigen tests, 2,825.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 360; Pulaski, 344; Washington, 249; Sebastian, 217; and Garland, 135.

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

"The increase in new cases is disappointing & a reminder that we cannot let up in following the public health guidelines. Our vaccines are getting into the arms of Arkansans, but remember, we are totally dependent upon the supply that comes from manufacturers. Right now it is limited."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Arkansas Senate Passes 'Stand Your Ground' Legislation, Now Heads To House Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would establish a “Stand Your Ground” law in Arkansas was approved Tuesday by the state Senate and now advances to a House committee.

Senators voted 27-7 to pass the bill, with Republicans and one Democrat making up the 27 yes votes, while one Republican joined Democrats in voting no.

Senate Bill 24, which made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, removes the "duty to retreat" in instances of self-defense. The policy, which at least 36 other states have adopted in some form, including all that surround Arkansas, has garnered criticism that it increases violent crime.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-senate-passes-stand-your-ground-legislation-now-heads-house-committee

Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock was one of five Democrats and one Republican to speak against the legislation.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE

Demand Outstrips Supply As State Gets Fewer Than 38,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses a Week

By ZUZANNA SITEK

This week, two groups of people in Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout are eligible to receive the vaccine. They include people over the age of 70, as well as educators and staff at K-12 schools, higher education and daycare facilities. While there's a lot to be excited about, Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, with the Arkansas Department of Health, says the current demand for the vaccine outstrips supply as the state is receiving fewer than 38,000 doses per week.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/demand-outstrips-supply-state-gets-fewer-38000-covid-19-vaccine-doses-week

Pesticide Applicator Training Offered in Sevier County

Submitted by: Rex Herring

Phone: (870) 584-3013

Pesticide Applicator Training Offered

Sevier County Extension Service will hold Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) sessions on Tuesday, February 9 and on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Pre-registration is required by calling Dana at (870) 584-3013. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, each class is limited to only nine participants. You must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

Federal Work Study Available for UA Cossatot Students

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 51
Active Confirmed Cases: 28
Active Probable Cases: 23

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 29
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 13

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 50
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 18

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 120
Active Confirmed Cases: 100
Active Probable Cases: 20

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 61
Active Confirmed Cases: 40
Active Probable Cases: 21

Second Round Of Paycheck Protection Loans Open To Arkansas Businesses

By DANIEL BREEN

Arkansas businesses can now apply for a second round of loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP.

The second set of loans from the federal program opened to businesses getting loans from lenders with under $1 billion in assets late last week, and will open for all other businesses Tuesday.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/second-round-paycheck-protection-loans-open-arkansas-businesses

CREDIT NPR.ORG

Arkansas Governor Gets COVID-19 Vaccine Calling It Safe And Effective

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

As Arkansas began the next phase Monday of vaccinating people for the coronavirus, Gov. Asa Hutchinson pulled up his sleeve to get a shot. It happened the same day the state reported 32 additional deaths, but with a sharp decline in active cases and fewer new cases compared to previous Mondays.

The 70-year-old governor told reporters at the Arkansas Department of Health that he wanted to show he and First Lady Susan Hutchinson have confidence in the safety of the vaccine.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-governor-gets-covid-19-vaccine-calling-it-safe-and-effective

Gov. Asa Hutchinson getting a COVID-19 vaccine Monday at the Arkansas Department of Health.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS