Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

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

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: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 3

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

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

In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 199 new cases; 1,707 active cases; 141 hospitalized, which is down 9 from Wednesday; 23 on ventilators, which is up 3 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 2, for a total of 5,662; a total of 331,704 cases; PCR tests, 5,385; antigen tests, 1,066.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 31; Washington, 26; and Benton, 19.

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

“Vaccine doses administered have increased by nearly 154,000 since this time last week. Our hospitalizations and new cases continue to decline, but it's important that we continue to get vaccinated to protect our fellow Arkansans.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

UA Cossatot Student Ambassador 5K Glow Run May 1st

Severe Weather Briefing Friday and Friday Night for the Ark-La-Tex

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

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

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 3

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

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

In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 244 new cases; 1,649 active cases; 150 hospitalized, which is down 2 from Tuesday; 20 on ventilators, which is down 6 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 7, for a total of 5,660; a total of 331,505 cases; PCR tests, 4,177; antigen tests, 1,242.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Washington, 30; Benton, 29; and Pulaski, 28.

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

“Yesterday's report shows an increase of over 27,000 vaccine doses administered. With COVID-19 cases increasing in other states, we are in a race to get everyone vaccinated. This is the key to victory. If you are over 16, let's get the dose.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Latest Aerial Photos of the New Sevier County Medical Center Construction Site

UA Cossatot Youthbuild GED Graduates

Leslie Daniels, case manager, pictured with Aliaah Ramos, from De Queen, and Travis Archer, from Dierks, who are UA Cossatot YouthBuild program’s most recent #GED graduates. Aliaah plans to enroll at UA Cossatot to study art. Travis is undecided, but both are continuing in the program to earn their NCCER certification. Congratulations! We are so proud of your accomplishment and hard work! #YouthBuild

Legislative Update From State Representative Deann Vaught

On Tuesday, the House passed the following:

HB1388-This bill states that in an adoption proceeding concerning a minor who is not in the custody of the Department of Human Services, a prospective adoptive parent may voluntarily enter into a written agreement with a birth parent concerning post-adoption exchange of information, communication, or other contact between the birth parent and the minor.

HB1728-This bill states the use of campaign funds to pay a candidate's childcare expenses shall not be considered a taking of campaign funds as personal income if the campaign funds are used to pay for childcare for time the candidate is engaging in campaign activity and the childcare expenses would not exist in the absence of the campaign.

SB160-This bill states that in the 2022-2023 school year, Holocaust education shall be taught in all public schools in a manner that generates an understanding of the causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust. The bill states the lesson must also develops dialogue with students on the ramifications of bullying, bigotry, stereotyping, and discrimination.

SB394-This bill states that a public school district or open-enrollment charter school shall conduct a comprehensive school safety audit every 3 years to assess the safety, security, accessibility, and emergency preparedness of district buildings and grounds in collaboration with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management officials.

SB27-This bill requires the Arkansas Department of Health to ensure that the Suicide Prevention Hotline employs individuals who have experience working with veterans or are veterans.

SB524-This bill states that by August 1, 2022, each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school in the state shall prepare a three-year teacher and administrator recruitment and retention plan. The plan should include goals for recruitment and retention of teachers and administrators of minority races and ethnicities who increase diversity among the district staff and, at a minimum, reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the district's students.

HB1743-This bill amends the Digital Product and Motion Picture Industry Development Act of 2009 to allow production companies a choice of applying for either a rebate or tax credit with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

SB474-This bill creates the offenses of fertility treatment abuse and fertility treatment fraud.

The House will convene on Wednesday at 1 pm.

UA, UAMS Researchers Awarded $10.8 Million Grant to Establish Metabolic Research Center

by Talk Business & Politics staff

A $10.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will enable an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Arkansas 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 combination of expertise in advanced imaging techniques, bioenergetics and data science.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/ua-uams-researchers-awarded-10-8-million-grant-to-establish-metabolic-research-center/

Crystal Bridges Plans Expansion; Will Double in Size by 2024

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced on Wednesday (April 7) plans to double its size.

According to a news release, the Bentonville museum will expand from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet. According to the release, the expansion will showcase the museum’s growing collection and welcome more visitors.

Envisioned to support Crystal Bridges’ commitment to free access to art for all, the new space will increase capacity for presenting art and exhibitions, educational and outreach initiatives, cultural programming, and community events.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/crystal-bridges-plans-expansion-will-double-in-size-by-2024/

Moshe Safdie, founder of Safdie Architects, and Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art founder and board chairperson, inside the museum’s Great Hall in Bentonville.

‘Military Judgment,’ Not Politics, Likely to Guide FMS Site Location Decision

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and a defense industry lobbyist with ties to Fort Smith believe a decision to locate a pilot training center for the U.S. military’s Foreign Military Sales will be based on “military judgment” and not on politics.

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith is one of five Air Force finalist sites for a long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/military-judgment-not-politics-likely-to-guide-fms-site-location-decision/

The F-35

Report: Arkansas’ Rural Population Declined By 3.3% During Last Decade

By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

According to the 2021 Rural Profile of Arkansas, the state’s rural population decreased about 3.3% between 2010 and 2019, while the overall population of Arkansas grew by more than 3% during that same period. However, about 41% of the state’s population still resided in rural counties in 2019, which was higher than the national average.

Wayne Miller, professor of Community, Professional and Economic Development for the Division of Agriculture, and co-author of the 2021 profile, said the publication highlights both the challenges and successes of rural communities in the state.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/report-arkansas-rural-population-declined-33-during-last-decade

An abandoned railroad right-of-way near Hazen. The report says rural areas like this saw a population decline of 3.3% over the last decade.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Bill Concerning COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Fails Arkansas House Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would have banned businesses in the state from mandating its employees get COVID-19 vaccinations has failed in a House committee.

House Bill 1547, which would make employers wait years after a COVID-19 vaccine has been officially approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before requiring its employees to get it, failed to receive the needed support on Tuesday from the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee to move on to the House.

Currently, three approved COVID-19 vaccinations are available through an emergency use authorization from the FDA.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-concerning-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-fails-arkansas-house-committee

Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Springdale, presents House Bill 1547 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee.

CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE

Quarter Century After Arkansas Eagle Deaths, Researchers Identify Killer

By ZUZANNA SITEK

In the mid-1990s, dozens of bald eagles started dying at DeGray Lake after exhibiting neurological symptoms like stumbling, flying into cliffs and stooped wings. A quarter century later, researchers have identified the specific pollutant that causes blue green algae to make a novel toxin that then leads to brain lesions in the birds. Their research was published last month in Science Magazine.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/quarter-century-after-arkansas-eagle-deaths-researchers-identify-killer

Drooping wings are a symptom of vacuolar myelinopathy, which is caused by a toxin created by blue green algae.

COURTESY / REBECCA HAYNIE

Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto, Ban Gender-Affirming Care to Trans Youth

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Since Gov. Asa Hutchinson's briefing Monday afternoon, Arkansas lawmakers have overturned his veto of the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which bans gender-affirming medical care to transgender minors. During the media conference, Hutchinson said the bill is "extreme" and an overreach of government.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/lawmakers-override-governors-veto-ban-gender-affirming-care-trans-youth

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his decision to veto the SAFE Act at a media conference in Little Rock Monday.

COURTESY / YOUTUBE

Wednesday COVID-19 Active Case and Vaccination Numbers from the AR Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 2

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

Severe Weather Possibility for Wednesday Morning

LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly COVID-19 Update (04.06.21)

Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide the weekly COVID-19 update to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

LIVEVIDEO: Governor Asa Hutchinson Holds Pen and Pad Session with Local Media Monday (04.05.21)

Governor Asa Hutchinson Holds a Pen and Pad session with Local Media Monday.

Fresh Start Program Continuing Through CDC

Texarkana Airport Receives $4.9 Million in Federal Funds

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $4.96 million in federal funds to Texarkana Regional Airport-Webb Field.

The money will be used to reconstruct the airport’s terminal building. This funding is awarded through the FAA’s second round of FY21 Airport Improvement Program grants.

The purpose of the Airport Improvement Program is for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/texarkana-airport-receives-4-9-million-in-federal-funds/