Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
Aerial Photos of Construction of the New Sevier County Medical Center
NWS Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas
Please see the attached briefing for the latest information regarding the potential for winter weather from early Thursday morning through Thursday early afternoon across the state.
While portions of central and northern Arkansas have not been included in the winter weather advisory at this time, some slick spots could develop on area roadways Thursday morning as light rain occurs where temperatures are at or below freezing.
LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Media Briefing Tuesday (01.04.22) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2021.
Arkansas’ December tax revenue up almost 19%
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
An almost 20% gain in December sales tax revenue and an almost 12% fiscal year-to-date (July-December) gain in sales tax revenue has pushed overall Arkansas tax revenue up 1.5% over budget estimates.
Revenue in the first six months of the fiscal year was $3.896 billion, up 5.4% compared with the 2020 period, according to Tuesday’s (Jan. 4) report from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Arkansas ended fiscal year 2021 (July 2020 – June 2021) with a revenue surplus of $945.7 million thanks in part to the COVID-19 induced shift in a tax filing deadline from June to December that pushed some of fiscal 2020 income tax payments into 2021.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/arkansas-december-tax-revenue-up-almost-19/
Shea Lewis named director of Arkansas State Parks
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
Shea Lewis was named Monday (Jan. 3) as the new director of Arkansas State Parks. He replaces Grady Spann, who retired at the end of December.
Lewis began in the role on Jan. 3 at a salary of $120,002.
Lewis brings 24 years of experience with Arkansas State Parks, both in day-to-day operations and in executive leadership roles. He currently serves as deputy director, a position he has held since 2017.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/shea-lewis-named-director-of-arkansas-state-parks/
Arkansas COVID cases set new records
KUAR | By Michael Tilley/ Talk Business & Politics
With a record daily rise in COVID-19 cases and a record for active cases, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday he is activating an additional 50 National Guard members to help with testing and is encouraging school administrators to consider requiring mask use.
The governor also said in his weekly press briefing that the state’s health system is “facing a new set of challenges” because of the higher rate of transmissibility with the Omicron variant. The rise in cases not only reduces hospital bed capacity but in some cases creates staffing challenges with rising infection among health care workers.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) on Tuesday reported a record 6,562 new COVID cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 581,134. Active cases rose by 5,118 to a record 32,280.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-04/arkansas-covid-cases-set-new-records
Chris Banks/KUAR News
Gov. Asa Hutchinson, seen here speaking to reporters last May, announced Tuesday the state had 6,562 new cases of people testing positive for COVID-19.
New expanded COVID-19 antibody testing offered to Arkansas blood donors
KUAR | By Remington Miller
The Arkansas Blood Institute is offering expanded COVID-19 antibody testing that can tell blood donors additional information about their immunity status that is not offered with standard tests.
The free testing, which began Monday and will continue through Jan. 31, checks immunity status for the disease, even if the antibodies came from a vaccine or booster shot. Previously, the tests were limited to those who received antibodies from a prior natural infection.
The expanded testing comes as Arkansas is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. On Monday, the Department of Health reported the number of active cases increased by 585 to 27,162, a number not seen in nearly a year. 25 additional deaths were also reported, while hospitalizations rose by 39 people statewide.
KATV News
The Arkansas Blood Institute is offering expanded COVID-19 antibody testing for blood donors through Jan. 31.
Active COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 83
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 124
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 81
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 59
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 39
Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
The Arkansas General Assembly will convene for the 2022 Fiscal Session on Monday, February 14.
Preparations for that session will begin in the next two weeks.
Beginning January 11, the Joint Budget Committee will hold a series of meetings designed to begin the process of outlining a budget for the next fiscal year.
Budget hearings will begin with the Department of Finance and Administration presenting its annual forecast and recommendations for a balanced budget by the Governor.
The last general revenue report released showed revenue was up 3% from the same time last year.
Over the course of the budget hearings, the committee will hear budget requests for all state boards, commissions, and agencies. The hearings will continue through January 20.
Members can begin pre-filing appropriation bills on Monday, January 10.
Fiscal Sessions began after Arkansas voters approved what would become Amendment 86 in 2008.
Amendment 86 reduced the period for which appropriation bills are valid from two fiscal years to one, requiring the General Assembly to meet in a fiscal session during even-numbered years, with deliberations limited to action on appropriation bills.
For non-appropriation legislation to be introduced, a concurrent resolution substantially describing the bill must be approved by a 2/3 vote required in both chambers. The deadline for members to file identical resolutions for non-appropriation bills is February 14.
Amendment 86 states that each fiscal session shall not exceed 30 days. The fiscal session may be extended one time, however, for no more than 15 days, by a ¾ vote of both the House and Senate.
The deadline for filing both appropriation bills and non-appropriation bills is Monday, February 28.
You can watch find the daily agendas and watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.
UA Cossatot kicks-off Spring 2022 Semester
UA Cossatot’s Spring 2022 regular classes will begin on Tuesday, January 18, and registration is open until Thursday, January 22. Two eight-week terms are also offered, one running January-March and the second March-May. The registration deadline for the second eight-week term is March 14.
There are various in-person and online courses offered and a variety of career and transfer options. Anyone interested in taking courses, including returning students, is encouraged to stop by UA Cossatot’s Student Services, where a friendly staff member can help with registration and enrollment questions.
To speak with Student Services about registering for classes, please call 870-584-4471 or email studentservices@cccua.edu. Walk-ins are always welcome. UA Cossatot campus hours for De Queen, Nashville, and Ashdown are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
There is still time to apply for medical programs, too. If all program requirements are met by March 1st, students are eligible to apply. All pre-reqs must be completed or in progress during the spring semester. The program applications and TEAS score must be completed by March 1st. Please review program requirements for each program at www.cccua.edu/programs-of-study/medical-education. For medical program questions, please contact 870-584-1211 or email ccooper@cccua.edu, rservante@cccua.edu, or mfoster@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot’s Colts and Lady Colts are also gearing up this semester. The UA Cossatot men will play their first game of the year against Champion’s College at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 5, at the UA Cossatot
Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium. Both the Colts and the Lady Colts will open conference play at home on Saturday, January 8th, hosting South Arkansas Community College. Saturday’s action will tip-off at 2 pm in Lockesburg. Contact Head Coach Robert Byrd for free season pocket schedules at 870-584-1105 or rbyrd@cccua.edu. ###
Governor Hutchinson Talks Increasing Cases, Demand for At-Home Tests, and New CDC Guidelines
LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed the current demand for at-home COVID tests, new COVID guidelines from the CDC, and increasing case numbers.
COVID-19
Governor Hutchinson announced today with the addition of 4,978 new cases that Arkansas had the largest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began.
He noted that the positivity rate was at 19.7 percent which is also the highest number reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
To proactively address testing needs Governor Hutchinson has directed the Department of Health to acquire 1.5 million rapid at-home tests to be available for free to Arkansans. The test will be available at public local libraries, public health units, and other locations. The National Guard will be helping in the delivery of these at-home tests.
Governor Hutchinson said that the cost of these tests will be around $10 million and will be covered by existing funds available in the COVID response budget.
"If we can utilize our rapid tests in a more efficient manner across the state that will be a benefit in early detection, early action, and also relieving some of the burdens on our health care workers," Governor Hutchinson said.
Governor Hutchinson addressed the upcoming New Year's Eve holiday and noted that he will be celebrating with friends who are vaccinated and recommends that others celebrating should do the same.
"I'm not canceling everything in life, but I'm also mindful of omicron," Governor Hutchinson said. "I encourage everyone to be around vaccinated people, if they aren't vaccinated everyone should wear a mask and they should socially distance."
Schools
Governor Hutchinson said that Arkansas is committed to in-class instruction. He noted that it is important for students to pursue education for their future and their mental health.
He said that schools should do what each district thinks is important for the safety of the school environment. He said masks are an option depending on what the district decides.
CDC Guidelines
Governor Hutchinson noted that Arkansas has adopted the new CDC guidelines that determine the best course of action for those with COVID or exposed to COVID.
Regardless of vaccination status, if you test positive for COVID:
- Stay at home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID and you have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID and you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home
"This is a significant change that will allow our workers to get back to work quicker, with the right precautions, and allow us to do what is necessary in society," Governor Hutchinson said.
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Overcoming a Year of Challenges
LITTLE ROCK – As we close out another tough year, I’d like to praise the 3 million people who call Arkansas home. Arkansans always are the first to arrive, they give all they have, and they don’t leave until the job is done. During this last year, Arkansas has had its share of challenges, and we have faced each one with determination and compassion.
This year, thousands of people have been stepping up as we continue to navigate the pandemic: first responders, health care professionals, educators, business owners, and volunteers who sewed masks and distributed them out of their homes.
And then in February, we had one of the snowiest months in our history. The entire population of Pea Ridge lost natural gas. Gurdon’s twenty-one inches of snow was the most in the state, and in Little Rock, the fifteen inches tied a 103-year-old record. Just as you would expect, Arkansans complied with the requests from utility companies to reduce consumption of natural gas and electricity. Crews spent a week away from home, working in the cold to clear roads. Power company linemen tromped through snowy woods and climbed ice-covered poles to restore electricity. Police officers rescued drivers and worked dozens of accidents on slick roads.
And then came the tornadoes this last month. Three weeks ago, I visited communities where tornadoes had destroyed homes, businesses, and a nursing home. In Monette, the nursing home staff stood between windows and their residents. Some used mattresses to protect them. In Trumann, volunteers ran out of room for storing donations.
As I toured the towns, we addressed practical matters to ensure they had food, water, and a place to shelter. But mostly I listened. They’ve lost homes. They’ve lost memories. They expressed heartache, and it was important for me to hear their story. There’s heartache today. There’s going to be heartache a month from now, but they will rebuild.
Before Christmas, the president had approved my request for a federal disaster declaration in the counties where the tornadoes struck, and I am grateful for his quick response and for the financial assistance this will mean for the individual homeowners who lost so much.
In every crisis our state has endured, Arkansans have set aside their convenience and personal comfort to help. The disasters that strike our state don’t define us. We have defined ourselves as compassionate and generous in the midst of challenge.
Trucking groups applaud White House plan to address industry labor issues
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
Trucking industry groups support a new White House program addressing the ongoing workforce challenges in the industry that have worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Thursday (Dec. 16) news release.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced Thursday a Trucking Action Plan that includes four strategies to strengthen the industry workforce. The program comprises a 90-day apprenticeship program for employers, accelerates the issuance of commercial driver licenses (CDLs), identifies states with CDL roadblocks, and focuses on recruiting, training and retaining drivers from underrepresented communities.
“We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has not only recognized the importance of adding new and well-trained Americans to the trucking workforce but has announced a path forward with what we believe will become a robust training opportunity for future commercial truck drivers,” said Bill Sullivan, executive vice president of advocacy for trade group American Trucking Associations (ATA).
Arkansas airports to receive $23 million in first round of funding from new infrastructure law
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday (Dec. 16) it will award $2.89 billion in fiscal 2022 to 3,075 U.S. airports as a result of the new infrastructure law. In Arkansas, $23.35 million will go to 65 commercial, county and municipal airports.
The law provides $15 billion over five years for airport-related projects under the existing Airport Improvement Grant and Passenger Facility Charge programs. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability, terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.
In Arkansas, the largest amounts awarded in the first round of airport funding from the law will go to the three largest commercial airports in the state:
Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, $4.89 million
Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Highfill, $4.46 million
Fort Smith Regional Airport, $1.27 million.
Governor Hutchinson tours tornado-ravaged Trumann
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
State officials hope to have preliminary tornado damage estimates in Northeast Arkansas done by Friday (Dec. 17) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Gov. Asa Hutchinson toured hard-hit Trumann on Thursday (Dec. 16) and said the uninsured damage levels have to reach at least $5 million for FEMA aid to kick in.
To receive a federal disaster declaration which would prompt FEMA aid, the damage has to be uninsured losses that in totality reach that threshold. The governor said he thinks it will be met and he expects many of the homes in the region to be declared total losses.
Hutchinson has spoken with President Joe Biden and the president told him the federal government will move swiftly to provide public and private aid if the threshold is reached.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/12/gov-hutchinson-tours-tornado-ravaged-trumann/
Current Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 46
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 48
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 13
Pilgrim's in De Queen and Nashville Accepting Clothes and Toy Donations for Mayfield Tornado Victims Until Friday at Noon
UAMS Neurosurgeon’s Study on Breakthrough Treatment for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Published in Diabetes Care
By Linda Satter
Results of a 12-month multicenter randomized clinical trial led by Erika Petersen, M.D., a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), were published online Nov. 29 in Diabetes Care, highlighting the benefits of a breakthrough treatment for patients with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).
Petersen, director of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at UAMS, was the lead investigator in the study that involved 216 patients at 18 centers in the United States. Johnathan Goree, M.D., an associate professor in the UAMS Department of Anesthesiology and director of the Chronic Pain Division, is a co-investigator on the study.
The study, for which UAMS began enrolling participants in 2018, examined results of high-frequency spinal cord stimulation therapy for patients with PDN, a chronic neurological condition that manifests as burning, excruciating, stabbing or intractable pain, or tingling or numbness. Specifically, the study compared the 10 kHz treatment plus conventional medical management to results of the conventional treatment alone, and found that the high-frequency therapy results in significant pain relief and neurological improvements in patients with persistent PDN.
Anthony Young hired as president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
Southern Bancorp Community Partners has hired Anthony Young as its next president. Young succeeds Dr. Karama Neal, who in Spring of 2021 was appointed Administrator for Rural Business-Cooperative Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture by the Biden-Harris administration.
“To lead our dynamic, growing CDFI loan fund, we sought out a dynamic leader,” said Donna Gambrell, SBCP Board Chair and Former CDFI Fund Director. “I’m excited to say that we found that in Anthony Young. His experience and energetic approach to increasing access to capital will be an outstanding foundation for leading our organization into a greater era of growth and impact.”
A Louisville, Mississippi native, Young most recently served as the director of Capital Programs for Epicenter, a nonprofit organization focused on growing and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Memphis area. In that role, he connected entrepreneurs to a variety of capital types and helped ensure equitable access to capital across the community. Prior to that role, he served as the Economic Development Director at River City Capital, a CDFI loan fund focused on providing access to capital in underserved communities in and around Memphis.
Researchers find ways to better cool chickens and conserve water
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station continued decades of research in 2021 to fine tune a method of direct-cooling chickens with low-pressure sprinklers in tandem with traditional cool-cell pad systems and ventilation fans. The system creates a drier environment and conserves water.
“The 2021 trial aimed to determine the effect of sprinkler technology in combination with cool cell systems on achieving broiler performance during hot weather,” said Yi Liang, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering and faculty with the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Chickens are big business in the Natural State. Arkansas ranks second in broiler production with 7.42 billion pounds produced with a value of $3.6 billion in 2019, according to the USDA. The broiler industry generated $28.3 billion in the U.S. during 2019.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/12/researchers-find-ways-to-better-cool-chickens-and-conserve-water/
