Jacqueline Froelich of KUAF
A state-wide citizens' petition initiative to place an Arkansas constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults on the November ballot is well underway. The “Responsible Growth Arkansas” campaign ends July 8th.
J. Froelich
Contract canvasser, Jeff Hollis, right, and Ellis Hairston, a verified Arkansas coordinator prepare to collect petition signatures on the Fayetteville Square to legalize recreational marijuana.
KUAR | By Ronak Patel
Arkansas lawmakers are raising concerns about student achievement and test performance. During the joint House and Senate education committee meeting Tuesday, legislators were presented ACT scores with some lawmakers arguing the test scores should be higher.
According to the Arkansas Department of Education, the average composite score on the ACT is 19, while the national average is 20. State Sen. Missy Irvin, a Republican from Mountain View and chairwoman of the committee, said there is some optimism in the state’s average since it is near the national level.
Secretary of Education Johnny Key said there were multiple factors in the average score being behind the national average.
Arkansas Legislature Website/
Secretary of Education Johnny Key shared concerns on Tuesday about a teacher shortage with lawmakers. He said the shortage could limit the amount of advanced placement courses offered.
by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)
The Denver Broncos have confirmed new ownership is on the way, and there are ties to Arkansas.
In a news release late Tuesday night (June 7), the NFL franchise said a purchase and sale agreement is in place to transfer ownership from the Pat Bowlen Trust to a bid submitted by Rob Walton, the oldest son of Walmart founders Sam and Helen Walton.
The bid is reportedly worth $4.65 billion, the most expensive sale of a sports franchise in North American history, according to multiple media reports. The Broncos did not include the price in the team’s official release.
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
North Little Rock-based fintech Gas Pos and AMS Technologies of Oceanside, N.Y., have partnered to open portable, aboveground gas stations (PAGS) across the United States that can open more quickly and at a lower cost than stations with underground storage tanks.
Joshua Smith, CEO of Gas Pos, said only one portable aboveground gas station is open in the United States, and Gas Pos provides the point-of-sale technology for it. The companies are working to receive approval to open the gas stations in 22 states. Five Arkansas locations are in the works, including in Little Rock, Bryant, Searcy and Hot Springs, according to a Wednesday (June 8) press release from the companies.
The systems are manufactured at three facilities domestically and internationally in Mexico and China. Components are sourced in the United States for the portable, above ground gas stations (PAGS). Gas Pos has about 50 employees.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/gas-pos-ams-to-open-portable-gas-stations-in-22-states/
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
Existing heavy-duty electric vehicles can be used to complete about half of regional hauls, especially for routes of no more than 100 miles, a recent report shows. Still, the emissions reductions attributed to electric vehicles don’t look to be as significant when considering the full vehicle life cycle.
According to the report by North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), existing technology is not available to replace every heavy-duty diesel truck with battery electric vehicles, but it is available for vehicles on regional routes of less than 200 miles per day, including those hauling heavy loads.
However, even with compliance with one of the strictest electrification regulations in the United States, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation in California, this likely won’t be enough to offset the projected rise in emissions based on the expected increase in freight demand in the coming decades, according to a report by RMI. Truck emissions have nearly doubled over the past 30 years and have continued to increase as the industry expands to accommodate a growing economy and a rise in e-commerce.
by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)
Electric vehicles registered in Arkansas are up 43% in the first five months of 2022 from the end of 2021, with Benton, Pulaski and Washington counties home to 57% of those, according to info from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
The number of fully electric vehicles in Arkansas as of Jan. 1 was 2,094, with 2,997 at the end of May, noted info from DFA spokesman Scott Hardin, who said more would be on the road if supply matched demand.
Between the end of 2019 and the end of May 2022, the number of fully electric vehicles registered in Arkansas has risen 283.7%.
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
Nearly 20 Arkansas airports will receive $9.99 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of recently announced grants from the Airport Improvement Program.
The agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday (June 7) awarding $518 million in the second round of the 2022 Airport Improvement Program. The awards include 416 grants to U.S. airports for projects such as construction of new and improved airport facilities, repairs to runways and taxiways, maintenance of airfield features like lighting or signs and purchasing equipment needed to operate and maintain airports.
The first round of funding was announced this past December.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/faa-to-give-almost-10-million-to-arkansas-airports/
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
U.S. energy prices are expected to remain high through 2023 as a result of economic recovery and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA released Tuesday (June 7) the June Short-Term Energy Outlook that shows the prices of oil, natural gas, coal and electricity will remain high through next year.
The share of renewables in U.S. electricity generation is expected to rise as a result of the high prices of natural gas and coal. Renewables are largely expected to offset the decline in coal’s share. Wind and solar generation are projected to account for more than 11% of U.S. electricity generation this summer, up from less than 10% in summer 2021. The natural gas share is projected to fall over the next two years but at a slower rate than coal.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/eia-says-to-expect-historically-high-energy-prices-through-2023/
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is sending an important warning for parents to take time to monitor their child’s internet usage and social media accounts. Social media sites are a valuable resource for learning and connecting with others, but these platforms also enable bullying, anonymous messaging and exploitation of children by criminals.
“While technology can be an invaluable resource for learning, it can also expose your child to criminal or inappropriate activity,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “It is important we all take the necessary steps to protect our most precious Arkansans from those who want to do them harm.”
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge urges parents to familiarize themselves with these phone apps that may make children vulnerable to dangers online:
Bumble – Bumble is a popular dating app that requires women to make the first contact. It is common for minors to use this app and falsify their age.
Chatous – Chatous is a messaging app that allows users to chat and share images. This app makes it easy for predators to engage in age-inappropriate conversations with potential victims.
Discord – Discord is a voice and text chat tool that allows gamers to communicate in real time. Users can chat, add friends one-on-one or in larger groups. This app discusses content geared towards adults, but allows users as young as 13.
Grindr – Grindr is a dating app for LGBTQ adults, not children. The app gives users options to chat, share photos and meet with people based on a smartphone’s GPS location.
Houseparty – Houseparty is a group video chat app that allows users to communicate via live video chats and texts. There is no screening, and the video is live. Users can also communicate with people they do not know.
Live.Me – Live.Me allows users to livestream videos using geo-location to share the videos so other users can find the broadcaster’s exact location. Users can earn “coins” to “pay” minors for photos.
Monkey – Monkey is an app that allows users as young as 12 to chat with people all over the world during a brief introductory call, then users are given the chance to add each other on Snapchat.
Phony Calculator App– Most phones have a calculator. However there are many third party calculator apps that actually serve as a “vault” where the user can hide photos, videos, files and even browser history data.
Snapchat – Snapchat is a photo & video sharing app that promises users their photo or video will disappear even though it does not. Snapchat stories allow users to view content for up to 24 hours and share their location.
TikTok – TikTok is a popular app among kids that is used to create and share short videos with limited privacy controls. Users are vulnerable to explicit content and cyberbullying.
Tinder – Tinder is a dating app that allows users to “swipe right” to like someone and “swipe left” to pass. Users can falsify their age, share photos, message, and meet.
Tumblr – Tumblr is a blogging app and website that allows users as young as 13 to create an account. There are very few privacy settings and pornography is easy to find. Most posts are public and cannot be made private.
WhatsApp – WhatsApp is a popular messaging app allowing users to text, send photos, make calls and leave voicemails worldwide.
Whisper – Whisper is a social network that allows users to share secrets anonymously and it reveals the users’ location so strangers can meet.
Yik Yak – Yik Yak is a social media app that allows an individual to anonymously chat with other app users within a 5-mile radius. Due to its anonymous nature, bullying, sexually explicit or other graphic content is often encountered on the platform.
YouTube – YouTube is a video sharing app that may not be age appropriate for kids. Inappropriate content can be found using innocent search terms, but with parental controls this can be avoided.
Yubo – Yubo is a social media app that allows users as young as 13 to create a profile, share their location, view other users’ profiles in their area and view livestreams. Substance abuse, profanity, racial slurs and scantily clad people are common.
Parents should follow the following tips to monitor their child’s online activity:
Talk to children about sexual victimization and the potential of online danger.
Keep the computer or laptop in a common room of the house, not in a child’s bedroom.
Utilize parental controls available from internet service providers or use blocking software.
Always maintain access to a child’s online account and monitor text, email and other message inboxes.
Teach children the responsible use of online resources.
Familiarize yourself with computer safeguards being utilized at school, the library and at friends’ homes.
Never automatically assume that what a child is told online is true.
Control which apps your child downloads by following these steps
Arkansans can report child exploitation by calling the National CyberTipline at (800) 843-5678, or visit CyberTipline.com. In the event of an emergency, dial 911, or call local law enforcement.
By Kev' Moye
Austin Porter, DrPH, MPH, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, has tirelessly worked to help Arkansas’ minority communities get pertinent information about COVID-19.
For his dedication, the Arkansas Minority Health Commission honored Porter with the Governor’s Health Policy award during its 2022 Biennial Health Summit.
The awardee is chosen by the governor and reflects someone who has had a tremendous impact on the health and healthcare of minority Arkansans through public policy.
KUAR | By Ronak Patel
The State Board of Finance on Friday unanimously approved increasing the rate paid to cover the cost of Arkansas state employee health insurance premiums. Currently, the state provides coverage for about 160,000 state and public school employees along with retirees and their families.
Jake Bleed, director of the Employee Benefits Division, told board members during a hearing that the state paying 65% of the cost of health insurance premiums is not enough.
According to a memo from the Employee Benefits Division, if Arkansas keeps the rate at 65%, the state’s health insurance plan for public school employees will begin deficit spending by 2025 and run out of its reserves by 2028.
Ronak Patel/KUAR News
Jake Bleed, director of the Employee Benefits Division (center), explains to the State Finance Board the issues with the employee health insurance plan.
KUAR | By Michael Hibblen, Josie Lenora
Arkansas reported the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 surpassed 100 for the first time in about two months.
While the number of patients declined by eight on Friday to 97, a physician who has helped lead the response to the pandemic at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences says the number of new infections suggests there will be more people needing treatment in the immediate future.
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 712 new cases on Friday, which was the largest since March 21 when there were 781 cases. The second-highest increase was on Thursday, when 635 cases were reported.
Michael Hibblen/KUAR News
Dr. Robert Hopkins, seen here at a UAMS drive-thru COVID-19 testing location on July 23, 2020, said Friday he is concerned about the growing number of new infections which will likely lead to a further resurgence in hospitalizations.
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
With all key tax categories showing year-over-year gains through 11 months of Arkansas’ fiscal year, state officials project a fiscal-year end budget surplus of $1.473 billion, according to Thursday’s (June 2) revenue report from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
The fiscal year-to-date revenue is $7.876 billion, up 8.5% compared with the same period in 2021 and up 0.1% above a forecast that was revised May 18.
Individual income tax revenue in the first 11 fiscal months was $3.832 billion, up 5.3% from the same period in the previous fiscal year, and 0.1% above the revised budget estimate. Sales and use tax revenue, an indicator of consumer spending, was $2.868 billion in the first 11 months, up 9.2% compared with the previous fiscal year and $1.3 million above the revised budget forecast.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/arkansas-officials-estimate-budget-surplus-to-reach-1-473-billion/
by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)
Arkansas has a good problem to have: What should it do with $842 million in federal funds sitting in the bank? That amount – actually $841,965,067.52 – is what’s left of money coming from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
It provided $195 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The act also provided $130 billion for local governments.
Arkansas has received two tranches each of $786,560,790.40. The second arrived May 19. The first came in June 2021. So far, $55.4 million has not been allocated from the first tranche. The money was transferred to the Arkansas ARP Steering Committee Holding Fund. States have until the end of 2024 to obligate the money, and until the end of 2026 to actually spend it.
https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/arkansas-receives-second-786-6-million-now-where-to-spend/
LITTLE ROCK – As our nation mourns the death of nineteen students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, the national conversation has turned again to the need to make our schools more secure.
In Arkansas, educators and legislators have long recognized the need for vigilance to keep our children safe. Concern for the safety of our students didn’t suddenly become a priority last week because of the violence in Texas. Four years ago, after a young man killed seventeen students in Parkland, Florida, I created the Arkansas School Safety Commission to assess the state of school security. The commission submitted a 124-page report with thirty significant recommendations. The work of the Commission hasn't sat on a shelf. In fact, most of the recommendations have been adopted, or we are working toward implementing them.
But we need to do more. The attack in Texas compels us to revisit the findings and to assess the effectiveness of any changes school districts have made. I have asked Dr. Cheryl May, director of the School Safety Center and the Criminal Justice Institute and who was chair of the commission, to call the members back to follow up on their work to ensure that we are doing all we can.
I am considering calling a special session this summer, and if we have one, I will recommend a grant program to help fund the schools’ efforts to improve security.
There are many ways to harden the security of schools. We can invest in security guards, police officers, and school resource officers. We need to control and secure points of entry into a school. And we need to design schools with security as a top priority.
One area of concern is the mental health of students, which is part of the Arkansas Commission’s report. In 2019, the General Assembly responded by passing Act 190, which reduced the administrative duties of school counselors to 10 percent of their time and requires them to spend 90 percent of their time in direct counseling with students. This emphasis on students increases the likelihood that counselors will identify students who are struggling with emotional or mental-health issues.
Other laws that came out of the commission’s work included Act 629, which allows school districts to form their own police departments, and other enactments which focus on comprehensive school safety audits, emergency operation plans, lockdown drills, and require Youth Mental Health First Aid for school counselors.
U.S. senators and representatives are discussing the issue in Washington. Congress certainly has a role in this ongoing conversation and can be helpful, but ultimately, each state and school district must decide locally how to protect students.
There are common sense ways to predict these tragic events, and we must work together to do everything in our collective power to protect our most vulnerable Americans – our children.
The matter of safe schools doesn’t belong to Republicans or Democrats. Each of us has a responsibility to see that schools are among the safest place for our children and educators. Americans in each political party and at all levels of government must work together to ensure that our students and teachers return home after the final bell rings at the end of the day.
The school year is winding down, and many Arkansans are making summer vacation plans. Whether it is a trip to the beach, somewhere abroad, or one of Arkansas’s many lakes or state parks, Arkansans should keep a watchful eye to avoid falling victim to a vacation scam. Scam artists are using the internet, including online advertising and social media, to pitch free or deeply discounted travel deals.
Many scammers will attempt to convince you that your friends and family members are taking advantage of this offer and you should too. Meanwhile, other scammers include being offered vacation rentals that look too good to be true. Travelers make the reservation and show up at the home or condo, only to find it was never up for rent and a scam artist stole photos and listing information to trick you out of hard earned cash. While it is possible to find a good travel deal or even win a vacation, you must stay mindful of the fact that there are bad actors seeking to ruin your fun by taking your money.
“Scam artists will stop at nothing to take advantage of hard working Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to steal your money, but one thing never changes; if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.”
Attorney General Rutledge released the following list of common scams vacationers could encounter:
Third-party Booking Scam: If you book your airfare, hotel, rental car, or other travel through a third party website, use caution. After booking, scammers call consumers directly to verify personal financial information—something a legitimate company would never do.
Ticket Sale Scam: Summertime is full of festivals and concerts that often sell out. Scammers take advantage of this and list tickets for sale at a discounted price. Consumers don’t find out until trying to attend the event that the tickets are fake.
Gasoline Scam: Scammers approach with a convincing story that they ran out of gas and money. They claim to only need $40 to fill up the tank and may even offer to mail a check to repay you. The likelihood that the repayment will be received is slim. Either refuse to give the scammers money or pay for their fuel at the nearest service station to ensure the money is spent as intended.
Rideshare Service Scam: Uber or Lyft drivers approach, and mention that a passenger just canceled a trip, leaving them available for a trip, but they must be paid in cash. Often, these drivers do not even work for a legitimate rideshare company. Similarly, any drivers who claim an “outage” is preventing them from accepting payment via the Uber or Lyft system is a red flag. Cashless travel is one of the main perks of using a rideshare company.
Fake Front Desk Phone Call Scam: Scam artists call hotel rooms directly, often in the middle of the night.. They say there has been a computer glitch and they need to verify your credit card information. Hang up immediately and contact the front desk to verify the call.
Some helpful travel tips include:
Put a travel alert on your debit or credit card to prevent issues or scams while out of town.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card because there are more protections available and it may be easier to dispute versus losing access to the cash in your bank account.
Use social media with care—don’t post while you’re out of town. You might be inviting a criminal into your empty house.
Withdraw cash from an ATM at a financial institution versus a standalone ATM to prevent your card information from being stolen.
For more information on safe summer travel and other consumer-related issues or to file a consumer complaint, visit ArkansasAG.gov or contact the Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or consumer@arkansasag.gov.
