UA Cossatot Chancellor Steve Cole shared information on the latest enrollment numbers, new educational programs, and collegiate sports added recently at UA Cossatot. Lion Cole introduced Justin Hinman, the new head soccer coach for the Colts and Lady Colts. The soccer program will begin this fall of 2023. Hinman discussed recruiting, scheduling, community involvement, and Samaritan Fields for the new season. The first match is scheduled for mid-August.
A system will be moving through the region on Wednesday which could bring a few strong storms to the area but the overall threat appears to be minimal. The greater concern may be the strong winds that will accompany the system outside of any thunderstorm activity.
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Woody ornamental plants that suffered damage from this winter’s single-digit temperatures and wind chills shouldn’t be pruned until spring growth begins, said Randy Forst, extension consumer horticulture educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
WINTER DAMAGE — Due to single-digit temperatures and wind chills reaching into the negatives, many woody ornamental plants in Arkansas — such as the gardenia pictured — suffered damage that may be difficult to spot until new growth begins in the spring. Randy Forst, extension consumer horticulture educator and Master Gardener program coordinator, said gardeners should wait to prune these plants until damage is more evident. (Division of Agriculture photo.)
“February is the month that we usually prune our woody ornamentals,” Forst said. “This year we will have to make an exception to that rule. Usually, woody ornamentals have time to gradually acclimate to winter temperatures, but that did not happen this past winter.”
Woody ornamental plants include gardenias, camellias, shade-loving hydrangeas, and witch hazel family members, the loropetalums and distyliums. Forst said the sapwood, or the young wood of the plant, and the cambium, the layer of the plant that produces new bark, suffered the most damage from the winter temperatures.
Beneath the cambium layer are two important parts of the plant’s vascular system — the phloem, which carries food from the leaves to different parts of the plant, and the xylem, which transports water and other minerals from the roots to the leaves.
“If the nutrient and water transport system is damaged, the true damage to the plant may not be evident until new growth begins the following spring,” Forst said.
Symptoms of winter damage injury can appear as tip and branch dieback – or the progressive death of twigs or branches, starting at the tips – bark splitting, sun-scalding, leaf browning or defoliation.
“Winter damage can also be attributed to secondary issues, such as the branches leafing out normally and then suddenly dying for no obvious reason,” Forst said. “After the damaged plants break dormancy in the spring, you will have a better understanding of what needs to be pruned and how low to go.”
To help minimize winter injury in the future, Forst said he suggested selecting native plants, maintaining adequate soil moisture in the root ball area before the ground freezes, and avoiding late summer or early fall fertilization. “This is the wrong time to encourage new growth,” he said.
Forst also suggested matching plants to their site, avoiding planting broadleaf evergreens in open, windy locations. Mulching the plant will also help conserve moisture and help insulate the root ball.
Forst is also coordinator of the Arkansas Master Gardener program. For more information, contact Forst at rforst@uada.edu, or check out Forst’s blog The Arkansas Garden and follow along on Instagram @TheArkansasGarden.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
BATESVILLE, Ark. — Homesteading appeals to those who seek self-reliance and self-sufficiency, so what better place to host a homesteading conference than in Independence County?
HOMESTEADING — Independence County will hosts its first homesteading conference on March 1. U of A Division of Agriculture graphic
The Independence County Extension Office will host the first “Homesteading with Independence” conference on March 1, with experts from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture sharing their expertise in bees, backyard poultry, small ruminants, gardening, food preservation and more.
The event will run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Independence County Library, 267 E. Main St. in Batesville. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and workshops begin at 9:30 a.m. Space is limited to 75 people, and registration is required. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.
“This is our first year to have this conference,” said Julian Carpenter, family and consumer science agent with the Independence County Extension Office, part of the Division of Agriculture. “We have noticed people are becoming interested in learning how to be more self-reliant, and we want to provide the research-based education they may need.”
Experts will offer the following sessions:
Are Bees Right for Me? — Jon Zawislak, extension apiary specialist and assistant professor in urban entomology, Division of Agriculture
Backyard Poultry — Dustan Clark, extension poultry veterinarian and director of John Tyson Center for Excellence in Poultry Science, Division of Agriculture
Small Ruminant Production — Dan Quadros, extension small ruminant specialist, Division of Agriculture
Soil Health — Bill Robertson, retired extension cotton agronomist, now agronomist with CWC Farm
Food Preservation — Julian Carpenter, Independence County extension agent, Division of Agriculture
Growing Your Garden — Michelle Mobley, Independence County extension agent, Division of Agriculture
Choosing Your Enterprise — Carey Robertson, adjunct agriculture instructor, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
For more information and to register, contact the Independence County Extension office at 870-793-8840.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Feb. 20, 2023
STUTTGART, Ark. — Two irrigation schools covering surge valves and soil sensor use are scheduled for Feb. 24 and March 3, according to Chris Henry, professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“Last year’s drought is a good reason for farmers to step up their irrigation game,” Henry said. “Using surge valves and soil moisture sensors will help farmers conserve water and be ready to use the water when and where it’s needed most.
IRRIGATION SCHOOLS — Two schools planned to help farmers manage irrigation more efficiently.
The sessions will cover how surge valve functions and how to use them to improve irrigation. Participants also will learn how to properly program and design a computerized hole selection plan using Pipe Planner or surge irrigation. The second half of the school is practical application, where participants will program valves for different conditions.
“The soil moisture school provides an understanding of how the sensors work and how to use them to schedule irrigation,” Henry said.
Registration ends two days before each school. There is no cost to attend, but there is an option to purchase four sensors, a reader and a slide hammer: or just the four sensors. Space will be limited to 20 participants with a minimum of 10 required to hold the school. Walk-ins will be accepted if there is room.
The Feb. 24 session will be held at the Lon Mann Cotton Station, 3121 Highway 1 South in Marianna. To register contact the Lee, Monroe, Phillips or St. Francis county extension offices, or Robert Goodson at 870-995-4505 or Extension Irrigation Program Associate Russ Parker at 870-636-1329.
The March 3 session will be held at the Jackson County Extension Center, 649 Jackson 917, Newport. Contact the Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Poinsett and Woodruff county offices or Parker at 870-636-1329.
The agenda for each school:
9 a.m. — Surge school begins
9:45 a.m. — Hands-on surge controller work
11 a.m. — Soil sensor school begins
Noon — Lunch provided
1 p.m. — Hands-on work with soil moisture sensors
2:30 pm. — Soil sensor installation
3 p.m. — Adjourn
Henry and Parker will be instructors for both sessions.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
By Andrew Vogler
LITTLE ROCK — Jim Wallis, former president and CEO of ExOK Inc., pledged $102,948 towards the Joseph H. Bates III, M.D., M.S., Chair in Academic Public Health Practice at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Wallis’ gift helped elevate the professorship to a fully endowed chair.
UAMS created the professorship in 2017 to recognize the accomplishments of Joseph H. Bates, M.D., M.S., and his dedication to public health in Arkansas, Wallis’ gift will expand the impact of the Dr. Bates’ significant work and legacy.
The chair’s work stems from the need for physicians to be educated in the discipline of public health to enable them to assume leadership roles in academic public health practice. The chair will support the teaching, research, service and other activities of an academic public health practice leader in the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health in furtherance of developing a model of public health practice.
KUAR | By Josie Lenora
A bill advanced by the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee Monday could criminalize library employees who “distribute obscene materials,” and require schools to create a committee to review challenged books.
Contrary to state law, Senate Bill 81 would also allow parents to look at their children's book checkout history. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, the bill’s sponsor, said he felt it was a common-sense measure.
“We don't let kids smoke we don't let kids drink, we don't let them drive,” he said. “This book seeks to add library material that's inappropriate to that list of things.”
Chris Hickey/KUAR News
A bill advanced by a legislative committee Monday could put criminal penalties on librarians in Arkansas who provide "obscene" materials.
KUAR | By Daniel Breen
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she supports a new bill which would allow courts to sentence certain drug dealers to life in prison for causing an overdose death.
Sanders made the announcement Friday alongside Attorney General Tim Griffin and Senate Bill 283's Republican co-sponsors, Sen. Ben Gilmore, R-Crossett, and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould. The governor said the enhanced sentences are necessary due to a nationwide spike in drug overdoses brought on largely by the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
“Arkansas will charge drug dealers with murder if they deliver drugs that cause an overdose. For the most heinous drug dealers, those who traffic fentanyl to children, we will charge them with life in prison. And for anyone caught trafficking fentanyl… Arkansas will put you in jail for 25 to 60 years and impose a mandatory $1 million fine,” Sanders said.
Daniel Breen/KUAR News
(From left) Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, Attorney General Tim Griffin and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speak to reporters at the Arkansas State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
KUAR | By Steve Brawner / Talk Business & Politics
The state of Arkansas has filed suit against the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency after the EPA rejected Arkansas’ submission for complying with a rule pertaining to ozone emissions affecting other states.
The lawsuit was announced Thursday (Feb. 16) by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin.
The EPA’s disapproval was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 13. The agency disapproved State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions for 19 states for the 2015 rule regarding ozone national ambient air quality standards. State plans for Tennessee and Wyoming were partially disapproved.
Wil Chandler/Arkansas Business
The White Bluff coal-fired power plant in Redfield, Ark. is seen in this file photo.
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
State senators moved two controversial bills forward in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday (Feb. 20).
SB 199, by Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, creates a “private right of action” allowing people to sue individual healthcare providers after receiving transgender medical treatment if they can prove “injury.” The bill was amended to shorten the period of time for a civil action to be filed from 30 years to 15 years. Senate Judiciary members, who have previously approved the bill, moved it forward again to the full Senate.
The majority of the committee’s time was spent debating SB 81, by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro. His bill would create a system for local oversight of materials available at public and school libraries. On Monday, Sullivan amended his bill to remove language that he said would clarify if someone intentionally violated a decision made by a review board.
https://talkbusiness.net/2023/02/controversial-bills-move-forward-in-legislature/
by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS Act was filed late Monday (Feb. 20) with enough sponsors to ensure passage.
The 144-page Senate Bill 294 by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, has 24 co-sponsors along with Davis in the 35-member Senate and 55 co-sponsors in the 100-member House of Representatives. All the sponsors are Republicans. You can read the bill here.
It will be considered Wednesday (Feb. 22) in the Senate Education Committee.
by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)
Retailers seem to agree that one sector that’s ripe for disruption is healthcare. Multiple companies are making moves to fill the gaps they see by investing in providing health and wellness services for their customers.
Scott Benedict, an executive at Rogers marketing agency WhyteSpyder, said healthcare is another battleground for retailers given the continued state of disarray in the sector. He said healthcare services are traffic drivers and also a way for retailers to provide solutions that their customers need and appreciate.
“There is a halo effect that can result from the pharmacy and health and wellness services provided by retailers,” Benedict said. “It can take time to profit from these services themselves, but with the customer loyalty you can build and trip occurrence, you can add to the profits and eventually support an extra revenue stream.”
https://talkbusiness.net/2023/02/the-supply-side-more-retailers-focusing-on-healthcare-in-2023/
More than 70 bills have been signed into law since the 2023 Regular Session began and several more are now making their way to the Governor’s desk.
In the 6th week of the session, the House passed bills addressing mental health access, payment to our county jails, teacher retirement, and voter input on tax measures.
On Thursday, the House passed HB1181. This bill seeks to address a shortage of mental health professionals in the state by establishing the Counseling Compact in Arkansas. The compact allows professional counselors licensed and residing in compact member states to practice in other member states without the need for multiple licenses.
That same day the House passed SB 72. This bill requires the Division of Correction to begin paying reimbursements to county jails for holding state inmates from the day the inmate is sentenced. Currently, reimbursements can start after the division receives commitment orders.
Earlier this week, the House passed SB116. This bill would allow a classroom teacher that leaves active employment for a period of time and then returns back to employment, to purchase the gap years at actuarial cost with the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. The purpose of this bill is to encourage experienced teachers to return to the classroom.
The House also passed HB1027. This bill would require voter approval for any new advertising and promotion tax or any increase of existing advertising and promotion tax. Currently, this tax can be levied by county quorum courts.
Other bills passing the House this week include the following:
HB1006-This bill states that an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions for employees shall provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to eligible employees.
HB1334-This bill creates the Restroom Access Act. It requires retail establishments to allow access to employee restrooms for customers with certain medical conditions.
HB1325-This bill states that if a county board of election commissioners decides to hold early voting at an additional polling site, the hours the additional early voting polling site is open shall be the same hours as the county clerk's designated early voting location.
HB1307-This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to divest certain investments if financial providers discriminate against energy companies, firearms entities, or otherwise refuse to deal based on environmental, social justice, and other governance-related factors.
The House will begin the 7th week of the session on Monday, February 20.
The Sevier County Extension Office will be offering ServSafe Manager Training in English on March 20th and Test will be on March 23rd from 9-12 in the Adams Building on UA Cossatot campus.. The class will be from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. on the 20th.
Registration deadline is March 10th. If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact the Sevier County Extension Office at 870-584-3013 or stop by our office located on the UA Cossatot campus in Adams Building in De Queen. You can also email me, Janet Cantrell at jcantrell@uaex.edu for more information. Please make checks payable to Sevier County Extension.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2023
CONTACT: Loren Hinton, Community Relations Coordinator
UA Cossatot Chosen To Receive US Department Of Labor Grant Of Nearly $1.6 Million
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $50 million in grants to help 15 community colleges in 14 states expand access to education and training for good-paying jobs and equitably meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs.
The funding announced today – together with the $45 million awarded in September 2022 – is a combined investment of $95 million since 2022 in the community college system from the Department of Labor under the Biden-Harris administration, allowing 28 community colleges in 24 states to provide career pathways for participants to train in healthcare, teaching, clean energy and other key industries.
In January 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that full-time college graduates earn almost twice as much each week as workers with high school diplomas. For people in marginalized and underserved communities, a lack of access to education and training hinders career pathways and often worsens their economic disparities.
“Community colleges offer accessibility and affordability that make them great options for people in marginalized and underrepresented communities to learn the skills needed to succeed in the workforce,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Combined with our September 2022 funding, today’s award will put $95 million to work to help community colleges in 24 states tailor their curriculum to respond to regional labor market needs, continue the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to investing in education programs that connect people to quality jobs, and create a more inclusive and equitable workforce.”
Upon the announcement of the grant, UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, "This grant will mean 1.6 million dollars to our college to aid us in our ongoing effort to help hard-to-reach students succeed in certain education and medical programs. This is fantastic news for our college and our area!"
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the third round of Strengthening Community Colleges training grants will enable recipients to increase educational and economic opportunities for people in underrepresented communities. Grants will provide opportunities to design and align education and training to respond to regional and state labor market needs through accelerated learning pathways.
In March 2022, the department announced funding availability for the second round of Strengthening Community College Training grants. A subsequent announcement – in June 2022 – made $50 million available for the round of funding awarded today.
Grant recipients include:
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
De Queen, AR $1,597,031
Los Angeles Community College District
Sylmar, CA$ 1,600,000
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO $4,989,434
College of Central Florida
Ocala, FL $4,732,384
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL $1,599,842
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA $4,999,094
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls, MN $4,201,050
County College of Morris
Randolph, NJ $1,600,000
Lorain County Community College District
Elyria, OH $5,000,000
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK $1,600,000
Northeastern Technical College
Cheraw, SC $4,900,636
Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood, SC $4,987,461
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX $1,598,762
Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA $1,599,530
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI $4,994,776
Myth: “Educational Freedom Accounts will hurt public education and close rural schools.”
FACT: Actually, the opposite is true. Research shows that Educational Freedom Accounts lead to better outcomes in traditional public schools. That’s because they empower parents of all incomes to customize their child’s education; if the local school district is the best option, it won’t lose any kids. Data from other states show that the large majority of families, when given the choice, continue to send their kids to traditional public schools and charter schools – but families deserve to have that choice.
Myth: “School choice programs give money to unaccountable private schools.”
FACT: Here in Arkansas, it’s not school choice; it’s parental empowerment. Ultimately, parents make the best decisions for their child and know when a school is right or wrong. Often that means sending kids to their local school district, but a child’s ZIP code shouldn’t be the only thing determining the type of education they receive. And any private school or student that opts into this program will be held accountable and required to participate in year-end assessments, just like students in traditional public schools.
Myth: “Critical Race Theory isn’t being taught anywhere in Arkansas.”
FACT: President Biden’s Department of Education is using nationwide guidelines and grant programs to force school districts to adopt key tenets of Critical Race Theory. That includes work from the “Abolitionist Teaching Network” and parts of the newly proposed “American History and Civics Education” priorities. The Governor’s Executive Order directed the Secretary to comb through those DOE materials to ensure Washington bureaucrats can’t bully Arkansas schools into teaching racist indoctrination. As Governor Sanders and Secretary Oliva have said, Arkansas will teach students how to think, not what to think.
Myth: “This gets rid of the teacher pay scale and discourages teachers from pursuing further education.”
FACT: This bill simply puts salary schedule decisions back in the hands of districts and won’t reduce any teacher’s pay one bit. The current statewide, one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t let administrators tailor their salary schedules to do what’s best for students.
Myth: “This will cost taxpayers far too much.”
FACT: This bill uses a mixture of existing state funds and federal grants to fund the price tag. In fact, Arkansas is still on track to enact another tax cut. And of course, quality education systems pay for themselves many times over in the long run. Every kid deserves the opportunity for a quality education that sets them up for a lifetime of success.
Myth: “This bill forces every kid to go to government-run pre-k.”
FACT: This bill does not mandate pre-k or government-run childcare. We simply want those programs to exist for the families who want and need them.
Myth: “Holding kids back won’t solve the problem and hurts low-income and minority children.”
FACT: When only 35% of Arkansas third graders can read at grade level, we are doing struggling kids a disservice by allowing them to go to 4th grade without the tools to be successful. This bill gives them the resources to succeed, including reading coaches, tutoring grants, improved pre-k, better learning measurements, and parental notification systems.
Myth: “Community service requirements hurt low-income kids who work to help their families”
FACT: Education isn’t just about what you learn in the classroom; it’s also about preparing the next generation to contribute positively to their community. In certain circumstances, this plan also allows waivers in cases of family illness, homelessness, or when a child contributes to their family’s income.
Myth: “Your School Safety Plan contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline”
FACT: Parents know that putting law enforcement in schools makes kids safer, no matter what the Defund the Police crowd claims. This School Safety Plan pulls directly from the Arkansas School Safety Commission’s expertly crafted recommendations and puts student safety over partisan politics.
Myth: “This bill mimics Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Bill and discriminates against sexual minorities.”
FACT: Most Americans agree that young children shouldn’t be exposed to obscene sexual content in the classroom. Clearly, you haven’t read Florida’s bill, and you have not read this one. This bill isn’t radical or discriminatory – it’s about protecting kids.
Myth: “This plan unfairly gives new teachers a bigger pay bump than veteran teachers.”
FACT: This plan gives districts enough money to raise every teacher’s pay. It’s up to administrators to take steps to retain their employees.
Myth: “Paid maternity leave will cost the taxpayers too much.”
FACT: Districts can either opt into this program – and cover half of the costs – or opt out. When teachers have to quit their job just to have a family, it hurts both school performance and the taxpayer.
Myth: “Without protection, teachers will be fired unjustly.”
FACT: Nothing in this plan denies teachers access to due process if they have been terminated. This simply allows districts to terminate teachers who do not perform up to reasonable standards.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Monday, February 13, 2023, the Governor signed into law:
HB1108, to modify the number of members of the Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board that constitutes a quorum and that may call a special meeting; and to authorize use of email for renewal notices.
HB1155, concerning the compliance of childcare facilities with local regulations when seeking licensure under the Childcare Facility Licensing Act.
HB1178, to reduce the hours of training required for licensure of a community paramedic.
HB1042, to enhance coverage of prostate cancer screenings by health benefit plans.
SB6, to create a lifetime certificate of license as a contractor.
HB1200, concerning an inactive member’s eligibility for free military service credit and ability to purchase military, contributory, and federal service credit in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
HB1251, to clarify that criminal background checks apply to all emergency medical services personnel; and to amend the criminal background check law to include offenses prosecuted in other states or by federal courts.
HB1098, to clarify that a volunteer fire department may operate a newborn safety device under certain conditions under the Safe Haven Act.
HB1144, to create a specialty court program for families involved in a dependency-neglect proceeding that are affected by substance use disorders or mental health disorders.
HB1127, to create the Rural Emergency Hospital Act; to authorize the licensure of rural emergency hospitals by the department of health; and to declare an emergency.
HB1250, to amend the prescription drug monitoring program advisory committee; and to amend the confidentiality of and the providing of information by the prescription drug monitoring program.
HB1267, to require a specific number of hours of dementia training for home caregivers.
HB1164, to amend the law concerning the correction of errors arising from the erroneous sale of lands of the state of Arkansas; and to amend the law concerning the duties of the commissioner of state lands.
HB1202, to amend the law concerning the multiplier used to calculate a life annuity under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
HB1199, to permit a refund of unused purchased service credit under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
HB1184, to amend the law concerning the membership status of certain members of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
HB1183, to amend and update provisions for outsourcing under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
SB115, to amend and update the law concerning survivor annuity benefits under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; and to declare an emergency.
SB84, an act for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Capitol Zoning District Commission appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
SB27, an act for the auditor of state – continuing education of local officials’ appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HB1060, an act for the office of the treasurer of state – general obligation bonds appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HB1061, an act to make an appropriation for state turnback for counties and municipalities by the office of the treasurer of state for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
HB1066, an act for the office of the treasurer of state – amendment 74 property tax appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HB1068, an act for the office of the treasurer of state – city-county tourist meeting and entertainment facilities assistance appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HB1069, an act for the office of the treasurer of state – refund of local taxes appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HB1070, an act for the office of the treasurer of state – assistance to local law enforcement and emergency medical appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
SB25, an act for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services – Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
HCR1001, to urge Congress to permanently extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
SCR3, designating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy awareness day to educate people about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Following Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ roundtable discussion on human trafficking in Arkansas, Sanders’ spokeswoman Alexa Henning released the following readout:
“Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders hosted a roundtable with business, non-profit, and public safety leaders, including Colonel Mike Hagar and Secretary Kristi Putnam, to discuss ways to eradicate human trafficking in Arkansas. She also signed an executive order creating a cross-cabinet team that will develop a whole-of-government approach to prevent human trafficking, emphasizing the ways government employees can be trained to identify and report victims of human trafficking. The leaders expressed their gratitude for this important first step, and Governor Sanders thanked them for their work to fight against the evil of human trafficking. The Governor emphasized her commitment to partnering in this effort by safeguarding children, supporting victims, and prosecuting human traffickers to the fullest extent of the law.”
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas,
southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana,
southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.
.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.
Thunderstorms are expected later today into tonight. A few storms
could be severe. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes
will be possible. In addition, locally heavy rainfall may lead to
more minor flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thunderstorms will continue into early Thursday. A few storms could
be severe. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes will be
possible. In addition, locally heavy rainfall may lead to more minor
flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas.
Rain may return to the region late Monday and early Tuesday morning,
however, no hazardous weather is expected with next week`s activity
at this time.By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
“It will be like lighting a match,” one AccuWeather senior meteorologist said as she explained factors coming together for all modes of severe weather, including the potential for a few tornadoes.
Severe weather will erupt from the Gulf coast to the Great Lakes region from Wednesday night to Thursday night, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. Not only will the severe weather occur unusually far to the north for this time of year, but it will also come with the dangers of nighttime thunderstorms capable of spawning a few tornadoes and other hazards.
A potent storm will harness the power of the jet stream and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to trigger severe thunderstorms that will put more than 40 million people at risk.
