Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 352
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 448
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 302
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 153
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 227
A storm system/disturbance will affect the area Friday night through Saturday. As of right now, northern Arkansas seems most likely to see wintry precipitation, although central and southern Arkansas cannot be ruled out. There is still a great deal of uncertainty with this system and additional updates are likely.
National Weather Service
Little Rock, Arkansas
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
U.S. crude oil production is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2023, and as production and inventories rise, fuel prices are expected to fall, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The production is expected to average 12.4 million barrels per day in 2023, surpassing the record high set in 2019.
The EIA released Tuesday (Jan. 11) the January Short-Term Energy Outlook which projects that U.S. crude oil production will rise for nine consecutive quarters, from the fourth quarter of 2021 through 2023. Also, OPEC is expected to increase crude oil production to 28.9 million barrels per day in 2023, up from an average of 26.3 million barrels per day in 2021.
U.S. commercial crude oil inventories will rise to 465 million barrels at the end of 2023, which is about 11% higher than the inventories at the end of 2021.
by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)
To encourage entrepreneurs and other technology professionals to relocate to Northwest Arkansas, the Northwest Arkansas Council announced Wednesday (Jan. 12) that it would offer $10,000 in bitcoin as an incentive.
In doing so, Northwest Arkansas will become the first region in the country to offer cryptocurrency to potential transplants, as the region’s growing tech sector — specifically within blockchain-enabled technologies — is looking for talent.
“Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and we’re now seeing more explosive growth in our tech sector,” Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, said in a statement. “This expanded incentive offer — Bitcoin and a Bike — not only embraces the growing trend toward the use of cryptocurrency as a payment option by employers but also helps increase our pipeline of talent to benefit tech employers, startups, cities, local businesses and the region overall.”
KUAR | By George Jared/ Talk Business & Politics
When Big River Steel first started operations in 2014 near Osceola in Mississippi County, it was one of the largest industrial projects ever in the state of Arkansas. BRS, now owned by U.S. Steel, is about to get a companion steel mill and it will rival the first plant in terms of money spent and jobs created.
U.S. Steel Corp. announced Tuesday it would locate a new $3 billion steel factory in Osceola, a move expected to create 900 jobs with an average pay over $100,000 annually. It is the largest capital investment project in Arkansas history.
The new optimized steel production facility is expected to feature two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) with 3 million tons per year of advanced steelmaking capability, a state-of-the-art endless casting and rolling line, and advanced finishing capabilities. Upon completion, the project will apply to become LEED certified, the company said.
File Photo/Big River Steel
The Big River Steel mill when it was under construction. Now owned by U.S. Steel, it's about to get a companion mill.
By KYLE KELLAMS
Maintaining a sufficient blood supply is a never-ending challenge. A pandemic doesn't make the challenge any easier. The Arkansas Blood Institute continues to seek donors and is offering antibody test results for all donors through the end of the month.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/giving-blood-and-getting-antibody-results
COURTESY / ARKANSAS BLOOD INSTITUTE
LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed the state receiving at-home COVID tests and increasing case numbers.
COVID-19
Total active cases have doubled since last week, rising from 32,000 cases to over 64,000 cases since last Tuesday. Hospitalizations have increased by 373 since last week.
Governor Hutchinson announced that the response to this rapid increase in cases will be to expand hospital capacity. Directing $50 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) was approved by the ARPA steering committee which will provide hospitals with extra funding to increase capacity temporarily while dealing with the increase of hospitalizations. This direction of funds was approved by the Arkansas Legislative Council and will now be distributed properly.
The Governor highlighted the work that National Guard has done since being deployed to help with the demand for COVID tests and pandemic response. He also noted that the state has received 211,000 of the 1.5 million at-home tests and those are being distributed around the state.
The location of where these at-home tests can be found HERE.
Governor Hutchinson also said that in response to the case increase more vaccine clinics will be available to help with the demand for vaccinations.
"Omicron is here, it is here and raging across Arkansas, but what we see from the data is this will pass through," Governor Hutchinson said, "We've got to hold the line and make sure we take the actions so we can get through January and February where we expect to see this variant diminish significantly."
Governor Hutchinson mentioned in the briefing that some national stories have circulated showing the increase of those who were hospitalized with COVID-19 but not because of COVID-19. Many hospitals around the nation have reported that a large percentage of people in the hospital who were admitted for another reason but also tested positive.
The Governor asked the Department of Health to investigate in Arkansas hospitals. He said that based on a survey of hospitals on January 4 about 30% of the patients with COVID-19 in the hospital were incidental cases. This means that about 30% of those who were in the hospital with COVID-19 went to the hospital for another reason and incidentally tested positive while being admitted.
LITTLE ROCK – In December, Governor Hutchinson directed the Arkansas Department of Health to acquire 1.5 million rapid at-home tests to be available for free to Arkansans.
Arkansas has received the first shipment of 211,000 at-home testing kits and the process of delivering those to the respective distribution locations will begin shortly.
Governor Hutchinson said that the cost of these tests is around $10 million and will be covered by existing funds available in the COVID response budget. The tests will be available at public local libraries, public health units, and other locations. The National Guard will be assisting in the delivery of these at-home tests.
Expanding Hospital Beds
Governor Hutchinson requested $50 million be distributed to hospitals around the state to fund extra beds which will be used to help with the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. This request was approved by the Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act Steering Committee, and the disbursement of this funding requires legislative approval.
Governor Hutchinson created the Arkansas American Rescue Plan Act Steering Committee in 2020 to make recommendations on the distribution of approximately $1.57 billion in funding from the federal government.
The proposed plan includes adding 98 COVID ICU beds and 167 COVID medical beds to be funded for timelines of 28-45 days based on the recommendations from the Arkansas Department of Health. The hospitals which will receive those beds are:
St. Bernards Medical Center
Mercy - Rogers
Conway Regional
SVI - LR
SVI - Hot Springs
Washington Regional
Unity Health - White County
Baptist Health - Conway
Baptist Health - Van Buren
Mercy - Fort Smith
Arkansas Children's
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.
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2021.
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/
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/
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.
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 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
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’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. ###
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.
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.
