Austin Porter, DrPH, MPH, Honored by Arkansas Minority Health Commission

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.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/06/03/austin-porter-drph-mph-honored-by-arkansas-minority-health-commission/

Finance Board approves increase for Arkansas employee health insurance premiums

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.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-06-03/finance-board-approves-increase-to-contributions-for-employee-health-insurance-premiums

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.

Resurgence in new COVID cases, hospitalizations concerns UAMS physician

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.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/2022-06-04/resurgence-in-new-covid-cases-hospitalizations-concerns-uams-physician

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.

Arkansas officials estimate budget surplus to reach $1.473 billion

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/

Arkansas receives second $786.6 million; now, where to spend?

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/

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Ensuring the Safety of Arkansas Students and Teachers

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.

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Holds Pen and Pad with Media (06.02.22)

Attorney General Alert: Vacation Scams

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.

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Photos from Saturday, May 28, in SW Arkansas

Photos provided by Callie Miller of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce.

Aerial Views of the New Sevier County Medical Center Under Construction

Aerial photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon.

UA Cossatot Releases Spring 2022 Honor Students and List of Graduates

UA Cossatot Releases Spring 2022 Honor Students and List of Graduates

UA Cossatot’s Office of the Registrar recently released the spring 2022 Chancellor’s List and Vice Chancellor’s List, as well as the names of the spring 2022 graduates.

93 students were named to the Chancellor’s list, maintaining a minimum of 4.0 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours. 85 students were named on the Vice Chancellor’s list, maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours.

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Chancellor’s List:

Amity: Dathan Vaught

Ashdown: Reina Anderson, Hunter Billingsley, Blayne Buster, Quinton Holland, and Tyler Burns

Ben Lomond: Kaitlyn Finigan

Cove: Deantha Gibbons

De Queen: Jennifer Aparicio, Madison Bagley, Heather Bradshaw, Tressie Click, Kimberly Delgado,

Oscar Fernandez, Edgar Ferretiz, William Foster, Juan Gaona, Bryan Gutierrez, Halle Harp, Allen Hong, Maximino Lemus, Annabelle Lindsey, Magdalena Lugo, Rivera Magana, Daniel Marrufo, Marlen Martinez, Gerardo Monroy, Ariana Ortiz, Lizbeth Osura, Dulce Owen, Alex Pacheco,

Timothy Pham, Diana Ramirez, Linda Ramirez, Joshua Servante, McKenzie Simpson, Izabella Sotelo,

Ethan Wolcott, Samantha Ivy, Danielle Martinez, Stephanie Piza, Amanda May, John Montiel, and

Valentin Sanchez Jr

Dierks: Taylor Darling, Nancy Diaz, Allie McConnell, Kayden Turner, and Kimberly McCauley

Foreman: Caroline Beasley

Fouke: Denise Austin

Gillham: Joshua Vann

Glenwood: Alexus Caldwell and Benjamin Williams

Horatio: Kelsi Brown

Kirby: Jolie Brewer and Roberto Vasquez

Langley: Kamry Kelley and Taylor Kelley

Lockesburg: Lauren Carver, Calum Casiano, Jasie Miller, and Arrionna Stout

McCaskill: Justin Ellison

Mineral Springs: Marlon Graves Jr and Alan Hernandez

Murfreesboro: Kyla Collins, Johnaaron Legate, and Brooke Westfall

Nashville: Katie Cochran, Audri Couch, Dabne Cuellar, Joshua Feltenberger, Dennis Guzman,

Jessica Medina-Frias, Kendra Miller, Adam Nix, Arely Pioquinto, Maritsa Rosas, Diana Rubio- Hernandez,  Braven Warren, Wiley Washburn, Kinsey Westfall, Blane Woods, and James Jordan.

Ozan: LaShonna Cooper and Daleigh Morris

Texarkana: Robert Haworth, Grant Nolen, Joseph Benett Shan, and Anthony Stine.

Umpire: Kelsie Faulkner

Winthrop: Riley Martin

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Vice Chancellor’s List:

Amity: Jordyn Cotter and Joseph Galloway

Ashdown: Adkison Benjamin, Jaden Altenbaumer, Faith Green, Kellie Jones, Kenneth Purtell, Lexius Winfrey, Fletcher Swilley, and Breana Noble

Camden: Cha'keria Evans

Columbus: Riley Webb

De Queen: Abigail Angeles, Arlette Briones, Ashley Contreras, Ivette Gonzalez, Edith Hernandez,

Johnathan Hernandez, Liliana Hernandez, Victor Hernandez, Layton Jackson, Giovanna Lerma, Edwin Mora, Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Maria Munoz Juache, Myan Newman, Brenda Perez, Zuleima Rodriguez-Chavez, Jose Rojas, Logan Turner, Samantha Wilkerson, Rachel Williamson, Miranda Coto, Kimberly Frachiseur, Ercilia Gomez, Tasma Irons, Tanesha Van Horn, and Olivia Yandell

Delight: Noah McGalliard

Dierks: Chantal Alonso, Braxton Claborn, Jaiden Jackson, Allie Miller, Kitreena Russell, William Sirmon, and Kasyn Turner

Foreman: Daniel Eyraud, Chunjung Howell, and Colton Rose

Gillham: Ariel Dinkins

Hatfield: Esmerelda Johnson

Horatio: Melissa Arellano, Anahiz Ruvalcaba, and Roberto Villeda Jr

Kirby: Lucas Cowart

Langley: Jacy White

Lockesburg: Ciarra Walker and Shelby Blankenship

Mineral Springs: Destiny Bearden and Keon Piggee

Murfreesboro: Tammie Summers

Nashville: Estevan Bravo, Alexis Byers, Esmeralda Camacho, Lamia Hendrix, Jerry Hernandez,

Sandra Hernandez, Avery Hood, Dustin Hupp, Hannah McClendon, Amarion Nelson, Ivette Pizarro,

Mattison Steele, Haley Wright, Deven Barton, and Elizabeth McCauley

Newhope: Alleigh Tucker

Okolona: Lakyn Watts

Texarkana: Julie Clift, Peyton Dean, Joshua Robles Jr, and Chase Hicks

Umpire: Selena Zaragoza

Winthrop: Jaymee Hess and April Klitz

24 students graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors, meaning they graduate with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 to 4.0.  20 students graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors, meaning they graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.89.  29 students graduate with Cum Laude honors, meaning they graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.74.

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Summa Cum Laude Honors:

Jackson Banister, Brayden Buck, Audri Couch, Kelsie Faulkner, Oscar Fernandez, Dennis Guzman, Jacob Heminger, Lamia Hendrix, Luis Hernandez, Allen Hong, James Jordan, Maximino Lemus, Johana Martinez,

Marlen Martinez, Jasie Miller, Adam Nix, Aiden Oglesby, Jaycee Runnels, Valentin Sanchez, Kristen Sewell,

Kimberly Taylor, Dathan Vaught, Natalee Voss, and Benjamin Williams

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Magna Cum Laude Honors:

Estevan Bravo, Alexis Byers, Klair Castleberry, Colby Dellinger, Cha'keria Evans, Edgar Ferretiz, Cynthia Gallaway, Edith Hernandez, Liliana Hernandez, Jace Jackson, Randi Markham, Kendra Miller, Alex Pacheco,

Karleigh Reeder, Eric Rojo, Joshua Servante, Kayden Turner, Joshua Vann, Latoya Vaughn, and America Vega     

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Cum Laude Honors:

Jaden Altenbaumer, Reina Anderson, Deven Barton, Ada Camarillo, Abby Clark, Tonya Cloud, Tanaya Coburn, Jordyn Cotter, Hannah Crow, Kimberly Frachiseur, Shonda French, Michael Gibson, Ivette Gonzalez,

Christian Hart, Sandra Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, Harley Keys, Johnaaron Legate, Leonardo Martinez,

Elizabeth McCauley, Samantha Mefford, Brenda Mera Leon, Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Summer Morgan, Raegan Porter, Angeles Rojas-Duran, Manuel Soto Ramirez, Burgundi Unruh, and Ciarra Walker

274 students graduate with a certificate of proficiency, technical certificate, or associate degree. Some students earned multiple certificates and degrees, allowing for 464 spring 2022 awards.

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 Graduates:

Alleene: Ethan Jones, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls

Amity: Jordyn Cotter, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies,

Technical Certificate: General Studies; Joseph Galloway, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Randi Markham, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Harrison Sutton, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices;

Dathan Vaught, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Arkadelphia: Klair Castleberry, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Ashdown: Drake Abney, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; William Abney, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Benjamin Adkison, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science: Business, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Jaden Altenbaumer, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Reina Anderson, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Hunter Billingsley, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Paiton Britt, Technical Certificate: Medical Assisting; Kyle Burnham, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Tyler Burnham, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Tyler Burns, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies: General Studies; Blayne Buster, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; JaLiana Clinton, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Associate of Science: STEM; Hannah Crow, Technical Certificate: Health Professions, Colby Dellinger, Associate of Applied Science:General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Logan Fisher, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Michael Wayne Friday, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Michael Gibson, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Corbin Gulley, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Veronica Hall, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Alexander Hamby, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Quinton Holland, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Colin Lockeby, Associate of General Studies General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Scotty McWhorter, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency, Industrial Motors &Controls; Darcy Neff, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Aaliyah Nutt: Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Lachelsy O'Guinn, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Kasie Robinson, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Roricka Stewart, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of General Studies: General Studies; James Sullivan, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Fletcher Swilley, Associate of Applied Science:General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Charli Tompkins, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Matthew Vaught, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Lucas Wooden, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding

Buckner: Abby Clark, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Camden: Cha'keria Evans, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Cove: Dayton Ralls, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls

De Queen: Wilber Abarca, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; Jan Aguilar, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Sarah Ahumada, Associate of General Studies: General Studies; Cesar Alonso, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;

Julio Alvarez, Associate of Science: STEM; Joaquin Ambriz, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Shannon Anderson, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Terry Anderson, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Jennifer Aparicio, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Rodrigo Arroyo, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Chasity Borja, Technical Certificate: General Studies;  Gracie Burcham, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Roshunda Burris, Technical Certificate: Health Professions;

Jesus Camacho, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Ada Camarillo, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Duncan Connor, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Cesar Cortes Espinoza, Certificate of Proficiency, Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Citlally Cuadra-Perez, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Abisai De Jesus, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Kimberly Delgado, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Brianna Devlin, Associate of General Studies; Brianna Devlin, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Oscar Fernandez, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Edgar Ferretiz, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; William Foster, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Alec Zander Frachiseur, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Kimberly Frachiseur, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Cynthia Gallaway, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies;

Juan Gaona, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Esteban Gardea, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;

Jay Gatlin, Associate of Applied Science: General Business, Technical Certificate: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management; Trinity Geierman, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Arts: Associate of General Studies; Misty Goings, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Ivette Gonzalez, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Dieon Gonzalez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Carlos Gonzalez  Rodriguez, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Abel Gutierrez, Certificate of Proficiency, MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Angie Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Martha Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Liliana Hernandez, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Edith Hernandez, Technical Certificate: Health Professions, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Manuel Hernandez, Technical Certificate, Health Professions; Enrique Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Luis Hernandez, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Cezar Herrera, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Payton Hibbs, Associate of Science: Agriculture Science, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Allen Hong, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Samantha Ivy, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency:MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Layton Jackson, Associate of Arts, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Anayzia Jefferson, Technical Certificate:General Studies, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Maria Jimenez, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Ashley Johnson, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Irata Kelen, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding;

Rebekah Larremore, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Kevin Leeper, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Maximino Lemus, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Armando Lopez, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Erick Loredo, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Dalton Love, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Leonardo Martinez, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology; Johana Martinez, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Marlen                                                                                                                                                  Martinez, Technical Certificate, Health Professions; Leonardo Martinez Alvarez, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology; Meagan Martz, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Amanda May, Associate of Applied Science: General Business; Jessica McGough, Technical Certificate: Health Professions;

Edvinn Mendez, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW; Dair Mendoza, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Brenda Mera Leon, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching,Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Technical Certificate: General Studies; John Montiel, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Edwin Mora, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW; Aldon Moreno-Cruz, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Alexander Mosqueda, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Jonathan Mosqueda,  Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;

Josefina Ortiz, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Danny Osura, Associate of Science: Middle Level Education; Alex Pacheco, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Yanira Pacheco-Solano, Associate of Science: Psychology, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Carson Patterson, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Connor Pearce, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Brenda Perez: Certificate of Proficiency: Medical Transcription; Ariel Perez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Decorian Phillips, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Alex Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology;

Elijah Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Sebastian Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Vorian Rehm, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Pedro Rios, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Zuleima Rodriguez-Chavez, Associate of Science: Agri Science, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Jose Rojas, Certificate of Proficiency Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Angeles Rojas-Duran, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Daniel Saldivar, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Allan                                                                                                                                                  San Juan, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Misael Sanches, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; Johnny Sanchez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Valentin Sanchez Jr., Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity; Josue Santiago, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering, Technical Certificate: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management; Edward Sosa, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Burgundi Unruh: Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant, Associate of General Studies; Tanesha Van Horn, Associate of Applied Science: General Business, Technical Certificate: Accounting; Ryan Vance, Associate of Science: Natural Resources,

Technical Certificate: General Studies, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; America Vega, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Sofia Velazquez, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Charles Wood, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; Kamren Woods, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Eric Rojo, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering

Delight: Brookelyen Cox, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of Science: Psychology; Britton Hutcherson, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Madison May, Associate of Science: STEM

Dierks: Jo Anna Bobo, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Benjamin Bolland, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Brayden Buck, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology,

Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Keith Franklin, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Kayliegh Hill, Associate of Science: Agri Business, Technical Certificate: Agriculture; Jace Jackson, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Samantha Mefford, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Aiden Oglesby, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Aaron Stokes, Technical Certificate: Agriculture, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Abigale Thomas, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Kayden Turner, Associate of General Studies

Foreman: Leigha Bearden, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Zackery Carver, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Jason Goeldi, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Chase Gross, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Robert Jones, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Colton Rose, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology

Fouke: Kristen Sewell, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Gillham: Hadley Philamlee, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Joshua Vann, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies

Glenwood: Carson Hall, Technical Certificate: Agriculture; Jecylin Harmon, Associate of Arts,

Associate of General Studies;  Benjamin Williams, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Grannis: Adamari Aguirre, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Horatio: Johnathan Allen, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;

Jared Batson, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Manuel Hernandez, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology,Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Bryan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Marco Jimenez, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;  

Kandice Killion, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Summer Morgan, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Kaylee Murry, Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant;

Adrian Patlan Hernandez, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Electricity, Certificate of Proficiency: Programmable Controls; Kevin Quiroz, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; Alexis Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Anthony Ramirez, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Ely Ricardo, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding; Maddie Rivas, Technical Certificate: Agriculture;

Krystal Robinson, Associate of General Studies; Brandon Stewart, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Arts; Roberto Villeda Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW Stainless Steel, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW; Natalee Voss, Associate of General Studies

Kirby: Lucas Cowart, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices; Tonya White, Associate of Science: Psychology, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Linden: Victoria Harper, Associate of Science: Psychology

Lockesburg: Nelda Allen, Technical Certificate: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management; Brittany Bradshaw, Technical Certificate: Health Professions;

Calum Casiano, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Nickolas Chesser, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Ethan Clay, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Jacob Gilbert, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Baylee Harder, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Skylar Lawrence, Certificate of Proficiency : Industrial Motors & Controls; Kaitlen Martz, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; Jasie Miller, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Melinda Montiel, Technical Certificate:General Studies; Jesse Stegall, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Kimberly Taylor, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Ciarra Walker, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Lowell: Darline Montiel, Associate of Science: Psychology, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Mineral Springs: Marlon Graves Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering;

Alan Hernandez, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Keon Piggee, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; LaToya Vaughn, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Sydaija Walton, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Taneiya White, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Murfreesboro: Hayley Hale, Associate of Applied Science: General Business; Harley Keys, Technical Certificate: Welding; JohnAaron Legate, Technical Certificate: Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: TIG Welding; Alex Trombley, Certificate of Proficiency: MIG Welding

Nashville: Deven Barton, Associate of Applied Science: General Business; Gynder Benson, Associate of Science: Agri Education, Certificate of Proficiency: GIS Technology; Estevan Bravo, Technical Certificate: General Studies; James Brockman, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Alexis Byers, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Dana Carlton, Technical Certificate: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management, Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting; Aiden Chapman, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Tanaya Coburn, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Hector Cortez, Associate of Science: Criminal Justice, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Audri Couch: Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Kristi Noelle Couch, Associate of General Studies; Dennis Guzman, Associate of Science: Middle Level Education; Annette Harris, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Christian Hart, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology; Lamia Hendrix, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Sandra Hernandez, Associate of Science: Teaching: K-6, Associate of Arts: Teaching, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; John Hudkins, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Dustin Hupp, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering; James Jordan, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding GMAW/FCAW, Certificate of Proficiency: Pipe Welding SMAW; Jackson King, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Elizabeth McCauley, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies; Hannah McClendon, Associate of Arts; Kendra Miller, Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Quisha Morgan, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Adam Nix, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls,Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics;

Zachary Patrick, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls; Raegan Porter, Associate of Science:  Psychology, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Karleigh Reeder, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Alissa Reid, Technical Certificate: Health Professions;

Maya Richard, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Diana Rubio, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Jaycee Runnels, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Alexandria Salinas, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Mark Sillavan, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls;

Mason Sillavan, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls; Cheyenne Sitzes, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Treyton Spurling, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics;

Takela Stewart, Technical Certificate: General Studies, Associate of Science: Psychology; Joshua Sweeden, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Carina Torres, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Haeden Walker, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Braven Warren, Technical Certificate: Cosmetology; Hadyn Whisenhunt, Associate of Applied Science: General Technology, Technical Certificate: Industrial Technology, Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics; Brenden Woodall: Certificate of Proficiency, Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding; Blane Woods, Certificate of Proficiency: Brakes, Suspension & Steering                                                                                                            

Newhope: Dallas Fennell, Associate of Arts, Technical Certificate: General Studies;

Jacob Sharp, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors & Controls, Certificate of Proficiency:  Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Saratoga: James Archer Jr., Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding

Star City: Taniah Johnson, Technical Certificate: Health Professions

Texarkana: Julie Clift, Associate of Science: Psychology, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Tonya Cloud, Technical Certificate: Health Professions; Jacob Heminger, Associate of General Studies: General Studies, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Jamile Navarrete, Associate of Applied Science: Digital Media & Marketing, Technical Certificate: Digital Media & Marketing

Umpire: Kelsie Faulkner, Associate of Arts, Technical Certificate: General Studies;  

Selena Zaragoza, Technical Certificate: General Studies

Wickes: Vanessa Rundel, Certificate of Proficiency: Business Management

Wilton: Shonda French, Technical Certificate: Teaching Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency: Teaching Assistant; Lia Gulley, Associate of General Studies

Winthrop: Payton Allen, Technical Certificate: General Studies; Riley Martin, Certificate of Proficiency: Industrial Motors &Controls, Certificate of Proficiency: Mechanical Devices,

Certificate of Proficiency: Hydraulics & Pneumatics

22 students graduated with a General Education Development (GED) through UA Cossatot’s Adult Education program.

UA Cossatot Spring 2022 GED Students:  

Lillian Houselog, Kason Fisher, Edgar Overturf, Gracelyn Garland, Maryann Ward, Dennis Ward, Charisse Ward, Heather Castle, Shamara Benson, Seth Carr, Savanna Parker, Shawn Eastman, Logan Wright, Chelby Hinton, Lexy Sullivan, Attalee Frachiseur, Alex Martinez, Francis Wyant, Triston Gallagher, Robert Manley, Davy Troup, and Ashley Hickox

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Expected for Arkansas on Tuesday

A heavy rain event is expected for Tuesday and Wednesday in Arkansas, but it appears the amounts will not be quite as heavy as previously thought. 

The forecast calls for three to four inches of rain (instead of four to six inches) from central into southwest Arkansas. Elsewhere across the state, one to three-inch amounts is expected. Given this much rain, there is the potential for flash flooding in places and rises in area rivers.

Click on the pic below for the attached weather briefing PDF from the National Weather Service.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Your Vote Matters

If you’re not convinced that every vote counts, consider the race for one of the U.S. Senate seats in Pennsylvania. At last count, the difference in the totals was 31.2 percent to 31.1 percent – two tenths of a percentage point difference.

Closer to home, in our neighboring state to the south, the new mayor of Pineville, Louisiana, won by five votes. If only six of the loser’s supporters had voted, he would have won by a single vote.

In the 2020 election, the candidates for a school board seat in California tied. So the winner, as the law requires, was decided by a roll of the dice. The challenger rolled snake eyes, and the incumbent threw a three. Even with the dice, the winner won by only one.

Stories such as those are interesting. Since they are rare, we may be inclined to overlook the one fact that each race had in common: The winner was chosen by the slimmest of margins. That slim margin will determine who will make consequential decisions that affect voters.

Arkansas’s 2022 election may be one of the most consequential in a decade. We have redrawn the state’s legislative boundaries, which the law requires every ten years after the U.S. Census. Although many legislators will be re-elected, we are in a sense electing a brand-new general assembly.

Thanks to Arkansas’s term-limit law, we also are electing a new governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor, and treasurer; the incumbent Republican secretary of state has a challenger in the primary and will face a Democrat Party challenger in the general election. The incumbent land commissioner will have an opponent in the general election, and three people are running in the general election to become auditor. We will be choosing three associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court, four court of appeals associate judges, sixteen circuit judges, twenty-eight prosecuting attorneys, and one district court judge.

Our four representatives in the United States House are running for re-election, as is one of our U.S. senators.

Every one of the candidates we elect will have a direct effect on many Arkansans. Voting in Arkansas is easy. Early voting continues Saturday and until 5 p.m. Monday. On Tuesday, Election Day, the polls are open from 7:30 in the morning until 7:30 p.m. That gives every voter twelve hours to cast a ballot.

Even with a one-hundred percent voter turnout, the outcome of a race could be razor thin. But a large turnout at least gives us the assurance our government reflects the authentic voice of voters. The United States is a free nation because many worked and fought to give us freedom. Our vote is a note of thanks.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee met jointly with the Senate Children and Youth Committee this week to hear from groups actively working to combat human trafficking.

The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) testified that there were 13 arrests for human trafficking charges in Arkansas in 2021.

In 2022, there have been 4 arrests.

Since the year 2000, there have been 14 convictions for individuals facing human trafficking-related charges in Arkansas.

Representatives for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also testified in the committee.

In 2021, the organization received more than 17,000 reports of possible child sex trafficking. The organization estimates that 1 in 6 of the children reported missing to NCMEC who had run away were likely victims of child sex trafficking.

Boys made up 6% of the child sex trafficking cases reported to NCMEC.

The committee also heard from organizations helping survivors recover from abuse.

Members will review the information presented to determine if there is a need to strengthen existing laws.

In the 2021 Regular Session, we passed a number of acts addressing human trafficking in Arkansas.

Act 798 provides heightened conditions for release on bail for persons accused of human trafficking and human trafficking-related offenses.

Act 1106 establishes an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking accused of certain offenses.

Act 1098 creates the offenses of grooming a minor for future sex trafficking and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.

Child sex trafficking victims often are unable to self-identify as victims or disclose their abuse because of fear, shame, or loyalty to their abuser(s). It is not a child’s responsibility to ask for help. It is up to the professionals and trusted adults in these children’s lives to recognize the signs associated with child sex trafficking, so they can intervene and help them get the support they deserve.

You can report suspected child sex trafficking or make a tip at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) CyberTipline.org

UA Cossatot Athletics Benefit Golf Tournament at Nashville Country Club

Rutledge leads letter supporting Tractor Supply merger

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge co-led a seven-state letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging the approval of the merger between Tractor Supply Company and Orscheln Farm & Home. The coalition’s letter explains how the merger will benefit rural Americans and urges the FTC to swiftly complete its review and allow the transaction to proceed.

“Having grown up on a cattle farm and as the wife of a row crop farmer, I know firsthand the significance of farm supply businesses in our communities” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “This merger will allow Tractor Supply to better serve our agriculture communities and promote economic growth in our great state.”

Attorneys general play a critical role as the consumer protection leaders of their states, and it is common practice for state and federal regulators to collaborate when large companies merge. Tractor Supply has said it intends to bring lower prices, new products and brands, an attractive loyalty card program and job security to the Orscheln stores and their surrounding communities. 

The letter to the FTC was led by Arkansas and joined by attorneys general of Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana and Oklahoma.

UAMS is First in State to Offer Groundbreaking Brain-Mapping Technology

By Linda Satter

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is the first hospital in Arkansas to offer Omniscient Neurotechnology’s Quicktome, an FDA-cleared platform that allows surgeons to visualize a patient’s unique brain networks before life-changing surgery.

A breakthrough in preoperative imaging, Quicktome uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze millions of data points and build a brain map – personalized to each patient — from a standard, noninvasive MRI scan. The maps, which doctors can view on their computers, offer a level of anatomical detail typically not available in a clinical setting, allowing surgeons to incorporate advanced brain network data into neurosurgical planning.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/05/18/uams-is-first-in-state-to-offer-groundbreaking-brain-mapping-technology/

An example of how the brain-imaging technology looks on a computer screen.

Broadband Development Group report shows subsidies needed for broadband expansion

KUAR | By Daniel Breen, Ronak Patel

State officials are looking at the best ways to provide high-speed internet access to all Arkansans. The 2022 Arkansas Rural Broadband Forum was held in Benton on Monday.

Participants at the forum mainly discussed the results of a report released last month that looks at ways to bridge the broadband internet gap. According to the report by Broadband Development Group (BDG), a firm hired by the state to help develop a plan for broadband expansion, about 110,000 homes aren’t receiving aid from the federal government to help pay for broadband.

BDG’s report found the cost to expand broadband to the 110,000 houses could cost up to $550 million. Tom Flak, a consultant with BDG, says the report looks at two ways to provide subsidies to internet service providers to bring service to areas that normally wouldn’t be profitable. One would involve the state matching 75% of their costs, while the other would involve the state ensuring the provider would make a 15% return on their investment or IRR.

Broadband Development Group/

Arkansas hired Broadband Development Group to provide a master plan on broadband inequality in the state.

Arkansas farmers brace for impacts of Avian influenza

KUAR | By George Jared/ Talk Business & Politics

A flu that is nearly 100% lethal to poultry is spreading across the U.S. Thirty-four states have had confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and poultry farmers in Arkansas should continue taking precautions.

The most recent outbreaks were in backyard cases in Oregon and Washington state. Oklahoma was added to the list of states after the disease was confirmed in a commercial breeder flock in Sequoyah County on May 1, the USDA reported.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-05-18/arkansas-farmers-brace-for-impacts-of-avian-influenza

Mary Hightower/UA Division Of Agriculture

A backyard chicken seen wandering the streets on October 30, 2021.

Arkansas lawmakers approve Director of Broadband position for Commerce Department

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas lawmakers have approved a new position to oversee the expansion of high-speed internet service in the state.

A report from consultant Broadband Development Group found 110,000 homes in the state are in need of faster internet connectivity, and are located in areas not covered by any state or federal broadband grant programs.

According to a report from the legislature's Uniform Personnel Classification and Compensation Subcommittee, the Arkansas Department of Commerce had requested up to $200,000 to hire a director of the State Broadband Office. In a meeting of the subcommittee on Friday, lawmakers approved between $149,862 and $181,500 for the position.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-05-20/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-director-of-broadband-position-for-department-of-commerce

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Arkansas will receive $100 million from the federal government to expand broadband internet.