Quail, turkey conservation stamp winners unveiled

BY Jeff Williams

CANEHILL – Winners of the Arkansas Quail Stamp and Arkansas Turkey Stamp competitions were announced March 13 at Historic Cane Hill Gallery, about 3 miles southeast of Lincoln in Washington County.

AGFC Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki (left) and AGFC Quail Program Coordinator Clint Johnson with grand prize-winning “Bobwhite Quail Pair” by Abraham Hunter. Photo courtesy of Historic Cane Hill.

“Bobwhite Quail Pair” by Abraham Hunter took the grand prize in the quail stamp competition. “Quail Valley” by Amanda Hukill was second and “Edge of Maze” by Scott Hiestand” was third.

“Morning Mist” by Amanda Hukill won the turkey stamp grand prize. Second place went to “Sound” of Spring” by Abraham Hunter and third went to “Ridge Top Strutting” by Rick Morkel.

“The King of Spring” by Caleb Metrich won the Curator’s Award. Works by the grand prize winners, which received a $2,500 cash prize, will appear on the new editions of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Stamp and the Eastern Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp issued by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Second-place artwork received $500 and third place received $250.

Lawrence McElroy, director of arts and culture at Historic Cane Hill, with Amanda Hukill and her grand prize artwork “Morning Mist.” Photo courtesy of Historic Cane Hill.

The stamps have raised $2.2 million over the years for habitat restoration across the state. Anyone may purchase the stamps, which are not required for hunting, for $9.50 each at www.agfc.com/license.

The juried art competition attracted 110 entries from 28 states. A selection of the entries and turkey calls made by Don and Sarah Clark will be on display at Historic Cane Hill Gallery through April 19.

Historic Cane Hill, a nonprofit group, is the curator of the legacy of Canehill, which is the oldest continuous settlement in Washington County. The community includes historic buildings, an art gallery, a museum, trails and a venue for special events. Visit historiccanehillar.org for more information.

Letter carriers' union: 'U.S. mail is not for sale'

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

Members of the Little Rock branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers gathered at the Arkansas State Capitol Sunday to protest a proposal from the Trump administration to move the U.S. Postal Service under the Department of Commerce.

It was part of a national day of action organized by the American Postal Worker's Union. NALC Local Branch President Chad Dollar spoke at the rally.

"The United State Postal Service employs 640,000, with over 200,000 being letter carriers. The postal service is the largest company to hire veterans, with over 73,000 hired," said Dollar. "The service we provide is a universal service. That means no one pays more, no one pays less. We just provide the service to the American people. We deliver nearly 160 million deliveries each and every day.”

Letter carriers' union: 'U.S. mail is not for sale'

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Local members of the National Association of Letter Carriers gather at the Arkansas State Capitol on March 23, 2025, to rally against attempts to privatize or dismantle the United States Postal Service.

2024 boating accident report shows continued issue of low life-jacket use among victims

Fifty-six boating accidents were reported to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 2024. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

HOT SPRINGS — According to the recently released 2024 Year-End Boating Accident Report compiled by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, life jacket wear continues to be one of the largest shortfalls among Arkansas boaters when it comes to enjoying the water safely.

Only 20 percent of the 207 individuals involved in boating accidents last year were wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, and only one of the nine victims involved in boating fatalities recorded last year were wearing a life jacket.

This boat fell victim to the wrong drain hole being plugged before launch. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

Sydney Grant, AGFC Boating Law Administrator, says that drownings account for the majority of fatalities every year on Arkansas waters, and in many cases, life jackets were available, but not worn.

“Arkansas game wardens and other rescue agency personnel have seen too many drownings where a life jacket was out but not worn,” Grant said. “It’s not a seat cushion or a piece of gear you just throw in the boat and forget about. It’s there to save your life so why wouldn’t you use it?”

According to Arkansas boating law, all vessels must have at least one properly fitting Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person onboard.

Grant notes that children 12 and younger must wear a properly fitting life jacket the entire time they are on the water. The only exception to this is on houseboats and pontoon boats with adequate handrails that are not underway.

“Even those vessels require life jacket use by younger boaters when it is underway,” Grant said.

Grant says many boaters use the excuse that they know how to swim to avoid wearing a life jacket, but that reply rarely holds water.

“Swimming in a pool is much different than falling unprepared into the water fully clothed,” Grant said. “And many boating accidents result in injuries, which can compound any problems with swimming. Even climbing back on board a boat can be challenging for many people without help or a ladder attached to the gunwale. That life jacket gives you the help you need to stay afloat until help arrives after an accident.”

What caused the accidents in the first place?

“Operator inattention was the number one primary contributor to most of our boating accidents in 2024,” Grant said.

According to Grant, cell phone use on the water has increased, and it has been the cause in a rising number of accidents.

“It’s illegal to text and drive a car, but a lot of people don’t understand that it’s extremely dangerous on a boat, too,” Grant said. “It only takes a second for things to go wrong, and, unlike cars, boats don’t have brakes, so they take more room to stop or turn if you get in trouble.”

Other factors, such as operator inexperience, unseen water hazards and alcohol or drug use also played a role in many accidents, but inattention was by far the biggest primary cause of boating accidents last year.

Operator inattention was the leading primary cause for boating accidents in 2024. AGFC photo courtesy Sydney Grant.

Life jackets weren’t the only noticeable absence during boating accidents in 2024. Only 34 percent of the operators involved in boating accidents last year had taken any boating safety course.

“Again, it’s a requirement for some boaters, but not all,” Grant said. “Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat is required to have passed an AGFC-approved Boater Education course and carry proof of the certification with them while on the water.

“Just like the life jackets, these courses are meant to save your life and the lives of others, it doesn’t take much effort to complete a boating safety course, and some insurance companies will even give you a lower rate if you have the certification.”

Grant also points out that many people involved in boating accidents were experienced boaters.

“The average age of fatality victims was 59,” Grant said. “And we had more operators with more than 100 hours of experience get involved in accidents than we did operators with less than 20 hours of experience.”

Visit www.agfc.com/boatered to read more about the 2024 Boating Accident Year-End Report and learn more about Boater Education in Arkansas.

Bills signed into law March 12th by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Governor signed into law: 

HB1400 – An act to amend the law concerning the redemption of a tax-delinquent parcel; to exempt disabled veterans from certain penalties when redeeming a tax-delinquent parcel; and for other purposes. 

HB1556 – An act to amend Arkansas music appreciation day; to change the date on which Arkansas music appreciation day is celebrated; and for other purposes. 

SB236 – An act to amend the insurance holding company regulatory act; and for other purposes. 

HB1466 – An act to amend the fair mortgage lending act; and for other purposes. 

HB1184 – An act to amend the fair mortgage lending act; to protect a consumer’s privacy in certain mortgage applications; and for other purposes.

SB292 – An act to amend the law concerning the date of annual school election; to move the annual school election if the annual school election is scheduled on a state holiday in certain instances; and for other purposes. 

HCR1007 – To encourage the United States Congress to reevaluate the Medicare physician fee schedule locality structure and ensure accurate geographic practice cost indices for the metropolitan statistical areas of this state. 

HB1182 – An act to replace the defined term “medication assistive person” with the defined term “certified medication assistant” throughout § 17-87-701 ET SEQ.; to set forth the certification requirements, qualifications, and the scope of practice for a certified medication assistant; and for other purposes.

HB1213 – An act to amend the Arkansas athletic trainers act; to clarify the definition of “athlete” within the Arkansas athletic trainers act; to define “healthcare provider” regarding student athlete concussion education; and for other purposes. 

HB1217 – An act to establish the interstate massage compact in Arkansas; and for other purposes. 

HB1309 – An act to amend the law concerning coverage of examinations for breast cancer; to clarify the cost-sharing requirements for examinations for breast cancer; and for other purposes. 

SB119 – An act to establish the interstate medical licensure compact; and for other purposes.

HB1369 – An act concerning the establishment of the maximum campaign contribution limit by the Arkansas ethics commission; amending portions of law resulting from initiated act 1 of 1990 and initiated act 1 of 1996; declaring an emergency; and for other purposes.

HB1452 – An act clarifying the law on the use of medical marijuana in certain places; to prohibit the possession of an unsealed container of certain forms of medical marijuana in a motor vehicle; and for other purposes.

SB188 – An act to amend Arkansas law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions; to require public posting of statewide initiative petitions and referendum petitions; and for other purposes. 

SB209 – An act to amend the law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions; to disqualify signatures obtained by a canvasser under certain circumstances; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. 

SB210 – An act to create the require examining of authoritative documents act; to amend the law concerning initiative and referendum petitions; to require the signer to read the ballot title of the petition in the presence of a canvasser; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. 

SB244 – An act concerning postponement of judgement in district court; to permit a suspended imposition of sentence in certain district court cases; and for other purposes.

SB251 – An act to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Trails Council; to amend the law concerning the executive secretary of the Arkansas Trails Council; to amend the law concerning the participation of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism on the Arkansas Trails Council; and for other purposes. 

SB260 – An act to amend the law concerning the collection of court fines, fees, or costs after default; and for other purposes. 

SB272 -An act to amend the law concerning voter registration; to prohibit pre-filled fields on a voter registration form in certain instances; to amend provisions of Arkansas constitution, amendment 51, § 6; and for other purposes. 

SB291 – An act to amend the law concerning complaints of election law violations; to amend the deadlines for complaints of election law violations; and for other purposes. 

SB294 – An act to amend the law concerning election audits; to allow the state board of election commissioners to audit a county in the preceding election in certain circumstances; and for other purposes. 

SB295 – An act to amend the law concerning appropriation for election expenses; to allow compensation for a certified election monitor as an election expense; and for other purposes. 

SB296 – An act to amend the law concerning the designation of an early voting location by the county clerk; and for other purposes. 

SB297 – An act to amend the law concerning municipalities choosing to elect council members; to require the governing body of the municipality to file the ordinance describing the election of city council members with the county clerk; and for other purposes. 

SB308 – An act to amend the law concerning a write-in candidate; to remove references to a write-in candidate; and for other purposes.

HB1279 – An act to amend the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969; to authorize repackaging of eggs by a retailer if certain criteria is met; and for other purposes.

HB1325 – An act to amend the provisions regarding credited service under the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System; to allow a member of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System to receive service credit from service under an alternate retirement plan to meet eligibility requirements for a retirement benefit under certain circumstances; and for other purposes. 

HB1379 – An act to amend the law concerning the special authorization for reimbursement for meals and lodging while traveling on official business of the state; and for other purposes. 

HB1499 – An act to amend the sale and purchase procedure for public property; and for other purposes. 

HB1568 – An act to amend the law concerning examinations, investigations, and postmortem examination; to amend the law requiring a postmortem examination when a death is by apparent drug, alcohol, or poison toxicity; and for other purposes. 

SB224 – An act to repeal the law concerning natural organic fertilizers; and for other purposes. 

SB249 – An act to amend the law concerning violations and penalties related to forestry; to amend the powers of the Arkansas Forestry Commission; and for other purposes. 

SB250 – An act to amend the pest control law; to reassign certain duties of the state plant board; and for other purposes. 

SB259 – An act to transfer appointment authority for the director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission to the Governor; and for other purposes. 

SB265 – An act to reduce and modify the membership of the licensing committee relating to wastewater; to reduce and modify the membership of the licensing committee relating to solid waste; to amend the apprenticeship licenses in solid waste licensing; to amend participation requirements for environmental officers; and for other purposes. 

SB267 – An act to repeal the Arkansas alternative motor fuel development act; to repeal the alternative motor fuel development fund; and for other purposes. 

HB1146 – An act to make an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Office of Attorney General for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; and for other purposes. 

HB1175 – An act to make an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Division of Heritage for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; and for other purposes.  

HB1493 – An act to make an appropriation to the institutions of higher education for capital improvement projects; and for other purposes. 

HB1544 – An act to make an appropriation for state turnback for counties and municipalities by the Office of the Treasurer of State which shall be supplemental and in addition to those funds appropriated by Act 140 of 2024; and for other purposes. 

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

KUAR | By Sonny Albarado / Arkansas Advocate,

Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

An Arkansas Senate committee approved two bills hours apart Tuesday seeking to define a public meeting, an issue that has plagued local elected officials and government transparency advocates for decades.

Sen. Clarke Tucker, a Little Rock Democrat and sponsor of Senate Bill 227, told the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday morning his proposal would, “after 50 years, bring clarity to the law” by setting parameters for what members of city councils, quorum courts or school boards can discuss outside of a public meeting.

The bill also would amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to add cybersecurity breach as a reason to meet in executive session, introduce and regulate remote meeting attendance, and allow a court to nullify official actions taken as a result of violations of open meetings law.

Senate panel advances two bills defining ‘public meeting’ in Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

Little Rock Democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker (left) considers a question from Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, at a Senate State Agencies Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Arkansas Legislature approves executions using nitrogen hypoxia

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

A proposal to allow executions using nitrogen gas has cleared the Arkansas Legislature.

Execution Chamber - Wikimedia

House Bill 1489 now heads to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. If signed into law, Arkansas would become the fourth state in the U.S. – joining Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi – to allow executions by nitrogen hypoxia.

The bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning, introduced it on the Senate floor Tuesday.

“These are the worst of the worst in our society, and they have [gone] through the judicial system and many of them have been on death row for 20 and 30 years,” Johnson said. “We have a responsibility to those who are on death row and the citizens we serve to take this seriously and to administer this penalty.”

Arkansas Legislature approves executions using nitrogen hypoxia

Attorney General Griffin announces 6 Medicaid fraud convictions and 1 civil settlement

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing six Medicaid fraud convictions and one civil settlement:

AR Attorney General Tim Griffin

“Protecting Arkansans from Medicaid fraud will continue to be a priority for my office. I want to recognize the outstanding work of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for their unwavering dedication to protecting Arkansans. Their recent efforts have led to six convictions and one civil settlement. I specifically want to thank Special Agent Marcus Custer, Special Agent Brandon Muldrow, Special Agent Heath Nelson, Assistant Attorney General David Jones, Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson, Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones, 23rd Judicial District Prosecutor Chuck Graham, and Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones for their work on these cases.”

Convictions

On March 11, 2025, Trey Franks, 28, of Jacksonville pleaded guilty to Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person (Exploitation), a Class ‘C’ Felony, and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, and ordered to pay a $250 fine, court costs, and restitution in the amount of $867.89. Franks used an impaired person’s debit card to pay his credit card bills.

On March 10, 2025, Hannah Christmas, 34, of Hamburg pleaded guilty to Medicaid Fraud, a Class ‘B’ Felony, and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, court costs, and restitution in the amount of $5,951.56. Christmas billed the Dermott, Hamburg, and Lakeside school districts for physical therapy services that were never rendered.

On March 6, 2025, MFCU fielded four surrenders on warrants and secured convictions for each one of them. Spencer Deral Smith, 23, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. Smith was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while the beneficiary was admitted as a patient at a local hospital. He was ordered to pay $1,242.50 in restitution, a $500 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months of Suspended Imposition Sentence (SIS).

Chavelia McCullum, 45, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. McCullum was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while on a cruise ship. She was ordered to pay $360 in restitution, a $200 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Letrell Damone Pettis, 39, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. Pettis was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while on a cruise ship. He was ordered to pay $630 in restitution, a $300 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Felicia Marie Johnson Davis, 36, of Paragould pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. She was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while she was working at her second job in another location. She was ordered to pay $412.50 in restitution, a $200 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Civil Settlement

MFCU entered a settlement agreement for $216,950.78 with No Limits Pediatric Therapies, PLLC, Unbridled Holdings, LLC, and owner Terrica Weatherford. The settlement resolved two Medicaid False Claims investigations for therapy services billed by the providers. Weatherford, No Limits, and Unbridled cooperated fully.

To download a PDF of this release, click here.

Boozman Honored for Support of Boys & Girls Club

Arkansas Senator, a Club Alumnus, Earns Champion for Youth Award and Celebrates Organization’s Impact

WASHINGTON—The Boys & Girls Club of America has recognized U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) as a recipient of its 2025 Champion of Youth Award for his work advocating legislation to combat childhood hunger and championing programs that provide meals to eligible American children at no cost to kids or their families.

Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley presents Sen. John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club of America 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

There are 5,400 Clubs across the nation, offering a second home to over 400,000 American children each day. Boozman, a product of the Jeffrey’s Boys Club in Fort Smith, reflected on its lasting impact through community involvement, nurturing good habits and friendships, and the opportunity to be connected to mentors.  

“As a former participant myself, I know firsthand how the organization can positively change lives by providing a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids and teens to grow and reach their full potential,” said Boozman. “The Boys & Girls Club also plays an important role in providing access to nutritious meals for children during the summer months, an initiative I have championed, and we are grateful for its partnership to address food insecurity. Being recognized for supporting its mission is truly a full-circle moment and an honor I deeply appreciate.”

Beth Presley, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO, alongside other Arkansan participants and leaders representing clubs in Fort Smith, Van Buren, El Dorado and statewide leadership, presented the award to Boozman at the organization’s 11th annual National Days of Advocacy event on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Boozman with Arkansas Boys & Girls Club leaders upon receiving the 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

“It was an incredible honor to present Senator John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club Champion of Youth Award. As a distinguished alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, Senator Boozman has never forgotten the impact of the Club on his own life, and he continues to be a tireless advocate for young people across Arkansas and the nation. His dedication to ensuring that all children have access to the opportunities, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed is truly inspiring. We are grateful for his unwavering support and proud to recognize him for his lifelong commitment to empowering the next generation,” said Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley.

“As an alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs Club, Senator Boozman is a testament to the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs. Since entering public office, Senator Boozman has remained a strong supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs in Arkansas and the youth they serve. We are especially grateful for his work to prevent childhood hunger which has enabled Clubs in Arkansas and around the country to provide more meals and snacks to youth at no charge to their families. It is an honor to provide Senator Boozman with our 2025 Champion of Youth Award,” said Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America Missy Dugan.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, Boozman has long advocated for increasing access to school and summer feeding programs. In recent years, Boozman successfully led passage of legislation modernizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) summer meals program and permanently allowing states flexibilities to reach more food-insecure children when school is out.

Lake Millwood tops the chart in 2024 bass tournament report

BY Randy Zellers

SARATOGA — Between a recent February flurry of big bass and a steady showing in Arkansas bass fishing tournament trails, it came as no surprise to the Arkansas Black Bass Program team when Millwood Lake proved to be the best Natural State fishing tournament destination of 2024.

Alton Burton (left) and Taylor Murphy (right) holding four of the fish that made their 33.44-pound five-fish limit during a Brad’s Custom Rods and Tackle Tournament Trail event last July. Photo courtesy Brad Thomas.

The southwest Arkansas fishery was ranked number one through an assessment of fishing quality indicators in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s recently released Arkansas Tournament Information Program annual report.

“We compile information like number of fish caught by angler, total weights, winning weights and number of fish weighed that exceed 5 pounds,” Eric Naas, AGFC Black Bass Program biologist, said. “From that information, we can monitor a lot of trends throughout the tournament community and how it can help us manage the fisheries that we get data on.”

Naas says the overall results are similar to last year, but they continue to show small increases in some categories anglers always pay attention to.

Arkansas angler Jaret Rushing fishing with his youth team during a recent event on Millwood Lake. Photo courtesy Jaret Rushing.

“Across all bass tournaments we could gather records for throughout the state, average first-place weights went up slightly, as well as the average number of bass caught per angler per tournament day,” Naas said. “In 307 tournament reports, the average angler weighed 2.12 bass per day compared to 1.87 in 2023. Anglers also weighed an average of 4.31 pounds of fish per day in 2024 compared to 3.75 pounds per angler per day in 2023. That may not seem like much, but considering it’s stretched over 300 tournaments, it’s a nice increase.”

Naas stresses that figures pulled from the report can be affected by the low frequency of reports for certain lakes.

“Some lakes may only have six or seven tournament reports while others have dozens, and one bad tournament day can throw off the final results a lot if there aren’t many cards to balance things,” Naas said. “That’s why we only rank lakes with at least five tournament reports, but even then, we’d like to get more reports.”

Roughly 73 percent of the tournament results actually were tracked down by Naas, who spent many hours scanning the social media accounts and websites of tournament organizations and fishing groups.

“We can get a lot of the data we need from those posts you see of tournament results, but if organizers would add a few more details, like the number of fish caught over 5 pounds and the number of fish per angler, we could make use of a lot more reports,” Naas said. “Of course, filling out the online form at www.agfc.com/atip takes only a couple of minutes and they can do that right at the boat ramp, too.”

Millwood has been a mainstay near the top of the rankings since the ATIP report was created, but this is the first time since 2016 that it took top honors.

Anglers wait patiently for an early February Anvil Jaw Bass Club tournament at Lake Hamilton. AGFC photo by Randy Zellers.

“There are a lot of factors that go into Millwood’s high production for anglers,” Naas said. “For one, it has a vast amount of fishable water compared to the deep highland reservoirs in the state. Being a lowland reservoir, it’s also very fertile with a lot of nutrients in the lakebed and water. Combine that with south Arkansas’s long growing season, and you have a good combination of factors to grow a lot of fish and let them grow large. That and the (AGFC’s) Florida Bass Program.”

According to database records, Millwood bass have seen ample influence from Florida bass through the AGFC’s hatchery system. Since 1984, more than 7.84 million Florida largemouth bass have been stocked in Millwood to increase growth potential in the population.

“Millwood has one of the best contributions of Florida bass in the state,” Naas said. “Especially considering the size of the reservoir.”

Jeremy Risley, AGFC Black Bass Program coordinator, says Millwood is a perfect example of how the AGFC has used Florida bass in its stockings to increase overall growth in the lake.

“When we stock a Florida bass, we’re not just stocking those fish to grow big and be caught,” Risley said. “The idea is to get their genetics into the system and keep them high. We’ll actually have fairly few ‘pure’ Florida bass in the system, but the more genetics of Florida bass a largemouth has, the better its chances of having good growth when conditions are favorable.”

Among Millwood’s impressive stats last year was the largest five-fish limit weighed, a 33.44-pound sack caught during a Brad’s Custom Rod and Tackle Tournament Trail event. Unlike many prespawn tournaments with hefty weights, this 30-pound-plus sack was weighed in July, when many fish typically are entering their lowest weight period of the year.

“Last year was a good year for top weights, with 23 total derbies having winning weights over the 20-pound mark,” Naas said. “Only 15 tournament result cards with 20-pound-plus bags were turned in during 2023, by comparison.”

The effects of high water in the White River chain of lakes are also fairly obvious when you compare the last five years of reports. Beaver Lake, which has seen a pattern of higher water during spring for the last few years has climbed from a ranking of 15 in 2020 to the third-place spot in 2024, falling just short of Nimrod Lake (the top lake in the report during the last three years). Freshly flooded habitat has created a burst of productivity not only for the bass, but also for the forage in the lake, creating ideal growing conditions. During the same time frame, nearby Bull Shoals Lake dropped from the number one spot in 2020 to a ranking of 12 last year.

Millwood Lake receives a healthy portion of Florida bass from AGFC hatcheries. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath. 

“Bull Shoals is starting to see the same effect Norfork had with too many high-water years in a row,” Risley said. “It’s created too many mouths to feed and overall growth has slowed as a result.”

You can’t talk about bass tournament fishing without at least touching on forward-facing sonar. Risley and Naas both acknowledge the shift in fishing styles on many bodies of water, but the latest evidence indicates the overall impact of LiveScope on tournament weights may not be as drastic as once feared.

“We did track one tournament series last winter that had three tournaments allowing live sonar and three that the technology was banned,” Naas said. “The weights increased, but only slightly. Winning weights were an average of 3 pounds heavier and the average weight per bass caught was 0.5 pounds heavier, but the number of fish caught and number of 5-pound-or-larger fish was consistent between the tournaments. It’s a very small sample size, but that’s what we have to go on. The more data our tournament anglers and directors give us, the more we will be able to monitor any effects of the technology on bass tournament weights.”

Risley agrees and says he does see a slight increase in weights now compared to tournaments before forward-facing sonar became popular, but a lot of factors can go into tournament results.

“Timing, location, weather and local conditions have so much impact on tournament weights that it’s nearly impossible to make a blanket statement without a lot of data points to compare,” Risley said.

Visit www.agfc.com/atip to see the complete report and reports from the last decade. Tournament directors can also find an online reporting form to enter their tournament information on this page to help generate future reports.

Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

About 75 years ago, people with severe intellectual or emotional disabilities in Arkansas were relegated to one state facility in downtown Little Rock.

In the late 1800s, it was called the Arkansas Lunatic Asylum. About 20 years later, the name changed to the Arkansas State Hospital for Nervous Diseases. And in 1933, the state settled on its current title: the Arkansas State Hospital.

Now, families have a few more options. There are five Human Development Centers scattered around Arkansas. These are long term care facilities where residents eat, work, sleep and live among people with similar challenges or diagnoses.

Legislature considers bill to regulate Disability Rights Arkansas

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Tom Masseau, executive director of Disability Rights Arkansas, testifies against House Bill 1382 on Feb. 11, 2025.

Representative French Hill on Bloomberg Surveillance

REP. HILL ON BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE: WHEN YOU MANDATE THIS KIND OF A PRICE CAP, YOU ARE GOING TO DENY DEPOSIT SERVICES AND OVERDRAFT PRIVILEGE SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME AMERICAN FAMILIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) joined Bloomberg Surveillance to discuss President Trump's work to make America competitive again, his Overdraft CRA, and more.

To watch the full interview, please visit HERE.

Topline Quotes:

• "When you mandate this kind of a price cap, you are going to deny deposit services and overdraft privilege services to millions of low-income American families – that is why the CFPB rule is wrong. I want the competition to handle that as it is today."

• "Every customer I had at my company in the Mississippi Delta was a smart consumer of how to balance their capital and income needs for their family every month, and what Rohit Chopra does is take that privilege away from millions of people."

• "The President is focused on bringing broad manufacturing back to the United States, and I think the United States is the single best location for foreign direct investment in the world... Europe is not surging, Europe is slumping, and I am glad to see that actions taken by the U.S. are encouraging, maybe, a change economically and militarily in Europe."

Arkansas Congressional Delegation Gathers For Gavel Photograph

Washington, DC—March 6, 2025…In a unique moment for Arkansas, each Member of Congress in the Senate and House of Representatives serving across the Natural State proudly hold a gavel in the 119th Congress. This positions Arkansas well to be a frontrunner in policy making decisions that greatly impact Arkansans and Americans alike. Earlier this week, each member of the Arkansas delegation gathered for a photograph in the U.S. Capitol to commemorate this exciting achievement. 

• Senator John Boozman – Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairman

• Senator Tom Cotton – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

• Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) – House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman

• Representative French Hill (AR-02) – House Financial Services Committee Chairman

• Representative Steve Womack (AR-03) – House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Chairman

• Representative Bruce Westerman (AR-04) – House Natural Resources Committee Chairman

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’ Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

During the 7th week of the 2025 Regular Session, the House approved HCR1006, extending the session until April 16, with adjournment Sine Die on May 5. 

The House passed three bills this week focusing on initiatives and referendum petitions. SB207 requires canvassers to inform potential petitioners that petition fraud is a class A misdemeanor. SB208 requires canvassers to verify petitioners' photo IDs before collecting signatures, while SB211 mandates canvassers to submit an affidavit confirming their adherence to Arkansas laws concerning canvassing, perjury, forgery, and election fraud.  

The House also passed two bills this week addressing human trafficking. HB1474 mandates the display of information about the National Human Trafficking Hotline at nail salons, massage businesses, and any privately owned facilities offering food, fuel, shower, or sanitary services, as well as overnight parking, within 1,320 feet of an interstate. HB1440 requires massage therapy establishments to list all therapists working there with the Arkansas Department of Health.  

Education legislation was also addressed with the passage of SB206 and HB1117. SB206 increases the maximum amount for literacy tutoring grants from $500 to $1,500, provided funding is available.

HB1117 states that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate firearm safety instruction. 

Beginning March 3, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will begin hearing proposed constitutional amendments after House adjournment on Mondays. There are 20 proposals filed in the House, and the committee will hear testimony on all of the proposals before taking any votes. Pursuant to the Arkansas Constitution, the General Assembly can place up to three constitutional amendments on the November 2026 General Election Ballot.  

For more details, you can access proposed amendments, and recently filed bills, and watch all House meetings at arkansashouse.org.

Bill would let utilities raise rates annually to build power plants

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Legislative sponsors have introduced a bill they say will allow electric utilities to increase rates sooner and annually to build power plants, ultimately creating lower rates long term.

Senate Bill 307, otherwise known as the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025, would allow utilities and electric cooperatives to file annual riders with the state Public Service Commission (PSC). Those riders would allow them to increase rates annually before a new plant is fully capitalized, rather than the current system that enacts a larger rate increase near the end of the process. The commission would have to determine if the update is in the public interest.

The 62-page bill would not allow annual updates to increase to the point that they are more than 10% below the national average for all sectors. The commission could allow utilities to increase rates above that amount if there is evidence the rates would attract or retain economic development opportunities and would be in the public interest.

Bill would let utilities raise rates annually to build power plants

Arkansas’ First Gentleman Bryan Sanders sees opportunities in the state’s outdoor economy

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Bryan Sanders, the state’s first First Gentleman, was given a task by his wife, Gov. Sarah Sanders, early in her administration: grow Arkansas’ outdoor economy.

And that’s what he aims to do.

It’s an unpaid job, but Bryan Sanders is well-suited for the role. He loves to fish and hunt. He’s an avid hiker and mountain biker. And he loves the beauty of the Natural State. Gov. Sanders put Bryan in charge of the Natural State Advisory Council, a group of public and private stakeholders in the tourism industry that is identifying ways for Arkansas to stand out from its neighboring competitors and to provide world-class attractions to outdoors lovers.

“I think the focus of Natural State Initiative all along has been collaboration,” Bryan said in an interview with Northeast Arkansas Talk Business & Politics. “It’s not meant to be top down, heavy-handed government. It’s really how you bring together all the different stakeholders and find ways that we can collaborate and really move the needle in terms of, No. 1, establishing Arkansas even more as a world-class destination for outdoor recreation but also just growing our outdoor economy and tourism industry.”

Arkansas’ First Gentleman Bryan Sanders sees opportunities in the state’s outdoor economy

First Gentleman Bryan Sanders and his son, George.

Cooperative Extension Service University Center launches new Labor Market Observatory tool

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service has released a new data tool providing access to workforce indicators across the state.

The Labor Market Observatory provides data from each of the state’s eight economic development districts. The new tool is a product of extension’s Community, Professional and Economic Development department. In the fall of 2023, the department received funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center Program to create the Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development. The center worked in partnership with Heartland Forward to develop the LMO.

“The Labor Market Observatory is a visual representation of workforce and demographic metrics for the state of Arkansas,” said Brandon L. Mathews, extension program associate for economic development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — A new data tool, created in partnership by the Cooperative Extension Service and Heartland Forward, provides access to workforce indicators from each of Arkansas' eight economic development districts, which are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. (Division of Agriculture graphic.) 

Mathews said the tool is designed to help development professionals, community organizations and individuals access workforce indicators from state and federal sources. These indicators include demographic information — such as the share of Hispanic, Marshallese, and rural and urban populations — as well as housing, income and employment statistics at the county, development district and state level.

Arkansas is divided into eight economic development districts that are funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. These districts offer a range of services for their communities, including grant writing, planning, and community and economic development.

“Economic development districts were the primary audience in developing the LMO tool,” Mathews said. “However, economic developers, city and county officials, chambers of commerce and the general public will be able to access the LMO. The goal of this tool is to provide workforce information to help communities make informed decisions based on key data, while also making the information easier to understand.”

Mathews said that when a development professional from one of the districts wants to calculate housing costs and income for a region and compare it to the whole state, for example, the LMO tool will retrieve the relevant data and calculate totals, rather than the individual having to compile data from several sources.

“All of that work is done for them through the LMO, automatically saving them time and resources,” he said.

Mathews said the LMO is intended to help the state’s economic and workforce practitioners make smart choices that “support workforce and human capital projects that are good for Arkansans.”

Help for Arkansans

Each economic development district is required to develop a data-driven plan that is specific to the needs and opportunities of their community. Mathews said the LMO can help these regions measure success in reaching their strategic goals.

“As LMO data and features are added over time,” Mathews said, “the hope is that the Cooperative Extension Service will become a trusted and reliable source for workforce data.”

Hunter Goodman, assistant professor and extension director of the Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development, said the LMO is key to the center’s mission.

“The data dashboards are an important component of our mission to equip Arkansans with sustainable, accessible, research-based practices and expertise to create vibrant, self-reliant communities where businesses, organizations and families thrive,” Goodman said.

The LMO was developed in partnership with Heartland Forward, a Bentonville-based organization dedicated to advancing economic success in the middle of the country, with three core impact areas: regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness. Heartland Forward led the creation of the visualization dashboard.

“We’re excited to roll out the dashboards and honored to serve as a trusted resource for this project,” said Rodrigo Ramirez-Perez, a research analyst at Heartland Forward. “By making data more accessible and approachable for development professionals, community organizations and individuals alike, we believe they can strengthen their communities through strategies informed by data-driven insights.”

Mathews said more workforce data will be added to the LMO in the coming months, with plans to provide data at the city or zip code level where available. The University Center plans to host a series of trainings on how to use the LMO, which will soon be added to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture calendar. Event postings will also be shared on the Division of Agriculture’s Community and Economic Development Facebook page.  

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X 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 X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Ballot measure, school phone ban, maternal health bills go to governor

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Members of the Arkansas Senate on Tuesday gave final legislative approval to several bills, all of which are likely to be signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The proposals approved by lawmakers could have wide-ranging effects on maternal health, education and the ballot initiative process in Arkansas.

Ballot titles 

Senators gave final approval to a pair of bills adding new restrictions to the ballot initiative process.

House Bill 1221 prevents signatures collected by petitioners from being carried over to another election cycle. House Bill 1222 requires the attorney general to reject initiatives which conflict with federal law, or which cover similar topics.

Ballot measure, school phone ban, maternal health bills go to governor

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Bills to ban phones in schools, boost maternal health and impose new restrictions on the ballot initiative process all gained final legislative approval Tuesday. 

Members of the Arkansas Senate on Tuesday gave final legislative approval to

Coalition Suing Against Unlawful Biden Administration Rule Files Report with Court Clarifying That Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is Not Being Challenged

Griffin: ‘Threatening Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in its entirety was never our goal nor was it something we sought, despite what some have said in the media and online’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after he and the coalition of 16 other attorneys general who last year sued the Biden administration over an unlawful federal rule clarified their position with a filing in court:

“As I have reiterated over the past week, from the beginning, our lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s rule categorizing gender dysphoria as a disability was about just that: challenging that specific rule. Threatening Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in its entirety was never our goal, nor was it something we sought, despite what some have said in the media and online. But to ensure all stakeholders involved are comfortable and are clear about the 17 states’ intent, we have filed a status report with the court with the following language:

Plaintiffs clarify that they have never moved—and do not plan to move—the Court to declare or enjoin Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, as unconstitutional on its face. Plaintiffs have not sought and do not seek to enjoin the disbursement of funds from the Department on the basis that the statute is unconstitutional.

The context of the entire Complaint, ECF No. 1, shows that the meaning and scope of Count 3 asserting a claim under the Spending Clause—and the declaratory and injunctive relief sought in the demand—is an as-applied challenge to any purported application of Section 504 to funds that are not authorized by the Rehabilitation Act. Such alleged unconstitutional applications include the requirements the Final Rule imposes on recipients to adopt the “most integrated setting” and the “at serious risk of institutionalization” standards of care. 89 Fed. Reg. 40,066, 40,183, 40,120–21, 40,192 (May 9, 2024).

Nothing in Plaintiffs’ Complaint seeks to restrain the disbursement of federal funds from the Department on the basis that the statute is unconstitutional, or to otherwise prevent the Federal Government from allocating spending or applying the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act to any recipients of such funds.

“Also, it deserves mention that the lawsuit is stayed pending review of the rule by the Trump administration. I am confident the administration will soon abandon Biden’s blatantly unlawful interpretation of Section 504, which was the basis of our lawsuit in the first place.”

To read the full status report filed with the United States District Court Northern District of Texas, click here.

Gov. Sanders announces ACCESS higher ed details, seeks to remove DEI metrics

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Gov. Sarah Sanders unveiled details of her Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform plan on Friday (Feb. 14). The roughly 110-page bill, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, and Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, is expected to be filed Feb. 17.

The acronym ACCESS stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships and standardization. Sanders said higher education reform is her top priority this legislative session. She said she wants to reduce the system’s complexity so both high school seniors and middle-aged moms can access a college education.

“We all see the same issues,” she said. “The system has become too complicated, too woke, and far too often doesn’t fully prepare students for the jobs of the future. ACCESS will fix that.”

Gov. Sanders announces ACCESS higher ed details, seeks to remove DEI metrics

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Friday (Feb. 14) unveiled details of her Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform plan during a press conference at the State Capitol.

Committee halts public comment, approves bill to require reports from Arkansas disability nonprofit

KUAR | By Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Legislation to require a disability advocacy group to supply reports to the Legislature earned initial approval from Arkansas lawmakers Tuesday.

Separately, the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor also sent the governor’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act on to the full House for consideration.

Under Rep. Jack Ladyman’s House Bill 1382, Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) would be mandated to provide reports to subcommittees of the Arkansas Legislative Council for review, even though the independent nonprofit doesn’t receive state funding.

Committee halts public comment, approves bill to require reports from Arkansas disability nonprofit

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, presents a bill to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor on Feb. 11, 2025. The bill would require Disability Rights Arkansas, a federally funded nonprofit, to provide reports to the Legislature.