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/

UAMS study points to limited potential for coronavirus mutations

KUAR | By Daniel Breen
Published January 25, 2022 at 1:20 PM CST

A new study hints at promising news for those researching new drugs and vaccines to fight COVID-19.

The study led by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences suggests the virus that causes COVID-19 may have a limited potential for new mutations. Researchers looked at how the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects its ability to mutate and evade new drug therapies.

UAMS researcher David Ussery, Ph.D. led the study, along with a multinational team of investigators. Speaking with KUAR News, Ussery said the genetic RNA code of the virus points to its ability to mutate.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-25/uams-study-points-to-limited-potential-for-coronavirus-mutations

David Ussery/UAMS

A graph displays genomic sequencing of samples from different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

UA Cossatot CARES Grant Application Re-Opens

UA Cossatot recently received an additional $387,000 in HEERF II funds for student financial relief. UA Cossatot will re-open the application to distribute Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for spring 2021 students on April 15, 2021.

Students who qualify for the grant will receive $500 if they are enrolled in 9 credit hours or more. Students who qualify for the grant will receive $250 if they are enrolled in 3 to 8 credit hours. There will be no deadline to apply; however, funds are limited. Eligible students will continue to be awarded until all funds are disbursed. A change in the most recent award guidelines now allows dual-enrolled high school students to apply for the new HEERF II funds.

The CARES Grant is intended to help offset expenses students experienced because of the COVID-19 health emergency. Student applicants need to indicate their financial needs as a result of COVID-19 on their application. According to Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole, “We will continue to get this federal funding into the hands of UA Cossatot students as quickly as possible to help them with their financial needs caused by the ongoing pandemic. We also will have additional application windows this summer and next fall as long as we continue to receive HEERF funding. We want to make sure that UA Cossatot students can continue to pursue their educational goals and us getting this funding to them is our most important job”.

UA Cossatot CARES Grant applications will be sent to student’s college and personal emails as well as a mailed letter with a QR code to apply.

For more information on eligibility requirements and a list of Frequently Asked Questions please visit www.cccua.edu/CARES.