Attorney General Alert: Don’t Fall Prey to a False Family Emergency

LITTLE ROCK – As spring break approaches, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning of the all too popular “family emergency” scam. The scam starts with an Arkansan receiving a panicked phone call from an unknown number claiming to be a family member, like a favorite grandchild, or a friend desperately needing money to get out of trouble. The Arkansan’s initial reaction is to immediately lend a hand to the loved one in need by offering to send money via wire transfer or purchase a gift card, where the money cannot be retrieved or traced. The reality is that the friend or relative on the phone is actually a con artist looking to profit from rushed emotional decisions.

“Con artists are ruthless and will quickly take advantage of the innocent with a simple phone call,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “If an Arkansan gets a call like this, he or she should hang up immediately and directly contact the person the caller claimed to be, and then report the scam to my office.”

Attorney General Rutledge recommends the following strategies to avoid falling victim to the “family emergency” scheme:

• Resist pressure to act quickly.

• Ask the caller for his or her name, and if it’s not provided, hang up immediately.

• Never give or wire money based on any unsolicited phone call.

• Verify the friend or family member’s location by calling the family member directly, or confirm with another family member or friend.

• Do not send money to an unknown account or entity.

• Have a plan in place when a family member is traveling to easily identify whether or not a need is genuine.

For more information related to scams, call the Attorney General’s Office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Arkansas’s Support for Ukraine

LITTLE ROCK – In the week since Russia invaded Ukraine, Arkansas has joined most of the world in condemning the unprovoked assault. Today I’d like to share the story of a woman from Ukraine who is watching the war from Arkansas and praying for her relatives and friends who are sheltering in basements in her homeland. Kateryna Pitchford’s story highlights the reality of the war for the rest of us.

Kateryna came to the United States in 2004 and is an associate professor of business at Central Baptist College in Conway. She was born in eastern Ukraine in 1982. The Russian invasion is one more chapter of horror for Kateryna’s family. A century ago, her great-grandparents and grandmother suffered under Soviet Russia. Kateryna grew up under the USSR, and she was nine when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991.

Thirty years later, Kateryna and her family live in uncertainty and nightmare. She communicates daily with her friends and family in Dnipro and Kyiv as they send images and videos by phone. A cousin showed Kateryna the inside of her refrigerator to assure Kateryna they had enough food. A friend who has supplies for two weeks says the nearby grocery store has sold out. Some remain in their homes, comforting their children as the sirens continually pierce the air; others continue to work. Ukrainians are brave, but they are very afraid by this unprovoked aggression and air attacks on civilians.

Kateryna participated in the Arkansas Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the mansion on Thursday. She recited the Lord’s Prayer in the Ukrainian language, followed by prayer for Ukraine in English.

The international support encourages her. She is proud to inform friends in Ukraine that the Hellfire and Stinger missiles going to their country are made in her home state. She tells them Arkansas is helping.

General Dynamics makes those missile in Camden, and every Javelin anti-tank weapon carries a Camden warhead. Aerojet makes the propulsion system in Camden. The missiles are known for their power to destroy tanks, buildings, and helicopters.

The killing of innocent citizens is a terrible evil, and this invasion of Ukraine ranks as the worst attack in Europe since the end of World War II. The Russians are violating the sovereignty and freedom of Ukraine. The free world must support Ukraine with all the defensive arms it can muster. We should not pull our punches, and Mr. Putin must pay a high price for this invasion.

Mr. Putin underestimated the resolve of the Ukrainians and the reaction of the free world. He thought Ukraine would simply fold, but he has found that his attack has hardened the loyalty and courage of Ukrainians into a resistance that may save the country. Ukrainians love their country and don’t want to leave or turn it over to Russian governance.

The sanctions are essential, but we all want to do more. In Arkansas, I directed a review of our investments, and our alcohol distributers agreed to no longer buy Russian vodka. We need to do more, and I am hopeful that much more is being done covertly to help Ukraine.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The House will begin the 3rd week of the 2022 Fiscal Session on Monday. The second week was an abbreviated one due to the federal holiday and winter weather across the state.

In addition to several appropriation bills, the House also passed the following pieces of legislation this week:

SB87-This bill establishes coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of morbid obesity under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.

SB86-This bill establishes a funding mechanism to ensure the solvency of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program by directing the Employee Benefits Division to aim for a reserve balance of 14% of expenses.

SB85-This bill clarifies the definition of “eligible inactive retiree” to participate in the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.

SB88-This bill modifies the state contribution to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.

This completes our work on a package of bills we elected to take up during this Fiscal Session to ensure the health insurance plan for state and public school employees and retirees remains financially stable without reducing benefits.

On Tuesday, the House approved an amendment to HB1034, an appropriation for the Department of Corrections. The amendment adds $4.5 million to be used for employees’ overtime pay.

The House also approved an amendment to HB1067, an appropriation for the Division of Career and Technical Education. The amendment adds approximately $1.4 million for vocational training.

The Joint Budget Committee is working to complete the review and votes of the remaining budget bills in the upcoming week. The bill filing deadline for the 2022 Fiscal Session is February 28.

The House will reconvene on Monday, February 28, at noon. You can watch all committee meetings and House proceedings at www.arkansashouse.org

Appeal filed in dismissal of Arkansas redistricting case

KUAR | By Josie Lenora, Daniel Breen

A decision by a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ new districts in the state House of Representatives is being appealed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Arkansas State Conference NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy challenged the new map arguing it dilutes the power of Black voters. The map was approved by the state Board of Apportionment, which is made up of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State John Thurston, all Republicans.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-02-23/groups-appeal-dismissal-of-arkansas-redistricting-case

ARCAN/Arkansas PBS

Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge confer before the start of a meeting on Nov. 29, 2021 in which new legislative maps were approved.

More than 27,000 feral hogs eradicated in Arkansas

KUAR | By George Jared/ Talk Business & Politics

Feral hogs cause billions of dollars in agriculture losses nationwide each year, and in the Natural State an effort has been underway since before the pandemic to curb the problem. At least 27,803 feral hogs have been killed in Arkansas since January 2020 by members of the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

The Feral Hog Eradication Task Force was initially created by the Arkansas Legislature during the 2017 regular session and was directed to create a plan for the eradication of feral hogs in Arkansas. The Task Force is made up of 21 federal and state agencies and non-government organizations.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-02-21/more-than-27-000-feral-hogs-eradicated-in-arkansas

United States Division Of Agriculture

Feral hogs, an invasive species, are especially destructive to agricultural crops, native wildlife, and young domestic livestock.

State Representative Lowery exits Secretary of State’s race, will seek Treasurer’s post

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said Friday (Jan. 21) he would leave the Secretary of State’s race and would instead seek the Republican nomination for Treasurer of State.

Sen. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, has already announced for the Treasurer’s seat. No Democrats have announced yet.

Lowery has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives since 2013. He is the chair of the House Insurance & Commerce Committee.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/rep-lowery-exits-secretary-of-states-race-will-seek-treasurers-post/

Winter Weather Briefing Updated for Arkansas

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address Arkansas’s Pillars for Educational Success

LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about the pillars of our education system that allow Arkansans to adapt to an economy that grows more complex and more high-tech by the day. We must preserve and strengthen these pillars for our young people as they pursue satisfying careers.

The first pillar is an unshakable commitment to the fundamentals of education: in-classroom learning built upon effective instruction in core subject areas taught by high-quality teachers.

In Arkansas, we know that school isn't really school without that pillar. That was one of the crucial considerations when we decided to continue in-person learning throughout the past school year, even in the face of well-intentioned resistance. Arkansas was one of only four states to do that.

The value of in-person school — with sports, band, socializing, and teacher contact — over the isolation of remote learning was clear. In rural areas, we boosted teacher pay to retain good teachers so that all students had adequate instruction regardless of their ZIP code.

A commitment to the fundamentals goes beyond attending school in person. Core reading and literacy skills are vital to success in the classroom, in life, and in every career path.

Here’s a bit of history to confirm our commitment to the basics. In 2017, we saw a pressing need to increase reading skills throughout our schools. We established the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence to provide reading instruction based upon the science of reading emphasizing phonics. We also worked to create a culture of reading in the schools, with individualized help to assure third-grade students read at grade level. This significant initiative will increase the number of students who are reading and performing at the highest level.

The second pillar is our commitment to embrace 21st Century tools as we teach the fundamentals. The first step in that was the computer science requirements we implemented. These requirements have set us apart from other states and contributed to our reputation as an attractive state for innovative companies across a host of industries.

Our success in Arkansas is proof that we can quickly overcome stereotypes and increase test scores. Computer science was just the beginning. Even before COVID struck, broadband connectivity was fast becoming essential for us to compete with other states. When the CARES Act opened new opportunities for funding, we redoubled our efforts to take broadband to students in rural and low-income areas.

The third pillar is our public-private partnerships. When it comes to connectivity and workforce training, the government cannot and should not go it alone. Arkansas’s Ready for Life initiative allows the private sector the opportunity to participate in building our workforce. Ready for Life is a one-stop website where job-seekers, educators, and employers can find each other.

That’s our formula. No. 1. Teach the old-school fundamentals. No. 2. Enthusiastically embrace 21st Century tools to teach the fundamentals. No. 3. Enhance public-private partnerships in support of education. Do those three things, and success will come naturally.

Friday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 3

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 3
Active Probable Cases: 5

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 2

In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 188 new cases; 2,151 active cases; 177 hospitalized, which is down 4 from Wednesday; 34 on ventilators, which is down 1 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 3, for a total of 5,757; a total of 336,948 cases; PCR tests, 3,565; antigen tests, 819.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Benton, 26; Craighead, 18; and Faulkner, 16.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

“When the first vaccines were distributed in December, we had over 1,000 hospitalizations and nearly 21,000 active cases. Looking at today's report, we can tell the vaccine is effective. Getting vaccinated protects you, your neighbors, and all those you care about.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

UAMS Doctor Discusses Ways To Prevent Colon Cancer

By KYLE KELLAMS

Colon cancer is the second-leading cancer-related cause of death in the United States. In our continuing series about aging and health, in collaboration with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Sheena CarlLee explains why colon cancer is also very preventable.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/uams-doctor-discusses-ways-prevent-colon-cancer

Sheena CarlLee, M.D., is an internal medicine specialist at UAMS Northwest.

COURTESY / UAMS NORTHWEST

Daily Legislative Update From State Representative Deann Vaught:

The House approved a resolution that will provide for an extended recess of the 2021 Regular Session. HCR1015 would allow the General Assembly to recess on April 30 and return when census data becomes available to complete congressional redistricting. Currently, census data is expected to be released in September.

The House also voted in favor of the following bills on Monday:

HB1678-This bill allows the State Board of Education to issue a teaching license to a university professor or an assistant professor.

HB1313-This bill addresses damage, destruction, or vandalism to buildings and objects on the State Capitol Grounds and at the Governor’s Mansion. It states damage to public buildings or objects of respect is a Class A misdemeanor if the damage is under $500. It becomes a Class D felony if the value of the damage exceeds $500.

HB1505-This bill makes leaving the scene of an accident with injuries a Class D felony. If there are serious physical injuries or death of a person, the offender would be charged with a Class B felony.

SB339-This bill states restaurants holding a valid alcoholic beverage permit may sell alcoholic beverages in a sealed container to be consumed off-premises. This is currently allowed under an executive order due to the health emergency. SB339 would allow the practice to continue after the emergency.

SB341-This bill prohibits collective bargaining by public employees. The bill states public employees do not include law enforcement officers, firefighters, or public transit system employees.

SB354-This bill states that interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a school shall be expressly designated as one of the following based on biological sex:

(1) "Male", "men's", or "boys”

(2) "Female", "women's", or "girls"

It also states a student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffers harm as a result of a violation of this law can seek injunctive relief and monetary damages.

The House will convene on Tuesday at 1 pm.

Arkansas Opens Vaccine Eligibility To Everyone In Phase 1-C Category

By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

With around 10% of Arkansans being fully vaccinated and a push by the Biden administration to open vaccine access, Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday expanded eligibility an estimated 1.2 million Arkansans in the 1c category.

There are an estimated 2.131 million Arkansans now eligible – total in categories 1a-c – to receive the vaccine, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The state’s population is about 3.018 million according to the latest estimate from the U.S. Census.

“It is important to move to 1c so we can open up more and keep the demand coming for the vaccine to make sure there is not any gap and to give everyone the best opportunity to get the vaccine that wants one and who needs it,” Gov. Hutchinson said Tuesday during his weekly COVID-19 press briefing.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-opens-vaccine-eligibility-everyone-phase-1-c-category

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday he is expanding vaccine eligibility to all Arkansans in category 1-C.

CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE / YOUTUBE

Road Conditions Thursday Morning in Arkansas

Daily Legislative Report From State Representative Deann Vaught:

The House has adjourned from the 4th week of the Regular Session. The following bills were passed by the House Thursday afternoon:

** HB1315. This bill creates a state meat inspection program. The bill states that a lack of a state meat inspection program causes a significant loss of revenue generated from meat processing for this state and stifles opportunities for farmers to expand their meat processing capacity. It also states that without a state meat inspection program, it is currently prohibitively expensive for food banks to receive and distribute meat.

** HB1236-This bill states in the event of a civil disturbance or a crime in progress that requires additional law enforcement resources, the Governor may establish a system of unified command of law enforcement efforts and may designate which law enforcement agency or law enforcement agencies have primary jurisdiction on the State Capitol grounds and in the State Capitol building.

** HB1338-This bill raises the number of signatures needed for an individual to be placed on the Arkansas ballot as a candidate for President of the United States. Currently, 1,000 signatures are required. This bill raises it to 5,000.

** HB1228-This bill allows the establishment of designated entertainment districts in an area with entities authorized to sell alcoholic beverages.

** HB1124-This bill amends punitive articles of the Military Code of Arkansas concerning sexual assault and sexual contact.

The House also passed a resolution to extend the session if needed. HCR1008 provides for a recess on April 9 and an extension of the 2021 Regular Session until May 3, if necessary.

The House will convene on Monday at 1 pm.

Monday COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 41
Active Confirmed Cases: 26
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 75
Active Confirmed Cases: 35
Active Probable Cases: 40

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 33
Active Probable Cases: 9

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 78
Active Confirmed Cases: 71
Active Probable Cases: 7

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 18
Active Confirmed Cases: 14
Active Probable Cases: 4

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Confirmed Cases: 23
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 66
Active Confirmed Cases: 31
Active Probable Cases: 35

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 17

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 93
Active Confirmed Cases: 85
Active Probable Cases: 8

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 32
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 11

Arkansas County Clerks See Uptick In Absentee Ballot Requests, But Feel Prepared For 2020 Election

With the general election less than two weeks away, Arkansans currently have three ways to vote: on Election Day, Nov. 3, during early voting which runs until Nov. 2, or with an absentee ballot, where the deadline to apply to receive one by mail is Oct. 27. 

On the Arkansas absentee ballot application itself, voters must choose between three options for requesting a ballot.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-county-clerks-see-uptick-absentee-ballot-requests-feel-prepared-2020-election

Arkansas County Clerks See Uptick In Absentee Ballot Requests, But Feel Prepared For 2020 Election

With the general election less than two weeks away, Arkansans currently have three ways to vote: on Election Day, Nov. 3, during early voting which runs until Nov. 2, or with an absentee ballot, where the deadline to apply to receive one by mail is Oct. 27.

UA Cossatot YouthBuild Students Complete Mental Toughness Training

(from left to right) Hattie Vance, Timothy Stubbs, Jonathon Harrington, Raymond Perez, Coby Butler, and Sherriff Robert Gentry

Jayden Pope is one of the students who was unavailable for the group picture

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Leveling the Broadband Playing Field

LITTLE ROCK – COVID-19 has highlighted some of the shortcomings of our broadband connectivity, but the pandemic also has created opportunities for us to accelerate our expansion of internet service, which I’d like to talk about today.

Earlier this year, I created a steering committee to study our needs and recommend the best use of federal money that is returning to the state through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The members of the committee recognized that many rural communities in our state are in dire need of better access to high-speed internet.

Senate President Jim Hendren and House Speaker Matthew Shepherd of the General Assembly advocated for the expenditure of $100 million for Arkansas Rural Connect, a great program to assist our local communities in expanding internet access.

The coronavirus has limited many of our normal activities, such as attending school and visiting a doctor. The internet has allowed us to adapt to the difficulties. Without effective broadband, many Arkansans would not be able to adapt and access distance learning or keep a telemedicine appointment with a doctor.

The state has made grants to seven companies: $1.6 million to Arkansas Telephone Company to serve parts of Fairfield Bay; $1.9 million to Pinnacle Communications for parts of Ozark; $2 million to CableSouth Media 3 to serve Lonoke and $2 million for Hamburg; $449,000 was granted to Premier Holdings for Nashville; Hillbilly Wireless will receive $497,000 for Cotton Plant and another $804,000 for Cave City. Magazine Telephone Company will receive a little more than a million dollars in non-CARES Act money for Magazine.

In another of our ongoing efforts to expand broadband service, the legislature created the Rural Broadband I.D. Expenses Trust Fund. This money is being awarded as one-time grants to help service providers meet rigorous requirements for due diligence for large federal grant programs with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Federal Communications Commission.

Rural Broadband I.D. is based at UAMS’s Office of Digital Health and Innovation. With Rural Broadband I.D., we are deploying a broader and more detailed strategy for expanding broadband across the most rural parts of our state.

Broadband service must download at a rate of at least 25 megabits per second and upload at 3 megabits per second, which would load a normal song in one second and a two-hour movie in 10 minutes.

Broadband at these speeds will level the playing field as we compete on a global scale. Arkansans in rural communities will have access to the same information and services as people in Fort Smith and Fayetteville.