Arkansas News

Attorney General Griffin and 30-state coalition announce opioid settlement with Kroger

Griffin: ‘I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that Arkansas will receive up to $13,535,086.30 as its share of a $1.37 billion settlement with Arkansas, 29 other states, and Kroger over its role in the opioid crisis:

“Opioid addiction continues to be a scourge in Arkansas and our nation. I am pleased with this settlement as the funds will go to opioid abatement. I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable.”

Arkansas’s share will be paid over 11 payments through 2034. Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

Flickr Image

Between 2006 and 2014, Arkansas was flooded with almost 1.5 billion units of addictive opioids. By 2016, Arkansas had the second-highest opioid prescription rate in the nation, with 114.6 opioids being dispersed for every 100 Arkansans.

In November 2023, Griffin announced a grant of $50 million of the state’s opioid settlement funds to help establish the National Center for Opioid Research & Clinical Effectiveness (NCOR) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

To read the settlement, click here.

UAMS Earns ‘Most Wired’ Recognition from CHIME for Use of Technology

By Chris Carmody

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently garnered recognition as a 2024 Digital Health Most Wired organization from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME).

CHIME’s Digital Health Most Wired program conducts annual surveys that serve as a comprehensive “digital health check-up,” evaluating the adoption, integration and impact of technology in health care organizations. Participating organizations received certification based on their overall performance, with Level 10 being the highest.

This year, the program awarded UAMS a Level 9 rating in the category of acute care. Among the more than 47,000 facilities represented in the surveys, UAMS ranked above many of its peers in areas such as cybersecurity, data visualization and analytics, infrastructure, and patient engagement.

UAMS Earns ‘Most Wired’ Recognition from CHIME for Use of Technology

Sanders Appoints Gary Arnold to the Arkansas State Board of Education

Gary Arnold - LinkedIn Image

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Gary Arnold to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education. This is Governor Sanders’ third appointment to the Board of Education. Arnold, whose term will expire on June 30, 2027, is replacing Steve Sutton.

“Gary is a longtime education leader and was one of our key allies in the LEARNS implementation process as part of the Rules and Regulations Taskforce,” said Governor Sanders. “With the help of Gary’s careful stewardship, the first school year with Arkansas LEARNS was a huge success, and the second year is shaping up to be even better. Now parents will have Gary on the Board of Education, fighting for a better Arkansas.”

“The best part of being an educator is learning something new every day. If we’re honest, we’re all students for life. Always learning. Always growing. Always getting better. That drives ADE’s vision for Arkansas to be a national leader in student-centered education,” said Gary Arnold. “I’m honored to now be on this team and I look forward to helping champion Governor Sanders’ bold reforms. Together, we’re taking Arkansas to the top.”

Gary Arnold Bio:
Gary Arnold currently serves as the Director of Head of School Certification at The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA) and as the Founder and Partner at NextEd, LLC. Before this role, Gary spent 16 years leading an independent school in Central Arkansas. During the LEARNS implementation process, Gary served on the Rules and Regulations Taskforce.

Gary began his career in education serving as the Head of School at the Trinity School of Cape Cod. Since then, he has served in numerous school leadership positions in Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. In addition to his professional life, Gary has been a longtime advocate for school choice. For over 20 years, he has served on The Council on American Private Education (CAPE), in Washington, D.C where he now serves on the Executive Committee. Gary has had numerous articles published on leadership and the education landscape. 

Gary is a Wheaton College graduate and holds a doctorate in education from National Louis University in Evanston, Illinois. He is married to his wife Karen and is a father and grandfather.

National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Briefing

A line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms is expected to move into western Arkansas Monday night ahead of an advancing cold front. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and perhaps an isolated tornado.

Heavy rainfall has already fallen across a good portion of central, western, and northern Arkansas over the last 24-hours. Additional heavy rainfall and severe weather will be possible through Tuesday (election day). Here is an in-depth briefing explaining expected weather conditions through Wednesday morning.

  • Widespread rain fell yesterday and overnight leading to flooding across portions of northern Arkansas.

  • Additional rainfall is expected today and into Tuesday as a cold front begins to push towards the state.

  • An additional one to three inches will be possible through Tuesday

ARDOT receives $43.9 million grant for Helena Bridge

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

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) received a $43.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Bridge Investment Program for rehabilitation of the U.S. Highway 49 Mississippi River Bridge between Helena-West Helena, Ark., and Lula, Miss.

This project is a collaborative effort between ARDOT, the lead grant applicant, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), a co-applicant, for the rehabilitation of the Helena Bridge.

The Helena Bridge is a critical Mississippi River crossing of local, national, and international importance. This Mississippi River crossing is nearly one mile long and is currently rated as being in “poor” condition.

ARDOT receives $43.9 million grant for Helena Bridge

Attorney General Griffin launches "One Pill Can Kill," an initiative to combat fentanyl on college campuses

Griffin: ‘The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today at the University of Arkansas issued the following statement announcing “One Pill Can Kill,” an initiative to educate college students about the dangers of fentanyl and give them tools to combat it:

“Fentanyl is a scourge on our society, and it disproportionately impacts our young people. One Pill Can Kill is a multifaceted initiative to help protect college students from the risk of opioid overdose.

“As part of the initiative, student leaders are being educated about the dangers of fentanyl, and they’re being trained to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone to treat someone experiencing an overdose, and how to use testing strips to ensure that medications or beverages have not been laced with fentanyl.

“Using state opioid settlement funds, I am providing harm-prevention kits—which include fentanyl testing strips, a naloxone ‘vending machine,’ and funding the student training.

“This initiative will be statewide, but we are starting at the University of Arkansas campus here in Fayetteville. I am extremely grateful for the cooperation and support of Chancellor Charles Robinson and university staff. The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives.”

University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson provided this statement:

“Fentanyl overdoses are claiming the lives of far too many young Arkansans, and with the support of Attorney General Griffin, the University of Arkansas is fully committed to educating and equipping our community to confront this crisis head-on. As this initiative expands to colleges and universities throughout the state, its impact will multiply, offering life-saving knowledge and tools to thousands more young Arkansans.”

To learn more about Arkansas’s One Pill Can Kill initiative, visit www.arkansasag.gov/OnePillCanKill.

For a printer-friendly version of this document, click here.

Fentanyl-Oxy-Flickr Image

Attorney General Tim Griffin announces $1 Million cybersecurity grant to the University of Arkansas Little Rock

Griffin: ‘When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing a $1 million grant to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to establish a Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center:

“When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link. UA Little Rock is providing a shield and sword for Arkansans as one of the nation’s top cybersecurity programs. Its faculty is focused on providing real-world knowledge to its students. The CORE Center will enhance the program’s ability to produce well-prepared students who will, in turn, protect our citizens and their businesses, and join the fight against foreign and domestic adversaries in cyberspace.”

UA Little Rock Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Ann Bain provided this statement:

“This funding and support are not merely investments in our programs; they are investments in the security and prosperity of Arkansas. With this backing, we are able to educate and prepare the cyber experts who will protect our state’s infrastructure, businesses, and communities for years to come.”

UA Little Rock Associate Professor Dr. Phillip Huff provided this additional statement:

“We are deeply committed to driving cybersecurity education forward—not only for our students’ futures but for the protection and prosperity of Arkansas. We are grateful to Attorney General Tim Griffin because this support will help ensure that UA Little Rock remains a leader in this vital field and that Arkansas businesses, communities, and critical infrastructure are equipped to meet future cybersecurity challenges head-on.”

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin

Groups push for hand counting ballots across Arkansas

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

In Arkansas, machines count votes. But, there’s been a recent statewide push to count votes by hand for each election.

Col. Conrad Reynolds thinks Arkansas voting machines could be flipping votes.

“I believe 100% that we have no way of knowing, the way our current system is, whether our vote counted or not,” he said.

He doesn't know exactly why or exactly how. He doesn't even blame local election officials, but he is suspicious of ES&S, the company that makes the machines. He also thinks voting machines could explain why more members of the far-right Freedom Caucus are not in elected positions in Arkansas.

Groups push for hand counting ballots across Arkansas

Voting Machine - Flickr Image

Cooperative Extension Service to offer artificial insemination workshop Nov. 7-8

HOPE, Ark. — Cattle producers looking to learn new skills, brush up on old ones or just expand their beef cattle operations are invited to attend an artificial insemination course Nov. 7-8 in Hope. Registration is $450, due Nov. 4.

TWO-DAY WORKSHOP — Charles Looney, extension genetic improvement specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will lead an upcoming workshop on artificial insemination of cattle on Nov. 7-8. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The beef cattle course includes in-depth instruction on estrous synchronization, semen handling, pregnancy determination methods and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice artificial insemination techniques on live cattle.

The two-day event will take place at the Southwest Research & Extension Center, located at 457 S. Nip-n-Tuck Circle in Hope, Arkansas. The course will begin at 8 a.m. each day. The $450 registration includes lunch.

Charles Looney, extension genetic improvement specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the course will help participants approach cattle management as a holistic business.

“This workshop is more than just an A.I. school,” Looney said. “Of course we train you to artificially inseminate cows, but participants will be exposed to much more in cattle management, such as record keeping, nutrition and herd health.”

To register, visit uada.formstack.com/forms/beef_cattle_ai_2024.

Individuals with questions about the seminar should contact Looney at clooney@uada.edu or (870)826-3880.

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.

News and Facts About Arkansas Agriculture

2024 Arkansas Ag Profile 

Everywhere you look, you're surrounded by agriculture. Even if there's not a farm for miles around, agriculture is deeply interwoven with your life. It's on your grocery store shelves. It's at the farmers market. It's the cotton in your jeans, the biofuel in your gas tank, or even the leather in your baseball mitt. 

Did you know?

  • Arkansas has more than 41,000 farms.

  • 57 percent of the state's land is forested

  • Agriculture accounts for more than $20 billion in value added to the state's economy

Want to know more about ag in Arkansas?

TRI-Supported Researcher Megha Sharma, M.D., Published in Pediatrics

By David Robinson

A successful effort at UAMS to reduce the amount of blood taken for lab tests from premature infants has been published in the journal Pediatrics.

The project was led by Megha Sharma, M.D., a neonatologist and associate professor in the College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. Her work was conducted in the UAMS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) over two years as part of the UAMS Translational Research Institute’s Implementation Science Scholars Program. Her paper, “Reducing Iatrogenic Blood Losses in Premature Infants,” was published in September.

Research has shown that blood loss from repetitive lab testing is a significant contributor to anemia in very low birth weight infants (less than 3.3 pounds). The blood lost from lab tests in the first few weeks of life often equals or exceeds the amount of an infant’s total blood volume, which is only 2-3 ounces. It can lead to a range of poor health outcomes.

TRI-Supported Researcher Megha Sharma, M.D., Published in Pediatrics

Weekly update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Arkansas is home to more than 182,000 veterans.  As we approach Veterans Day, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank every one of them for their selflessness and bravery. We are also grateful to families of service members and veterans who also serve this nation with their support and sacrifice. Whether they served in times of war or peace, our veterans all share an unwavering belief in the cause of freedom.

The Arkansas General Assembly continually reviews ways to ensure our veterans and their families are well cared for and that our policies make life a little easier for those who call Arkansas home.

In 2017, we passed Act 141 which exempts military retirement benefits from state income tax.

In the 2023 Regular Session, we passed several pieces of legislation aimed at improving benefits for veterans including Act 395.  This act amends the definition of  “homestead” for purposes of the property tax exemption for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and minor dependent children of disabled veterans.

Act 201 seeks to have veteran disability benefits excluded as income for eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by directing DHS to seek a federal waiver.

ACT 137 adds consideration of national certifications toward initial occupational licensure and extends the application of the Arkansas Occupational Licensing of Uniformed Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses Act of 2021 to spouses. The act also eliminates the one-year limit for veterans to apply service education, training, or certifications toward initial occupational licensure.

ACT 649 repeals the deadline by which students must apply for school transfers under the Public School Choice Act of 2015 for children of uniformed services families and allows a child to be eligible for enrollment in the public school of his or her choice if certain conditions are met.
We will continue to study policies that support our veterans and their families.

We encourage Arkansans to consider ways they can support our veterans this Veterans Day and throughout the year. There are numerous volunteer opportunities across the state. Medical facilities, VA hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics need volunteers to perform a wide range of duties.

Free Youth Deer Tags Available at AGFC.com

The first segment of the 2024-25 Arkansas youth deer hunting season takes place this weekend, and many young guns will be celebrating their first deer hunting trip, first deer of the season and the beginning of their conservation journey as a hunter. Make sure they have all the tools for success, including the deer tags they will need to use to check their harvest with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

To obtain youth deer tags, your youth hunter will need to have their own account in the AGFC licensing system. Visit www.agfc.com and click “Get a License” on the top right hand corner of the website. Youth licensing options only appear under youth accounts, so if your youth hunter already has an account from previous years, be sure to sign in under their account. If you’ve never set up an account for your new hunter, click the “Create an Account” button to set them up. Their free deer tags will be listed under the Hunting section of the license system and will have the license code #YDT for residents and #YDTN for non-residents.

If you use the AGFC smartphone app, be sure to log out of your name and log into the youth’s account to obtain and use the youth’s deer tags.

Once their deer tags are obtained, youths will check their harvest just like adults. They may use the mobile app, www.agfc.com or call 833-289-2469 to check their deer at the location of harvest, and as long as their deer remains within their immediate vicinity until it is home, it does not need to be tagged with a physical tag. If you are unable to immediately check your deer through one of the three options (app, website or phone), you must place a temporary physical tag on the deer indicating the hunter’s name, customer identification number, date, time, zone or WMA of harvest and the method they used. This paper tag must stay with the deer until it is checked. Hunters have 12 hours after the time of harvest to check their deer.

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across western Arkansas Wednesday evening and Wednesday night.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible today across the region into this evening. Late tonight, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly northwest of the region. Look for strong south winds today outside thunderstorms with wind gusts upwards of 30 mph possible. There will continue to be an elevated fire threat due to very dry conditions with those conditions continuing until rainfall materializes later today into Thursday.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across eastern and southern Arkansas Thursday.

In SW AR, rain chances will continue through the end of the work week, into the upcoming weekend and into early next week as well. At this time, strong to severe thunderstorms do not appear likely through early next week. Temperatures will remain mostly above normal through the extended period as well.

The forecast for Halloween evening calls for rain chances across the southeast with dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will largely be in the 50s and 60s.

Crawford co-leads legislation to aid farmers

Washington, D.C. – Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) joined 47 of his colleagues in introducing legislation that will provide immediate support to farmers as Congress continues debating a long-term Farm Bill. The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (FARM Act) provides emergency assistance to producers of eligible commodities for which the expected revenue in crop year 2024 is below the projected per-acre cost of production. Current Farm Bill safety net provisions utilize cost of production data from 2012. As a result, the aid provided by these programs has not kept up with inflation.

“As lending season approaches, farmers must work to secure credit for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, credit is drying up as producers face climbing farm input costs and a decline in net farm income. Congressional Democrats have been unwilling to compromise on a new Farm Bill that provides long-term certainty for farm country, and so House Republicans are stepping up once again for our ag producers with this critical economic assistance,” said Rep. Crawford.

usda.gov image

“Farmers have been hit with circumstances outside of their control, such as natural disasters, inflation pressures, and drought, which have crippled their ability to obtain financing from credit and banking institutions. The FARM Act will bridge the gap, providing relief so that our farmers can continue to do their best—feed the nation,” said Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01). 

Original co-sponsors include: Representatives Sanford Bishop (GA), Julia Letlow (LA), Rick Allen (GA), Michael Guest (MS), Mike Rogers (AL), Barry Moore (AL), Austin Scott (GA), Don Bacon (NE), Rick Crawford (AR), Jerry Carl (AL), John Rose (TN), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Greg Murphy (NC), Jake Ellzey (TX), Troy Nehls (TX), Dale Strong (AL), Brad Finstad (MN), David Rouzer (NC), Robert Aderholt (AL), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Michelle Fischbach (MN), Mike Ezell (MS), Troy Balderson (OH), Tony Gonzales (TX), Henry Cuellar (TX), Michael McCaul (TX), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Clay Higgins (LA), Mike Collins (GA), Pat Fallon (TX), Pete Sessions (TX), Ronny Jackson (TX), David Kustoff (TN), Randy Feenstra (IA), John Carter (TX), Frank Lucas (OK), August Pfluger (TX), Gary Palmer (AL), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Buddy Carter (GA), Brian Babin (TX), Jim Baird (IN), Randy Weber (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Marc Veasey (TX), Nathaniel Moran (TX), and Michael Rulli (OH).

The FARM Act is endorsed by:

American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Rice, Western Peanut Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association. 

Attorney General Griffin joins 26-State coalition supporting Virginia's right to remove citizens from voting rolls

Griffin: ‘The fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after joining with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and 24 other state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court supporting Virginia’s lawful removal of non-citizens from its voter rolls:

“The National Voter Registration Act, passed by Congress, says that the fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution explains that the States have the primary authority over election administration, specifically the ‘times, places and manner of holding elections.’

“This is why I have joined this amicus brief in support of Virginia’s right to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls ahead of the upcoming election. The Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to prevent Virginia from implementing its own law—a law utilized by governors of both parties—is nothing more than a crass election-eve effort that instills confusion in the voting process.”

The Kansas-led brief also includes Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

To read the brief, click here.

Flickr Image

Arkansans can’t afford proposed utility rate increase, lawmakers tell regulatory agency

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Thousands of Arkansans would pay more for natural gas under an $87.7 million proposed utility rate increase, and lawmakers told leaders of the state’s utility regulator Monday they’re concerned constituents can’t afford it.

Summit Utilities, one of Arkansas’ natural gas providers, proposed a 30% rate increase for its approximately 525,000 customers in January. That was amended in an October settlement to instead raise rates by 23.4%. For the average household using 50 cubic feet of gas, that means an estimated monthly bill that’s $15.43 higher, plus a $4.37 monthly credit that’s about to roll off.

“We the taxpayers cannot afford this,” Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, said during Monday’s Joint Insurance and Commerce committee meeting. “We’ve had an increase in our water bills, we’ve had an increase in our energy bills. The hospitals that are saying they’re OK with this are going to go up on their prices, and all of that’s going to be passed on to us.”

Arkansans can’t afford proposed utility rate increase, lawmakers tell regulatory agency

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, shares concerns about Arkansas’ poultry growers being left out of the conservation on a proposed rate increase for Summit Utilities during a committee meeting on Oct. 28, 2024.

SPP approves $7.7 billion plan to expand, upgrade transmission capacity

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

Little Rock-based regional transmission organization Southwest Power Pool has approved a $7.7 billion plan to expand and upgrade the region’s transmission capacity, according to a Tuesday (Oct. 29) news release.

The organization’s board of directors approved the plan Tuesday as demand rises for reliable electricity throughout its service territory, which includes a part of Arkansas.

According to the release, SPP’s 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan is the single largest portfolio in terms of size and value that SPP has proposed for construction in its 20-year history as a transmission planning coordinator. The approved plan includes 89 transmission upgrades needed to address increasing electricity consumption and changes in the region’s generating fleet. The 89 projects represent 2,333 miles of new transmission and 495 miles of transmission rebuilds.

SPP approves $7.7 billion plan to expand, upgrade transmission capacity

Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Electioneering is prohibited 100 feet from the door of every voting center in Arkansas and this includes wearing campaign shirts, hats, or any other apparel with images or words that advocate for or against a candidate.

Arkansas law defines electioneering as the “display of, or audible dissemination of, information that advocates for or against any candidate, issue, or measure on a ballot.

It includes distributing campaign literature or literature regarding a candidate, issue or measure on the ballot; soliciting signatures on any petition; soliciting contributions; displaying a candidates name, likeness or logo; displaying a ballot measure’s number, title, subject or logo; displaying or dissemination of buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs or stickers containing electioneering information; and disseminating audible electioneering information.

Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers