Julianne Dunne, Hazelle Whited, Brook Kaufman, and Suzanne Babb came to our De Queen studios this morning to talk about advance planning for the 2024 eclipse.
A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse by some of the media.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 67
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 20
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 80
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 47
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 52
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 22
The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) & the ASU Delta Center are asking for our help with the historic Covid-19 study and survey to help all Arkansas Community Leaders, Business Organizations, and Citizens with Resiliency & Recovery. Southwest has received 2 survey links, one for Organization, and the other for all Southwest Region Residents.
All 8 Arkansas Planning & Development Districts (PDD) are working together to get feedback from their Region on how the pandemic has influenced health and economic well-being at this moment in time for each of the 8 Arkansas Regions. We are asking our Southwest Residents to please take a few minutes and fill out this important, and anonymous, Survey. Each PDD will use the information received from the Surveys to create their Region’s Strategic Plan for any future disasters/pandemics. When completed this coming Spring, all 8 Regional Plans will help all of Arkansas be better prepared and more resilient in the face of future disasters. We sincerely thank you for helping us with this enormously important project.
Link: http://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIkTI1MfodIbo5U
The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges, and the numbers for most area schools continue to trend downward. Some area schools of note include:
UA Cossatot, Mineral Springs, Kirby: less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)
Mena 8
De Queen 5
Ashdown 5
Centerpoint 5
Nashville 8
South Pike County 13
Horatio 9
Texarkana, AR 8
Cossatot River 7
Dierks 5
Foreman 6
For the complete report, please visit:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09272021.pdf
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 86
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 40
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 71
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 51
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 99
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 102
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 58
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 128
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 102
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 140
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 97
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 132
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 82
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 90
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 122
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 101
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 131
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 100
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 109
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 110
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 104
There are three legislative meetings scheduled this month to review proposals for congressional redistricting.
Arkansans are welcome to attend these meetings and comment on the proposals.
The proposals will be outlined in bills drafted by legislators. We have provided a link to the bills at www.arkansashouse.org.
The House and Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committees will be meeting jointly in the MAC building located directly behind the State Capitol.
The schedule will be as follows:
September 20, 2021 (1 p.m.)-Any congressional redistricting bills that have been filed by September 17, 2021, will be taken up by the committees.
September 23, 2021 (1 p.m.) - Any congressional redistricting bills that have been filed by September 21, 2021, will be taken up by the committees.
September 27, 2021 (1 p.m.) - Any congressional redistricting bills that have been filed by September 24, 2021, will be taken up by the committees.
The committees will take no action during these three meetings.
It is anticipated that leadership will call members back into the extended session of the 93rd General Assembly on September 29. That date is subject to change, and we will continue to update you on any developments.
The General Assembly is tasked with only drawing the boundaries of the U.S. House of Representatives districts in Arkansas. The Board of Apportionment is tasked with drawing the state legislative boundaries.
Our state’s population increased by 3.3% since 2010 when we last drew congressional boundaries. Some areas of the state have increased in population more than others. Our task is to redraw those boundaries now to ensure they are as equally populated as possible.
All meetings will be live-streamed and recorded at www.arkansashouse.org.
The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:
UA Cossatot less than 5 (ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy.)
Mena 14
De Queen 19
Ashdown 19
Centerpoint 20
Nashville 14
South Pike County 11
Horatio 15
Foreman 20
Texarkana, AR 12
Cossatot River 9
For the complete report, please visit:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09132021.pdf
Rice is grown in over 40 Arkansas counties. The crop contributes billions to the state’s economy and accounts for approximately 25,000 jobs, crucial to rural communities.
September is National Rice Month, a month-long celebration of all things rice. In Arkansas, we have a great deal to celebrate.
Our state is home to 2,300 rice farms and 96% of those farms are family owned and operated. Our farmers produce more than 9 billion pounds of rice each year.
The history of rice in Arkansas began in the 1800’s but it wasn’t until 1910 that production, research and milling were established in the state.
Today, Arkansas produces approximately 48 percent of U.S. rice and ranks number one in acres planted and bushels produced. Arkansas has been the nation’s leading rice-producing state since 1973.
Arkansas rice farmers not only contribute to our economy by creating jobs, they’re also known for giving back to their communities. The state’s rice industry gives over 100,000 pounds of rice annually to fight food insecurity in Arkansas.
Rice farmers have a commitment to protect and preserve natural resources. Today, Arkansas rice farmers produce more rice using less land, energy and water than they did 20 years ago. Working rice fields also provide critical wildlife habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles.
A half-cup cooked serving of white or brown rice costs less than 10 cents, and provides vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Consuming Arkansas-grown rice helps support our neighbors who continue to produce a quality food supply. You can help celebrate rice month by purchasing Arkansas-grown rice at your local supermarket.
We’ve posted more information about the industry on our websitewww.arkansashouse.org.
The ADH has released their most recent report on the rise of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:
UA Cossatot less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)
Mena 51
De Queen 33
Ashdown 32
Centerpoint 28
Nashville 24
Caddo Hills 23
South Pike County 23
Horatio 16
Mineral Springs 14
Foreman 13
Texarkana, AR 13
Cossatot River 8
Kirby 8
Dierks 5
For the complete report, please visit:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09062021.pdf
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 156
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 131
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 167
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 119
LITTLE ROCK – The county fair is one of the traditions that we missed last year because of the pandemic, and today I’m very excited to talk about the reopening of the fairs this fall.
The first known organized fair in the United States was a sheep-shearing contest in 1807 in Pennsylvania. Fairs expanded to include the judging of homemade muscadine jelly and green beans in Mason jars, merry-go-rounds, beauty pageants, basketball toss, and foods we eat only once a year. Fairs are a big deal in dozens of communities in Arkansas.
Barbie Washburn, president of the Arkansas Fair Managers Association, says the loss of last year’s fair season hurt small towns such as Marvel, where she lives and works. She also is president of the TriCounty Fair, which includes Philips, Lee, and Monroe counties.
She has loved the fair since childhood. She said, “As soon as it started rolling in, I could hear it and feel it. I couldn’t wait to ride the Ferris wheel and eat cotton candy.”
Now she lives three blocks from the TriCounty fairground. She said that last year, she missed walking outside onto her patio to listen to the sounds and see the lights.
She said, “Our attendance is usually 10,000. People come to town, buy gas, eat at the local diner. When the carnival’s here, the washateria is used 24/7.”
The fair buys feed from the local feed store, and supplies from the hardware store. That didn’t happen last year.
Just about all of the county fairs are reopened for this fall. Now, some of the fairs that are reopening won’t have a midway with rides and games because some of the carnival companies didn’t survive the pandemic. But Freddy Miller, whose parents Johnny and Sue started Miller Spectacular Shows in Greenbrier, said his family’s company has had a phenomenal recovery this year.
The survival of county fairs is important to our communities. In July, I asked the Department of Agriculture to release $1.8 million in premium and construction funding to fairs. Going back to 2019, the state has allocated $3.8 million.
Barbie really wants county fairs to survive. She fears losing another event that brings a community together. That’s what the county fair is for. You see people you may not see any other time of the year. The fair is especially important for making memories for children. And for me that is really important. Each year my daughter, Sarah, and I look forward to going to the fair. We ride rides and look at the exhibits from across the state.
I am confident that county fairs will continue to thrive. The Saline County Fair, Bull Riding, and Rodeo is returning this year, and I happen to know that because I am riding in the parade. I am happy to note that I’m doing it for the fun of it and to show my support for the fair.
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 128
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 141
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 108
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 151
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 112
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 147
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 156
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 164
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 121
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 151
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 136
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 120
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 144
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 104
UA Cossatot’s Center for Student Success Announces 2021-2022 Student Ambassadors
UA Cossatot’s Center for Student Success announced its 2021-2022 Student Ambassadors. Student Ambassadors include Layton Jackson, Dennis Guzman, Ana Ruvalcaba, Brenda Mera, Gisselle Gomez, Julie Clift, Kimberly Delgado, Lizbeth Ozura, Lizbeth Hernandez, and Mackynze Dollarhide.
UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors are chosen to be the face of UA Cossatot on campus and in the community. They are an active voice for the UA Cossatot student body. Through a joint effort with Student Services and other Student Ambassadors, they reach out to prospective students, sharing personal UA Cossatot experiences and successes. UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors are hard-working, honest, curious, adventurous, and have strong communication skills and high academic standards.
“Being a student ambassador not only teaches you the skills but also helps you broaden and fine-tune those you already have, said Center for Student Success and Enrichment Director Erika Buenrrostro. “You'll learn the different ways to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you'll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships. In addition, to be a UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors means developing students into leaders that we hope will pave the way for others to come.”
For more information on UA Cossatot’s Student Ambassador program, contact Ambassador Sponsor Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133 or ebuenrrostro@cccua.edu.