Walmart expands worker training program, adds bonus plan

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Two years after Walmart tested a program for employees to become truck drivers, the retail giant is expanding the program to include training for employees to pursue maintenance, refrigeration and HVAC, and automation support jobs in the retail giant’s operations.

Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said around 700,000 hourly store employees will be eligible for the new training being tested in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro with 100 participants. He said often an entry-level retail job can end up being a lifetime career which was his case 31 years ago when he took a part-time job in the garden center at Store 100 in Bentonville.

Walmart said the employee tech training is a six-month program that allows participants to also earn their pay while they learn the new trade. The program seeks to meet the critical demand and limited workforce in the skilled trades. Walmart expects to increase its technician jobs from 450 to 2,000 in the next two years.

Walmart expands worker training program, adds bonus plan

Womack forces Biden to sanction ICC Officials

Washington, DC—June 4, 2024…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted for H.R. 8282, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation requires President Biden to impose sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a U.S. person or our allies, including Israel.

Congressman Womack said, “Hamas is a ruthless terrorist organization that murdered the most Jews since the Holocaust and is still holding dozens of innocent people hostage, including Americans. Israel has every right to rid the world of this evil force—and America should support them. The ICC's actions are baseless and outrageous. Despite President Biden’s weakness, House Republicans showed strength today by passing this legislation. There must be real consequences for the ICC’s illegitimate attempts to bypass our country’s and our ally’s judicial processes and sovereignty.”

Background:

• On May 20, 2024, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, announced arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, together with warrants for Hamas terrorists.

• In 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13928 sanctioning ICC officials, employees and associates who engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. citizens or allies – including Israel – that are not part of the ICC or have not granted the ICC jurisdiction.

• On April 2, 2021, President Biden revoked EO 13928, allowing the ICC to target U.S. citizens and Israel.

• The U.S. and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute or members of the ICC, and therefore the ICC has no legitimacy or jurisdiction over the U.S. or Israel.

Elected officials, partisans react to Trump guilty verdict

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

Predictably, most Arkansas Republican officials and Democratic leaders had split views on the guilty verdict involving former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for President in 2024.

Trump was found guilty Thursday (May 30) by a Manhattan district court jury on all 34 counts in the so-called hush money charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. The charges related to Trump paying $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election to prevent her from going public with her story. The payments were facilitated by Trump’s then-attorney, Michael Cohen, and were disguised illegally as attorney expenses versus campaign expenses.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, who served as press secretary to Trump in the White House, said the trial was unfair and that Trump would be elected again in November.

Elected officials, partisans react to Trump guilty verdict

Two Farm Bill proposals boost reference prices

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Despite their differences, the Farm Bill proposals led by U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow both contain some first-in-a-decade updates to critical farm safety net programs.

Thompson, of Pennsylvania, is chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Stabenow, of Michigan, chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Each has led separate efforts to write the 2024 Farm Bill. On Thursday, the House ag committee was marking up Thompson’s version, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024. Stabenow released the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act on May 1.  

FARM BILL — Extension economist Hunter Biram offers insights on the new Farm Bill proposals in the House and Senate. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

The Farm Bill is important to farmers for the safety nets it provides in an industry subject to the whims of weather, war and trade. The Farm Bill is also important to funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides a food safety net for low-income families.

The United States is currently working from the 2018 Farm Bill, which has been extended through Sept. 30.

In hearings over the last two years, farmers have sought a number of changes including higher reference prices and stronger safety nets for specialty crop farmers.

Reference prices determine when farm subsidies are triggered under programs such as Price Loss Coverage, or PLC. If a market price for a covered commodity falls below that reference price, farmers receive PLC payments.

Hunter Biram, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said on Thursday that the current reference prices were set in 2014. Much has happened in the decade since then: COVID, supply chain issues, Ukraine and the Middle East, not to mention disastrous weather.

Biram also said purchasing power has eroded since 2014 and the cost of crop production including inputs such as fuel, fertilizer and management tools, have increased over the decade.

“When the 2014 Farm Bill was written in 2013, we saw the index for input prices paid were around the same as the index for prices farmers received,” he said. “Since 2013, we have seen a divergence in the input price paid index being greater than the price received index, with the widest gaps being from 2014 to 2020.”

While higher reference prices are common to both proposals, “I would say the Thompson-led version is more aggressive on the farm safety net,” Biram said. “The Stabenow-led proposal is more aggressive on changes for risk protection for specialty crop producers.” The Thompson proposal includes a 10-20% in statutory reference prices while the Stabenow proposal allows for at least a 5% increase in statutory reference prices.

The Thompson proposal would increase Agriculture Risk Coverage, or ARC, coverage from 86 percent to 90 percent. The Stabenow proposal would increase ARC coverage from 86 percent to 88 percent.

Both ARC and PLC were first authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill.

Biram also said both versions the House and Senate both increase affordability and enhance risk protection for products with county-level triggers, such as Supplemental Coverage Option, or SCO. SCO provides additional coverage for a portion of a producer’s underlying crop insurance policy deductible. Producers must buy it as an endorsement to either the Yield Protection, Revenue Protection, or Revenue Protection with the Harvest Price Exclusion policies.

“The premium subsidy rate across all the coverage levels for the Supplemental Coverage Option have increased from 65 percent to 80 percent so farmers will pay 15 percent less of the actuarially fair premium under both proposals,” he said.

For specialty crop farmers — those who grow fruits, nuts and nursery crops including flowers — the Stabenow-led bill streamlines the application process and enhances coverage quality in Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and the Micro Farm Program, Biram said.

Will there be a Farm Bill in 2024?

“It’s an election year. There are 34 Senate seats and every seat in the House is up for election and you may have heard, there’s a presidential election too,” Biram said. “Once the election has finished, we’ll see more progress. I’m more optimistic that we will see a Farm Bill in 2025 than I was before, but 2024 is, I think, very unrealistic.”

See related stories:

• Congress urged to strengthen price, revenue supports, crop insurance programs at Farm Bill listening session

• Farm Bill witnesses urge protection improvements amid high input costs

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.

Rep. Crawford’s Legislation Banning Federal Aid for Chinese-Made Railcars Passes House

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rick Crawford’s (AR-01) legislation to ban Federal Transit Administration (FTA) aid from being used to buy Chinese-made railcars passed the House floor this evening. Under current law, rail rolling stock cannot be purchased from state-owned enterprises. FTA misapplied the law, however, and allowed certain transit rail car contracts to continue. H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act closes this loophole.

“Despite our efforts, the Chinese Communist Party has still maintained a foothold in the rail market through contracts that have been grandfathered in. Taxpayer dollars should never go to countries that continue to lie, steal, and cheat in an attempt to push the U.S. out of the global market. We need to keep our critical infrastructure safe from the hands of the CCP,” said Rep. Crawford.

Earlier this year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) cancelled its contract with China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) after frequently missed deadlines and quality issues. CRRC is one of the most subsidized companies in China and has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The CRRC has an ongoing contract with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), despite MBTA experiencing similar delays due to CRRC mismanagement. In March, it was reported that this project has cost MBTA over $1 billion, which is hundreds of millions more than the initial bid price, and is now set to be completed four years late.

EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023

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

Light-duty vehicles in the United States used more electricity than rail systems for the first time in 2023 amid rising sales of electric vehicles (EVs), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A new EIA analysis released Monday (May 20) shows electricity consumption by EVs rose to 7,596 gigawatt-hours in 2023, almost five times the consumption in 2018. Annual electricity consumption by railways has remained flat at about 7,000 gigawatt-hours over the past two decades.

Railways has been the largest electricity end-user in the transportation sector since 2003. Over that period, municipal railway systems or electrified passenger rail have had limited expansion.

EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023

“Empire of Pain” Author Draws Large Crowd to UAMS for Lecture

By Linda Satter

The 335-seat Fred W. Smith Auditorium was bursting at the seams April 26 as physicians, pain management experts and members of the community gathered to hear author Patrick Radden Keefe recount his investigative reporting into the origins of the opioid crisis in America.

A livestream of the presentation attracted nearly 100 viewers from such states as New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Washington, California, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas as well as from Sweden, Mexico, France and Uruguay.

Author of the New York Times bestseller “Empire of Pain,” which examines the role that a prominent philanthropic family played in the crisis, Keefe said he stumbled onto the family’s hidden connections to the drug industry about a decade ago. At the time, he was writing articles for The New Yorker magazine about the business side of Mexican drug cartels and their various “product lines,” and noticed that the cartels had suddenly begun shipping more heroin to the United States.

“Empire of Pain” Author Draws Large Crowd to UAMS for Lecture

Johnathan Goree, M.D., left, who directs Interventional Pain Management Services at UAMS, and Rohit Dhall, M.D. , chair of the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Neurology, talk with Keefe while he signs copies of his books after the lecture. Image by Evan Lewis

Boozman honored by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

WASHINGTON – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) honored U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) with its 2024 Leadership in Government Award in recognition of his advocacy for policies to improve the services and benefits veterans and their families have earned.

“I’m proud to work with IAVA to ensure we fulfill the promises made to the men and women who served in uniform. We’ve been able to accomplish landmark improvements for women veterans and toxic-exposed veterans thanks to the dedicated support of IAVA members. I appreciate this honor and look forward to continuing our collaboration to make meaningful improvements in the lives of these unsung heroes,” Boozman said.

“Senator John Boozman has been a leader on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans as he has answered our calls for action over and over again,” said IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow. “When IAVA put rocket fuel into the conversation about the need to address issues facing women veterans when we launched our She Who Borne the Battle campaign in 2017, Senator Boozman stepped up. He helped deliver a big win for women veterans after working hand in hand with us to craft the Deborah Sampson Act, which is now law, and a huge win for all veterans who’ve experienced toxic exposure thanks to his leadership that contributed to passage of the PACT Act. It’s an honor to recognize Senator Boozman’s efforts on behalf of my generation of veterans, and IAVA’s more than 425,000 members, with our 2024 Leadership in Government award.”

 As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, Boozman has been a leader in delivering additional resources to support the needs of veterans and their families. 

The senator has championed a number of significant improvements that were signed into law in recent years to enhance or expand veterans benefits including transformational legislation expanding VA health care to toxic-exposed veterans of all eras and strengthening VA care and services for women veterans.

Senator Boozman received IAVA’s 2024 Leadership in Government Award from IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow.

Boozman, Graham introduce resolution condemning action by Biden Administration to withhold weapons for Israel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and 46 Republican senators to introduce a resolution that condemns any action by the Biden administration to withhold or restrict ammunition or weapons for Israel.

“Israel is an American ally and we have a commitment to help our partner defend itself against Hamas terrorists and Iran and its proxies. President Biden’s decision to withhold critical weapons for Israel goes against our long-standing promise and makes it more difficult to rescue American hostages. His administration must unmistakably stand with Israel and deliver the resources it needs to successfully protect its interests,” Boozman said.

The resolution:

• Condemns any decision by the Biden administration to halt the shipment of United States-made ammunition and weapons to the State of Israel;

• Demands the Biden administration continue to fulfill the military aid requests from the State of Israel in order to provide the weapons needed to defeat Hamas and defend against attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies;

• Reaffirms the importance of the long history of the United States providing military aid to the State of Israel and willingness to expedite delivery of such aid in times of crisis; and

• Upholds the commitment of the United States to the State of Israel’s security and long-term prosperity.

The resolution is also cosponsored by Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL),  John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Cherokee Freedmen touring exhibit opens at the U.S. Marshals Museum

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

The U.S. Marshals Museum is the third location for a touring exhibit created by the Cherokee Nation that focuses on the tribe’s “painful moments” with slavery, especially with the Cherokee Freedmen.

“We Are Cherokee: Cherokee Freedmen and the Right to Citizenship,” features the stories, history, images and documents of Cherokee Freedmen, alongside original artworks by Cherokee Nation artists. The special exhibit opened May 11 at the museum, which is located at 789 Riverfront Drive in downtown Fort Smith.

The special exhibit is presented as part of the Cherokee Freedmen Art and History Project initiative, established by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., to broaden Cherokee Nation’s understanding of the Cherokee Freedmen experience and ensure that it is included in the greater narrative of Cherokee history.

Cherokee Freedmen touring exhibit opens at the U.S. Marshals Museum

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., speaks during the opening of the Cherokee Freedmen exhibit at the U.S. Marshals Museum.

Senator Tom Cotton and colleagues introduce bill to overhaul workforce education

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the American Workforce Act, legislation that would overhaul workforce education. Funding from the bill—paid for in part by taxing wealthy private college endowments—would provide training vouchers to pay for education programs designed by employers.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is co-sponsoring the legislation. Congressman Max Miller (Ohio-07) is introducing companion legislation in the House.

“For decades, the federal government has spent billions of dollars propping up bloated colleges that serve a minority of our citizens—and recently, have let antisemitic and anti-American ideas flourish. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans who don’t go to college are left behind. In fact, the federal government spends eight times more on college for the few than it does on job training for the many. My bill will right that wrong by investing heavily in a new workforce education strategy to help working Americans get ahead,” said Senator Cotton.

“In today's world, it's clear that the government's hefty investment in higher education hasn't really set up our next generation for success. Just look at our college campuses across America today. Our education system leaves behind Americans who want to head directly into the workforce pursuing careers that don’t require a college degree. It's high time we fix this by focusing on giving all American workers all the tools they need to grow our workforce, boost the economy, and secure a bright future. My bill is all about shaking up the education system to give a leg up to the folks who've been overlooked for too long while finally bridging the gap between,” said Congressman Miller.

Bill text may be found here.

The American Workforce Act would:

• Create a $9,000 federal voucher available to prospective “trainees,” defined as any citizen with a high school degree/GED, but without a bachelor’s degree or higher.

• Offer an additional $1,000 bonus to employers for each trainee that is hired after completion of the workforce training program.

• Require participating employers to provide training for positions paid at least 80% of the local median household income.

• Allow the voucher to subsidize employer-led workforce training that offers a full time, paid position combing on-the-job experience and skilled workforce training.

• Give employers wide flexibility to build their own training programs or delegate the training to a valid third-party entity, such as a trade association, community college, high school, non-profit, or union.

• Require E-Verify at participating employers.

• Levy a one percent tax on the fair market value of endowments that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.

Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik

Sanders’ Letter to Governors, Arkansas Legislature Concerning the Mental Health Crisis Kids are Facing Driven by Social Media

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a copy of Jonathan Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation,” to the governors of every U.S. state and territory along with a letter encouraging governors to come together to limit social media and screen use for kids and encourage outdoor play to combat America’s mental health crisis. A similar letter was sent to Arkansas state legislators. The text of the letter is below and can be found here:

America’s kids are facing a mental health crisis. I know this isn’t news to any of you. As governors, we’re all searching for ways to help our state’s children and reduce depression, anxiety, and suicide among our young people. 

Recent research shows us the driver of this crisis: phones and social media. The average American teen now spends nearly 5 hours a day on social media. Spending three or more hours a day on social media doubles kids’ risk of mental health problems. 46 percent of young teens say social media makes them feel worse about their body. 

Since smartphones and social media became widespread, suicide rates have tripled among young teens, self-harm among girls has gone up nearly 200%, and depression among teenagers has increased 150%. Teen math, reading, and science scores have dropped in the United States and other developed nations since 2012, while school alienation has risen across the board. Big Tech companies got American kids addicted to their products by preying on adolescent insecurities and basic human psychology. The result is a public health crisis that’s devastating childhoods and destroying lives. 

The statistics are grim. But there is a path forward. In recent years, a bipartisan group of states have enacted legislation to protect kids online. In Arkansas, we passed the Social Media Safety Act, which requires parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts. States have also pursued legislation to protect kids from social media advertising, enacted online privacy protections for kids, and required mandatory social media safety features for kids. Unfortunately, Big Tech-supported interest groups have blocked many of these laws and policies. 

Despite these setbacks, we must continue our work to protect kids. In the book I’ve sent you, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, the author joins experts to offer commonsense recommendations, which I believe we should work together to promote and implement when possible: 

1. No smartphones before high school 

2. No social media before 16 

3. Phone-free schools 

4. More outdoor play and childhood independence 

It’s an agenda I plan to pursue, and I hope you read this book and join me. Millions of American kids have fallen into the dark sewer of social media and screen addiction. As governors, we need to come together and help save this generation. 

Sincerely, 
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor of Arkansas

Attorney General Tim Griffin announces $104,246 settlement with wireless carriers over deceptive and misleading advertising practices

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing Arkansas will receive $104,246.46 as part of a $10.25 million, 50-jurisdiction settlement with AT&T, Cricket Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless resolving state attorneys general investigations into the wireless carriers’ deceptive and misleading advertising practices:

“Cell phones are important to the daily lives of Arkansans, and it is imperative that wireless companies are straightforward and honest in their advertising practices. Consumer protection is a core mission of my office, and it remains one of my top priorities. I want to thank my Public Protection Division for its work on securing this settlement, especially Deputy Attorney General Chuck Harder and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ford.”

In the settlement, Arkansas will receive $49,017.04 from T-Mobile USA, $30,125.14 from Verizon Wireless, and $25,104.28 from AT&T.

Under the terms of the settlement, wireless carriers will be required to:

• Ensure that all future advertisements and representations are truthful, accurate, and not misleading;

• Refer in marketing to “unlimited” mobile data plans only when such plans do not set any numerical limits on the quantity of data allowed during a billing cycle and clearly and conspicuously disclose any restrictions on data speed, as well as the triggers of such restrictions;

• Offer to pay for consumers to “switch” carriers only when they clearly and conspicuously disclose the type of fees and amounts that they will pay consumers, the form and schedule that such payment will take, and all material requirements that consumers must satisfy in order to qualify for and receive such payment;

• Offer wireless devices or services for “free” or similar terms only when they disclose clearly and conspicuously all material terms and conditions that the consumer must meet in order to receive the “free” devices or services;

• Make offers to lease wireless devices only when the company makes clear that the consumer will be entering into a lease agreement;

• Make representations that a consumer will save money by purchasing its products or services only when it has a reasonable basis to do so based on comparisons with the prices of comparable goods or services of other providers, or where any material differences between those goods or services are clearly and conspicuously disclosed;

• Appoint a dedicated employee to work with the attorneys general to address ordinary complaints filed by consumers; and

• Train its customer service representatives who speak with consumers to comply with these terms and implement and enforce a program to ensure compliance with these terms.

To read the settlement with AT&T and Cricket Wireless, click here.

To read the settlement with T-Mobile USA, click here.

To read the settlement with Verizon Wireless and TracFone Wireless, click here.

Sanders Receives Outdoor Recreation Leadership Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders received the first ever “Outdoor Recreation Leadership” award at the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 7th.

“I’m honored to receive the Outdoor Recreation Leadership award and earn recognition for all the progress my administration has made on growing Arkansas’ outdoor economy,” said Governor Sanders. “Alongside my husband, Bryan, I created the Natural State Initiative to invest in state parks, grow outdoor entrepreneurship, get kids off screens and outside, and show Arkansas’ natural beauty to the world. I’m proud that work is admired on the national level and look forward to inviting even more Arkansans and visitors into our outdoor spaces and breaking tourism records year after year.”

Prior to receiving the award, Governor Sanders participated in a roundtable discussion on outdoor recreation with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Sanders’ spokeswoman, Alexa Henning, released the following readout of their conversation:

“Governor Sanders joined Senator Hickenlooper, Governor Burgum, and outdoor recreation leaders from around the country to discuss Arkansas’ progress on growing our outdoor economy. The Governor spoke about the Natural State Initiative, which she formed alongside her husband, Bryan, to unite public, private, and nonprofit leaders around growing Arkansas’ tourism industry and improving our natural spaces. She talked about the group’s legislative successes and how, as a nonpartisan issue, growing outdoor recreation is an opportunity to bring together leaders from around Arkansas and both sides of the aisle. She also talked about how important quality of life is for attracting newcomers to Arkansas and encouraging Arkansans to stay in the state, and how the outdoors offer an opportunity for kids to get off screens. The Governor mentioned that Arkansas, as a year-round outdoor destination, has the opportunity to compete with states like North Dakota and Colorado.”

Westerman delivers remarks at unveiling of Daisy Bates statue in U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) delivered remarks at the unveiling of a statue of civil rights activist and journalist Daisy Bates in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.

Congressman Westerman's remarks, as delivered:

“Imagine, as an eight-year-old girl, you learn that years before, your mother had been raped, murdered, and dumped in a pond. That was young Daisy Gatson Bates’ story in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, not far from the Louisiana line.

On top of that, imagine you learn the white men who did this to your black mother were never brought to justice - never held accountable – how would you feel?

Fifty-four years later, in an interview, she said, ‘I was so tight inside, there was so much hate. And I think it started then without me knowing it. It prepared me, it gave me the strength to carry this out.’

Fortunately, Daisy Bates took the advice of her dying adopted father and channeled her anger and hate into a lifelong motivation to make a difference, to seek justice in a world where there was injustice.

Ben Victor, the sculptor of the statue, when asked, ‘what stands out to you most about Daisy Bates?’ He replied, ‘her courage really stands out to me. I’ve depicted her in motion because she was a woman with a cause. She is smiling, showing her optimism in the face of great adversity. And of course, her role as a journalist and publisher are highlighted by the pen and notepad in her right hand and the newspaper in the left.’

Daisy bates was a courageous woman. She often spoke about being afraid. Afraid when rocks were being thrown through her window. Afraid that a bomb or assassination could happen. Afraid when she told the Little Rock Nine, quote ‘one of us might die in this fight. And I said to them, if they kill me, you would have to go on. If I die, don’t you stop.’

We know that courage does not mean an absence of fear. But true courage, the example of courage Daisy Bates gave us all, is to face our fear, to overcome it, and to do the right thing. What a remarkable story the great state of Arkansas has chosen to tell by placing this beautiful statue, the statue of Daisy Bates, here in our nation’s Capitol, in this sacred hall.

Hopefully, as her story is told over, and over again, it will be a small semblance of the justice she so faithfully sought. Not just justice for herself, but justice for all.

It is a day we can be proud to honor one of our own. It is a day to be proud to be an Arkansan. Thank you.”

Attorneys General Griffin and Bailey file Title IX suit on behalf of six states alongside Arkansas high school athlete

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey today issued the following statements after filing suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on behalf of four other state attorneys general alongside an Arkansas high school athlete against the U.S. Department of Education over its new rule interpreting Title IX:

“The overwhelming majority of Americans see the Biden administration’s rule change for what it is: a ridiculous, nonsensical and illegal election-year move that few can comprehend or support. It’s outrageous.

“Congress enacted Title IX to protect and promote opportunities for women and girls in education and sports. For the last half century, that’s what it has done. But President Biden and his Department of Education now want to radically reinterpret Title IX and recast it as a rule about gender identity.

“The rule we’re challenging today requires schools and universities to allow men onto women and girls’ sports teams. It robs young female athletes of opportunities. It forces schools and universities to allow men into women and girls locker rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities. It compels teachers, administrators, and even fellow students to use an individual’s preferred pronouns. And it subjects anyone who disagrees with President Biden’s view of sex to investigation and possible sanction.

“That contravenes Title IX’s plain language, and it violates the Constitution. That’s why we’re challenging it, and it’s also why we’re confident the federal courts will set aside this unlawful regulation. I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general and one of my constituents against President Biden’s latest attempt to push forward by fiat what Congress never passed into law and to defend the laws we’ve passed in Arkansas to protect female athletes.”

Attorney General Bailey added:

“Joe Biden is once again exceeding his constitutional authority, this time to put a radical transgender ideology ahead of the safety of women and girls. As the father of a young daughter, I take this personally. The Biden Administration has threatened to hold federal funding hostage from any institution who rejects this unconstitutional and sexist rule. I’m filing suit because I will not allow federal bureaucrats to subject Missouri girls to unsafe conditions in order to push a radical transgender ideology.”

The suit, filed by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and an Arkansas high school athlete asks the court to stay the rule; grant a preliminary injunction preventing the rule’s implementation; enter a judgment that the Department of Education’s interpretation is unlawful; and vacate the rule.

The lawsuit can be read here.

Boozman, Tim Scott introduce resolution condemning campus Anitsemitism

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a resolution to condemn the recent explosion of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, call out university presidents who have enabled and refused to take action against this antisemitism and urge the Biden Department of Education to take necessary actions to ensure that colleges and universities are complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students.

“College and university administrators as well as the Biden administration have a duty to protect Jewish students on campus and forcefully condemn the antisemitism and hate on display across too many higher education institutions. There is no excuse for half-hearted efforts or stalling. I’m proud to join Sen. Scott and our colleagues in standing up for Israel and the Jewish Americans who deserve this basic protection,” Boozman said.

“Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head at college campuses across our nation. Jewish students are being targeted with violence and harassment, and the university presidents and administrators, who should be defending them, are caving to the radical mob and allowing chaos to spread,” said Scott. “Every Jewish student has the right to attend class, study, and walk campus safely. The ‘adults’ who refuse to uphold that right must be held accountable.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

Windstream, Uniti reunite in $13.4 billion merger

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Privately-held Windstream and publicly-traded Uniti Group – two Little Rock-based companies that once were a combined entity – are reuniting in a proposed $13.4 billion merger.

Uniti Group, then known as CS&L, spun off from Windstream when it was a publicly-traded company nearly a decade ago. Uniti is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns wireless towers and fiber operations, while Windstream is a telecommunications and broadband company with with heavy operations in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. The two entities went through years of litigation over contract arrangements, a move that contributed to Windstream’s reorganization bankruptcy in the late 2010’s. Windstream is Uniti’s largest customer.

The new deal, which has been approved by both company’s board of directors, brings the companies back together. The transaction factors in about $4.4 billion in company revenues, $8 billion in corporate debt, $425 million in cash, and $575 million in preferred equity.

Windstream, Uniti reunite in $13.4 billion merger

KIDNEYcon 2024 Focuses on the Present and Future of Nephrology

By Nathan Tidwell

More than 100 faculty, internal medicine residents, nephrologists and nephrology fellows came together April 6-8 for the ninth annual KIDNEYcon.

Sponsored by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Nephrology, the event consisted of lectures, a reception, scientific and clinical sessions, and workshops. The event was held on the UAMS campus and at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Little Rock.

“We have a lot of junior nephrologists, medical students, fellows, residents and faculty who attend, along with more senior nephrologists,” said John Arthur, M.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Division of Nephrology. “They get to do things here they can’t do anywhere else.”

KIDNEYcon 2024 Focuses on the Present and Future of Nephrology

Tiffany Huitt, Ph.D., speaks with attendees during a workshop as part of KIDNEYcon 2024. Image by Nathan Tidwell

House Judiciary Committee chair calls for investigation into Malinowski raid

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Congressional leaders are calling for more information about an early morning raid which led to the shooting death of former Clinton National Airport Executive Director Bryan Malinowski.

Malinowski was killed in a shootout with federal agents last month. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had attempted to serve a search warrant on Malinowski’s residence, which led to the shooting.

On Monday, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-OH, and the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to ATF Director Steven Dettelbach saying the committee is investigating the raid.

House Judiciary Committee chair calls for investigation into Malinowski raid