National News

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Port strike would have impact on U.S. cotton, meat, poultry exports

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By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

JONESBORO, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that consumers shouldn’t expect food shortages in the near term because of the port strike; however, economists say a long strike could prompt changes on grocery shelves and at the checkout.

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike Tuesday after it and the United States Maritime Alliance failed to reach a settlement by the  Sept. 30 deadline.

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association have walked off the job, halting port operations on the East and Gulf Coasts. The strike may have impacts on cotton, meat and poultry exports. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image by Scott Stiles.).

The strike has shut down ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, key to the movement of U.S. cotton, meat and poultry exports. These commodities are important for Arkansas, which is No. 3 in the U.S. for broilers and cotton, No. 24 in cattle and calves, according to the 2024 Arkansas Agriculture Profile.

USDA said that “our analysis shows we should not expect significant changes to food prices or availability ... we do not expect shortages anytime in the near future for most items.”

USDA also said that bulk shipping of products such as grains would be unaffected by this strike. Bulk grain loading facilities typically operate with their own employees or with different labor unions.  

Cotton and shipping

“Cotton is entirely dependent on containerized shipment,” said Scott Stiles, an extension economics program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 20 percent of the U.S. cotton crop has been harvested. 

“Eleven-point-eight million bales of the 2024 crop are projected to be exported,” Stiles said. “I would conservatively estimate that 55 percent of the 11.8 million bales would be shipped out of ports affected by this strike.”

Stiles said that some shipments bound for Asia can be diverted to the West Coast. 

“The East Coast has largely handled cotton shipments to markets such as Turkey,” he said. “If the strike is prolonged like the last one in 1977 that lasted six weeks, will Turkey switch its cotton purchases to Brazil or West Africa?”  

U.S. export sales of cotton are already off to the slowest start since 2015, Stiles said, and any “interruption in the U.S. ability to export only makes this situation worse." 

Eight-six percent of U.S. cotton demand is attributed to exports. 

“Producers have watched market prices slide from 85 cents in February to 66 cents in August,” Stiles said. “Prices have recovered recently to the 73- to 74-cent area but have stalled as it became apparent that the port labor dispute would not be resolved by the Sept. 30 deadline."

December cotton futures closed 52 points lower today to settle at 73.09 cents per pound.

Meat and poultry

Should the strike be prolonged, consumers could be seeing changes.

“Approximately 20 percent of broilers are destined for export markets,” said Jada Thompson, poultry economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. With the volume of ocean-bound freight that runs through East Coast ports, the strike “could have very real consequences either in spoiled products, lost revenues, or additional, unexpected storage costs.”

James Mitchell, a livestock economist with the Division of Agriculture, said, “this could have a significant impact on beef and pork trade flows. Beef trade to Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras, for example, is affected, accounting for approximately 12 percent of beef exports through July 2024. The Caribbean makes up 4 percent of pork exports through July 2024.”

The strike "doesn’t impact all beef and pork exports uniformly.  We export a wide variety of products to many different places. And those products are all valued differently," he said. "The dollar impact will depend on which types of products are affected, the quantities, and the value of those specific export products.”

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. 

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UAMS College of Pharmacy Awards Scholarships to Record 181 Students

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By Benjamin Waldrum

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) College of Pharmacy awarded nearly 200 scholarships to a school-record 181 students at a Sept. 20 ceremony. The college also announced the creation of three new scholarships.

“This year is especially significant, as we celebrate recognizing over 180 students, which is a record for the College of Pharmacy,” said Brendan Frett, Ph.D., assistant professor and chair of the College of Pharmacy Awards Committee. “This remarkable milestone is a testament to the dedication of our students, the generosity of our donors, and our ever-growing impact within the pharmacy community.”

The annual ceremony, held at the UAMS Little Rock campus, recognizes pharmacy students for their hard work and allows some the chance to meet the donors supporting their education. Donor contributions through scholarships and awards help pharmacy students continue their education and provide financial assistance during their time in school. Students fulfill various criteria to be considered for scholarships, including submitting applications and letters of recommendation, writing essays and meeting in-person with the awards committee.

UAMS College of Pharmacy Awards Scholarships to Record 181 Students

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NIH Awards UAMS $3.7 Million in Quest for More Effective Tuberculosis Vaccine

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By David Robinson

LITTLE ROCK — UAMS researcher Lu Huang, Ph.D., has received a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support his pursuit of a more effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, a feat that has eluded scientists for more than 100 years.

The five-year grant from the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will allow Huang to explore new ways to help the body fight TB based on his recent findings.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the only approved vaccine available today and has been used since 1921. Although protective for children, its effectiveness when given to adults remains uncertain, and it is not commonly used in the United States.

NIH Awards UAMS $3.7 Million in Quest for More Effective Tuberculosis Vaccine

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Scenic Hill taps $31.8 million in financing for UA System solar project

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

Little Rock-based Scenic Hill Solar has secured $31.8 million in financing from Climate United to support a more than $100 million solar power project for the University of Arkansas System. The project was first announced in May 2023.

Following are estimated benefits of the project, according to Climate United.
• The UA System is expected to save over $120 million in energy costs over the next 25 years, directly benefiting over 70,000 students and 17,000 employees across multiple campuses.

• The construction of 18 solar power plants will provide over $120 million of direct economic
development in every region of Arkansas and employ hundreds of electricians, civil contractors, and construction workers.

• In tandem, the UA System has launched educational and workforce development initiatives in renewable energy construction and electric vehicle (EV) repair to expose students to these growing sectors.

• The project will generate more than 4 billion kWh of clean electricity during the 40-year life of the solar power plants. The environmental benefits of this solar electricity generation will be the equivalent of over 7 billion fewer passenger car miles or the planting of 46 million trees

Scenic Hill taps $31.8 million in financing for UA System solar project

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Green energy and education event to be held at UAFS

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

Sustainability, energy justice, and energy efficiency are some of the discussion topics in the second annual River Valley Green Energy and Education Program (RV-GEEP) seminar set for Oct. 3-4 at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) offices in the Bakery District.

The two-day event will begin with a reception and exhibit unveiling beginning at 6 p.m., Oct. 3, in the Bakery District Collection Room in downtown Fort Smith. The reception is hosted by the City of Fort Smith and is also sponsored by Entegrity Energy Partners, and Fort Smith-based Hanna Oil & Gas.

Partners in the seminar include UAFS, the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas Climate League, and CLEAResult: Energy Efficiency and Energy Sustainability Services.

Green energy and education event to be held at UAFS

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Arkansas Attorney General Griffin announces lawsuit against Google, YouTube, and parent company Alphabet

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Griffin: ‘YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has filed a lawsuit in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and parent company Alphabet, Inc. for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

“YouTube has deceived users and parents about the safety of its platforms for youth. YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive by using features to keep users engaged for as long as possible.

“Google has deliberately designed and marketed YouTube to exploit and addict young users, contributing to a mental health crisis in Arkansas. The majority of children aged 13 to 17 report using YouTube every day.

“One of the gravest public health threats to children in the United States today is the soaring rate of mental and behavioral health disorders, including depression, self-harm, body dysmorphia, and increased suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide. This increase in mental health problems among children is the result of calculated efforts by social-media companies like YouTube to attract and addict youth to their platforms and to grow revenues without regard for the harmful effects that these companies know exist.”

This lawsuit continues Griffin’s commitment to protect children and families from the dangers of social media. In 2023, Griffin sued Facebook, Instagram, Meta, and TikTok for deceiving users and parents about the safety of their apps. Earlier this month, Griffin joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general in sending a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social-media platforms.

For a copy of the lawsuit, click here.

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Boozman, Heinrich introduce Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act

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Provides Fourth Graders and Their Families Free National Park Access

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act to provide free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth graders and their families through 2031.  

“Introducing young Americans to our national parks inspires an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our country. I’m proud to support this legislation that allows the next generation to discover our national treasures and explore the outdoors,” said Boozman.  

“As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know firsthand how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I’m so proud of the doors we have opened to our public lands for fourth graders and their families since we passed my Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago. Now, we can double down on this successful program, turning our national parks and other public lands into outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” 

Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. The authorization is scheduled to expire in 2026.  

Full text of the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act can be found here.  

The Every Kid Outdoors program has successfully encouraged tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters, historic sites and national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. 

The Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act has widespread support with endorsements from The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Outdoor Alliance for Kids. 

“Over the past nine years, hundreds of thousands of children have been able to enjoy our public lands with the support of the Every Kid Outdoors program. This program has helped to introduce and facilitate outdoors adventures and experiences to these children and their families during a critical formative period in their lives. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is eager to see this program continue to benefit families and communities for generations to come,” said Julia Hurwit, Campaign Manager for Outdoors Alliance for Kids. 

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Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward to lead national group

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

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward has been elected president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) during the organization’s annual meeting. Ward is the first Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture to hold this position.

“If a country can’t feed itself, fuel itself, or fight for itself, then it can’t survive,” said Gov. Sarah Sanders. “I am thrilled we will serve in this capacity throughout the upcoming year and extend my invitation to the 2025 NASDA Conference, right here in Arkansas. Arkansas farms aren’t just a part of our economy – they’re part of the Arkansas way of life.”

Ward’s term as NASDA president will last through September of next year. He has held several leadership roles within NASDA, including chairman of the Natural Resources and Environmental Committee and former president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward to lead national group

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UAMS Invests Sam R. Dalvi, M.D., in Eleanor A. Lipsmeyer, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Rheumatology

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By Andrew Vogler

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine invested Sam R. Dalvi, M.D., professor and director of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology in the Department of Internal Medicine, in the Eleanor A. Lipsmeyer, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Rheumatology during a Sept. 23 ceremony.

“When I came to UAMS, I outlined a vision that the Division of Rheumatology would be the premier program in the south-central United States in the next 10 years,” said Dalvi, who also serves as the director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program. “In my mission statement I said that we’re going to transform the care of patients through cutting-edge therapies and developing a team-based approach for all of our patients, and thanks to the Lipsmeyer Professorship we are well on our way to fulfilling these goals.”

Dalvi, who joined UAMS in 2024, is board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine, and specializes in arthritic diseases, including osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

UAMS Invests Sam R. Dalvi, M.D., in Eleanor A. Lipsmeyer, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Rheumatology

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Multi-state study offers recommendations for keeping bermudagrass greener all season

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By Nick Kordsmeier (U of A System Division of Agriculture)
With contributions from Marya Barlow (Virginia Tech) and Tobie Blanchard (LSU AgCenter)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whether it’s a football field, a golf course, or a home lawn, a new multi-state study offers recommendations for keeping some varieties of turfgrass greener, longer.

GREENER GRASS — Wendell Hutchens, assistant professor of turfgrass science, participated in a study that identified key turfgrass management recommendations to help keep hybrid bermudagrass greener all season. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Researchers currently based in six states collaborated to identify three simple management tips to extend green color and reduce cold-weather injury in hybrid bermudagrass. Those recommendations include raising the mowing height, applying nitrogen fertilizer in the fall, and most importantly, maintaining adequate soil moisture in the lead-up to a short-term freeze event, such as a spring-time cold snap.

The study, “Improving winter survival of interspecific hybrid bermudagrass in the Mid-Atlantic region through cultural practices,” was published in the Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management journal in August.

Wendell Hutchens, co-author of the study and an assistant professor of turfgrass science with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, noted that although the work focused on golf courses, the recommendations could apply equally in other situations.

“The practices can be used universally,” Hutchens said. “Sod growers can use the same practices, as can sports field managers and homeowners for their lawns.”

Sports field managers, Hutchens added, may benefit the most from this study. Much of the work for golf courses was done on fairway-height bermudagrass, which he said is “usually comparable to sports fields.”

“Many of our turfgrass professionals manage hybrid bermudagrasses throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Winter injury is one of their biggest concerns,” said David McCall, co-author of the study and associate professor of turfgrass pathology and precision management in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “This multi-state project was designed to answer some practical questions that would benefit our industry stakeholders.”

According to the study, hybrid bermudagrass is susceptible to cold-weather damage in the transition zone, an area that includes a band from Maryland and Virginia on the East Coast to Arkansas, parts of Missouri and Oklahoma, all the way to California on the West Coast. While the study highlights the Mid-Atlantic region, the work is relevant for anywhere in the transition zone, Hutchens added.

“The transition zone is where cool and warm climates meet,” Hutchens said. “That’s where we can grow every species of turfgrass — warm season and cool season — but they all struggle to some degree. And that provides ample research opportunities.”

In addition to Hutchens and McCall, other co-authors of the study include Joseph Doherty, former graduate student at the University of Maryland; Joseph Roberts, associate professor with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Eric DeBoer, assistant professor with the LSU AgCenter in Louisiana; Jordan Booth, senior director of the U.S. Golf Association’s course consulting service; and Michael Battaglia, graduate student at the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station is the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Results and recommendations from field trials

Hutchens said the research team set out to evaluate the effects of soil fertility, mowing height and moisture to avoid cold-weather injury, also known as winterkill.

“Those are three primary management practices for turfgrass, but particularly with winterkill, they play a major role,” he said. “We found some pretty interesting data during the first couple of years of our study.”

Roberts noted that historically, avoiding late-summer applications of nitrogen on bermudagrass was the standard.

“Healthy roots are vital to winter survival, and it was thought that fall fertilization could favor lush foliar growth in lieu of root growth, therefore increasing chances of winter injury,” Roberts said. “However, our research showed that slow-release nitrogen applications through mid-September had either no impact or in some cases, positive impacts on turfgrass quality and color.

UP CLOSE — A multi-state team of turfgrass researchers collaborated on a recent study that identified recommendations for keeping turfgrass greener longer. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

“More importantly, no negative impacts were observed as a result of late-season nitrogen applications,” he said.

The work with mowing height also yielded an interesting insight, Hutchens said.

“Mowing height didn’t have a substantial effect on winterkill, but it did reduce winter weed populations when we mowed at higher heights, which is a really useful finding and a serendipitous takeaway from the study,” Hutchens said.

“The general rule of thumb is to increase mowing heights slightly as bermudagrass approaches winter dormancy,” McCall said. “How much depends on the starting point while actively growing in-season.

“In our study, 0.75 inches seemed to be the sweet spot, though we did not see consistent impacts of mowing height on winter injury. We did, however, notice that mowing lower at 0.5 inches opened the canopy enough for weeds to germinate much more frequently, and mowing at 1 inch sometimes slowed spring green up a little,” he said.

McCall noted that these mowing heights are considerably lower than how a home lawn should be maintained.

Moisture is critical

Due to mild and wet winter conditions at the field trial locations in Maryland and Virginia, the researchers performed several experiments using freeze chambers to mimic winter weather conditions. When Hutchens started his job in Arkansas, he worked with Battaglia and DeBoer to evaluate the relationship between soil water content and level of cold-weather injury.

DeBoer, who mainly participated in the study as a Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas before taking up his post with the LSU AgCenter, said the research found a strong association between soil moisture and winterkill symptoms.

“There is definitely a positive correlation with increased soil moisture prior to short-term freezing events, resulting in better turf survival,” DeBoer said.

One possible explanation according to DeBoer may be a temporary heating effect from the irrigation water buffering the roots from cold temperatures. DeBoer cautioned there is a high degree of variability from year to year and site to site.

“It’s not cut and dry, say, to irrigate your soil to 25 percent volumetric water content before a freeze, and you’ll be fine,” DeBoer said. “The idea is to avoid having droughty soil before a freezing event.”

Volumetric water content is a measurement of how much water a given volume of soil contains. The amount of water that a field can hold depends on the type of soil, Hutchens noted.

“Adequate soil moisture is certainly one of the most crucial management practices to reduce winterkill,” Hutchens said.

Reaping rewards from collaboration

Hutchens noted that the multi-state collaboration was a key part of the success of this study.

“You get a lot of different ideas and perspectives,” he said. “This project demonstrates that these collaborative efforts across multiple universities can be really successful. It takes a lot of legwork to organize it all, and the initial work is challenging, but the rewards that you reap from it are totally worth it.”

Hutchens said the team began the work in 2019 while he was a graduate student at Virginia Tech, working under McCall as his adviser. Booth was working as a research associate at Virginia Tech at the time before joining USGA. Doherty was a graduate student at the University of Maryland working under Roberts, who later took a job at Clemson University. DeBoer and Battaglia got involved when Hutchens moved to Arkansas in 2022.

“This project exemplifies the benefits of collaboration, as the primary study was performed at three geographically unique locations in the Mid-Atlantic,” McCall said. “By bringing in additional resources from northwest Arkansas, we were truly able to use broad strokes for practical recommendations to turfgrass professionals throughout the transition zone with confidence that our results apply across the board.”

In addition to the value of the research team’s collective experience, Roberts also noted the added value of testing recommendations across multiple geographical areas.

“Collaborative efforts not only helped push this research forward, but performing field research across multiple field sites in different states enhanced the recommendations offered to growers across the transition zone,” Roberts said.

This study was supported in part by grants from the Old Dominion Golf Course Superintendents Association; the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association; the Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents; the Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf Managers Association; the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation; the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents; and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Environmental Institute for Golf.

The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Tech, Clemson University and the LSU AgCenter are part of a system of agricultural research centers at land-grant universities in the southern United States where scientists collaborate to conduct research and outreach focused on conserving the region’s natural resources and sustainably feeding a growing global population.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

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Johnny Cash statue unveiled at U.S. Capitol

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by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Singer, songwriter, activist and Arkansas native Johnny Cash is now represented in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

A statue of Cash, who was born in Kingsland, Ark., and spent his childhood in Dyess in the Arkansas Delta, was unveiled Tuesday (Sept. 24) in Emancipation Hall at the national capitol complex. Arkansas’ Congressional delegation and Gov. Sarah Sanders joined other dignitaries and artist Kevin Kresse of Little Rock in revealing the 8-foot tall sculpture.

Cash is the first musician in history to be included in the National Statuary Hall Collection and his statue is one of two honoring Arkansas icons. Civil rights pioneer Daisy Bates, whose sculpture was unveiled earlier this year, also represents the state.

Johnny Cash statue unveiled at U.S. Capitol

A statue of Arkansas-native Johnny Cash was unveiled Tuesday (Sept. 24) in the U.S. Capitol.

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Representatives Hill and Gottheimer introduce bill to protect credit score of American hostages or wrongful detainees

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act to safeguard the credit score of American hostages or wrongful detainees. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced similar legislation in the Senate.

Rep. Hill said, “Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad already have so much to worry about when they arrive home after this unimaginable situation. I thank my colleague Rep. Gottheimer for joining me in leading our legislation that makes it easier for these Americans to get their lives back on track and some sense of normalcy.”

Rep. Gottheimer said, “After being held for days, weeks, and months by terrorists and our adversaries, facing unimaginable horrors, and making it home, the last thing Americans should have to worry about is a hit to their credit score. That's why I'm proud to lead the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act with my colleague Congressman French Hill.”

Sen. Tillis said, "It’s crazy to think an American held hostage in a foreign nation could return to a ruined credit score and financial turmoil because of their inability to make timely payments. This commonsense legislation ensures that Americans wrongfully detained abroad can move forward without worrying about how a poor credit score impacts their financial future.”

Sen. Coons said, “Americans who have been wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad shouldn’t have to worry about their credit score when they come home, and the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act will ensure they don’t have to. I applaud Representatives Hill and Gottheimer for introducing this critical, bipartisan legislation in the House, and I’ll continue to support American hostages and their families when they come home.”

Further Background:

H.R. 9830 - Fair Credit for American Hostages Act: This legislation stipulates that if a former detainee or hostage provides authenticated documentation of their detention, then the credit bureaus must strike adverse information from the time of their detention. 

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UAMS College of Nursing’s Undergraduate Programs Ranked 74th in Nation by U.S. News & World Report

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By Chris Carmody

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing ranks among the nation’s 100 best undergraduate nursing programs, according to a list released today by U.S. News & World Report.

UAMS climbed 12 spots in the annual ranking, tying for 74th out of 686 programs evaluated by the publication. It was the only Arkansas institution in the top 100.

U.S. News & World Report conducted its evaluations through surveys from top academic and nursing school officials, who rated BSN programs they were familiar with on a scale from 1 to 5. Schools on the list were required to have a bachelor’s-level accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and they needed to have recently awarded at least 50 BSN degrees.

UAMS College of Nursing’s Undergraduate Programs Ranked 74th in Nation by U.S. News & World Report

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Cotton, Rubio, Hawley introduce legislation to end permanent normal trade relations with China

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Senator Tom Cotton

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) today introduced The Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China.

“China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status has enriched the Chinese Communist Party while costing the United States millions of jobs. This comprehensive repeal of China’s PNTR status and reform of the U.S.-China trade relationship will protect American workers, enhance our national security, and end the Chinese Communists’ leverage over our economy,” said Senator Cotton.

Senator Marco Rubio

“Giving Communist China the same trade benefits that we give to our greatest allies was one of the most catastrophic decisions that our country has ever made. Our country’s trade deficit with China more than quadrupled, and we exported millions of American jobs. Ending normal trade relations with China is a no-brainer,” said Senator Rubio.

Senator Josh Hawley

“More than two decades ago, Washington elites granted China most favored nation trading status, enabling Beijing to exploit our working class. Congress must revoke this sweetheart deal to protect American workers from our greatest adversary and to bring back the millions of manufacturing jobs shipped overseas,” said Senator Josh Hawley.

Text of the bill may be found here.

The Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act would:

  • End PNTR for China.

  • Phase-in tariffs for Chinese products over five years, including 100% tariffs for goods determined to be important to national security. 

  • Empower the President to create supplementary quotas and tariffs to phase out Chinese imports and to institute overriding bans on specific Chinese goods.

  • End de minimis treatment for covered nations—including China—and require customs brokers for other de minimis shipments.

  • The revenue produced will go towards farmers and manufacturers injured by potential Chinese retaliation, the purchase of key munitions important to a Pacific conflict, and paying down the debt.

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New program adds 12,000 acres of Arkansas wetlands for waterfowl

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BY Randy Zellers

LITTLE ROCK — Nearly 12,000 additional acres of wetlands will greet waterfowl in The Natural State this winter, thanks to the successful implementation of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Incentive Program.

The program was funded through special set-aside funds by the Arkansas General Assembly. Throughout spring and summer, AGFC staff worked with private landowners to offer $3.5 million in incentives to help improve wildlife habitat on their property. The initiative was developed similar to many cost-share conservation incentives provided through Farm Bill programs, but is targeted specifically at wildlife and fisheries needs in Arkansas on a state level.

Two of the nine practices comprising the initiative focused on open wetland habitat, and another incentivized forest management on private greentree reservoirs.

According to Randy Brents, Assistant Chief of the AGFC Private Lands Habitat Division, roughly 11,871 acres of land has been placed under contracts to enhance habitat for waterfowl this winter. Many of these acres may have been tilled early or left dry during the migration if not for the incentive.

“We have contracted with farmers to flood 10,961 acres of rice fields using surface water sources during a 90-day portion of the waterfowl wintering period, and none of those acres will be tilled, leaving as much waste grain as possible for ducks and geese,” Brents said. “Another 910 acres of native wetland plants will be flooded that can offer even more benefit to waterfowl and other migratory species.”

According to Brents, 127 landowners signed up to implement the flooded rice and wetland practices.

“Those are all acres that are above and beyond what normally would be contracted by other programs,” Brents said. “One of our requirements was that the land couldn’t be enrolled in another cost-share or incentive that paid for flooding.”

Brents said this boom in additional acreage is only a portion of the wetlands being provided by the AGFC and other agencies. The AGFC will fund nearly 16,000 acres of wetlands on private land this season.

“We have another 4,000-plus acres in the Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement Program this winter that promotes flooded rice fields with an additional caveat that landowners allow some limited public hunting through a permit-based draw system,” Brents said. “And this year, thanks to the federal Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative, an additional 29,946 acres are enrolled in federal programs to promote wetlands in the state for wildlife benefits. Our private lands biologists have been working hard with landowners to apply for these incentives as well.”

Garrick Dugger, Private Lands Habitat Division Chief, says the vision of this new initiative is simple: “You don’t manage wildlife in a bubble. Whether it’s private or public land, the success of wildlife habitat management depends on the land surrounding you, not just what you control. Even if we manage the public land absolutely perfect, we’re only affecting 10 percent of Arkansas’s land, the rest is up to private landowners, so we want to help with their efforts as well.”

Dugger said the connection between private and public land management is most obvious in migrating birds like waterfowl.

“We know that it takes wetland habitat on a landscape level to provide energy for migrating ducks and geese,” Dugger said. “Even if all of the public land in Arkansas is flooded and full of food, it’s only a fraction of the habitat needed to draw ducks to Arkansas and give them the nutrition they need during and after migration. Private land accounts for so much more of our state’s landmass, and it’s the actions of those landowners that play a pivotal role in wildlife management for us all. If rice fields aren’t wet, hunters everywhere notice it in empty skies and empty game straps.”

The Conservation Incentive Program is an undertaking by the AGFC’s Private Lands Habitat Division and is made possible by Greenway Equipment, an AGFC cultivating partner. Visit www.agfc.com/habitat for more information.

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Cotton, Boozman to Young and Su: All people should have the opportunity for dignified work

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Shalanda Young - Creator: Carlos Fyfe | Credit: White House

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to OMB Director Shalanda Young and Acting Secretary of labor Julie Su regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program wherein individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities can find employment and resources in a supervised setting. The Senators stated that all people deserve to have the opportunity for dignified work, and reiterated to Director Young and Acting Secretary Su that any attempt to disrupt this program without Congressional authorization would be illegal. 

Julie Su - U.S. Dept of Labor

In part, the senators wrote:

“All people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households.”  

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

September 20, 2024

Shalanda Young 

Director

Office of Management and Budget 

725 17th St NW

Washington, DC 20503

Julie Su

Acting Secretary 

Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave NW 

Washington, DC 20210

Dear Director Young and Acting Secretary Su,

I write regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program. Any changes to the 14(c) certificate program rests with Congress and not DOL.

Since 1938, the DOL has provided intellectually and developmentally disabled Americans the opportunity to engage in meaningful work through Section 14(c) certificates. According to the Washington Post, despite these longstanding statutes, and no legislative reforms, the DOL is considering a new rule that would be the "regulatory equivalent of abolition of 14(c) programs."

All people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households.

Regardless of any policy objections the administration might have with the 14(c) program, it must be enforced according to the law. Former Secretary Marty Walsh, the last Senate-confirmed Secretary of Labor, agreed that changes to the program rest with Congress, rather than the DOL. Any efforts to make it functionally unworkable without Congressional authorization would be illegal.

Before deciding on the legality of these proposed changes to 14(c), please answer the following questions:

1. Where in the Fair Labor Standards Act and accompanying amendments does the DOL find the legal authority to make significant changes to this program, especially considering the Supreme Court's recent decision to end agency deference in Loper Bright Enterprises .v Raimondo?

2.How many disabled Americans would lose their jobs at sheltered workshops if 14(c) certificates were phased out?

3.Has the DOL considered the secondary effects of these individuals losing their jobs, such as their families needing to provide caretaking services during working hours, rather than working themselves or performing necessary functions for their households? If so, provide the details of that analysis.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

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UAMS Researchers Find Health Care Providers’ Advice Matters to Those Hesitant about Vaccines

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By David Wise

FAYETTEVILLE — Health care provider recommendations for vaccines are critical for reaching vaccine-hesitant individuals, particularly regarding COVID-19, influenza and HPV vaccination, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

According to several studies published this summer, researchers at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation found that hesitant people who received a provider recommendation had significantly greater odds of being vaccinated than hesitant people who did not.

“Provider recommendations matter a lot, especially when patients are hesitant, because it can considerably increase the odds of a person becoming vaccinated,” said Don Willis, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the Institute for Community Health Innovation. “However, not enough people who are hesitant are getting provider recommendations, so hopefully these findings can help health care providers increase vaccine recommendations to their patients.”

UAMS Researchers Find Health Care Providers’ Advice Matters to Those Hesitant about Vaccines

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Bruce Westerman and colleagues introduce resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month

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Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate.

“Although millions of students face the social stigmas and learning challenges related to dyslexia every day, dyslexia rarely receives the proper attention it deserves. This important resolution recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month is an important step in ensuring educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and empowered to get their students the learning resources they need,” said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Westerman.  “I am proud to support this resolution once again, and I thank Senator Cassidy and my fellow Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Brownley, for making this a bicameral and bipartisan issue.”

“I began my career in public service to ensure that all children, including individuals with dyslexia like my daughter, have the resources and positive learning environments to live up to their full potential," said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Brownley. “In recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are bringing much needed attention to the challenges people with dyslexia face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Westerman and my colleagues to raise awareness and help those with dyslexia to succeed.” 

“Dyslexia impacts one in five Americans. With an early diagnosis by the end of kindergarten or beginning of the first grade, these students won’t be left behind and can reach their full potential,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we raise dyslexia awareness and continue to our work to ensure these bright children have the resources to achieve their dreams.”    

“Dyslexia impacts individuals in West Virginia and all across our country, which is why it is so important that we recognize the substantial challenges it poses to students and adults. I’m proud to join my colleagues once again to introduce this resolution, which will help us raise awareness around the need for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based solutions,” said Senator Capito. 

"Identifying dyslexia in early childhood is crucial to ensuring students in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.” s in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.” 

Read the full text of the resolution here

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UAMS Receives Nearly $2.2 Million Federal Grant to Study Immune Response to Eye Disease

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By Benjamin Waldrum

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) received a five-year, nearly $2.2 million federal grant to study how modulating the body’s immune response may potentially benefit patients with certain eye diseases.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded the grant to a laboratory led by Abdel Fouda, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the UAMS College of Medicine. Fouda specializes in studying retinal ischemic diseases, which are common causes of vision impairment caused by a lack of blood flow to the retina. His lab focuses on developing new therapies for ischemic and trauma-induced retinopathy.

The grant allows Fouda’s lab to study the role of a certain type of immune cells, called myeloid cells, in retinopathy. In a process called efferocytosis, myeloid cells engulf, or eat, and remove dead cells as part of the body’s natural immune response. Although efferocytosis is well-documented for various diseases, its impact on retinopathy is largely unknown. Fouda’s initial data shows that efferocytosis could play a beneficial role in treating retinopathy. The project will explore methods of treatment to enhance myeloid cell-mediated efferocytosis, potentially leading to improved injury recovery and better patient outcomes.

UAMS Receives Nearly $2.2 Million Federal Grant to Study Immune Response to Eye Disease

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Sanders, Colonel Hagar release statements after illegal immigrant kills Little Rock respiratory therapist

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today joined Arkansas State Police in mourning the death of Little Rock Respiratory Therapist Jennifer Ann Morton, who was killed by illegal immigrant Maynor Yair Sorto-Herrera.
 
Herrera, a Honduras native, was driving drunk in the early morning of September 8th, when he drove his vehicle into Morton, a respiratory therapist in the Infant Toddler Unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He has been charged with Negligent Homicide, Battery, DUI, Violation of the Concealed Weapons Act, Reckless Driving, Driving Without a License, Failure to Stop After Accident with Death, and other traffic violations.
 
Herrera is currently being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was previously deported from the United States in 2018.
 
“I am devastated for the loss of Respiratory Therapist Jennifer Ann Morton. Our state will feel the loss of this woman’s life and sends its prayers and sympathies to her entire family,” said Governor Sanders. “We will use every tool available to prosecute the illegal immigrant who caused this senseless death, but let’s be clear: he never should have been in this country to begin with. President Biden and Vice President Harris opened our borders wide. It’s time for the federal government to step up, close the border, and end the mayhem in our communities.” 
 
“Our hearts are heavy for the Morton family as they are devastated by the loss of Jennifer, who devoted her life to compassionate care of children,” said Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar. “I know our Troopers want to honor her memory by doing their part to make sure this man is held responsible for her death.”
 
Governor Sanders previously deployed Arkansas National Guardsmen to the southern border to assist Texas law enforcement as they dealt with a surge in illegal immigration. She deployed 80 guardsmen in the summer of 2023 and 40 guardsmen in the spring of 2024.