National News

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Boozman, Tillis, Murray Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Support Purple Heart Families

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WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to introduce the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, legislation allowing veterans who received their Purple Heart after their service to transfer their educational benefits to one or more of their dependents

“I’m proud to support policies that honor the promises made to the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform,” said Boozman. “Ensuring that veterans, and especially Purple Heart recipients, are able to access the benefits they have earned for themselves and their families is a duty that Congress should always prioritize.”

“Purple Heart veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedoms, and we as a nation should do everything we can to support them and their families when they return—that includes ensuring all Purple Heart veterans have the full benefits they have earned,” said Murray. “As the daughter of a Purple Heart Veteran, this is personal to me—and I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this effort.”

“Purple Heart recipients are heroes who honorably served our country at great costs, and this oversight that prevents servicemembers who received this distinguished award after their service from transferring their GI bill benefits to their dependents needs to be corrected immediately,” said Tillis. “I am proud to co-introduce this commonsense legislation to close this loophole and ensure every Purple Heart recipient and dependents are able to further their education.”

 Specifically, the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act would:

  • Permit an individual awarded the Purple Heart after their service in the Armed Forces to transfer their post-9/11 educational benefits to one or more of their dependents.

  • Allow flexibility by permitting the veteran to allocate different amounts, totaling 36 months of benefits, to their dependents. For example, one dependent may be designated 20 months and the other 16 months. 

  • Protect the veteran’s right to their benefits by prohibiting the use of their educational benefits to be treated as marital property or the asset of a marital estate. 

  • Honor the veteran’s legacy by allowing their dependents to continue using the unused benefits after their death. 

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Angus King (I-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

Congressmen Mike Levin (D-CA-49) and Greg Murphy (R-NC-03) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Click here for full text of the legislation.

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Little fish, epic journey: Arkansas biologists track 650-mile migration of Alabama shad

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BY Sarah Baxter

LITTLE ROCK — Thirty juvenile Alabama shad are striking out on a 650-mile journey from the Ouachita River in southwest Arkansas to the Gulf Coast and beyond, and for the first time in history, biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be tagging along.

AGFC biologists hope to track 30 transmitter-equipped Alabama shad from their spawning grounds in Arkansas to the Gulf Coast. AGFC photo by Forrest Talley. 

The Alabama shad is ranked as the fourth-rarest fish in Arkansas and is being considered as a candidate for the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each year Alabama shad spawned in the Ouachita River embark on a quest to reach salt water of the Gulf Coast. The fish is a mere 7-inch juvenile when it begins this trek, which leads it through many dangerous obstacles, including four locks and dams built for barge traffic.

Biologists know shockingly little about their life cycle aside from the endpoints of this amazing journey. Do they make this journey multiple times? Are there critical areas they visit along the way? How do they get past the dams? The questions surrounding this species are as vast as the waters it travels.

According to Jeff Quinn, AGFC River and Stream Program Supervisor, the Alabama shad is the only anadromous fish species in Arkansas — meaning it spawns in The Natural State and travels to salt water in the ocean as a component of its life cycle. One other species, the American eel, makes a similar migration but in reverse, spawning in the salt water of the ocean and traveling to fresh water in Arkansas during its life before returning to the Sargasso Sea.

Unraveling the secrets of this fish’s life cycle has been the largest obstacle in its conservation. Adult shad are extremely elusive and fragile, thwarting many previous tracking studies.

AGFC biologists have turned their attention to the juveniles through a groundbreaking effort. Last fall, they captured 30 young shad and implanted them with transmitters to track their migration. The transmitters, implanted by AGFC veterinarians, will coordinate with a series of hydrophones to “ping” each shad’s location as it passes nearby.

All 30 shad selected for research survived the implantation of tiny transmitters that will record movement as they pass by established recording units. AGFC photo by Forrest Talley.

This is the first time such a study has been attempted on juvenile Alabama shad. The species is notoriously fragile and prone to stress from temperature changes and handling trauma.

State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jenn Ballard and AGFC Fish Pathologist Kelly Winningham worked in tandem to research and formulate a plan for the implantation procedure. The transmitter, roughly the size and shape of a piece of drinking straw as long as a penny is wide, had to be inserted in the body cavity of these extremely slender fish in a way that would not hinder their movement.

“We came up with some innovative solutions to overcome the fragile nature of the species,” Ballard said. “We even had fresh water flowing over the gills during the procedure through an IV setup instead of a water pump to ensure a constant but gentle flow of oxygenated water to the fish while the surgery was conducted.”

AGFC Wildlife Health Biologist AJ Riggs, AGFC Veterinary Trainee Robert Edwards and AGFC Conservation Program Technician Christina Little assisted with the surgeries, while Jeff Newman, AGFC Hatchery Manager of the Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, coordinated with Quinn and AGFC Rivers Biologist Chelsea Gilliland to collect, monitor, transport and release the shad.

Biologists employed many creative solutions to successfully implant transmitters in diminutive Alabama shad. The gloves seen in this image produce a light electrical current to immobilize fish for surgery, avoiding chemicals. AGFC photo by Jeff Quinn.

Thanks to the creative solutions by the capture and implantation teams, all 30 of the shad selected for the study survived the procedure and showed no serious effects from the transmitter’s size during post-surgery observation.

“This project is really cutting-edge science,” Quinn said. “We didn’t even think this project was possible earlier this year. Our success is because we assembled a highly skilled and dedicated team, studied successes with other species, and were willing to take chances and fail.”

The data gleaned from this study will be crucial in understanding the Alabama shad’s migratory patterns, habitat use and the challenges they face. This knowledge is vital for effective conservation management and could be the key to preventing this remarkable species from disappearing altogether.

Quinn recently joined Trey Reid for an episode of the Arkansas Wildlife Podcast to talk about this exciting research project. Watch the show on the AGFC YouTube channel or find the podcast on your favorite platform.

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State of the State 2025: Regulations, tariffs, costs part of trucking sector uncertainties

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by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

The United States has been mired in a “freight recession” for more than a year and Cass Freight Index numbers indicate it’s not over. The Index reported that freight shipments across North America were down 6.5% in December in a year-over-year comparison. The index reported a 3.1% decline from November and a 13.3% decline on a two-year stacked change. Freight expenditures were down 3.1% in December, and freight rates were up 3.3% in the same month, the Index reported.

Data within the Index includes all domestic freight modes and is derived from 36 million invoices and $38 billion in spending processed by Cass annually on behalf of its client base of hundreds of large shippers. The companies represent a broad sampling of industries, including consumer packaged goods, food, automotive, chemical, medical/pharma, OEM, retail, and heavy equipment, according to Cass Information Systems. 

Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) President Shannon Newton told Talk Business & Politics she is cautiously optimistic the freight recession could end in 2025, and the metrics seem to be improving.

State of the State 2025: Regulations, tariffs, costs part of trucking sector uncertainties

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Rep. Hill outlines priorities for bank regulatory changes, cryptocurrency

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by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, is the new chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, an influential panel that oversees the nation’s banking and securities sectors. Hill outlined his priorities for change in the 119th Congress in a recent Talk Business & Politics interview.

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When he campaigned for the House committee chairmanship, Hill rolled out a package of ideas titled “Make Community Banking Great Again” to explain how he would guide the panel and push for new legislation. A former U.S. Treasury official in the George H.W. Bush administration, Arkansas’ 2nd District Congressman said he wants to see regulations better tied to bank size.

“I believe strongly in tailoring regulations. So the more large and complex your business strategy, the more regulatory surveillance and scrutiny that you ought to have. The smaller and more straightforward your business, you ought to have a lighter touch of regulation. You still comply with the regulations, but you have it in a less costly way to the institution,” he said.

Rep. Hill outlines priorities for bank regulatory changes, cryptocurrency

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Boozman, Booker Team Up to Improve Prostate Cancer Detection

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation to expand insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings.

The bipartisan Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening for High-risk Insured Men (HIM) Act would require private health insurance plans to cover preventive prostate cancer screenings without imposing any cost-sharing requirements for men who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer. 

“Like so many others, my family has experienced the impact of this disease. Since we know early detection leads to better health outcomes, making access to screening easier can help save lives. I’m proud to work in a bipartisan way to expand prostate cancer detection and early intervention, particularly for at-risk men,” said Boozman.

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“Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States, with Black men being disproportionately impacted and over twice as likely to die following a diagnosis,” said Booker. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will increase affordability and access to lifesaving screening services, help men detect the disease early, and save lives.” 

Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 American men in their lifetime and disproportionately affects African American men with 1 in 6 being diagnosed. Individuals who have at least one close family member diagnosed with the disease are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed themselves.

Currently, the Prostate-Specific Antigen test is the most effective tool for detection. When detected in early stage, it is almost 100 percent survivable. 

“The PSA Screening for HIM Act is a crucial step toward removing financial barriers to life-saving prostate cancer screenings,” said American Urological Association Public Policy Council Chair Mark Edney, M.D. “By ensuring high-risk groups can access PSA testing without cost-sharing, this legislation will save countless lives through earlier detection, where survival rates are nearly 100 percent, compared to later stages where survival rates are around 30 percent.”

“The introduction of the PSA Screening for HIM Act represents a critical step forward in protecting men’s health and saving lives through early detection. At ZERO Prostate Cancer, we know that access to prostate cancer screening is fundamental in the fight against prostate cancer, particularly for those at highest risk,” said ZERO Prostate Cancer CEO Courtney Bugler.

“The PSA Screening for HIM Act would eliminate a significant hurdle that keeps far too many at high risk for prostate cancer from getting tested for the disease,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We thank Sens. Boozman and Booker for introducing this bill and look forward to working with them to get it passed.” 

“With the increase in prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths, and the growing racial disparity, the PSA Screening for HIM Act is more important now than ever,” said Thomas A. Farrington, President and Founder of the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN).

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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Womack Honors Winner of 2024 Congressional App Challenge

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Washington, DC—January 30, 2025…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today honored Ronak Pai—a 12th grader from Bentonville West High School—for winning the 2024 Congressional App Challenge. The annual and nationwide coding competition for middle school and high school students aims to encourage our nation’s youth to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and computer science careers.

Congressman Womack said, “Congratulations to our winner, Ronak, on his impressive achievement. I deeply admire his work to support those who courageously and selflessly served our great nation. For 10 years, I’ve been blown away by the coding talent, innovation, and creative problem-solving displayed by the participants in Arkansas’ Third. This challenge is hard work – and I couldn’t be prouder of those who applied. I have no doubt that Ronak and the rest of the participants have bright futures ahead, creating a smarter, more efficient nation.”

Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent, Bentonville Schools, said, “The Congressional App Challenge Award is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious accolades in computer science. We're grateful for Congressman Steve Womack and his colleagues in the House of Representatives who make this honor possible for our students.”

Dr. Jonathon Guthrie, Principal, Bentonville West High School, said, “Ronak Pai is one of the most academically gifted and compassionate students to matriculate through Bentonville West. His app demonstrates his commitment to America's veterans intheirefforts to more readily secure healthcare.”

Startup Junkie Managing Director, Brett Amerine, said, “This year was very exciting for the Congressional App Challenge. Many talented students who will be this nation's next top scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs participated. After significant review and deliberation we are excited for the winner, Ronak Pai, founder of Veteran Connect. We need to serve our veterans as best we can, and we need as many smart entrepreneurs and engineers as possible working to solve government efficiency and effectiveness challenges, and Veteran Connect does just that.”

Ronak’s winning app, Veteran Connect, is an all-in-one resource tailored to help veterans overcome the challenges they often face when accessing essential benefits and services. Built using Dart and Flutter, with integrated C++ and Swift components, the app provides a seamless, user-friendly experience across Android, iOS, and desktop platforms. Key features include precise GPS directions to nearby VA offices, a detailed questionnaire that evaluates and predicts eligibility for various benefits, and a curated list of veteran-specific benefits with clear descriptions. Veteran Connect is designed to simplify and enhance veterans’ access to the support they deserve.

Womack honored Ronak with a certificate and congressional medallion at a ceremony at Bentonville West High School. Entries were reviewed by a panel of local technology experts and judged on the originality, creativity, and quality of the app design. The judges included Jeff Amerine, Brett Amerine, and Phyl Amerine of Startup Junkie. Veteran Connect will be featured on a digital display in the U.S. Capitol and on the Congressional App Challenge website.

Additional honorees include:

  • 2nd Place: Veera Unnam, a junior at Bentonville West High School, and Harshith Guduru a senior at Bentonville West High School – AiDA

  • 3rd Place: Sanjay Javangula, a junior at Bentonville High School, Avinash Devineni, a junior Bentonville High School, and Sripath Badhika, a junior at Bentonville High School– ParkinDetect

This is the 10th year Womack has hosted the Congressional App Challenge in Arkansas’ Third Congressional District. The Natural State has consistently had every congressional district partake in the competition, making Arkansas one of the top Congressional App Challenge participants per capita from across the United States. The 2025 edition of the competition will open later this year.

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UAMS Names Deanna Sasaki-Adams, M.D., as Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery

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By Tamara Robinson

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine named Deanna Sasaki-Adams, M.D., MBA, as chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, effective March 1.

A noted vascular and skull base neurosurgeon, Sasaki-Adams currently serves as the Department of Neurosurgery’s vice chair of Quality and Clinical Operations, medical director of UAMS neurosurgery services and associate program director for the Neurosurgery Residency program. She also holds a professor faculty appointment in the department.

“Dr. Sasaki-Adams will provide strong and innovative leadership for our clinical, educational and research programs in neurosurgery,” said Steven Webber, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor. “She has already excelled in many leadership roles at UAMS and the University of North Carolina.”

UAMS Names Deanna Sasaki-Adams, M.D., as Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery

Deanna Sasaki-Adams, M.D. Image by Bryan Clifton

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Ashley Booth Norse, M.D., Joins UAMS as Chair of Emergency Medicine

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By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — Ashley Booth Norse, M.D., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as chair of the College of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine.

Norse comes to UAMS from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, where she was professor and associate chair of operations in the Department of Emergency Medicine.

“Dr. Norse is known nationally and in Florida as an ardent emergency medicine physician, leader and patient advocate who has strived to improve standards and performance in her field and medicine more broadly,” said Steven Webber, M.D., dean of the UAMS College of Medicine. “She will be an outstanding leader for our excellent programs, faculty and staff in Emergency Medicine.”

Ashley Booth Norse, M.D., Joins UAMS as Chair of Emergency Medicine

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Uncertainty circulates after executive order stopping federal spending

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KUAR | By Josie Lenora

On Monday, President Donald Trump issued a memo halting about $10 trillion in federal spending.

The memo said “Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” Trump said he wanted to pause funds temporarily to investigate the fundings connection to programs he opposes such as: “DEI, woke gender ideology, and the Green New Deal.”

A judge halted the order later in the week, and on Wednesday, the Trump administration rescinded the order altogether.

In the days after the order was handed down, agencies across Arkansas were confused.

Uncertainty circulates after executive order stopping federal spending

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40-acre solar farm begins to power J.B. Hunt headquarters

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by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has opened a solar array in Gentry that’s expected to offset up to 80% of the electricity used by its three main corporate campus buildings in Lowell, the company announced Wednesday (Jan. 29).

The 40-acre J.B. Hunt Solar Facility includes nearly 18,000 solar panels and more than 10,000 bi-facial solar modules to capture sunlight, which is converted to electricity and transmitted to a nearby electric grid for Carroll Electric Cooperative Corp.

Construction of the array started in 2024. NextEra Energy managed the project, which Verogy completed. Trio, formerly Edison Energy, and Carroll Electric provided consulting services throughout planning and development.

40-acre solar farm begins to power J.B. Hunt headquarters

Officials recently gathered for the opening of a solar facility that provides energy for the J.B. Hunt Transport Services headquarters in Lowell. (photo courtesy of J.B. Hunt Transport)

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Eagles inspire awe, appreciation for conservation efforts

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BY Randy Zellers

LITTLE ROCK — When America’s founding fathers affixed a bald eagle to the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, they likely had no idea they were highlighting what would become one of the greatest wildlife comeback stories of all time.

America’s symbol stood on the brink of extinction in the 1960s, when it was placed on the federal Endangered Species list. At that time, less than 500 nesting pairs of bald eagles were documented throughout the entire United States with no nesting pairs observed in Arkansas. Two of the primary culprits for their decline were the pesticide DDT, causing eggshell thinning in birds that ate DDT-contaminated fish, and lead poisoning as a result of lead shotgun pellets ingested when eagles preyed upon crippled and dead waterfowl. Thanks to tighter regulations on pesticide use and a ban on lead shot in waterfowl hunting, scientists and conservationists have been able to turn the tide on the eagles’ plight, with more than 13,000 breeding pairs estimated in 2007 when the species was officially “delisted” from the Endangered Species Act.

The bald eagle’s recovery hit a major milestone at a local level in 1983, when the first eagle nest since the 1950s was documented on Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. Since that time, the number of nests have gradually increased. Although the AGFC no longer has a formal survey for breeding pairs of eagles in the state, Karen Rowe, AGFC Nongame Bird Program Coordinator, estimates the number to be between 150 and 160.

“It could be higher, but once bald eagles were taken off the federal Endangered and Threatened Species list, the funding devoted to their monitoring had to be shifted to focus on recovering other species of birds that were still experiencing steep declines in the state,” Rowe said. “According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which monitors their numbers in the continental U.S., breeding bald eagle populations have only continued to increase since their delisting, so it’s likely that the Arkansas population has followed suit. Considering the original goal for recovery in Arkansas was only 10 breeding pairs of nesting bald eagles, we’re in phenomenal shape.”

Rowe says winter is one of the best times to view bald eagles if one is willing to bundle up and brave the chilly weather. Concentrations of eagles and other raptors travel south just like ducks, shorebirds and other migrating species. As lakes and rivers freeze in the northern states, it cuts off the supply of fish and other marine animals the eagles prey upon. Their other major food source, birds like waterfowl, head south for winter, and the eagles follow the food.

“Anywhere you find flocks of migrating waterfowl, you’re likely to come across bald eagles in winter,” Rowe said. “But the best locations are tied to our large rivers, Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs and seasonally flooded rice fields. As duck seasons wind down, you’ll find quite a few birders take more trips to some of the AGFC’s waterfowl-focused wildlife management areas to enjoy watching the many other species the habitat on these areas attracts, eagles included.”

For folks wanting to get out and take in the sight of eagles perched over the wetlands, Rowe suggests keeping an eye out for superdominant trees along the shorelines or field edges.

“Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge and DeGray Lake on the west side of the state are two of Arkansas’s most well-known eagle-watching locations, but the Delta hosts hundreds of birds each year, especially along the White and Cache rivers.”

How do you tell an eagle from a hawk or a vulture (incorrectly called a “buzzard” by some Arkansans)? First of all, size is a major factor. An eagle’s wingspan is nearly twice as wide as most hawks and owls, often reaching 7 to 8 feet. Black vultures and turkey vultures have similarly sized wingspans, but they have different flight characteristics than raptors.

“Eagles and hawks soar with their wings extended on a flat horizontal plane,” Rowe said. “Vultures hold their wings in a ‘V’ shape. And the white head and tail of both male and female adult bald eagles is a striking contrast from its brown body that will give it away.”

Rowe says golden eagles, which are similarly sized but not as common as bald eagles in Arkansas, have brown heads and tails and legs covered with feathers down to the feet. Another, often more obvious difference is their beak; the bald eagle has a very large, bright yellow beak, while the golden eagle’s is small and black. Immature bald eagles that have not attained their adult plumage also are predominantly brown with white mottling and are often confused for this lesser-known species.

“Juvenile bald eagles gradually shift toward their adult plumage as they get older and usually have the species’ trademark look by year five,” Rowe said.

Rowe said birders who wish to help track eagle nests can email her at karen.rowe@agfc.ar.gov. Please be prepared to give exact GPS coordinates for the nest to help biologists make the best use of their follow-up time.

“It’s always great to hear the excitement in someone’s voice when they see an eagle or a nest, but we really need people to make sure that the nest is active with a breeding pair and we really need exact locations to help our monitoring efforts,” Rowe said. “We get hundreds of reports each year, but many can’t be used because we don’t have an exact location of an active nest to document.”

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Womack, Moulton introduce bipartisan bill to eliminate tax on military families

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Washington, DC—January 23, 2025…Recognizing the importance of supporting America’s military families, Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR-3) and Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA-6) introduced the BNA Fairness Act, legislation to eliminate the tax burden on Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) payments. The bipartisan bill ensures service members keep the full amount of entitlement benefits they have earned for their service to our nation.

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Congressman Womack said, “Providing a supplement to support military families and taxing that benefit doesn’t make sense. The BNA should be treated just like any other military benefit outside of earned income. My bill with Congressman Moulton does just that. This allowance—especially without the tax burden—is a combat multiplier. Free from additional financial stress, our men and women in uniform can better focus on their mission of defending our homeland. I’m proud to introduce this bill to ensure our troops receive the full benefits they’ve earned.”

Congressman Moulton said, “It is simply unacceptable for servicemembers and their families, who already make many sacrifices for our country, to then struggle to put food on the table or make ends meet. By treating the Basic Needs Allowance like other military benefits, this bill provides critical relief to service members and their families. As we keep working to improve quality of life across the military community, I’m very proud today to co-lead this bipartisan effort.”

The Arkansas Council of Chapters (COC) of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), representing the nearly 5 thousand MOAA members across our great state, fully supports Congressman Womack's reintroduction of the BNA Fairness Act.

The bipartisan bill is supported by one original cosponsor, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-1).

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The proposal specifically amends the tax code to exclude BNA benefits from taxable income. This rightfully puts BNA in line with the tax status of other military benefits, including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).

Allowing eligible military families to keep more of their earned benefit further supports their ability to purchase groceries and be food secure. It’s another step in alleviating financial burdens and ensuring those serving and protecting our nation can better focus on their mission.

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Governor Sanders Announces Bill to Make Every Arkansas School Go Phone-Free

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, legislation that would ban smartphones and other personal electronic devices like smart watches from every single public school in Arkansas, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Senator Tyler Dees (District 35) and Representative Jon Eubanks (District 46) are sponsoring the bill in the legislature.

“We have seen a staggering rise in mental illness among young people over the past decade. The culprit is clear: unrestricted access to smartphones and social media,” said Governor Sanders. “After the overwhelming success of our phone-free schools pilot program, it’s clear that it’s time for Arkansas to ban smartphones, bell to bell, in every school in our state.”

“Arkansas kids deserve every advantage we as parents can give them, and helping them keep their heads in the game at school isn’t just good for their mental health. It will improve the quality of their education overall, making them more prepared for the challenges of life. Disconnecting students from doom-scrolling on big tech social media platforms during school is common sense and will help with their social and emotional health.”said Senator Tyler Dees. 

“I think we can all agree cell phones are a serious distraction for students. This legislation will limit that distraction so that phones do not interfere with the learning process,” said Representative Jon Eubanks.

The Bell to Bell, No Cell Act prohibits personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, bell-to-bell. Each public school district will be required to publish its cell phone policy on its website, including policies and exemptions concerning cell phones on school property and at school-related functions. Districts are required to provide exemptions for health reasons, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), after-school extracurricular activities, and emergencies. 

In her 2025 State of the State address, Governor Sanders identified mental health as one of her top priorities for the year. In addition to the phone-free schools program, the Governor plans to update Arkansas’ Social Media Safety Act so it is no longer held up in court and to give Arkansas parents the right to sue Big Tech companies under state law so they can hold bad actors accountable.

Governor Sanders launched the phone-free schools pilot program last summer. Participating districts received funding to purchase containers for students to store their devices and experience a phone-free education. She was inspired to launch this program after reading The Anxious Generation by author Jonathan Haidt, and also sent a copy of the book to every legislator in Arkansas and every governor in America.

Sanders and Haidt toured schools across the state in December to promote the phone-free schools program and see its implementation. Beyond school visits, they held a roundtable and speaking engagements, inviting legislators, parents, and educators to join the conversation. The Governor and Haidt also spoke on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to promote phone-free schools.

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Boozman backs permanent small business tax cut

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) has cosponsored the Main Street Tax Certainty Act , legislation introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-SD) and Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to make the 20 percent pass-through business tax deduction permanent. The expiration of this tax cut would require small businesses to face an immediate and insurmountable tax hike.

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“From main street storefronts to manufacturers, agriculture producers and more – small business is the backbone of our economy,” said Boozman. “I am proud to support policies that help Natural State small businesses thrive and stimulate growth and investment into our local communities.” 

“As the son of a contractor, I’ve seen firsthand the hard work it takes to keep a small business flourishing- especially as Americans are still grappling with the effects of Joe Biden’s inflation. It’s absolutely crucial that we pass this legislation to prevent a 20 percent tax increase for hardworking Montanans and I’ll keep fighting for ways to support Montana small businesses, which provide the majority of jobs in our state,” said Daines.

“Small businesses are the economic engine that drive growth and jobs in South Dakota and across our country. This legislation is critical to permanently extending a key provision from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and ensuring our small businesses and farms and ranches are not hit with a crippling tax hike at the end of 2025,” said Thune. 

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Katie Britt (R-AL), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Hoeven (R-ND), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Todd Young (R-IN), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Jim Banks (R-IN).  

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act is endorsed by multiple small businesses and advocacy groups. Here’s what they are saying about the bill. 

“Congress must preserve the pass-through deduction to protect the small and medium manufacturers that are the backbone of the American supply chain. Manufacturers strongly support the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, which will make permanent this crucial provision and ensure that our tax code supports manufacturers in America as they invest in their businesses, create jobs, and drive the economy,” said National Association of Manufacturers Managing Vice President of Policy Chris Netram.

“If Congress fails to act, more than 30 million small businesses will face a massive tax hike at the end of this year. The 20 percent Small Business Deduction allows nine out of 10 Main Street job creators to compete, grow their business, hire new employees, raise wages, and give back to their communities,” said National Federation of Independent Businesses President Brad Close. 

Over 230 trade associations also signed a letter in support of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.

Click here to read the text of the legislation.

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Cargill to shutter turkey operation in Springdale (Updated)

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by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Cargill has confirmed it plans to close its turkey processing facility in Springdale. More than 1,000 employees and more than 100 farmers who raise turkeys for the company are being told Tuesday (Jan. 28) about the closure slated for Aug. 1.

“This Cargill closure in Springdale was not an easy decision to make given the impact to the people who work there and local producers,” Chuck Miller, corporate spokesman told Talk Business & Politics. “However, it is the right move to make for the future of our turkey business. Turkey remains an essential part of Cargill’s protein portfolio. We will shift much of Springdale’s production to our turkey processing plants in Missouri and Virginia and work to minimize supply disruptions to customers. We will honor contractual obligations to growers and continue to process turkey and other proteins at more than 40 primary, case-ready and value-added protein facilities in the United States and Canada.”

The company did not provide details about how it plans to honor contracts with farmers. Many farmers have significant bank loans that require multiple year contracts to pay off.

Cargill to shutter turkey operation in Springdale (Updated)

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EV registrations soar more than 60% in Arkansas

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by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Arkansas surpassed 50,000 electric vehicles registered for the first time in 2024, a state agency spokesman said. Total EV registrations jumped 61.57% to 58,387 in 2024 from 36,137 in 2023.

Scott Hardin, spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, recently provided registration numbers for fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles registered in Arkansas. As of Dec. 31, the state had 9,214 fully electric and 49,173 hybrid electric vehicles registered.

“The state closed the second half of 2024 with strong EV registration totals, easily surpassing 50,000 total registered EVs (fully electric and hybrids) for the first time,” Hardin said. “We should reach 60,000 early this year.”

EV registrations soar more than 60% in Arkansas

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Division of Agriculture releases 2025 versions of weed, pest and disease management guides

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LITTLE ROCK — The most widely used publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have been updated for 2025 with the latest research-based recommendations for managing weeds, disease and pests in row crop agriculture, as well as fruit, vegetable and garden production.

The 2025 publications include:

GUIDES — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's most popular guides have been updated for 2025. UADA design

Copies of guides are available at county extension offices at no charge. Digital copies of the guides, along with other extension publications, are available online at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/new.aspx.

“MP” stands for “miscellaneous publication.” Extension faculty update the guides annually to ensure that Arkansas growers and producers have the most current research-based information when making decisions. The guides are the Division of Agriculture’s most requested publications, with more than 18,500 copies of the guides delivered to county extension offices earlier this month.

“Our comprehensive series on agrichemicals to control weeds, insects, and plant diseases helps put the right options in the hands of farmers, growers and homeowners,” said Shane Gadberry, associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the Division of Agriculture. “Information in the guides is supported by trial data and product label information.”

Weed management

MP44, “Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control,” is the most requested publication and is a must-have resource for anyone using herbicides for weed control in Arkansas.

“New information is included on herbicide-resistant weed species and management practices, as well as an updated map of Palmer amaranth resistance in Arkansas including counties where multiple-resistant populations have been identified,” said Tom Barber, extension weed scientist for the Division of Agriculture. “In addition, information and links for updates on the Endangered Species Act mitigation measures and herbicide strategy are provided.”

MP44’s forage section reflects changes in recommended application timing, said Hannah Wright-Smith, extension weed specialist. “Notable changes include earlier applications of 2,4-D to control buttercup and a recommended fall/ winter application of Rezilon with a Feb. 15 cutoff date.”

The guide’s sections on cotton and soybean sections also have updated, said Bob Scott, extension weed scientist.

“I always recommend that users of these publications throw away their old ones and get the current copy to avoid any off-label or out-of-date recommendations,” Scott said.

Insect management

MP144, “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas,” contains information on recommended insecticides in row crops, animal agriculture, fruits, nuts, vegetables and household pests.

“Our stored grain section has been expanded to include insecticide performance ratings for many of the recommended products based on research funded by the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board,” said Glenn Studebaker, extension entomologist and integrated pest management coordinator for the Division of Agriculture. “This year we have included a new treatment threshold for tarnished plant bug in ThryvOn cotton varieties.”

“For tarnished plant bug in ThryvOn cotton, the nymph threshold has doubled to six nymphs on five row feet. This is only for cotton with ThryvOn technology,” extension entomologist  Nick Bateman said. “Non-ThryvOn cotton thresholds will continue to be three nymphs on five row feet. Additionally, our rice stink bug threshold in rice was moved to 10 stink bugs on 10 sweeps throughout the whole season. Studies have been conducted for multiple years to confirm these thresholds and will help growers make a more economically sound decision when treating these insects.”

The mobile-friendly edition of MP 144 is available at https://mp144.uada.edu/.

Plant disease management

The “Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide” — or MP 154 — includes a list of fungicides and nematicides registered for use in Arkansas that are used to control diseases of row crops, vegetables, small fruits, turfgrass and ornamental plants.

“All products are registered for use in the state,” said Travis Faske, extension plant pathologist. “Each year new products are added, and fungicide efficacy tables in corn, soybean, and wheat are updated.”

Information in the guide is generated by extension plant pathologists who conduct applied research trials across the state. 

To access more Division of Agriculture publications, visit https://pubs.uada.edu/ or 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.uark.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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Attorney General Griffin launches Operation Obscured Vision to fight human trafficking statewide

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Griffin: ‘January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors’

Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the execution of search warrants at 12 locations across the state as part of Operation Obscured Vision to combat human trafficking, resulting in aid provided to 16 victims, the arrest of four individuals, and the seizure of nearly $70,000 and a luxury vehicle:

“January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors.

“Operation Obscured Vision was coordinated by my office’s Special Investigations Division and executed by local law enforcement and victim advocates groups to expose the pervasive issue of illicit massage parlors in Arkansas, rescue the victims of human trafficking, and permanently end the presence of illicit massage parlors in our state.

“Many of the women working in these illicit massage parlors are coerced to do so. One victim we interviewed stated that she is forced to work seven days a week, 13 hours per day.

“I am proud to announce that local law enforcement, with coordination by my office, executed 12 search warrants at illicit massage parlors in Jonesboro, Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Harrison, and a Little Rock hotel. I congratulate the local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, the Arkansas State Police, and Special Agents in my office for successfully executing this operation.

“I appreciate the efforts of victim’s advocates and the Arkansas Department of Health, who provided language interpreters, nursing services, and other support to help victims receive comprehensive and coordinated assistance to ensure their safety and support their journey toward independence and recovery. Seventeen victims ranging in age from 29-65 were identified in the operation, sixteen accepted services from medical staff and victim’s advocates.

“I am grateful to members of the Arkansas General Assembly and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for their support of adding a full-time human trafficking investigator to my office. That Special Agent worked tirelessly to coordinate this operation, and it wouldn’t have happened without the agent’s efforts.

“This operation is just a first step. The intelligence and evidence obtained through Operation Obscured Vision will be used in ongoing investigations and will aid in targeting similar massage parlors elsewhere in the state. The criminals who run these establishments and the men who patronize them are on notice. We are coming for you, and we will put an end to this horrific practice of exploiting women through human trafficking.”

Four women were arrested as part of Operation Obscured Vision.

  • Haiyan Lu, 54, of Harrison, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

  • Qing Chen, 53, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

  • Hongliang Cai, 55, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

  • Chunli Wang, 50, of Rogers, one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree


Law enforcement seized nearly $70,000 during the operation. Additionally, ¥1,870 in Chinese currency was seized in Russellville. A Mercedes-Benz vehicle was seized in Rogers.

Participating law enforcement agencies in Operation Obscured Vision included:

  • Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Division

  • Arkansas State Police

  • Arkansas State Fusion Center

  • Jonesboro Police Department

  • Harrison Police Department

  • Rogers Police Department

  • Benton County Sheriff’s Office

  • Russellville Police Department

  • Little Rock Police Department

  • Hot Springs Police Department


Prosecuting Attorneys participating in Operation Obscured Vision include:

  • Sonia Hagood, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

  • Jeff Phillips, Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

  • Will Jones, Sixth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney

  • David Ethredge, Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

  • Michelle Lawrence, Eighteenth-East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

  • Bryan Sexton, Nineteenth-West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney


Advocate groups participating in Operation Obscured Vision included:

  • Arkansas Human Trafficking Council

  • Into the Light

  • Freedom Finders

  • Hope Found

  • NWA Forensic Nursing Team/REACH

  • NWA Sexual Assault Center

  • We Are Free

  • Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation (RISE)

  • Children’s Protection Center (CPC) Little Rock

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Four-state beef cattle conference to cover herd expansion, cattle markets

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By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK – Extension specialists from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas are partnering for the 2025 KOMA Beef Cattle Conference.

MARKET UPDATE – Derrell Peel, Professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University will provide the keynote address at the 2025 KOMA Conference, covering herd expansion and market impacts.

The conference, co-hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University and the University of Missouri, is a one-day conference providing research updates from extension specialists, professors and graduate students from all four states. There are two opportunities to attend – Feb. 18 in Parsons, Kansas, and Feb. 19 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Each will have identical programs.

“We have an exciting lineup this year of expert-led presentations and discussions,” said Maggie Justice, beef production specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “We’ll get the latest update on cutting-edge research in cattle feeding, supplementation, reproduction and more.”

Justice said attendees can expect valuable takeaways on optimizing nutrition, enhancing reproductive efficiency and improving grazing practices.

“With the thin profit margins our producers have been seeing, cattle markets are on everyone’s mind,” Justice said. “A key highlight of the event will be the keynote address from Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University who will share his expertise on herd expansion and the impact it will have on the market.”

Cost to attend is $20 with lunch included. Those interested in attending in Arkansas can register online. An agenda will be coming soon.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

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Arkansas refugee resettlement disrupted as Trump administration suspends program

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Dozens of refugees scheduled to travel to Northwest Arkansas over the next two months had their flights cancelled a week before an executive order was set to go in effect. “We weren’t expecting it–that’s not what the executive order said,” said Joanna Krause. “The impact has been devastating.”

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Joanna Krause is the Executive Director of Canopy NWA, a refugee resettlement agency based in Fayetteville. She spoke with Little Rock Public Radio Friday, at the end of a week she described as “incredibly difficult.”

President Donald Trump halted refugee resettlement in the U.S. with an executive order last Monday, disrupting travel plans for hundreds of refugees recently approved to come to the United States. 11 families assigned to Northwest Arkansas now have no clear path to resettlement.

Arkansas refugee resettlement disrupted as Trump administration suspends program