Looper honored by American Society of Animal Science

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  A life spent raising cattle and helping others in the industry through research and education has earned Mike Looper a Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Animal Science.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE — Shane Gadberry, left, director of the Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville, presents a plaque to Mike Looper recognizing him as the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Distinguished Service Award honoree for 2024. (Photo courtesy of Justin Bartlett)

Looper is head of the animal science department, overseeing land-grant extension, research and teaching, with appointments within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

The honor was bestowed Jan. 29, during the society section’s annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky.

Looper was raised on an Arkansas dairy/beef farm now run by a fifth generation of his family. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Arkansas, then crossed the border to earn a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, focusing on reproduction in post-partum beef cows. Looper is still in the cattle game. He and his wife run about 100 head of cattle.

“My whole life has revolved around agriculture, specifically livestock production in the Southern U.S.,” Looper said. “I enjoy helping others whether that’s a student, producer, or an interested consumer. I’ve been fortunate to have excellent support from family, friends, co-workers and upper administration.”        

“It’s wonderful to see Mike — a fellow rancher — receive this award,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture, for the University of Arkansas System. “His energy and upbeat demeanor, plus his servant leadership have been an enormous benefit to our faculty, students in Bumpers College and the livestock industry.”

In 2002, Looper joined the Agricultural Research Service arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to conduct  research in growth, development, physiology, and nutrition of grazing cattle. He has advised and co-advised more than 30 graduate students and authored/co-authored 67 peer-refereed journal articles, two book chapters, 112 abstracts, and more than 200 extension, research and other publications.

Looper has served as associate editor and division editor of the Animal Production Section of the Journal of Animal Science. He is an ASAS Fellow and has also served as ASAS president. Looper and his wife, Joneta, have two daughters, Madison and Taylor.

The Distinguished Service Award is the most prestigious honor for members of the American Society of Animal Science. Only one Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member in each of the society’s four regional sections “for outstanding service to the livestock industry through genetics, breeding, nutrition, physiology, immunology, management, and/or meat/food science.” Looper’s award is from the society’s Southern Section.

“Dr. Looper has a knack for connecting with students and his investment in mentoring is guiding the next generation of animal scientists,” said Jeff Edwards, Bumpers College dean. “In my faculty role at OSU, I was fortunate enough to work closely with animal scientists, and I can attest that Dr. Looper is highly regarded among his peers. He was one of the first department heads to reach out to me when I joined the U of A, and his advice has been invaluable to me as an administrator.”

Edwards called Looper “a leader in Bumpers College and the animal science community, and this is a well-deserved honor.”

“Congratulations to Dr. Looper on receiving this award,” said Jean-François Meullenet, director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “Mike is a true servant leader who has led the Department of Animal Science and supported its faculty, staff and students admirably for over a decade. We are very happy for him to be recognized for his service to the university and the industry.”

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.

Westerman, Newhouse, Allen urge EPA to halt release of Onerous NAAQS Proposal

WASHINGTON - Today, Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) Western Caucus Vice-Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to halt its release of updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter.

The letter reads, “It is our understanding that you are finalizing an update to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and plan to release the update imminently. We write to express our grave concerns with your agency’s proposal and urge you to halt its release.

“We joined a letter alongside 70 of our colleagues in October of 2023 urging the EPA to withdraw the costly and unnecessary proposal and review the PM2.5 NAAQS under the Clean Air Act’s regular review cycle. To date, we have not received a response to that letter.

“With nearly 700,000 comments received on the proposal in the Federal Register last year, it is clear that this will have an enormous impact on nearly every industry. Last October, over 70 manufacturing organizations sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients, outlining their concerns with the proposal, and warning of the negative economic impacts that would be caused by its implementation.

“The United States boasts some of the cleanest air in the world today according to Yale University’s Environmental Performance. As Members that represent states with robust timber industries, we know firsthand the extensive benefits that the forestry sector and forest products industry have on the environment and the economy. The forest products industry would be severely impacted by the implementation of this proposal. Nationwide, at nine micrograms, nearly 80% of the sawmill and papermill improvement projects over the last five years would have failed to meet their air permits.

“We urge you to halt the release of the finalized update and review the NAAQS under the regular five-year review schedule.”

Click here to view the full letter.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and the council’s subcommittees met this week at the Capitol. These meetings were previously scheduled for the week of January 15 but were postponed due to the winter weather across the state.

ALC members were presented with an update from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) regarding damage from the winter storms.

ADEM officials said 10 water systems around the state requested assistance from the agency. All but one of those systems is back up and running. As of Friday, the water system in Helena-West Helena was currently not operational. ADEM says the agency has coordinated resources to send pallets of water to the area and is currently working with vendors in hopes of providing mobile shower and laundry units soon.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) updated members of the Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee on the road conditions throughout the state. ARDOT reports the agency has been working to repair numerous potholes on highways due to freezing temperatures and subsequent rain. Arkansans can report potholes directly to the agency by using the iDrive Arkansas app.

In other agenda items before ALC, members approved an emergency rule to allow the implementation of two educational grant programs.

The Literacy Tutoring Grant is designed to help struggling readers in K-3 with personalized tutoring. Families can invoice up to $500 per school to pay for tutoring services for children reading below grade level. Payments will go directly to providers.

The High Impact Tutoring Grant Program is designed to help school districts with high impact tutoring during the school day to help struggling students at all grade levels. 

The Department of Education will be releasing information soon on how parents and schools can utilize these grants.

The Game and Fish and State Police Subcommittee of ALC continued its study on our state’s firearms laws. This week, they heard a summary on concealed carry laws. Their next meeting will be February 12 and will focus on hunting laws and Arkansas State Police concealed carry regulations. The public is welcome and there will be time for public comment.

ALC reviewed the most recent General Revenue Report which showed net available general revenue is down 5% from this time last year but 6.7% above forecast.  Pre-Fiscal Session Budget Hearings are scheduled to begin March 6.

The Arkansas Legislative Council will meet again on February 16.

Group submits fourth proposed Arkansas FOIA change to AG after third rejection

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

A government transparency group sent a fourth draft of proposed changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act on Thursday after Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected its third proposal.

In his opinion, Griffin cited a “misleading provision” of the text of the proposed act and ballot title. Previous submissions contained the same problem that “was unidentified previously and is the only remaining issue standing in the way of certification,” Griffin wrote.

“If you resolve this issue and resubmit with no other changes, I will expedite the response,” he wrote.

Group submits fourth proposed Arkansas FOIA change to AG after third rejection

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Gov. Sarah Sanders shares a laugh with Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, a Republican from Cave Springs on Sept. 14, 2023, after signing a number of bills at the end of a special legislative session, including one that hides from the public certain information about security for her and other state officials.

Arkansas Racing Commission defers vote on new Pope County casino license process

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

The issuance of Arkansas’ fourth and final casino license will be delayed — again — likely for months.

And if the litigious history of the Pope County casino permit is a guide, the wait could be far longer.

The Arkansas Racing Commission, which oversees the state’s casinos, met for a half hour on Wednesday, but it took no action, instead deciding to study a set of proposed rule changes until next week.

Arkansas Racing Commission defers vote on new Pope County casino license process

Legends Resort & Casino

A rendering of Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County.

Tyson Foods opens bacon processing plant in Kentucky

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Tyson Foods opened a new processing plant in Bowling Green, Ky., this week. The 400,000-square-foot plant cost $355 million to build and outfit and will employ around 450 workers.

The facility is expected to produce two million pounds of bacon weekly for its Wright and Jimmy Dean retail brands and for food service customers.

“Our innovative new plant in Bowling Green reflects a major investment that we are proud to make in south-central Kentucky,” said Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King. “This enables us to focus on the health and safety of our team members while also delivering best-in-class service for our customers.”

Tyson Foods opens bacon processing plant in Kentucky

photo courtesy Tyson Foods

Poultry scientists develop 3D anatomy tech to learn more about chicken vision

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Poultry scientists with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are unraveling the complexities of bird brains and finding less expensive ways to do it.

CHICKEN VISION — Wayne Kuenzel, professor of physiology and neuroendocrinology, worked with Parker Straight and Paul Gignac to map the chicken brain in 3D using diceCT technology. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

The scientists mapped the intricate neurological pathways that control vision in chickens with detailed 3D models of the connections between the eyes and four regions of the brain. The research paper, titled “Mapping the avian visual tectofugal pathway using 3D reconstruction,” was accepted for publication in the Journal of Comparative Neurology. A separate research paper was written on the thalamofugal pathway.

Wayne Kuenzel, professor of physiology and neuroendocrinology in the department of poultry science for the experiment station, said the technique is a less expensive way to create quality 3D images resembling magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, technology. He also said the method will benefit teaching complex anatomy and expand the tools of animal science researchers. The experiment station is the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“What is important about this technique is that it is a straightforward procedure, and it is not expensive,” Kuenzel said. “I am sure it will gain importance over time and attract a greater audience.”

Parker Straight, principal author of the research publication, pursued a Master of Science degree under Kuenzel within the Division of Agriculture’s Center of Excellence for Poultry Science. Straight has gone on to work as a clinical research associate and avian neuroanatomy research consultant with Kuenzel as they update “Stereotaxic Atlas of the Brain of the Chicken,” a book detailing the anatomy of the chicken brain, first published by Kuenzel in 1988.

Paul Gignac, associate professor of cellular and molecular medicine with the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson, was a member of Parker’s thesis committee and a co-author of the 3D imaging study.

“It’s not only a quality research paper but will also be helpful in teaching,” Kuenzel said of Straight’s work. “The tectofugal visual pathway has four critical neural structures in four different brain regions. Diagramming them in 3D enables one to see the entire pathway in one image and therefore should enable the learning of the entire pathway more rapidly and perhaps more permanently.”

To create the new 3D imaging, Straight said they combined a conventional imaging method called histochemistry with a newer imaging method known as diceCT, which stands for “diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhance computer tomography.”

Histochemistry uses chemical reagents like dyes to stain tissue and allow it to undergo image analysis. DiceCT is like an MRI, Straight explained, but instead of using a large magnet and radio waves, it uses iodine to stain the tissue so that a viewer can see groups of cells among fiber tracts. DiceCT uses x-ray scans to “digitally” slice the biological subject being studied.

Straight, Gignac and Kuenzel modeled the tectofugal pathway, the primary visual pathway in chickens, by combining the technologies with data reconstruction computer programs such as Brainmaker, Avizo and Blender. Kuenzel said Gignac has been instrumental with many scientists in developing and describing the diceCT procedure.

The iodine used in diceCT is not permanent and can be removed from the sample tissue without damaging or distorting the tissue, which is important for the integrity of the 3D imaging, Straight added.

“With the method being cheaper, it allows it to be accessible to many more researchers who often may not consider pursuing the use of MRI due to its cost or availability,” Straight said.

Kuenzel noted that the research paper could also “broaden the diversity of scientists who might add the Journal of Comparative Neurology to their list of journals to review more regularly.”

Why it’s important

Straight said the hybrid method of 3D scanning can be used to study neurobiology at a large scale, such as brain region morphology, and at a more detailed scale, such as looking at a single neurological pathway. One example of the technology’s potential use would include assessing changes or lesion patterns at various stages of a disease.

Other examples, he said, may include long-distance neuron tracing without cutting the connection, as well as comparing structural differences and how they relate to different behavioral patterns.

3D VIEW — This image shows the primary structures involved in the tectofugal visual pathway in the chicken brain. The pathway begins within the retina of the eye, shown in green, which sends information via the optic nerve to the opposing brain hemisphere in a structure called the optic tectum, shown in yellow. From there, the optic tectum sends information into the nucleus rotundus, shown in orange. The rotundus relays the visual input to the final primary component, the entopallium, shown in tan. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image)

“The list is quite long in terms of how this method can be proven beneficial to research,” Straight said. “I hope this study will prompt more investigations of animal neurobiology using 3D methods and how it compares to neurobiology of humans.”

Straight noted that if a researcher wanted to implement the exact imaging pipeline they used, the bird would have to be euthanized. However, the diceCT portion of the imaging method can be done in live animals if they are sufficiently sedated so that a researcher can capture a clean 3D scan.

The research was supported in part by grants from the University of Arkansas’ Chancellor’s Innovation Fund and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.

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.

Respected researcher, teacher Savin named horticulture department head

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  A research-for-undergraduates experience “in the middle of nowhere” helped set Mary Savin on a path to becoming the next head of the horticulture department at the University of Arkansas.

Mary Savin will take the reins of the horticulture department on April 1, 2024. (U of A System Divison of Agriculture photo)

Savin, a Massachusetts native, starts her new job April 1. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology/biological sciences from the University of Notre Dame, followed by a master’s in biodegradation and doctorate in soil ecology, both from the University of Rhode Island.

“I was a biology undergraduate trying to figure out what to do with my life,” she said. With 10 weeks of research and outdoor classes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin border, “I found my calling.”

She went into the private sector in environmental analysis with a consulting firm, which she loved, but “I felt like I needed more. More knowledge. More experience in the applied sciences.”

Savin applied for graduate school, eventually earning her Ph.D. “Once I was introduced to research, I decided that was really fun.”

An opportunity at the University of Arkansas opened and she took it. Over the years, “I've evolved and become involved in different aspects of teaching, research and administration that have just led me to this path,” she said.

Savin takes over from Wayne Mackay, who retires at the end of March after 10 years at the helm.

“Horticulture is just a strong department with some excellent faculty and staff, and I think Wayne's done a fabulous job leading the department, and so I’m very excited to be here,” she said.

To prepare for her new role, Savin is set to take part in major horticulture conferences and will be involved in a departmental retreat with horticulture faculty to ensure an effective transition.

Mackay said “I’m really excited to have Mary as my successor. She’s an excellent teacher, an excellent researcher and has excellent international experience, which is important for our students. I think her experience on campus as a researcher, and most recently, with her administrative experience has given her a broader scope of experience.”

In 2022, Savin was appointed an assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station — the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture — and has been teaching microbial ecology and courses in crop, soil, and environmental sciences through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences since 2002.

As department head, Savin will oversee horticulture teaching through Bumpers College, and research and extension activities through the Division of Agriculture.

“I’m confident she’s going to lead the department to even better things,” Mackay said.

Savin was awarded the 2022 Spitze Award Spitze Land Grant University Faculty Award for Excellence. She was also bestowed with the Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016 from Bumpers College.

She also has a stellar record of professional service, including serving as faculty senate chair, campus faculty chair, co-director of the Teaching Faculty Support Center, and faculty editor of “Discovery — The Student Journal of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.” Savin has also landed more than $4.5 million in grants and had more than 80 peer-reviewed publications.

Jean-François Meullenet, head of the experiment station, said “I am thankful to Dr. Savin for accepting this new leadership role in horticulture. I have had the chance to work with Mary closely over the past year and I am extremely impressed with her skills. I know she will be an outstanding department head and I look forward to working with her in that capacity.”

“Mary has been an active part of campus leadership and it is exciting to see her step into this new role,” said Jeff Edwards, dean of Bumpers College. “Mary’s strong connections with colleagues across campus and throughout the Division of Agriculture are going to be very beneficial in furthering our goal of harmonization and alignment of the three land-grant mission areas.

“She genuinely cares about the success of our faculty, staff and students,” Edwards added. “Horticulture is already a strong department. Wayne did a great job, and we appreciate his service and leadership. It will be exciting to see how Mary’s leadership builds off of that and makes a strong department even stronger.”

John Anderson, director of the Cooperative Extension Service said he was “excited to have Dr. Savin joining our administrative team as the head of the Horticulture department.  She has obviously had a distinguished career to this point as a faculty member at the University of Arkansas. 

“She understands the state and the needs of our stakeholders well.  I look forward to working with Dr. Savin to carry on, and add to, the horticulture department’s outstanding contributions to our extension programming effort,” he said.

Making the change

“I want to thank Wayne for his leadership and for being willing to spend time to help me in this transition,” Savin said. And while leaving the department of crop, soils and environmental science, is bittersweet, “I’m really looking forward to getting started. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”

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.

Boozman, Crapo Urge Biden Administration to Withdraw EV Mandate

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) led a bicameral group of 120 members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman calling for the withdrawal of the Biden administration’s proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The proposed standards, which would require automakers to more than double average fleet-wide fuel economy in less than 10 years, do not comply with federal law, and would effectively mandate the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) and a phase out of gas-powered cars and trucks.  

“We write to express our deep concern with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks, which represent yet another attempt by this administration to use the rulemaking process to impose its climate agenda on American families,” the lawmakers wrote. “NHTSA’s proposed standards, when coupled with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) distinct, extreme tailpipe emissions proposal, amount to a de facto mandate for electric vehicles (EVs) that threatens to raise costs and restrict consumer choice, harm U.S. businesses, degrade our energy and national security and hand the keys of our automotive industry over to our adversaries, especially China.”

“The proposal issued in July is mere virtue signaling for this administration’s extreme climate agenda, but it would actually have only limited impact on emissions while strengthening foreign adversaries and harming American workers and consumers,” the lawmakers concluded. “We strongly urge NHTSA to drop its attempt at central planning and instead put forth a workable proposal that complies with the law and better serves the American people.”

Click here to read the full letter.

The letter was also signed by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR).

The lawmakers’ outcry accompanied other elected officials’ pushing back against the EV mandate. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined a group of governors in sending a letter earlier this week to President Biden demanding he scale back the directive.

Industry leaders agree this action will prevent Americans from deciding what vehicles best fit their needs.

“The Biden administration is overseeing a whole-of-government campaign to effectively ban new gas, diesel and flex fuel vehicles,” said President and CEO of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) Chet Thompson. “This agenda is bad for American families, bad for our economy and indefensible from a national security perspective. And what’s even more glaring is that both EPA and NHTSA—the agencies spearheading President Biden’s forced electrification agenda—do not have Congressional authorization to regulate internal combustion engine vehicles out of the market. AFPM supports efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation and improve vehicle performance and efficiency for consumers. And unlike the Biden administration’s CAFE proposal, we believe successful, consumer-first policies must encourage real competition among all technologies and powertrains, including American-made, American-grown fuels.

“NHTSA’s proposal, combined with EPA’s proposed tailpipe emissions standards, would result in a de facto ban on the sale of new vehicles using gasoline and other liquid fuels,” said API Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer Amanda Eversole. “These rules will hurt consumers through potentially higher costs, fewer options and increased reliance on unstable foreign supply chains. 

Boozman is a cosponsor of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to counter the Biden administration’s radical environmental agenda and executive overreach by preventing the implementation of a proposed rule and other regulations that seek to limit consumer vehicle choice. 

Westerman cosponsors legislation to permanently repeal The Death Tax

WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joined Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and 162 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act. This legislation would permanently repeal the death tax, which imposes an unfair and costly tax on the transfer of property, land, and other assets from a deceased family member to heirs of family farms and small businesses.

Over 99% of our country’s two million farms and ranches and over 95% of our nation’s small businesses are owned and operated by individuals and families, and this legislation would enable these multigenerational businesses to continue to support their families without having to pay a devastating tax upon the death of a family member. 

The Death Tax Repeal Act enjoys support from 194 organizations.

“In the aftermath of losing a family member, Arkansans should be able to grieve and continue the legacy of their loved one, without being faced with an onerous tax bill from the federal government just to keep their family business going,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman. “Unfortunately, this is the reality for many who inherit family farms or small businesses after the tragic loss of a family member. I’m proud to cosponsor the Death Tax Repeal Act, with overwhelming support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to fully repeal the death tax. Family farms and small businesses are critical to Arkansas, and this legislation will ensure that families can afford to keep their business, and the legacy of their family, alive for years to come.”

“The death tax represents double taxation at its worst. Iowa families grieving the loss of a loved one should not face an enormous tax bill from the federal government just to continue the family tradition of farming or keep their small business open and operational,” said Rep. Randy Feenstra. “I’m proud to lead 162 of my colleagues to permanently repeal the death tax, ensure that hardworking families, farmers, and small businesses keep more of their hard-earned money, and strengthen family-owned-and-operated enterprises in Iowa. By fully eliminating the death tax, we can keep China away from our farmland, allow family farms and small businesses to succeed, and encourage the next generation of Iowa farmers and business owners to plant their roots in rural Iowa, support our main streets, and contribute to our economy.”

“Families who spend a generation building up a successful farm, ranch, or small business should be rewarded – not punished – by our tax code. Unfortunately, when a loved one passes away, many such families are forced to choose between attending to their grief or the threat of losing their business because of the excessive costs imposed by Washington’s misguided death tax,” said Rep. Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “Repealing the death tax is a necessary step to ensuring that family-owned farms and small businesses across America can continue to thrive and carry on their family’s legacy of hard work. I am proud to support this important piece of legislation introduced by my colleague, Rep. Feenstra, and look forward to continuing the fight on behalf of American family farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.”

“I have always believed that the death tax is politically misguided, morally unjustified, and downright un-American,” said Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. “It undermines the life work and the life savings of farmers and jeopardizes small- and medium-sized businesses in Georgia and across the nation.”

Full legislative text can be found HERE.

EV Joint Governors Letter - electric vehicles

GORP kicks off 5th outdoor recreation incubator

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) has launched its spring startup incubator with eight Northwest Arkansas startups, including those that rent outdoor gear and make quivers, according to a Jan. 24 news release.

GORP is a business incubation program led by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OEI) at the University of Arkansas. GORP is focused on helping outdoor recreation startups and is based at the Collaborative in Bentonville. GORP is supported by a $4.1 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

Semiannually, GORP has offered 12-week business incubators for early-stage outdoor recreation startups. The incubator offers workshop training, team mentoring and product and service development to help them scale. GORP provides up to $15,000 in non-dilutive seed money per startup. It’s money that doesn’t require the owner to give up equity in the company.

GORP kicks off 5th outdoor recreation incubator

UAMS Faculty, Staff Members Recognized for Excellence in Mentoring

By Chris Carmody

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) honored nine faculty and staff members during a Jan. 17 ceremony that acknowledged their commitment to the mentorship of colleagues and students. 

The 2024 Excellence in Mentoring Award recipients are:  

Eddie Reed Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Antiño Allen, Ph.D., associate director of diversity initiatives at the UAMS Translational Research Institute and professor in the UAMS College of Pharmacy   

Diversity Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Eva Woodward, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry  

Women Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Luann Racher, M.D., associate professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Clinical Emerging Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Lauren Gibson-Oliver, M.D., MBA, family medicine physician at the UAMS Health Family Medical Center in Little Rock 

Clinical Legend Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Prasad Padala, M.D., professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Department of Geriatrics  

Clinical and Research Staff Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Oleksandra Pavliv, research assistant in the College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics 

Administration and Education Staff Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Sharanda Williams, assistant dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine 

Research Emerging Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Clare Brown, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health 

Research Legend Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award 

Jerry Ware, Ph.D., professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Physiology and Cell Biology 

UA System Division of Agriculture organizes community water drive to help Helena-West Helena residents

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Extension family and consumer sciences personnel with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are collecting drinking water and hygiene supplies for residents of Helena-West Helena where some families have been without water for a week.

WATERLESS — The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is collecting donations of water and hygiene products for Helena-West Helena (Division of Agriculture graphic)

Water infrastructure problems made worse by winter weather have left many residents without water for drinking, plumbing, cooking and washing clothes. Local officials and the Arkansas National Guard are responding to the crisis by bringing in water, but local officials suggest that residents could be without water for an additional two to three weeks.

“This is clearly a difficult situation for families in the Helena-West Helena community,” said John Anderson, director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “Extension will do what we can to lend a hand, and our personnel are already leading efforts to collect and distribute supplies needed by residents in the affected areas."

State office staff are collecting supplies to deliver to the Helena West-Helena community including bottled water, five-gallon buckets, 5-9 percent unscented household bleach for purifying water, portable water filters, LifeStraws, baby wipes or other body wipes for cleansing, and other items that may help with the creation of potable water. 

“From a health perspective, a lack of clean, household water presents a huge challenge to safety, especially for vulnerable populations who may be more susceptible to bacteria found in non-potable water,” said Bryan Mader, assistant professor and extension health specialist with the Division of Agriculture. “Ensuring safe, clean water for residents to drink and safely prepare food is our top priority.”

Extension family and consumer science professionals also are creating resources for the communities related to purifying water through boiling, and other safe methods for purifying water to drink and use in cooking and for other household needs.

Ways to help

Donations can be dropped off at the Cooperative Extension Service state office at 2301 S. University. Ave. in Little Rock from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at the Phillips County Justice Complex, 1804 MLK Drive, Helena, AR 72342

For more information, contact Phillips County FCS extension agent Julie Goings at 870-995-1923 or jgoings@uada.edu or Darby Treat at 870-995-3568 or dtreat@uada.edu.

The department of family and consumer sciences is part of the Cooperative Extension Service, all part of the land-grant system that focuses on the human dimensions of food and agriculture. Through the application of scientific research, outreach education and partnerships, FCS helps families and consumers make informed decisions that enhance quality of life and well-being in areas such as health and wellness, finance, family and consumer economics, nutrition, food safety and preservation, leadership, and parenting and family life.

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.

Cooperative Extension Service’s Best Care program offers professional development for Arkansas childcare providers

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansas childcare professionals seeking continuing education hours, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Best Care program will provide 28 in-person professional development training sessions throughout the state in 2024.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT — Each year, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture provides professional development for thousands of Arkansas childcare professionals. (Division of Agriculture file photo.) 

“The first five years of life is a period of rapid and intense development,” said Rebecca Simon, extension program associate for Early Childhood and Family Life for the Division of Agriculture. “Research has found that during this time, children build critical foundational skills that profoundly influence their later health, ability to learn, social relationships and overall success. High-quality early childhood environments are critical to supporting child development and learning. Our programs offer research-based, unbiased curriculum for childcare providers using three different delivery methods.”

Best Care is offered free statewide through the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the Division of Agriculture, in partnership with the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. The program began in 1997 as a pilot program and has been funded by the Arkansas DCCECE since 1999. The program also receives funding from the Arkansas Department of Education’s Arkansas Better Chance program.

Arkansas childcare providers are required to earn at least 15 hours of professional development each year to “enhance the quality of care for children birth to age 9,” Simon said. To help meet this need, extension offers four grant-funded childcare training programs: Best Care, Best Care Connected, Guiding Children Successfully and Best Care Out of School Time.

In 2023, extension Family and Consumer Sciences agents provided 10 hours of Best Care professional development to 1,989 participants through 27 in-person trainings offered statewide. Through Best Care Connected, which is an online program that offers five hours of professional development, agents reached 1,384 participants.

Guiding Children Successfully, an online or self-paced correspondence program, offers 38 hours of continuing education for parents, foster parents and childcare educators. In 2023, 1,482 participants earned more than 10,000 training hours.

The Division of Agriculture also offers five hours of professional development through Best Care Out of School Time, an online program, to better meet the needs of childcare providers who work with school-aged children in after-school, summer and camp settings. In 2023, this program reached 3,380 participants.

Simon said that through providing these trainings, county Family and Consumer Sciences agents connect with their communities and become trusted resources.

“County Family and Consumer Sciences agents are instrumental in the continuing education of the childcare professionals in their communities to ensure that children are receiving quality care,” Simon said. “Agents often say that because of providing training to these professionals, they are better able to create positive connections within their communities and are asked to provide additional programming in child development, nutrition and health.”

Katie Cullum, White County Family and Consumer Sciences agent for the Division of Agriculture, said more than 90 childcare providers attended Best Care training in White County in 2023.

“I think our providers like Best Care because we are local, they can get 10 hours in one day, and the material is great,” Cullum said. “We have many providers who come back year after year. I've had multiple people call or email to ask, ‘When is the next training?’ so that they can get signed up. Each year is different, and they learn about a variety of topics that will help them as providers, whether they are new or experienced.”

Simon shared a comment from a Best Care participant following a training on observation skills in early childhood: “This section really dove deep into teaching us how to observe and take notes on our students,” the participant said. “I personally like those different methods of observation that were presented. I shared those methods with my staff so that they can start using some of the different methods during observation periods.”

Another participant shared that after completing a training focused on creating active classrooms, “I have implemented a creative active classroom by adding more activities for learning and growing that are fun and exciting. Creating active classrooms is very important to keeping children healthy and happy.”

In 2024, Simon said Best Care will cover topics including Saying No to Time Wasters, Stress Management, Eating with Ease, Breastfeeding Information in the Early Childhood Setting, Fun Ways to Teach Math, Family Wellbeing and more.

Anyone interested in Best Care training should contact their local Family and Consumer Science agent at uaex.uada.edu/counties/ for information about upcoming training in their area. More information about Early Childhood Professional Development opportunities in Arkansas can also be found at uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/child-care-providers/.

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. 

Arkansan Sees Advanced Cancer Disappear with Experimental Drug Offered at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute

By Marty Trieschmann

An experimental immunotherapy in Phase 1 Clinical Trials at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has given a Little Rock man with resistant kidney cancer a complete remission.

Dwight Hamilton, 58, battled stage 4 renal cell carcinoma for four years. His cancer returned multiple times even after receiving all of the standard cancer treatments –   surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other immunotherapies.

Hamilton is cancer-free after receiving a promising new immunotherapy which was tested for the first time in humans exclusively at UAMS in Arkansas and at 45 other hospitals nationwide. Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and UAMS vice chancellor, oversaw the study in the Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at UAMS, the only academic clinical trials unit in Arkansas focused solely on testing new, early phase cancer therapies.

Arkansan Sees Advanced Cancer Disappear with Experimental Drug Offered at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute

Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Director Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., checks on the progress of Dwight Hamilton, an advanced stage kidney cancer patient receiving a novel immunotherapy to treat his disease. Image by Kenneth Childres

Arkansas attorney general approves FOIA amendment title

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has approved the title of a proposed amendment to enshrine the Freedom of Information Act in the state constitution.

The proposal was put forth by Arkansas Citizens for Transparency (ACT). The group hopes to get a constitutional amendment put on the ballot in November called the “The Arkansas Government Transparency Act.”

The law would enshrine the Freedom of Information Act in the State constitution. This comes after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made moves to weaken FOIA last year.

Arkansas attorney general approves FOIA amendment title

Daniel Breen/Little Rock Public Radio

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday approved language of an amendment title to enshrine FOIA in the state constitution.

Transparency group sues Arkansas attorney general

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A citizen group filed suit Tuesday against Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin in the state Supreme Court.

Arkansas Citizens for Transparency (ACT) has spent months trying to enshrine the Freedom of Information Act in the state constitution. They hope to get a constitutional amendment put on the ballot in 2024 called the “The Arkansas Government Transparency Act.”

Getting an amendment on the ballot is a lengthy process which is rarely successful. First, Griffin must approve the amendment's title and description. Then, ACT can begin collecting the over 90,000 needed signatures from across the state to put the amendment on the ballot.

Transparency group sues Arkansas attorney general

Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio

A lawsuit against Attorney General Tim Griffin alleges that he is violating the constitution by making it too difficult to get ballot titles approved.

AG Griffin approves abortion amendment ballot title with changes

Attorney General Tim Griffin approved Tuesday (Jan. 23) a proposed constitutional amendment to provide exceptions for abortions in Arkansas, but he made two changes to the proposal.

The proposed constitutional amendment – known as the Arkansas Abortion Amendment – would prevent the state from restricting access to abortion up to 18 weeks after conception or in the instance of rape or incest, fatal fetal anomaly, or when abortion is needed to protect the pregnant woman’s life or health.

“Having reviewed the text of your proposed constitutional amendment, as well as your proposed popular name and ballot title, my statutory duty at this stage is to substitute and certify the popular name and ballot title indicated below. With regard to your proposed ballot title, I believe the following minor changes are necessary to ensure that the ballot title clearly and accurately sets forth the purpose of your proposed initiated amendment to the Arkansas Constitution,” Griffin said.

You can read Griffin’s opinion letter here.

AG Griffin approves abortion amendment ballot title with changes

Owner of failed nursing home chain accused of $38 million tax fraud scheme pleads guilty

By Laura Strickler

The former owner of a collapsed national nursing home chain who ran more than 100 facilities out of a tiny office above a New Jersey pizzeria has pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with what prosecutors called a $38 million payroll tax fraud scheme.

Joseph Schwartz, whose Skyline Healthcare nursing home chain was the subject of an NBC News investigation, pleaded guilty to failing to pay the IRS employment taxes withheld from his employees and failing to file annual financial reports with the federal Labor Department.

If the court accepts his plea agreement, he will be sentenced to a year in prison and three years’ supervised release, with a requirement to pay $5 million in restitution. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.

Owner of failed nursing home chain accused of $38 million tax fraud scheme pleads guilty

Ace Reporters

Joseph Schwartz speaking to lawyers during a sworn deposition in June 2017; Ashton Place Rehabilitation and Care Center in Memphis, Tenn.