Governor Sanders Announces $4.34 Million to Support Local Recreation Facilities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is awarding $4.34 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants to projects within 29 counties across the state.  The grants fall into two categories: Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods (FUN) Park grants and matching grants.

“My administration is looking for any opportunity to get kids and families off screens and outdoors. It’s a priority for our whole state,” said Governor Sanders. “This year’s multi-million-dollar investment in playgrounds, park facilities, and more will provide added amenities to communities from the Delta to the Ozarks. It’s all part of my goal to make Arkansas the best state in America to live, work, and raise a family.”

“The Outdoor Recreation Grants Program (ORGP) has provided $52.6 million in matching grants since 1988 and $16.4 million in FUN Park grants since 1991,” said Secretary Shea Lewis. “These funds have undoubtedly enriched the quality of life for Arkansans statewide, fostering greater access to outdoor recreation and bolstering the vitality of local economies.”

These awards have helped cities and counties develop public outdoor recreation facilities.

“Our team works tirelessly throughout the year to provide more access to the outdoors for Arkansans through this grant program,” said Katherine Andrews, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

“It’s amazing to see the positive impact that even minor investments in neighborhood parks can have on a community,” said Matt McNair, director of the ORGP. “Visiting a community after one of our park projects has been completed can be absolutely stunning.”

Project officers make recommendations regarding the feasibility of proposed facilities, eligibility for grant monies and other facets of the planning process.  Each year, nearly 200 site visits are conducted to assist local communities.

The 2024 matching grant recipients are:

• Alma (Crawford County) to install play equipment, construct a restroom facility, and provide amenities and access at Christello Park. – $210,000.00

• Camden (Ouachita County) to install inclusive play equipment and accessibility improvements at Carnes Park. – $210,000.00

• Crawford County – to construct a walking trail and associated accessibility improvements at Diamond Center Complex. – $135,705.00

• Daisy (Pike County) – to install new play equipment and improve accessibility at Daisy City Park. – $24,857.00

• Delaplaine (Greene County) – to construct a basketball facility, ballfield fencing,, ballfield seating (incl. shade structure), access (incl. pedestrian bridge), and accessible parking at Delaplaine City Park. – $73,300.00

• Forrest City (St. Francis County) – to provide access to restroom and programming facilities (priority), and other access and amenity improvements as funds allow (optional) at Dennis Memorial Park. – $62,241.40

• Hot Springs (Garland County) – to construct a bicycle playground at Velocity Park. – $80,000.00

• Huntsville (Madison County) – to construct a splashpad, restroom facility, drinking fountains, and associated accessibility improvements in Madison County Walking Trail Park – $210,000.00

• Magnolia (Columbia County) – to install play equipment and park amenities, upgrade pavilion, and construct safety and accessibility improvements at East Side City Park. – $100,650.00

• Mineral Springs (Howard County) – to repair and upgrade concession stand and restroom facilities and install bleachers at Bridgeman Park.  – $30,500.00

• Newport (Jackson County) – to improve accessibility and safety through parking and sidewalk repair/redesign/paving and install new play equipment at George Kell Park. – $74,176.00

• Ozark (Franklin County) – for compliance and safety upgrades to the restroom facility (priority) and pavilion, amenity, and splashpad upgrades at West Side Park (optional if funds remain) – $80,000.00

• Pea Ridge (Benton County) – to construct an all-inclusive play facility at North Curtis Avenue Park. – $210,000

• Scott County – to construct pickleball and basketball courts, install park amenities, and improve/upgrade pavilion, soccer field, and accessibility at Sodie Davidson Park in Waldron. – $90,000.00

• Searcy (White County) – to install field lighting at Searcy Soccer Complex and provide ADA-compliant play equipment at Berryhill Park. – $125,000.00

• Searcy County – to repair and refurbish the pool, restrooms, and concession facility at Searcy County Civic Center and improve seating, accessibility, and lighting at Civic Center ballfields. – $110,936.60

• Sherwood (Pulaski County) – to construct a restroom and basketball facility, install signage, lighting, and park amenities, and improve accessibility and safety at Lake Cherrywood Park. – $210,000.00

• West Memphis (Crittenden County) – to purchase and install play equipment, provide access, improve safety, and upgrade the pavilion in Hicks Park. – $210,000.00

The 2024 FUN Park grant recipients are:
 

• Ash Flat (Sharp County) – to construct a new pavilion and to install lighting and accessibility features at Ash Flat Ball Park. – $100,000.00

• Calhoun County – to light and resurface existing walking trail at Woodberry Park. – $99,000.00

• Calico Rock (Izard County) – to improve accessibility and install ballfield lighting and ballfield retaining wall at Earl King Park. – $99,888.00

• Cove (Polk County) – to install new play equipment, park amenities, and accessibility improvements at Cove Memorial Park. – $100,000.00

• Crawfordsville (Crittenden County) – to construct a pavilion, walking trail, and accessibility features at Old School Yard Park and to construct a new play area, basketball facility, ,and accessibility features at Boone Street Park. – $100,000.00

• Egypt (Craighead County) – to install play equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, pavilion, walking track, and accessibility features in Egypt City Park. – $100,000.00

• England (Lonoke County) – to replace outdated play equipment and construct accessibility features at Elm Street Park. – $97,470.00

• Franklin (Izard County) – to install new play equipment, refurbish existing play equipment, and construct accessibility features at Franklin City Park. – $100,000.00

• Glenwood (Pike County) – to construct a new play area and walkways at John Benjamin Lake Park. – $99,430.00

• Grubbs (Jackson County) – to install new play equipment, park amenities, and to improve access at Grubbs City Park. – $100,000.00

• Independence County – To install new play equipment and improve access at Desha Park. – $100,000.00

• Jericho (Crittenden County) – to install new play equipment, grills, park amenities, and to improve access at Jericho Town Park. – $100,000.00

• Keiser (Mississippi County) – to install new play equipment and park amenities at Keiser City Park. – $100,000.00

• Madison County – to install new play equipment and improve access at Wesley Community Park. – $100,000.00

• McNeil (Columbia County) – to construct a play area, pavilion, accessibility features, and to install park amenities at McNeil City Park. – $99,430.00

• Newton County – to construct a walking trail, pavilion, seating, play area, and accessibility features at Parthenon Community Park. – $100,000.00

• Ozan (Hempstead County) – to install new play area, basketball facility, accessibility features, and park amenities at Ozan Park. – $100,000.00

• Pyatt (Marion County) – to construct a new play area, fencing, accessibility features, seating, and to repair the basketball facility at Pyatt Downtown Park. – $100,000.00

• Searcy County – to install playground equipment and to construct a pavilion, walking trail, seating, and accessibility improvements in Witts Springs Community Park. – $100,000.00

• Traskwood (Saline County) – to construct a new play area and access improvements in Traskwood City Park. – $97,700.00

• Viola (Fulton County) – to construct a new play area and access improvements in Viola City Park. – $100,000.00.

The Supply Side: Retail cargo theft escalated 57% in 2023

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)
With retailers working to reduce theft in stores, the problem continues to grow in the supply chain as cargo thefts escalated 57% last year, according to CargoNet, a subsidiary of data analytics firm Verisk. The problem involves theft from containers, parked trucks and hijacked trucks.

CargoNet maintains a database of incidents and works with members to recover stolen items. It estimates the value of stolen goods at nearly $130 million among those reported incidents, but the number is likely much higher because reporting is not mandatory. The number of reported thefts per month is around 220, up from around 100 in 2014, according to CargoNet.

There was a 41% increase in theft incidents in the first 20 weeks of 2023. CargoNet said thefts increased 68% year over year in the fourth quarter.

The Supply Side: Retail cargo theft escalated 57% in 2023

Pressure mounts against Board of Corrections member affiliated with abuse

A member of the Arkansas Board of Corrections is facing calls to resign after allegations of child abuse were lodged against a former employer. He was appointed to the board by then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2022.

Alonza Jiles was once the senior director of The Lord's Ranch and is now a pastor. The therapeutic boarding school was formerly located in Warm Springs Ark. near the Missouri border. It has come under fire after former residents say they were physically and sexually abused at the facility, and that Jiles knew and did nothing to stop it.

The Gillispie Law firm in Arkansas has been filing lawsuits against the now-defunct camp’s former employees. So, far they have filed two lawsuitson behalf of dozens of accusers listed only as “John Does.” The lawsuits detail at least seven instances where Jiles was told about molestation at the camp, but refused to intervene.

Pressure mounts against Board of Corrections member affiliated with abuse

Romanucci & Blandin/Courtesy Photo

Jiles worked at The Lord's Ranch in Warm Springs, Ark., where he is alleged to have covered up sexual abuse.

EPA announces $53.099 million in water infrastructure grants for Arkansas

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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $53.099 million for Arkansas to implement drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The money is from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The money will be used to support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.”

EPA announces $53.099 million in water infrastructure grants for Arkansas

Grant County 4-H hopes to defend legacy at SeaPerch Challenge

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

SHERIDAN, Ark. — PVC pipe, pool noodles, zip ties, 12-volt batteries: these are just a few of the supplies that Arkansas 4-H members are using to build remotely operated vehicles for the upcoming Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics competition.

HANDS-ON LEARNING — Brad McGinley, Grant County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and director of the Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, helps students attach 3-D printed parts to their remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs. Teams will steer their robots through underwater challenge and obstacle courses at the SeaPerch Challenge on March 1. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

The competition is hosted by Arkansas 4-H, part of the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. Participants work within teams to construct remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, and then steer them through underwater obstacle and challenge courses designed to mimic undersea exploration or space missions.

Brad McGinley, Grant County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and director of the Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, said the program prepares participants for real-world challenges.  

“SeaPerch is based on the engineering design process, so it’s about a continual process of improvement,” McGinley said. “You develop a prototype of your ROV, we build it, we test it and we figure out what’s wrong with it. Then we improve it, then we test it again. It’s the same process that an engineer goes through — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

In Sheridan, Arkansas, members of the Grant County 4-H program, as well as students at Sheridan intermediate, middle and high schools, began preparing for the SeaPerch Challenge in October 2023. The competition is scheduled to be held March 1 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the overall winning junior, senior and open teams will compete at the International SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland in May.

Since Arkansas 4-H began participating in the SeaPerch Challenge in 2016, a team from the Grant County 4-H program has won first place every year and advanced to the international competition.

McGinley said that the most significant impact the program has had on participants is in critical thinking skills and problem-solving.

“This is not a video game,” McGinley said. “I think the first thing they realize whenever they build their ROV and put it in the water is that it’s not as easy as it looks. You have to have a lot of trial and error, some ‘stick-to-it-iveness,’ to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to stick this out.’ Things are going to go wrong, and you’ve got to realize that it’s okay. It happens right before you go into the competition, it happens during the competition, and you need to be able to say, ‘How can I quickly solve this problem to the best of my ability?’”

Serena McGinley, a fifth-grade teacher at Sheridan Intermediate School and a 4-H and SeaPerch sponsor, said the program has equipped her students with many important skills.

“SeaPerch has impacted my students in so many ways over the years,” she said. “They learn teamwork, how to use tools, how to problem solve, communication skills and so much more. These skills are not just ‘SeaPerch skills,’ but life skills.

“I have seen students find their passion for engineering in the program,” McGinley said. “My students gain a confidence that can only come from accomplishing a task from the ground up. SeaPerch is so much more than a competition — it is learning how to solve a problem in the most efficient way and communicating that information to others.”  

Practice makes perfect

On a sunny afternoon in late January, Grant County 4-H members and Sheridan Middle School students gathered at the home of Beverly Wells, a former Sheridan School Board member, who lets the SeaPerch students use her outdoor pool to practice with their ROVs.

Brad McGinley said Wells’s generosity has been critical to the success of the SeaPerch program in Grant County.

“It’s a godsend that we have this,” he said. “She’s been so generous to allow us to come over here and basically take her pool over for several months. Before, we had an indoor pool that we were able to use, but they closed that pool down, and this is the only one we have access to locally. If we didn’t have it, we would not be nearly as successful. She plays a big role in that.”

Students clustered in their teams around the pool, adding new 3-D printed parts to their ROVs and testing their speed in the water.

“Today they’re working on getting their ROVs to be neutrally buoyant, which means they don’t float, and they don’t sink,” McGinley said. “That way they can just hover there under the water while they’re working, so that takes some trial and error. Inevitably, there may be a propeller that falls off the first time — things happen that we have to work out the kinks with.”

Nearby, fifth grade students and high school students worked in the classroom at Sheridan Intermediate School on their technical design reports. SeaPerch participants are also judged on these reports, where they document the construction and engineering design process for their robots.

Fifth graders Abigail Martin and Jackson Knight said their first year participating in the program has been a learning experience.

“It’s been fun and interesting,” Martin said.

“It’s way different than I thought it was going to be,” Knight said. “I wasn’t thinking PVC pipe, I was thinking a full-on robot, but it’s still fun.”

Martin said her favorite part has been going to the pool and testing their robot, where they learned they needed to add more buoyancy. Knight said he has enjoyed working on the obstacle courses — during their last practice, they were able to use their ROV to open an “elevator” door on the underwater challenge course.

“Right now, I’m working on adding some graphs to our technical design report,” Knight said. “These are our speeds so far. Our fastest has been 11 seconds to go from one side of the pool and back.”

At another cluster of desks, fifth graders Kayden Bosley, Ryder Maines, Isabella Klinedinst and Adalyn Thornton collaborated on their ROV, whom they’ve named Scuba Steve. Bosley said they have had to make a few adjustments to the robot’s weight.

“We took off the lining so it would be lighter,” Bosley said. “Me and Ryder had a little trouble once we got to the far end of the pool because we couldn’t see through all the water, so we might need something bright at the front to help.”

“We’re trying to make it creative and unique,” Klinedinst said.

Across the hall, high school students worked together on their technical design reports.

Gavin McGinley, whose parents are Brad and Serena, and his teammate Callen Shaw have designed their robot from the ground up, including some 3-D printed parts.

“I’m thinking about making a foldable, 3-D printed hinge, but this is just our first thought,” McGinley said, gesturing towards their robot. “I made all these motor houses from scratch, so they’re all positioned in a really good spot.”

“They’re all of our own design,” Shaw said. “Everything here was built from scratch. We know there are all sorts of sites you can go to with plans, but we designed these.”

This is Shaw’s second year participating in SeaPerch, and McGinley’s fifth year.

“I like it because it’s fun,” McGinley said. “I get to hang out with my friends, and I like robotics.”

“I like being able to work as a team and prove our accomplishments that we made, overcoming challenges,” Shaw said. “We’re working on our report right now. I enjoy seeing how our ROV changes from where we started to where we end up, that’s one of my favorite parts about it.”

“It’s a little funky right now when it drives, but hopefully we’ll work all the kinks out,” McGinley said.

For more information about the Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge, visit 4h.uada.edu. To learn more about the SeaPerch program, visit seaperch.org/about. 

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. 

Walmart confirms $2.3 billion Vizio deal; Walmart Connect to benefit

After a week of speculation, Walmart on Tuesday (Feb. 20) confirmed it has agreed to acquire television/media brand Vizio for $2.3 billion. The offer is $11.50 per share in cash and Vizio’s board of directors unanimously approved the planned deal.

The deal for the Irvine, Calif.-based company is expected to be completed this year with a short-term dilutive impact on earnings but long-term growth overall for its advertising business Walmart Connect.

If the deal goes through, Walmart would command more than one-fifth of the television market in the U.S. between Vizio and its existing Onn in-house brand, which is powered by Roku’s operating system, according to Statista. It is unclear if that will change once the merger is complete. Almost 70% of Vizio’s TVs are already sold at Walmart, according to the company’s regulatory filings. The acquisition would also give Walmart access to Vizio’s user base of nearly 18 million active users, ad viewership data and potentially the ability to track purchases of those ad views to products sold in Walmart stores.

Walmart confirms $2.3 billion Vizio deal; Walmart Connect to benefit

C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center a winner in ‘Best of Biz’ competition for 6th straight year

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For the sixth straight year, the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center is a winner in the annual “Best of Biz” awards.

This year, the center earned the title of Best Team Building Center in the awards, given annually by “Arkansas Business.” The awards are based on votes from the public.

The ExCEL program helps youth and adults get a better sense of teamwork. (U of A System Division of Agriculture file photo)

“The ExCEL leadership and team development experience at the Vines 4-H Center has been providing premier quality training since 1986,” said J.J. Pitman, center director. “Thank you to all the clients who voted the Vines 4-H Center as the Best Teambuilding Center.”

The ExCEL program, with versions for adults and youth, uses the outdoors to present everyday challenges in new ways to help people learn how to better overcome them. Participants come away from an experience in which teamwork, communication, trust and problem-solving take on real meaning.

For more information on ExCEL, call the center at 501-821-6884 or email at excel@uada.edu.

The award winners were announced in December. The C.A. Vines 4-H Center is operated by the Arkansas 4-H Foundation to support the activities of the 4-H youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

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.

Arkansas attorney general to appeal rulings in Board of Corrections disputes

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas’ attorney general on Tuesday filed notices that he plans to appeal both circuit court rulings that favored the state prison board over the state in recent legal disputes.

AG Tim Griffin’s coming appeals to the Arkansas Supreme Court mean the state’s highest court could, for the first time, rule on the reach of the constitutional provision that gives some independence to the Arkansas Board of Corrections as well as the state’s colleges and universities.

The Supreme Court will also be asked to decide whether the board had authority to hire its own outside attorney to file a lawsuit against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and defend it from Griffin’s lawsuit against the board.

Arkansas attorney general to appeal rulings in Board of Corrections disputes

Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate

The Pulaski County Courthouse.

Cooperative Extension Service launches new University Center website

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development has launched a new website detailing the resources and services offered through its newest program, designed to support economic and workforce development across Arkansas.

NEW ONLINE RESOURCE — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development has a new website with information about the resources and services it offers, including training and technical assistance, applied research and an interactive Development District map. (U.S. Economic Development Administration graphic.) 

In November 2023, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, or EDA, awarded a $650,000, five-year grant to the Cooperative Extension Service’s department of Community, Professional and Economic Development to establish and operate a University Center. Rather than a physical location, the EDA University Center program is a resource serving the state’s economic development ecosystem, with a particular focus on rural marginalized communities, including Hispanic and Marshallese communities.

The Center’s new website outlines information about the program and its services, including training and technical assistance, applied research and annual research findings reports. The website also features an interactive map of Arkansas’s eight EDA-funded Development Districts, which serve all 75 counties.

“The Development Districts offer incredible services to their communities, such as grant writing, planning and economic development projects, and we want to make sure anyone in their community can find their district and connect with them,” said Brandon L. Mathews, extension program manager for the University Center.

Mathews said that Heartland Forward, one of the strategic partners of the University Center, led the creation of the Development District map.

“The interactive map is just one of many visualizations we hope to build with the Center,” said Rodrigo Ramirez-Perez, research analyst for Heartland Forward. “Our goal is to make data accessible and usable throughout the project, while also uplifting the Development Districts and the incredible work they do for the state.”

Over the next five years, more information and resources will be added to the University Center website. Those resources include Labor Market Observatories, which will be dashboards that provide important data on workforce metrics for each of the eight districts.

Mathews said the Center will also offer a newsletter that highlights funding opportunities, EDA activities and updates, community and economic development district events, workshops and tools for workforce development. Those interested can sign up for this resource at the FACT Sheet Newsletter Sign-up.

To learn more about the Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development, contact Hunter Goodman at hgoodman@uada.edu or Mathews at bmathews@uada.edu.

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. 

Cotton seeks answers on Biden’s sanctions of Israelis

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden, seeking clarification on his February 1, 2024 executive order on imposing sanctions on Israelis “in the West Bank.” Senator Cotton asked President Biden to respond by February 27.

Text of the letter may be found here and below.

February 20, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden,

Your recent executive order targets Israelis with sanctions who are “in the West Bank.” Does this phrase include Jerusalem? If so, what parts of Jerusalem? Where are the borders within Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, that you are using for purposes of implementing the executive order?

Please provide your response by February 27, 2024.  

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

______________________

Tom Cotton
United States Senator

Boozman, Welch lead letter calling for legislative solution to protect access to Medicare services

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) along with 30 of their colleagues are calling on Senate leaders to advance a legislative solution to support access to Medicare services by ensuring health care providers who treat Medicare patients are adequately compensated for the care they deliver.

Medicare physician payments were cut 3.37 percent earlier this year. The rising costs to practice medicine and shortage of doctors have led some health care professionals to limit the number of Medicare patients they serve.

“It is anticipated that these cuts will be felt hardest by smaller, independent practices, like those in rural and underserved areas that continue to face significant health care access challenges,” the senators wrote to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. “The most important step that Congress can take to create stability in the Medicare program is to address the cut to Medicare payments. We as policymakers must ensure that healthcare providers who treat Medicare patients continue to have the necessary financial support to care for our nation’s seniors.”

Text of the letter can be found below and here.

Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell:

We write to request that you urgently address the 3.37 percent cut to Medicare payments that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Failure to address these cuts will threaten the continued ability of physicians and other healthcare providers to care for their patients. 

We in Congress must continue our partnership with the healthcare provider community to ensure that Medicare patients retain access to quality care. The United States is experiencing a critical shortage of physicians and healthcare providers. Estimates highlight a projected shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034[1] and a shortfall of up to 73,310 allied health professionals by 2036[2]. A major contributing factor to this unfortunate reality is our Medicare physician payment system, which has failed to maintain physician reimbursement at levels that adequately incentivize high-quality care.

After three consecutive years of Medicare payment reductions, healthcare providers are at a breaking point and are struggling to maintain access to care for the Medicare beneficiaries they treat. Facing a nearly 10 percent reduction in Medicare payments over the past four years, rising practice costs, workforce shortages, and financial uncertainty resulting from the pandemic, some practices are already limiting the number of Medicare patients they see, or the types of services offered. It is anticipated that these cuts will be felt hardest by smaller, independent practices, like those in rural and underserved areas that continue to face significant health care access challenges.  

On behalf of patients and healthcare workers, Congress must urgently work together with the provider community to come up with long-term legislative solutions to reform the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). These efforts are critical to supporting patients’ access to high-quality Medicare-covered services and bolstering our healthcare workforce. Specifically, we must ensure its intended goal of shifting towards value-based care is fulfilled.

In the interim, the most important step that Congress can take to create stability in the Medicare program is to address the cut to Medicare payments. We as policymakers must ensure that healthcare providers who treat Medicare patients continue to have the necessary financial support to care for our nation’s seniors. 

We appreciate your attention to this critical matter and look forward to working together on this issue.   

Sincerely,

[1] https://www.aamc.org/media/54681/download?attachment

[2] https://bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/projecting-health-workforce-supply-demand

Westerman joins Gov. Sanders, Sen. Boozman to break ground on manufacturing facility in East Camden

EAST CAMDEN, Ark. - Yesterday, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joined Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), and state and local leaders to break ground on the new R2S manufacturing facility in East Camden, Arkansas.

R2S is a joint effort between Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Defense System. The new R2S facility will produce the Tamir missile for the Iron Dome Weapon System and its variant, the SkyHunter® missile to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. allies. 

“This new facility will usher in high quality jobs for Arkansans and will be instrumental in ensuring the Natural State remains a global leader in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Investments such as this are critical in bolstering our national defense capabilities. Congratulations to R2S, Raytheon, and Rafael on this groundbreaking,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman.

“Securing East Camden’s position as the arsenal of democracy has always been our vision,” said U.S. Senator John Boozman. “After years of hard work, I’m proud to celebrate this groundbreaking and advance the vital role the community will play in our national security and supporting our allies well into the future. I will continue advocating for funding to encourage more defense industry investment in our state, help the region grow and provide well-paying jobs for Arkansans.”

“It’s an honor to join R2S for today’s groundbreaking, just as it was an honor to announce this project in October and meet with company representatives last summer at the Paris Air Show,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “This investment will be a boon for the local economy: $63 million and 60 new jobs. More than that, our world is a whole lot less secure than it used to be, and this facility makes our country safer. Thank you to all who made this announcement possible, and thank you to the team in Camden for helping our state stand out.”

“R2S is pleased to announce today that it’s almost doubling the capital investment for the project here in Camden, Arkansas from $33 million to $63 million, and it may create up to 60 new jobs. This increase represents the commitment by both partners to support this critical project for the USMC and to our allies around the world that depend on a reliable air defense system,” said Annabel Flores, Deputy President of Land & Air Defense Systems, Raytheon. “None of this could have happened without committed partners in RTX, Rafael, the United States Marine Corps, the Arkansas congressional delegation, Governor Sanders and her economic development team and the Camden community.”

“Today, we mark a significant milestone in the Iron Dome program – one of the most important and advanced air defense systems in the world. The establishment of the new facility is the result of strong cooperation between Rafael and Raytheon, who joined forces about 18 years ago,” said Pini Yungman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Air & Missile Defense Division, Rafael. “We have built and maintained fruitful collaboration based on the shared vision of both companies, committed to the highest level of technological innovation. The United States is a true partner; and local production, which we have aspired to for many years, will strengthen the partnership while safeguarding the interests of all sides. I am confident that we are ready for further cooperation in the future aimed at ensuring the security of the citizens of Israel and America.”

“Arkansas is a major center for aerospace and defense manufacturing, with an experienced workforce and favorable business environment that helps companies succeed,” said Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Congratulations to R2S, Raytheon and Rafael on their groundbreaking in East Camden and to the local leaders for creating the conditions that give companies the confidence to grow in their community.”

“This groundbreaking ceremony represents the culmination of many months of effort by our partners to make this project a reality for our state and community,” said James Lee Silliman, Executive Director of the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development. “Our team partners are to be commended for their support on the project. Many thanks are owed to those partners beginning with R2S-RTX/Rafael partnership, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, AEDC, Highland Industrial Park management, Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt and my Team Camden members.”

“We are proud that Calhoun County will be the home of the R2S manufacturing facility,” said Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt. “South Arkansas has a long history in aerospace and defense manufacturing, and this project will build on that history. Calhoun County provides a strong workforce and great business environment for R2S’s, RTX’s, and Rafael’s continued growth.”

Marshals Museum exec discusses visitor numbers, outreach efforts

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Attendance at the U.S. Marshals Museum is averaging a little over 5,000 per month for its first seven months of operation, and museum officials are expanding the outreach, which includes an event in Little Rock.

The museum opened on July 1 after 16 years of fundraising, construction and speculation. In January 2007, the U.S. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. The Robbie Westphal family, led by Bennie Westphal and Robin Westphal Clegg, donated the riverfront land for the museum. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in September 2015.

Museum officials initially hoped to have the facility open by late 2017, but struggles to raise money delayed the opening. Construction of the approximately 53,000-square-foot U.S. Marshals Museum was completed — except for exhibits — in early 2020.

Marshals Museum exec discusses visitor numbers, outreach efforts

UAMS Names Regional Vice Chancellor’s Office in Honor of Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood

By David Wise

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently paid tribute to Reed Greenwood and his late wife, Mary Ann, by naming an office in their honor on the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus.

The “Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood Office of the Vice Chancellor” recognizes the Greenwoods’ commitment and support of increasing access to health care for the Northwest Arkansas community, advocacy for the creation of the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus and philanthropic support of UAMS Northwest initiatives.

“At the heart of their philanthropic endeavors lies a profound sense of compassion and a belief in the power of education and health care to drive positive change,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. “The naming of the office serves as a fitting tribute to their vision and dedication, providing a lasting reminder of the Greenwoods’ commitment to their community.”

UAMS Names Regional Vice Chancellor’s Office in Honor of Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood

Arkansas Department of Agriculture accepting applications for Specialty Crop Block grants

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

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

These grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance the competitiveness of the Arkansas specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture uses a two-phase application process for administering the grant funds. Project concept proposals outlining the project’s goals, tasks, and budget requirements must be submitted by March 1. After all concept proposals are reviewed by an advisory committee, selected projects will be invited to submit detailed project proposals.

Arkansas Department of Agriculture accepting applications for Specialty Crop Block grants

Walmart confirms $2.3 billion Vizio deal; Walmart Connect to benefit

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

After a week of speculation, Walmart on Tuesday (Feb. 20) confirmed it has agreed to acquire television/media brand Vizio for $2.3 billion. The offer is $11.50 per share in cash and Vizio’s board of directors unanimously approved the planned deal.

The deal for the Irvine, Calif.-based company is expected to be completed this year with a short-term dilutive impact on earnings but long-term growth overall for its advertising business Walmart Connect.

If the deal goes through, Walmart would command more than one-fifth of the television market in the U.S. between Vizio and its existing Onn in-house brand, which is powered by Roku’s operating system, according to Statista. It is unclear if that will change once the merger is complete. Almost 70% of Vizio’s TVs are already sold at Walmart, according to the company’s regulatory filings. The acquisition would also give Walmart access to Vizio’s user base of nearly 18 million active users, ad viewership data and potentially the ability to track purchases of those ad views to products sold in Walmart stores.

Walmart confirms $2.3 billion Vizio deal; Walmart Connect to benefit

Attorney General Griffin Reminds Arkansans of election integrity unit ahead of early voting starting February 20

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding his office’s Election Integrity Unit ahead of the start of early voting for the 2024 preferential primary election and nonpartisan general election:

“The public’s confidence in government is directly tied to the public’s confidence in our elections. Election integrity has always been a priority for me throughout my time in public service. I established the Election Integrity Unit last year to ensure the people of Arkansas have an outlet to submit complaints and ensure that all credible leads are investigated.

“Thanks to the legislature’s work last year, my office now has the authority to bring a civil cause of action against those who violate our election laws. This is an important tool to ensure that our laws are followed as monetary damages can be an effective deterrent.”

Griffin established the Election Integrity Unit (EIU) under his office’s Special Investigations Division in March 2023 with Chief Wayne Bewley serving as the unit’s director. In April, Act 544 of 2023 was signed into law. The Act codified the EIU and permitted the Office of the Attorney General to file civil suits for election-related offenses.

Griffin reminds Arkansans who may wish to file a complaint concerning potential election law violations to contact his office’s Election Law Hotline at (833) 995-8683.

Lawmakers approve of the state's decision to invest ARPA funding to mental health

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, State Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, and State Sen. Reginald Murdock, D- Marianna, both said they approved the state’s recent announcement to invest $30 million in mental health and substance abuse programs.

Murdock said this is an issue the state has been trying to address for the past four to five years and this investment was needed.

“There’s so many aspects of mental health that the country is becoming more aware of. So as we become more aware then I am glad to see the governor and the leadership come together to make sure that we start to fund this,” he said.

Lawmakers approve of the state's decision to invest ARPA funding to mental health

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the state would be investing $30 million into mental health and substance abuse prevention.

The Supply Side: Walmart Connect targets $6B in ad revenue by 2025

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

With more than 4,700 retail U.S. stores, Walmart has 139 million customers each week in stores and online. Walmart is leveraging its scale to entice advertisers who can bundle in-store and online advertising with Walmart Connect, the retail giant’s internal agency.

Shoppers nationwide can see more third-party ads on screens in Walmart self-checkout lanes and the TV wall at the back of the store. Radio ads are also part of the offering with Walmart Radio, played in stores and demo spaces where employees can give out sample items. These in-store marketing efforts can be married with several advertising options for brands on Walmart.com and its social media partners like TikTok and Facebook.

Walmart has been ramping up in-store ads using its approximately 170,000 digital screens in its stores and 30-second radio spots that the retailer can use to target a specific store or region. Walmart also sells demo stations where samples are handed out for everything from cereal bars to pizza bites and yogurt. QR codes at the demo tables allow shoppers to access online shopping options, meal ideas and seasonal information.

The Supply Side: Walmart Connect targets $6B in ad revenue by 2025

Financing lithium a challenge, but Arkansas environment favorable

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Financing major lithium projects in south Arkansas will be a challenge because of the uncertainties surrounding the ventures, but Arkansas has a history in the extraction industry and a supportive political environment. Meanwhile, the United States will be advancing in an industry where China is already an aggressive player.

Those were two of the takeaways from the second day (Feb. 16) of the inaugural Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit.

The summit brought to Little Rock nearly 700 energy sector executives, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the growing lithium extraction industry in south Arkansas.

The excitement stems from Arkansas’ strategic position atop the Smackover Formation, a collection of saltwater brine 8,000 feet below the earth’s surface that stretches from Texas to the Florida panhandle.

Financing lithium a challenge, but Arkansas environment favorable