Bird flu detected in cattle in eight states; Arkansas Ag Department restricts transport into state

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

LITTLE ROCK — As highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is detected in cattle in a growing number of states, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has issued an order restricting livestock exhibiting symptoms or testing positive for the virus from entering the state.

CURRENT SITUATION — As of April 15, USDA’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service reported confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle in eight states, including Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina. All of the reported cases have been in dairy milking cattle. (Image courtesy USDA.)

Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said Arkansas has seen no reports of cattle infected with the virus within its borders. Additionally, there have been no reports of bird flu in Arkansas commercial poultry production facilities or backyard “hobby flocks” since December 2023.

“So far, we’re doing quite well,” Clark said. “I won’t say we’re safe. We need everyone to maintain good biosecurity practices.”

Clark is also the associate director of the Division of Agriculture’s Poultry Center.

Per an April 5 letter from Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz:

• No dairy cattle exhibiting symptoms of or testing positive for HPAI shall be allowed to move into Arkansas.

• No dairy cattle from states with impacted herds shall be allowed to move into Arkansas.

• Livestock moving into Arkansas found to be in non-compliance with this order shall be quarantined to the nearest facility until all requirements are met on said animals to meet specifications.

“This is still an unfolding issue,” Clark said. As of April 15, USDA’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service reported confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle in eight states, including Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina. All of the reported cases have been in dairy milking cattle.

Clark said that since February 2022, more than 90 million birds in the United States have been affected by the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

“It’s been detected in about 480 commercial flocks and 645 hobby flocks,” Clark said.

According to an April 16 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, more than 8.5 million birds had been affected within the previous 30 days. While HPAI has been detected in 48 states over the last two years, it has only been reported in eight states — Michigan, Florida, New Mexico, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina and Maine — during that 30-day period.

“Two of the largest of those were table egg flocks in Michigan,” Clark said. “One with more than 2 million birds, the other slightly less than 2 million birds. Then there was a commercial table egg flock in Texas that was more than 1.8 million birds. Those were the biggest in the last 30 days.”

Clark said that while USDA and the state veterinarian outlined clear biosecurity guidelines for the transportation of poultry for both commercial producers and backyard hobbyists, one factor that can’t be controlled is the presence of wild birds.

“Don’t expose your hobby flock birds to wild waterfowl,” Clark said. “Keep them penned up at this point in time, while the migration is still going on. Don’t let them range and keep them away from water sources that may have had wild waterfowl on them, such as a pond.

“If you go somewhere such as a park and there’s a pond there, stay away from it,” he said. “When you go home, clean and disinfect your shoes and change clothes before you visit your own poultry.”

Many public resources are available to help individuals establish good biosecurity measures and assess the possibility of an infected herd or flock, including the USDA’s HPAI biosecurity factsheet, the Division of Agriculture’s biosecurity resources page and the Arkansas Department of Health’s HPAI page. Individuals who think they may have an infected bird should consult their veterinarian or call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at  501-823-1746.

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.

Representative Hill's legislation to provide transparency into financial corruption of Iranian leaders passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill’s (R-AR) bill with Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), H.R. 6245, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act, passed the House Floor with a bipartisan vote of 419-4. 

Rep. Hill said, “Iran’s attacks on Israel are the latest example of their terror that continues to plague the world. The Iranian regime is the top sponsor of terrorism who enables terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to carry out their brutal attacks against innocent civilians in the Middle East and beyond. The United States must take action to assess the finances of Iran’s authoritarian leaders and crack down on financial institutions that are connected to their funds to hinder their terror financing abilities – my bill that passed the House Floor today does just that. 

“Ayatollah Khamenei and his theocratic leaders have been in power for 30 years. His family wealth is estimated to be in the billions while roughly 60% of Iranians live in poverty. Publishing the level of corruption and theft by Iranian leaders and offering it in English, Farsi, Arabic and Azeri will demonstrate to the citizens of Iran how they have been misled.” 

Rep. Vargas said, "After decades of funding terrorism against the United States and our allies and using its proxies to sow chaos, Iran has now launched a direct and reckless attack on Israel. We must take a bipartisan approach to addressing this unprecedented threat. This legislation, which was introduced with my friend and colleague, French Hill, will help provide transparency into the financial corruption of the Iranian regime and hold them accountable." 

Further Background: 

Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act: This bill would require the Department of the Treasury to brief Congress on the finances of Iranian leadership and require financial institutions to close accounts connected to these individuals. This legislation will provide a valuable window into the corrupt business practices of Iran’s top kleptocrats and limit their financial holdings which are used to support and sponsor terrorism.

ArDOT kicks off $310M in road projects in Benton, Washington counties

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Northwest Arkansas will add about 11 miles of interstate-style freeway to the region when nearly $310 million in highway projects are completed over the next three years.

On Wednesday (April 17), Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) officials and area leaders gathered at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Highfill to break ground on phase two of the Springdale Northern Bypass and a connecting road from the bypass to XNA. Combined, the contract values of the two projects exceed $308.46 million.

“Both of these projects represent a total cost of $410 million,” said ArDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “Of that is right-of-way, design and construction. Construction is $310 million, so that just gives you an idea of how much it costs to get a project ready to break ground on.”

ArDOT kicks off $310M in road projects in Benton, Washington counties

Lorie Tudor, director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Springdale Northern Bypass and Northwest Arkansas National Airport connector projects.

Westerman, colleagues introduce Second Chance Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Carol Miller (WV-01), Danny Davis (IL-07), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Barry Moore (AL-02), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), and Jerry Nadler (NY-12) introduced the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize Second Chance Act programs for an additional five years and reduce recidivism rates nationwide.

“Promoting second chances is essential to breaking the cycle of crime. When we meet individuals who have paid their debts to society with the support and tools they need to succeed, rather than with burdensome legal and social barriers, they are less likely to re-offend and more likely to be positive members of our communities," said Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). "I'm proud to support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act to promote second chances and foster safer communities. The opportunities and resources provided by this legislation are paramount in breaking the cycle of crime and reducing recidivism rates in Arkansas and nationwide.”

“In West Virginia, we know how important it is to provide everyone with opportunities to succeed. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act is an important component of my efforts to reduce recidivism rates and increase public safety. When we invest in our communities and put in place strong reentry services and supports for people released from prisons and jails, we build stronger and safer communities,” said Congresswoman Miller. “The bill’s strengthened provisions around transitional housing services and substance abuse treatment will be instrumental in helping people in West Virginia and across the nation get back on the right path as they reenter their communities.”
 
“Second Chance reentry programs and services have reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and families across the country, creating healthier families and safer communities,” said Congressman Davis. “Continuing to invest in these evidenced-based interventions is a commonsense approach to strengthen individuals, re-build families, and grow our economy.”

“The Second Chance Act provides an invaluable safety net for those returning to society. Recently incarcerated individuals require a number of stabilizing services and opportunities to get their life back on the right track. We have the evidence and tools at our disposal to reduce recidivism and encourage successful reentry, and we know that the programs funded through the Second Chance Act work. I thank my colleagues for joining this bipartisan effort with me,” said Congressman Scott.

“For 15 years, the Second Chance Act has supported communities by improving the re-entry process from incarceration back into society,” said Rep. Armstrong. “As a former criminal defense attorney, I saw firsthand how the program reduced recidivism to make these communities safer and lowered costs to taxpayers. It requires constant communication between parole and law enforcement officers, family members, employers, and other entities. I am proud to join this crucial reauthorization so we can continue to build on the successes of the Second Chance Act and work to guarantee a safer system for all,” said Congressman Armstrong.

“The Second Chance Reauthorization Act bolsters support for people reentering society after incarceration, ensuring they have robust reentry services and a chance to lead honest, productive lives,” said Congressman Nadler. “I am honored to join my colleagues in affirming the transformative ability of second chances and empowering formerly incarcerated individuals who are striving to become valued contributors to our communities.”

“For far too long, the American criminal justice system has operated based on a misguided understanding of how to promote and achieve public safety.  As we continue to embrace and uplift the importance of providing critical reentry programming and services to help promote public safety and provide second chances to individuals returning to their homes and communities, I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024. Research has long shown that punitive carceral environments which lack meaningful rehabilitative measures only further foster dangerous and unsafe outcomes for everyone within the walls of American jails and prisons including correctional staff.  Those conditions then contribute to increased rates of recidivism – putting communities outside prison walls at risk of harm.  Meaningful investment in rehabilitative re-entry services, the kinds of partnerships and opportunities made possible by the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, have been shown to reduce recidivism rates and make our communities safer.  Congress must continue expanding and shifting strategies - like the Second Chance Act - to advance public safety to ultimately reach our paramount goal of keeping our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Lee.

“Securing a steady job, housing, and reintegrating into a community after serving time is a challenge more than 70 million Americans face,” said Congressman Moore. “The Second Chance Act helps programs that assist these individuals with reentry and has been proven to reduce recidivism. I have seen the benefits of this legislation in my own district at J.F. Ingram State Technical College, where they offer 20 technical training programs for incarcerated adults including automotive repair, construction, cosmetics, and logistics.”

BACKGROUND:

• In 2008, the bipartisan Second Chance Act was signed into law. 

• Since its enactment, Second Chance Act programs have supported states, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to reduce recidivism.

• To date, more than 442,000 justice-involved individuals have participated in reentry services through these programs.

• The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024 will reauthorize programs from the Second Chance Act for an additional five years, allowing the government to continue making important investments across the U.S. to bolster reentry services and help individuals successfully reenter their communities after incarceration.

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act is supported by the American Jail Association, American Parole and Probation Association, Catholic Charities USA, Conservative Political Action Coalition, Correctional Leaders Association, Council of State Governments Justice Center, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Counties, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National District Attorneys Association, National League of Cities, Prison Fellowship, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Federal judge schedules hearing in Arkansas LEARNS lawsuit

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

A federal judge on Wednesday scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for April 30 in a case challenging the constitutionality of a portion of the LEARNS Act that bans “indoctrination” in public schools.

Little Rock Central High School parents, students and a teacher involved in an AP African American Studies pilot course that received scrutiny for potentially violating the “indoctrination” ban, filed the lawsuit in late March against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva.

In Wednesday’s order, U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky said he granted in part and denied in part the plaintiffs’ request for an “expedited briefing and consideration.” He denied part of the request because plaintiffs could have filed their complaint and preliminary injunction months ago, he wrote.

Federal judge schedules hearing in Arkansas LEARNS lawsuit

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

From left front: Gisele Davis, Chandra Williams-Davis, Ruthie Walls, Sadie Belle Reynolds and Jennifer Reynolds are five of the seven plaintiffs challenging Section 16 of the Arkansas LEARNS Act in federal court. Mike Laux (at podium) is one of their attorneys and filed the lawsuit Monday, March 25, 2024 before hosting a news conference at Bullock Temple CME Church, across the street from Little Rock Central High, where Gisele and Sadie Belle are students in Walls’ AP African American Studies course.

Womack joins bipartisan, bicameral letter to the USPS opposing consolidations, operational changes across the country

Washington, DC—April 17, 2024…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of 22 Members of Congress in sending a letter to United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, decrying the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) recent nationwide consolidation and review announcements that could severely diminish mail service reliability for postal networks across the country, including in Arkansas. 

“A common theme of these announcements is the so-called ‘modernization’ of Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs) into Local Processing Centers (LPCs),” the Members wrote. “Taken together, these proposals dismantle parts of the Postal Service’s robust network that helps distribute mail across the country and places outgoing sorting into more distant facilities.  The result of this change is that mail will need to travel farther from its origin to its sorting, creating inefficiencies in the system, especially for local mail.” 

“These consolidation proposals never have had any discernible support from local communities.  On the contrary, we have heard strong opposition to these efforts from USPS customers, community leaders, local businesses, and postal employees,” the Members continued. “Rather than marching forward with these plans and offering short and vague statements dismissing concerns, the Postal Service should be communicating why the organization believes these changes are beneficial and what the specific impact of the changes will be to mail service.” 

“The Postal Service provides an essential service upon which our constituents rely.  The robust nature of the Postal Service’s current network is its strength, not its weakness.  To ensure that our constituents continue to receive reliable service, we urge you to reconsider these consolidation announcements,” the Members concluded. 

The announced network changes align with the Postal Service’s Delivering for America (DFA) plan. However, a recent review by the USPS Office of Inspector General for the implementation of the new Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RP&DC) in Richmond, Virginia, highlighted the problems with the USPS’s plan.  That facility was the first to be converted to an RP&DC as a result of the DFA plan.  The Inspector General’s review noted that challenges associated with changes to the facility “contributed to a decrease in service performance for the Richmond region that continued four months after launch.”   

The letter can be read in full here.

Congressman Womack initially expressed his concern for the consolidations and operational changes when USPS announced in November the Mail Processing Facility Review being conducted by USPS with respect to the NW Arkansas P&DC in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The letter can be read here.

Nine UAMS Physicians Named Healthcare Research All-Stars

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — Nine current and former physicians at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have been named Healthcare Research All-Stars for 2024 by Avant-garde Health.

Additionally, it placed the UAMS Hip and Knee surgery team among the top 1% of hip and knee surgeons nationwide, the orthopaedic surgery team among the top 3% nationwide, and both the gastrointestinal and general surgery teams at UAMS among the top 5% nationwide.

The technology and analytics company helps health systems, surgery centers and physicians improve their care. This was its inaugural annual evaluation of the quality and quantity of medical research published by 90,000 physicians at 4,000 hospitals across 10 specialties. It recognizes health care research published during 2021 and 2022.

Nine UAMS Physicians Named Healthcare Research All-Stars

Pictured clockwise from upper left: C. Lowry Barnes, M.D.; Jeffrey Stambough, M.D.; Benjamin Stronach, M.D.; Emmanouil Giorgakis, M.D., Subhi Al'Aref, M.D.; and Sumant Inamdar, M.D.

Zekelman Industries to invest $120 million in its NEA Atlas Tube operations

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Zekelman Industries will invest up to $120 million to expand the manufacturing capabilities and product offerings of its subsidiary, Atlas Tube, in Mississippi County. The project will bring Zekelman’s total number of employees in the area to more than 300. It will also partner with Arkansas Northeastern College on a new workforce training initiative.

“Education and skills training are crucial to developing the next generation of workers. Our goal at Zekelman is to prepare, nurture and inspire students entering the thriving and well-paying steel industry,” said Tom Muth, chief operating officer. “Our commitment is representative of our partnership with the Blytheville community and ongoing dedication to domestic-only manufacturing. We are particularly grateful to Mayor Logan and Mississippi County for their continued support.”

A manufacturer of hollow structural sections and steel pipe, Zekelman currently operates two Atlas Tube facilities in Blytheville. Its new project will allow it to manufacture inline steel tube galvanizing products in size ranges not currently available in North America.

Zekelman Industries to invest $120 million in its NEA Atlas Tube operations

USDA National Appeals Division on the agenda for NALC’s 11th Annual Mid-South Conference

By Tru Joi Curtis
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What happens next when a farmer is denied enrollment or benefits in a U.S. Department of Agriculture program?

Danielle Lake, deputy regional director of the USDA National Appeals Division, will discuss the best way to approach a USDA appeal at the 11th Annual Mid-South Ag & Environmental Law Conference. (Image courtesy Danielle Lake)

USDA offers an appeal process to farmers who receive a denial, known as an “adverse program decision,” through its National Appeals Division, or NAD. These appeals can arise from a variety of programs including farm loans, farm program payments, conservation programs and more. This process comes with specific rules and procedures that producers and attorneys will need to know about.

Danielle Lake, deputy regional director of the USDA National Appeals Division, will discuss what lawyers and their clients need to know when filing a USDA appeal during the National Agricultural Law Center’s 11th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, which will be held June 6-7.

During her session, “USDA National Appeals Division 101: What You and Your Farm Client Need to Know,” Lake will share her inside knowledge of the best way to approach a USDA appeal and the process’ impacts.

“NAD is dedicated to conducting impartial appeal hearings of adverse decisions made by the USDA agencies under our jurisdiction,” Lake said. “This is a unique process with special rules, and I’ll address some recent changes and provide pointers that participants will want to know.”

The Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will be held in Memphis, Tennessee at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law. The conference will also be available via livestream for those unable to participate in person. Registration, agenda and more information is available online.

“This session will be informative to those new to NAD as well as those who have considerable experience with the process,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “As a regional director for NAD, Danielle will provide very unique insight into this unique legal process. Danielle is a terrific presenter and we’re fortunate she’ll be joining us in Memphis this year.”

For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s twice-monthly newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture.

About the National Agricultural Law Center

The National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, state and federal policymakers, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.

The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.

Arkansas House adopts crypto mining resolutions

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

The Arkansas House has adopted two resolutions opening the door for new regulations on cryptocurrency mines.

The resolutions don't mean the bills will ultimately pass but they do allow members to discuss them in committee. The House and Senate are currently in a fiscal session. For each chamber to take up a non-budget bill, they must first get a resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote.

Six other resolutions to regulate crypto mines failed on the House floor Wednesday.

The mines have prompted complaints over noise and energy usage in rural Arkansas communities. There have also been their concerns about their alleged ties to overseas organizations and foreign governments.

Arkansas House adopts crypto mining resolutions

Arkansas House

On Wednesday, representatives in the Arkansas House passed two resolutions as they work to regulate crypto mines.

Boozman, Casey, Scott Introduce Bill to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The bill will help address antisemitic sentiment and action on college campuses, which has been rising across the nation for years and spiked in the wake of Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, by requiring the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. 

“Colleges and universities have seen a disturbing trend of emboldened intimidation and hate towards Jewish students, faculty and others in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel. This intolerable and horrifying behavior has no place in our academic community, and the Department of Education should move swiftly to hold accountable anyone promoting antisemitism on campus,” Boozman said.

“Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7 led to a dramatic increase in antisemitism on college campuses,” said Casey. “Amidst this appalling increase, we must do everything we can to protect Jewish students on college campuses. This bill will make sure that going forward, the Education Department will take action against all forms of antisemitic discrimination.”

“Our nation’s institutions of higher learning have become hotbeds of antisemitism, especially in the wake of the brutal attacks against Israel and innocent civilians by Hamas and Iran,” said Scott. “It’s critical the Department of Education has the tools and resources it needs to investigate antisemitism and root out this vile hatred wherever it rears its ugly head.” 

The Antisemitism Awareness Act would make permanent the Department of Education’s usage of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which is a vital tool helping to clarify and identify the various manifestations of prejudice and hate against the state of Israel and the Jewish community. Since 2018, the Department of Education has used the IHRA definition when investigating violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

In addition to Boozman, Casey and Scott, the Antisemitism Awareness Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

• A powerful storm system in the central Plains will drag a cold front towards Arkansas Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday.

• Ahead of the front, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop tracking across portions of central and northern Arkansas. Damaging straight-line winds and hail appear to be the primary concern associated with storms Tuesday afternoon.

• An additional round of severe weather will be possible Thursday across portions of the state. Once again damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern with this system.

UA Little Rock receives $5 million to advance cybersecurity education

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

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) has received $5 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in the energy sector through education, workforce development, and innovation.

The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.

“Developing a workforce of skilled professionals to combat cybercrime is increasingly important,” U.S. Sen. Boozman said. “I’m proud to support this initiative to strengthen our state’s role in preventing cybersecurity attacks and create additional opportunities for Arkansans to safeguard critical energy networks.”

UA Little Rock is leading a cohort of partners that include the Consortium for Cyber Innovation, Forge Institute, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

UA Little Rock receives $5 million to advance cybersecurity education

New parasite affecting Canadian partridges named for Arkansas poultry scientist

By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With a newly discovered poultry pathogen named in his honor, Billy Hargis has a permanent place in the annals of science. And now, the pathogen has a permanent place on Hargis.

NAMESAKE — Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, is the namesake of a newly discovered pathogen. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Eimeria hargisi is a parasite discovered by the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph following studies of a recurring disease at a commercial chukar partridge farm in Ontario, Canada.

Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science and director of the John Kirkpatrick Skeeles Poultry Health Laboratory, considers having the parasite named after him an honor when coming from his longtime colleague and friend John Barta, professor of parasitology at the Ontario Veterinary College. Hargis took an image of the newly named microbe to a tattoo artist for it to be linked in ink.

“John Barta is big in the world of parasitology, so this means a lot coming from him,” Hargis said. “I wanted to commemorate it a little differently.”

The oval-shaped tattoo is on the side of his right calf, shaded in areas with pink and blue.

The Skeeles lab is part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Hargis teaches courses in the poultry science department through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

MEMENTO— An image of Eimeria hargisi tattoed on the leg of its namesake, Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Paden Johnson)

Barta noted that his team of student researchers led by Ph.D. student Jessica Rotolo at the Ontario Veterinary College discovered the new species of Eimeria. The Eimeria parasite family causes a deadly disease called coccidiosis that can infect a wide range of animals, from poultry, cattle and sheep to rabbits, bats, fish and seals. The discovery of the newly named species was published in the December 2023 edition of the Journal of Parasitology.

“The parasite is named to honor Dr. Billy Hargis for his exemplary research record in support of poultry gut health and his past and ongoing advancement of coccidiosis research through the training and mentorship of future scientists,” the research team states in the study.

The last time an Arkansas poultry researcher had a parasite named after them was 2021. Barta said that previous research on the same coccidiosis infections in the Ontario-based commercial chukar partridge farm resulted in the naming of Eimeria chapmani for retired experiment station researcher David H. Chapman.

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.

Womack votes to reform FISA, protect Americans from terror threats

Washington, DC—April 12, 2024…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted for H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America (RISA) Act, which extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for two years from the date of enactment and reforms provisions to FISA to allow for greater oversight and transparency for the American people.

Congressman Womack said, “FISA Section 702’s sole focus is to gather intelligence on foreign adversaries who intend to hurt Americans. Foiling terror plots, mitigating cyberattacks, and stopping weapons of mass destruction from reaching bad actors are what we use it for. Without our extension today, American lives will be at grave risk. On top of renewing this critical provision, we approved the largest reform to the broader FISA and the FBI in a generation—with over 50 reforms to ensure there’s less potential for abuse. Our duty is to protect Americans from terrorists, and this bill is absolutely necessary to advance that mission.”

The RISA Act:

Reforms 702 querying procedures at the FBI.

• Reduces FBI personnel authorized to approve U.S. person queries by 90%.

• Prohibits the involvement of political appointees in the approval process.

• Mandates audits of 100% of U.S. person queries conducted by the FBI.

• Requires FBI to document all U.S. person queries, requires a higher level of approval for sensitive queries, and requires FBI to establish standardized procedures.

Limits the use of information obtained under 702.

• Revokes the FBI’s authority to conduct queries unrelated to national security and prohibits queries that are solely designed to find and extract evidence of a crime, subject to reasonable exceptions.

• Prohibits the Federal Bureau of Investigation from storing unminimized Section 702 information in its databases unless the information pertains to a foreign target who is relevant to an existing national security investigation.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) reform.

• Requires the same FISC judge to hear FISA renewal applications targeting a United States person unless that judge is no longer serving on the FISC.

• Requires the FISC to appoint one or more amicus curiae in the annual Section 702 judicial review process, unless the court issues a finding that such appointment is not appropriate.

• Requires a FISC judge to designate an attorney to scrutinize an application for a probable cause order to target a United States person under FISA, to provide to the judge an analysis of the sufficiency of the evidence and any weaknesses or flaws in the application.

Reforms to contents of applications for FISA orders.

• Prohibits the use of opposition research and news media reports in FISA applications unless that information is disclosed in the application and provided that it is not the sole source of the information.

Requires audits of targeting decisions under 702.

Requires audit reports by DOJ IG of compliance with the reforms of this Act.

Requires FBI to hold executive leaders accountable for FISA noncompliance and report to Congress on disciplinary actions.

Imposes new criminal penalties for FISA violations.

Increases civil damages for a U.S. person harmed by unlawful surveillance from $1,000 to $10,000.

Adds accountability measures for FBI employees that violate FISA compliance rules.

Extends Title VII (which includes Section 702) of FISA for 2 years from date of enactment.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’ Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Reps. Crawford and Duarte introduce legislation to protect water systems from cyber threats

Washington – Citing persistent cyber threats to our nation’s critical water infrastructure, Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01) and John Duarte (CA-13) introduced H.R. 7922, the Water Risk and Resilience Organization (WRRO) Establishment Act. This legislation establishes a new governing body, the WRRO, with cyber and water-system expertise to develop and enforce cybersecurity requirements for drinking and wastewater systems. The WRRO will work in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure cybersecurity measures are both practical and beneficial.

“Foreign adversaries such as Russia and China have utilized cyber-attacks to target critical infrastructure such as water systems. This bill is a more proactive approach to safeguarding our drinking and wastewater from these types of attacks. These protections are vital at a time where cyber threats are constant and technology is evolving quickly,” Rep. Crawford said.

Earlier this year, FBI Director, Christopher Wray testified to Congress that Chinese hackers have been targeting infrastructure such as water treatment plants, electrical grids, and pipelines. Just last month, other administration officials echoed this sentiment when both the national security advisor and EPA sent letters to state governors. In the letters, they urge the governors to address any vulnerabilities in their state’s water systems to minimize risks of cyber-attacks.  This is more than just a threat; cybersecurity breaches have already happened around the country. Just before last Thanksgiving, a small Pennsylvania water utility was breached by pro-Iran hackers. A Florida water treatment facility was hacked in 2021, and the hackers tried to increase the amount of beneficial chemicals in the water to unsafe levels. In February, the U.S. intelligence community reported that Chinese-backed hackers have had a presence in many critical infrastructure systems in the U.S., including water systems for as long as maybe five years.

“With the constant threat of cyberattacks by our adversaries, the United States’ water infrastructure must be secured and defended properly,” said Rep. Duarte. “I am proud to help lead this crucial legislation with Rep. Crawford to ensure that our wastewater and drinking water systems are adequately prepared to deal with potential cybersecurity threats.”

Leaders in the water system industry have shown wide support for the Water Risk and Resilience Organization Establishment Act. They recognize the importance of safeguarding this critical resource and are willing to play a role in achieving this goal.

“Strong and effective cybersecurity oversight is critical for the water sector,” said American Water Works Association CEO David LaFrance. “Rep. Crawford’s vision for a collaborative model that leverages the knowledge of the sector is the right approach for protecting water utilities from cyber-attacks.” 

“NAWC applauds the leadership of Rep. Crawford to advance legislation that helps bolster cybersecurity protections for the entire water sector. This legislation is long overdue and aligns with our guiding cybersecurity pillars, which call for greater collaboration and coordination of efforts to better protect critical water infrastructure,” said Rob Powelson, President and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies.

“Cyber threats targeting both informational and operational systems today pose a growing threat to the nation’s water systems, and a successful cyber-attack could threaten public health while also undermining the public’s confidence in their water supply. AMWA supports H.R. 7922 as a critical piece of the puzzle to defend the nation’s water systems from criminals and bad actors in cyberspace, and we thank Rep. Crawford for his leadership on this important bill,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

Cyber-attacks often cost millions of dollars to address and can result in contamination, malfunctions, and service outages. Leveraging private sector expertise to provide cybersecurity awareness to thousands of public water systems across America is critical to ensuring infrastructure security.

AG Griffin says ATF should release Malinowski body cam footage

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Attorney General Tim Griffin said the government footage from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF] raid on the home of Little Rock Airport Director Bryan Malinowski should be released immediately. Malinowski died in a shootout with authorities.

Appearing on Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View this Sunday (April 14), the state’s top law enforcement and legal officer said he has been troubled by the few facts that have come out so far on the high-profile raid that took place on March 19.

“As someone who couldn’t be a bigger law enforcement supporter, when our government acts in a particular way that raises questions, we have an obligation to say [something]… My understanding, having looked at the ATF rules is that they generally require a body cam when there’s a preplanned raid, right? Why? Well, because information from a camera helps fill the vacuum of conspiracy and all this other stuff. So record it with a body cam that’s required and then there’s policy that it shall be released as soon as possible,” Griffin said.

Arkansas strawberries are ready now

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

NEWPORT, Ark. — If you love fresh Arkansas strawberries, farmer Bill Landreth has a simple message: Come and get ‘em now!

A relatively warm winter and spring has prompted some farms to have strawberries three weeks earlier than usual. Landreth, who owns Berries by Bill in Jackson County, is no exception.

AVAILABLE NOW — Arkansas strawberries are ready for picking now. (U of A System Division of Agriclture file photo).

“On average, we’d start picking somewhere around April 20 or 25th,” Landreth said. This year, “I started a week ago, Friday,” which was April 5.

“Eight out of ten phone calls I get during the day are asking ‘when will your berries be ready?’” Landreth said. “I tell them we started picking a week ago.”

“I don’t even have that many peddlers calling,” he said, referring to people who buy his berries and sell them on the roadside. “Usually, they pester the dickens out of you.”

“Eight out of ten phone calls I get during the day are asking ‘when will your berries be ready?’” Landreth said. “I tell them we started picking a week ago.”

“I don’t even have that many peddlers calling,” he said, referring to people who buy his berries and sell them on the roadside. “Usually, they pester the dickens out of you.”

Early wake-up call

Amanda McWhirt, extension specialist-horticulture crops for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said warm temperatures from late February and into March were an early wake-up call for berry plants. The plants take about 30 days from bloom to ripe fruit.

“Plants ‘woke’ up earlier and started flowering,” she said. “We were able to protect blooms through several freezes.”

Landreth said he worries about whether the three-week-early start will also mean a three-week-earlier-end to the season, with regular buyers missing out because of the shift.

Earlier farmers market starts?

Matthew Davis, Jackson County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said “customer volume is a big factor for these groups — the strawberries, peaches, any fruit and vegetable crop this year.

“Farmers markets could open sooner this year along with many roadside stands if weather is favorable,” Davis said.

He said fruit and vegetable growers, are always at the mercy of Mother Nature. Severe weather that usually happens in the spring can have a major impact on an early harvest, like this year.

“Call your producers now and check in to see if early harvest may happen. Waiting may not be a good option with the unpredictable nature of the weather,” Davis said. We could have a storm tomorrow with hail and lose all production instantly. Currently, strawberries are moving readily for our area, but we may see other items potentially move up later in the season."

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 to offer three produce washing workshops in May

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For small-scale farmers and backyard gardeners interested in improving their fruit and vegetable washing and handling practices, the Cooperative Extension Service will offer three no-cost produce washing workshops in May. These workshops for beginners will cover best practices, types of wash systems and more.

PRODUCE WASHING FOR BEGINNERS — The Cooperative Extension Service will offer three no-cost produce washing workshops in May for small-scale farmers and backyard gardeners. The workshops will focus on best practices for produce safety, wash-and-pack systems and choosing the right sanitizer, among other topics. (Division of Agriculture graphic.) 

Each three-hour workshop will give participants a better understanding of why produce safety is important on smaller operations, what types of wash systems are appropriate for certain crops and how to choose the correct sanitizer and use it properly. The workshops will also feature a basic wash-and-pack system that participants can recreate in their own backyards.

“These workshops will help to demystify some of the questions new growers may have about produce safety,” said Sarah Bakker, extension program associate for Arkansas Local, Regional and Safe Foods for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “No one wants to make people sick from the produce they grow, and we want to help those smaller growers to create systems for washing and packing that are practical, efficient and safe.”

Bakker said farmers market vendors, homesteaders wanting to serve safe produce to their families, and gardeners who share their produce with friends and neighbors are ideal participants for these workshops.

“We will have a basic wash-and-pack system set up for participants to see how easy it is to create your own ‘pack shed,’ even when you don’t have space for it,” Bakker said. “We will also be doing hands-on activities to demonstrate how to easily incorporate sanitizer into your system.”

There is no cost to participants, but they must register for each workshop. Register for each workshop and learn more at bit.ly/ar-produce-washing.

Produce Washing Workshops schedule:

May 2: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Jefferson County Extension Office in Pine Bluff

May 11: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Saline County Extension Office in Benton

May 21: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Faulkner County Extension Office in Conway

The produce washing workshops serve a different purpose and audience than the Produce Safety Grower Trainings also offered by the Cooperative Extension Service. Those trainings are targeted to commercial growers and are a requirement through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, Produce Safety Rule.

“I have noticed increased interest in beginner vegetable gardening and small-scale farming to sell at local markets, especially since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “While our programs have mostly focused on educating commercial growers to date, I am looking forward to bringing information about produce safety to this new cohort of Arkansas growers.”

For more information about the produce washing workshops, contact Sarah Bakker at sbakker@uada.edu or 501-671-2012. For more information about Arkansas produce safety, visit uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/arkansas-produce-safety/.

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 to Biden: Investigate and Ban Temu

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden about the retail application Temu and its harmful practices, including gathering massive amounts of Americans’ personal data. Senator Cotton asked President Biden to address questions about the Chinese government’s control over the app, Temu’s violations of U.S. laws and regulations, and actions the administration can take against Temu.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“As with TikTok and other invasive Chinese apps, Temu has no place in America. It’s a threat to American producers, investors, online retailers, and every single American’s personal privacy. I urge you to investigate Temu and to request the authorities necessary to protect Americans from this dangerous Chinese application.”

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

April 15, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden?

The White House,?

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW?

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden,

I write to you regarding the urgent threat from the Chinese retail application, Temu. This malign app is a pipeline of dumped, counterfeit, and slave-labor products from China that is also gathering massive quantities of Americans’ personal data.

After launching in 2022, Temu has skyrocketed to one of the most downloaded apps in America and already rivals eBay for online sales. It has achieved this astronomical growth through billions of dollars of advertisements, including Super Bowl ads, and by undercutting competitors with extremely cheap and often counterfeit Chinese goods. Temu sells many of its products at a fraction of the price of its American competitors.

Temu’s goods are cheap not because of fair competition, but rather because of China’s familiar combination of intellectual-property theft, government subsidies, and human-rights abuses. For example, Temu directly copies Amazon storefronts and then sells knock-off Chinese versions of the product at a deeply discounted rate. Temu also likely benefits from the use of slave labor. According to the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, “American consumers should know that there is an extremely high risk that Temu’s supply chains are contaminated with forced labor.”

Temu is getting away with this intellectual-property theft, unfair competition, and use of slave labor by flooding the American market with more than a million individual packages a week. Worse still, the company is importing these goods tax-free under the so-called de minimis loophole in such volumes that Customs and Border Protection simply can’t keep up.

Further, Temu is harvesting vast amounts of personal information from American consumers. In fact, Temu’s data gathering may be even more dangerous than TikTok’s and, according to one lawsuit, the app can access “everything on your phone.” Google Play also removed Temu’s parent company Pinduoduo’s (PDD) app as a result of harmful malware hidden in the app that gave it access to everything from biometrics to information about Wi-Fi networks.[x] This poses a grave threat to Americans’ privacy. PDD Holdings received more than $400 million in “income” from the PRC government last year, which suggests that PDD Holdings may be selling data collected on Temu to entities affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

As with TikTok and other invasive Chinese apps, Temu has no place in America. It’s a threat to American producers, investors, online retailers, and every single American’s personal privacy. I urge you to investigate Temu and to request the authorities necessary to protect Americans from this dangerous Chinese application. I also urge you to end the de minimis loophole for China and other American adversaries.

Please provide answers to the following questions by May 10, 2024.

1. To what degree does the Chinese government exercise control or influence over Temu and its parent company PDD Holdings?

2. How many leaders of Temu and its parent company PDD Holdings are members of or affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party?

3. Has your administration investigated Temu’s data gathering and its threat to American personal privacy?

4. To what extent does Temu steal and counterfeit American products and has the Department of Justice’s Intellectual Property Section investigated Temu, PDD Holdings, and members of the Board of Directors for criminal intellectual-property violations?

5. Has your administration directed the Department of the Treasury to investigate Temu for possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations?

6. Has your administration directed the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate PDD Holdings for potential securities fraud given its status as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange? 

7. Is it safe for military personnel to have Temu downloaded on their personal or government devices?

8. What authorities would your administration need to ban Temu? If given these authorities, would you follow through with a ban? 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.