UA Cossatot Spring 2024 Graduates, Chancellor's and Vice Chancellor's Lists
Severe Weather Possible Wednesday and Thursday in Arkansas
An active weather pattern will continue across the region through the weekend, with some threat for strong to severe thunderstorms forecast through the weekend.
Chances for severe weather will be greatest across the southwest section of the state through tonight. The threat on Thursday will be less concentrated, but may be more focused for western sections. Chances for severe weather will be a tad lower on Friday…but return for Saturday and Sunday.
The primary threats expected with the strongest storms will be large hail and damaging winds, with some tornadoes also possible. Very large hail over 2 inches in diameter and damaging winds over 70 mph could be seen across southwest sections of the state this Wednesday afternoon.
Some areas of heavy rainfall could be seen by late this week. Additional rainfall amounts exceeding 1.5 inches could be seen through Memorial Day, especially across the south half of the state. Locally heavier amounts are possible. This may lead to some isolated flash flooding.
Rep. Crawford’s Legislation Banning Federal Aid for Chinese-Made Railcars Passes House
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rick Crawford’s (AR-01) legislation to ban Federal Transit Administration (FTA) aid from being used to buy Chinese-made railcars passed the House floor this evening. Under current law, rail rolling stock cannot be purchased from state-owned enterprises. FTA misapplied the law, however, and allowed certain transit rail car contracts to continue. H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act closes this loophole.
“Despite our efforts, the Chinese Communist Party has still maintained a foothold in the rail market through contracts that have been grandfathered in. Taxpayer dollars should never go to countries that continue to lie, steal, and cheat in an attempt to push the U.S. out of the global market. We need to keep our critical infrastructure safe from the hands of the CCP,” said Rep. Crawford.
Earlier this year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) cancelled its contract with China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) after frequently missed deadlines and quality issues. CRRC is one of the most subsidized companies in China and has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The CRRC has an ongoing contract with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), despite MBTA experiencing similar delays due to CRRC mismanagement. In March, it was reported that this project has cost MBTA over $1 billion, which is hundreds of millions more than the initial bid price, and is now set to be completed four years late.
UAFS restarts nursing degree program
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) seeks to address an estimated shortage of more than 200 nurses in the Fort Smith metro by restarting its nursing degree program, with Baptist Health-Fort Smith and Mercy Fort Smith participating in tuition reimbursement.
The UAFS on Monday (May 20) announced the return of an associate of applied science-nursing (AAS) degree in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved the new degree plan on May 16, with previous approvals from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, according to UAFS.
UAFS hopes to have 20 students in the first semester, and grow the program to 30 students per cohort. The AAS in nursing allows students to work toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and higher degrees.
EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
Light-duty vehicles in the United States used more electricity than rail systems for the first time in 2023 amid rising sales of electric vehicles (EVs), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
A new EIA analysis released Monday (May 20) shows electricity consumption by EVs rose to 7,596 gigawatt-hours in 2023, almost five times the consumption in 2018. Annual electricity consumption by railways has remained flat at about 7,000 gigawatt-hours over the past two decades.
Railways has been the largest electricity end-user in the transportation sector since 2003. Over that period, municipal railway systems or electrified passenger rail have had limited expansion.
EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023
National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Briefing for Arkansas Tues-Thurs
Severe Threat for Arkansas Late This Afternoon and Tonight - (National Weather Service/Little Rock Graph)
An active weather pattern will develop starting late this afternoon and evening as a cold front drops southeast towards Arkansas.
Chances for severe weather will increase starting late this evening into the overnight hours across far northwest sections of Arkansas. This threat will spread further southeast for Wednesday, and continue for a large portion of the state on Thursday.
The primary threats expected with the strongest storms through tonight will be large hail and damaging winds, with a brief tornado or two possible. Very large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats on Wednesday, with a few tornadoes also possible. Large hail and damaging winds will again be primary threats for Thursday.
There is some uncertainty regarding the severe threat on Wednesday as timing of morning thunderstorms may create less instability for afternoon thunderstorm development.
Some areas of heavy rainfall could be seen by late this week. Rainfall amounts exceeding 3 inches could be seen from late tonight through Friday morning. This may lead to some isolated flash flooding.
Scientists push EPA to update meat packer wastewater discharge rules
by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)
A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) alleges that water pollutants discharged from Tyson Foods’ processing plants “pose a risk to people and the environment and include large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus.”
According to the report, the agriculture industry is the largest consumer of freshwater and meat and poultry processors account for nearly one-third of that water consumption. Tyson Foods is the largest meat company in the country with 123 processing facilities and all that animal processing creates massive amounts of wastewater.
Researchers Omanjana Goswami and Stacy Woods published “Waste Deep” on April 30. While the report notes Tyson Foods is acting within the legal limits, Woods said the regulatory standards for wastewater discharged to surface waters and municipal sewage treatment plants have not been updated in 20 years.
Scientists push EPA to update meat packer wastewater discharge rules
UAMS Graduates 1,134 Health Care Professionals
By Chris Carmody
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on May 18 conferred degrees and certificates to 1,134 students in its five colleges and graduate school.
UAMS awarded 175 degrees or certificates to students in the College of Medicine, 172 in the College of Nursing, 583 in the College of Health Professions, 78 in the College of Pharmacy, 86 in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and 78 in the UAMS Graduate School. Thirty-eight students earned dual degrees.
Degrees and certificates conferred at this year’s commencement ceremony included doctor of philosophy; doctor of medicine; doctor of pharmacy; doctor of nursing practice; master of science; master of nursing science; bachelor of science in nursing; doctor of public health; master of public health; master of health administration; master of science in health care data analytics; postbaccalaureate certificate in public health; and a variety of allied health disciplines, including doctor of audiology, doctor of physical therapy, master of physician assistant studies, master of science and bachelor of science.
For a complete list of the 2024 graduates, follow the link below.
Extension to offer two-day remote produce safety training May 29-30
PRODUCE SAFETY — For fruit and vegetable growers, ensuring their farms are free of microbial contamination and reducing the risk of foodborne illness is key to the success of their operation. The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a two-day remote training with information about best practices, worker health and hygiene, and more. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — To help Arkansas fruit and vegetable growers across the state learn practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer a remote, two-day produce safety training workshop via Zoom from May 29-30.
The training will provide attendees with important information on best practices, worker health, hygiene and training, soil amendments and more.
Registration is $25 per person for Arkansas residents and $100 per person for out-of-state residents. The deadline to register is May 22, and there are 20 seats available in the training. Participants must have access to Zoom software, a web camera, microphone and stable internet access. Register at uaex.uada.edu/producesafety.
Rip Weaver, extension program technician for local, regional and safe foods for the Division of Agriculture, said his team looks forward to hosting the remote training.
“We know this is a busy time for Arkansas growers,” Weaver said. “We hope that by splitting the training into two half-days, attendees will still have a good portion of their days to tend to their responsibilities on their farms and food businesses.”
Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored during the training. Participants are only eligible for PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion if they are present for all modules of the course.
“This program is targeted to commercial produce growers, but small or beginning farms can learn valuable information for building their operations,” said Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “Farmers who have previously attended this training should plan to attend a training about every three years to stay up to date on the latest regulatory information.”
The training, developed by the Produce Safety Alliance and presented by the Cooperative Extension Service’s Arkansas Produce Safety Team, teaches growers about regulatory requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. FSMA is the first federally regulated standard for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fresh produce.
For more information, contact Rip Weaver at rweaver@uada.edu or 501-671-2388.
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.
Low-income communities priority for Arkansas’ $93.6 million federal solar grant
KUAR | By Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate
From the Arkansas Advocate:
A partnership between an Arkansas renewable energy nonprofit and a multi-state organization that helps economically disadvantaged communities will use nearly $94 million in federal funds to help low-income families acquire solar power.
Arkansas was one of many states chosen to receive the federal funds from the Environmental Protection Agency’s $7 billion Solar for All program, announced last month. The funds became available through the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
The implementation of Arkansas’ funds will depend on a partnership between the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation of Little Rock (AAEF) and Hope Enterprise Corporation, an organization that aims to improve economically strained regions in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Low-income communities priority for Arkansas’ $93.6 million federal solar grant
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds election rule changes made in 2021
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday (May 16) upheld four state laws that placed new limits and rules on election procedures. The court’s majority opinion reversed a ruling from Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffin who had overturned the provisions.
The laws, approved by the Arkansas Legislature in 2021, were Acts 249, 728, 736 and 973 of 2021. While complex, the Acts establish the following new procedures.
• County clerks must verify a signature on an absentee ballot with the voter’s registration signature.
• Reduce the time for delivery of in-person absentee ballots.
• Voters submitting a provisional ballot must show a photo ID by the Monday after the vote or the ballot will be rejected.
• People will not be allowed to loiter or stand within 100 feet of a polling site.
The rules were implemented following allegations of widespread irregularities in the 2020 general election. More than 60 legal challenges and numerous investigations found no validity to the claims of election fraud.
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds election rule changes made in 2021
Arkansas lawmakers working on tax cuts, Game and Fish Commission funding
KUAR | By Ronak Patel
Last week, the Arkansas House elected Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, as the Speaker of the House designate.
Evans will begin his term as speaker of the House in January, but he is working with leadership on the upcoming special session. In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, he said he’s working with lawmakers to find a compromise on setting the budget for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
“We’re having conversation on a daily basis with some of the different groups that had issues with the way the appropriation and amendments were. I think conversations are moving at a conservative pace,” he said.
Arkansas lawmakers working on tax cuts, Game and Fish Commission funding
Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas State Capitol.
More than 13,000 trees given away through Free Tree Friday campaign
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s fourth annual Free Tree Fridays campaign resulted in the distribution of 13,400 trees during 27 events held across the state each Friday from March 22 through April 26.
The events were hosted by the Forestry Division in the weeks between Arkansas Arbor Day and National Arbor Day, celebrated on the last Friday in April.
“This program is an excellent way to provide access to trees for people who may never have planted a tree, and to residents in areas like Little Rock and Wynne who lost trees in the March 2023 tornadoes” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry coordinator. “Arbor Day celebrates trees, and through Free Tree Fridays, we are able to promote proper planting techniques for bare root and potted trees, as well as the importance of planting native species.”
More than 13,000 trees given away through Free Tree Friday campaign
Plaintiffs discuss ongoing lawsuit against Arkansas critical race theory ban
KUAR | By Josie Lenora
A group of teachers and students in Arkansas is suing the state over a law that was used to restrict an advanced placement African American studies course. They say the law is vague and creates a chilling effect because it tries to limit how race is talked about in classrooms.
Ruthie Walls, a history teacher at Central High School in Little Rock, is one of a handful of educators who teach AP African American Studies. Last August she was preparing for the school year, when she found out her class was canceled by the state.
“No one wants to get news like that,” she said. “I was taken off guard and I had to continue with the day.”
Plaintiffs discuss ongoing lawsuit against Arkansas critical race theory ban
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.
Representative Hill's bill to provide regulatory relief for community banks and small lenders heading to House Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill’s (AR-02) bill to protect small banks and lenders from reporting requirements under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFBP) harmful 1071 rule, the Small LENDER Act, today passed out of the House Financial Services Committee and is one step closer to advancing to the House Floor.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. With small lenders often driving investment in their local communities, it is crucial that small businesses have access to the capital they need to prosper. The CFPB’s 1071 rule hurts small businesses by making credit more expensive and disproportionately impacts smaller companies. My bill makes necessary changes to exempt community banks and lenders from having to comply with the CFPB’s harmful small business data collection regulation because of President Biden’s veto to repeal Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank. I applaud the Small LENDER Act’s passage through the House Financial Services Committee and am pleased that my bill is one step closer to reaching the House Floor.”
Further Background:
H.R. 1806 - Small LENDER Act: This bill would codify “financial institution” as one that originates at least 500 covered transactions in each of the last two years, as opposed to the 25-transaction threshold proposed in the CFPB’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The bill also codifies “small business” as one with gross annual revenues of $1 million or less in the last year instead of $5 million or less as defined in the NPRM. Finally, the bill extends the effective compliance date with the final rule to be three years after publication in the Federal Register plus a two-year grace period, as opposed to the 18-month implementation period in the NPRM.
College of Pharmacy Seniors, Alumni Announce Residency and Fellowship Matches
By Benjamin Waldrum
Seventeen UAMS College of Pharmacy seniors and nine recent alumni announced their residencies and fellowships May 14 in a ceremony held on the UAMS campus in Little Rock.
Upon completion of their Doctor of Pharmacy degree, students are able to join the workforce or continue to develop their skills in a specific area through residencies, fellowships or graduate programs. Residents further develop their professional competence beyond entry-level practice, as well as build leadership skills to improve services and patient care outcomes.
“Soon-to-be residents, we are so proud of you and the work that you’ve done, and we’re so excited to see your careers unfold,” said Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “I hope that you take on these challenges with a smile and confidence that you’re learning and improving in the ability to care for your patients and make a difference in their lives. My advice is simple: stay curious, stay compassionate and stay committed to excellence.”
College of Pharmacy Seniors, Alumni Announce Residency and Fellowship Matches
PGY-1 Residencies
Whitney Austin — Little Rock (Baptist Health Medical Center)
Jeffery Davis Jr. — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)
Victoria Hoggard — Searcy (Unity Health, White County Medical Center)
Alexis Jacobus — Searcy (Unity Health, White County Medical Center)
Kennede McLeroy-Charles — Dallas (Baylor Health Enterprises)
Maria Neal — Jackson, Mississippi (University of Mississippi Medical Center)
Kendall Perkins — Memphis, Tennessee (Methodist University Hospital)
Benjamin Quattlebaum — Rogers (Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas)
Alexa Ramick — Charleston, South Carolina (Medical University of South Carolina)
Austin Richards — Columbus, Mississippi (Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle)
Amanda Russell — Jonesboro (St. Bernards Medical Center)
Mary Rose Siebenmorgen — Searcy (ARcare)
Katherine Snider — Rogers (Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas)
Victoria Tang — Tacoma, Washington (MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital)
Rachel Ward — St. Louis (Sisters of St. Mary Health St. Louis University Hospital)
Dylan Yowell — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)
National Community Pharmacists Association Fellowship
Emily Carter — Maumelle (Achor Family Pharmacy)
PGY-2 Residencies
Elma Abdullah — Searcy (ARcare)
Emily Campbell — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)
Taylor Connor — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)
Justin Dino — Tulsa, Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University Medical Center)
Michelle Hernandez — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)
Brendan Midkiff — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)
Madeline Poush — Little Rock (UAMS Medical Center)
Morgan Tracy — Little Rock (Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System)
Jasiha Welch — Little Rock (UAMS College of Pharmacy)
Westerman votes to improve aviation safety and infrastructure
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and improve American aviation safety and infrastructure. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:
"The FAA Reauthorization will make timely and strategic investments to bolster aviation safety and infrastructure, support the aviation workforce, and drive economic growth. Arkansas is on track to be a leader in aviation, and this legislation is a significant step in getting us there. As a member of the Aviation subcommittee, I was proud to play a role in passing this historically bipartisan bill, and I look forward to the President signing it into law expeditiously."
BACKGROUND:
Westerman ensured the inclusion of provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that will:
Grow the state of Arkansas' aviation workforce by reauthorizing funding for the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) program, which will educate the next generation of aviation professionals.
Improve radio communications at the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport.
Support the Unmanned Aircraft System Collegiate Training Initiative at the University of Arkansas to prepare students for careers in the emerging field of drone aviation.
Improve Arkansas' airport infrastructure by providing $23 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to the state of Arkansas for airport capital improvement projects. Arkansas has 76 airports that are eligible for AIP funding.
Ensure data privacy and safety of General Aviation (GA) aircraft, crew, and passengers by allowing GA aircraft to ask the FAA to block the plane's aircraft codes from the public.
Ensure the safety of manned aircraft is considered when the FAA proposed rules for Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to ensure the safety of pilots and passengers on manned aircraft.
Westerman serves as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation.
Click here for more information on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Families, UAMS NICU Staff Celebrate at Annual Reunion
By Kev' Moye
Smiles, laughter, hugs, handshakes, pizza, cupcakes, finger paint and cell phone photos were in abundance during the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 2024 Reunion, held at the Little Rock Zoo.
The annual event gives NICU team members, the children they cared for, and their families a chance to reflect and mingle in a festive, celebratory setting.
“The reunion is a big deal for us because we like to see our families again,” said Sara Peeples, M.D., medical director of the unit. “Some of our babies stay in NICU for over 100 days. It’s wonderful for us to see the kids when they’re getting bigger, older and doing well. It’s a reminder of how our hard work is making a difference. It’s also great for families to come back and see the staff. The nurses and respiratory therapists that take care of our babies almost become a second family for our parents. Some of them keep in touch with one another even after they leave NICU. So, it is like a family reunion.”
Alligators a steady presence in Arkansas
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is known as the “natural state” for a reason, and the abundant wildlife is a major contributor to the reputation. Lions and tigers, not so much. Bears — sure, here and there. But for residents across the state’s southern tier of counties, alligators make more than the occasional appearance.
KNOW YOUR ZONE — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has established fize management zones in Arkansas, three of which alllow permitted hunts in September each year. (Graphic courtesy AGFC.)
In Miller County, for example, spotting the occasional reptile is just part of life. Jen Caraway, Miller County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said they’re not uncommon in areas where waterways are essential to agricultural operations.
“There’s not much you can do if you encounter one, other than stay clear and call it in,” Caraway said.
Decades ago, American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in the United States were hunted nearly to extinction. In 1973, they were identified in the Endangered Species Act, but were ultimately removed from the list in 1987 once their population numbers rebounded.
Becky McPeake, extension wildlife biologist for the Division of Agriculture, said alligators have managed to thrive throughout much of the south in the intervening years.
“We’ve had great success reintroducing them to Arkansas,” McPeake said. The state lies at the northern edge of the animal’s natural range, she said, with most of the northern half of Arkansas being simply too cool an environment for alligators to survive.
Sometimes, McPeake said, alligators are just part of the neighborhood, including one known specimen that nests near a site of frequent field research.
“Whenever we go out there to do any kind of research or environmental survey, the first thing we do is locate it," she said. "Once we know where it is, we can avoid it.
“Honestly, they prefer to avoid people,” McPeake said. “It’s when they become used to being around people that they become dangerous. Some people want to feed them for some strange reason. Please don’t. It can have terrible consequences for both people and pets.”
McPeake said that if a person spots an alligator, they should stay at least 60 feet away from it, whether it’s on land or in a body of water. She said that one way to help livestock avoid crossing paths with alligators is to make sure they have their own secure sources of drinking water.
“We recommend that producers maintain water tanks for their livestock, rather than letting the livestock drink from ponds,” she said.
In November 2023, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, introduced a new nuisance wildlife hotline. The number, 833-345-0315, is intended to respond to reports of wildlife that may pose a threat to people, livestock or property. The number is monitored 24 hours a day.
The commission has published annual Alligator Management Reports since 2007 and has records of alligator nuisance reports dating back to 2000. In that year, the commission reported 11 nuisance reports across the state’s five alligator management zones. The number has varied year to year, peaking in 2009 with 108 complaints across all three zones. In 2023, the commission reported 57 alligator nuisance complaints.
Among the five alligator management zones, alligator sport hunting is only allowed in the three southern-most zones (Zone 4 includes about a dozen counties in the northeastern corner of the state; Zone 5 includes most of the counties covering the northwestern third of the state).
Alligator hunting on public lands is limited to Alligator Management Zone 1, the southwest corner of the state, and Zone 3, the southeast corner of the state. These permits are drawn, so some luck is involved. Alligator hunting on private land is allowed in any of the three zones, including Alligator Management Zone 2, which encompasses more than 16 counties in central and south-central Arkansas. Private Land Alligator Permits can be purchased outright.
The hunting dates for either permit include two four-day periods in mid-September. In 2023, Arkansas hunters set a record for alligator harvest, bagging 202 alligators on public and private lands.
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.
“Empire of Pain” Author Draws Large Crowd to UAMS for Lecture
By Linda Satter
The 335-seat Fred W. Smith Auditorium was bursting at the seams April 26 as physicians, pain management experts and members of the community gathered to hear author Patrick Radden Keefe recount his investigative reporting into the origins of the opioid crisis in America.
A livestream of the presentation attracted nearly 100 viewers from such states as New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Washington, California, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas as well as from Sweden, Mexico, France and Uruguay.
Author of the New York Times bestseller “Empire of Pain,” which examines the role that a prominent philanthropic family played in the crisis, Keefe said he stumbled onto the family’s hidden connections to the drug industry about a decade ago. At the time, he was writing articles for The New Yorker magazine about the business side of Mexican drug cartels and their various “product lines,” and noticed that the cartels had suddenly begun shipping more heroin to the United States.
“Empire of Pain” Author Draws Large Crowd to UAMS for Lecture
