Proton Center of Arkansas Marks 100th Patient Milestone

By Marty Trieschmann

Arkansas’ first and only proton radiation center has treated 100 patients since opening in September 2023. To commemorate the milestone, Carson Placker, 7, of Mountain Home, and Bob Sanders, 71, of Conway, rang the end of treatment bell together June 14, surrounded by their physicians and family.

Though 64 years apart in age, the two shared a touching moment when they joined hands and rang the end of treatment bell together.

“Carson is such an inspiration,” said Sanders. “I watch him run into the proton treatment room with no fear, and then he comes out singing. He’s definitely been a bright spot in this experience, and the team here is exceptional.”

Proton Center of Arkansas Marks 100th Patient Milestone

PROTON PALS: Carson Placker, 7, and Bob Sanders, 71, are the 100th patients to receive proton therapy in Arkansas to treat life threatening tumors. Image by Bryan Clifton

Jeff Long talks family, the Greenway and the changing landscape of college athletics

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

A familiar face might have caught your eye during the past year if you frequent the Razorback Greenway. If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Razorback fan, and you’ve ever spotted a cyclist and wondered, ‘Could that be Jeff Long?’ you might have been onto something.

“I ride it three or four times a week,” Long said during a recent interview. “Sometimes more.”

At 64, Long’s daily rides typically span 25 to 40 miles. However, there’s a unique tradition he upholds on his birthday. For the past few years, he’s made it a point to cycle his age when the big day rolls around in September.

Jeff Long talks family, the Greenway and the changing landscape of college athletics

Ballot Integrity Alert: Attorney General Griffin reminds voters, canvassers of rules governing signature collection for ballot initiatives

BALLOT INTEGRITY ALERT: Attorney General Griffin Reminds Voters, Canvassers of Rules Governing Signature Collection for Ballot Initiatives

Griffin: ‘It is imperative that both voters and canvassers understand and adhere to Arkansas’s laws on the collection of signatures for ballot initiatives’

LITTLE ROCK – With the deadline for submittal of signatures on statewide ballot initiatives fast approaching, Attorney General Tim Griffin reissued guidance on the rules that govern the collection of signatures:

Flickr

“As the July 5 deadline for signature submission draws near, there will likely be many people across the state this week making a final push to collect signatures for various ballot measures. It is imperative that both voters and canvassers understand and adhere to Arkansas’s laws on the collection of signatures for ballot initiatives. This benefits all involved; it protects the signatures from being challenged legally and upholds faith in our democratic process.”

The law requires that canvassers:

• Be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen, AND an Arkansas resident.

• Personally witness all signatures on the petition.

It is a felony for a canvasser to:

• Sign someone else’s name to a petition;

• Print someone else’s name, address, or birth date. If the signer requires assistance due to disability, a person other than the canvasser may print the signer’s name, address, birth date, and the date of signing. The person providing assistance must sign and print his or her own name in the margin of the petition;

• Ask for or obtain a signature when the canvasser knows that the person signing is not qualified to sign the petition;

• Pay someone to sign;

• Knowingly misrepresent the purpose and effect of the petition or the measure in order to persuade someone to sign; or

• Falsely swear to have witnessed all signatures on the petition page.

If you are approached by a canvasser, remember that:

• Only registered voters may sign a petition;

• All signatures must be in the signer’s own handwriting and must be given in the presence of the canvasser;

• Because petition parts are separated by county, signers should only sign petition parts for the county in which the signer is registered to vote;

• Arkansas law requires that a full and correct copy of the popular name, ballot title and text of the initiated or referred measure be attached to every petition at all times during a petition’s circulation. This is so potential signers may read the full text of what they are being asked to sign;

• The information a signer provides on a petition may be disclosed in response to a records request made under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

We have received reports of canvassers leaving petitions unattended in public places. What is the effect of someone signing an unattended petition?

• This is a canvasser violation only if (1) someone signs that petition while the canvasser isn't there and (2) the canvasser signs the affidavit in the bottom corner of the signature page. If both the foregoing happen, then two legal consequences occur: (1) people attacking the petition can argue that every signature page gathered by that canvasser be tossed out; and (2) the canvasser can be convicted of a felony for falsely swearing to have witnessed the signatures that occurred in his or her absence.

Regarding the collection of signatures on private property:

• Signature collectors should ensure that their ballot-related activities comply with any posted signs and are conducted with the consent of private property owners.

Any complaints or allegations of misconduct in the ballot-initiative process should be directed to the Election Integrity Unit, Office of the Attorney General, at (833) 995-8683.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders announces appointments

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the following appointments: 

Arkansas 250 Commission 

Christina Berner, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Cathy Boozman, Rogers, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Debbie Haak, Texarkana, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Sharri Jones, Pine Bluff, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Valorie Lawson, Bentonville, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Ebony Mitchell, Little Rock, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New Position. 

Jan Zimmerman, Little Rock, to the Arkansas 250 Commission. Term to expire July 5, 2026. New position. 

Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training 

James Montgomery, Hot Springs National Park, to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Term to expire January 14, 2029. Replaces James Golden. 

Arkansas Economic Development Commission 

Thomas Dickinson, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2028. Replaces Steve Lux. 

Molly Shepherd, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2025. Previously vacant position. 

Arkansas Forestry Commission 

Ken Bragg, Sheridan, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2029. Replaces Steven Anthony. 

Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission 

Scott Simon, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2028. Replaces Neill Sloan. 

Jody Pagan, Searcy, to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2030. Previously vacant position. 

Arkansas Natural Resources Commission 

Michael McDermott, Weiner, to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2029. Previously vacant position. 

Arkansas Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board 

Dr. Steven Webber, Little Rock, to chair the Arkansas Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board, by virtue of his position as Dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 

Arkansas State Claims Commission 

Don Curdie, Little Rock, as Special Commissioner, to hear Claim Number 241833, Nelda Coleman v. UAMS and Arkansas State Claims Commission. 

Milton Fine, Little Rock, as Special Commissioner, to hear Claim Number 241833, Nelda Coleman v. UAMS and Arkansas State Claims Commission. 

Olan Reeves, Little Rock, as Special Commissioner, to hear Claim Number 241833, Nelda Coleman v. UAMS and Arkansas State Claims Commission. 

Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council 

Jennifer Carlin, Sherwood, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Term to expire February 1, 2027. Previously vacant position. 

Frank Hellmer, Benton, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Term to expire February 2, 2027. Replaces James Grover. 

Courtney Leach, Conway, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Term to expire February 1, 2026. Replaces James Green. 

Bradley Ledgerwood, Cash, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Term to expire February 1, 2026. Replaces Alex Scott. 

Arkansas Wine Producers Council 

Denis Wiederkehr, Wiederkehr Village, to the Arkansas Wine Producers Council. Term to expire March 1, 2026. Reappointment. 

Board of Directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission 

Vernon Hasten, Alexander, to the Board of Directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Economic Development Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2025. Replaces Jeff Standridge.

Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board 

Phillip Gilmore, Crossett, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New position. 

Dr. Shannon Jimenez, Fort Smith, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New position. 

Tim Knight, Arkadelphia, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New position. 

Dr. James Zini, Mountain View, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New position. 

State Board of Optometry 

Dr. James Hertzog, Cabot, to the State Board of Optometry. Term to expire April 26, 2029. Replaces Bryant Ashley. 

Cleburne County Quorum Court 

Rachel Douglass, Quitman, to serve as Justice of the Peach for District 11, for Cleburne County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Sampson Wildmon. 

Lafayette County Quorum Court 

Dale Tatom, Lewisville, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 1, for Lafayette County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Jimmy Neal Bickerstaff. 

Yell County Quorum Court 

Thomas Leroy Randall, Dardanelle, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 9, for Yell County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Ryan Millsaps.

Attorney General Griffin calls challengers' decision not to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of Arkansas's successful defense of legislative map 'a win for Arkansas'

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the NAACP and ACLU declined to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the state’s landmark win before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment:

“Last year, the Eighth Circuit threw out a challenge to Arkansas’s legislative map and became the first federal court of appeals to make clear that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is not privately enforceable. The NAACP and ACLU’s decision not to ask the Supreme Court to review the Eighth Circuit’s ruling is a win for Arkansans as it ends that challenge, leaves Arkansas’s legislative map in place, and puts an end to similar meritless challenges in other states.

“For far too long special interests groups have used Section 2 to hijack redistricting decisions and dictate how states conduct elections. The Eighth Circuit’s decision put an end to that practice in Arkansas and six other states. It confirmed that decisions about how to enforce the Voting Rights Act should be made by elected officials, not special interest groups. And here, the Biden administration tellingly declined—when asked—to challenge Arkansas’s legislative map.

“It is important to remember that Arkansas’s redistricting process is handled primarily by three statewide constitutional officers who are answerable to Arkansas voters. I thank Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni and Senior Assistant Solicitor General Asher Steinberg for their excellent work on this case.”

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

Arkansas Outdoor School Coordinator receives lifetime service award from Arkansas Environmental Education Association

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — For more than 20 years, Eric De Vries has made a career of helping children discover a love of nature and a passion for learning. De Vries, extension coordinator of Arkansas Outdoor School for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was recently recognized for his efforts by the Arkansas Environmental Education Association with the Robert McAfee Lifetime Service Award.

The award honors an Arkansan who has “exhibited personal and professional commitment to environmental education, service, awareness, knowledge and action throughout their career and life.” For De Vries, this award is due in part to his many teammates and collaborators throughout his career.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION FOR ALL — Eric De Vries, extension coordinator of Arkansas Outdoor School for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has worked in environmental education for more than 20 years. He was recently awarded the Robert McAfee Lifetime Service Award by the Arkansas Environmental Education Association. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

“Part of why this award means so much to me is that it makes me think about all the people I’ve worked with for such a long time,” De Vries said. “It gave me pause to go back and think about the organizations, the people and all the unique projects I’ve got to be involved with. I think about all those individual experiences we facilitated that could have been really powerful for our participants.”

The Arkansas Environmental Education Association provides a network for members to collaborate on projects, share programming ideas and recognize leaders in environmental education. The organization defines environmental education as a learning process that builds knowledge and awareness of the environment and its challenges.

De Vries said the award is especially meaningful because of the organization that awarded it.

“These are people I really respect,” he said. “I understand the effort that they’re putting out there, how much they care for their environment and care about people, to do the work that they do. To get this kind of award from those people, that’s really special to me.”

Shannon Caldwell, extension 4-H Center program director for the Division of Agriculture, said De Vries defines the role of environmental educator.

“Eric loves to educate,” Caldwell said. “He likes to ‘edu-tain.’ He knows that if the kids are having fun, they will learn without even realizing they are learning. They will develop a love of learning, and they will learn to appreciate and enjoy our environment and the outdoors.”

Caldwell said De Vries has worked with more than 40,000 participants in the last 10 years at the 4-H Center, and that his career of more than 20 years has had “far-reaching impacts that we will never really be able to fully capture.”

“I look up to Eric,” Caldwell said. “I seek out his counsel when thinking of ways to innovate and collaborate. His level of developing the next generation of environmental educators is an example to all of us.”

A natural educator

De Vries said his passion for nature was instilled at an early age. His parents met in the Peace Corps, and he lived with them in Tanzania in East Africa until he was 13 years old.

“I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t out exploring nature,” De Vries said. “My parents would just say, ‘Go,’ and I’d be hiking through the bush trying to find pythons and other critters. I think that’s where my love for nature really started.”

His family moved to Little Rock when his father started working at Heifer International. De Vries graduated from Hendrix College in 1994, originally planning to study environmental law.

De Vries served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two years, working in Perry, Conway and Faulkner counties with at-risk youth programs. When his AmeriCorps team helped start a ropes course with Heifer International, De Vries received his first training in the dynamic team-building activity.

“When I started doing that, I thought, ‘Man, this is a powerful tool,’” De Vries said. “I really started wondering, can one do this kind of stuff for a career?’ That’s when my mindset changed — I don’t want to go to law school, I want to see what else is possible.”

De Vries then worked as a training instructor for the Civilian Student Training Program, or CSTP, an Arkansas Department of Human Services residential program for juvenile court-ordered young men. Through this role, he learned about Arkansas 4-H by taking groups to the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center.

“I loved CSTP,” De Vries said. “I saw so much change. That’s the thing I love about my job as an educator. I feel so blessed. I’ve worked at wonderful places full of wonderful, hardworking dedicated people. I stayed with CSTP for four years because I saw what a difference the program could make in nine weeks. For some of those kids, it was life-changing.”

De Vries began working as a ropes course facilitator at the Arkansas 4-H Center in 2001, where he stayed for four years. He then worked for 11 years as a regional education coordinator and later as assistant chief of education for Arkansas Game and Fish. In 2008, he earned his master’s in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. When the Arkansas Outdoor School coordinator role became available in 2014, De Vries returned to Arkansas 4-H.

Outdoor skills, life skills

The Arkansas Outdoor School began more than 20 years ago as the RESQ program – Responsible Environmental Stewardship Quest. It was later rebranded, and De Vries said the program now focuses on environmental education and outdoor recreation through the lens of the 4-H life skills model.  

“We teach all kinds of life skills, no matter what we’re doing,” De Vries said. “If we’re teaching canoeing, for instance, we’re going to talk about it, teach you safety stuff, you’re going to go and experience it – experiential education, that’s our philosophy – and then when you come back, we’re going to process that, we’re going to talk about it.

“The big question is, ‘so now what?’” De Vries said. “What did you learn? How do you apply that to the future? What can you really take away from that experience?”

De Vries said another critical skill that outdoor education teaches is the ability to take risks and face challenges.

“Working with kids, especially in environmental education – that energizes me,” he said. “There’s nothing like experiencing a person catching their first fish, taking a risk and trying something new. The skill of taking risks is so important. That could be something that’s life-altering for a kid. In just a short amount of time, I believe the things we do here can have a huge impact.”

Experiential learning – learning by doing – is a pillar of the Arkansas Outdoor School programming. Ensuring the content is age-appropriate and developed for the correct audience is also key, De Vries said.

“We’re kind of edu-tainers,” he said. “We’ve got to educate, but if we don’t make it interesting, will they remember? Will they connect with it as much? I think it’s an art of being able to do that and make every experience special for a kid.

“You know it’s their first time, so even though you’ve taught this one lesson a hundred times, or it’s the thirtieth day of field trips and you’re really tired, it’s the first time for them,” De Vries said. “Can you make this a fresh and wonderful experience for them? Each one is individually super important.”

Educating the next generation

De Vries said the lessons that outdoor education teaches are necessary to create the next generation of environmental stewards.

“With the kids that come through our program, we’re trying to create an intellectual understanding,” De Vries said. “How does the world around us work? What’s a butterfly? What’s the process of metamorphosis? Or, what’s the skill in canoeing?

“We’re also trying to create this emotional connection, so it’s not just this knowledge, but also, ‘Why is it important to me?’ If we want to create good stewards in the future, they’ve got to not only understand it, but it’s got to be important to them. I think that’s where we can really create that opportunity for them.”

De Vries encouraged parents to learn about the outdoors alongside their children and practice their own risk-taking abilities.

“It’s okay to tell your kid, ‘I don’t know how to do this stuff, but I want to learn. Let’s do this together,’” De Vries said. “How cool is that? That you’re demonstrating to your child, ‘I’m going to take this risk, I’m going to put myself out there, I’m going to try.’

“And your child can see, ‘Oh, they’re willing to fail too,’” he said. “‘They’re going to learn with me.’ In some ways, that’s an advantage. They don’t look at you as an expert, but as on this journey with them.”

To learn more about Arkansas Outdoor School, visit 4h.uada.edu/programs/4h-center/arkansas-outdoor-school and check out the Arkansas Outdoor School Facebook page or the Arkansas Outdoor School Instagram. Contact Eric De Vries at 501-821-6884 or at aos@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. 

Arkansas Tourism Ticker: Tourism tax revenue up more than 7% through April

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue between January and April was $8.11 million, up 7.4% compared with the $7.547 million in the same period of 2023. Revenue in each of the first four months of 2024 set a new record, with those gains compared to record numbers in 2023.

A record for monthly collections was set in June 2023 with $2.71 million.

The tourism tax revenue in 2023 was $25.446 million, up 5.8% from $24.049 million in 2023. Revenue in each month of 2023 set a new record, with gains compared to record numbers in 2023. A record for monthly 2% collections was set in June 2023 with $2.71 million.

Arkansas Tourism Ticker: Tourism tax revenue up more than 7% through April

Governor, legislators visit Fordyce one week after deadly shooting

KUAR | By Maggie Ryan

Nine days after a shooting killed four people and injured at least 11 others in Fordyce, Gov. Sarah Sanders met with emergency responders, community members, and laid flowers at a memorial honoring the victims.

Sanders began her visit on Sunday with a trip to Beech Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she told reporters she spoke with family members of the victims. Speaking afterwards at a press conference outside the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, Sanders said she was reminded in that moment that “we have a God that makes us whole and brings us back together.”

Sanders said Fordyce is an example of a community coming together to heal.

Governor, legislators visit Fordyce one week after deadly shooting

Maggie Ryan/Little Rock Public Radio

A memorial to the four people killed in a shooting at the Mad Butcher Grocery store in Fordyce, Ark.

UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Awarded Five New Grants from National Cancer Institute

By Marty Trieschmann

Researchers at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have been awarded five new grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2024, totaling $4.6 million.

New grants include:

• $3.3 million NCI grant to create a Melanoma Resistance Evolution Atlas, Principal Investigator: Alan Tackett, Ph.D., Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute deputy director

• $421,000 NCI grant to study cancer-evolved resistance mechanism to enhance adoptive T-cells, Principal Investigators: Tackett and Brian Koss, Ph.D., UAMS assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology

• $393,000 NCI grant to study the mechanisms of TH17-DC immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. Principal Investigator: Martin Cannon, Ph.D., UAMS professor of microbiology and immunology

• $393,000 NCI grant to study SR-A as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. Principal Investigators: Steven Post, Ph.D., UAMS professor of pathology, and Behjatolah Karbassi, Ph.D., UAMS associate professor of pathology

• $153,000 NCI grant to study the development of immunocompetent melanoma brain metastases organoids. Principal Investigator: Analiz Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D., UAMS associate professor of neurosurgery

UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Awarded Five New Grants from National Cancer Institute

Seed funding incubates ideas to improve agriculture through engineering

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

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ingenuity in agriculture requires collaboration, and seed funds, to make an impact.

That’s the mindset behind Engineering Applications in Agriculture, an innovation accelerator created with funding from the University of Arkansas College of Engineering, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

APPLICATIONS — Cengiz Koparan, right, is one of 10 University of Arkansas System faculty members who was recently awarded $25,000 in the first Engineering Applications in Agriculture seed funding program. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Paden Johnson)

“This initiative was designed to foster collaboration and create opportunities for significant impact” said Sandra D. Eksioglu, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering. “The two criteria used for selecting proposals to fund through this program were intellectual merit and broader impacts.”

On July 1, five winning teams in the first Engineering Applications in Agriculture program were awarded $25,000 each to carry out their projects. Over the next year, they’ll conduct research to put their ideas into action.

Mary Savin, head of the horticulture department, said the overarching goal of the program is for researchers to develop new collaborations with colleagues from other colleges and to assist them in developing proof-of-concept outcomes that have “strong potential to secure future external funding.”

“When the teams later submit their work to the National Science Foundation, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they will be better positioned to make a compelling case and have a higher chance of receiving funding,” added Eksioglu, who is also professor of industrial engineering and Hefley Professor in Logistics and Entrepreneurship.

During the spring semester, Savin and Eksioglu organized two workshops to bring together faculty from both colleges, providing them with a platform to network, share research and form teams aimed at pursuing external funding. Next, they established the Engineering Applications in Agriculture program, an internal seed funding program, to support the newly formed teams.

The winning teams and projects for the first Engineering Applications in Agriculture program include the following faculty members, with principal investigators and their co-principal investigators, respectively:

• Wan Shou, assistant professor in the mechanical engineering department; and Ali Ubeyitogullari, assistant professor in the food science department, and the biological and agricultural engineering department. They will work to develop novel, multifunctional materials for food packaging to increase the shelf-life of foods.

• Ben Runkle, associate professor in the biological and agricultural engineering department; and Shannon Speir, assistant professor of water quality in the crop, soil and environmental sciences department. They will work on a project to evaluate the ecological consequences of “climate smart agriculture.”

• Thi Hoang Ngan, assistant professor of computer science and computer engineering in the electrical engineering and computer science department; and Cengiz Koparan, assistant professor of precision agriculture technology in the agricultural education, communications and technology department. They will work to develop computational models to translate satellite-view imagery to unmanned aerial vehicles to assess water quality.

• Fiona Goggin, professor in the entomology and plant pathology department; Khoa Luu, assistant professor and director of the Computer Vision and Image Understanding Lab in the electrical engineering and computer science department; and collaborator Rich Adams, assistant professor in the Center for Agricultural Data Analytics and the entomology and plant pathology department. They will work on an artificial intelligence enabled “multi-omics” approach to improve plant health and productivity.

• Wen Zhang, associate professor in the civil engineering department; and Young Min Kwon, microbiologist in the poultry science department, will work to improve early detection of emerging pathogens in poultry.

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.About the College of Engineering

The University of Arkansas College of Engineering is the largest engineering program in the state of Arkansas. Over the past 15 years, the college has experienced unprecedented growth. Undergraduate enrollment reached just over 3,300 in fall 2023, and total enrollment in the college is nearly 4,500 students. The College of Engineering offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in seven engineering departments: biological and agricultural, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical and computer science, industrial and mechanical. The college also offers distance learning and interdisciplinary programs, including data science. Faculty in the college conduct research in many key areas, including biomedical and healthcare, electronics, energy, healthcare logistics, materials science, nanotechnology, transportation and logistics. Emerging research areas include advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, data science, infrastructure, membranes and separation and water.

Boozman congratulates summer interns on service to Arkansas

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer.

“These sharp and motivated students have been a great help to the people of Arkansas during their time in Washington. I appreciate their dedication to helping my staff address issues concerning Arkansans and providing vital services. They truly have taken advantage of the unique opportunities available to them in our nation’s capital,” Boozman said. 

Hadley Burke, Anna Kate Davis, Kate Edelen, Katie Gage, Buddy Gaston, Alex Holder, Camryn Hughes, Hunter Ross and Sydney Roulhac completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with Washington interns on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. 

Connor Ragan interned in the senator’s Lowell office where he supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans.

Hadley Burke is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2021. She is a rising senior studying economics and political science at the University of Arkansas Honors College. Hadley serves on the Associated Student Government executive board and is a member of her sorority Chi Omega Psi. She studied abroad in London, Spain and the Galapagos Islands.

Anna Kate Davis is from Little Rock and graduated high school in 2021 from the Baptist Preparatory School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying agricultural business with a pre-law emphasis and is pursuing minors in Spanish and legal studies. On campus, she is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Honors College, Bumpers College Peer Mentor Program, Greekwide Student Ministries and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Anna Kate plans to attend law school after her May 2025 graduation.   

Kate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

Katie Gage is from Charleston. She is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she is studying finance and legal studies. She serves on the executive board of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and holds many leadership positions on campus. After graduating, Katie plans on attending law school. 

Buddy Gaston is from Little Rock where he graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where he is studying agricultural business with a marketing and management concentration. Upon graduation, Buddy plans to attend law school. 

Alex Holder is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy. She is studying finance and accounting at Texas Christian University, with plans to attend law school after graduation. She is involved in leadership in the Neeley School of Business, Student Government Association and Alpha Delta Pi. 

Camryn Hughes is from Crossett and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2019. She is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. During her time in Fayetteville, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She recently accepted a job as press assistant for Senator Tom Cotton in his Washington, D.C. office.

Connor Ragan is from Rogers. He is a 2022 graduate of Rogers High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where he is studying political science and criminology with a legal studies minor. He is an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu and of the UA Order of Omega Chapter. After graduation, Connor plans to attend law school.

Hunter Ross, is from Greenbrier. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in May with a degree in business administration in business economics. He will return to Fayetteville in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Hunter is also a proud member of the Arkansas Air National Guard where he serves as a drill status intelligence analyst at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith.  

Sydney Roulhac is a native of Pine Bluff and a 2021 graduate of White Hall High School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where she is studying communication with a minor in marketing. On campus, she serves on the Associated Student Government Executive Council as the Student Body Secretary and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Order of Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. 

Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here. 

Practice fireworks safety during Fourth of July festivities

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Though fireworks are a treasured part of Independence Day celebrations, it’s crucial to adhere to city and county fireworks ordinances and to practice safe handling techniques, especially for parents of young children.

STAY SAFE, HAVE FUN — Jesse Bocksnick, extension 4-H outdoor skills coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said he advises that people check with their city and county ordinances regarding the legality of setting of fireworks in their area. People should also strictly adhere to safety guidelines when shooting off fireworks, and young children should never be allowed to use them. (Division of Agriculture graphic.) 

The safest way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. Jesse Bocksnick, extension 4-H outdoor skills coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said people prepared to take on the risk of legally setting off their own should make safety their main priority.

“It’s as American as apple pie to shoot fireworks around the Fourth of July,” Bocksnick said. “It’s a tradition. Every kid loves to do it, and they ooh and ah, but fireworks are actually really dangerous. Everybody gets gung-ho about them, but safety is of the utmost importance.”

City and county ordinances regarding the legality of setting off fireworks vary from area to area. For example, in Little Rock, residents are explicitly prohibited from possessing, selling, manufacturing or using fireworks within the city limits. Bocksnick said it’s also important to keep an eye out for burn bans in dry areas of the state.

“The main thing I would do if you have any questions — and especially if you’re in a populated area — is get ahold of the county or city and make sure you’re not violating any ordinances,” Bocksnick said.

Ensure quality when buying

When it comes to purchasing fireworks, Bocksnick advised buying from a reputable, licensed dealer.

“If they’re selling them out of the back of their car, it’s probably not a good place to be getting them,” Bocksnick said. “Trust your gut instinct. If it doesn’t look like a reputable dealer and something feels a little off, I wouldn’t buy from those folks.”

Bocksnick suggested looking instead for dealers who have built permanent structures, such as warehouses, for their businesses.

“If they’ve invested that much, and they have facilities that are climate controlled, where those fireworks do not draw moisture, they’re likely being handled safely and properly,” he said.

This can also help ensure customers are not purchasing damaged or expired fireworks, which can cause accidents or injury. Bocksnick said this also applies to any fireworks purchased last year and stored at home throughout the year.

“If they got wet, if there’s a tear in the package or the fire mechanism looks a bit rotten, don’t use them,” he said. “It’s not worth it. I’ve actually seen one of those go off prematurely, and it’s not funny. Even if no one gets hurt, it’s still not funny, because you’re dealing with small explosives, and in some cases, large explosives.”

Safety first and foremost

Practice common sense and good judgment when using fireworks around children and talk to them about the dangers of improper use, Bocksnick said.

“Make sure they’re age-appropriate,” he said. “When you start handling these fireworks, I wouldn’t just turn a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old, or a 10-year-old loose with whatever they wanted. Talk to your kids so we can avoid those tragedies that happen every year. Somebody loses their hearing, somebody loses the end of a finger or somebody gets blinded because they get too close to one or it goes off in the wrong area.”

Check package instructions to ensure the firework is pointed in a safe direction, he said.

“Make sure that you know exactly how the firework fires,” Bocksnick said. “Don’t assume that you know exactly which direction it’s going to go, because some say face up or face down, and I’ve seen folks get those backwards when they weren’t paying attention.”

Bocksnick suggested adults adhere to the following rules when setting off fireworks:

• Never light them indoors.

• Mark off a perimeter for spectators.

• Light one firework at a time.

• Have a fire extinguisher or water handy.

• Have a first aid kit on-site.

• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.

• Adults should also never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Keep a bucket of water ready, like those used at a gun range, and place devices that don’t explode in the water. Do not try to relight defective devices, and never lean over them.

Even sparklers, often considered safe for children, can cause serious injuries and accidents. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers account for roughly 25 percent of emergency room fireworks injuries. They can burn at up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in some cases — hotter than the temperature at which glass melts.

That’s why no one should ever hold lighted fireworks in their hands or point fireworks at another person, including bottle rockets and Roman candles.

“That’s a good way to burn and ruin your clothes at least, and at the worst, you could really injure someone,” Bocksnick said. “All kinds of terrible things happen when you start shooting fireworks at each other.”

For families living in neighborhoods and other areas where residents are setting off fireworks from the street or sidewalk, it’s also important to keep a close eye on children who may be running into the street.

“One place that folks like to shoot fireworks off is on a hard, flat surface, so that’s pavement,” Bocksnick said. “Pavement is the road, most of the time. And when kids are playing in the streets, they’re paying more attention to shooting off fireworks than to staying out the road.”

For more information about fireworks safety, visit the National Safety Council’s Fireworks Safety Tips page.

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. 

U.S. Rep. French Hill introduces legislation to protect wilderness area near Ouachita

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Last week, U.S Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, introduced the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act.

Ouachita National Forest - Wikimedia

The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act would protect the area near Ouachita National Forest, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hill testified to the U.S House subcommittee on the need for preserving the 2,200 acres of wilderness.

“Flatside is a beautiful area of the Natural State, noted for its ridges, summits, and part of the Ouachita Mountains that rises above the forest and provides visitors with amazing views,” Hill said.

U.S. Rep. French Hill introduces legislation to protect wilderness area near Ouachita

Steel Caucus voices concerns of potential trade status change for Vietnam

Washington, D.C. – 37 Bipartisan Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, led by Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Vice Chairman Frank Mrvan (IN-01) sent a letter to the secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo, expressing concern about the department’s reconsideration of Vietnam’s non-market economy (NME) status in U.S. antidumping proceedings.

As the letter points out, Vietnam remains a top-down, government-controlled economy. The country practices steel dumping by flooding the U.S. with heavily subsidized steel in violation of international trade standards, which harms domestic production. Vietnam is also known to be a platform for Chinese steel to circumvent U.S. trade remedy orders. This malicious behavior should not be rewarded by a beneficial change of status. 

In October, the Department of Commerce announced that it would begin reviewing Vietnam’s NME status. This announcement came shortly after Vietnam filed an official request to be considered a market economy. Commerce has 270 days to complete the review, which should occur in mid-July.

“Vietnam has been injuring the American steel industry for years through unfair trade practices. Our government has a duty to protect American businesses and workers, and the Department of Commerce must reject Vietnam’s request. To grant Vietnam market economy status would be rewarding bad behavior and is a thumb in the eye to American steel,” Rep. Crawford said.

“The livelihoods of steelworkers and their families are dependent upon the full and fair enforcement of our U.S. trade laws, and we must do all we can to hold bad actors around the world accountable for unfair trade practices. As vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I look forward to continuing to partner with all my colleagues to ensure that workers in steel-producing communities throughout our nation can compete on a level playing field,” said Rep. Mrvan.

“The SMA applauds the Congressional Steel Caucus for highlighting the devastating effect that granting Vietnam market economy status would have on American workers and American steel production. America’s industrial might relies on fair trade. If countries such as Vietnam, which has turned into one of the most harmful steel traders in the world, are granted market economy status, that puts American jobs and livelihoods at risk. It also destroys secure domestic supply chains in favor of countries that only succeed through government intervention or serving as a key cog in China’s belt and road initiative. We stand with the bipartisan members of the Congressional Steel Caucus in calling for Vietnam not to be granted market economy status,” said Philip K. Bell, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association.

“As China continues to utilize Indo-Pacific markets to undercut American steel tariffs, STI/SPFA stands in strong support of the Congressional Steel Caucus’ letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo urging the reconsideration of Vietnam as a ‘market economy,'” Tim O’Toole, executive director of the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabrication Association (STI/SPFA), said. “By legitimizing Vietnam’s government-controlled economy that relies on aggressive subsidies to finance its steel marketplace, the Commerce Department would send a signal that developing countries can follow in Vietnam’s footsteps by dumping steel products into the United States and subsequently preventing domestic steel manufacturers across the supply chain from competing on a level playing field. We appreciate Representative Mrvan and Representative Crawford’s leadership on this issue and look forward to working with the Steel Caucus to continue pushing back against efforts to undercut American-made steel,” said Tim O’Toole, executive vice president of STI/SPFA.

The letter is also supported by the following groups: Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), United Steel Workers (USW), Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), and the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA).

Arkansas GDP up 2.5% in the first quarter, personal income up 6.1%

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

Arkansas’ real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.5% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter, above the national rate of 1.4%, and ranking 11th in the nation. The state’s personal income rose 6.1%, below 7% nationwide, and ranking 38th among all states.

Real GDP increased in 39 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2024, with the percent change ranging from 5% at an annual rate in Idaho to a 4.2% decline in South Dakota, according to a Friday (June 28) report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

Personal income, in current dollars, increased in all 50 states, with the percent change ranging from 9.5% in South Carolina to 0.6% in North Dakota.

Arkansas GDP up 2.5% in the first quarter, personal income up 6.1%

U.S. Congressman Steve Womack statement on House passage of Homeland Security, Defense, State and Foreign Operations FY25 Appropriations Bills

Washington, DC—June 28, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY25 Homeland Security, Defense, and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bills with his strong support:

Congressman Womack said, “Promoting America’s safety and security is at the heart of each of the Appropriations bills House Republicans passed this week. We advanced investments to secure the border, deter our adversaries, and support our men and women in uniform. The defense priorities within Arkansas’ Third are also taken care of, including additional funding for the Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and vital defense research conducted in Arkansas. However, our work is far from complete. We must continue down the aggressive path Chairman Cole has set for Republicans to have strong negotiating power and fulfill our duty of responsibly funding the government.”

Bill breakdowns:

The Homeland Security Appropriations bill secures our southern border by providing robust funding for border patrol agents and technology, counters China, bolsters national security, and rejects the Biden Administration’s attempts to further its reckless agenda to encourage more illegal immigration. A summary of the bill can be found here.

The Defense Appropriations bill funds a 4.5% pay raise for our troops, as well as an additional 15% pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers, ensures the delivery of combat-ready forces to deter war and ensure national security, and eliminates funding for President Biden’s social agenda. A summary of the bill can be found here.

The State and Foreign Operations bill prioritizes resources to support our allies and counter our adversaries, prohibits funding for organizations that do not support U.S. interests—including the International Criminal Court, United Nations Relief Works Agency, and World Health Organization—and promotes American values by increasing funding for religious freedom programs abroad and implementing the expanded Mexico City Policy on all health funds in the bill. A summary of the bill can be found here.

The House has now passed 4 of the 12 FY25 Appropriations bills, with passage of the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill on June 5, 2024.

UAMS Nuclear Pharmacy Program Has Strong National Presence

By Benjamin Waldrum

One of the nation’s leading pharmacy schools, the UAMS College of Pharmacy excels in an area few others do: nuclear pharmacy. UAMS is one of only a handful of nuclear pharmacy programs in the United States that offers the full 200-hour Authorized Nuclear Pharmacy Certificate Program in this specialized field.

Radioactive materials are used in imaging and treatment for thousands of patients across the world, and nuclear pharmacists undergo rigorous training to ensure proper handling of these materials so that radioactive drug products and dosages are prepared correctly and safely. Since radioactive isotopes can have a short half-life, (that is, the amount of time that there is a sufficient amount of the radioactive drug needed for imaging or therapy) nuclear pharmacists are regularly on-call day or night to prepare dosages when they are needed.

The ANP certificate that the College of Pharmacy offers is necessary to become a nuclear pharmacist. This designation is recognized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its Agreement States, which are specially granted authority to license and inspect byproduct, source or special nuclear materials. This certificate is combined with 500 hours of hands-on training in a nuclear pharmacy with radioactive materials to learn proper safety and handling.

UAMS Nuclear Pharmacy Program Has Strong National Presence

Fatima Al-Doori, Pharm.D. (center, next to white coat) with the nuclear pharmacy team from an internship she served as a College of Pharmacy student. For a small but growing field, networking is crucial. Image by Fatima Al-Doori

Congressman Bruce Westerman WRDA priorities advance to House floor

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup to advance the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.

Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: 

“The 2024 Water Resources Development Act is bipartisan, comprehensive policy compiled of locally driven initiatives to address the unique water infrastructure needs of communities nationwide. I was proud to secure key maintenance and development provisions to strengthen our supply chain, increase emergency readiness, and support outdoor water recreation in Arkansas. I commend Chairmen Graves and Rouzer and Ranking Members Larsen and Napolitano for their collaborative approach to this year’s WRDA, and I look forward to advancing this critical bill through the House Floor.”

BACKGROUND:

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 is biennial, bipartisan legislation that supports the viability, effectiveness, and conservation of waterways for commercial and recreational use.

Westerman secured the following policy priorities in the 2024 WRDA:

• Phase in a new retention structure at outdoor recreation sites managed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to ensure fees remain at local sites rather than held up by federal bureaucratic red tape.

• Encourage restored access to recreational access at Lake Dardanelle for snag fishing.

• Guarantee Arkansas has dredge access when needed most by ensuring the Dredge McFarland and its subsequent replacement stay in “ready reserve” status to assist in emergency events.

• Extend the Independent External Peer Review Program to continue improving the quality and efficiency of project planning at the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

Click here for a summary of the bill.
Click here for the full bill text.

Representative French Hill fights to secure our border and defend our nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations, and Defense Appropriations bills:

“Border security is not a partisan issue – it is a national security issue. As the crisis at our southwest border rages on, we are witnessing the highest level of illegal migrants to ever enter our nation – including individuals on the terror watchlist who are bringing drugs, crime, and economic instability across the country. This poses a national security threat that must be addressed, just like we also must handle the growing threat of our foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea.

“I was proud to support the FY25 Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations, and Defense Appropriations bills which provide commonsense funding to sustain 22,000 Border Patrol agents, multiple initiatives to combat the flow of fentanyl, support our allies abroad as they defend their freedom, and provide necessary salary increases for our brave service members who sacrifice everything to defend our nation. These bills follow the spending caps and cuts agreed to in the Fiscal Responsibility Act negotiated in 2023. I will continue to fight in Congress to safeguard Arkansan and American values and protect the security of our great nation.”

Further Background:

H.R. 8752 - Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act: This bill provides funding to the Department of Homeland Security to invest in methods of securing our border, defending our country, and putting an end to the flow of illegal migrants.

H.R. 8771 - Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act: This bill provides funding to the State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs to protect our national security, safeguard our economic interests, support our allies and partners, and promote democracy and freedom abroad.

H.R. 8774 - Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act: This bill provides funding to the Department of Defense to modernize our defensive capabilities, protect our national security, and invest in new ways to counter China and other threats. This bill also increases the pay for all service members by 4.5% and increases the pay for all junior service members by 15%. 

Judge blocks part of SAVE loan forgiveness plans after Arkansas sues

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A judge has blocked part of a Biden era policy to forgive student loans.

The multi-state lawsuit was brought on by seven states including Arkansas, represented by Attorney General Tim Griffin. The suit was against President Joe Biden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and the Department of Education.

The Savings on Valuable Education or “SAVE” plan changes the income threshold for paying back student loans. The plan also forgives loan borrowers after 120 payments if their balances are below $12,000. U.S. District Judge John Ross blocked that part of the law relating to loan forgiveness. It was set to take effect on July 1, and would have amounted to billions in loan forgiveness.

Judge blocks part of SAVE loan forgiveness plans after Arkansas sues

Susan Haejin Lee/NPR

Billions in student debt will not be forgiven after a judge blocked parts of the SAVE plan from going into effect.