Attorney General Griffin Honors Arkansas’s Top Law Enforcement Officers of 2024

Griffin: ‘The men and women we’ve recognized today have shown outstanding courage and commitment to their communities in the past year’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today honored law enforcement officers from across Arkansas at the 2024 Officer of the Year Awards luncheon. At the conclusion of the event, Griffin issued the following statement:

“Each year we honor the service, sacrifice, and dedication of Arkansas’s law enforcement with the Officer of the Year Awards. The men and women we’ve recognized today have shown outstanding courage and commitment to their communities in the past year. As we celebrate the ways they have gone above and beyond to keep Arkansans safe, we honor not just these few, but all law enforcement officers.

“This year’s state Officer of the Year is Chief Deputy John Cutrell of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. During the mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce on June 21, 2024, Chief Deputy Cutrell was near the scene when calls began to come in. Chief Deputy Cutrell immediately jumped into action to assist law enforcement, paramedics, and victims. While on scene, he aided a paramedic by driving the ambulance to the hospital while the paramedic was treating a severely injured victim. Chief Deputy Cutrell then helped the paramedic transport the victim to their room so the medical staff could provide further medical treatment. Afterward, Chief Deputy Cutrell immediately returned to the Mad Butcher grocery store and began preserving the crime scene.

“The victim Chief Deputy Cutrell assisted that day is alive because of the chief deputy’s actions. In a situation of chaos and violence, Chief Deputy Cutrell demonstrated strength, compassion, and courage. He was among many heroes in Fordyce that day, and his actions are representative of the best of law enforcement in our state.

“As the top law enforcement officer in the state, I am committed to supporting and working with Arkansas’s law enforcement community to ensure they can continue to protect and serve our citizens at the highest levels of excellence and professionalism.”

Honorees are officers from each of the state’s counties, five regional winners, two recipients of the Dwayne Yarbrough Distinguished Service Award, four valor tributes (officers who died in the line of duty) and one statewide Officer of the Year. This year’s honorees are:

Statewide Officer of the Year: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Northeast Region: Corporal Marcus Simpson, Arkansas State Police

Southeast Region: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Southwest Region: Deputy Joshua Butterworth, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Central Region: Trooper Austin Duncan, Arkansas State Police

Northwest Region: Deputy Tyler Himes, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

Valor Tributes:
Officer Michael “Cain” Maxheimer, Shannon Hills Police Department
Deputy Justin Smith, Stone County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Tommy Foster, Jr., Conway County Detention Center
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services

Dwayne Yarbrough Distinguished Service Awards:
Corporal Lonnie Stone, Flippin Police Department
Sergeant Justin Wagner, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

County Officers of the Year:
Arkansas County: Deputy Patrick Johnson, Arkansas County Sheriff’s Office

Ashley County: School Resource Officer Robert Black, Crossett Police Department

Baxter County: Agent Bobby Hicks, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Benton County: Corporal Joshua Fritz, Siloam Springs Police Department

Boone County: Deputy Tyler Nichols, Boone County Sheriff’s Office

Bradley County: Trooper First Class TreVaughn Moore, Arkansas State Police

Calhoun County: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Carroll County: Officer Zachary Gray, Berryville Police Department

Chicot County: Trooper David Menotti, Jr., Arkansas State Police

Clark County: Lieutenant Dean Palmer, Arkansas Police Department

Clay County: Trooper Christian Underwood, Arkansas State Police

Cleburne County: Assistant Area Manager SRT Marcus “Levi” Lovin, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Cleveland County: K-9 Officer Austin Powell and K-9 Annie, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Columbia County: Trooper Justin Cherry, Arkansas State Police

Conway County: Assistant Chief Trent Anderson, Morrilton Police Department

Craighead County: Special Agent Heath Gurley, Arkansas State Police

Crawford County: Deputy Tyler Himes, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

Crittenden County: Trooper Dairren Evans, Trooper Dylan Evans, Corporal Billy Martin, Arkansas State Police

Cross County: Trooper First Class Kristopher McCrea, Arkansas State Police

Dallas County: Trooper First Class Jimmy Plyler, Jr., Arkansas State Police

Desha County: Deputy Alan Hernandez, Desha County Sheriff’s Office

Drew County: Sergeant Chris Austin and K-9 Aiko, Drew County Sheriff’s Office

Faulkner County: Officer Darnell Flowers, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Franklin County: Trooper Dalton Lewis, Arkansas State Police

Fulton County: Sergeant Justin Nowlin, Arkansas State Police

Garland County: Trooper Justin Parker, Arkansas State Police

Grant County: School Resource Officer Saundra McCool, Sheridan Police Department

Greene County: Corporal Stephen Pace, Paragould Police Department

Hempstead County: Trooper First Class Trevor Dew, Arkansas State Police

Hot Spring County: Corporal Anna Eubanks, Malvern Police Department

Howard County: Investigator Tim Bowlin, Dierks Police Department

Independence County: Deputy Sherman Rucker, Sergeant Zachary Spohr, Independence County Sheriff’s Office

Izard County: Lieutenant Robert Cross, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Correction

Jackson County: Corporal Marcus Simpson, Arkansas State Police

Jefferson County: Trooper James Harrell, Arkansas State Police

Johnson County: Corporal James Harmon, Lamar Police Department

Lafayette County: Assistant Chief Daniel Simmons, Lewisville Police Department

Lawrence County: Deputy Jason Fraser, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Lee County: Special Agent James Collins, Arkansas State Police

Lincoln County: Investigator Larry Gailey, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

Little River County: Trooper First Class Ian Nelson, Arkansas State Police

Logan County: Corporal Jed Bolyard, Arkansas State Police

Lonoke County: Trooper Ana Escamilla, Arkansas State Police

Madison County: Game Warden Caleb McClanahan, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Marion County: Deputy Brett Castle, Lieutenant Silas Gibson, Sergeant Mark Lee, Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Miller County: Sergeant Kyle Caudle, Sergeant Matt Warner, Texarkana Police Department

Mississippi County: Sergeant Jared Camp, Manila Police Department

Monroe County: Trooper Gavin Taylor, Arkansas State Police

Montgomery County: Sergeant Emily McCaghren, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

Nevada County: Sergeant Jeremy Hendrix, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

Newton County: Chief Deputy Mike Blocker, Newton County Sheriff’s Office

Ouachita County: Chief Nathan Greeley, Bearden Police Department

Perry County: Investigator Todd Bonds, Perryville Police Department

Phillips County: Trooper Dairren Evans, Arkansas State Police

Pike County: Sergeant Shaun Furr, Pike County Sheriff’s Office

Poinsett County: Lieutenant Jay-Ryan Woods, Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office

Polk County: Deputy Josh Butterworth, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Pope County: Corporal Kevin Hobby, Russellville Police Department

Prairie County: Trooper Rand Lace, Arkansas State Police

Pulaski County: Special Agent Travis May, Arkansas State Police

Randolph County: School Resource Officer Felipe Baiza, Maynard School District

St. Francis County: Trooper Blake Irvin, Arkansas State Police

Saline County: Trooper First Class Austin Duncan, Arkansas State Police

Scott County: Trooper Justin Shackleford, Arkansas State Police

Sebastian County: Trooper Tucker Phelps, Arkansas State Police

Sevier County: Patrolman Rene Ramirez, De Queen Police Department

Sharp County: Senior Corporal Roger Tate, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Stone County: Special Agent Drew Widner, Arkansas State Police

Van Buren County: Special Agent Kevin Brown, Arkansas State Police

Washington County: Special Agent Heath Gurley, Arkansas State Police

White County: Corporal John Long, White County Sheriff’s Office

Woodruff County: Constable Johnnie J. Hodge, McCrory Township

Yell County: Officer Jesse Keeling, Officer Anthony Ochoa, Danville Police Department

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About Attorney General Tim Griffin

Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas on January 10, 2023, having previously served as the state’s 20th Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023. From 2011-2015, Griffin served as the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District, where he served on the House Committee on Ways and Means, House Armed Services Committee, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Ethics and House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as a Deputy Whip for the Majority.

Griffin has served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for more than 28 years and currently holds the rank of colonel. In 2005, Griffin was mobilized to active duty as an Army prosecutor at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.

He is currently serving as the Commander of the 2d Legal Operations Detachment in New Orleans, Louisiana. His previous assignments include serving as the Commander of the 134th Legal Operations Detachment at Fort Liberty (née Bragg), North Carolina, and as a Senior Legislative Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon. Griffin earned a master’s degree in strategic studies as a Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Griffin also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush; Special Assistant to Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas; Senior Investigative Counsel, Government Reform and Oversight Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; and Associate Independent Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel David M. Barrett, In re: HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.

Griffin is a graduate of Magnolia High School, Hendrix College in Conway, and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He attended graduate school at Oxford University. He is admitted to practice law in Arkansas (active) and Louisiana (inactive). Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife, Elizabeth, a Camden native, and their three children.

Residents voice opposition to planned Charleston prison

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Most people in the Franklin County city of Charleston learned a prison was coming to town the same way: they heard it on the radio.

In an interview with KDYN radio host Marc Dietz, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she's fed up with the current state of prisons. There are too many inmates, and not enough space to hold them. Arkansas needs a new prison, and to hear the governor tell it, the land in Charleston is the best the state could ask for.

“So instead of letting people free, we can put them in this facility and make sure our state and our communities are infinitely safer,” she said.

This prison will have 3,000 beds in a town with less than 3,000 people.

Residents voice opposition to planned Charleston prison

Josie Lenora/Little Rock Public Radio

A gate sits at the entrance to the 815-acre site in Charleston where Arkansas officials are planning to build a new, 3,000-bed prison.

2023 consumer expenditures outpace income growth in Arkansas

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

Arkansas’ real personal consumption expenditures (PCE) rose 5.3% in 2023, outpacing real personal income growth of 1.5% in 2023, according to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

Arkansas’ real personal income was $169.738 billion in 2023, up 1.5% compared with 2023, and below the U.S. growth of 2.1%. Following are 2023 real personal income figures and percent changes among Arkansas’ metro areas.
• Northwest Arkansas: $48.089 billion, up 2.9%
• Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway: $42.409 billion, up 2.7%
• Fort Smith: $11.48 billion, up 0.9%
• Texarkana: $6.811 billion, up 1%
• Jonesboro: $6.507 billion, up 2%
• Hot Springs: $5.078 billion, up 2.2%
• Pine Bluff: $3.662 billion, down 2.4%

2023 consumer expenditures outpace income growth in Arkansas

Weekly update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The Arkansas House Committee for Aging, Children and Youth, and Legislative and Military Affairs met this week and reviewed the annual report from the Department of Human Services' Division of Children and Family Services. The report provided significant insights into the state's foster care system during State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024.

At the conclusion of SFY 2024, Arkansas had 3,553 children in foster care, representing a notable decrease of 12 percent from the previous fiscal year's count of 4,023. This decline indicates progress in addressing the needs of children in the state's care.

One key highlight from the report was the observation that more children exited foster care during SFY 2024 than entered the system, demonstrating positive strides in achieving permanency for these vulnerable children. Neglect and substance abuse emerged as the predominant reasons for children entering foster care throughout the year.

Of the children who left foster care in SFY 2024, 42 percent were reunified with their families, 30 percent were adopted, and 9 percent were discharged to relative custody. Notably, a significant 92 percent of children exiting care in Arkansas achieved permanency through avenues such as returning home, placement with relatives, adoption, or other permanent arrangements.

The division’s goal is to have at least one foster home bed available for each child in foster care. The ratio of licensed foster home beds to children in foster care was 0.75 at the end of the year, identical to the previous year.

Foster parents help support families during a difficult time. They work as a team with the child’s case worker to ensure the well-being of the child in their care. A foster parent’s impact reaches far as they provide a positive influence across the community. If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, we’ve posted a link on our website with information about the process. Visit arkansashouse.org.

Extension agents, staff honored for excellence

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Faculty and staff at the Cooperative Extension Service celebrated a successful year of serving Arkansas families and communities— from starting Crittenden County’s first farmers market to creating professional development opportunities to teach college students about agriculture in Arkansas.

The extension service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recognized employees for their excellence and innovation on Dec. 2 during its annual employee conference at the state office in Little Rock.

WINNER — Cooperative Extension Service Director John D. Anderson (right) congratulates Brad McGinley on being named 2024 Employee of the Year (Division of Agriculture photo).

John D. Anderson, extension director, commended this year’s winners for their excellence and innovation and commitment to the Division of Agriculture’s mission of strengthening agriculture, communities and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices.

This year’s winners, who were nominated and selected by their peers, include:

Employee of the Year – Brad McGinley
Grant County Extension Staff Chair Brad McGinley was named Extension Employee of the Year. In his 20-year career, McGinley has worked as an agriculture agent in six counties, including Grant County for the past decade.

“Brad has spent years building programs in agriculture and 4-H and has done a lot of innovative work,” Anderson said. As an example, Anderson cited the Grant County 4-H Steak-Out event that raised $40,000 to help Grant County 4-H members attend camps, activities and events. “It’s a model for how to generate support for 4-H,” Anderson said. 

Earlier this year, McGinley stepped in as coordinator of the SeaPerch program. This year’s contest was the largest with 66 teams from across the state. McGinley took four Arkansas 4-H teams to the international competition where they competed against 174 teams. One of the Grant County teams placed second.

“I’m extremely humbled to receive this award for doing a job every day that I love,” McGinley said.

 State Team Award — Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour
The Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour is a five-day professional development opportunity for undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing agriculture or ag-related majors. The students travel around the state to learn about careers in Arkansas’ No. 1 industry. They also network with potential employers and learn about issues and policies impacting Arkansas farmers and the agriculture industry.

The program started in 2019. The team includes Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County extension agent; Jesse Bocksnick, 4-H and youth development; Leigh Ann Bullington, Family and Consumer Sciences educator; Mike Daniels and Lee Riley, both with Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences; and Julie Robinson, Lisa Davis and Keith Harris, all with extension’s Community, Professional and Economic Development unit.

Innovation Team Award — Crittenden County Farmers Market
Before this past summer, Crittenden County residents had to drive to Memphis, Tennessee, to get to the closest farmers market because the county lacked one of its own. Crittenden County extension agent Morgan Chrestman and Mishanna Lanes, a health program associate, established the Crittenden County Farmer’s Market to meet that need. The market operated for four months in 2024 and gave residents access to healthy foods. Their work was part of the Arkansas High Obesity Program, which works to lessen obesity in 11 rural counties, including Crittenden.

Early Career Award for State Extension Faculty— James Mitchell
James Mitchell, assistant professor for agricultural economics and agribusiness joined extension during the COVID-19 pandemic and developed critical programs when the beef supply chain was experiencing significant economic disruptions. His integrated extension and research program “Marketing, Risk Management and Policy Strategies for Southeastern Agricultural Producers” has delivered significant outcomes to stakeholders.

“One of Dr. Mitchell’s most impactful contributions has been his work on feed cattle market policy, which has directly influenced policy positions at both the state and national levels,” Anderson said.

Early Career Award for Program Technician/Associate — Brandon L. Mathews
In his role as program associate for economic development, Brandon Mathews serves as the program manager for the Division of Agriculture’s University Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development. Mathews leads the day-to-day operations and coordinates training and technical assistance, collaborates with research partners, and tells the story of Arkansas’ eight economic development districts.  Mathews also has consulted entrepreneurs and small businesses in Central Arkansas through the Arkansas Community Navigator Program. Last year, he helped establish an emergency assistance center for small businesses in Cross County that were affected by the spring tornados in Wynne. This year, he co-leads the Capacity Building through Grant Writing Training program.

 Early Career Award for Project / Program Administrator — Rebekah Hall
Rebekah Hall, a content writer in the communications department, works with faculty and staff throughout Extension to produce stories that show the impact of extension outreach through agriculture, 4-H, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Community, Professional and Economic Development programs.

 Early Career Award for State Support Staff— Khaliah Coleman
Khaliah Coleman has worked for Extension since 2022 – first in the horticulture department, then in the development office, and currently as executive assistant for 4-H and Youth Development. In all three areas, she helped streamline administrative processes to improve efficiency.

 Scholarship Recipients
Four extension employees received scholarships to further their education and professional skills. Kristin Higgins, program associate in the Public Policy Center, and Rebecca Simon, Family and Consumer Sciences instructor, received the Lynn R. Russell Endowed Award of Professional Excellence.

The Mildred and Liz Childs Professional Development Fund Scholarship was awarded to two individuals working in Family and Consumer Sciences: White County agent Katie Collum and Heather Wingo, health program associate.

 Service Milestones
Extension also recognized employees for length of service. Martha Thorpe, an administrative assistant in Communications, was honored for 50 years of service.

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.uark.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

ICYMI: Rep. Westerman Featured on "Why America is struggling with EVs" Documentary

WASHINGTON - Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) was recently featured in the MotorTrend documentary, "Why America is Struggling with EVs" to discuss unnecessary government subsidies and mandates regarding EVs which ultimately harm, not help Americans. 

Watch the full documentary at the link HERE.

Topline quotes:

“When the internal combustion engine came along, you didn’t need a government subsidy to build gas stations. The market demanded filling stations along the roadways and people built them – they’re still building them today. Why does it take a government subsidy to build a charging station? It’s because they’re trying to force something in the market where government has no place forcing it in the market. Pushing EVs through government subsidies and regulations, I think, is bad policy.”

"[EVs are] being billed as the solution to a climate issue and they’re not [the solution]. 13.49% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the United States. 29% of that comes from Transportation. Then you look at all of Transportation which includes planes, trains, and automobiles. Only 57% of the emissions come from light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. So now you’re down at 2.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from U.S. light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. If we were totally serious about reducing carbon emissions, there would be a much greater focus on nuclear power."

"We’re doubling down on wind and solar and we’re doubling down on EVs when there’s a lot bigger piece of the pie that could be captured by building nuclear power plants and either keeping the hydro that we have or expanding the hydro that we have.”

"[China] doesn’t have a free market system, but they use their government-controlled system to unfairly compete in our free market system."

Boozman Earns Salvation Army’s “Fight for Good” Award

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was recognized with the “Fight for Good” award by the Salvation Army for his advocacy of policy priorities that support vulnerable populations during the 118th Congress.

The Salvation Army presented its “Fight for Good” award to lawmakers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and champion policies in support of its mission to alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness throughout the United States.

“I greatly appreciate the tireless work of the Salvation Army and its members to better the lives of Arkansans and Americans. It is an honor to receive this recognition from such a storied and admirable organization whose values we all share. I look forward to continuing my efforts to support those in need,” Boozman said.

Approximately 2,700 Arkansans experienced homelessness in 2019, marking a 33 percent decline since 2007.

The Salvation Army provides food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment and more at over 6,400 centers of operation around the country.

Salvation Army National Commander Kenneth Hodder, Commissioner Jolene Hodder, National Advisory Board Chairman Marc Belton, and Special Representative to Capitol Hill Captain Trey Jones present Sen. John Boozman with the Fight for Good award.

Education company receiving $144 million didn’t violate Arkansas procurement law, audit finds

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

An Indiana education company broke no Arkansas procurement laws during its seven-year contract with the state, according to an audit lawmakers requested in February.

Legislators requested the audit of contracts with Solution Tree after learning the company was collecting money from school districts, education service cooperatives and higher education institutions in addition to its multimillion dollar contract with the state. Arkansas Legislative Audit, a nonpartisan entity that reviews government spending for compliance with the law, presented the report to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee Friday.

Lawmakers have also criticized the company’s effectiveness in improving student test scores.

Education company receiving $144 million didn’t violate Arkansas procurement law, audit finds

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, speaks during a committee meeting at the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock on Oct. 28, 2024.

2023 GDP in Arkansas’ 10 largest counties was almost 67% of state total

Of the top 10 largest Arkansas counties by GDP, only Washington County posted a GDP (gross domestic product) decline – down 0.6% – between 2022 and 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

The BEA county and metro area GDP numbers were posted Wednesday (Dec. 4), and are the most recent metro and county GDP numbers available.

Arkansas’ GDP ended 2023 at $142.86 billion, up 2.4% compared with $139.56 billion in 2022. Of Arkansas’s top 10 counties by GDP, only Craighead and Washington counties had percentage changes below that of the state. Following are the top 10 counties by GDP, with percentage increase from 2022.
• Pulaski: $31.61 billion, up 3.2%
• Benton: $19.712 billion, up 3.1%
• Washington: $13.24 billion, down 0.6%
• Sebastian: $7.271 billion, up 3%
• Craighead: $5.482 billion, up 1.1%
• Faulkner: $4.414 billion, up 4.4%
• Mississippi: $3.823 billion, up 8.6%
• Garland: $3.654 billion, up 2.7%
• Pope: $3.165 billion, up 7.6%
• Saline: $3.072 billion, up 5.3%

2023 GDP in Arkansas’ 10 largest counties was almost 67% of state total

Kyle Williamson Selected for 2025 CALL Program

The Sevier County Extension Office would like to announce that Kyle Williamson of De Queen has been selected for the 2025 Careers for Arkansas Livestock Leaders (CALL) Program.

The CALL Program is a career-focused leadership experience designed for youth passionate about livestock species. Youth will connect with industry leaders, learn about career opportunities in the livestock industries, and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Only 20 youth have been selected for the 2025 Livestock Leader Class. The Livestock Leaders will serve as ambassadors for 4-H Livestock programs while gaining valuable leadership and networking skills. Those selected will undergo training, attend the CALL Tour, and work with fellow 4-Hers to lead educational workshops and 4-H promotion efforts. The 2025 CALL Tour will be a 5-day trip touring livestock operations and businesses throughout Texas.

Kyle Williamson is the son of Ronnie and Tiffany Williamson of De Queen. He was named a 2022 Arkansas Teen Star and currently serves as a 4-H Arkansas State Ambassador. When asked about this opportunity Kyle stated, “It's an honor and a privilege to be accepted. This opportunity will allow me to deepen my knowledge of the livestock industry, connect with leaders in the field, and grow as a leader myself. I look forward to bringing back what I learn to benefit my community and peers.”

Rampy Foundation Relays $65,000 Donation to UAMS Department of Neurology for MS Research

By Andrew Vogler

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Neurology in the College of Medicine received $65,000 for multiple sclerosis research from the Rampy MS Research Foundation during a ceremony today.

This is the third year the Rampy MS Research Foundation has conducted the run. Jo and Scott Rampy, along with other runners and walkers, relayed a check from Bentonville to Little Rock. The run was organized as part of the foundation’s Giving Tuesday fundraising efforts. The foundation made an initial pledge of $30,000 to UAMS, with donations made during the run added to the total amount.

“The Rampy Check Run is quickly becoming a favorite tradition at UAMS because it truly is inspiring to see all the participants give it their all every year for such a noble cause,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “I am very thankful for all the advocates who shine a light on MS and help support the doctors and researchers tackling this problem.”

Rampy Foundation Relays $65,000 Donation to UAMS Department of Neurology for MS Research

Scott and Jo Rampy, with other members of the Rampy Relay team, presented a check for $65,000 to Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, and Rohit Dhall, M.D. Image by Evan Lewis

Warren Stephens to be nominated as U.S. Ambassador to United Kingdom

KUAR | By Roby Brock / Talk Business & Politics

President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday (Dec. 2) that he will nominate Warren Stephens, chair, president and CEO of Little Rock-based Stephens Inc., as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Stephens Inc. is a privately held, independent financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock. Stephens has 28 offices worldwide and employs more than 1,200 people. It has offices in London, England and Frankfurt, Germany, two of the largest financial centers in Europe.

In a statement on his Truth Social account, Trump said:

“I am pleased to announce that Warren A. Stephens, one of the most successful businessmen in the Country, has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, a role in which he will act as our Representative to the United Kingdom. Over the last 38 years, while serving as the President, Chairman, and CEO of his company, Stephens Inc., Warren has built a wonderful financial services firm, while selflessly giving back to his community as a philanthropist.

Warren Stephens to be nominated as U.S. Ambassador to United Kingdom

Talk Business & Politics

Wiley named next director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation

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

Jared Wiley

The Arkansas Highway Commission has named Jared Wiley as director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). Wiley follows Director Lorie Tudor who announced Dec. 3 she will retire effective Jan. 10, 2025.

Wiley will become the department’s sixth person to serve in the director’s role in the past 52 years. His starting salary will be $225,992, according to ARDOT.

“The Department is very fortunate to have a deep pool of highly qualified talent to choose from in selecting the next Director. We know that Jared will do an excellent job leading ARDOT and the entire team. The Commission looks forward to working with him in this new role,” noted a statement from Commission Chairman Alec Farmer.

Wiley named next director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs opens 97-year-old time capsule

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs on Wednesday opened a 97-year-old time capsule recovered from the cornerstone of the soon-to-be-demolished St. Joseph Hospital.

The hospital was erected in 1927 by the Sisters of Mercy, and operated for decades before being repurposed as a dormitory for the Arkansas School of Math, Sciences, and Arts.

The building is set to be demolished in 2025. Michael Millard, Market Director of Mission for the hospital, said the time capsule was an exciting find that reinforces its history and mission.

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs opens 97-year-old time capsule

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

CHI St. Vincent Market Director of Mission Michael Millard displays contents of 97-year-old time capsule retrieved from the cornerstone of St. Joseph Hospital in Hot Springs.

AGFC monitoring avian influenza in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking waterfowl hunters and wildlife watchers heading to the field to keep an eye out for any sick or dead birds they find in the wild that may be the result of avian influenza. The risk of humans contracting the disease remains low, but hunters can minimize that risk by following a few simple precautions.

Hunters and wildlife watchers who observe concentrations of sick or dead birds should contact the AGFC’s wildlife health program through www.agfc.com/avianflu with information about the species, number of birds affected and location.

According to Dr. Jenn Ballard, AGFC state wildlife veterinarian, this is the third year since Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in the U.S. and it’s likely that periodic outbreaks will continue to occur.

“We’re getting reports consistent with cases in previous years and confirmation testing is underway,” Ballard said. “The reports so far this year have been almost exclusively snow geese with most being juveniles.”

According to Ballard, various low pathogenicity strains of influenza always circulate in wild bird populations, but HPAI has much more potential to spread and has caused billions of dollars of damage to domestic poultry production in Asia, Europe and North America.

Waterfowl hunters may remember finding dead and dying snow geese in 2022, particularly at the beginning of the waterfowl season in Arkansas rice fields.

“Mortality in 2022 was primarily found in those snow goose populations, but a few other duck species and raptors were affected as well,” Ballard said. “Eagles and hawks that may have preyed upon sick or dying geese were confirmed with the HPAI pathogen.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk for humans to contract HPAI is still low, but people who find birds that are obviously sick or bewildered should report them to the AGFC and refrain from handling them. The pathogen has also been found to affect dairy cattle, so anyone who works around any poultry or livestock should use extreme caution and practice good hygiene practices when handling, cleaning and preparing harvested waterfowl.

Safety Guidelines for Hunters

• Harvest only waterfowl that act and look healthy. Do not handle or eat sick animals.

• Wear disposable gloves when handling and cleaning game and field dress outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.

• Dispose of unwanted parts in a manner that prevents scavenging by domestic animals and wildlife.

• Thoroughly cook all game to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating it.

• Do not feed pets or domestic animals uncooked portions of waterfowl.

• Avoid contact between poultry and livestock and wild birds or their parts. After handling waterfowl, change or clean clothing, shoes and other equipment before coming into contact with domestic animals and livestock, including commercial production facilities and backyard flocks.

More information on avian influenza is available at USDA APHIS’s website.

Attorney General Griffin announces arrest of North Little Rock man on child pornography charges

Griffin: ‘Fighting the exploitation of our most vulnerable remains a priority for my office and requires a team effort to bring these perpetrators to justice’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after agents in his Special Investigations Division arrested Richard Keith Dewberry, 68, of North Little Rock on 13 felony counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a minor:

“This morning, special agents from my office arrested Dewberry following an investigation thanks to a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). I am thankful for the tip to NCMEC that led to this arrest and for the valuable assistance of the North Little Rock Police Department in this case. Fighting the exploitation of our most vulnerable remains a priority for my office and requires a team effort to bring these perpetrators to justice.”

In October, special agents from the Attorney General’s Special Investigations Division served a search warrant on Dewberry’s residence in North Little Rock, where they seized a laptop for forensic examination. During the examination, numerous images of child sexual abuse material were discovered on the laptop’s hard drive.

Dewberry was arrested on December 3. He was booked into the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is being held without bond.

If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of exploitation, call the NCMEC CyberTipline at (800) 422-4453 or visit https://report.cybertip.org.

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

New probiotic shown to improve digestion in poultry and swine

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

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A novel probiotic has been developed as a direct-fed microbial in both poultry and swine feed to improve gut health and weight-gain efficiency. Additionally, feed cost savings may be realized through greater utilization of soybean meal in diets.

NEW PROBIOTIC — A probiotic made from a Bacillus strain isolated by poultry science researchers was found to also be beneficial for swine gut health. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

The probiotic, which is a beneficial bacterium, is made from a Bacillus-strain isolated by poultry science researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and is being co-developed by KENT Nutrition Group.

KENT licensed the patented technology from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and is currently making probiotic-infused poultry and swine feed with the Bacillus strain. The experiment station is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.

“We are grateful for our second novel technology collaboration with UADA,” said Kale Causemaker, senior director of sales and business development for Innovative Solutions, a division of KENT. “These discoveries help improve animal agriculture sustainability and welfare. We are excited and optimistic to have this probiotic commercially available for producers in 2025.”  

Bacillus-strain advantages

Advantages of a Bacillus-strain probiotic, compared to common probiotic microorganism of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, include its ability to survive higher temperatures and lower pH environments.

The non-genetically modified Bacillus bacterium also eliminates the need for multiple genetically modified enzymes that are added to animal feeds to help the animal break down ingredients in protein sources such as soybean meal.

Being heat- and pH-stable improves survivability rate in the animal’s gastrointestinal tract and feed processing such as the manufacture of pelleted feed. The strain was originally found to work well in poultry diets and preliminary data suggest the probiotic may also work well in swine.

Overcoming a problem

Billy Hargis, distinguished professor of poultry science, said experiment station studies on the Bacillus strain showed it increased the animals’ ability to digest non-starch polysaccharides in protein sources such as soybean meal. Hargis is also director of the John Kirkpatrick Skeels Poultry Health Laboratory for the experiment station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.

Non-starch polysaccharides are difficult-to-digest carbohydrates found in soybean meal, which serves as the primary source of protein for both layer and broiler chickens, as well as turkeys and swine, Hargis explained.

“The problem with these non-starch polysaccharides is that they cannot be digested and utilized by the animal, but rather they feed detrimental populations of microbes within the gut, adding to intestinal inflammation and susceptibility to other causes of enteric disease,” Hargis said.

The strain of Bacillus by KENT was isolated by former post-doctoral researcher Kyle Teague under the co-advisement of Hargis and Samuel Rochell. Teague is now the director of poultry nutrition at Life Products, Inc., in Nebraska, and Rochell is now an associate professor of poultry nutrition at Auburn University.

From lab to market

The Division of Agriculture’s Technology Commercialization Office, or TCO, shepherded the Bacillus-strain’s patent-pending status and commercial licensing to KENT.

“Translating research to commercial products is the name of the game,” said Parker Cole, associate director of TCO. “We always enjoy working with industry and have enjoyed working with KENT. They’ve been a great partner to work with and collaborate with, so we’re excited to see these products go into the marketplace.”

Earlier this year, Innovative Solutions also released EFFICOR, an L. plantarum probiotic for swine that was developed in conjunction with Division of Agriculture researchers. Research trials showed EFFICOR helped improve body weight gain and feed efficiency in growing and finishing pigs, with nearly $2 per pig cost savings because of improved efficiencies at the time of the trials, Cole said. The foundational research for EFFICOR came from Jiangchao Zhao, former professor of animal science for the Division of Agriculture.

“Our office sits at the interface of academic innovation and commercialization,” said Cole. “Being able to take a technology that was developed here, work with industry, confirm that it works in a particular product or formulation, and have that company excited about it to where they want to license it and implement it in their portfolio, I think that speaks to the research quality and to the inventors that we have within the Division of Agriculture.”

To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

Tyson Foods to shutter two more plants, cut 229 jobs

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Two small Tyson Foods’ plants in Philadelphia are slated to close over the next two months. The Original Philly cook beef plant and the Original Philly raw plant acquired by Tyson Foods in 2017 will close by Jan. 31.

The news came from a federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN notice) filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania this past week.

The plants employ 229 workers who prepare Philly steak products for Tyson’s prepared food business. Tyson has not yet said if the production will be shifted to another facility. Tyson Foods said it is working with state and local officials to provide additional resources to those who are impacted by the plant closures.

“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our two Prepared Foods facilities in Philadelphia to increase the efficiency of our operations. We understand the decision’s impact on our team members and the local community,” Tyson Foods said in an email to Talk Business & Politics.

Tyson Foods to shutter two more plants, cut 229 jobs

AGFC conservation scholarships lay path toward bright future

BY Randy Zellers

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas students interested in a conservation career may be able to find a little tuition assistance thanks to the colorful wildlife-themed license plates found on cars throughout The Natural State. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Scholarship Program is accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year until Dec. 31, 2024.

The AGFC is giving the scholarship program a facelift this year with a renewed focus on creating a career path leading to a future in conservation.

“In the past, we gave a lot of scholarships that were worth a little money to help college students, but we’ve reduced the number of scholarships available and increased the money each recipient will receive,” Lauren Cannon, AGFC Facility Director at the Ponca Nature Center who is taking the lead in the scholarship program, said. “It will be more competitive, but it will also be more rewarding.”

Incoming freshmen who receive a scholarship under the new format will receive $2,500 per semester, an increase of $1,500 per semester over the previously awarded amount. The scholarship amount also increases as the student progresses in their college journey.

“They’ll get $2,500 per semester as freshmen and sophomores, but those who continue to qualify in their junior and senior years of college will receive $5,000 per semester. It’s a pretty substantial increase,” Cannon said. “But the money increase really is only one benefit of the revamped program.”

Instead of simply helping pay a bill to college registrars, the AGFC is stepping up to become a true sponsor of scholarship recipients through increased requirements and benefits. Scholarship recipients must complete at least 40 volunteer hours with the AGFC during their freshman and sophomore years, and they must complete a 400-hour internship during each of their junior and senior years.

Ava Smith, AGFC Social Science Research Specialist, said the change will make the program become much more immersive to help students on their career path.

“They will need to volunteer or work with at least four AGFC divisions, so they’ll get a good idea of the many career paths available to them in conservation,” Smith said. “A lot of scholarship recipients in the past may have veered from their original intent of conservation, and these requirements will help them discern what path is right for them. If they do decide to go a different direction, then the funds are available for other students who are interested in conservation fields.”

Smith says the paid internships also help fulfill another hurdle many conservation students face post-graduation.

“Hiring for entry-level positions has sometimes been difficult when students lacked the necessary technical or professional skills,” Smith said. “The internships and volunteer requirements will create opportunities for students to acquire those skills, and incorporate training that will create more qualified natural resource professionals.”

Smith says recipients of the new scholarships also will be paired with a mentor at the AGFC who is in their field of study. Mentors will be able to help students hone their college experience into a career path, laser-focused on the opportunities available at AGFC and other conservation agencies.

“The ultimate goal is to build a bench of conservation professionals to one day join the AGFC, but at the end of their college experience, scholarship recipients should be able to hit the ground running with a variety of organizations in the natural resource discipline,” Smith said.

Anyone who currently receives an AGFC scholarship will still be able to reapply for the traditional amounts with the previous qualifications, but they also will be eligible to compete for the new scholarship format.

“We didn’t want to just pull the rug out from under people who were already receiving a scholarship, so we’re allowing them to continue on their path through the transition and apply for the new opportunity, too,” Smith said. “As those students graduate, it will make more room for additional scholarships under the new format.”

All Conservation Scholarship Program requirements and the application and award timeline are available at https://www.agfc.com/education/conservation-scholarships. The AGFC also will host a special applicant webinar on Zoom at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Students and their families can register online. The webinar will be recorded and available upon request. Applicants may also contact scholarships@agfc.ar.gov with any additional questions about the program.

Funded by the sale of Conservation License Plates, the AGFC’s Conservation Scholarship Program has been helping Arkansas students since 2001, the year after the first Conservation License Plate was issued. Since that time, more than $8 million has been delivered to students pursuing careers related to conservation.

Healthgrades Awards UAMS Five Stars for Cardiac, Critical Care

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received five-star ratings for its treatment of heart failure and sepsis from Healthgrades, the leading resource used by consumers to find a health care provider.

The 2025 ratings for clinical excellence are based on data collected from about 4,500 hospitals nationwide on all Medicare patients who used hospital in-patient services in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Paul Mounsey, M.D., professor and chair of the UAMS Division of Cardiology in the Department of Internal Medicine, said he appreciated the recognition — for the second consecutive year — of UAMS’ treatment of heart failure.

Healthgrades Awards UAMS Five Stars for Cardiac, Critical Care