Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The 2024 Fiscal Session is now underway.

The House and Senate convened for a Joint Session on Wednesday to hear an address from Governor Sanders.

The Governor told members she would sign a budget that funds critical services for Arkansans while slowing the growth of government. 

The Governor’s proposed budget calls for a 1.76% spending increase. The proposed increases prioritize education. Additional funding is also proposed for public safety and human services. 

On the second day of the session, the House passed HB1003, the General Appropriation Act for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. 

The House also passed HB1001 which allows for session expenses. There is no increase in either appropriation. 

Fiscal sessions are limited to only the consideration of appropriations unless 2/3 of both the House and Senate vote in favor of a resolution substantially describing a bill for introduction.  

The Governor is also requesting the legislature to approve a temporary pay plan for state employees which would authorize a one-time 3% increase and raise the minimum pay to $15/hr by July 1.

A resolution requesting the introduction of that legislation has been filed and assigned to the House Rules Committee. 

Several resolutions requesting the introduction of legislation regarding digital asset mining have also been assigned to the House Rules Committee.

We will continue to update you throughout the Fiscal Session. 

You can find the daily agendas for committees and House floor proceedings as well as links to the live-stream of meetings at arkansashouse.org.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service

• An unsettled weather pattern will continue today/tonight. Showers and scattered thunderstorms remain in the forecast, and areas of heavy rain are expected.

• The forecast calls for an additional half inch to more than two inches of rain across Arkansas. Spotty flash flooding is possible, and some minor river flooding is likely to occur or is ongoing.

• While the primary concern will be heavy rain, there could be isolated severe storms across southern Arkansas. More significant severe weather is likely farther south along the Gulf Coast (from Louisiana into Mississippi and Alabama).

USDA-grant supported FRST Project releases new fertilizer prediction tool

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

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new fertilizer recommendation tool, developed nationally in collaboration with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, could save farmers millions of dollars annually while reducing excess nutrient losses to the environment.

DECISION AID — Farmers have a new fertilizer decision aid available called FRST (Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool) following years of development by a national coalition of soil scientists. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Funding for the FRST Project has been provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Natural Resources Conservation Service, including Conservation Innovation Grants. Additional support comes from the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture and OCP North America, a phosphate-based fertilizer company.

FRST (Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool) is a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization, according to Nathan Slaton, a leader on the FRST Project and associate vice president for agriculture and assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The tool also augments the interpretation of different fertilizer recommendations across state lines, which was one of the issues that prompted the project. Slaton said phosphorus and potassium are the primary nutrients from routine soil testing that are used to predict the need for crop fertilization.

A team of over 100 soil science and agronomic professionals from nearly 50 universities, four USDA divisions, several nonprofit organizations and one private-sector partner worked for six years to develop the free, web-based tool. Division of Agriculture scientists participating in the project include Slaton, Gerson Drescher, assistant professor of soil fertility, and Bronc Finch, assistant professor and state extension specialist for soil fertility.

“We are extremely excited about the launch of the decision support tool,” Drescher said. “FRST was developed in response to the pressing need to harmonize soil testing across state boundaries. It represents an improvement in our ability to evaluate soil test correlation.”

Deanna Osmond, soil science researcher at North Carolina State University, is also one of the FRST Project leaders.

“Until now, soil fertility faculty in each state worked independently,” Osmond said. “But for farmers who work across state lines, it’s difficult to compare or assimilate multi-state guidelines. Our goal is to improve the accuracy of nutrient recommendations through independent, scientifically developed nutrient management best practices that farmers can believe in and adopt.”

Slaton explained that the FRST Project has accomplished two important objectives to advance phosphorus and potassium management for crop production. The first was developing a national database to archive soil test correlation and calibration research, ensuring the preservation of research information that supports crop fertilization recommendations as scientists retire. The second objective was to provide a tool that anyone can use to review the research results relevant to their crop, soils and geographic area to check their soil-test-based fertilizer recommendations.

The FRST Project was hosted in a neutral space (USDA) with common access, Drescher noted, “to foster collaboration and innovation in soil fertility research and pave the way for future advancements in nutrient management.”

Greg Buol of North Carolina State University provided database and programming support.

“The design of FRST has always been focused on the end user being able to easily use the tool and understand the results,” Buol said.

Current capabilities and plans

Currently, the FRST provides critical phosphorus and potassium soil test values, which indicate where there is no expected yield increase from phosphorus or potassium fertilizer application. In the next phase, the FRST will provide research-based phosphorus and potassium rate response information to assist farmers in selecting the minimum fertilizer rate expected to produce maximal crop yield.

The current version (FRST v1.0) includes data from nearly 2,500 phosphorus and potassium trials for 21 major agricultural crops, with the majority being corn and soybean.

The FRST includes a map of the United States that shows the location of phosphorus and potassium trials represented in the database and can be used to identify where the need for additional research data is greatest.

The database was constructed from current and historical research data, including trials from 40 states and Puerto Rico. The team has plans to expand the tool to other crops, cropping systems and nutrients such as sulfur.

Key features of FRST

Data-driven by utilizing a dynamic database of soil test correlation data constantly updated to improve testing confidence.

• Crop-specific information with a database that currently covers 21 major commodity crops.

• Geographically diverse with published and unpublished trial data from 40 states and Puerto Rico.

• Unbiased information with blended data that removes political and institutional bias in soil test interpretation.

• Scientifically sound data that represents a minimum dataset to provide reliable outcomes.

"We believe that FRST will not only benefit farmers by improving farm economics and conservation practices but also contribute to global sustainability," Finch said.

For more information about FRST, visit https://soiltestfrst.org and click “Tool” at the top of the screen.

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.

National Weather Service Eclipse Weather Briefing for Arkansas

A large storm system will be over the southwest United States during the day of the eclipse. Ahead of the system, a south to southwest flow will bring increasing moisture and the possibility of clouds/chances of showers throughout the path of totality in Arkansas.  

Important to Remember: Despite vast improvements of weather models in recent years, any information over more than a few days of a specific time is subject to change. Forecast details will be fine tuned as additional data is received up to the time of the eclipse.   

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, has captured the attention of Arkansans and visitors alike. The path of totality will stretch over 100 miles across The Natural State, extending from the southwest to the northeast. In some locations, lucky observers will experience over four minutes of total darkness. It is expected that 53 of Arkansas' 75 counties will fall within the path of totality, including major cities like Little Rock, Hot Springs, Texarkana, Conway, and Jonesboro. 

With the potential to mark the largest tourism event in state history, Arkansas agencies are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has strategically scheduled a "construction holiday" from April 4 to April 9, ensuring smooth travel with no lane closures or active construction zones. Collaborating closely with the trucking industry, ARDOT aims to minimize the presence of oversized trucks on the roads, enhancing safety for all travelers.

Meanwhile, the Arkansas Department of Education is harnessing the eclipse as a teachable moment, integrating it into science lessons and distributing one million eclipse glasses to libraries statewide. This proactive approach not only fosters scientific curiosity but also promotes safe viewing practices among students and the general public.

In the realm of healthcare, the Arkansas Department of Health stands vigilant, leveraging its trauma communication system to swiftly address any emergencies. Collaborating closely with hospitals and first responders, the agency is working to ensure prompt access to medical facilities, should the need arise. Emphasizing the paramount importance of eye safety, the department underscores the necessity of approved solar viewing glasses, cautioning against direct sun-gazing without proper protection.

As anticipation mounts, Arkansans are encouraged to prepare themselves with essential supplies, including water, food, medications, and first aid kits, in readiness for potential service delays.

For those eager to join in the festivities, a wealth of information on local events and safety guidelines awaits at Arkansas.com/eclipse.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service

There will be a brief window for severe weather Monday afternoon and evening over the south and southeast parts of the state. While there will be a lot of wind energy with this system, instability is low which will keep the severe threat limited. 

Windy conditions are expected to develop before the actual system arrives and some parts of the state may see some locally heavy rain.

• We continue to monitor a strong cold front that will be moving across the state Monday into Monday evening. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected with higher gusts possible outside of any thunderstorm activity.

• Strong gusty winds remain the primary threat with storms on Monday. While the tornado threat is minimal, it is not zero.

• The greatest overlap of severe thunderstorm ingredients will lie over southern and southeastern Arkansas Monday afternoon and evening. While there is a tremendous amount of wind energy with this system, instability is limited.

• Widespread rain is expected before the actual cold front arrives which will further decrease the chance of widespread severe weather.

• In addition to severe weather, localized heavy rainfall is possible, primarily over the western half of the state. Some localized flash flooding issues may arise as a result.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the council subcommittees convened at the Capitol.

The council approved the permanent payment rules for Educational Freedom Accounts. Educational Freedom Accounts may be used by eligible families to cover private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and some other required expenses. First-time kindergarteners, students enrolled in “D” or “F” rated schools, students with a disability, current or former foster care students, students experiencing homelessness, or students whose parents are active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement or first responders will be eligible to use the accounts in the 2024-2025 school year. All public school students will be eligible in the 2025-2026 school year.

The council also approved an emergency rule from the Department of Finance and Administration that requires Arkansans to list their gender on their driver’s license.  The rule states the gender must match what is listed on the person’s birth certificate, passport, or identification document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The ALC Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee continued its study on possession and open-carry laws concerning firearms this week. The subcommittee will begin hearing recommendations regarding these laws at its next meeting on Monday, March 25. The meetings are open to the public. You can find the agenda and a link to sign up to comment atwww.arkleg.state.ar.us.

The latest revenue report presented to the council shows gross general revenues have decreased by $113 million or 2% below what was collected last year. Meanwhile, unemployment in the state remains steady at 3.7% in Arkansas for the third consecutive month.

As a reminder, the legislature will convene for a Fiscal Session on April 10. We will continue to update you on the latest developments from the Capitol.

Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas on Thursday from the National Weather Service

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop in eastern Oklahoma this afternoon and move into Arkansas later this afternoon and early evening. These storms will be capable of all severe hazards through later tonight.

The main changes with this briefing include:

-- An expansion of the "Enhanced Risk" area towards northeastern Arkansas

-- The introduction of a 10% Tornado Risk Area over northwestern to northern central Arkansas

Large and damaging hail remains the primary threat with storms today, though all modes of severe weather will be possible today and tonight.

Click on the attached briefing below for more specific forecast information.

Weather Outlook for Arkansas on Thursday from the National Weather Service

A storm system will arrive from the Plains on Thursday and bring showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas Thursday into Thursday night.  

Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and severe weather will be possible for portions of Arkansas beginning Thursday

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms could occur across the western two-thirds of Arkansas Thursday and Thursday night. The main concern will be large hail and damaging winds, however a tornado can not be ruled out. The environment will be most unstable (warm/moist) in the southwest part of the state, and that is where damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are most favorable.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Briefing

A storm system arriving from the southern Plains will bring additional showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas today and tonight.

• Isolated to scattered severe storms could occur across the southern half to one-third of Arkansas today and tonight. The main concern will be large hail and damaging winds, however a tornado can not be ruled out. The environment will be most unstable (warm/moist) toward the Gulf Coast, and that is where damaging winds/a few tornadoes are most favorable.

• The forecast calls for an additional one-quarter of an inch to over one inch of rain across the state today and tonight. Locally heavier amounts are possible in the south and southeast portions of the state. Any flash flooding should be localized.

• Sub-freezing temperatures possible Sunday morning over portions of Arkansas.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service

• Isolated severe storms could occur over western Arkansas today. Large hail would be the main concern.

• Isolated to scattered severe storms could occur across mainly the southern half of Arkansas on Friday. The main concerns will be large hail and damaging winds; however, a tornado or two can not be ruled out. The environment will be most unstable (warm/moist) toward the Gulf Coast, and that is where damaging winds and a few tornadoes are most favored.

• The forecast calls for one to two inches of rain across much of the state, with locally heavier amounts possible in the north. Any flash flooding should be localized.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

From classrooms to healthcare, the state budget has a direct impact on our daily lives. Weeks before the legislative session begins, the General Assembly reviews the state’s current fiscal position and budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. Budget hearings this year will begin on March 6 and are expected to continue through March 8. These hearings will be held in the MAC building located directly behind the Capitol. The hearings are open to the public and will be live-streamed on our website.

The Department of Finance and Administration will present the Governor’s recommendation for a balanced budget on the first day of budget hearings which will begin at 9 am. After the balanced budget proposal is presented, the Joint Budget Committee will then begin hearing budget requests from state agencies. Historically, the two largest categories of funding are education and human services. Higher education, public safety, and health are also top budget priorities.

The most recent general revenue report released showed net available general revenue at 5.6% below levels from one year ago. After seven months into the fiscal year, net available revenue is above forecast by $231.2 million or 6.0 percent. All of the information gathered during these hearings will help in drafting appropriation bills. Members can begin pre-filing bills on March 11.

The Arkansas General Assembly will convene for the 2024 Fiscal Session at noon on April 10. Fiscal Sessions began after Arkansas voters approved Amendment 86 in 2008. This will be the 8th Fiscal Session held in state history. Fiscal Sessions are held in February in years in which the primary elections are held in May. The Fiscal Sessions begin in April in years, like this year, in which primary elections are held in March. Fiscal Sessions are limited to 30 days unless ¾ of the General Assembly agrees to a one-time extension not to exceed 15 days. You can watch the meetings and find the daily agendas at www.arkansashouse.org.

Cooperative Extension Service launches new University Center website

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Aerial Lineman Training Center at UA Cossatot Holds Grand Opening in De Queen

The University of Arkansas Cossatot hosted a grand opening event at its Aerial Lineman Training Center in De Queen on Thursday, February 1. UAC Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole welcomed the crowd, including the current aerial lineman class and community and industry leaders. Dr. Cole explained the program’s history and the extensive efforts invested in its establishment, saying, “Short-term programs that give people wonderful skills and employees that want to hire them after four weeks of training, that a huge part of the future of Arkansas.” In addition, Dr. Cole announced the college had written a multi-million dollar grant to establish a fiber optic network engineering program at UA Cossatot. In Cole’s words, “We think this would be a perfect way to augment what we are already doing with the Aerial Lineman program.”

Among the guest speakers was Stephanie Isaacs, Director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, who discussed the partnership with UA Cossatot and her office’s role in procuring essential trucks and equipment for the program.

Rick Giesler, Division Director of Compliance with Ervin Cable Construction, told the audience, “Programs like this are instrumental in us being able to make our industry safer, to make our industry a better place, to drive better wages so these young people can have a home.”

Scottie Morris, co-creator of the curriculum with Luke Ervin of Ervin Cable Construction and Jeff Tollett of Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative, talked about his role in starting the program. He said the day after he retired, he received a call from Dr. Cole, who asked him to come on board to help the college train aerial linemen. Morris agreed, and a former parking lot near the UAC Amphitheater was picked as the site for the pole-training yard. In Morris’ closing remarks, he said, “I believe a lot of good things will come out of this lot.”

Representatives from Bridgepoint Communications, Systems Services Broadband, Ervin Cable Construction, Four States Fiber Internet, NEA Construction, and Desert Media Group were among the attendees. Notable figures such as State Representative Deann Vaught, Kyla Waters, Arkansas Community Colleges Center for Workforce Director, and Kamelle Gomez from the Arkansas State Broadband Office attended.

The Aerial Lineman Program at UA Cossatot is currently under the direction of Dennis Davis. He has over 43 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and utilizes a combination of classroom and hands-on field experiences co-designed with employers to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they seek when hiring an aerial lineman to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications infrastructure.

UA Cossatot is an Arkansas Fiber Academy training location. The Arkansas Fiber Academy is a partnership between Arkansas Community Colleges, the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, and the Arkansas State Broadband Office.

To find out more about the UA Cossatot Aerial Lineman Training program, visit www.cccua.edu or contact Continuing Education Services at ContinuingEducation@cccua.edu or (870) 584-1178.

Winter Weather Advisory with freezing rain expected from the NWS

Arctic air remains entrenched across Arkansas, but will start to exit to the east later tonight and Monday. Clouds and moisture will continue to increase tonight with rain developing. The precipitation will be in the form of freezing rain through Monday morning before temperatures warm and it transitions over to just regular rain.

Before this change occurs, a quarter of an inch of ice or more could fall over parts of western and  northern Arkansas where ice storm warnings are in effect. Outside of the warning area, winter weather advisories are in effect for some ice accumulation.

Additional rounds of rain are expected through the week with several inches of rain possible, especially over the south and southeast.

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
227 PM CST Sun Jan 21 2024

ARZ050-051-059>061-OKZ077-221100-
/O.CON.KSHV.WW.Y.0002.240122T0400Z-240122T1500Z/
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-McCurtain-
Including the cities of De Queen, Nashville, Mineral Springs,
Dierks, Ashdown, Hope, Prescott, Idabel, and Broken Bow
227 PM CST Sun Jan 21 2024

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS
EVENING TO 9 AM CST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations of around
  one tenth of an inch, except isolated higher amounts between a
  tenth to a quarter of an inch in the higher elevations of
  Northern McCurtain, Northern Sevier, and Northern Howard
  Counties.

* WHERE...Portions of southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma.

* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Difficult travel conditions are possible, especially
  on bridges and overpasses. The hazardous conditions could
  impact the overnight and morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible
power outages.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Public education stands as the primary expenditure within state government. This month, the House and Senate Education Committees began working on the Educational Adequacy Study. This study will serve as a recommendation to the legislature to determine funding for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.

This in-depth process involves assessing the entirety of public education to ensure equal opportunities for students, covering aspects from teacher salaries to technological requirements. Arkansas employs a specific formula, the matrix, to calculate per-student funding, which is set to increase from $7,618 to $7,771 for the 2024-2025 school year.

The committees will later examine facilities funding and partnership programs in February, followed by a review of teacher-related aspects such as recruitment, retention, salaries, and professional development in June.

The culmination of this study results in a final report due on November 1, serving as a crucial guide for funding decisions in the subsequent year.

At the most recent meeting, committee members reviewed student achievement data. Reports revealed that in 2022, 30% of Arkansas 4th-grade students scored proficient or above in reading, slightly below the national average of 32%. Additionally, 28% of Arkansas 4th-grade students and 35% nationally scored proficient or above in math.

The House and Senate Education Committees approved an emergency rule to implement literacy tutoring grants and High Impact Learning Grants.

The literacy grant program is designed to help struggling readers in grades K-3. It will allow families to invoice up to $500 per year for tutoring services.

The second program will provide a limited amount of funding for schools to spend on tutoring services during the school day.

The proposed rule now goes before the Arkansas Legislative Council Executive Committee, scheduled to meet on January 18.

The House and Senate Education Committees will convene again on February 5 and February 6, with live-streamed and recorded meetings accessible at www.arkansashouse.org.

Arctic Air blasts Arkansas this weekend; freezing rain and heavy rainfall early next week

From the National Weather Service in Little Rock

Arctic air is arriving from the Plains Friday morning. A gusty northwest wind will produce wind chill index values from zero to ten below zero in the northern two to three rows of counties in Arkansas. 

Below to much below normal temperatures will continue through the weekend. Saturday will be the coldest day, with lows in the single digits and teens and highs in the 20s and 30s. Minimum wind chill indices will be in the single digits above and below zero Friday night into Saturday morning. 

Late Sunday night and Monday, Arctic air will begin exiting to the east. Clouds and moisture will increase, with rain developing. Precipitation will likely start off as freezing rain, with the potential for at least a tenth of an inch of ice in northern/western sections of the state. 

Rain will continue through at least Thursday. The forecast calls for one to more than three inches of rain across the region, with the heaviest amounts over the southern counties.

Another arctic air blast coming our way; Winter Weather Briefing from the NWS

Pockets of very light freezing rain are expected in portions of central and eastern Arkansas this morning. A light glaze of ice is possible in places. Amounts will be on the order of a trace to a few hundredths of an inch.  A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted. 

Another round of Arctic air will arrive Thursday night/Friday, and will stay with us through the weekend. The magnitude of this surge of cold air will not rival what we have experienced lately, but temperatures will be well below normal. Saturday will be the coldest day with temperatures starting to recover Sunday. 

As Arctic air exits to the east early next week, moisture will increase across the Plains. Rain will likely develop across the region on Monday, and may begin as a period of freezing rain in the morning. At this time, it appears some icing is possible, especially in western sections of the state.

Could be some freezing rain Thursday morning; NWS Weather Briefing for Arkansas

Temperatures are expected to climb above freezing both Wednesday and Thursday helping with the melting process. Whatever melts during the day will freeze again at night leading to some travel impacts.

A weak weather system may bring a little freezing rain to parts of central and east Arkansas early Thursday but only a thin glaze is expected at this time.Temperatures will warm above freezing  later on Thursday, minimal impacts are expected.

Following the brief warming period, another bout of Arctic air is expected to move into the forecast area, bringing back bitter cold overnight temperatures through this coming weekend.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee held a meeting to discuss concealed carry laws in Arkansas.

This meeting was part of a series of meetings held as part of the Arkansas Firearms and Concealed Carry Laws Study. The purpose of the study is to ultimately simplify gun laws in the state and clarify where and when it is legal to carry firearms.

Subcommittee members reviewed a summary of various state statutes addressing concealed carry.  There are more than 30 sections of Arkansas Code addressing concealed carry laws.

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office also presented a series of recommendations for future legislation to expand gun rights and clarify several existing laws. 

The next meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee will be held on Wednesday, January 24 at 1:30 p.m. in the MAC building located behind the State Capitol. The January 24 meeting will specifically address concealed carry regulations as promulgated by Arkansas State Police.

On March 11 and March 18 the subcommittee will focus on possession and open carry.

Later in the year, the subcommittee will hear from law enforcement and other armed officers as well as local governments and the business community.

We’ve posted the schedule for the additional hearings at arkansashouse.org.

The public is welcome to attend the meetings and there will be time for public comment.

The subcommittee will submit a final report to the ALC Executive Subcommittee by October 1, 2024. The Executive Subcommittee will then submit a report and possibly begin drafting legislation by the end of this year.