$6 million settlement finalized in Sebastian County jail death case

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

A $6 million settlement has been reached in a lawsuit related to the 2021 death of Larry Price Jr., in the Sebastian County Jail. As expected, the settlement will cost Sebastian County $3 million, which the Quorum Court approved on Aug. 20.

A lawsuit was filed Jan. 13, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas seeking a jury trial. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III. Sebastian County and Turn Key Health Clinics, the company contracted to provide medical care at the jail when Price died, were named as defendants. The lawsuit was filed by Seattle-based Budge and Heipt on behalf of the Price family.

In August 2020, Price, who had a history of mental illness and had several interactions with law enforcement, entered a Fort Smith police station where he was alleged to be verbally threatening and pointed his fingers in the shape of a gun. He was charged with making terroristic threats and booked into the Sebastian County Jail with bail set at $1,000. Unable to make bail, Price would remain in the county jail, often in solitary confinement, for more than a year. He would die on Aug. 29, 2021.

$6 million settlement finalized in Sebastian County jail death case

Larry Price’s body was photographed Aug. 29, 2021, after being pronounced dead at the Mercy Fort Smith hospital.

Food desert elimination grant combats food insecurity in Arkansas

KUAR | By Sophia Nourani / KUAF

A new study conducted by the federal department of agriculture, or the USDA, has identified Arkansas as the most food insecure state in the country. With almost 20% of the state lacking resources to feed their household, Arkansas has a significantly higher rate of hunger than the national average of 12%.

There is a food desert in every county in Arkansas. What’s a food desert? According to the USDA, it’s a term used to describe a region with a large number of households facing low incomes, inadequate access to transportation and a limited number of food retailers providing fresh, affordable produce. In a rural state like Arkansas, these types of areas are common to find. And while residents may be growing food in these farming-driven communities, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance’s Sylvia Blain said the food isn’t for the farmers.

"So, we're an agricultural state," Blain said. "We export a lot of our food, but we're not necessarily growing fresh fruits and vegetables for our communities. So that's one of the reasons you have this level of food insecurity and food deserts in an agricultural state. So that's two different things, the agricultural products and then having fresh fruits and vegetables for your community. But across the board, you know, Arkansas has a high poverty rate, and so along with that comes a lack of transportation, a lack of access to a lot of the resources that we might need, and the inability to gain those resources for yourself. So you know, the root causes are varied."

Food desert elimination grant combats food insecurity in Arkansas

Flickr Image

Dean MacKeith helped to introduce mass timber to state

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Mass timber products have become significant to many large construction projects in Northwest Arkansas thanks in part to the advocacy of Peter MacKeith, dean of the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.

MacKeith became a fast advocate for these products when he joined the UA more than 10 years ago. The advocacy has led to multiple large-scale mass timber projects on campus, timber executive gifts to the UA and piqued the interest of Bentonville retailer Walmart enough to use mass timber products to construct its new home office.

According to WoodWorks, mass timber products are engineered wood building materials made by layering and bonding wood. They are code-certified internationally and can be used for frames, floors, roofs and walls. The most common products include cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam) and dowel-laminated timber. CLT and glulam have been used in the most significant projects in Northwest Arkansas.

Dean MacKeith helped to introduce mass timber to state

Peter MacKeith, dean of the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design

Extension welcomes new animal health and wellbeing specialist

LITTLE ROCK — From her first days working on a family farm, Kirsten Midkiff knew she wanted to find a life in agriculture.

“Livestock judging and working with animals has always been a big part of my life,” she said. “I came from a background where we had cattle as well as sheep, so the health aspect of it always played a huge role in what we did.”

Midkiff, a native of Fullerton, Louisiana and now the extension animal health and wellbeing specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, began learning the ropes of livestock production from her parents, who worked at a veterinarian clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

NEW ARRIVAL — Kirsten Midkiff is a new animal health and wellbeing specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. (Division of Agriculture photo.)

“I learned a lot from them about animal health, management, and various aspects of production,” Midkiff said. Her and her parents’ involvement with multiple organizations — the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, 4-H and FFA — broadened her understanding of livestock agriculture’s impact at an early age.

Midkiff became increasingly involved in livestock judging as a youth. After completing high school in 2014, she pursued an associate’s degree at Clarendon College in Texas, where she was a member of their livestock judging team. In 2016, she transferred to Mississippi State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy science in 2018.

Midkiff completed a master’s degree in agricultural science with a minor in agricultural economics at Mississippi State and served as assistant coach to MSU’s livestock judging team. Afterward, she relocated to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she completed her Ph.D. in beef cattle health, nutrition, and physiology. Between 2021 and 2024, she was routinely involved in research and extension activities, working under the guidance of Jeremy Powell and Elizabeth Kegley, both professors for the Division of Agriculture, and Michael Looper, animal science department head for the Division of Agriculture.

When the position of extension animal health and wellbeing specialist opened up, the opportunity couldn’t be ignored.

“I had several conversations with Dr. Powell, and he encouraged me to apply for it,” Midkiff said. “We agreed that it would be a good fit for the work I want to do and my goals for the future.

Midkiff said one of her primary goals is to revitalize several extension programs that have gone dormant in recent years, including a statewide 4-H veterinary science program.

“There have been several counties that are really involved with that,” she said. “I’m wanting to get it active on a state level, especially since we’re going to be getting a new vet school, possibly two, in the near future.

“I really want to make an effort to get more veterinary professionals back in the state,” she said. “I think that’s going to be one of my biggest pushes over the next few years — advocating for those students, advocating for our vet programs and for our existing veterinarians.”

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.

House Passes Womack Cosponsored VA Supplemental Bill to Prevent Funding Cliff and Safeguard Veterans’ Benefits

Washington, D.C.—September 18, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) is a cosponsor of H.R. 9468, the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night. This legislation fully funds the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) request for supplemental funding, addressing its massive funding shortfall, and holds the Biden-Harris administration accountable for its mismanagement of the VA budget.

Congressman Womack said, “Our nation’s veterans deserve and rely on resources from the VA budget. The Biden-Harris administration’s $15 billion shortfall is utterly unacceptable. By passing the VA supplemental bill, Congress stepped up for millions of veterans where the administration fell woefully short. Not only does this legislation fully fund the VA’s request, but it also ensures our heroes are never neglected by these failures again.”

Background:

Image provided by Sydney Rae

The VA’s failure to properly budget and account for enrollment growth and staffing costs in its budgetary process resulted in an unprecedented funding shortfall in veteran benefits for the remainder of FY24 and into FY25.

The House Appropriations Committee was notified of the potential shortfall in July—four months after the Biden-Harris administration submitted its Budget Request and following the markup of FY25 legislation in both chambers of Congress. The VA’s updated projections indicated a need of approximately $15 billion above what was originally requested, including an additional $3 billion for the remainder of FY24 for Compensation and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits (mandatory funding) and an additional $12 billion for FY25 for VA medical care (discretionary funding).

Without Congressional action before September 20, this shortfall would result in the Veterans Benefits Administration being unable to process benefits payments scheduled for October 1st. 

Solution:

H.R. 9468 addresses the $3 billion shortfall in mandatory funding, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates would have no net budget effects.

The bill also includes language that holds the administration accountable, requiring a report to be submitted to Congress no later than 30 days after enactment as to why these budgetary errors took place and ways the VA is addressing its failure to accurately project needs and recurring reports on the status of funds of these accounts moving forward.

Chicken house electricity audit provides clues to curbing ‘peak demand’

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

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Today’s meat chickens were bred to grow faster with higher feed conversion ratios, but that also makes chicken house climate control even more important.

VENTILATION — Sidewall tunnel fans provide cross ventilation in a chicken house. An 11-month energy audit of chicken house electricity usage showed ventilation fans require the most electricity and prompted further studies on how to curb "peak demand." (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Demand for better climate control, especially ventilation, has increased over the past decade as poultry companies have moved to require fully enclosed chicken houses that support those genetic abilities of the nation’s largest meat protein sector.

Following an 11-month study of a modern broiler chicken house’s electric load pattern, researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture showed the most significant room for energy cost savings for poultry producers lies in avoiding “peak demand” charges associated with ventilation fans.

“We really need to look at the energy efficiency of fans because that’s the biggest energy user,” said Yi Liang, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering for the Division of Agriculture. “There are also many other components. Lights, for example. However, in the last 10 to 15 years, they have passed from incandescent to fluorescent to LEDs. Now, lights are just a small percentage of electricity usage. Energy efficiency can have a lot of benefits.”

The study, “Measurement of dynamic electric consumption trend in a broiler house in Arkansas,” was published earlier this year by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and was co-authored by Thomas Costello, associate professor. Costello retired from the biological and agricultural engineering department in January.

Liang conducts research and outreach through the Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service. Her work is also part of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.

The chicken house equipment that was monitored included sidewall fans, end-wall fans, circulation fans, compact fluorescent lamps, dimmable LED lamps, feed-bin cross-auger motors, feed-line motors, blowers on radiant-tube heaters, and well-water pump motors for an entire farm. The sump pumps used to deliver water to the cooling cells were not monitored since their electricity consumption is small, Liang said. End-wall fans create high air speed through the house, typically referred to as the “tunnelling effect,” to help cool the chickens.

Due to the difficulty in obtaining real-time measurements, the researchers did not measure fuel usage to heat the production houses.

Costs of peak demand

Their yearlong investigation sought deeper insights into chicken houses’ daily and seasonal energy load, which can be used to assess if incorporating solar arrays on site is feasible to offset peak demand.

Many farm electric accounts, Liang explained, are charged not only for total energy usage but also extra for power used during periods of peak demand. The study used 15 minutes as its peak demand period — the amount of time which utility companies use to compute the most power within a billing cycle.

Liang’s previous published research showed that peak demand charges can account for close to 50 percent of the monthly electricity bill for some farms.

Having investigated chicken house energy consumption for many years, Liang expected ventilation fans to be the biggest user. But even she was a little surprised at just how much. Throughout four growth cycles of heavy broilers, the study showed that ventilation fans accounted for 88 percent of the electricity demand and were the most significant contributor to peak demand on the farm.

Electricity costs over the 11-month production period ranged from $5 per metric ton of chicken for winter flocks to $22 per metric ton for summer flocks respectively.

The results led Liang to a few ideas for further studies.

Controlled power

To offset peak demand, Liang said she would like to work on programming the electric feed motors in a chicken house so they avoid running continuously for 15 minutes when ventilation demand is peaking.

For example, if the ventilation fans are peaking, Liang said she would like to try programming the well water pump to refill at off-peak hours to avoid influencing the peak demand charges.

“Commercial chicken houses have a controller with software guiding the equipment operations as the birds grow” Liang said. “Basically, the controller needs a little bit of an upgrade.”

Liang would also like to test variable speed technology on the chicken house ventilation fans to decrease electricity demand, by slowing them down during months when the required air exchange rates are lower than the design airflow rates. Unfortunately, Liang said, slowing the fans down using variable speed technology means additional capital investment so an in-depth cost benefit analysis is warranted.

This work was supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems, project award no. 2019-69012-29905, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and 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.

UAMS Study to Address Maternal, Infant Deaths with $2.4 Million Federal Grant

By David Robinson

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will receive up to $2.4 million over the next four years to test prevention strategies for reducing high rates of maternal and infant deaths in the Arkansas Delta.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will fund a combination of education, training, outreach and preventive health services focusing on Helena-West Helena, Lake Village and Pine Bluff. The initial $599,887 grant is for one year and must be renewed each year.

The collaborative effort led by BioVentures LLC at UAMS includes key partnerships with the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships.

UAMS Study to Address Maternal, Infant Deaths with $2.4 Million Federal Grant

UAMS' Stefanie Kennon-McGill, Ph.D., is leading the four-year study, which she hopes will deliver sustainable solutions to high maternal and infant death rates in the Delta. Arkansas has the highest maternal death rate in the U.S., and pregnant Black women die at nearly twice the rate as pregnant white women.

Invasive plant discovery forces temporary closure of Lake Georgia-Pacific boat access

CROSSETT — A recent discovery of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, has forced the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Georgia-Pacific Crossett LLC to temporarily close the boating access to the Lake Georgia-Pacific in Ashley County. Fishing is still allowed at the lake, but the boat ramp will be closed while AGFC staff enact emergency actions to eradicate recently discovered concentrations of water hyacinth and survey the lake for additional occurrences of the plant.

Water hyacinth is native to the Amazon basin of South America and is thought to have been introduced to the southern U.S. as an ornamental.  While it does have attractive flowers, the plant quickly forms dense mats that cover the water surface, displacing native species, impeding water flow and water navigation, and restricting recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hunting and swimming. Large amounts of decaying plant material can decrease oxygen levels, which is detrimental to fish and other organisms. Once established, water hyacinth can double in size in as little as two weeks in the right growing conditions.

After speaking with officials from Georgia-Pacific Crossett LLC, AGFC staff recommended the immediate closure of the boat ramp on the east side of the lake.

Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program coordinator for the AGFC, said the plant has been found primarily in the canal from the boat ramp leading to the main lake.

“We need to act quickly to contain and remove the plants before they have a chance to spread to the main lake,” Horton said. “Temporarily preventing additional boat traffic will help keep the plant from being dragged further into the lake and will prevent anyone from inadvertently hauling pieces of the plant to a different lake after fishing in Lake Georgia-Pacific.”

Lake Georgia-Pacific is roughly 1,500 acres and supplies water to the paper mill in south Arkansas. It also is a very popular fishing destination for local anglers. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish are featured species in the lake.

“Fishing is still open at the lake, we are only closing the boat ramp to help contain during our eradication efforts,” Horton said. “We hope to reopen the boat ramp by the end of the week if our efforts are successful.”

Contact District Fisheries Biologist Ryan Mozisek at (870) 281-7091 for more information on this access closure and angling opportunities at Lake Georgia-Pacific. For more information on water hyacinth and other aquatic nuisance species visit www.agfc.com/ans.

College of Health Professions Celebrates Students, Donors at Scholarship Reception

By Ben Boulden

The UAMS College of Health Professions brought together and celebrated both the students who recently received scholarships and many of the donors who support them.

At the Sept. 5 reception, College of Health Professions Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., said the average debt of an in-state undergraduate student is $35,000, while an in-state graduate student’s debt is more than twice that at about $75,000.

“Because of the generosity of our donors, we have been able to award over $100,000 in student scholarships to 57 students this year,” Long said. “However, with increasing enrollment, this equates to only 3% of our students. Obviously, there is more work to be done to help students afford a higher education.”

College of Health Professions Celebrates Students, Donors at Scholarship Reception

College of Health Professions students hold certificates of scholarship while gathering on the lobby stairs in the Rahn Education Building after a scholarship reception that recognized scholarship donors and student recipients. Image by Andrew Vogler

Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology Students Don White Coats in Ceremony

By Ben Boulden

UAMS College of Health Professions Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology students slipped their arms into the sleeves of their white coats for the first time and celebrated the beginning of their postgraduate studies.

At the department’s White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 30, each student walked to the front of the auditorium, and two faculty members held up the coats as they put them on. Nine of the students at the gathering are studying for a degree in the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program, and 20 are in the Master of Science (M.S.) in Communications Sciences in Disorders program for speech-language pathology.

Greta Robinson, Ph.D., a member of the department’s faculty, opened the ceremony and said, “I like to think of the white coats as cloaks of compassion, which is what they are.”

Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology Students Don White Coats in Ceremony

Along with faculty, students in the audiology and speech-language pathology programs gather for photo after the White Coat Ceremony.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

As we welcome September, it’s a time to recognize the vital role that rice plays in Arkansas and to celebrate National Rice Month. Our state stands proud as the number one producer of rice in the United States, contributing significantly to both our economy and our communities.

 Every year, Arkansas harvests an impressive 200 million bushels of rice, supporting nearly 25,000 jobs across the state. This remarkable industry not only boosts our economy, contributing over $6 billion annually but also enriches our agricultural heritage. It’s worth noting that 96% of the 2,300 rice farms in Arkansas are family-owned and operated, embodying the spirit of hard work and dedication that defines our communities.

 In addition to its economic impact, the rice industry is committed to sustainability. Over the past 30 years, our rice farmers have made tremendous strides in reducing environmental impact by cutting water use by 52%, greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, and the land required to grow rice by 39%. These efforts demonstrate our farmers' commitment to not only producing high-quality rice but also protecting our natural resources for future generations.

 Moreover, the rice industry plays a crucial role in fighting food insecurity within our state. Each year, Arkansas rice farmers generously donate over 200,000 pounds of rice to help those in need. This act of kindness highlights the community spirit that binds us together as Arkansans.

 Rice is grown in over 40 counties throughout our state, showcasing the agricultural diversity and richness of Arkansas. As we celebrate National Rice Month, let us take the time to appreciate the hard work of our rice farmers and the impact they have on our economy, environment, and community well-being.

 Consuming Arkansas-grown rice helps support our neighbors. You can help celebrate rice month by purchasing Arkansas-grown rice at your local supermarket.

Dinner at the Vines event to benefit Arkansas 4-H

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas 4-H Foundation is gearing up for its 4th annual Dinner at the Vines event on Sept. 24 — complete with garden party, lakeside dinner, online and live auctions and entertainment — all benefitting Arkansas 4-H.

VINES — The Arkansas 4-H Foundation's signature fundraiser takes places Sept. 24, 2024, at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock, AR. (UADA graphic)

The event begins at 5 p.m. at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, at 1 Four H Way in Little Rock. Tickets are $150 each, or $1,000 for a table sponsorship for six. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.arkansas4hfoundation.org/
 
“This event has become a great tradition for so many of our Arkansas 4-H supporters as a way of connecting with old friends, making some new ones, and investing in our 4-H youth,” said John Thomas, the foundation’s managing director.

Festivities will kick off in the 4-H Center’s teaching garden where Pulaski County Master Gardeners will give tours and answer questions about the native plants in the garden.

Dinner will be lakeside, near the center’s rose garden, and will feature locally sourced and seasonal foods. Kordsmeier Music will provide entertainment.

Nearly 100 items are up for grabs in the online auction, which opens Sept. 17 to the public.

Event attendees can also bid on items in the live auction. Up for grabs is a five-night condo stay in Orange Beach, Alabama; Razorback football tickets, sporting and hunting equipment, culinary experiences, sports collectibles and more. 

Proceeds benefit Arkansas 4-H, the state’s largest youth development program, offered through the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

“Everything we do at center that draws adults audiences helps pay for opportunities for our 4-H youth,” said Judy Riley, event chair. “The more we can improve infrastructure, the better we can provide enjoyable accommodations for all. Staying here is a way of giving back. That’s a way people can pay it forward to help our youth.”

Past proceeds have also made it possible for 4-H youth to attend summer camps and other activities.

Arkansas 4-H serves every county in Arkansas and reaches more than 275,000 youth annually through programming and scholarships opportunities.

Dinner at the Vines is for adults aged 21 and older.

To learn about the Arkansas 4-H Foundation and how to support Arkansas 4-H, visit https://www.arkansas4hfoundation.org/. For information about 4-H opportunities and other 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 on X at @AgInArk.

Activists continue to call for changes to Arkansas Medicaid, allege unfair losses of coverage

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas Medicaid recipients and advocates repeated their ongoing messages that the state Department of Human Services should provide broader Medicaid coverage and process applications more efficiently at a Tuesday demonstration outside DHS’ Jefferson County office.

Arkansas Community Organizations, the group behind the protest, has continually emphasized the benefits of the federally-funded health insurance program and the struggles low-income Arkansans face when they cannot afford health care or get on Medicaid quickly. On Tuesday, the group added a new message: that DHS employees are overworked and under-supported.

“When you walk into DHS, prepare to take a number and sit for a long time,” Medicaid recipient William Gerard said. “There might be two workers at four windows and not enough [support] to serve their caseload.”

Activists continue to call for changes to Arkansas Medicaid, allege unfair losses of coverage

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Organizers with Arkansas Community Organizations hold up signs advocating for better Medicaid coverage outside Jefferson County’s Department of Human Services office in Pine Bluff on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Anonymous Donors Give UAMS $9.7 Million During 2024 Fiscal Year

By Andrew Vogler

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) received $9.7 million through anonymous gifts in the 2024 fiscal year, supporting several UAMS programs throughout Arkansas.

“During the 2024 fiscal year, one of UAMS’ highest fundraising years, we received several significant anonymous gifts that support a variety of programs in many parts of the state,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “Though the contributors of these gifts would prefer to not be publicly acknowledged, it is difficult to not highlight the impact that these funds are having on the recipient programs.”

The Division of Institutional Advancement integrates donor and alumni relations with fundraising to secure resources and support for the UAMS Foundation Fund for the benefit of the UAMS mission.

Anonymous Donors Give UAMS $9.7 Million During 2024 Fiscal Year

John Erck, vice chancellor for the Division of Institutional Advancement.

The Compass Report: Economic growth continues in Arkansas’ top metro areas

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

Arkansas’ top four metro areas continued in the second quarter of 2024 to enjoy economic growth, albeit at a slower rate than in previous quarters, according to the latest The Compass Report. The construction sector was a top performer in all four regions.

In the second quarter 2024 (April-June) report, Central Arkansas received an “B” grade, the Fort Smith metro had a “B+” grade, the Jonesboro area received a “C-” grade, and Northwest Arkansas had a “B+” grade.

The Compass Report is a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) and Talk Business & Politics. First National Bank of Fort Smith is a sponsor of the statewide report.

The Compass Report: Economic growth continues in Arkansas’ top metro areas

UAMS Receives $5 Million to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a $5 million Congressional appropriation to coordinate efforts across the state to reduce infant mortality.

Nirvana Manning, M.D., professor and chair of the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the funding, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will allow UAMS to supply resources to every birthing hospital in the state and reach out directly to postpartum mothers to steer them to the appropriate help they may need.

The recently released funds were part of a legislative package championed by U.S. Sen John Boozman and approved in late March.

“Healthy, thriving families are key to a successful Arkansas, and UAMS consistently dedicates significant resources to help achieve that objective across our state. I was proud to secure a federal investment to enhance its infant and maternal care, so moms and babies receive proactive outreach and adequate medical support. Dr. Manning and her colleagues are terrific partners whose commitment to solving this challenge will continue demonstrating the merit in allocating these funds,” Boozman said.

UAMS Receives $5 Million to Reduce Infant Mortality Rates

Nirvana Manning, M.D.

U of O, AGFC join forces to build shooting sports facility

CLARKSVILLE — A recent agreement between University of the Ozarks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has launched the public phase of a fundraising campaign by the university to build an Olympic-level shooting sports facility in Clarksville.

The memorandum of understanding outlines the construction and operation of the facility and was signed earlier this month in Little Rock by Austin Booth, director of the AGFC, and Richard Dunsworth, president of U of O.

Under the agreement, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will donate $2 million in matching funds to the project and the university will raise the remaining cost of the project. The facility will be open to the public and will be constructed on a 140-acre parcel owned by the university just south of Interstate 40.

According to Dunsworth, with the AGFC’s pledge, a total of $4.5 million has been committed to the project, including $1.5 million from the university and $1 million from the city of Clarksville.

“We are one step closer to having a world-class shooting facility right here in Clarksville,” Dunsworth said. “We have the full support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the city of Clarksville and Johnson County, and now we’re ready to fully launch the fundraising initiative.”

The AGFC recently devoted an entire division’s focus to recreational shooting, which includes archery, competitive shotgun shooting and shooting range development.

Booth says the matching pledge is a continuation of the AGFC’s commitment to recreational shooting and its role in conservation.

“Aside from many being hunters and anglers and playing active roles in conservation, all recreational shooters contribute to conservation through the purchase of firearms and ammunition, which supports excise taxes earmarked for conservation work throughout the nation,” Booth said. “By increasing ranges in Arkansas, we’re not only helping remove barriers to hunting, but we’re also ensuring all who contribute to conservation are represented in our efforts.”

University officials said construction on the first phase of the project could begin once the university raises an additional $10 million. Dunsworth said the fundraising initiative would include naming-rights opportunities for donors.

The first phase of the complex would include a clubhouse, competition-level sporting clay courses and fields for skeet, trap and bunker as well as a pistol and rifle range. There will also be an archery field. The facility would also include spectator areas, picnic areas and pavilions.

The $5 million second stage would include an RV park and additional support spaces.

According to Dunsworth, the new facility would fill a void of competition-caliber shooting sports complexes in the region. The nearest Olympic-level complex is more than 600 miles away in San Antonio.

“Clay target shooting and archery are among the fastest-growing sports in the country, from youth on up to the collegiate level,” Dunsworth said. “Our research has shown that there are more than 100 junior and senior high and other youth shooting sports programs currently within a 100-mile radius of Clarksville, and we’re excited about providing a premier facility for these young men and women.”

The shooting complex will be adjacent to and easily visible from Interstate 40, the third-longest freeway in the United States. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Clarksville area of I-40 has an average daily traffic volume of about 30,000 vehicles.

Under the 15-year agreement, the AGFC staff would operate and manage the pistol and rifle range, and U of O will operate other parts of the facility.

The complex would be the home course of the university’s men’s and women’s sports shooting teams as well as local youth and high school shooting programs. Dunsworth said the university plans to create a collegiate archery program once the facility is completed.

The university established the state’s first board-sanctioned, competitive collegiate shooting program in 2010. Since then the teams have won seven individual and team national championships in sporting clay. Dunsworth said the university plans to create a collegiate archery program once the facility is completed.

Weekly update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Our neighborhoods are more than just places where we live. They are the very essence of our communities, reflecting our values, aspirations, and pride.

Arkansas is the Natural State. We pride ourselves on the beauty of our lakes, rivers, woods, and trails. We should also take that same pride in our sidewalks, parking lots, and city streets. That’s why we are encouraging Arkansans to sign up for the Great Arkansas Cleanup. 

This year, the Great Arkansas Cleanup will take place from September 7 to October 31. 

 In 2023, the hard work and dedication of Arkansans paid off, with nearly 150,000 hours spent participating in cleanup activities. Volunteers removed a staggering 514 tons of bulky waste from 2,132 miles of roadways and 772,051 acres of parks and public areas in all 75 counties.

 Not only did volunteers clean up alongside waterways and shorelines, but they also collected 6,227 tires, 2,418 tons of recyclables and planted over 1,878 trees, shrubs, and flowers. Additionally, 182 litter grabber kits were distributed to individuals who wanted to clean their communities but were unable to join larger cleanups.

 The impact of the Great Arkansas Cleanup goes far beyond just picking up litter. In 2023, the total economic value returned back to communities in Arkansas was nearly $5.4 million. This shows that investing in keeping our state clean pays off in more ways than one. Additionally, there were nearly 23,000 volunteers, representing a 63% increase over the last 5 years. This demonstrates the growing commitment of Arkansans and the power of community coming together to keep Arkansas beautiful.

 By taking part in this statewide community improvement campaign, you can make a difference in your community and help keep Arkansas beautiful for generations to come. Find information on how to organize a cleanup event in your community and register your event to receive free bags, gloves, and t-shirts (while supplies last) at keeparkansasbeautiful.com.

 Together, we can continue to make our state a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live. Let's work together to make Arkansas even more beautiful!

Attorney General Tim Griffin joins bipartisan call on Congress to require Surgeon General warning for social media platforms

Griffin: ‘As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he and 41 other attorneys general sent a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social media platforms:

“Social media platforms have become part of everyday life for most Americans, but it’s no secret that their algorithms are inherently addictive and can have devastating impacts on young people. That’s why I joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in support of the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent call for Congress to require that a warning be placed on all algorithm-driven social media platforms.

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“The responsibility for protecting children begins and ends with parents, but we can all do more. As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online, including algorithms that entice them to consume unhealthy amounts of content that degrades their mental health.

“A Surgeon General’s warning on social media platforms isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a step in the right direction toward keeping our kids safe in digital spaces.”

Last year Arkansas was among the first states to file lawsuits against TikTok and Meta for deceiving consumers and pushing their addictive and harmful algorithms to minors. As noted in today’s letter to Congress, since Arkansas filed its lawsuits in the spring of 2023, a total of 45 states have now filed or joined similar lawsuits.

The letter was co-led by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee. In addition to Arkansas, joining in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Alabama, American Samoa, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

To read the letter, click here.

To download a PDF copy of this release, click here.

Inspired by the Past, Larry and Jan Alman Invest in UAMS’ Future

By Andrew Vogler

Sept. 6, 2024 | Larry and Jan Alman have abundant affection and concern for the people who make up their community. These feelings are expressed not only in the conviction of their words but also through their commitment to community service and philanthropic investment for the common good.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is grateful to be included in the Almans’ community — a long list of relationships that have been cultivated for many years, several of which were hatched many decades ago by the Almans’ respective families.

The story of the Alman family in Little Rock begins with Larry Alman’s grandfather, Charles Alman who immigrated from Poland in 1905 — Ellis Island was the entry point and Little Rock was the destination. He soon found his niche in the “junk business,” a forerunner to today’s scrap metal and recycling industry.

Inspired by the Past, Larry and Jan Alman Invest in UAMS’ Future

Larry and Jan Alman have both served on UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging Community Advisory Board. Image by Bryan Clifton