Arkansas News & Current Events | Public News Service

Arkansas recently passed legislation to establish June 12 annually as Woman Veterans Recognition Day, based on the 75th Anniversary of the June 12, 1948, proclamation to allow women to serve in the armed forces. (Drazen/AdobeStock)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

AARP Offers Support to Arkansas Veterans, Military Families

In Arkansas, an advocacy group focusing on the 50-plus population is helping meet the needs of Natural State veterans by providing free resources…

An American Hospital Association report revealed net losses in 2022 for some of the nation's largest nonprofit health systems were well above $1 billion, and in some cases, approached $2 billion. (AntonioDiaz/Adobe Stock)

Report: Hospitals Face Mounting Financial Pressures

The mounting financial pressures hospitals in Arkansas are facing are part of a national trend affecting people's access to care, according to a …

Arkansas is slated to receive $54.1 million in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program funding over five years, beginning with an initial allocation of $19.5 million for 2022-2023. (rh2010/Adobe Stock)

Two-Thirds of New US Cars Could be EVs by 2032

The EPA is accepting written comments on its latest vehicle emission standards until July 5th. Backers of the more stringent rules say they will help …

At the end of 2022, there were 4,524 Arkansas children in foster care, a decrease of 7% from the previous year, according to the State of Arkansas House of Representatives.<br />(Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

Helping Arkansas Foster Youth Succeed as Adults

May is National Foster Care Month and in Arkansas, the number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly, according to a new report…

One in five people reported losing money to fraud through imposter scams in 2022, and the top fraud category last year reported to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission was identity theft. (Toa555/Adobe Stock)

AARP Warns Arkansas Seniors of Spike In Fraud, Scams

Consumer scams are on the rise, especially online, and AARP Arkansas is warning residents with tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or …

More than 470,000 students are enrolled in K-12 schools in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Education Data Center. (Kawee/AdobeStock)

Group Urges Arkansas Schools Districts To Focus On Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a national education advocacy group wants school districts in Arkansas to continue focusing on and investing …

The EPA said the spread of Lyme disease, carried by black-legged ticks, is influenced by changing temperatures and rainfall patterns. (Evgeniy Kalinovskiy/AdobeStock).

Report: EPA Climate Change and Children’s Health and Well-Being in Arkansas

In Arkansas and across the country, children's growing and developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, according to a new report …

People with ADHD have characteristic behaviors which are frequent and severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living such as school, work and relationships with others. (ALEX/Adobe Stock)

With ADHD Medicine Shortage, People Seek Other Treatment Options

In Arkansas and across the country there is a shortage of medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which affects more than 1…

Arkansas is one of nine states with levels of food insecurity above the national average from 2019-2021, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. (disha1980/Adobe Stock)

AR Changes SNAP Requirements to Ease Hunger, Temporarily

People may still be able to qualify for SNAP food benefits if they have up to $5,500 in assets, under a bill passed by the Arkansas Legislature…

A new report revealed a steady decline of enrollment and completion among Black learners across all sectors of higher education since 2011, threatening decades of economic gains and the vitality of Black families. (Daniel Ernst/AdobeStock)

Arkansas College Works to Retain Black Students In Higher Ed

A new report from the Lumina Foundation called "Level Up" report showed a steady decrease in enrollment and completion rates among Black students nati…

Of Arkansas' 1.79 million registered voters, more than 900,000 cast ballots in the November 2022 election, according to the Arkansas Secretary of State. (Vesperstock/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas 'Election Integrity Unit' Bill Awaits Gov's Signature

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is expected to sign a bill to create an Election Integrity Unit in the state Attorney General's office. Its goal will be …

More than 1,600 U.S. species are already listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, including 37 species in Arkansas. (David McGowen/AdobeStock)

Bipartisan Bill Could Save 377 Species of Wildlife in Arkansas

Bipartisan wildlife legislation that was recently reintroduced would provide unprecedented conservation funding to states across the U.S. The …

According to Feeding America, one in seven people in Arkansas faces hunger. Local food banks are always in need of volunteers to help. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansans Encouraged to Roll Up Their Sleeves and Volunteer

National Volunteer Month, and AARP Arkansas is encouraging people to dedicate a little more time and energy to the communities and causes important …

Males and overweight people are more likely to have snoring problems, which usually worsen with age, according to the Central Arkansas ENT Clinic. (Baranq/AdobeStock)

Experts Call a Good Night's Sleep Essential to Your Health

Sleep is essential to maintaining good health, but experts say Americans are not getting enough of it. In Arkansas, more than 35% of adults report on …

Arkansas would expect to receive $246 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state. (SeanPavonePhoto/AdobeStock)

AR Mayor Focuses on Infrastructure and Revitalization Projects

An Arkansas mayor joined city leaders from across the country for the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in the nation's capital …

In Arkansas, more than 400,000 people face hunger, and 138,410 are children, according to Feeding America. (Oksana Kuzmina/AdobeStock)

March is 'School Breakfast Month' in Arkansas

Better health and educational outcomes are being touted as Arkansans recognize March as School Breakfast Month. Research has proven providing …

Community Health Centers would need additional funding in order to extend their network of providers and provide care to more patients, according to a new report by the National Association of Community Health Centers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Closing the Primary-Care Gap for Arkansans

A new report found more than three million Arkansans are among 100 million Americans facing barriers to accessing primary medical care. The National …

In recognition of Women's History Month, AARP celebrates Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Her passion for working with retirees grew into her becoming the founder of AARP in 1958. (Robert Kneschke/AdobeStock)

AARP Provides Resources for Caregivers During Women's History Month

In celebration of Women's History Month, AARP Arkansas is sharing resources and information affecting women ages 50 and up, specifically women who …

In 2021, coal reclaimed the top spot as the leading fuel used to generate electricity in Arkansas, surpassing natural gas, and accounted for 35% of the state's total net generation.(Danicek/Adobe Stock)

Clean-Air Advocates Urge EPA to Set Stronger Rules for Soot Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tougher air-quality standards for soot pollution, and an Arkansas clean-air advocacy group says it's …

The District of Columbia and 35 states have enacted

Telehealth Benefits Rural Arkansans with Internet Service

Telehealth services have increased access to health care for many people living in rural Arkansas, but it requires a good internet connection…

A new study from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families notes continuous coverage protection nearly eliminated churn, protecting children from gaps in health coverage. <br />(Robert Kneschke/AdobeStock)

Arkansas Children's Uninsured Rate Could Rise if Health Emergency Ends

A pandemic-era law to help keep children and families continuously covered is set to expire this spring, and advocates are worried the state's …

The U. S. Census Bureau estimated in 2016 the total population in Arkansas was more than 2.9 million people and more than 21.6% of the residents are seniors aged 60 or older. (Chris Ryan/KOTO/AdobeStock)

AARP Priority: Connecting More Arkansans to High-Speed Internet

Broadband internet is increasingly seen as a necessity, but many rural Arkansas communities still lack high-speed broadband service. Arkansas ranks 4…

In 2021, Arkansas had about 27,900 people working as registered nurses, which is about 76% of the number required (36,900) to provide the national average level of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Needs More Healthcare Workers

A new report reveals hospitals in Arkansas are having critical staffing challenges for some occupations. The problem is not new, and it is getting …

The most recent Arkansas Food Desert Working Group report found the state has

Grocery Chain Mega-Merger Could Affect Rural Arkansas

The proposed merger between the grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are already …

In 2020, 83% of Arkansans reported being registered to vote. That's lower than the national average of just over 87%, according to the MIT Elections Performance Index. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Ban Circulating Petitions at AR Polling Places

A Republican-sponsored bill in the Arkansas Legislature would make it illegal to circulate petitions at or near polling places during elections…

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched the

National Day of Racial Healing Means Weeklong Events for AR

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s holiday, and tomorrow is the seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing. It's a call to action for racial …

The Sales and Use tax in the Natural State has stayed the same, at 6.5%, since 2013, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. (Zimmytws/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Analysis: The Longer-Term Effects of AR's Lower Tax Rates

Arkansans will owe the state fewer tax dollars this year, due to tax cuts that have just gone into effect. The General Assembly met for some special …

More than 444,000 Arkansans are not always sure where their next meal is coming from, according to Feeding America, and more than 138,000 of them are children. (Monkey Business/AdobeStock)">

Report: Group Works to Alleviate Arkansas Food Deserts

A recent report shows Arkansas has a "food desert" issue in urban and rural communities. Gov. Asa Hutchinson formed the Arkansas Gov.'s Food Desert …

Two-thirds of people surveyed by the AARP Fraud Watch Network said they shopped online last year, and 21% said they planned to shop online again this holiday season. (Shintartanya/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

AARP Has Tips to Avoid Latest Holiday Scams, Fraud

The holiday shopping season is already in full swing, and AARP Arkansas has some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft…

According to the Georgetown University report, children in low-wage working families with annual incomes between $30,305 and $54,900 (for a family of three) saw the biggest reductions in their uninsured rates during the pandemic. (NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR Rate of Uninsured Kids Held Steady in Pandemic

A new report finds during the pandemic, the number of children without health insurance in Arkansas stayed about the same. The report, by the …

It's estimated 19 million children under 17 who do not receive the full Child Tax Credit are disproportionately Black, Latino and American Indian or Alaska Native, due to their families' incomes being too low, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

AR Group Urges Congress to Reinstate Expanded Child Tax Credit

An Arkansas nonprofit is adding its voice to the calls for Congress to bring back the expanded Child Tax Credit for families in place during the pande…

In 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $4.64 million to health departments and community-based organizations in Arkansas for HIV prevention and care. (Oatawa/Adobe Stock)

AR Program Makes HIV Care, Medication More Accessible

Today is World AIDS Day, observed internationally to remember those lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and raise awareness about the disease. Health …

In Arkansas, foster parents and adoptive parents must be at least 21 years of age. In adoptions, an age difference of no more than 45 years between the child and adoptive applicant is preferred.(Gajus/Adobe Stock)

'Project Zero' Aims to Get More Arkansas Foster Kids Adopted

National Adoption Month comes to an end today, but in Arkansas, almost 300 children are waiting to be adopted. Project Zero is a nonprofit …

In 2021, the rate of people without health insurance in Arkansas was 9.2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Joyfotoliakid/Adobe Stock)

Health Centers Clash with 'Big Pharma' Over Drug Savings Program

A case involving "Big Pharma" and Community Health Centers serving low-income and uninsured patients began with opening statements this month…

In Arkansas, completing a bachelor's degree is the first step to becoming a licensed teacher, according to the Arkansas Department of Education website. (Iofoto/Adobe Stock)

AR Partners with Nonprofit University to Train More Teachers

Arkansas is working to overcome the state's teacher shortage, especially in rural areas, with a new residency-based program for would-be educators…

In Arkansas, the utility Entergy Arkansas, Inc. provides electricity to about 728,000 customers in 63 counties. (Oleksii/Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Utility Delivering On Its Climate Promises

A report by the Sierra Club rates utility companies for what they say they're doing to transition to cleaner energy sources - versus what they're actu…

Arkansas began exempting military retirement pay from state income taxes in 2018, making the state an attractive destination for veterans looking to relocate. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Chosen for Military Apprenticeship Hub Program

In Arkansas, thousands of people leave U.S. military service each year and start searching for their next job, and some face difficulty because their …

The Sentencing Project report reveals more than 3,000 Latinos who are American citizens are disenfranchised from voting in Arkansas due to a felony conviction. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: More than 81,000 Arkansans Can't Vote Due to Felony Convictions

Early voting is underway in Arkansas, but thousands of people here will not be able to vote in the midterms due to a past felony conviction. …

El informe de The Sentencing Project revela que m�s de 3,000 latinos que son ciudadanos estadounidenses no pueden votar en Arkansas debido a una condena por un delito grave. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

AR Más de 81,000 habitantes no pueden votar debido a condenas por delitos

La votación anticipada está en marcha en Arkansas, pero miles de personas aquí no podrán votar en las elecciones intermedias …

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 18,000 people in Arkansas are newly diagnosed every year with diabetes. (Ratmaner/Adobe Stock)

Healthy Lifestyle, Dietary Changes Can Help Prevent Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and one expert believes Arkansans can reverse prediabetes, and prevent the onset of Type Two diabetes…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas ranks first in the nation for its high rate of chronic lower-respiratory diseases, such as emphysema, and third in terms of heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease rates. (Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock)

Survey: "Back to Basics" for Living Longer, Healthier in Arkansas

In a new survey, most people say they want to take steps to live healthier and longer, but some are unaware of the lifestyle factors that can make …

Group Pushes to Educate Arkansas Voters Ahead of General Elections

As the Nov. 8 midterm election fast approaches, there has been an urgent push for more voter education and candidate engagement in Arkansas. AARP …

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, more than 2,300 people in Arkansas experience homelessness on any given day. (Artur/Adobe Stock)

AR Groups Keep Fighting for Those Who Fall Behind on Rent

Groups challenging the criminal consequences for failing to pay rent in Arkansas say they'll take another run at it, perhaps as a class-action …

The State of Black Students at Community College report says 70% of African American college students experienced food and housing insecurity or homelessness during the pandemic. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

AR School Works to Attract More Students to Higher Ed

A new report on Black students in the community college system found fewer are signing up to attend two-year schools, and the college enrollment …

For schools, Arkansas Peace Week includes lesson plans with such topics as

Community Groups Promote Peace in the Natural State

We're in the middle of Arkansas Peace Week, which is packed full of activities and events to promote the goals of peace and justice in the state…

Arkansas ranks fifth for the per capita number of households with children that reported not having enough food in their homes this past year, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. (Oksana Kuzmina/AdobeStock)

Group Develops Ways to Combat Rural Child Hunger

Save the Children's Rural Child Hunger Research and Innovation Lab aims to help communities design and test new, creative ways to reduce rural child …

In Arkansas, election officials will request that voters provide an approved form of ID. (Annap/AdobeStock)

Arkansans Urged to Register on National Voter Registration Day

Ahead of the general election on November 8, there's an urgent push for voter registration in Arkansas. In 2020, 83% of Arkansas citizens reported …

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, So chances are you or someone you know has been affected. (Arisha Ray Singh/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month an Opportunity to Address Stigma

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to shed light on a what has been a highly taboo and stigmatized topic. The Centers for …

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