Arkansas News

Little Rock, Arkansas - The festive season has arrived, bringing with it an air of excitement and cheer, especially in Central Arkansas, where the atmosphere is electric with a variety of holiday events that embody the essence of seasonal joy. For those who revel in the mesmerizing display of Christmas lights, Central Arkansas offers an enchanting experience. Imagine streets and parks adorned with twinkling lights, creating a magical landscape that transforms the night into a luminous wonderland. Each light installation is a work of art, offering a visual feast that captures the spirit of the holidays. If you are a connoisseur...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Today marks a significant date for central Arkansans looking to ease the burden of their utility bills next summer. September 29 represents the deadline for applying to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - a program aimed at assisting low-income households in managing their energy costs more effectively. According to the Central Arkansas Development Council website, prospective applicants must furnish a comprehensive list of documents to be considered for the assistance. The required documents include "proof of income, social security numbers and copies of cards for all household members, birthdates for all household members, a...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, is gearing up for the holiday rush by significantly expanding its workforce in Arkansas. As part of its preparations for the expected surge in holiday shoppers, Amazon has announced its intention to hire an additional 1,700 employees in the state. This hiring spree encompasses full-time, seasonal, and part-time roles. The move to hire 1,700 Arkansans forms a fraction of a much larger nationwide recruitment drive by the company. Across the U.S., Amazon is onboarding a staggering 250,000 additional employees to cater to the holiday demand. Prospective employees in Arkansas have more to rejoice...

Little Rock, Arkansas – Amid the devastating wildfires sweeping through parts of Louisiana, the neighboring state of Arkansas is lending a helping hand. On Tuesday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders authorized the deployment of six wildland firefighters to Louisiana, demonstrating a collaborative effort in the region to battle the ferocious blazes. These wildfires, which have already consumed 40,000 acres, are intensified by the extreme drought conditions that have affected a third of Louisiana. The urgent need for assistance and resources in firefighting is evident, and Arkansas has heeded the call. The firefighters dispatched to Louisiana are from the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division....

Little Rock, Arkansas - Recent data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates a marginal rise in the unemployment rate in Arkansas. As per the agency's official statement, Arkansas witnessed a one-tenth percentage point increase in unemployment, shifting from 2.6% in the prior month to 2.7% in August. In-depth figures from the data revealed that the state's civilian labor force underwent an expansion, with an increase of 2,556 individuals. This growth unfortunately also resulted in an uptick of 895 newly unemployed Arkansans. On a positive note, when comparing year-over-year data from August 2022, there's been...

Arkansas - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration has allocated $1.3 million in funds to support rural areas across Arkansas. As detailed in a recent press release, the primary use of this allocation is to bolster essential strategies to counteract the overdose threats posed by fentanyl and other opioids. A significant portion of the award, amounting to $1 million, is earmarked to initiate treatment facilities within rural locales, allowing residents to procure medications specifically designed to treat opioid-related disorders. Additionally, an allocation of $300,000 aims to assist rural regions in addressing their "specific and immediate needs,...

Arkansas - In response to the rising temperatures in Arkansas, numerous counties are placed under burn bans to mitigate fire risks. The following counties are currently under burn bans: Ashley County Chicot County Faulkner County Hempstead County Little River County Lonoke County Miller County Nevada County White County Woodruff County The Arkansas Department of Agriculture confirms that it is within the jurisdiction of county judges to issue these burn bans. For further details regarding the burn bans, one may refer to ArkFireInfo.org.

Gurdon, Arkansas - Anthony Timberlands Inc., headquartered in Beirne, Arkansas, with approximately 800 employees statewide, is currently under scrutiny due to recent OSHA violations. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) disclosed that an investigation into the company's practices unveiled four significant violations. Notably, these infractions encompassed an absence of lockout and tagout procedures during machinery maintenance, an inadequate provision of protective barriers in hazardous zones, and missing safety indicators in perilous areas. The investigation was initiated after a tragic incident at the company's Bearden facility, wherein a worker met with a fatal accident after a hoist table collapsed on them. OSHA's...

Arkansas - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has granted approval for free fishing in the state on August 23. The motive behind this decision stems from modifications to AGFC's licensing system. The vendor responsible for this system, PayIt Outdoors, is in the midst of enhancing its services for the Arkansas hunting and fishing community. Due to these updates, there will be a temporary halt on license acquisitions and renewals for the said date. AGFC Deputy Director, Spencer Griffith, commented, "We saw this as an opportunity to give anglers one more chance to get out and enjoy some free fishing...

Fort Smith, Arkansas - The state of Arkansas has initiated Act 657, which is set to address the escalating lunch debts in public schools, as informed by Scott Hardin from the AR Department of Finance and Administration. This law, endorsed during the 2023 Legislative Session, strategically redirects the tax revenues from medical marijuana sales to address broader issues such as food insecurity and associated health concerns. Elaborating on its implications, Hardin expressed, "What that means is elimination of school lunch debt. And then the legislature, Arkansas Legislative Council, can also expand that to address some other needs across the state. But...