Arkansas News & Current Events | Public News Service

Medicare fraud costs taxpayers an estimated $60 billion each year. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 1, 2022

My Health Care Tracker Tool Helps Medicare Recipients Prevent Fraud

A new tool aims to help older adults in Arkansas and beyond who receive Medicare track what happens at their doctor appointments. It also can help …

There are an estimated 18 million kids under age 5 in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Children's Prepares for Kids' Vaccine Questions

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines were cleared this weekend for use in children under age five by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a…

Heat waves are the deadliest type of severe weather events in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Soaring Temperatures in AR Pose Potential for Heat-Related Illnesses

Temperatures across Arkansas this weekend will continue to be in the high 90s, as a heat wave hangs on in the region, and health officials are …

Research has shown that gender-affirming health care can improve the mental health and overall well-being of gender-diverse children and young people. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Back in Court to Block Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

Oral arguments were held this week on an appeal blocking an Arkansas law from going into effect. The law would prevent young people from getting …

In Arkansas, nearly 500,000 people face food insecurity, with almost 150,000 of them children, according to Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)

Ark. Grants to Help Address Food Insecurity in Pulaski County

A new initiative in Arkansas' most populous county focuses on increasing healthy options at food pantries to help families experiencing challenges as …

Arkansas is short more than 50,000 affordable rentals for extremely low-income households, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. (Adobe Stock)

Second Round of American Rescue Plan Dollars Heads to Arkansas

Arkansas is poised to receive its second round of American Rescue Plan funds, more than $786 million, to help residents still facing the pandemic's …

The National Institute on Aging says loved ones of people experiencing depression should encourage them to seek medical treatment and stick with a treatment plan a doctor prescribes. (Adobe Stock)

Older Arkansans Face Mental-Health Challenges During COVID-19

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Arkansas health officials are reminding older adults of resources available, as the social …

If you use powdered infant formula, be aware certain Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products have been recalled and should not be used, the FDA warns. (Adobe Stock)

AR Social Worker Creates Resource for Finding Baby Formula Amid Shortage

The baby-formula shortage has hit families in Arkansas hard, and one Little Rock resident aims to alleviate the stress on parents by creating an …

All of Arkansas' executive officers, including Secretary of State and Attorney General, are up for re-election this year. (Adobe Stock)

AR Groups Compile Primary Voter Guide on Judicial Races

Early voting is underway in Arkansas through May 24. Central Arkansas community organizations have put together a nonpartisan voter guide for Pulaski …

Arkansas joins Nebraska as the only two states to reject the latest offer of federal rental-assistance funds for low-income households. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Rejects Most of Latest Federal Rental-Assistance Funds

Arkansas is declining most of the $146 million made available in a second round of Emergency Rental Assistance from the federal government. Critics …

More than half of all unenrolled adults report that the cost of a college degree is a major factor in why they have not continued their education. (Adobe Stock)

'Emotional Stress' Impacting College Students, Report Finds

In the wake of disruptions and losses due to COVID-19, research showed the majority of college students in Arkansas and beyond who left school over …

Economic stability can play a role in staying healthy. In Arkansas, the median annual income for Black women who work full-time was $28,018, compared to white women, who made $33,943 in 2016. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Women's Health in AR in "Critical State"

Black women's health in Arkansas and beyond is in a dire situation, according to a new report, which showed more collaboration is needed to address …

Households with children in Arkansas are more likely to rely on SNAP benefits, according to Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Worried More Rural AR Kids May Go Hungry This Summer

Federal waivers put in place at the height of the pandemic allowed federal child nutrition programs more flexibility in delivering meals to households…

The Sentencing Project report found that, despite the number of young people arrested declining over the last 10 years, the number of referred youths who were detained increased slightly. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Officials Severely Undercount Number of Incarcerated Kids

Although youth incarceration rates in the U.S. are on the decline, a report from The Sentencing Project reveals the number of young people being …

Wearing a face mask when working from the office is an effective way to prevent spreading or contracting COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

AR Health Pro Offers Tips on Managing Stress of Returning to Office

Many employers enacted work-from-home policies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the office. Some are starting to ask employees to return to …

The report notes that the average green-jobs salary in Arkansas is more than $61,466. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Farms Have Opportunity to Grow in Green Economy

By Laura Aka Broadcast version by Emily Scott Reporting for the WorkingNation- Arkansas News Service Collaboration Chris Isbell of Isbell Farms is a…

The Treasury Department reported that in December, the final month of the expanded Child Tax Credit, payments went to 350,000 families in Arkansas. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Guaranteed Income Can Help Improve Child Brain Development

By Katie Fleischer Broadcast version by Emily Scott Reporting for the Ms. Magazine -Arkansas News Service Collaboration It's no secret that extra …

Arkansas researchers say face masks, combined with vaccinations and proper handwashing, can help keep COVID cases down in school settings. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Face Masks in AR Schools Meant Fewer COVID Infections

As school districts and local governments lift COVID mask mandates amid waning case numbers, a new study found the masks have been effective in …

In a new survey, Arkansas Medicaid applicants said they've experienced such issues as no one answering the phone or calls being dropped, trouble navigating the website, and long wait times for support. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansans Face Barriers to Medicaid Enrollment

Some Arkansans who are eligible for Medicaid have trouble applying for it, according to a new report. Community advocates want administrators and …

The ACLU lawsuit contends voting in Arkansas is highly polarized along racial lines. In recent statewide elections, Black voters have supported their preferred candidates with more than 80% of their votes. (Adobe Stock)

ACLU Appealing Dismissal of Challenge to AR Redistricting Map

The ACLU of Arkansas is appealing a decision by a federal judge who dismissed a challenge to a new state House map, saying the plan hurts Black …

Due to the adoption of the child-nutrition waivers, an estimated 90% of Arkansas school districts were able to continue to provide meals to kids during the pandemic shutdown, according to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Extend Child-Nutrition Waivers Past June 30

Children's advocates are sounding the alarm about the expiration of a program they say has been key to keeping low-income children fed during the pand…

Books that some Jonesboro Public Library board members have previously attempted to remove from the children's section include "The GayBCs" and "It's Perfectly Normal." (Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library/Facebook)

Proposal to Move LGBTQ Kids' Book Sparks Censorship Fears

Efforts to move children's and young adult books with LGBTQ content to the adult section of a Northeast Arkansas public library have some local reside…

One of the primary goals at the East Arkansas Family Health Center for 2022 is getting vaccination rates up among people ages 18 to 49. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers Celebrate One Year of COVID Vaccinations

February marks one year of community health centers giving COVID vaccines, playing a crucial role in protecting populations disproportionately …

Bill Bynum is founder and CEO of HOPE Credit Union, which issued more than 5,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans from April 2020 to April 2021 that allowed businesses to retain employees during the pandemic. (Courtesy of HOPE)

Award Honors Founder of Credit Union That Serves Low-Income Southerners

By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News Service C…

At least 20% of eligible workers nationwide don't claim the Earned Income Tax Credit each year. (Adobe Stock)

173,000 Workers in Arkansas Eligible for Tax Credit Under Expansion

A newly expanded tax credit program for low-income people means more Arkansans are eligible than ever, and advocacy groups hope to spread the word…

The average eliminated medical debt for Arkansans was approximately $1,500 per household. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Help Erase Medical Debt for 24,000 Arkansans

Philanthropic groups have collaborated to erase more than $35 million in medical debt for Arkansas residents. Over the last few months, the groups …

Some 74% of the new COVID cases being diagnosed in Arkansas are among unvaccinated residents, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. (Adobe Stock)

AR Governor Seeks $4.7M for More Hospital Beds in Omicron Surge

As COVID hospitalization in Arkansas hit their highest levels of the pandemic, Gov. Asa Hutchinson is asking the state Legislature to allocate funds …

Eye-health experts recommend parents look out for "digital eye strain" in kids. Red flags include squinting while reading or watching television. (Adobe Stock)

Too Much Screen Time Poses Eye-Health Risks for Young People

Spending more time on the computer or phone has become a big issue during the pandemic, both for adults and children - and eye-care specialists are …

The Arkansas MLK Commission also hosts a King Holiday Day of Impact on Mon., Jan. 17, at the Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock. (Adobe Stock)

MLK Day Caravan in AR to Focus on Inclusivity, Voting Rights

Today, activists in Little Rock host a "drive-through" interfaith prayer breakfast on Martin Luther King Junior Day, to honor the legacy of the civil-…

Lawsuit: New AR House Map Weakens Black Voting Power

A redistricting challenge in Arkansas gets its first court hearing this month. The lawsuit claims the Arkansas Board of Apportionment's new voting-…

On Tuesday, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 9,400 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered over the last 24 hours. That's an increase from the week prior, but lower than it had been in previous weeks. (Adobe Stock)

Governor: AR Enters 'Period of Greatest Risk' with Omicron Surge

Arkansas reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, as the highly contagious Omicron variant spreads, mirroring trends seen across the …

Chronic wasting disease has been found in deer, elk and moose in at least 26 states. (Adobe Stock)

Congress Could Provide Funds to Manage CWD in Arkansas Deer Herds

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk is a growing problem in Arkansas, and conservation groups hope bills making their way through Congress …

Foster youth advocates also recommend helping them send homemade gifts or holiday cards to their relatives they'd like to stay connected with. (Adobe Stock)

Group Aims to Make Holiday Season Special for AR Foster Youth

The holiday season can be a difficult time for anyone away from home, especially for kids in foster care. Volunteers in Arkansas have been working …

At least four confirmed tornadoes touched down in Arkansas during the winter storm this past weekend that struck three other states. (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, via Twitter)

Relief Groups in AR after Deadly Tornadoes: 'A Devastating Thing to See'

JONESBORO, Ark. - Disaster relief responders are assessing the damage from the tornadoes that took two lives in northeast Arkansas and caused major …

Arkansans for a Unified Natural State and other groups have been collecting signatures since October to overturn the state congressional maps due to concerns of partisan gerrymandering. They have until Jan. 15, 2022 to collect 54,000 signatures. (Adobe Stock)

AR Groups: New House, Senate Maps Break Up Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Board of Apportionment has approved its House and Senate district maps based on 2020 U.S. Census data, and voting-…

Conservationists say the Recovering America's Wildlife Act could support improvements to water quality in the Ozarks, including the Buffalo National River. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Act Could Boost AR Conservation, Advocates Say

ST. JOE, Ark. -- More than a decade of restoration efforts in a section of Northern Arkansas' Ozark National Forest have led to 40 new species of …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says eating outdoors when possible is safer than indoors when hosting a holiday gathering. (Adobe Stock)

Amid COVID Uptick, Gov. Cautions AR Families Gathering for Holiday

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - As Arkansans prepare to spend time with family for Thanksgiving, Gov. Asa Hutchinson is warning folks to be cautious as …

Medicaid recipients from the storytelling project also suggested that annual allotments for appointments, prescriptions and transportation be improved to increase access to care. (Adobe Stock)

AR Medicaid Storytelling Project Features Experience Navigating Program

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas health advocates have launched a new project aiming to tell the stories of how the Medicaid system has supported …

Nearly 100,000 children in Arkansas have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to state Department of Health data. (Adobe Stock)

AR Leads Multistate Research on Kids' Long-Haul COVID Cases

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas will lead a 14-state study of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on children, with the hopes of finding effective …

Statewide, Arkansas' vaccination rate in residents age 12 and older is 55%. (Adobe Stock)

AR Community Health Centers Breaking Down Barriers to COVID Vaccine

MARIANNA, Ark. -- With last week's announcement the Pfizer vaccine was approved for use in children ages 5-11, community health centers in Arkansas …

The Arkansas Board of Apportionment is composed of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State John Thurston. (Adobe Stock)

Redistricting Comment Period Open for AR House, Senate Maps

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Board of Apportionment (BOA) is seeking public comment after revealing its proposed state House and Senate voting-…

In the next few decades, hotter summers are likely to reduce corn and rice yields in Arkansas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Solutions for Climate Change in Arkansas? Join the Discussion

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas is seeing the effects of climate change, from extreme weather events to less water in aquifers used by farms due to …

There is already some vocal disagreement about the Arkansas Legislature's new congressional-district map, which splits the Little Rock area between three of the four districts. (Adobe Stock)

AR Group Petitioning to Overturn Congressional Redistricting Map

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A voting-rights coalition is pushing to overturn Arkansas' new congressional maps approved by the state Legislature this month…

There are an estimated 42,000 farms in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

USDA Audit Can Help Small AR Farms Expand to Wholesale

SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- New efforts are underway to help small-scale farms in Arkansas expand their business. The Food Conservancy, a northwest Arkansas …

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families says more children would have health insurance if the state provided 12-month continuous eligibility for kids on Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Number of Uninsured Arkansas Children is Rising

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- With the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace open-enrollment period just around the corner, advocacy groups are gearing up to …

Arkansas' neighboring states of Texas and Oklahoma are expected to take in about 4,500 and 1,800 Afghan families respectively. (Adobe Stock)

AR Preparing to Welcome Nearly 100 Afghan Refugees

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- More than a month after the sudden fall of Kabul led to tens of thousands of Afghans becoming refugees overnight, groups are …

Arkansas farmers produce more than 9 billion pounds of rice each year. (Adobe Stock)

UArk Studies Profit Potential of Farming Organic Rice

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas produces more rice than any other state, and a new grant will help farmers explore ways to transition the industry to …

Arkansas' rental-assistance program has distributed funds to more than 3,200 households in the state. (Adobe Stock)

AR Makes Policy Changes to Get Rental Assistance to Residents More Quickly

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas has made some changes to its state rent relief program to make it easier to distribute assistance to residents…

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