Opinion

Whether it was due to a job loss, reduction in income or increased costs in healthcare, many homeowners fell behind in mortgage payments and utilities during the pandemic. If you or someone you know is behind on payments, we want to direct your attention to a resource that could help.

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas tourism industry is recovering from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on collections of the state two percent tourism tax, the industry now exceeds pre-pandemic levels of economic activity.

Arkansas is a better place today than yesterday because of our teachers. We cannot thank them enough for their work and the difference they make in our children’s lives.

Little Rock – As spring break approaches, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning of the all too popular “family emergency” scam. The scam starts with an Arkansan receiving a panicked phone call from an unknown number claiming to be a family member, like a favorite grandchild, or a friend desperately needing money to get out of trouble.

The Veterans Administration (VA) has joined the world of apps. The VA has created apps for veterans to use for your everyday health needs.

Arkansas youth have adapted to changes in how and where they learn in recent years. Our students have demonstrated their ability to quickly adjust to shifting circumstances. As high school students prepare for their next chapter, we need to ensure they have the tools and resources to be successful. There are exciting workforce development opportunities in The Natural State helping to shape bright futures for these young people.

Brent Renaud, who grew up in Little Rock, traveled the world to tell the stories of the overlooked with the hope that the world could never again overlook them. Brent’s films made the stories personal.

The Ozark Mountain School District (OMSD) has received a $75,000 grant from No Kid Hungry to start a summer feeding program. OMSD is starting a summer feeding program that will be able to deliver meals throughout the district to ensure student receive meals for the summer when school is not in session.

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature completed the 2022 fiscal session in 23 days, approving a budget for state government that calls for spending about $6 billion in general revenue next year. A highlight of the fiscal session was approval of crime prevention measures, such as funding $5,000 salary supplements for local law enforcement officers.

From one-time bonuses to increased funding for safety equipment, the 93rd General Assembly made support for law enforcement a top priority in this fiscal session. Act 224 provides a onetime stipend of $5,000 to full-time certified city and county law enforcement officers as well as probation and parole officers.