Opinion

The 93rd General Assembly is now entering the second week of the 2022 Fiscal Session. The session began with an address by Governor Asa Hutchinson in which he outlined his budget priorities for the next fiscal year.

There is no doubt COVID-19 has presented a wide variety of challenges for us all and changed the way we interact with people, businesses and government. Unfortunately, Arkansans are currently experiencing roadblocks to essential government services because of unnecessarily scaled-back assistance among federal agencies. That is unacceptable and underscores the need to return to normalcy, resume in-person operations and even welcome Americans back to Capitol Hill.

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Mikel Noel, a caregiver from Clark County, pleaded guilty to abusing an individual in his care. Noel was convicted of two felonies: Battery in the Second Degree and Abuse of an Adult Endangered or Impaired Person. He was sentenced to 120 days in the Clark County jail in addition to probation for five years, a $1,000 fine, anger management courses and regular drug screens. Noel will be placed on the adult maltreatment list and the Medicaid exclusionary list.

Little Rock– As Valentine’s Day approaches, Attorney General Rutledge is warning Arkansans to remain cautious of online dating romance scams. Would-be suiters take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating websites and social media.

Two weeks ago, I traveled to Washington to attend the Winter Session of the National Governors Association. As I met with my fellow governors, I was inspired by our shared hope that America will continue to be the beacon of freedom to the world.

I have never done this before, always stopped short because I didn’t want to make waves or lose friends here in Marion County. It’s one thing to build the center but it has to have money to continue once it’s done and being used.

As digital-first Gen Zers continue to encompass the future workforce, they are becoming increasingly eager to leverage virtual event tech’s broad reach to create communities with shared interests and values. Virtual and hybrid event platform, Hubilo, shares how these features help promote this social activism.

Strong- In response to the recent detection of a deer with chronic wasting disease in Union County, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services will conduct a sampling effort on Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge during the next week to further understand the prevalence of the disease in south Arkansas.

Washington– The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously approved landmark legislation championed by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to help meet the needs of veterans suffering from conditions caused by toxic exposure. This legislation will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

The big day is approaching. No time to waste.