News

In the last 24 hours, health officials have received results for more than 2,800 tests. It is the largest single day of testing so far. To date, 34,745 tests have been conducted in Arkansas. Overall, 7.9% had positive results.Anyone who thinks they have symptoms is being encouraged to get a test today and tomorrow.The Arkansas […]

Child abuse does not stop during a pandemic. But since many of the state’s mandated reporters such as teachers and pastors are not interacting face to face with Arkansas children right now, the number of reports coming into the hotline have decreased by 50%The director of Children Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, Elizabeth Pulley says that […]

There has been a recent decline in testing in Arkansas. At one point 1,600 tests were being performed daily. Now the average is 1,000. The Governor is now launching a 2-day testing surge campaign. If you have think you have symptoms, don’t wait. Get tested. The goal is to have 1,500 tested daily on Friday […]

The Governor announced today that restrictions for elective medical procedures will be lifted April 27.  The health department is asking hospitals to start with a small number of surgeries that do not require an overnight visit. Patients will need to be tested for COVID-19 with-in 48 hours of the procedure.The Governor also announced a timeline […]

·       The Governor signed an Executive Order today to create a working group focused on testing capacity in the state. He said Arkansas’s ability to conduct adequate diagnostic and surveillance testing will affect the state’s public-health strategy and economic-recovery efforts after Arkansas reaches its peak number of COVID-19 cases. The working group […]

The Governor said today that while he hopes to lift some restrictions on May 4, Arkansans will still need to practice social distancing and wear a mask. The Governor says compared to other states, Arkansas is doing well in per capita testing. He plans to meet with hospital administrators and state labs tomorrow to determine […]

Phase 1 of “Opening Up America Again” plan proposed by the White House includes returning to work in phases where possible, allowing large venues such as movie theaters and restaurants to open under strict distancing protocols, resuming elective surgeries and re-opening gyms with social distancing guidelines. The first phase also recommends that schools continue to […]

While we are facing difficult and uncertain times, Arkansans should know that essential services in state government will continue.This week during the 2020 Fiscal Session, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a balanced budget for the next fiscal year prioritizing funding for education, health care, and public safety.The 2021 Fiscal Year begins July 1.The Revenue Stabilization […]

·        This morning, the House passed the remaining appropriation bills and the Senate version of the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA). The Senate version is identical to the RSA we passed in the House yesterday prioritizing $5.9 billion in spending for the next fiscal year. This concludes the vast majority of our business […]

With a vote of 97-0 and 2 members voting present, the House approved HB1096, an Act to Amend the Revenue Stabilization Act. This outlines the $5.9 billion budget for the next fiscal year. The House will convene again tomorrow at 10 am. The Governor said that current models show the peak of cases in our […]

·      There are no new positive cases today from Cummins Unit. Division of Corrections Director Dexter Payne says the department is doing everything it can to keep the inmates and staff safe. All inmates and staff have been given masks and barracks are being moved one at a time for recreation and dining. […]

The numbers released today show the largest increase of positive tests in a 24 hour period for Arkansas. There are 130 new cases reported. A majority of the new cases are from correctional facilities. Tests confirm the first outbreak in a state correctional facility.  43 out of 46 inmates in a maximum-security barrack at Cummins […]