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Arkansas receives first payment in $26 billion national opioid settlement
Arkansas has received more than $2.5 million from three opioid distributors as part of a national $26 billion settlement. The payment is the first of $216 million the state will receive under the agreement through annual payments over 18 years. State and local officials still must develop plans for how to spend the settlement funds, […]
Arkansas lawmakers pass over pandemic relief projects, cite lack of priorities
Arkansas legislators on Tuesday approved just one of seven federal funding requests from state universities and colleges after expressing frustration that the state lacks a plan for appropriating dwindling American Rescue Plan Act funds. Black River Technical College received approval for $4.6 million in ARPA funds to construct a facility that would provide short-term housing […]
Legislators authorize $65 million in recovery funds for school districts
Another $65.6 million in federal relief funds will be disbursed to 23 school districts following approval by an Arkansas Legislative Council subcommittee Tuesday. This was the fifth round of plans reviewed by lawmakers. The Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review panel began reviewing districts’ use of American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund […]
$2 Million grant will support STEM education at UA Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a nearly $2 million National Science Foundation grant to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education that will enable hundreds of students to participate in a peer mentoring program. This is the largest grant the university has received from NSF. Researchers will use the five-year […]
State delays decision on student loan forgiveness tax status until 2023
A decision on whether student loan forgiveness will be taxable in Arkansas will have to wait a few more months. Last week, Arkansas officials said they had not yet decided if canceled student debt could be taxed. Following the release of President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, the Tax Foundation reported Arkansas was one […]
History Commission denies Fort Smith request to relocate old flag display
The city of Fort Smith cannot relocate a set of flags, including a Confederate flag, once displayed at a city park, the Arkansas History Commission decided Thursday. Under a 2021 state law, the city had to ask the commission for a waiver to relocate the flags even though the city removed the flags before passage […]
$30-million Arkana Laboratories expansion to create Little Rock jobs
Little Rock-based Arkana Laboratories is launching a $30-million expansion project that will create 74 new positions by 2028. As the largest renal pathology lab in the country, Arkana Laboratories processes an estimated 40% of the country’s kidney biopsies. The company makes more than $30 million annually, and some of its best-known competitors include the Mayo […]
School Safety Commission recommends cybersecurity training, confidential tip line
The Arkansas School Safety Commission addressed cybersecurity concerns during its meeting Tuesday, approving a recommendation that would require anyone who uses district-issued digital devices to receive annual cybersecurity awareness training. The commission plans to release a final report on its recommendations to the governor by Oct. 1. While school safety is often focused on physical […]
Lawmakers approve $188 million in relief funds for schools in third review round
An Arkansas Legislative Council subcommittee approved the disbursal of $188 million in federal relief funds to 44 school districts Thursday. This was the third round of plans reviewed by lawmakers. Today’s authorization by the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review panel is part of the council’s continued efforts to review districts’ use of American Rescue Plan […]
Federal funds will help connect 5,500 homes and businesses to broadband
Arkansas has received $47.5 million to connect 5,500 homes and businesses in rural areas to high-speed internet through the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. U.S. Department of Treasury officials on Tuesday announced the approval of plans from Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska and North Dakota. The rescue plan’s capital projects fund is providing $10 […]
School Safety Commission recommends support for anti-bullying and inclusive classrooms
The Arkansas School Safety Commission adopted eight more recommendations Tuesday, including one to provide access to training and support for programs that deter bullying and create an inclusive classroom environment. These initiatives can provide better ways to provide intervention and assistance to students who need it, said commissioner Lori Poston, vice president of clinical services […]
Arkansas officials: No determination yet on tax liability for student loan forgiveness
Arkansas tax authorities haven’t yet decided whether borrowers must pay state income tax on canceled debt under President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Discharged debt is typically taxable as income. However, under the American Rescue Plan Act, student loan forgiveness between 2021 and 2025 is not subject to federal taxes. Arkansas is one of […]