This year’s theme for Black History Month is Black health and wellness; past themes have included the family, Black migrations, and Black women in American culture and history, among others. Black History Month: The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” which was created in 1926 by Carter G.
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting the public that several categories of FDA-regulated products purchased from Jan. 1, 2021, through the present from Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee may be unsafe for consumers to use. The impacted products originated from the company’s distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, where an FDA inspection found insanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation, that could cause many of the products to become contaminated.
Washington– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) is pressing the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to take up his legislation designating Arkansas’s historic Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail.
Washington- Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today continued his efforts to hold Russia accountable for its escalating aggression and destabilizing behavior by cosponsoring the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act. The legislation provides critical support Ukraine needs to defend itself and deter threats while also imposing real consequences on the Kremlin for its malign efforts.
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith hosted its annual Homecoming Stock the Pantry Pep Rally at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, in the campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The Student Activities Office, Campus Activities Board, and the Greek Life and Leadership Office partnered together to host a homecoming challenge that gives back to both the campus and local community, bringing in more than 5,986 items of food for the Lion Pride Pantry on campus.
Ivan Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday February 12, 2022, at his home in Montecito, California. He was born in Komárno, Czechoslovakia, in October 27, 1946. The son of Klara (Raab) and Ladislav “Leslie” Reitman. Where his father owned the country’s biggest vinegar factory. His mother had survived Auschwitz and his father was in the resistance.
YELLVILLE– Arvest Bank announced today that its mortgage division originated record volume in 2021, the third consecutive year it has set a new mark. Arvest’s total 2021 mortgage loan volume of more than $4.77 billion eclipses the previous record of $4.68 billion set in 2020.
Jodi Carney announces that she will seek the position of District Judge for Baxter and Marion Counties. Mrs. Carney has 28 years of courtroom experience and previously served as a Deputy Prosecutor for the District and Juvenile Courts of Baxter County. District Court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, including traffic tickets and DWI’s, as well as small claims and civil disputes under $25,000.00.
On February 14, 2022, Arkansas attorney, Jody Lee Shackelford, 36, of Cherokee Village announced his run for Arkansas’ 1st District Congressional seat. A life-long Republican, Shackelford will run against incumbent Rick Crawford, 56, and another challenger, State Representative Brant Smith, 62, both of Jonesboro.
LITTLE ROCK– The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC) option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative (CCI) and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities in Arkansas, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to support climate-smart agriculture.