Times Record (Ft. Smith Southwest)
Cost of Iran war rising
The Pentagon revised the cost of the war in Iran upward on May 12. “We think it’s closer to $29 billion,” Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, told a House Appropriations subcommittee. A week before, the Trump administration estimated...
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American cruise ship passenger tests positive
Two more people, including an American, have tested positive for hantavirus after being evacuated from a luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak, health authorities said, as Spain prepared on May 11 to evacuate and repatriate the last passengers...
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Mercy expands Fort Smith care team as safety grades rise
Two physicians with longstanding ties to the River Valley are joining Mercy Fort Smith as the hospital system also celebrates a major national recognition for patient safety. Dr. Abdul-Nasser Adjei, an interventional cardiologist with more than two...
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Building a workforce
The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on Monday unveiled two new centers aimed at tackling one of the River Valley’s most pressing challenges: building a workforce ready for the future of manufacturing. With a ribbon cutting, tours, and remarks from...
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Uncertainty remains in labor market
U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated May 8, fueling some cautious optimism about hiring even as high oil prices tied to the Iran war and rising AI adoption pose risks to the labor market. The April...
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Fort Smith F-35 training site aims for 18-month completion
The original timeline was upended on Wednesday when a top Army Corps official challenged contractors to finish Fort Smith’s new F-35 training facility in just 18 months. While the project is scheduled as a two-year build, Brig. Gen. George Walter,...
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Memo hints at possible U.S.-Iran deal
President Donald Trump said Iran could either agree to a framework for peace talks or bombing would resume, after he had paused the military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said May 6 on social media the war that began Feb. 28, with a...
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Burnham Woods reborn for next generation of Girl Scouts
After years of sitting quietly beneath overgrowth, Burnham Woods is coming back to life, reimagined not just as a camp, but as a launch point for thousands of girls to find their confidence, leadership skills and future paths. When the 13.5-acre Girl...
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Calls grow to regulate online betting
WASHINGTON – As scandals continue to plague popular online betting platforms, calls within Congress to intervene are getting louder. A series of controversies in April – from political candidates profiting from their own campaigns to a soldier’s...
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Microplastics could be overestimated
It seems like every day a new study finds tiny plastic particles called microplastics where they should not be: in our bodies and our food, water and air. Yet finding and identifying microplastics is extremely challenging, especially given their small...
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Psychedelic drug research set to proceed
The Food and Drug Administration has announced the winners of national priority vouchers to study the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs, shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order paving the way for more research. In an...
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TrumpIRA site offers retirement savings
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 30 that will broaden access to retirement savings for workers whose employers don’t offer 401(k)-type plans. The order creates a new website, TrumpIRA.gov, that workers can use to enroll in a...
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Trump: Iran blockade could last months
President Donald Trump indicated he’s prepared to keep his current strategy of blockading Iranian ports for months in order to inflict economic pain on the Islamic republic as long as he feels is necessary. “At this moment, there will never be a deal...
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Congress grills Hegseth on Iran war
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth faced questions on the Iran war from Congress for the first time since the twomonth conflict began, as President Donald Trump warned the Middle Eastern country to “get smart soon” and make a deal that meets U.S. demands. In...
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Trump claims Iran is breaking down
President Donald Trump on April 28 said Iranian officials have warned the country is in a state of collapse and want a U.S. blockade lifted, as the White House weighs a peace offer from Iran that seeks to end the two-month war. “Iran has just informed...
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U.S.-Iran negotiations remain at a standstill
Work has not halted to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran, sources from mediator Pakistan said, despite the failure of face-to-face diplomacy after President Donald Trump called off a trip by his envoys over the weekend. Iranian sources...
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Former ATU catcher funds baseball scholarship, support
For Arkansas Tech University alumnus Steve Walker, baseball has always been more than a game. It’s a legacy. Walker, a former catcher for the Wonder Boys, has created the Steve G. Walker Endowed Baseball Scholarship and Fund through the ATU...
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DISNEY
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – In 1928, the cartoon short “Steamboat Willie” hit theaters. It was a black-and-white, 7minute cartoon that wowed audiences with sound – no talking, but whistles, squeaks and the song “Turkey in the Straw.” It starred a pair of mice,...
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Ping-pong robot beats top-level human players
An autonomous robot ping-pong player dubbed Ace has achieved a milestone for AI and robotics in Tokyo by competing against, and sometimes defeating, top-level human players at table tennis, a feat that could presage an array of other applications for...
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Final Ebbing report outlines noise and economic effects
The Department of the Air Force has released its final environmental summary for a proposed expansion of the Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, concluding the project would increase aircraft activity and...
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Study explores solar option that spares AR cropland
As solar development increasingly competes with farmland across Arkansas, University of Arkansas researchers are testing whether a different approach could meet energy demands without taking acreage out of production. A new project at the Rice...
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Powerful essay leads to OG&E Positive Energy award
Anthony Mendez thought he was walking into another senior assembly Thursday morning, April 16, at Northside High School. Instead, he walked out with something far more lasting, a sense that the power he once lost had, in some ways, come back. Mendez...
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Answers sought after Louisiana massacre
SHREVEPORT, LA – Residents of this historic riverfront city remained shaken a day after a gunman opened fire April 19 and killed eight children in the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since January 2024. They were looking for explanations – and...
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Trend could sway outcome of 2026 midterms
In the 2024 election, President Donald Trump dramatically improved his performance among nearly all groups of voters from four years earlier. Trump’s growth among Hispanic voters was especially notable, increasing by more than 10 points from 2020 to...
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Prison plan not mentioned in Sanders’ State of the State
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders still considers the proposed 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County the state’s best option for expanding correctional capacity, even as the project went unmentioned in her recent State of the State address and in a letter to...
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National Mall to get Freedom 250 makeover
WASHINGTON – Livestock competitions, rodeo events and a 110-foot Ferris wheel are coming to the National Mall this summer as part of a White Housebacked, “World’s Fair-style” celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The 16-day event, dubbed...
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DROUGHT HITS HAY OUTPUT
Arkansas ranchers are tapping into hay reserves and bracing for reduced forage production as drought conditions intensify across nearly the entire state. According to the April 9 U.S. Drought Monitor, 99.96% of Arkansas is experiencing some level of...
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Freeze spares strawberries but wipes out peaches
Arkansas fruit growers are seeing a tale of two seasons in 2026, with strawberries arriving early and strong, while peaches have largely been wiped out by a late freeze. Strawberry production across the state is off to a promising start, according to...
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Top Guard leader tours Fort Smith air base
The nation’s top National Guard official visited Ebbing Air National Guard Base on April 9, highlighting the installation’s growing role in national defense and its expanding mission set. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau,...
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LEARNS Act dominates State of the State speech
Education, and specifically the continued rollout of Arkansas’ LEARNS Act, took center stage as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered her State of the State address at the start of the 2026 Fiscal Session on April 8. Sanders devoted the largest...
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Region offers lessons about broadening voters’ options
A majority of Americans say they are “frustrated” or “angry” – or both – with Republicans and Democrats, according to the Pew Research Center. But that rarely translates into support for independent or third-party candidates. One exception has been in...
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Stage & stein
The story of one of the most corrupt federal courts in U.S. history is being told this spring through theater and through what people drink. h “The Western District,” a one-act historical melodrama, opens performances this week, accompanied by two...
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Artemis II crew awestruck by trip
The four astronauts on the Artemis II mission that took them around the moon spent years preparing for the historic flight, practicing operating the Orion spacecraft, learning how to observe the moon’s geography and even training in photography. The...
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Mercy unveils campus upgrades
Mercy Health announced Tuesday the first phase of a multi-year investment plan to expand services and upgrade facilities at its Fort Smith campus. The initial phase is part of a threephase effort expected to bring more than $60 million in total...
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U.S., Iran declare victory with ceasefire
A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is underway following an eleventh-hour deal struck just before a deadline imposed by President Donald Trump, who threatened to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran did not capitulate to U.S....
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Public defender shortage ripples across legal system
The Oregon Supreme Court on Feb. 5 issued a ruling that will have a wide impact. More than 1,400 criminal cases had to be dismissed, the justices ruled, due to lack of adequate counsel available for defendants. Like other states, Oregon must provide...
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State awards $4.9M in park grants, River Valley benefits
Parks and trail projects across the Arkansas River Valley are set to receive new investments as part of a $4.92 million statewide grant program announced on March 31 by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The funding, distributed through the Arkansas...
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Trump issues more threats against Iran
President Donald Trump took to social media on April 5 to applaud the U.S. military’s rescue of the second airman whose fighter jet was shot down over Iran – and to issue an expletive-laden threat against the Middle Eastern nation to reopen the Strait...
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‘The Western District’ opens with Fort Smith history focus
A controversial and often-overlooked chapter of Fort Smith’s past will take center stage beginning April 9 as “The Western District,” a one-act historical drama, launches its opening weekend across multiple venues in the city. Written and produced by...
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Recent graduates find challenging job market
In 2025, new college graduates wanted remote, high-paying jobs that aligned with their values. In 2026, they just want a job. With 89% worrying artificial intelligence could replace entry-level roles – up from 64% last year – 67% of graduates now say...
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Trump fires Bondi as U.S. attorney general
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after several investigations of his perceived enemies were thwarted and her handling of files related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein came under criticism. “Pam Bondi is a...
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ATU’s new AI track has focus on ethics, careers
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, Arkansas Tech University is preparing students to meet that future head-on with a new academic track focused on AI and machine learning. Beginning in fall 2026, Arkansas Tech will offer an...
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Hegseth warns of ‘decisive’ turn in war
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, formally known as the Secretary of Defense, on March 31 said the upcoming days in the war with Iran will be “decisive,” as President Donald Trump demanded allies reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves and average gas...
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Iran threatened with targeted strikes
President Donald Trump on March 30 said the United States was engaged in “serious discussions” with Iranian officials on a deal to end the war – but threatened to launch strikes on the country’s power, oil and water facilities if negotiations...
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Tilles Park renovation brings inclusive play to Fort Smith
With spring break crowds and nearperfect weather, Fort Smith leaders marked the completion of Tilles Park’s upgrades, showcasing new inclusive play features designed to serve children of all abilities. Other improvements at Tilles Park include...
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Buying U.S.-made cars has tax perk
DETROIT – The One, Big Beautiful Bill that passed last year made a lot of tax changes in relation to car purchases that consumers who qualify could take advantage of if they buy certain vehicles assembled in the United States. The bill removed the...
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GOP reps push back on DHS funding legislation
WASHINGTON – An 11th-hour Senate agreement to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, securing a path to ending the weekslong shutdown that has left airports in turmoil, hung in the balance March 27 after GOP representatives pushed...
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Envoy: U.S. has sent ‘action list’ to Iran
The Trump administration on March 26 confirmed for the first time that it has passed a 15-point “action list” to Iran through Pakistani officials to end the war. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the diplomatic efforts at a Cabinet meeting, saying...
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Union: TSA ‘desperate’ for end to shutdown
DENVER – Day after day, flight after flight: Cancun. Orlando. Honolulu. Happy families and college students heading off on spring break vacations are being helped every day by 61,000 unpaid Transportation Security Administration workers. The screeners...
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Ferguson Student Union opens at Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech University opened the Ferguson Student Union on March 18, a nearly 70,000-square-foot facility more than a decade in the making and designed to serve as the hub of campus life. Students, faculty, alumni and supporters gathered for the...
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Arkansas rice losses drive surge in farm bankruptcies
Arkansas farmers, particularly rice growers, are facing mounting financial pressure as farm bankruptcies nationwide rise sharply, underscoring what industry leaders warn could be a turning point for agriculture in the state. New data from the American...
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Movement fights mental health crisis
Jayla Cole never experienced the carefree teenage years. She could not get a driver’s license because of epilepsy and frequent seizures. She didn’t want to take photos or selfies because Bell’s palsy left her with facial paralysis – a twisted smile...
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Age-checking tech becomes more reliable
NEW YORK – For years, tech companies successfully resisted pressure from child safety advocates to do more to keep kids off their services, claiming technical limitations would make any attempt to restrict access for teens impractical, overly broad or...
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Trump reveals AI policy to preempt state rules
WASHINGTON – The White House released an artificial intelligence policy on March 20 that aims to preempt state rules, ensure protections for children and shield communities from prohibitive energy costs. The Trump administration has been pushing for a...
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OIL SITES HIT AS IRAN WAR ESCALATES
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth wants billions more from Congress to fund the war with Iran as gas prices hit $3.90 a gallon nationwide and global oil prices surged amid the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The national average price per gallon...
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UA Turning Point chapter dissolves, forms new group
A student political organization at the University of Arkansas has broken away from its national affiliation, with its leadership announcing plans to dissolve its Turning Point USA chapter and form a new group. In a statement posted to social media,...
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Top U.S. intelligence aide quits over war
The head of the National Counterterrorism Center resigned in protest over the Iran war as Israel said on March 17 it had killed Iran’s top intelligence official. Joe Kent, a conservative politician and decorated former Army Ranger and CIA paramilitary...
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Mayor says he is keeping pledge to serve only 2 terms
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill used his State of the City address Thursday evening to reaffirm a promise he made when first elected in 2018: he will not seek a third term as mayor. McGill delivered the annual address March 12 at the Smith-Pendergraft...
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Wanted: Volunteers to host nuclear waste
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration’s plan to unleash a wave of small futuristic nuclear reactors to power the AI era is falling back on an age-old strategy to dispose of the highly toxic waste: bury it at the bottom of a very deep hole. But there’s...
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On the ice
Colby Brewer, a graduate of Arkansas Tech University-Ozark, had a six-month stint in Antarctica, where he served as an EMT. He credits his training to prepare him for the job. When Colby Brewer boarded a plane bound for Antarctica, he had never...
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6 U.S. service members killed in midair crash
Six more U.S. service members were killed when their refueling aircraft crashed after a midair collision over western Iraq, officials said March 13, as the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran reached the two-week mark with few signs of slowing down. The...
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ICA students bring ‘Sister Act’ musical to King Opera House
Students from the Institute for the Creative Arts Performing & Visual Arts High School will bring the high-energy musical comedy “Sister Act” to the stage this weekend at the historic King Opera House in Van Buren. The production follows Deloris Van...
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Ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump said he would ensure safety in the Strait of Hormuz as oil tankers have come under fire and the U.S. military has attacked minelaying ships during the Iran war. Iran has effectively closed the narrow strait, preventing Saudi and...
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Winter storm cost state poultry industry $200M
A winter storm that swept across Arkansas in late January caused an estimated $200 million in damage to the state’s poultry industry, Arkansas’ largest agricultural sector, according to a new report from the University of Arkansas System Division of...
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Oil prices soar as Iran names leader
As the U.S.-Israel war with Iran entered its 10th day on March 9, oil prices soared over fears of a prolonged conflict, President Donald Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” and the Pentagon made public the name of the seventh U.S. service member...
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DHS veterans worry over its future
Javad Khazaeli recalls the day workers came to his federal building in 2003 and switched all the signs to the brandnew U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was a young intelligence analyst, excited to be embedded with the special agents who...
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UAFS urges students to apply for Lion’s Share scholarships
Nearly $3 million in privately funded scholarships are available to students at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith through the university’s Lion’s Share scholarship portal, and university officials are encouraging students to complete their...
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Trump demands Iran’s unconditional surrender
President Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in a social media post the morning of March 6, insisting “there will be no deal” to end his 7-day-old war with the battered Persian Gulf power. The president added in a social media post...
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U.N. group condemns the strikes on Iran
The United Nations’ Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, a group that investigates human rights abuses in the country, issued a statement that “strongly condemns” the U.S. and Israeli strikes that launched the...
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Championship basketball tips off noon Thursday
The Great American Conference Basketball Championships are returning to Fort Smith this week, bringing an estimated half-million-dollar boost to the local economy. The four-day tournament, which tips off Thursday at Northside Arena, is expected to...
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U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia takes strike
President Donald Trump slammed top U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom, as the war with Iran expands and warned Americans that they may have to deal with “a little high” oil prices as crude costs soared and the stock market tumbled. “If we have...
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U.S. fighter jets crash in Kuwait
The Trump administration’s conflict with Iran will not be “endless,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on March 2, as the United States and Israel’s joint air strikes against Iran expand, the death toll rises and a congressional debate over President...
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3 U.S. service members killed
Three U.S. service members were killed amid the ongoing conflict in Iran and five were seriously wounded, according to American military officials. “Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions – and are in the process of being...
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Snow, ice leave $30M+ in farm losses across Arkansas
A powerful winter storm that blanketed Arkansas with snow, sleet and sub-freezing temperatures in late January caused tens of millions of dollars in agricultural losses statewide, according to a new report from the University of Arkansas System...
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Clinton depositions show changed Democratic Party
WASHINGTON – In late February 2016, Hillary Clinton cruised to an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary – an unambiguous statement of the former first lady and secretary of state’s dominance over her party as she...
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ServSafe strengthens Arkansas food industry
Food safety remains a cornerstone of Arkansas’ restaurant industry, and the Cooperative Extension Service is working across the state to help ensure businesses meet that standard. With more than 5,500 restaurants operating in Arkansas, county agents...
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