by - April 3, 2020 5:37 pm
More COVID tests conducted in Sebastian County than state data show
In the past two weeks, Sebastian County has seen its numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 jump from zero to 10. The state has seen a jump from 96 cases…
Health care
by - April 3, 2020 3:12 pm
COVID cases top 700, PPE shipments begin to arrive in Arkansas
The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Arkansas continues to rise. On the good news side, officials say a cargo plane providing 30 days of personal protective equipment (PPE)…
by - April 2, 2020 8:37 pm
COVID-19 found in Sharp County; Crittenden County among most impacted in state
The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases continues to grow across Northeast Arkansas, and a new county has been added to the rolls of impacted areas. Sharp County had its first…
by - April 2, 2020 4:36 pm
Fort Smith Transit still operating, city ordering PPE for employees
Fort Smith residents needing public transportation for work, food or medicine can still use the Fort Smith Transit. With the exception of the downtown trolley all routes of Fort Smith…
by - April 2, 2020 3:38 pm
Arkansas inmates making medical masks; COVID-19 modeling estimates 619 deaths
Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Wendy Kelley said Thursday (April 2) that state inmates will make at least 80,000 masks to be distributed to corrections staff and prisoners and where…
by - April 1, 2020 5:50 pm
Pradco, Glatfelter among Fort Smith area manufacturers producing critical medical supplies
The power in Fort Smith manufacturing was highlighted Wednesday (April 1) when Pradco Outdoor Brands of Fort Smith and Glatfelter’s Fort Smith plant stepped up to help those on the…
by - April 1, 2020 2:56 pm
COVID-19 testing rate improves; new visitation rules issued for Arkansas parks
State officials continue to be frustrated with the pace of COVID-19 testing, but reported on Wednesday (April 1) gains and new activity on that front, with one being a pilot…
by - April 1, 2020 2:47 pm
Rep. Murdock tests positive for COVID-19 virus
Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, has become the first Arkansas legislator to discover he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, disclosed the news…
by - April 1, 2020 9:00 am
Delta Dental offers $6.5 million for state dental practices in ‘financial stress’
Benefits provider Delta Dental of Arkansas has pledged $6.5 million in emergency financial assistance to dental practices in Arkansas. The Delta Dental of Arkansas Advance Receipts Program will provide financial…
by - March 31, 2020 5:42 pm
St. Bernards will not furlough workers; Jonesboro curfew extended
COVID-19 has forced many businesses to shutter and furlough employees, but as of right now that’s not the case at St. Bernards. The state’s largest private healthcare provider, Baptist Health,…
by - March 31, 2020 4:12 pm
Locations unknown of COVID patients in Crawford, Sebastian counties
There are six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sebastian County, at least one in Crawford County. But where are they? Talk Business and Politics has tried to narrow it down…
by - March 31, 2020 2:30 pm
Arkansas officials work to limit out-of-state visitors; ‘success’ cited in social distancing
A state that has spent millions of dollars in past decades to encourage people from out of state to visit Arkansas’ parks, rivers and other ecotourism resources is now working…
by - March 31, 2020 8:43 am
Walmart will take employee temperatures, provide masks and gloves
As the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the safety of U.S. retail workers, Walmart said Tuesday (March 31) it will begin taking the temperatures of employees in distribution and fulfillment centers and…
by - March 30, 2020 6:39 pm
Baptist Health prepares for furloughs amid COVID-19
Baptist Health officials have confirmed that the state’s largest private healthcare system is preparing to realign its workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday (March 30), Troy Wells, Baptist…
by - March 30, 2020 6:22 pm
First COVID-19 fatality in Northeast Arkansas reported; tornado response continues
The first confirmed COVID-19 fatality was announced Monday (March 30) in Northeast Arkansas. A Paragould resident succumbed to the disease, Craighead County Judge Marvin Day said during an afternoon news…
by - March 30, 2020 2:27 pm
Steering committee created to manage federal COVID-19 funds; hospitalizations rise 44%
Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday (March 30) announced the creation of a 15-person steering committee to make decisions on spending an estimated $1.5 billion in federal funds the state may…
by - March 30, 2020 1:43 pm
Mercy, MANA Health adapt responses to coronavirus outbreak
As the spread of the coronavirus continues to impact Northwest Arkansas, the Fort Smith metro and the rest of the state, regional healthcare providers are adapting responses for hospital protocol…
by - March 30, 2020 9:27 am
Northwest Arkansas health systems issue joint statement on COVID-19 efforts
Northwest Arkansas’ healthcare providers issued a joint statement Monday (March 30) reiterating information on appropriate methods of screening, treating and containing the coronavirus (COVID-19). The announcement is from officials at…
by - March 29, 2020 2:14 pm
State working in Jonesboro to create COVID-safe shelters
About 16% of the 426 Arkansans testing positive for COVID-19 are healthcare workers, Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith said Sunday (March 29). He also said the state is…
by - March 28, 2020 2:26 pm
COVID deaths rise to 5 in Arkansas, more than 30,000 jobless claims filed in past week
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas rose from three to five as of Saturday (March 28), with Gov. Asa Hutchinson expressing frustration about supply chain issues that are limiting…