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01/24/2022

Weekend Arrest Reports: 01-21 / 01-23
1-23-22Terry G. Bruce - Green Forst - 26 - failure to appear, contempt of courtThomas R. Doyle - Green Forest - 43 - no charge listedAshley J. Henderson - Berryville - 37 - failure to appear, driving on suspended drivers license
1-22-22Christina Marie Austin - Springfield, Mo - 33 - possession of drugs, driving on suspended/revoked licenseJulie Ballance-Cromwell - Berryville - 54 - second degree battery, DWI, driving left of center, refusal to submit to chemical testJacob A. Churches - Pyatt - 22 - domestic battery, criminal mischief, public intoxMiguel A. Gil Sr - Berryville - 37 - DWI, careless prohibited driving, failure to s top at redlightDerek L. Hansen - Oak Grove - 36 - court commitmentTamala L. Maratin - Green Forest - 41 - court commitment
1-21-22Aaron T. Anderson - Green Forest - 34 - trafficking a controlled substance, poss. of schedule VIcontrolled substance q/purpose, possession meth or cocaine w/purpose, poss. of schedule I/II w/purpose to deliver, drug paraphernalia x 3Jordan T. Anderson - Eureka Springs - 31 - drug paraphernalia meth, failure to appear x 3Abimael Ascencio - Holiday Island - 33 - failure to appearLea C. Bradley - Green Forest - 35 - possession of durgsEverett W. Cash - Huntsville - 46 - communicating false alarmJustin R. Edwards - Lead Hill - 42 - failure to aooearChristine A. Fry - Eureka Springs - 67 - failure to appearRonelmer Gonzalez-Reyes - Green Forest - 33 - court commitment x 2Edwin S. Sacalxot - Berryville - 37 - DWI, implied consent, no drivers license, careless driving, obstructing Gov operations
Tax Filing Season Begins Today
With the filing season beginning today (Jan. 24), which is 17 days earlier than last year, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers of some things to remember when filling out income tax returns this year. “The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund don’t face processing delays,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. The IRS offered these five tips to help taxpayers speed up the process and refund while avoiding delays.Collect all documents before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate Use online resources before calling the IRS to avoid lengthy phone delays If you’re waiting on the 2020 tax return to be processed, enter $0 for last year’s Adjusted Gross Income on the 2021 tax return Free resources are available to those who need help filing The deadline for filing tax returns is Monday, April 18 this year, three days later than the typical April 15 deadline for filing taxes. The later date is a result of an Emancipation Holiday in the District of Columbia. By law, in Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone the same way federal holidays do. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have to file until Monday, Oct.17.
Boozman Applauds Remington’s Commitment to Arkansas Economic Development and Recreation
During a tour of the Remington ammunition factory, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded the success of the company’s Lonoke facility and its investment in the community. “Remington has been successful in navigating the current economic challenges to grow its Lonoke operations, employ more hardworking Arkansans and produce a great product that allows outdoor sports enthusiasts additional opportunities to do what they enjoy. Our state prides itself on offering world-class recreational shooting opportunities and Remington will play a critical role in ensuring Arkansans have the resources to continue this time-honored tradition,” Boozman said. U.S. Senator John Boozman toured the Remington ammunition plant on Friday, January 21 and learned about the manufacturing process from Kris Carson. The factory employs more than 1,000 Arkansans who produce millions of rounds of ammunition daily. Employees have greatly expanded production since the beginning of 2021 and will continue to do so. “Remington is doing our part as well, working overdrive to meet historical demand for Big Green ammunition. We have more than doubled employment, expanded supply lines and significantly increased production. These increases will get more ammunition to consumers while supporting conservation through the Pittman-Robertson wildlife fund, a win-win for all involved,” said Joel Hodgdon, Director of Marketing for Remington. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Boozman is championing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to invest in conservation in Arkansas and safeguard the long-term health of fish and wildlife habitat throughout the country. He spoke in support of the legislation during a committee hearing last month. The legislation is supported by more than 1,500 organizations including the Arkansas Game and FishCommission, Arkansas Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
Covid-19 Update
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson held a Covid-19 Update on Friday... On Sunday another 3,804 cases of the virus was reported with 12 additional deaths.
Department of Health Says Omicron Still Hasn't Peaked
The pandemic has been present in the United States for almost two years and doctors say its hard to predict what could be in store for COVID-19 in 2022. Dr. Jennifer Dillaha with the Arkansas Department of Health said Arkansas is still not at the peak of the Omicron variant. “We’re still on the increase and we’ve got to prepare for an increased number of cases and an increasing number of hospitalizations,” Dillaha said. However, Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero said the peak could be coming in the next few weeks after seeing a decrease in new COVID-19 cases in the 19-24 age range this week. “It is a positive sign, that was the first group to go up and is starting to trend downward, we believe we may begin seeing some downward trends in the number of cases,” Romero said. Dr. Mark Williams, dean of the college of public health at UAMS, said if another variant comes after Omicron it’s hard to say if it would be more or less severe. “All of these speculations about oh, well, the virus will mutate towards a less virulent form, we don’t know, Williams said. “It could mutate towards a more virulent form.” Williams said whether or not COVID-19 will become less severe this year has a lot to do with vaccination rates not just in Arkansas and the country, but also globally. “There are a lot of people out there that have not been vaccinated and a lot of room you might say for this virus to move around,” Williams said. Williams said the main ocus should still be on fighting Omicron.
Meetings This Week
Today (Monday) - Berryville Board of Education - 6pm - Board RoomToday - Green Forest School Board - 5pm - G.F.H.S. LibraryToday - C.C. Quorum Court - 5pm - Southern Heights Baptist ChurchTuesday - Berryville City Council - 6pm - Berryville City Hall
Federal Judge Allows Prosecutors to Disclose Discovery in Richard Barnett Case
A federal judge in the District of Columbia will allow prosecutors to disclose sealed materials as "discovery" to a Jan. 6 Capitol defendant from Arkansas and his attorney. But those materials will still be subject to a protective order keeping them from public view. Discovery is the formal process of exchanging information between the parties about the witnesses and evidence they will present at trial, according to the American Bar Association. "Discovery enables the parties to know before the trial begins what evidence may be presented," according to the organization. "It's designed to prevent 'trial by ambush,' where one side doesn't learn of the other side's evidence or witnesses until the trial, when there's no time to obtain answering evidence." Richard "Bigo" Barnett, 61, of Gravette faces seven charges in connection with the U.S. Capitol incursion, including one accusing him of being in the Capitol with a dangerous weapon -- a stun gun. Barnett was photographed with his foot on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office suite. Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday requesting an order allowing them to disclose items protected by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) and sealed materials as discovery in the case. They also asked that the order be made applicable to "co-defendants who may later be joined." U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper granted all three requests in an order Thursday.
Windstream Continues to Expand Broadband Service
Windstream Holdings Inc. announced Tuesday that its broadband service is continuing to expand, adding more than 55,000 customers last year and reaching its 15th consecutive quarter of consumer broadband growth. The Little Rock-based company said its broadband unit, Kinetic, also extended gigabit services by 523,000 locations and now reaches 1.1 million locations, or 20% of its footprint. "When we announced our aggressive $2 billion investment in fiber deployment, we knew that our customers both wanted and needed this technology," said Kinetic President Jeff Small. "Our network investments, supported by our best-of-breed customer service, are driving strong customer growth." Windstream released the broadband updates but no longer is required to report earnings to the public since it was acquired by private equity investors in 2020. Kinetic provides broadband service through a fiber network to homes and businesses in 18 states, including Arkansas.
Medicaid Budget Depends on Public Health Emergency Ending
Arkansas' proposed Medicaid budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 is based on the federal government ending its public health emergency, Department of Human Services Secretary Cindy Gillespie told state lawmakers. The federal government last week extended the public health emergency through June, after "most of us had thought until this most recent surge" from the omicron variant of the coronavirus that the emergency would be over at the end of March, she said. "I have been incorrectly predicting the end of the public health emergency now for about a year, so this budget does assume that it does end, so that would be a major change if it were extended again," Gillespie told the Joint Budget Committee and Legislative Council on the final day of budget hearings for state agencies in advance of the fiscal session starting Feb. 14. The end of the federal public health emergency would mean the state would no longer receive enhanced federal matching rates in certain Medicaid programs and would have to cover an increased share of the cost for the programs, she said. The emergency's end also would mean the state would no longer have to abide by federal limitations that allow states to end Medicaid eligibility only for beneficiaries who die, go to jail or prison or ask to beremoved from the programs, Gillespie said.
NCAA Adopts Sport-by-sport Apprach for Transgender Athletes
The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees. Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport’s national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors. When there is no national governing body, that sport’s international federation policy would be in place. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would take over. “Approximately 80% of U.S. Olympians are either current or former college athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a release. “This policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the U.S. Olympics.” The NCAA policy is effective immediately, beginning with the 2022 winter championships. NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas started smashing records this year. She was on the men’s team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning. The Board of Governors is suggesting NCAA divisions allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change. That flexibility is provided they meet the NCAA’s new guidelines. “We are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports,” Georgetown President John DeGioia said in a release. “It is important that NCAA member schools, conferences and college athletes compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment and can move forward with a clear understanding of the new policy.”
State Capitol Week in Review
From Senator Bob Ballinger
January 21, 2022
The state Division of Children and Family Services intends to try out a new method of intervention, by assigning cases to a team of workers instead of to an individual. The Division is part of the state Department of Human Services (DHS). The department’s directors appeared during legislative budget hearings to explain their requests for funding increases and their requests for authority to reallocate funds. When the legislature convenes in fiscal session next month it will decide whether to approve the DHS request to add 109 positions in the Division of Children and Family Services. One reason for a “teaming approach” is that it would better ensure the safety of caseworkers. When they visit a home to investigate an allegation of child abuse or neglect, they would no longer have to visit alone. There would always be at least two workers on the visit. The department wants to add $11 million to the Division for added personnel costs. The additional money would not only pay for more staff, but would allow DHS to pay overtime and to pay staff when they’re on call. Those measures help reduce the high turnover rate among family case workers, who burn out due to high caseloads and the emotional nature of their jobs. Also, the department wants to expand an intensive family services approach that it now has in about half the state. According to the top official at the agency, it has made “a massive difference” in reducing the number of children who end up in the foster care system. With an additional $4 million the department would like to expand the intensive family services to 16 more counties. DHS has a Division of County Operations. It staffs offices around the state where people apply for a wide variety of benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid and welfare. DHS is seeking about $2 million in additional funding for the Division because it is paying more for utilities, janitorial services, rent and other costs that have gone up due to inflation. Also, the Division wants to expand and make permanent an automated address verification system. It has been a pilot program. DHS anticipates additional one-time costs when the federal medical emergency expires. During the period of emergency the state has not been able to lower the number of people who are eligible for the health care program, because of federal restrictions. As a result, Medicaid participation has increased during the pandemic. Increases in enrollment are a main driver in the rising costs of Medicaid. For the current fiscal year, Arkansas Medicaid officials estimate the program will spend about $9.39 billion. The state’s share of that amount is $1.8 billion and the rest is provided by the federal government. Next fiscal year, which begins on July 1, Arkansas Medicaid will spend an estimated $9.4 billion. The state’s share will be $2.269 billion, the head of DHS told legislators during budget hearings. After the federal emergency declaration has expired, Arkansas should be able to hold down Medicaid spending because it will re-determine the eligibility of people enrolled. State officials expect that the number of people enrolled will drop by a “significant number,” the DHS official told legislators.

01/21/2022

Arrest Reports: 01-21-22
Aaron Anderson - Green Forest - 34 - no charge listedJordan T. ANderson - Eureka Springs - 31 - drug paraphernalia methChristian R. Gilbert - Neosho, Mo - 25 - hold for other agencyJacob D. Green - Eureka Springs - 45 - failure to appearBrandon R. Honeycutt - Gravette - 38 - failure to appearTravis F. Whitman - Cheyenne, WY - 39 - failure to appear x 2
Madison County Man Faces Charges of Attempted Capital Murder, Rape and Kidnapping
Edward Alan Austin, 53, of Pettigrew, has been arrested and faces charges of attempted capital murder, rape, and kidnapping after dragging a woman into a ravine. According to a preliminary report, Madison County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched late on January 5 to the Pettigrew RV Park in reference to a missing woman that had been found. Her shirt had been ripped open and she was located in a steep ravine. Upon arriving, the responding officer found that first responders had cut through a barbed-wire fence to get down a hill to the ravine. In his report, the deputy stated that he walked approximately 150 feet down a steep hill to reach the victim and discovered “scratches covering her entire body, bruising, and [she] appeared to have frostbite on her feet.” He continued by noting that she was unresponsive aside from an occasional moan. Once she was removed from the ravine and put into an ambulance, medical personnel stated that her body temperature was “extremely low” and that she was in critical condition. She was evacuated by air to the Neurology Intensive Care Unit at Washington Regional Medical Center. She was placed on life support with a ventilator. On January 12, a deputy spoke to the victim at the hospital after she had her ventilator removed and was able to speak. When asked if she remembered anything about the incident in the ravine, she responded that “he was just going to let me die,” and she began to cry. She said that Austin had gotten angry with her, was scaring her, and started hitting her before dragging her down the hill, through thorny bushes. She said those were the reason for the scratches all over her body. She also confirmed that Austin had forced himself on her sexually and raped her. She stated that she tried to fight back while being dragged into the ravine, but that Austin left her there and she passed out. The deputy asked the victim if Austin said anything to her during this process. “You’ll do what I say,” she told the officer. “You’re going to stay down here, no one’s going to find you.” The victim consented to cheek swabs, which were collected as potential evidence. Austin is being held in the Madison County Holding Facility without bond and will be arraigned on March 8.
ACHI Reports All of Arkansas's School Districts Show High Covid-19 Infections
For the first time, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement reported Thursday, Jan. 20 all of Arkansas’s 234 contiguous public school districts having COVID-19 infection rates of 50 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents over a 14-day period. This is up from 226, the previous record high from last week, ACHI said, citing its analysis of Arkansas Department of Health data current as of Monday, Jan. 17. Last week, ACHI added a new color of pink, to the maps on its COVID-19 dashboard to signify an infection rate of 200 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents over the past 14 days, or at least 2% of the district’s population. A district with 100 to 199 new known infections per 10,000 residents is shaded purple, and a district with 50 to 99 new known infections per 10,000 residents is red. The map released Thursday includes seven districts in red, 57 in purple, and 170, or 73% of districts, in pink. Last week, ACHI reported that 48 districts were in red, 120 were in purple, and 58 were in pink. The infection rates reported by ACHI are based on infections among community residents living within the geographical boundaries of each school district, the news release said. They are not only on cases among school employees and students. One district is above 60: Northwest Arkansas’s Bentonville. Carroll County public schools remain closed until Monday, but that could change.
Active Cases of Covid-19 Breaks Records Again
The number of active cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas, as well as the number of patients in state hospitals with the virus, broke records again in data released Thursday. The new figures from the Arkansas Department of Health show that active cases jumped by 2,251 to 97,628, breaking the previous record set just four days earlier. Overall, the state saw 11,160 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the pandemic total to 713,643 cases. Arkansas hospitals continue to see a surging level of patients with the virus, adding 40 more patients over the last day to bring the current count to 1,640. There were slight dips in patients needing enhanced care, with the number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs dipping by two to 403 and the number of ventilators falling by five to 187. There were an additional eight deaths added to the state’s tally, moving the total number to 9,470 since the beginning of the pandemic. Vaccination efforts in Arkansas seem to be swiftly declining, with only 5,852 doses reported as being given in the past day. Compared to efforts from one month ago, the seven-day rolling average for vaccinations is down 36.4%. The number of Arkansans with full immunity from the virus climbed to 1,532,238, with another 371,820 having partial immunity. Nearly half of a million people in the state have received a booster dose, with the state’s current total jumping to 499,010.
Josh Duggar Asking for Acquittal or New Trial on Child Pornography
A former Northwest Arkansas reality star who was convicted in a child pornography case is asking a court for an acquittal or a new trial, based on questions involving evidence. Josh Duggar’s attorneys are making the request in a 75-page motion. “The evidence elicited at trial does not support a conviction on either count — even in the light most favorable to the government,” his attorneys said in the motion. “The government failed to adduce any evidence that Duggar ‘knew that the visual depictions were of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.’” Defense attorneys also allege that by addressing video files submitted as evidence, “the jury had no evidence that Duggar personally viewed any specific portion of any of the files allegedly found on the computer.” The motion also claimed “the jury’s verdict may be overturned if ‘the evidence weighs heavily enough against the verdict such that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred.’”
Arkansans Win Big With Lottery Across State
The new year is starting off right for Arkansans all over the state who have claimed big prizes and changed their lives in an instant. Mark Deavers of Conway purchased a winning Natural State Jackpot (NSJ) ticket at Doublebee’s #111 located at 473 Highway 64 East in Conway for the Jan. 17 drawing and recently discovered he won $240,000. He claimed his prize yesterday at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) Claim Center. The winning numbers for that night’s drawing were 8, 11, 38, 14, and 3. Deavers, who regularly plays the lottery, plans to pay bills with his winnings. His wife was the first person he told about his win. On Jan. 12 and Jan. 18, two Arkansas players each claimed prizes of $1 million. With the million-dollar wins, two top prizes of $1 million remain on the $1,000,000 Riches game. So far this week, two players from Clarksville and Little Rock won $10,000 from the $10,000 Blowout instant game, another player from Dover won $50,000 off the $50,000 Payday instant game, and someone won $100,000 from Jonesboro on the $100,000 Money Game. Through Feb. 28, ASL is offering a special promotion called the 5-Buck Bundle. For just $5, a player receives a Powerball® ticket with Power Play®, a Mega Millions® ticket, and a free Natural State Jackpot (NSJ) ticket. The Bundle is eligible with Quick Picks only.
Passenger in Vehicle That Killed Police Officer Will Be Charged as Accomplice to Murder
Prosecutors aren't seeking the death penalty for a Bentonville man who was the passenger in a vehicle that struck and killed a Pea Ridge police officer last year. Elijah Michael Andazola, 19, is charged with accomplice to capital murder and escape. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was in the vehicle driven by Shawna Cash when Officer Kevin Apple was killed, according to court documents. Cash, 23, of Pine Bluff is charged with capital murder, escape, fleeing, two counts of aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, criminal mischief, obstructing governmental operations and reckless driving. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against her. Joshua Robinson, deputy prosecutor, announced during Andazola's latest court appearance Tuesday prosecutors wouldn't seek the death penalty for Andazola. "After reviewing the evidence and with the support of Officer Apple's mother, I elected to prosecute Mr. Andazola as an accomplice to capital murder and waive the death penalty in his case," Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith said. "As he was the passenger in the vehicle and not the driver, I do not believe that the specific facts and circumstances in Mr. Andazola's case would legally meet the high burden under Arkansas law to justify a death sentence. My intention is to continue to seek justice for the murder of Officer Apple to the maximum extent allowed by law." Cash and Andazola are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
Pig Organs Used for Experiments on Humans
Researchers on Thursday reported the latest in a surprising string of experiments in the quest to save human lives with organs from genetically modified pigs. This time around, surgeons in Alabama transplanted a pig’s kidneys into a brain-dead man — a step-by- step rehearsal for an operation they hope to try in living patients possibly later this year. “The organ shortage is in fact an unmitigated crisis and we’ve never had a real solution to it,” said Dr. Jayme Locke of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who led the newest study and aims to begin a clinical trial of pig kidney transplants. Similar experiments have made headlines in recent months as research into animal-to-human transplants heats up. Twice this fall, surgeons at New York University temporarily attached a pig’s kidney to blood vessels outside the body of a deceased recipient to watch them work. And earlier this month, surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center gave a dying man a heart from a gene-edited pig that so far is keeping him alive. But scientists still needed to learn more about how to test such transplants without risking a patient’s life. With the help of a family who donated a loved one’s body for science, Locke mimicked the way human organ transplants are done — from removing the pig “donor” kidneys to sewing them inside the deceased man’s abdomen.
Kraft Foods Announces Three New Flavors of Mac and Cheese
Kraft announced on Wednesday that it will be adding three new flavors of America’s favorite comfort food, mac and cheese. Creamy ranch, zesty pizza and kickin’ buffalo Flavor Boost packets can now be purchased to bump up the flavor in your classic Kraft boxed mac and cheese. Rather than purchasing preflavored mac and cheese, the Flavor Boosts are added to the classic boxed mac, meaning that the amount of seasoning is completely up to you. According to Kraft’s website, the boosts are available online only and through several bulk-style purchasing options, from packs of six up to 24. Prices range from $16-40 depending on the bundle, but on average, each seasoning packet will cost you about $1. According to a post on the Kraft Mac and Cheese Facebook page, the Flavor Boosts are on sale, so the prices could increase later on. These new flavor packs might be some of the more normal ones the company has released. Kraft has been known to add some funky flavors to its mac and cheese offerings, including a Valentine’s Day pink candy flavor, a pumpkin spice flavor and even a mac and cheese flavored ice cream.

01/20/2022

Arrest Reports:01-20-22
Edwin S. Sacalxot - Berryville - 37 - DWI, implied consent, no driver's license, obstructing Gov. operationsJesse T. Villines - Green Forest - 48 - failure to appear, hold for RCFJami L. Wheeler - Berryville - 28 - court violation
Cancellations and Closures for 01/20/22:
The Eureka Springs District Court will be closed today, January 20th , 2022 due to inclement weather and road conditions. The Hogspeak Route will not be run by Carroll County Solid Waste today due to road conditions.Berryville District Court will be closed today.Carroll County offices will be closed today due to icy roads.The Berryville Public Library will be closed today.Eureka Springs School District will not be in session today, January 20th due to the condition of roads on campus caused by winter weather. This will be AMI (Alternative Method of Instruction) day 3.ALL campuses will be closed today at The Learning Centers of North ArkansasDue to inclement weather conditions there will be no on-site school tomorrow, Thursday, January 20th, Huntsville School District Students will continue to pivot to virtual instruction for AMI Day #3.Berryville Public Schools continue remote learning on Thursday and Friday January 20 & 21 (AMI Days5 & 6). Staff will be available to students and families from 8 am – 3 pm on both Thursday and Friday.Meal Pickup – There will not be meal pickup on Thursday , but Friday meals can be picked up at the backdoor of the Middle School Cafeteria from 9 – 11 am. Kingston schools closed today and Alpena closed through Friday.Green Forest Schools will remain closed on Thursday, January 20th AMI Day 5 & Friday, January 21st AMI Day 6 due to extreme illness. Plan to return to on-site learning on Monday, January 24th
Covid-19 Update: Arkansas' Biggest One-Day Jump in Hospitalizations
Arkansas reported its biggest one-day jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations Wednesday, a new record as the state continued to feel the surge of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The state Department of Health said COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 113 to 1,600. It’s the second day in a row the state has set a new record for hospitalizations and the biggest one-day increase since August.The state also reported nearly 14,500 new virus cases, a new one-day record increase. However, the actual number of cases is likely higher because of people testing at home or who are infected and haven’t been tested. The state reported 10 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 9,462 since the pandemic began in 2020. The city of Fayetteville has reinstated its requirement to wear a face mask in city-owned buildings as the omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to surge in Arkansas. The Fayetteville City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance requiring masks that is similar to one that expired in late December, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The mask requirement will be in effect until March 2 unless extended by the council.
FCC Awards Grant to Mercy Hospitals
As the U.S. struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic and surge in the omicron variant, the need for virtual care options for patients is needed more than ever. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given Mercy a $2.2 million grant to expand and upgrade telehealth services for patients across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. According to Mercy, it has provided more than 800,000 virtual visits between patients and Mercy medical providers since the beginning of the pandemic. Benefits of telehealth include allowing specialists to connect remotely to support patient care, preserving personal protective equipment for in-patient care and promoting social. The grant will provide telemedicine carts and monitors that allow Mercy co-workers to contact offsite caregivers via video conferencing and allow for specialized, remote treatment, especially inside the hospitals’ COVID and critical care units. The grant, totaling $2,217,562, will earmark each Mercy location’s funds based on need.
Flu Cases Tagged as Moderate
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has reported 2,788 cases of the flu since the beginning of the new flu season that began on Sept. 27, 2021. The spread of the flu in Arkansas is "moderate," according to the ADH. The number of cases does not represent the total number of flu cases in Arkansas. More than 3% of patients visiting emergency rooms this week were for influenza-related illnesses. No nursing homes have reported flu outbreaks this season, according to the ADH. The average school absenteeism rate last week was 11.3% among public schools. Arkansas has reported its third flu-related death this season. Further details surrounding that death have not been released. Arkansas reported 24 flu-related deaths last season.
Springdale Couple Busted for Numerous Drug Charges
Two people have been arrested for trafficking numerous drugs out of the Springdale area. According to the Springdale Police Department, in January of 2022, detectives discovered a meth trafficker was operating in the Springdale area. For the following weeks, detectives conducted controlled purchases of the drug. Detectives were able to identify the sources of the supply as Cristal Palomino, 32, and Marcelino Villegas, 44. On Jan. 17, detectives served a search warrant at the couple's home in Springdale, where they found large amounts of meth, cocaine, heroin and counterfeit oxycodone/fentanyl pills. Detectives also found several firearms that were reported stolen. Three children were home at the time the search warrant was given. According to police records, the children had access to a large amount of meth found in the bottom drawer of the freezer. The kids were taken into DHS custody. Palomino and Villegas were arrested for multiple charges, including trafficking meth, trafficking cocaine, possession of controlled substance with purpose to deliver - heroin, possession of controlled substance with purpose to deliver -oxycodone/fentanyl. Both also face charges of endangering the welfare of a minor. Detectives also seized around $26,500 (street value) of heroin, $350,000 (street value) of meth, $85,000 (street value) of cocaine and $105,000.00 (street value) of oxycodone/fentanyl pills. They were both released from the Washington County Jail on Jan. 18.
U.S. Government Setting Up Apprenticship for Young Truckers
With the trucking industry facing a shortage of qualified drivers, the U.S. government is setting up an apprenticeship program for young truckers. The new program will allow people as young as 18 to drive big interstate semi trucks. The new program is coming online as the industry complains of driver shortages, which have gotten worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Last October, the head of the American Trucking Associations said the industry needed about 80,000 more drivers. Safety advocates, however, are objecting to the program, saying it puts potentially dangerous, inexperienced drivers at the controls of some of the biggest, heaviest vehicles on road. Currently, 49 states and Washington D.C. give commercial driver licenses to people under 21, Nick Geale, ATA vice president of workforce policy pointed out in a statement. These younger drivers can drive semis throughout large states like California and Texas, he noted, they just can't cross state lines. This new program will just take some of those drivers and train them so they can cross state lines in their rigs. Chris Spear, CEO of the trucking group, said at the time in October that this program was needed and would help alleviate some of the driver shortage.
Walmart Entering Metaverse
Walmart is heading into the metaverse. The retail giant filed several trademarks in recent weeks that suggest it will soon begin selling virtual goods, from toys to electronics, as well as introducing a cryptocurrency and the opportunity to buy and sell nonfungible tokens. In a statement, Walmart said it is “continuously exploring how emerging technologies may shape future shopping experiences.” It declined to comment on the specific trademark filings. Nonfungible tokens, known as NFTs, are electronic identifiers confirming digital collectibles are real by recording the details on a digital ledger known as a blockchain. Tokens are a part of virtual reality space and they can’t be exchanged, as they are one-of-a-kind. They’re used to prove that an item is one of a kind and are aimed at solving a problem central to digital collectibles: how to claim ownership of something that can be easily and endlessly duplicated. The key difference between NFTs and cryptocurrencies is that currencies allow fungible trade, which means anyone can create bitcoins that can be exchanged for other bitcoins. NFTs are by definition nonfungible and are deployed as individual chains of ownership to track a specific asset. NFTs are designed to uniquely restrict and represent a unique claim on an asset. Sapaula said the value of NFTs is set by the original seller. Any digital asset like music, art, and even tweets can be an NFT. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey sold a digital version of his first tweet for more than $2.9 million. Sapaula said the pandemic has boosted interest in the virtual marketplace. He predicts that more companies will make the move to sell and create digital items.
Sotheby's to Auction Black Diamond
Auction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world. Sotheby’s calls the 555.55-carat black diamond — believed to have come from outer space — “The Engima.” The rare gem was shown off on Monday to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles before it is due to be auctioned off in February in London. Sotheby’s expects the diamond to be sold for at least 5 million British pounds ($6.8 million). The auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment as well. Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby’s Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number five bears an importance significance to the diamond, which has 55 facets as well. “The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which stands for strength and it stands for protection,” she said. Khamsa in Arabic means five. Stevens also said the black diamond is likely from outer space, although that theory is only a hypothesis. “With the carbonado diamonds, we believe that they were formed through extraterrestrial origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth and either forming chemical vapor disposition or indeed coming from the meteorites themselves,” she said. Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. The cosmic origin theory is based on their carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.
Veteran Radio and TV Personality Ralph Emery Dies
Ralph Emery, a legendary radio and television personality in the world of country music, died Saturday at the age of 88, according to the Country Music Association. Emery "passed away peacefully" Saturday morning, surrounded by his family at Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, the Tennessean reported, citing a family statement. Emery began his career in the early 1950s at small radio stations in the state before going on to become one of the most famous TV and radio personalities in country music, including announcing on the Grand Ole Opry from 1961 to 1964, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame. "Ralph Emery's impact in expanding country music's audience is incalculable. On radio and on television, he allowed fans to get to know the people behind the songs. Ralph was more a grand conversationalist than a calculated interviewer... Above all, he believed in music and in the people who make it," Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said in a tribute on its website.Emery was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Loretta Lynn, country music legend and "dear friend" of Emery, tweeted, "It breaks my heart to learn of Ralph Emery's passing. Ralph and I go way back. He was a Nashville original and you cannot underestimate the role he played in the growth and success of country music. He made you feel at ease and interviewed everyone just like an old friend." In a tweet, the City of Nashville also mourned Emery. "Your legacy will live on forever, Ralph. Thank you for everything you've done."
Microsoft Entering Mobile Gaming and Virtual Reality Technology
Microsoft is paying nearly $70 billion for Activision Blizzard, the maker of Candy Crush and Call of Duty, as it seeks an edge in the fiercely competitive businesses of mobile gaming and virtual-reality technology. The all-cash $68.7 billion deal will turn Microsoft, maker of the Xbox gaming system, into one of the world's largest video game companies. It will also help it compete with tech rivals such as Meta, formerly Facebook, in creating immersive virtual worlds for both work and play. If the deal survives scrutiny from U.S. and European regulators in the coming months, it also could be one of the biggest tech acquisitions in history. Dell bought data-storage company EMC in 2016 for around $60 billion. Activision has been buffeted for months by allegations of misconduct and unequal pay. That was addressed Tuesday by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a conference call with investors. "The culture of our organization is my No. 1 priority," Nadella said, adding that "it’s critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward on its" commitments to improve its workplace culture. Activision disclosed last year it was being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission over complaints of workplace discrimination and in September settled claims brought by U.S. workforce discrimination regulators. California's civil rights agency sued the Santa Monica-based company in July,citing a "frat boy" culture that had become "a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women." Activision's ongtime CEO Bobby Kotick will retain his role. Microsoft said he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth.
Eyes Can Tell Alot About Your Health
The eyes may offer a "window into the soul," as poets say, but they also have a lot to say about your health. Dry eyes can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. High levels of cholesterol can cause a white, gray or blue ring to form around the colored part of your eye, called the iris. A coppery gold ring circling the iris is a key sign of Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes copper to build up in the brain, liver and other organs, slowing poisoning the body. And that's not all: Damage to blood vessels in the back of your eye, called the retina, can be early signs of nerve damage due to diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, even cancer, as well as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Checking for signs of disease is a key reason the doctor dilates your eyes to peer deep into their depths at your annual eye exams. Soon, there may be another good reason to suffer through a few hours of blurry vision. A new study, which researchers say is the first of its kind, says the retina may also be able to provide us with an easy, non-invasive way to determine our body's true biological age — which may or may not mirror our chronological age.

01/19/2022

Arrest Reports: 01-19-22
Charles L. Cox Jr - Winslow - 26 - theftAshley N. Hunt - Green Forest - 27 - failure to appear, court commit 30 daysAshley L. Keyes - Eureka Springs - 36 - failure to appearJustin J. Morgan - Berryville - 30 - failure to appearDustin D. Rivett - Berryville - 36 - failure to appear x 3Shawn T. Thackerson - Blue Eye, Mo - 27 - contempt of courtGregory G. Wiley - Berryville - 32 - court appearanceJeremy W. Worsham - Rogers - 44 - failure to appear
Arkansas Rural Connect Identifying Communities Most in Need
Arkansas broadband policymakers are beginning 2022 with $100 million in their hip pocket as they await results of an intensive mapping effort to identify rural communities most in need of high-speed internet service. Right now, the Arkansas Rural Connect program is confident it has at least $100 million in federal funding -- and officials are hoping that will at least double -- to support build-outs across the state. Arkansas is scheduled to receive another $158 million from the federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, though it's not clear how much will be devoted to broadband; the governor has the discretion to move the dollars into economic development projects to battle the pandemic. There are no state dollars yet dedicated to broadband deployment, according to Steven Porch, who heads the Arkansas program. In any case, it's likely that actual broadband development projects won't begin until the latter half of the year as the Rural Connect program waits for recommendations from the Broadband Development Group, "boots-on-the-ground" consultants hired to go from community to community to assess where deployment is most needed. That need is tremendous. Arkansas already has 93 applications totaling $472 million ready to move forward. "We are waiting on our broadband consultants to complete their work so we can compare what we have in our queue to theactual needs of Arkansans," Porch says. Along with the consultant's evaluation and recommendations, the effort will require state legislators' approval before shifting money to providers building out networks. Even more, moving forward also could require challenging maps produced by the Federal Communications Commission, which has mapping information that it says identifies communities in Arkansas and nationwide that are not receiving high-speed internet. Those maps, however, have been questioned for accuracy and reliability by broadband specialists across the country. Porch says the Rural Connect program is counting on the Broadband Development Group to produce a more definitive outline that identifies Arkansas communities most in need.
Arkansas to Receive $278M for Bridge Repairs
The bi-partisan infrastructure bill finally came to pass in Washington D.C. and more than $27 billion will be spent to repair around 15,000 bridges across the nation. In Arkansas, the bill will provide more than $278 million to fix bridges that are in "poor" condition. This money will also be used to preserve and improve nearly 6,000 bridges that are in "fair" condition. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) reports that statewide there are more than 12,000 bridges, 661 reportedly in "poor" condition. The funding was announced last week so it may be too early to tell where the money is most needed throughout the state. “We were already looking at doing this, we already had funding set aside to do this," said ARDOT spokesperson Dave Parker. "So I think you see out of this is an enhanced effort or a focus on replacing and preparing bridges that are in poor condition.” Parker says that a "poor" condition grade does not mean a bridge is a danger to the public.
Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19 Sets New Record
New data from the Arkansas Department of Health shows a new record set for the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 but also the second day in a row for dropping numbers of active cases. The ADH reported that there are 1,487 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19, up 67 from theday before. The figures show 171 patients currently on ventilators, one less than the previous day, and 14 more patients in ICU care, putting that number at 381. Data from ADH also showed the total number of active cases in the state fell by 4,374 in the last 24 hours, dropping that number to 88,937.The figures show there have now been 687,989 total cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with new cases increasing by 3,213. The data reported on Tuesday show there are now 9,452 Arkansans who have died because of COVID-19, an increase of 15 from the previous day. Department of health officials reported 5,496 doses of the vaccine were given in the last 24 hours. There are now 1,529,422 Arkansans who are fully immunized and 371,494 partially immunized.
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Blocking Federal Mask Mandate for Air Travel
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request to block a federal mask mandate for air travel. The emergency application was filed by a father on behalf of himself and his 4-year-old autistic son, both of whom claim to be medically incapable of wearing masks for extended periods. Their request was filed to Justice Neil Gorsuch, who handles emergency applications arising in several Western states, and he referred the matter to the full court. The justices denied the request without comment or noted dissent. Joining the father-son challengers was another man, Lucas Wall, who has sought to raise money and publicity from his legal efforts targeting the federal transportation mask mandate. Chief Justice John Roberts last month unilaterally rejected a separate challenge filed by the group.
ArDot Worker Killed on I-30
A worker for the Arkansas Department of Transportation has died after being hit by a car on Interstate 30 near Scott Hamilton Tuesday evening. According to an official with ARDOT, the incident happened at 8:20 p.m. and briefly shut down westbound lanes while the worker was taken by MedFlight to a local hospital. Arkansas State Police have confirmed that the worker died from injuries sustained in the incident.
Arkansas National Guardsmen to Assist with Veteran's Burials
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, three National guardsmen from Camp Robinson will report to the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery to assist with burial operations. At the request of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, the guardsmen will report for duty Tuesday, with orders for 10 days. These orders could be extended or reduced as conditions warrant, the Arkansas National Guard said. According to a release, the Guardsmen are being sent to assist the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs with burial operations due to the cemetery staff being affected by COVID-19.
ASP Request Raising Salary for Troopers
Arkansas State Police Director Bill Bryant told state lawmakers Tuesday that his agency's goal is to raise the starting salary for state troopers from $42,357 to between $52,000 and $55,000 a year because the pay lags behind other state police agencies in the region. Gov. Asa Hutchinson has proposed a $7.4 million increase in the general revenue budget for the Arkansas State Police to $78 million in fiscal 2023, which starts July 1. The Republican governor said last week that he wants to increase the salaries of entry-level state troopers and benefit those with seniority in the coming fiscal year. Hutchinson wants to elevate the state police's starting salaries to be second among Southern states and set an example for local governments in Arkansas. Bryant said the state police has 525 trooper positions filled and 61 vacancies. Vacancies are expected to drop to 22 if all 39 recruits report to the training academy next week, he said. Department of Public Safety Secretary Jami Cook and the department's human resources staff are working closely with the state's Office of Personnel Management to complete work on the pay raise plan "to try to avoid these issues with [salary] compression," Bryant said Tuesday during the Arkansas Legislative Council and Joint Budget Committees' budget hearings of state agencies in advance of the Legislature's fiscal session that starts Feb. 14. Bryant said making the starting salaries competitive would be "a huge investment" for Arkansas and that Hutchinson "was spot on" that this plan would set an example for cities and counties to do the same for their law enforcement officers. Sen. Bob Ballinger, R-Ozark, said the state police will gain more troopers from city and county law enforcement agencies under this plan. He questioned whether state officials have taken into account the effect the plan would have on local law enforcement agencies' ability to retain officers. Bryant said the culture of government needs to change to recognize how important law enforcement officers are. He said he would encourage city and county governments to follow the state police's model and raise salaries to retain officers.
Grammy Awards Rescheduled
After postponing the 64th annual Grammy Awards due to concerns surrounding the omicron variant, organizers have announced a new date for the award show. The new day will, however, delay a different award show. The Grammy Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 31, will now be held on April 3. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Because of the rescheduled Grammys, the CMT Awards – originally scheduled for April 3 – will be moved to a later day that month, CBS announced. The network will be broadcasting both award shows The multitalented Jon Batiste is the leading nominee for this year’s Grammy’s, grabbing 11 nods in a variety of genres including R&B, jazz, American roots music, classical and music video. Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. are tied for the second-most nominations with eight apiece. Another awards show, the Golden Globes, was held this year without hosts, presenters, a red-carpet event or an audience. The ceremony was also available to stream or to watch on television following a 2021 report that highlighted a lack of diversity among the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s voting body.
Razorbacks Win Three in a Row
Jaylin Williams scored a career-high 19 points, JD Notae added 17 and Arkansas cruised to a 75-59 victory over South Carolina on Tuesday night. It was the third consecutive win for Arkansas (13-5, 3-3 Southeastern Conference), yet it ended a string of 1,092 games with at least one made 3-pointer. The last time the Razorbacks didn’t hit a 3 was when they went 0 of 2 at Texas on Jan. 7, 1989. Arkansas was 0 of 11 from distance but shot 24 of 59 (41%) overall from the field against the Gamecocks. The Razorbacks trailed by seven points at halftime but opened the second on an 18-3 run, shooting 8 of16 from the floor for a 51-41 lead. Au’Diese Toney scored six points and Williams added four during the stretch. South Carolina missed its first 11 field goals after the break before Devin Carter’s jumper and later a free throw made it 51-46 with 10:25 left, but the Gamecocks didn’t get closer. Toney finished with 13 points and Stanley Umude added 12 for the Razorbacks, who shot 15 of 30 from the floor in the second half and 27 of 33 (82%) overall from the free-throw line. Carter scored 20 points to lead South Carolina (10-7, 1-4), which has lost three straight. The Gamecocks shot 44% (14 of 32) in the first half but just 22% (6 of 27) in the second. James Reese V scored 10. Arkansas coach Eric Musselman sat out a second game recovering from last Thursday’s left shoulder surgery. South Carolina hosts Georgia on Saturday. Arkansas is at home against Mississippi on Saturday.

01/18/2022

Arrest Reports: 01-18-22
Megan G. Alford - Berryville - 36 - failure to appear, fleeing, resisting arrestKeegan T. Brown - Eureka Springs - 21 - battery, impeding flow of traffic, disorderly conduct, refusal to submit to arrestJohn F. Spillane II - failure to comply, revocation
On today's news, we're going to hear from another political hopeful, who has decided to run for re- election. Meet Makita King Williams…
5G Rollout Could Disrupt Airlines
The airline industry is raising the stakes in a showdown with AT&T and Verizon over plans to launch new 5G wireless service this week, warning that thousands of flights could be grounded or delayed if the rollout takes place near major airports. CEOs of the nation’s largest airlines say that interference from the wireless service on a key instrument on planes is worse than they originally thought. “To be blunt, the nation’s commerce will grind to a halt” unless the service is blocked near major airports, the CEOs said in a letter Monday to federal officials including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has previously taken the airlines’ side in the matter. AT&T and Verizon plan to activate their new 5G wireless service Wednesday after two previous delays from the original plan for an early December rollout. The new high-speed 5G service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground. Two weeks ago, the companies struck a deal with the Federal Aviation Administration to delay the service for two more weeks and reduce the power of 5G transmitters near airports. That delay ends Wednesday. AT&T and Verizon say their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics, and that the technology is being safely used in many other countries. Critics of the airline industry say the carriers had several years to upgrade altimeters that might be subject to interference from 5G.
Active Covid-19 Cases Fall Monday - Gov. Says Lack of Weekend Testing
The number of active cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas dropped by more than 3,000 in new data released Monday, marking the first daily decline in active cases since December 26 of last year. The new data from the Arkansas Department of Health showed that active cases fell by 3,068 to 93,311. Overall, the state saw 3,600 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, moving the number of cases reported during the pandemic to 684,776. In a social media post, Gov. Asa Hutchinson attributed the drop in cases in part to a weekend decline in testing. There were three more deaths added to the state’s count since the previous day, pushing the total to 9,437. Hospitalizations saw an increase for the 18th day in a row, climbing by 35 patients to 1,420, while the number of patients on ventilators ticked up by four to 172. Hutchinson used the increase in hospitalizations as a way to stress that Arkansans should seek out vaccinations. There were only 1,896 doses given in the past 24 hours. The number of Arkansans with full immunity rose to 1,528,481, while there are 370,688 people in the state with partial immunity.
UAMS Doctor Predicts Signaficant Increase in Cases by Month's End
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences predicts COVID-19 cases will increase significantly by the end of January. Dr. Mark Williams at UAMS says record cases over the past few days are quickly outpacing their models. He says with more hospitals and medical services seeing challenges with staff, it could take its toll on people trying to receive care. “This is a serious situation and we have to be very cognizant of not what’s just happening in the hospitals, but what’s also happening with those services related to the hospitals,” Williams said. Williams says with these projections, it’s important to stay masked up, and to use an N95 face mask if possible.
Dugger Sister's Schedule Settlement Conference Meeting
The Western District of Arkansas Federal Court announced that the parties involved in the Duggar sisters invasion of privacy lawsuit have scheduled a settlement conference meeting for February 10 at 9 a.m. A court document states that “each party shall provide a concise, confidential settlement statement NO LATER THAN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED CONFERENCE.” In December, the court announced that the trial would be heard some time during a two-week period beginning on April 18, 2022. The parties were also ordered to attend a Settlement Conference with Magistrate Judge Christy D. Comstock by no later than February 18, 2022. She will preside over the February 10 conference. If no settlement is reached, both parties must provide pretrial disclosures and depositions to be used at trial by March 14, 2022. Any Motions in Limine must be filed on or before March 28, 2022. Responses must be filed within seven days after that. The first trial date in December, 2021, was postponed because it conflicted with the child pornography trial of the sisters’ brother, Joshua Duggar. He was found guilty on two counts and is facing up to 20 years in prison and $250K in fines for each count.
Discussion among Senate Democrats to bring a possible end to the filibuster is provoking the ire of GOP senators, including Arkansas' John Boozman…
Look for the Golden Can - Win $1Million
Buying Budweiser? Keep an eye out for a specially marked golden can in the package you purchase. It won't get you a trip to the chocolate factory, but you could win a cool $1 million prize. Anheuser-Busch launched a Willy Wonka-style contest and told fans to look for a "Live Like A King Golden Can" inside specially-marked packages of Budweiser beer until the sweepstakes ends Feb. 20. Anyone who finds a golden can will be eligible to win a $1 million grand prize as part of Anheuser- Busch's "Live Like a King" sweepstakes. All they have to do is post a photo of them and their golden can on social media for a chance to win. Be sure to tag @budweiserusa and use the hashtags #LiveLikeAKing and #Sweepstakes. But you don't have to buy a case of beer to join in on the fun. To participate without a purchase, visit budweiser.com and follow the online instructions to download a Live Like A King Golden Can wrap. Then, take that wrap and put it around a non-alcoholic drink — like a soda can — and share a photo of yourself with the wrapped can on social media to enter in the sweepstakes. The contest began Jan. 10, 2022, and runs through Feb. 20 at 11:59 p.m. ET. One winner will be selected in a random drawing on "or about" Feb. 21, 2022, according to the official rules on Anheuser-Busch’s website. The winner will then be notified via direct message on social media, from which time they will have 48 hours to respond and accept the prize.
Celestial Events for 2022
Eclipses, meteor showers, supermoons, oh my – skywatchers have a busy 2022 ahead. Sure, 2021 had the Perseid meteor shower and the Strawberry supermoon, but they may pale in comparison to what is slated to shine in the new year’s skies. Here are some of the astronomical events you won’t want to miss in 2022. There will be four eclipses this year, according to NASA – two of the moon and two of the sun. A lunar eclipse is when the moon enters the Earth’s shadow, preventing parts or all of the sunlight to reflect off the moon. Alternatively, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, partially or entirely blocking its light from hitting the Earth. Only the two total eclipses of the moon will be visible from the U.S. – one on May 15 and another on November 8. The U.S. will be unable to see the two partial eclipses of the sun, which occur on April 30 and October 25. There are 12 meteor showers, with dates that hardly change from year to year, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The peak of each shower can vary by a day or two, though.
Billionaires Get Richer According to Bloomberg Index
The world's wealthiest people, whose fortunes already strained comprehension, collectively gained $1 trillion last year, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. Elon Musk, the world's richest person, alone gained nearly $118 billion in just the last 12 months. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimated 150 million people fell into poverty in 2021. Other big gainers in the billionaire bunch: Luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault (up $62.7 billion) and Google buddies Larry Page and Sergey Brin (up $47 billion and $45 billion, respectively). Mark Zuckerberg's year was the stuff of tech titan nightmares, but he's still about $25 billion richer for it. As much as 2021 may be remembered as the year of the worker, thanks to rising wages and renewed unionization efforts fueled by a tight labor market, the astronomical gains by the world's 0.001%underscore the vastness of the wealth gap between workers and the executives and shareholders whom they serve. For the gazillionth year in a row, 2021 was a good time to be rich. Time and again, Wall Street shrugged off concerns about inflation, supply chain bottlenecks and new COVID-19 variants to keep equity markets humming. On that front, the wealthy owe a big hat tip to the Federal Reserve, which plowed tens of billions of dollars into financial markets every month while keeping interest rates near zero — an ultra- loose monetary policy designed to keep cash moving in financial markets as the pandemic jolted the global economy in 2020. That stimulus effort fueled a stock bonanza in 2020 and 2021, but the Fed gravy train is going away in the first half of this year. The S&P 500 gained nearly 27% last year, while the Dow gained about 19% and the Nasdaq ended the year up 21%. Valuations on other assets such as cryptocurrencies, commodities and property also soared, further bolstering the uber-wealthy's coffers. According to Bloomberg, the combined net worths of the 500 people in its billionaire index now exceeds $8.4 trillion. That's more than the gross domestic product of any single country on the planet except the United States and China. Since the pandemic began, America's billionaires have seen their collective fortunes soar more than 70% to more than $5 trillion, according to a report by Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies Program on Inequality, which analyzed Forbes data. Democrats argue that billionaires' windfall alone over the past two years would be enough to pay for President Joe Biden's social infrastructure plan. But the billionaire tax legislation was dead on arrival this fall when Senator Joe Manchin voiced concerns about penalizing "people in the stratosphere.