LITTLE ROCK - While continuing to monitor the impact of Hurricane Ike on Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for damage to Arkansas crops caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav.

In his letter to Secretary Ed Schaefer, Governor Beebe asked for a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 45 Arkansas counties: Ashley, Baxter, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleburne, Conway, Crawford,…[more]

After a five-week vacation, Congress has 14 working days left to pass a comprehensive energy plan that provides relief to Arkansans suffering from the high cost of fuel.

I reaffirmed my commitment for H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, by signing a pledge from the grassroots organization, Making Congress Accountable. This group is persuading my colleagues to work together to pass this important piece of legislation with NO…[more]

REYDEL, Ark. - About 30 percent to 40 percent of the state’s rice crop in southeast Arkansas has been hit hard by remnants of Hurricane Gustav, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

High winds and rain pelted the crop and blew over the plants, a condition called lodging, according to Ralph Mazzanti, an extension rice research verification coordinator.
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Seth Russell, age 15 of Crossett, Arkansas, was being pulled along in an inner tube behind a boat in Lake Chicot when a Silver Asian carp leaped from the water, hitting young Seth square in the face.

The blow knocked Seth unconscious and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Seth said he does not remember the fish, only waking up at the hospital. But the collision was…[more]

Little Rock --Power is being restored to parts of Louisiana, but Entergy crews from Arkansas have been forced to return home to help restore power here, and evacuees are being told that they are still facing a wait of seven to fourteen days before they can return home. That leaves Arkansas healthcare providers with the job of keeping the displaced population healthy.

“We are determined to give the…[more]

As rains continue to soak the White River Basin, officials of the Army Corps of Engineers are hard at work using federal lakes to minimize flooding of cropland in the White River valley. Meanwhile, officials continue to urge those living near the rivers downstream of these dams to remain on guard should large releases become necessary.

The National Weather Service has forecast the river stage at Newport to…[more]

LITTLE ROCK - The unusually mild summer coupled with preparations for back-to-school have kept our minds preoccupied, but the clean-up and rebuilding from the spring tornadoes, wind storms and floods continues.

Gov. Mike Beebe declared 10 Arkansas counties disaster areas after tornadoes killed more than a dozen Arkansans and injured about 150 more. Clean-up from the late spring and summer floods is still causing issues for homeowners, farmers…[more]

In the past two days, the City of Little Rock has received an historic amount of rainfall, resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. A total of 5½ inches of rain has accumulated in a 24 hour period. This large amount of storm water runoff will inevitably impact Little Rock’s sanitary sewer system, causing it to reach capacity.

Little Rock Wastewater has been monitoring the situation with the…[more]

The Army Corps of Engineers has issued a small craft advisory for the Arkansas River from Ozark Lock and Dam downstream because rains are pushing flows above safe levels for small craft. Advisories are issued when flows reach 70,000 cubic feet per second. Currents become swifter and stronger, and large debris is carried downstream.

Depending on the full impact of rain still underway, the advisory could be extended…[more]

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation came out with their annual list of the worst American cities for allergy sufferers. One Ozarks city was in the top ten as was another city that lies near our region.

Little Rock came in at #3 on the list, moving up several notches from its ranking of 14th last year. Oklahoma City improved their position by dropping to the number 9 slot…[more]