Opinion

John Boozman, Senator Agriculture is the cornerstone of Arkansas’s economy. It’s a way of life for families in rural communities across our state.

Arkansas received good news from federal regulators that allows the state Medicaid program to better help women during at-risk pregnancies and other at-risk populations. Last year Medicaid provided medical services to 12,500 Arkansas women with high-risk pregnancies.

Agriculture is the cornerstone of Arkansas’s economy. It’s a way of life for families in rural communities across our state. For generations, men and women have proudly devoted their lives to producing the food and fiber that feeds and clothes the world. Their job is vital as we confront new global threats and we must ensure they have the tools and the resources to rise to the challenge.

Arkansas is home to more than 222,000 veterans. That equals close to 10% of our adult population.

A recent report from the Arkansas Department of Health reflected a slight upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases for this region. As this is the flu and virus season, everyone should be taking adequate preventive measures to thwart these ailments. One negative aspect of the report was the percentage of vaccinations for residents of Sharp County. We are ranked 72nd out of 75 counties in the state according to the vaccination rate with only 37% of our citizens having full vaccination status for the virus. Good health is important not only for you but for your friends and neighbors; practice good health and listen to your family doctor.

The nastiness of election season is over. I have been a part of some heated election cycles in my almost eight years as a journalist and this year’s wasn’t any different than what I had experienced in the past. I guess you could say it made it to my top 5.

Law enforcement professionals at all levels, from local police forces to sheriff’s departments, state police and federal law enforcement agencies, leave home each day not knowing what challenges they will encounter, but prepared to face danger head on. We are all grateful for the service and sacrifice of our officers and we have a responsibility to ensure they have the resources, equipment and training to do their job.

A panel of three federal judges dismissed portions of a lawsuit filed against state officials, in which plaintiffs argue that the legislature violated the federal Voting Rights Act last year when it drew new maps for the state’s four Congressional districts.

A panel of three federal judges dismissed portions of a lawsuit filed against state officials, in which plaintiffs argue that the legislature violated the federal Voting Rights Act last year when it drew new maps for the state’s four Congressional districts.