Ozarks At Large

Two top Arkansas lawmakers and Governor Asa Hutchinson fielded questions from reporters about the 2021 legislative session at a two-hour virtual round table hosted Friday by the Arkansas Press Association and Associated Press. Questions revolved around proposed bills, pandemic procedures, as well as the recent attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol. 

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is hosting its monthly Shiloh Saturday Series event this weekend. Saturday's virtual program will focus on Essie Ward, a folk artist often referred to as “Grandma Moses of the Ozarks.”

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful viruses. They're being used to treat COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms at medical centers around the state, including Mercy Northwest Arkansas in Rogers.

During the pandemic, everyone is advised to wear masks, wash hands, socially distance and isolate with certain family or friends. But what about dating? Sara Savannah Hiatt describes how she is strategically pursing safe romance, while seasoned Fayetteville therapist, William Symes, offers insight and advice. 

The small city of Gravette is in the spotlight this week after a man who appeared in a photo of House Speak Nancy Pelosi's offices during Wednesday's pro-Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol went viral. Mayor Kurt Maddox addressed the situation in a statement on the city's Facebook page as staff and police were flooded with calls, emails and messages via social media once the man was identified as Richard Barnett. Barnett was arrested this morning by the FBI on charges of entering and remaining on restricted grounds, violent entry and theft of public property.

The December revenue report, released by the Department of Finance and Administration this week, shows the state’s net available general revenue totaled $530.3 million for December. That’s 7.3 percent above forecast, but $17.2 million below last year’s amount.

A grant from the Kellogg Company is providing 30 irrigation timers to manage water useage on approximately 15,000 acres of rice fields in the Arkansas delta. The program is a partnership with the Nature Conservancy in Arkansas and part of the food giant's effort to help a million farmers in the U.S.