Labor

The FBI field office in Fayetteville is heading up the Arkansas Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in an effort to make people more aware of the risks and realities of trafficking in the region.

On today's show, a new Arkansas law removing the work permit requirement for 14- and 15-year-olds took effect earlier this month. Also, Arkansas Department of Education officials decided it would no longer recognize Advanced Placement African American History for course credit in the state. Plus, lessons from the Militant Grammarian and a new episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas.

Work permits as of Aug. 1 are no longer required for children younger than 16 in Arkansas under the new Youth Hiring Act of 2023.

Farm and food workers are eligible for a $600 stimulus from qualifying organizations if they worked during the pandemic and incurred expenses. The program aims to compensate essential food workers, who are some of the lowest-paid laborers in America.

This week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report includes a conversation with Mervin Jebaraj, the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at University of Arkansas. He discusses interest rates, inflation and a possible recession.

Teamsters and ABF Freight reached a tentative agreement this week. Michael Tilley, executive editor of Talk Business & Politics, explains why the deal is important. Tilley also discusses the ongoing Peak Center flooding and a robust building environment in the Arkansas River Valley.

Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, and members of a review committee believe the trend can be reversed.

On today's show, after an AI traffic detection system was successfully tested, 10 artificially intelligent traffic lights are to be installed in Springdale. Also, the Little Rick Nine are honored, the musical Violet opens this week and more.

The Ozarks at Large news team collects news from the past 24 hours in The Outline. Included today: The Little Rock Nine are honored, more construction jobs in Arkansas and Wilco is coming to town.

On today's show, Van Buren Tyson Foods employees went on strike for a week this past month, claiming the company is mishandling their severance and citing poor working conditions. Plus, what will change for Medicaid recipients when the COVID-19 pandemic-health emergency ends in May. Also, live music events, a new episode of "The R Word" and more.