First Responders

The Arkansas Forestry Service says high winds, heat and drought have put all 75 counties under high wildfire designation, with at least 55 counties under burn bans.

From local first responders to FEMA, Washington County Emergency Manager John Luther and ADEM's Ashley Lunningham explain how disaster response works in Northwest Arkansas.

Laurie Smith, Career and Technical Education teacher at Lincoln High School, was named CTE Teacher of the Year. She leads courses for students interested in careers in EMS, firefighting, and criminal detention.

Fayetteville became the first city in Arkansas to pass a Firefighters Bill of Rights, ensuring fair investigations, civil protections, and permanent safeguards for firefighters on and off the job.

School is back in session next week, and for some Rogers students, there is a substantial new addition: a donated fire truck. Plus, another entry in the Adventure Arkansas Series tackles the state's largest trail. Also, a look back at a Lego competition.

Improving the mental health of Arkansas’ first responders is the goal of a legislative study now underway. Members of a joint legislative committee approved an interim study proposal on the subject Monday.

A look inside the new Fayetteville Police Department is on today's show. Also, a local podcast highlights Latina leaders in Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is set to host a blues party and this year marks the Fort Smith Symphony's centennial anniversary.

Michael Tilley, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, helps us wrap a busy week of news: pay increase for police and firefighters in Fort Smith, new jobs coming to the region and more.

On today's show, trying to make sense of crime statistics. Plus, the music of Mary Lou Williams as inspiration for a concert tonight from University of Arkansas jazz faculty, Michael Tilley from Talk Business and Politics helps us review the week’s news and Courtney Lanning reviews a new take on the Romeo and Juliet story and much more.

This past week, the FBI released the Crime in the Nation report for 2021 using the National Incident-Based Reporting System.