Arkansas State News

Joe Morgan, vice-chairman of AGFC, dies at 76

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:14:09 +0000

LITTLE ROCK —(Press release) Joe Morgan, the vice-chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, died Saturday morning from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 76 years old.

Morgan was Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s first appointment to the Commission in 2015. At Morgan’s appointment, Hutchinson said the decision was to select someone who understood the culture of the outdoors in Arkansas.

“I wanted someone who is engaged and passionate, who values, respects and treasures our incredible natural resources,” Joe Morgan is an ideal fit. He understands the importance of the work of the Game and Fish Commission and what it means to the general public, to the average Arkansan.”

Morgan’s passing on the opening day of Arkansas’s duck season pays tribute to the man, who worked diligently to maintain the quality of public and private land duck hunting in The Natural State. He, and his son Brett Morgan, both served on the Commission and both fought fervently for Arkansas duck hunters, particularly on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. His most recent contributions to the Commission included the passage of regulations on Dave Donaldson Black River WMA and Bayou Meto to require all boats and hunters to be off water-inundated areas by noon instead of 1 p.m. to give ducks more time to rest on these highly pressured waterfowl hunting areas.

“It’s a sad day for all of us here at the AGFC,” AGFC Director Pat Fitts said. “We knew Joe as a stalwart waterfowl hunter. He wanted nothing more than to make sure all Arkansans had the opportunity to enjoy The state’s great natural resources. We’ll all miss his wry sense of humor and wisdom.”

Morgan, who worked and lived among the Stuttgart community, served on the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission for 14 years, spending three of those years as Chairman.

Morgan’s term was set to expire at the end of June 2022.

Joe Morgan, vice-chairman of AGFC, dies at 76

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 23:00:47 +0000

LITTLE ROCK —(Press release) Joe Morgan, the vice-chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, died Saturday morning from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

He was 76 years old.

Morgan was Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s first appointment to the Commission in 2015.

At Morgan’s appointment, Hutchinson said the decision was to select someone who understood the culture of the outdoors in Arkansas.

Morgan’s passing on the opening day of Arkansas’s duck season pays tribute to the man, who worked diligently to maintain the quality of public and private land duck hunting in The Natural State.

He, and his son Brett Morgan, both served on the Commission and both fought fervently for Arkansas duck hunters, particularly on George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area.

His most recent contributions to the Commission included the passage of regulations on Dave Donaldson Black River WMA and Bayou Meto to require all boats and hunters to be off water-inundated areas by noon instead of 1:00 p.m. to give ducks more time to rest on these highly pressured waterfowl hunting areas.

Morgan, who worked and lived among the Stuttgart community, served on the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission for 14 years, spending three of those years as Chairman.

Morgan’s term was set to expire at the end of June 2022.

Coronavirus in Arkansas: 1,352 new cases, 20 new deaths reported Sunday

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 22:49:03 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- 1,352 Arkansans have been added to the lists of those who have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.

That is a combination of 1,277 confirmed and 75 probable cases.

There have been 20 more confirmed case deaths related to the disease.

The Arkansas Health Department reports 2,357 total deaths have occurred in Arkansas due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

2,161 of those deaths are confirmed, the other 196 are listed as probable COVID-19 deaths.

125,153 Arkansans are considered recovered.

There are now 17,646 active cases in the state.

962 people are hospitalized statewide, that is 37 more than yesterday's number.

A record 163 people are on ventilators.

COVID-19 update: 1,352 Arkansans diagnosed since Saturday

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 22:47:15 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- 1,352 Arkansans have been added to the lists of those who have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.

That is a combination of 1,277 confirmed and 75 probable cases.

There have been 20 more confirmed case deaths related to the disease.

The Arkansas Health Department reports 2,357 total deaths have occurred in Arkansas due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

2,161 of those deaths are confirmed, the other 196 are listed as probable COVID-19 deaths.

125,153 Arkansans are considered recovered.

There are now 17,646 active cases in the state.

962 people are hospitalized statewide, that is 37 more than yesterday's number.

A record 163 people are on ventilators.

Governor Hutchinson announces board will expedite licensure for nursing students to relieve stress in hospitals

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 01:55:13 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Future nurses are bracing themselves for the front lines of the pandemic following a Friday announcement from state leaders.

Governor Hutchinson said in a press conference he will fast track 1,104 nursing students so they can alleviate the stress in Arkansas hospitals in just a few weeks.

He said the board will expedite their licensure. Hutchison also said their application fees would be waived. However, the background check would still happen and students would still have to pay that particular fee.

“We need to get those nurses on board quickly– we need them to help relieve some of the challenges we face,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “We want them here, we need their talent, and their convictions, and their heart.”

We talked to a nursing student who will graduate from school in December. She says she is thankful the Governor’s move will help her start work even sooner.

“Apparently we are in a bad state right now and they really need us,” said nursing student Alicyn Fields.

Fields says she has been in school since January and will graduate on December 11.

“This has been the craziest semester ever– I survived nursing school in a pandemic,” recalled Fields.

She says she is ready to put everything she has learned this year to use but is worried to deal directly with COVID-19 patients.

“They are putting us on the front line first so that’s kind of nerve wrecking– my fear and anxiety is through the roof on that part,” said Fields.

Fields says she has wanted to be a nurse since she was 8-years-old and thanks to Governor Hutchinson, she is one step closer.

“I do take pride in knowing that I can put my life on the line to help someone else,” said Fields.

Governor Hutchinson announces board will expedite licensure for nursing students to relieve stress in hospitals

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 01:53:02 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Future nurses are bracing themselves for the front lines of the pandemic following a Friday announcement from state leaders.

Governor Hutchinson said in a press conference he will fast track 1,104 nursing students so they can alleviate the stress in Arkansas hospitals in just a few weeks.

“We need to get those nurses on board quickly-- we need them to help relieve some of the challenges we face,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “We want them here, we need their talent, and their convictions, and their heart.”

We talked to a nursing student who will graduate from school in December. She says she is thankful the Governor's move will help her start work even sooner.

“Apparently we are in a bad state right now and they really need us,” said nursing student Alicyn Fields.

Fields says she has been in school since January and will graduate on December 11.

“This has been the craziest semester ever-- I survived nursing school in a pandemic,” recalled Fields.

She says she is ready to put everything she has learned this year to use but is worried to deal directly with COVID-19 patients.

“They are putting us on the front line first so that's kind of nerve wrecking-- my fear and anxiety is through the roof on that part,” said Fields.

Fields says she has wanted to be a nurse since she was 8-years-old and thanks to Governor Hutchinson, she is one step closer.

“I do take pride in knowing that I can put my life on the line to help someone else,” said Fields.

"Protect the Vote" caravan travels through downtown Little Rock, rally held near State Capitol

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 01:05:25 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- For the third weekend in a row, supporters of President Trump gathered for a rally in Little Rock.

More than 100 people in dozens of vehicles took part in the Protect the Vote Cruise and Rally.

The caravan gathered near the State Capitol then drove to the Arkansas Supreme Court parking lot.

There, the vehicles parked, and speakers were invited to address the crowd.

The event was organized and shared on various social media platforms.

'Protect the Vote' caravan travels through Little Rock Saturday

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 01:01:13 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- For the third weekend in a row, supporters of President Trump gathered for a rally in Little Rock.

More than 100 people in dozens of vehicles took part in the Protect the Vote Cruise and Rally.

The caravan gathered near the State Capitol then drove to the Arkansas Supreme Court parking lot.

There, the vehicles parked, and speakers were invited to address the crowd.

The event was organized and shared on various social media platforms.

Coronavirus update: 1,905 new cases, 16 deaths reported Saturday

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 23:21:23 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- 1,905 Arkansans have been added to the lists of those who have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.

That is a combination of 1,433 confirmed and 472 probable cases.

There have been 16 more confirmed case deaths related to the disease.

The Arkansas Health Department reports 2,337 total deaths have occurred in Arkansas due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

2,141 of those deaths are confirmed, the other 196 are listed as probable COVID-19 deaths.

123,722 Arkansans are considered recovered.

There are now 17,745 active cases in the state.

925 people are hospitalized statewide, that is 10 less than yesterday's number.

A record 154 people are on ventilators.

Coronavirus in Arkansas: 1,905 new cases, 16 new deaths reported Saturday

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:28:57 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- 1,905 Arkansans have been added to the lists of those who have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.

That is a combination of 1,433 confirmed and 472 probable cases.

There have been 16 more confirmed case deaths related to the disease.

The Arkansas Health Department reports 2,337 total deaths have occurred in Arkansas due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

2,141 of those deaths are confirmed, the other 196 are listed as probable COVID-19 deaths.

123,722 Arkansans are considered recovered.

There are now 17,745 active cases in the state.

925 people are hospitalized statewide, that is 10 less than yesterday's number.

A record 154 people are on ventilators.

WATCH: Pig Trail Nation Gear Up For Gameday- The Battle of the Boot, LSU comes to Fayetteville

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 15:55:06 +0000

Fayetteville, Ark.- The Arkansas Razorback football team is at home, taking on the LSU Tigers this morning

You can catch the game at 11:00 a.m. on the SEC Network, but first, be sure to tune in to the Pig Trail Nation's Gear Up for Gameday show, which you can catch live above starting at 10:00 a.m.

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Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. José Romero recommends Arkansans not travel for Thanksgiving Holiday

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 04:15:41 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Spiking cases of COVID-19 has the Governor issuing a stern warning that may put a damper on your Thanksgiving plans.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays, but now the governor’s task force is asking people not to leave the state next week.

“You should not really be thinking of traveling a lot, even if you live in the state you should probably not engage in that,” said Dr. Jose Romero.

Romero says the task force is calling this holiday a ‘nuclear Thanksgiving’ and is suggesting Arkansans celebrate in a smaller group than in past years.

“Less than 10 people certainly would be advisable and preferably just people that are living in your home at that time,” Romero said.

He says the state has a track record with holidays causing a spike in COVID-19 cases such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween.

“Wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance,” said Romero.

If you are still planning on packing up and crossing state lines for Thanksgiving, Romero says you need to get a test beforehand.

“If you do decide to travel, be tested before you go. Get a PCR test, get a test that can be rapidly interpreted,” said Romero.

Romero also suggested keeping the windows open for Thanksgiving dinner to allow for additional ventilation.

He also recommended families not take their loved ones out of nursing homes during Thanksgiving, noting that they will not be able to get back into the facility right away due to a potential COVID-19 exposure.

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Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. José Romero recommends Arkansans not travel for Thanksgiving Holiday

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 04:12:34 +0000