Arkansas receives mixed results in annual Kids Count Data Book Arkansas is ranked 45th in the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual report ranks states on the overall condition of children in four areas: economic well-being, education, health and community and family. ...(Read More ..read more

AR capital receives grant money to improve Black wealth equity The City of Little Rock is part of a national grant program designed to improve the financial status of Black communities. The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund's CityStart initiative works with local governments to create programs to help families become more financially stable. James Owen, policy adviser and special project manager for the mayor's office, said they are being advised by Bloomberg Philanthropies' Greenwood Initiative, which has a mission to address systemic underinvestment in Black communities. ...(Read More ..read more

Family of slain UARK student uses tragedy to help others A nonprofit organization is working to reduce the stress on trauma survivors - and it began with a tragedy. "Project Beloved" creates "soft" police station interview rooms. They paint the walls and add comfortable furniture, lamps, rugs and artwork to make them less cold and sterile. ...(Read More ..read more

Food insecurity continues to rise in Arkansas The Arkansas Food Bank said it's prepared for an increase in food demand as we go into the summer months. The latest "Map the Meal Gap" report from Feeding America showed food insecurity in the state jumped from 14.5% to 17.6% in a year. Brian Burton, CEO of the Arkansas Food Bank, said the need for food assistance has not returned to pre-COVID-19 numbers and inflation and the end of pandemic subsidies have made things tougher for families. ...(Read More ..read more

Arkansas civil rights icon Daisy Bates honored with statue at U.S. Capitol A new statue at the U.S. Capitol honors Arkansas civil rights activist Daisy Gatson Bates. The eight foot bronze statue is in the National Statuary Hall. ...(Read More ..read more

Report: AR among top states for children losing health coverage post-COVID A new report showed the number of children covered by Medicaid varies widely between states as pandemic-era protections were lifted, with Arkansas seeing a sharp decline. The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families reports nationwide, 4.16 million fewer children were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Camille Richoux, health policy director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, said the unwinding process has had a devastating impact on Arkansas children and famili ..read more

Expert reveals how neuroscience, practical tools helps build mentally strong kids As Children's Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Arkansas, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive. Charles Fay, child psychologist and president of the Love and Logic Institute, said national data show roughly 42% of adolescents aged 12-17 in Arkansas, mirroring national trends, receive services for severe depression. He argued a healthy brain is the foundation of good parenting and Arkansas parents could foster children's ability to become mentally strong, responsibl ..read more

Feds: Grocery chains achieve record profits before and after pandemic Consumer groups are claiming big grocery retailers such as Kroger and Walmart have been unfairly raising prices, both during the pandemic and now. The allegation of corporate greed comes after a new report from the Federal Trade Commission found profits for grocery chains jumped sharply at rates that supply-chain disruptions could not justify. Angela Huffman is president of the nonprofit Farm Action. ...(Read More ..read more

Lawsuit seeks protection for imperiled Arkansas mudalia snails An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Arkansas mudalia snail under the Endangered Species Act. In Arkansas and Missouri, including along the North Fork River, mudalia are critically endangered freshwater snails. ...(Read More ..read more

Program gives AR early education workers 'Career Pathways' The need for child care and early learning is critical, especially in rural Arkansas. One nonprofit is working to fill those gaps by giving providers a chance to get more education. The Career Pathways Program with Save the Children partners with universities to grow the workforce of child care and preschool providers. ...(Read More ..read more