Posted: Mar 8, 2021 / 10:51 AM CSTUpdated: Mar 8, 2021 / 11:46 PM CSTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. () — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Monday that Arkansans can call a new toll-free number for assistance with scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.Hutchinson said the new system will be supplementary to the existing system, which asks Arkansans to contact a pharmacy or provider for an appointment directly.The line — (800) 985-6030 — will be open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning today, Hutchinson said. Translation services are available.The governor said that some in the...…Posted: Mar 8, 2021 / 10:51 AM CSTUpdated: Mar 8, 2021 / 11:46 PM CSTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. () — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Monday that Arkansans can call a new toll-free number for assistance with scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.Hutchinson said the new system will be supplementary to the existing system, which asks Arkansans to contact a pharmacy or provider for an appointment directly.The line — (800) 985-6030 — will be open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning today, Hutchinson said. Translation services are available.The governor said that some in the...WW…

Posted: Nov 18, 2020 / 09:54 PM CSTUpdated: Nov 19, 2020 / 11:00 AM CSTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — With recent announcements concerning vaccines, the United States is getting closer to seeing COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and Fayetteville is preparing to receive and store the first round within weeks.Dr. Jose Romero is the Arkansas Dept. of Health Secretary, and he said that Arkansas could have a COVID-19 vaccine in as little as four weeks. The first round will be targeted toward certain vulnerable or critical populations, including healthcare workers and first responders.“You get the...…Posted: Nov 18, 2020 / 09:54 PM CSTUpdated: Nov 19, 2020 / 11:00 AM CSTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — With recent announcements concerning vaccines, the United States is getting closer to seeing COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and Fayetteville is preparing to receive and store the first round within weeks.Dr. Jose Romero is the Arkansas Dept. of Health Secretary, and he said that Arkansas could have a COVID-19 vaccine in as little as four weeks. The first round will be targeted toward certain vulnerable or critical populations, including healthcare workers and first responders.“You get the...WW…

Posted: Nov 11, 2020 / 10:17 PM CSTUpdated: Nov 12, 2020 / 06:37 AM CSTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Across the country, votes are still being counted, . Despite the big jump in turnout, Arkansas had one of the lowest turnout rates in the country for eligible voters.The United States Election Project is a data collection program operated by Dr. Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist. Minnesota led the country at 79.9% in its unofficial results.Prof. Janine Parry, a University of Arkansas political scientist who specializes in Arkansas politics, said the 55.5% mark...…Posted: Nov 11, 2020 / 10:17 PM CSTUpdated: Nov 12, 2020 / 06:37 AM CSTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Across the country, votes are still being counted, . Despite the big jump in turnout, Arkansas had one of the lowest turnout rates in the country for eligible voters.The United States Election Project is a data collection program operated by Dr. Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist. Minnesota led the country at 79.9% in its unofficial results.Prof. Janine Parry, a University of Arkansas political scientist who specializes in Arkansas politics, said the 55.5% mark...WW…

Posted: Sep 17, 2020 / 10:02 PM CDTUpdated: Sep 17, 2020 / 10:20 PM CDTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The 2020 General Election is fewer than seven weeks away. Sen. Tom Cotton (R) hopes to keep his seat, while two lesser-known candidates challenge him. One said he’s weighing whether to suspend his campaign.The lawsuit and a subsequent appeal were thrown out, and Whitfield said a current appeal will allow for oral arguments.Still, Whitfield’s coming to terms with time no longer being on his side, as absentee ballots are being printed this week across the state.“If we do win our hearing and...…Posted: Sep 17, 2020 / 10:02 PM CDTUpdated: Sep 17, 2020 / 10:20 PM CDTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The 2020 General Election is fewer than seven weeks away. Sen. Tom Cotton (R) hopes to keep his seat, while two lesser-known candidates challenge him. One said he’s weighing whether to suspend his campaign.The lawsuit and a subsequent appeal were thrown out, and Whitfield said a current appeal will allow for oral arguments.Still, Whitfield’s coming to terms with time no longer being on his side, as absentee ballots are being printed this week across the state.“If we do win our hearing and...WW…

Posted: Jul 26, 2020 / 11:09 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 26, 2020 / 11:09 PM CDTSPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Benetick Maddison was born in Majuro, the Marshall Islands’ capital city. Now, he works as a project specialist for a Marshallese community group in Springdale, and he’s doing what he can to help aMaddison said he’s surprised the state legislature didn’t act last week on a proposal to allocate funding toward a targeted response in Latinx and Marshallese communities.“We’ve been trying to put information out there for the community and trying to update whatever it is that the CDC is sharing...…Posted: Jul 26, 2020 / 11:09 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 26, 2020 / 11:09 PM CDTSPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Benetick Maddison was born in Majuro, the Marshall Islands’ capital city. Now, he works as a project specialist for a Marshallese community group in Springdale, and he’s doing what he can to help aMaddison said he’s surprised the state legislature didn’t act last week on a proposal to allocate funding toward a targeted response in Latinx and Marshallese communities.“We’ve been trying to put information out there for the community and trying to update whatever it is that the CDC is sharing...WW…

Posted: Jul 19, 2020 / 08:45 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 20, 2020 / 05:25 AM CDTFort Smith, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A new statewide mask mandate goes into effect Monday, but some institutions are exempt from Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s executive order. Churches are among that crowd, and a Fort Smith pastor said he plans to follow guidelines throughout the emergency declaration.Ryan Rose is the associate pastor for Evangel Temple in Fort Smith, and he said the first question he had after Hutchinson announced the order last Thursday was simple: how does this affect churches?“I didn’t know who, what, when, where,...…Posted: Jul 19, 2020 / 08:45 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 20, 2020 / 05:25 AM CDTFort Smith, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A new statewide mask mandate goes into effect Monday, but some institutions are exempt from Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s executive order. Churches are among that crowd, and a Fort Smith pastor said he plans to follow guidelines throughout the emergency declaration.Ryan Rose is the associate pastor for Evangel Temple in Fort Smith, and he said the first question he had after Hutchinson announced the order last Thursday was simple: how does this affect churches?“I didn’t know who, what, when, where,...WW…

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 / 09:47 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 14, 2020 / 04:51 PM CDTTONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Tontitown City Council passed a mask ordinance on Thursday, July 7, joining other Northwest Arkansas cities making it mandatory to wear masks in public — However, Tontitown’s ordinance only encourages wearing a mask.TONTITOWN ORDINANCE STATEMENT: The Arkansas Department of Health and CDC released guidance regarding the use of face coverings as a method of decreasing the exposure to COVID-19.  Governor Hutchinson has voiced his support and encouragement for the usage of facial...…Posted: Jul 12, 2020 / 09:47 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 14, 2020 / 04:51 PM CDTTONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Tontitown City Council passed a mask ordinance on Thursday, July 7, joining other Northwest Arkansas cities making it mandatory to wear masks in public — However, Tontitown’s ordinance only encourages wearing a mask.TONTITOWN ORDINANCE STATEMENT: The Arkansas Department of Health and CDC released guidance regarding the use of face coverings as a method of decreasing the exposure to COVID-19.  Governor Hutchinson has voiced his support and encouragement for the usage of facial...WW…

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 / 04:02 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 12, 2020 / 04:24 PM CDTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas added 503 new cumulative COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in Sunday’sThe state is now up to 28,367 total cases since it began keeping track of the pandemic. The latest numbers show there are an additional 91 active cases, bringing the total to 6,445. The positivity rate is 7.8% for the new cases, according to ADH spokesperson Gavin Lesnick.Of the total COVID-19 cases, 21,591 are considered inactive, according to ADH numbers.The latest numbers show 321 people have died from...…Posted: Jul 12, 2020 / 04:02 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 12, 2020 / 04:24 PM CDTFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas added 503 new cumulative COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in Sunday’sThe state is now up to 28,367 total cases since it began keeping track of the pandemic. The latest numbers show there are an additional 91 active cases, bringing the total to 6,445. The positivity rate is 7.8% for the new cases, according to ADH spokesperson Gavin Lesnick.Of the total COVID-19 cases, 21,591 are considered inactive, according to ADH numbers.The latest numbers show 321 people have died from...WW…

Posted: Jun 23, 2020 / 10:38 PM CDTUpdated: Jun 24, 2020 / 10:23 AM CDTROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Despite this, some business owners are dealing with patron outbursts when trying to implement mask policies.Lacie Bray is the owner of Ozark Beer Co. in Rogers, and she said her employees were scared when a woman theatrically refused to comply with the company’s rule.“You’re required to wear a mask when you go up to order our beer, and then once you’re sitting at a table, of course you can remove the mask,” Bray said.Most people are understanding, Bray said, but this particular patron didn’t...…Posted: Jun 23, 2020 / 10:38 PM CDTUpdated: Jun 24, 2020 / 10:23 AM CDTROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Despite this, some business owners are dealing with patron outbursts when trying to implement mask policies.Lacie Bray is the owner of Ozark Beer Co. in Rogers, and she said her employees were scared when a woman theatrically refused to comply with the company’s rule.“You’re required to wear a mask when you go up to order our beer, and then once you’re sitting at a table, of course you can remove the mask,” Bray said.Most people are understanding, Bray said, but this particular patron didn’t...WW…

Posted: Apr 22, 2020 / 08:52 PM CDTUpdated: Apr 23, 2020 / 06:17 AM CDTGRAVETTE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The race for additional COVID-19 testing continues in states across the country. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Arkansas has the capacity to test more than it already is.Wednesday’s daily briefing revealed the state can test 60-90 people per 1,000 at this point. The state has only tested nine per 1,000 so far.Scott Taylor is the assistant administrator for Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette. He points to limited testing supplies as the reason more weren’t originally being done, and state...…Posted: Apr 22, 2020 / 08:52 PM CDTUpdated: Apr 23, 2020 / 06:17 AM CDTGRAVETTE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The race for additional COVID-19 testing continues in states across the country. Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Arkansas has the capacity to test more than it already is.Wednesday’s daily briefing revealed the state can test 60-90 people per 1,000 at this point. The state has only tested nine per 1,000 so far.Scott Taylor is the assistant administrator for Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette. He points to limited testing supplies as the reason more weren’t originally being done, and state...WW…