State Capitol Week in Review from Senator Terry Rice
Little Rock – Despite many challenges facing maternal health care, Arkansas has made progress. Arkansas now ranks among the top 10 states with the lowest rates of severe maternal morbidity, proving that focused hospital improvements are saving lives. Earlier this year, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) launched the Arkansas Center for Women and Infants’ Health headed by Executive Director Dr. Nirvana Manning, who also serves as professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS. In addition, new online interactive tools such as UAMS’ maternal health scorecard are helping identify care deserts and guide resources where they are needed most.
According to the nonprofit organization March of Dimes, the state has made great progress this year to improve maternal and infant health care, but there is still much to be done. We still have failing rates in many areas. Preterm birth rates remain stuck at 12.1 percent, ranking near the bottom (47out of 52 states). Infant mortality rates also increased from 7.7. to 8.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Adequate prenatal care declined, and low-risk cesarean births increased. Too many women struggle to attend appointments for consistent care and support before, during, and after pregnancy.
Arkansas has made major maternal health policy progress this year. In 2025, the state enacted one of the most comprehensive maternal and infant health legislative packages in the country. These reforms include the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, which expanded remote monitoring for moms living far away from hospitals or clinics. Key provisions expanded Medicaid for pregnant women, increased provider payments, boosted telehealth, and aimed to provide comprehensive, continuous care from pregnancy through postpartum. The legislature also created a statewide certification pathway for community-based doulas, expanded privileges for certified nurse midwives, and required insurance coverage for licensed birthing centers.
We made history as the first state in the South to provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for public and charter schoolteachers covered at 100 percent by the state, setting a national example of bipartisan, family-first policy.
In February, The Arkansas Legislature directed $2.5 million in state funds to hospitals in Crossett and El Dorado so UAMS can train physicians in 22 residency slots, including a family medicine obstetrics fellowship.
In October, UAMS received a $4 million federal grant to bring more maternal health care to rural South Arkansas. HEART Moms, which stands for Helping Expand Access to Rural maternal health care Transformation for Moms, is designed to bring comprehensive, team-based care closer to home. The goal is to create “a sustainable, regionally coordinated maternal health network with robust governance, a referral infrastructure and Medicaid-aligned payment strategies,” according to the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology news release. The HEART Moms program will begin in 2026 and employ mobile maternal health clinics that rotate between Ashley and Union counties to reduce patients’ transportation-related barriers to care. To learn more about the program, visit the website at https://myarkansasbirth.org/.
“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor
By Sheri Hopkins
Hello everyone!!! Twelve days ’til Christmas! My oldest grandson, Ethan, asked me if I had my shopping done. I said, “No, I do not!” He said, “Nana, don’t you think you better get it done?” I love flying by the seat of my pants. Honey, I just go to sleep on Christmas Eve and say, “That’s all I can do.” I love this time of year, and it brings back a flood of memories. I cannot let this time of year go by without reminding ya’ll of the best Christmas gift Chuck Hopkins ever gave me. You know it’s coming—the Confederate soldier statue. I’m still mad about it after all these years. Ha ha! Let’s not forget the dark hunter green men’s sweater, hot pink flashlights, mouse traps, and of course, the turkey clock. I wish I had kept a list. I sure miss that guy at Christmas—he loved Christmas. We always went together as a family and got a real Christmas tree. One year he decided we would just go cut one down instead of going to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Against my better judgment, we loaded up in his old pickup and away we went. We went where no vehicle should have gone—up a huge hill, snow on the ground, sliding around. Me and Shannon were scared to death. Well, he finally decided on a tree, and when we got it home and put it up, it really was a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It looked pitiful, but after what we went through to get it, we left it up! When I was a child, we had a silver tree with a color wheel that rotated colors. After having one like that, the little Charlie Brown tree looked pretty good. Speaking of memories—did ya’ll just love the Santa Show on Channel Five with Dodie the Elf? I couldn’t wait for that to come on. Kids today have no clue about all the fun things that went on when we were kids. I actually got to meet Dodie’s daughter and I had to hug her. I felt like I was in the presence of royalty. Did ya’ll have the silver icicles on your tree as a kid? Honey, me and my sister loved putting those on the tree—we would just have globs of them all in one spot. I wonder if you can still buy those. I’d love to put some on my artificial tree. I may check into that. I love a mess to clean up after Christmas. Ha ha!! Remember—hug your loved ones and spend as much time with them as you can. Merry Christmas near and far! Grinch Cookies This is a simple recipe, but the kids will love the Grinch theme. 1 vanilla or white cake mix 1 egg 1 (8-ounce) tub of Cool Whip Mix all of this together and add enough green food coloring to make it Grinch green. Put in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or they will be too sticky to work with. Roll into balls, then roll in powdered sugar. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 8–10 minutes (ovens will vary). When you take them out, you can put a little red candy heart on top, or add red sprinkles to the batter. Enjoy!!
Greenwood Fine Arts Academy Launches Fundraiser in Hopes of Building Permanent Community Arts Center
In the heart of Greenwood, a small town with big dreams, the Greenwood Fine Arts Academy (GFAA) has spent the last three years transforming the lives of young people across the River Valley. Now, the organization that has become a second home to so many students is looking to secure a home of its own.
GFAA, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in the fall of 2022, was created to fill a need long recognized in Greenwood and its surrounding communities: a safe, creative space for youth to explore the performing arts. Executive Director Gwen Martin, along with a dedicated board of directors and volunteer officers, has helped shape the academy into a vibrant hub for expression, growth, and belonging.
In communities without dedicated arts facilities, opportunities for young people to develop their talents can be scarce. GFAA has stepped into that gap—offering vocal training, acting opportunities, and performance experience that extend far beyond the stage. For many students, it is a place where they feel understood. A place to shed the pressures of adolescence. A place to find their voice.
“The impact of the arts on our youth is immeasurable,” Martin said. “Students learn to communicate, to cope, to connect. They discover confidence and resilience. For some, this is the first place they’ve ever been told that their voice matters.”
That impact has fueled rapid growth, and with it, a new challenge: space. The academy has been fortunate to share the Greenwood Performing Arts Center, but as community demand for the facility continues to rise, securing consistent rehearsal and performance slots has become increasingly difficult.
Now, GFAA is taking a bold step toward its future—a permanent building that will serve not only the academy, but the entire region.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help make that goal a reality: https://gofund.me/12e49cdfd
The proposed facility will house youth programming and also open its doors to adult community theatre productions, concerts, movies, public meetings, and special events. It is a vision for a true community hub—something the River Valley currently lacks. Without such a space, residents must often travel to Fort Smith or Northwest Arkansas for arts and cultural opportunities.
GFAA leaders believe a dedicated venue in Greenwood would do more than enrich local arts. It would support economic development, keep families engaged close to home, and strengthen community identity.
“This isn’t just about a building,” Martin said. “It’s about creating a place where we can live, work, and play together. A place that brings people of all ages together through creativity and connection.”
The academy is calling on residents, businesses, and supporters from across the region to help bring that vision to life. Every donation, they say, brings them one step closer to building the future of the arts in the River Valley.
For those who wish to contribute, the fundraiser can be found at https://gofund.me/12e49cdfd.
Candidate Forum Draws Strong Crowd for In-Depth Discussion Ahead of Elections
Voters from across Franklin and Logan counties filled the Jeral Hampton Meeting Place on Thursday evening, December 11, 2025, for an in-depth candidate forum featuring contenders from Senate Districts 26 and 28, as well as State Representative District 46. The event offered residents a rare opportunity to hear directly from candidates in a debate-style setting moderated by the highly respected Don Cloud Davis.
The forum served as a second chance for candidates who were unable to attend the earlier event, and it delivered on its promise of deeper, more extensive discussion. Audience members submitted questions at the door, allowing for a wide-ranging conversation on issues important to local communities.
Confirmed Candidates in Attendance
State Representative District 46
- Ronni Young
- Brian Cooper
- Curtis Varnell
Tonya Fletcher was not present.
Senate District 26
- Ted Tritt
- Brad Simon
- Adam Watson
- Mark Berry
- Wade Dunn
Stacie Smith was not present.
Senate District 28
- Senator Bryan King
Bobby Ballinger Jr. was not present.
Community Engagement and Recognition
Organizers extended special appreciation to moderator Don Cloud Davis, whose steady guidance kept the conversation informative and productive. Additionally, Lance Stinson who made sure the response times were equal as timekeeper. Thanks were also given to the evening’s panelists: Haskell Hicks, Deanna Rice, Jessica Ree, Cameron Kehler, and James Forbes, each contributing to the thoughtful structure of the event.
The large crowd of attendees demonstrated strong community interest in the upcoming races. Several local leaders were also recognized, including Logan County Sheriff Jason Massey, Logan County Judge candidate Bryce Cobb, and Arkansas Supreme Court candidate John Adams.
Venue Appreciation
A sincere thank-you was expressed to First Western Bank in Booneville for generously allowing use of their meeting facilities, ensuring the forum could be held in a comfortable and accessible space for all.
The evening ultimately provided voters with valuable insights as election season approaches—highlighting the importance of community involvement, informed decision-making, and open dialogue between candidates and the citizens they seek to serve.
Timepiece: William Darby Statue and History
By Dr. Curtis Varnell
Driving into downtown Ft. Smith on Rogers Avenue stands one of the most noticeable statues in the state, that of William O. Darby. Darby is depicted in his full W.W.II uniform riding on his famous Harley-Davison motorcycle. Always unique, daring, and adventuresome, Darby rode the motorcycle checking on his elite troops and leading them into battle.
William O. Darby was born in Fort Smith and grew up there. Upon his graduation from Fort Smith high school, he gained an appointment to West Point. It is worthy of note, although he became one of the greatest of American soldiers, he was actually third on the Arkansas list and only achieved his appointment when the other two withdrew their names.
After graduation in 1933, Darby was assigned to an artillery unit and became a career officer. When WWII began, he was a part of the first group sent to Europe to fight. While stationed in Ireland, Darby became interested in the British Commandoes. The Commandoes were a unique fighting force. Men selected for the Commandoes were the best of the best. Specially trained to carry out the most difficult and dangerous tasks, they were the first to be sent into battle. Darby was appointed by General Russell Hartle to organize and train a new elite commando group called the Army Rangers. The group was first used in the battle for North Africa. The elite troops established their reputation by executing several successful night raids with the daring Darby fighting in the front alongside his men. His commanding officer report read, “Lt. Col. Darby struck the heavily fortified enemy position at dawn. Always conspicuously at the head of this troops, he personally led assaults against the enemy line in the face of heavy machine gun and artillery fire.”
“Darby’s” Rangers were expanded to include four battalions and were involved in battles across North Africa. The 1st,3nd and 4thRanger battalions spearheaded the invasion in Sicily and on mainland Italy. In January of 1944, the Rangers were sent into battle in Cisterna, Italy. Attempting to flank the enemy by following a half empty irrigation ditch, the group was discovered and faced the full attack by a German Panzer division. Pinned down and with no help coming, the 1,500-strong Ranger group was decimated with only 500 surviving. Back at Army Headquarters, Darby asked his staff to leave the room, placed his head down and sobbed quietly for the men he lost.
The Rangers were absorbed into other units and as a hero, Darby was sent back to the War Department to spend the rest of the war. Unhappy, he appealed to command until being sent back to Europe on an inspection tour. Hearing that the commander of the 10th Mountain Division was injured, he volunteered to report to the front. While there, his troops spearheaded the attack on a bridgehead in the Po River Valley. As he was outlining plans for the next day, a German shell exploded near his location and he was killed by a piece of flying shrapnel. Two days later, German forces in Italy surrendered. Darby received a promotion to brigadier general, the only soldier to receive such a promotion posthumously.
Several books have been written about Darby and his exploits. In 1958, the motion picture Darby’s Rangers was released with James Garner playing Darby. Several other films included stories concerning his exploits. His list of metals is too extensive to list, two Army installation in Europe are named for him, and the U.S. Ranger training facility is called Fort Darby. Darby Jr. High in Fort Smith is named in his honor as is a high school in Italy. Army General George S. Patton, a man known for his bravery and well as his candid speech said of Darby, “He was the bravest man I ever knew.” It is said that a man’s life is like a book with the cover at birth, the story within, and then death at the back. Dead at 34, Darby’s front and back cover would be very thin but it is the life and legacy of those few pages that make this unforgettable man a hero.
