What’s Happening in Arkansas: May 19

Ben Rector

Check out the latest news from around Arkansas! Every day, we’ll bring you some of the best news bits from around the Internet.

• • Arkansas moms wrote children’s book to help kids understand COVID-19
    • As an attempt to console and explain to wondering children what the coronavirus means for them, three Arkansas moms took to a creative solution. Dr. Kristina Bondurant, an epidemiologist, Jen Holman, a writer, and Cary Smith, an artist, decided that they would work together to write “Mira Does Her Part,” the story of a young girl stuck at home because of social distancing. After Mira’s scientist mom explains the virus and social distancing, Mira begins to understand not only how she can help but how she can make the best of the situation. The moms believed that this need for discussion was an issue present in all homes. They posed this question: as parents receive their understanding of the pandemic from the news, where will children receive theirs? The book is intended to be that source for kids across the nation. “Mira Does Her Part” is available now on Amazon.
  • Governor Hutchinson to meet with Trump and Pence
    • Governor Asa Hutchinson will meet this Wednesday with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The meeting will discuss Arkansas’ COVID-19 pandemic response as well as how to continue a close collaboration between Arkansas and the federal government as state reopens.
  • Ben Rector reschedules Old Friends tour and releases new song
    • Singer and songwriter Ben Rector, an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, released the rescheduled dates for his Old Friends Acoustic Tour. Originally scheduled to play at Robinson Center in Little Rock on March 20, Rector will now come to the capital city on October 28 this fall. As an ode to waiting fans, Rector released a new single “It Would Be You” on May 15. The song was inspired, written and recorded while in quarantine, Rector says on his Instagram.
  • Governor Hutchinson announces bars reopening today
    • Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at his May 18 press conference that all bars associated with or inside restaurants will be allowed to reopen today. Free standing bars can be opened on May 26. Guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, will still be in place.
  • Arkansas Tech University professor awarded Online Innovation Award
    • Jeremy Schwehm, an associate professor of professional studies at Arkansas Tech University’s (ATU) College of eTech, was awarded the 2020 ATU Online Innovation Award. The award honors a faculty member who utilizes innovation in order to grow student success in an online learning environment. Schwehm accomplished this through his senior-level Community Development course, which allows his students to work with a community-based organization and develop service plans.