Resolution would require Arkansas state agencies to implement Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ order
LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas state representative filed a resolution Wednesday to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
If approved, State Rep. Aaron Pilkington’s resolution would also require all state agencies to use the term “Gulf of America.”
The Republican, who represents parts of Johnson and Pope counties in northwest Arkansas, said renaming the gulf would “reinforce the role it plays in supporting the prosperity and security of the United States.”
The proposed resolution continues by stating that the name change “aligns with the patriotic values of the State of Arkansas.”
If adopted, all state agencies would be required to update official state maps, documents, educational materials, and communications, including websites.
To read the full resolution, visit arkleg.state.ar.us.
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EACC to present Kool & the Gang in concert
FORREST CITY — East Arkansas Community College will present the GRAMMY award-winning group Kool & the Gang on Saturday, March 15th at 7:30 p.m. at the EACC Fine Arts Center. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 27th at 10:00 a.m. and will be available online at EACC.edu or by calling 870-633-4480, ext. 352.
Kool & the Gang has influenced the music of three generations. Thanks to songs like 'Celebration,' 'Cherish,' 'Jungle Boogie,' 'Get Down On It,' “Ladies Night,” and 'Open Sesame,' they have earned two GRAMMY Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R& B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums.
From Nairobi to Newark, Kool & the Gang has performed continuously longer than any R& B group in history and their bulletproof funk and jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled R& B band of all time.
The group enjoys global fame, recognition, and a following that spans generations due in part to the group’s widely sampled catalogue.
Kool & the Gang's drum beats, bass, guitar and signature horn lines lace the tracks of numerous artists including the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Cypress Hill. They are the most sampled band in hip-hop by far, and their music has
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been featured on the soundtracks for Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, Wreck-It Ralph and countless others.
They were honored with a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement award, received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and were most recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their hit song “Celebration” was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame and included the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Kool & the Gang has toured the world appearing most recently alongside artists such as Kid Rock, Dave Matthews Band, Elton John, The Roots and a 50-city tour with Van Halen. The group continues to delight fans around the globe with their timeless hits and amazing live performances.
Tickets for Kool & the Gang’s performance are $49 and will be available online at EACC.edu, by calling 870-633-4480, ext. 352, or in person at the Fine Arts Center Ticket Office.
The EACC Fine Arts Center is located at 1700 Newcastle Road in Forrest City, just off Interstate 40.
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Arkansas sees four additional flu-related deaths in latest report
LITTLE ROCK – Data from the Arkansas Department of Health shows that the state is reporting high flu activity, with four additional flu-related deaths.
ADH officials said that the state reported 9 out of 13 for the activity level through the week of Dec. 21.
Arkansas has reported 15 flu-related deaths this season, with 80% being unvaccinated.
Health officials said 14 influenza outbreaks have been reported this season from nursing homes or other congregate settings institutions.
Arkansas has reported three COVID19-related deaths this week.
Officials with the ADH said that the data in the report only reflects a fraction of COVID-19 and flu cases in the state.
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Cotton reintroduces legislation to end permanent normal trade relations with China
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Senator Jim Banks (R- Ind.), and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), today reintroduced The Restoring Trade Fairness Act to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman John Moolenaar (Michigan-2), Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, and Congressman Tom Suozzi (New York-3).
“China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status has enriched the Chinese Communist Party while costing the United States millions of jobs.
This comprehensive repeal of China’s PNTR status and reform of the U.S.China trade relationship will protect American workers, enhance our national security, and end the Chinese Communists’ leverage over our economy,” said Senator Cotton.
“The CCP has been ripping us off and stealing our jobs for years. President Trump is the first President in my lifetime to recognize this and hold China accountable with tariffs. My bill with Senator Cotton will protect workers, strengthen our national security, and put America First,” said Senator Banks.
“The Restoring Trade Fairness Act is a critical step toward ending the unfair economic practices of the Chinese Communist Party that have hurt American workers and weakened our national security. For too long, permanent normal trade relations with China have undermined our manufacturing base, shifted American jobs abroad, and allowed the CCP to exploit our markets while betraying the promise of fair competition. In response, this legislation will safeguard U.S. national security, enhance supply chain resilience, and bring manufacturing jobs back to America and our allies.
The bipartisan consensus that both parties recognize the need to reset our economic relationship with China is a big win for our nation and the Select Committee. Building on the tariff measures across three successive Administrations, and in alignment with President Trump’s leadership through his new Executive Order, the Restoring Trade Fairness Act takes decisive action. Thank you to Congressman Suozzi, Senator Cotton, and Senator Hawley for co-leading this legislation and for their collaboration to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Congressman Moolenaar.
