Arkansas
Arkansas Coalition Awarded $100M EPA Grant for Energy Innovation
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that an Arkansas coalition of municipal planners has been named the recipient of a $100 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant award for energy innovation.
Metroplan, the central Arkansas urban planning agency, teamed with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and the city of Fort Smith to form the Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition, which submitted a proposal seeking a CPRG grant. The proposal, titled “Energy and Environment Innovation for the Natural State,” was one of 25 from across the country selected by the EPA for CPRG funding. Metroplan served as the lead agency on the proposal.
The grant will fund projects throughout central Arkansas, northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley, an area representing half of the state’s population. Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, Metroplan board president, said the award is a testament to the group’s commitment to environmental stewardship as well as a call to action.
“We stand at the forefront of an ambitious journey to foster a sustainable future for our community,” he said. “Together with the EPA, we will implement innovative solutions that will significantly improve our environment and quality of life. We are honored to be among the select few to spearhead these transformative programs.”
The award will fund projects to sequester and reduce emissions by protecting and restoring natural areas, increasing efficiency and improving access to active transportation and transit, according to a press release. Projects such as LED streetlights and EV charging are intended to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and building efficiency funding will support net-zero technologies for public and commercial buildings. Projects will be designed to ensure equitable access to the environmental benefits funded by the grant.
“By preserving critical outdoor spaces, enhancing active transportation and demonstrating innovative energy solutions, the CPRG implementation funding will be transformative for the Natural State and our state’s growing economy and tourism,” said Metroplan Executive Director Casey Covington. “Our coalition’s selection for an award speaks to the benefits of partnerships among and within regions to achieve common energy and environment innovation goals.”
The coalition partnered with more than 50 communities, agencies and organizations across three regions to develop projects and programs included in the proposal. It received support from the state and from the state’s congressional delegation.
Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan said funds from the award will support the city’s recently adopted climate action plan.
“This grant brings us one step closer to achieving nature-based solutions at the city and regional level,” he said.
In Fort Smith, award funds will support projects within the city’s energy and environment innovation plan.
“We are honored to be selected to receive a portion of this vital grant from the EPA,” said Mayor George McGill. “This recognition underscores our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. These initiatives will not only improve the quality of life for our residents but also have a positive impact on our environment, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for the city of Fort Smith and the Natural State.”
READ ALSO: ANDY GARCIA JOINS ADVISOR TEAM AT GENWEALTH
Arkansas
No. 1 Arkansas leads SEC Indoor after first day finals
COLLEGE STATION – A victory in the 5,000m by Nick Busienei and third place in the distance medley relay had No. 1 Arkansas leading the team score with 18 points on the first day of the SEC Indoor Championships.
The Razorbacks produced 12 of those points in the 5,000m as Nick Busienei won the race in a meet record of 13;31.86, which ranks him No. 7 on the UA all-time list. Busienei bettered the meet record of 13:37.52 set by Razorback Patrick Kiprop in 2025.
James Sankei added two more points in placing seventh with a time of 13:44.57.
Dating back to 1992 when Arkansas competed in its first SEC Indoor meet, Busienei claimed the 21st title for the program and is the 14th Razorback to win the indoor 5,000m.
Six more points were added in the distance medley relay as Arkansas posted a time of 9:30.84 from the foursome of Owan Logorodi (2:58.46), Zyaire Nuriddin (46.51), Julian Carter (1:49.10), and Brian Masai (3:56.77).
South Carolina won the race in 9:30.08 with Ole Miss runner-up in 9:30.34. Florida originally placed third in 9:30.37 but was disqualified for spiking the baton at the conclusion of the race.
Jelani Watkins led the Razorback crew in the 200m prelims as three Arkansas sprinters advanced to the final. Watkins produced an indoor career best of 20.42 rank second overall to a 20.38 by Florida’s Wayna McCoy. Watkins remains No. 2 on the UA all-time list as he improved his previous time of 20.43.
Dapriest Hogans followed with a 20.63 that equaled his career best and his No. 8 ranking on the UA all-time list. Tevijon Williams clocked 20.65 to reach the final where 20.71 was the cutoff time. Jamarion Stubbs ran 20.87 in his prelim heat.
Cooper Williams completed the first day of the heptathlon in sixth place with 2,862 points. He started with a 7.43 in the 60m (736), then added a 21-9.5 (6.64) long jump (729). In the shot put, a mark of 36-8.25 (11.18) picked up 557 points. Williams wrapped up day one by topping the field in the high jump with a clearance of 6-8.25 for 840 points.
Link Lindsey placed 15 in the long jump with a mark of 23-6.75 (7.18).
Arkansas
The wall goes back up: Arkansas embraces defiant isolation
Arkansas
Man arrested in Arkansas connected to Jan. 2026 fatal hit-and-run in Dallas
DALLAS – Authorities in Arkansas have arrested a man accused of being behind the wheel during a January car crash that left one man dead.
Suspect arrested in Arkansas for Dallas hit-and-run
What we know:
U.S. Marshals tracked down 22-year-old Enrique Hernandez in De Queen, a southwest Arkansas town about three hours away from Dallas and an hour north of Texarkana.
Hernandez has been charged with collision involving death, a second-degree felony, in connection with the case. He is currently being held in an Arkansas jail before he is transferred to a jail in Dallas County.
What we don’t know:
Dallas police haven’t said if the suspect has any ties to the victim or the area of Arkansas where he was arrested.
The backstory:
The fatal hit-and-run occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 near W. Davis St. and N. Westmoreland Dr. in Dallas.
26-year-old Johnathan Rodriguez was dropped off by friends outside his Dallas neighborhood early Sunday morning after celebrating his birthday.
Surveillance video shows Rodriguez in the media area of the road when a dark-colored SUV hits him and drives away.
Rodriguez was left with severe head trauma, later dying from his injuries.
A bittersweet victory for the family
What they’re saying:
John Rodriguez, the victim’s father, struggled to find the words to describe the news he received.
“It’s not going to bring him back, bring my son back,” Rodriguez told FOX 4’s Peyton Yager. “It hurts every day, every minute. I wake up every morning, and he is not here. We are really going to miss him.”
The Rodriguez family worked with police to help find their son’s killer. They found more surveillance video near the scene of the accident that helped authorities find and arrest Hernandez in Arkansas.
“We are going to fight for justice. Long live Johnny, and we are going to keep on fighting,” Rodriguez said.
The Source: Information in this story came from current and previous FOX 4 reporting.
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