Arkansas
S&P brightens rating outlook for Arkansas
Citing Arkansas’ “financial resiliency,” S&P Global Ratings revised the outlook on the state’s AA general obligation bond rating to positive from stable.
The rating agency’s action Thursday came ahead of the state’s sale of about $30 million of water, waste disposal and pollution abatement facilities GO bonds.
“The outlook revision reflects Arkansas’ demonstrated budget management practices and financial resiliency across economic cycles, which has yielded steady operating surpluses and an accumulation of substantial reserves,” S&P analyst Rob Marker said in a statement. “This is in conjunction with our expectation that recent improving economic and demographic growth trends will more closely align with U.S. levels over time, all of which support our view of a one-in-three chance that we could raise the rating over the outlook period.”
Arkansas is rated Aa1 with a stable outlook by Moody’s Ratings.
“The rating reflects the state’s strong governance practices, with conservatively managed financial operations that consistently result in healthy year-end fund balances and below-average debt and pension burdens,” Moody’s said in a May 1 report. “These features balance credit risks stemming from a weak demographic profile and exposure to elevated Medicaid expenses.”
“I’m pleased that both Moody’s and S&P affirmed their credit ratings for the State of Arkansas,” said Jim Hudson, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. “S&P’s improved outlook for the state from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ is a direct result of the hard work by Governor (Sarah Huckabee) Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly to fully fund our long-term reserves and to limit the growth of spending.”
The state had $514.13 million of GO bonds issued for highways, water, capital improvements, and higher education
Strong to severe storms remain in the forecast through nearly midweek in Arkansas.
Monday and Tuesday have been designated as Arkansas Storm Team Alert Days.
On Monday, April 27, not everyone will see strong to severe storms. Not everyone will even see rain. But if you do see a storm on Monday, that storm will be capable of hail, tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts. This is mainly a late afternoon, evening, and early overnight risk. Some parts of eastern Arkansas may experience storms into early Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, April 28, the risk of severe weather is more widespread across Arkansas. All severe hazards are possible, including tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.
The state needs rain as a dire drought continues, but rain usually comes with strings attached (in the form of storms) in Arkansas in April. After some beneficial rainfall last week and this weekend, through Wednesday, some areas could pick up another inch or two, or more.
After Tuesday, Arkansas has a break from severe storms. Only light rain chances persist into next weekend.
Download the Arkansas Storm Team app for the latest, and stay weather-aware.
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – An overnight shooting left one person injured at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Todd Clark, chief marketing and communications officer at Arkansas State University, said Sunday that calls came in after 12 a.m. April 26.
He said there was a gathering at Unity Park.
Shortly after, an email was sent notifying the Arkansas State University community of an “active shooter” incident.
One woman was confirmed with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the lower leg.
Additional reports indicated minor injuries, including scrapes and scratches, as the crowd dispersed.
K8 News was originally told that a second person had been shot.
Clark said there was “no active threat” and that the shooting was isolated to Unity Park.
He advised people to stay away from Unity Park on the Arkansas State University campus.
The shooting remains under investigation.
Arkansas State University is asking that anyone with information about the incident call 870-972-2093.
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While he has plenty of room for improvement in the passing game, Green is an incredibly dangerous threat as a runner. He rushed for 2,405 yards and 35 touchdowns over five collegiate seasons (three at Boise State, two at Arkansas), excelling both in designed runs and out of structure as an elusive scrambler.
This athleticism and his physical profile led some to wonder whether Green’s future in the NFL would gravitate more toward receiver than quarterback. He’s commonly compared to former Ohio State quarterback and eventual NFL receiver Terrelle Pryor, whose attempt to stick as a signal-caller ended before he accepted a position change.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry quickly refuted such assumptions, telling reporters Saturday they will keep Green at quarterback.
Green’s selection crowds an already packed room in Cleveland, notorious home to a five-QB derby during training camp last summer. With Deshaun Watson returning from injury and on the final year of his deal, plus 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel also on the roster, the Browns will once again have options.
For a second straight summer, plenty of eyes will be on Browns camp and their quarterback competition. It’s welcoming a new contender; we’ll see where he lands by the end of August and whether it could force out someone else.
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