LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 9 -- The Arkansas Attorney General issued the following consumer alert: Scam artists have found an opportunity by using the important task of contact tracing to steal money and the identity of Arkansans. In trying to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Arkansas Department of Health is using contact tracing to identify people who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. One way bad actors are impersonating contact tracers is by sending text mes  more

JONESBORO, Arkansas, July 8 -- Arkansas State University issued the following news: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded Arkansas State University Museum $51,921 through its NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations program. The purpose of this emergency relief program is to assist institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been affected by the coronavirus. The NEH CARES funding will be a critical supplement as ASU Museum prepares for a phased reopening t  more

HOUSTON, Texas, July 7 -- CenterPoint Energy issued the following news release: CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) and HomeServe USA Corp. (HomeServe), a provider of emergency home repair programs to homeowners nationwide, are announcing an extension of their business relationship to bring home protection plans to CenterPoint Energy's Arkansas natural gas customers. Since launching June 2018 in other markets, CenterPoint Energy customers have already purchased optional HomeServe plans, saving more   more

SEARCY, Arkansas, July 9 -- Harding University issued the following news: The Harding University Office for Church Relations has appointed Andrew M. Braxter as the new director of church outreach effective Aug. 10. In that role he will work to strengthen the university's outreach to the Churches of Christ, with a special focus on minority serving congregations. Braxter will also be a part of Harding's Multi-Cultural Consortium and serve on its Diversity Committee. Braxter delivered his first s  more

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas, July 10 -- John Brown University issued the following statement: We welcomed students from 59 countries last fall. These students contribute to the student body and our mission in immeasurable ways. Their talents, experiences and perspectives broaden the worldview of not just other students but also our faculty and staff. Ultimately, JBU is better because of the presence of our international students. We are opposed to the recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Homel  more

STARKVILLE, Mississippi, July 8 -- Mississippi State University issued the following news: A new memorandum of understanding between Mississippi State University and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences allows students to earn an MSU bachelor's degree in medical technology and also a UAMS bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences. The program equips graduates for careers as medical technologists, an in-demand profession experiencing shortage levels according to statistics for  more

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, July 7 -- The University of Arkansas Little Rock campus issued the following news: A research team at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is working to warn the public about the dangerous spread of misinformation and scams surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nitin Agarwal, Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor of Information Science at UA Little Rock and director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (  more

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, July 8 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news: The Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Kathy Sloan are pleased to announce that Lynn Meade has accepted a three-year term as TFSC co-director. Meade will join the center in August and will be responsible for coordinating the center's events and programs along with co-directors Julie Trivitt and Don Johnson. She will serve a three-year term replacing Lori Hol  more

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, July 8 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news: Noah Pittman, who has served as Honors College assistant dean of enrollment since 2014, has been named associate dean of enrollment, effective July 1. Under his leadership, the Honors College has seen a 28 percent increase in new freshman enrollment, and the caliber of students applying for fellowships has continued to climb. The incoming class of Honors College Fellows, for example, boasts an average high s  more

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, July 6 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news: Interim Provost Charles Robinson, Dean Deacue Fields and Marvin Caston of the Razorback Foundation were among the 14 appointees by University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbit for the newly formed UA System Task Force on Racial Equity announced on Thursday, July 2. Robinson is the interim provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the U of A, Fields is the dean of the Dale B  more

VICTORIA, Texas, July 9 -- The University of Houston Victoria campus issued the following news release: After a 52-year career working in and promoting education, including eight at the University of Houston-Victoria, Fred Litton is preparing to enjoy his retirement. Litton, dean of the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development, will retire at the end of July. He and his wife, Beverly, who worked in special education at Howell Middle School, decided to retire together. Th  more