SUMMARY: Faith Woodard and Roy Hoy report on a recent T31 11 survey indicating that crime is a top concern for residents. Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones revealed a nearly 50% reduction in homicides over the past two years, attributing this success to improved collaborations with local police, firsthand involvement at crime scenes, and the establishment of a crime intelligence unit. While homicide rates have dropped 44% compared to 2022, over 200 homicide cases remain pending. Jones and the Little Rock Police Department emphasize the importance of swift justice and community policing initiatives to maintain safety and continue reducing crime.

Homicides in Pulaski County have decreased by 44% over the past two years. The county’s prosecuting attorney highlights several factors behind this trend.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/crime/pulaski-county-reports-drop-in-homicides/91-f3d3b59c-00e2-4ff5-874a-59a44372c00c

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SUMMARY: In court today, civil rights attorneys challenged the vagueness of the Learns Act regarding what teachers can say about critical race theory (CRT) in classrooms. Ruthie Walls, a teacher suing Governor Sarah Sanders and state education officials, argues the law violates free speech for educators and students. A federal judge previously issued a temporary injunction halting enforcement of the law’s CRT ban, which the Eighth Circuit Court is currently reviewing. State attorneys struggled to define CRT, leading to claims of vagueness and accusations of racial motivation behind the law. No ruling was made today on the dismissal of the federal lawsuit.

A lawsuit claims the section of the LEARNS Act that bans the teaching of critical race theory violates the U.S. Constitution.

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SUMMARY: Lithium, often referred to as “white gold” due to its solid, silvery appearance and economic potential, has garnered attention as a valuable resource. A study by the United States Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, estimated that the Smackover formation in Southern Arkansas could contain between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium. Researchers collected samples from the region’s briny water and used geological modeling to assess lithium reserves. This quantity could potentially eliminate all U.S. imports of lithium, which is crucial for various everyday applications.

Southern Arkansas could hold 5 to 19 million tons of lithium, vital for electric vehicle batteries. This discovery could reshape U.S. energy independence.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/lithium-source-arkansas-world-demand-nine-times-over/91-e08372de-a709-490d-8c0b-ad9cd076e089

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