Police urge caution during floods
The Pine Bluff Area is under a flood warning. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through today, and police are urging citizens to be careful.
“It is important to note that the Pine Bluff Police Department does not have the equipment to conduct high-water rescues,” according to a news release.
“We can’t stress enough the importance of your safety during this time,” the release said.
“You can’t tell how deep the water is, especially when it is dark. Be Safe. Be Cautious.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For emergencies, call 911.
Pine Bluff AI Summit set
ReMix IDEAS and the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce will host an AI Summit from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St.
“Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can help grow your business,” according to Stuff in The Bluff.
“The Pine Bluff AI Summit is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to enhance marketing strategies, streamline operations, and unlock new levels of efficiency and scalability.”
Speakers include: David Hailey – CEO and founder, Countifi Inc.; Don Ward – CEO and founder, Laundris Corp.; Chris Thompson – CEO, Sober Sidekick; Jakob Michaelis – founder, Auxigen; Karen Kilroy – founder, NYX NoCode; Oginga Carr – CEO, Epiphany Consulting; and Audrey Willis – chief innovation and program officer, CodeCrew.
For details or to reserve a seat, visit pbtechsummit.com.
Ward to present Mid-South keynote
Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, will deliver the keynote address for the 12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
Ward will discuss “Perspectives on State Ag Departments, Trade, and Ag Industry” The presentation will take place during the Mid-South conference’s online “Early Bird” program on May 14 before the main conference in June.
Attendees must register for the Mid-South conference by May 13 to attend this online-only bonus event, which offers continuing legal education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
“Secretary Ward’s contribution to agriculture is recognized far and wide, as evidenced by his prominent national leadership role as president of NASDA,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC.
“Wes is a leading voice for the ag community in Arkansas and beyond, and we’re looking forward to him sharing his perspectives with us for the conference keynote.”
The NALC has partnered with the NASDA Foundation to co-host both of its 2025 conferences, the Mid-South conference and the Western Water, Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
“I look forward to discussing the current state of agriculture during the Mid-South ‘Early Bird,’ as well as where things are heading for the industry,” said Ward.
“There is a lot that state agriculture departments and agricultural stakeholders can learn from each other as policies and regulations evolve.”
Pittman said that similarities between NALC and the NASDA Foundation make the conference partnership a tremendous benefit for stakeholders.
“We have partnered with NASDA on strategic efforts over the years, and it’s great to partner alongside them on these premiere conference events,” Pittman said.
“The NASDA Foundation is a vital resource to the agricultural community, serving stakeholders, students and more across the country.”
Following the Mid-South “Early Bird,” the main conference program will be held June 5-6 in Memphis, Tenn., with a livestream option available.
Registration for the Mid-South is available at http://nationalaglawcenter.org/midsouth2025.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Details: nationalaglawcenter.org.
Locals among MLK honorees
The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission announced the recipients of the 2025 MLK Service in Education Awards, which honor outstanding educators and support staff who embody the spirit of service, leadership, and excellence in Arkansas schools.
Ten recipients will be honored at the April 10 State Board of Education meeting in Little Rock, according to a news release.
Honorees from southeast Arkansas will include:
Dr. King’s Legacy of Service to School and Community Award – Nelson White, Stuttgart School District;
MLK Lifelong Service to Student Success Award – Yvonne “Kay” White, Stuttgart School District;
MLK Advocate for School Services Award – Annithia Harris, Little Rock School District, native of Tillar.
“The educators and support staff we honor represent the best of Arkansas’ commitment to fostering a brighter future for our youth,” said DuShun Scarbrough, the commission’s executive director.
“Their dedication reflects Dr. King’s vision of servant leadership and his belief in the transformative power of education to shape lives and build a more just society.”
This year’s honorees include teachers, administrators and support staff from various districts who have gone above and beyond to uplift their communities and provide opportunities for students to excel.
“It is our goal for this to become an ongoing initiative,” Scarbrough said.
Details: 888-290-KING.