Following are recent news items from the Fort Smith metro.
Cyber Attack Response
The Fort Smith Public School District on July 25 said it is beginning to recover from a cyber attack that began July 21 and disrupted phone and internet systems.
Following is part of the district’s July 25 statement.
“The forensic investigation is nearing completion, and as it continues, we are actively reinforcing and restoring our security systems to ensure a safe and stable environment.
“To support the return of essential operations, internet and communication systems are being brought back online in a limited and carefully managed way. We do not anticipate any issues, and operational functionality at the district level is expected by the end of the day today.
“Looking ahead to next week, we will begin phased efforts to restore internet and communications at the campus level. In the meantime, temporary solutions are being put in place to ensure everyone continues to have access to necessary support and services.
“At this stage, we do not yet have a timeline for full restoration, but we will keep you informed as more information becomes available.”
The district’s first day of school is set for Aug. 13.
ArcBest Dividend
The board of directors at Fort Smith-based ArcBest have approved a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share to be paid Aug. 22 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 8. The shipping and logistics company announced the dividend on July 25.
Founded in 1923, ArcBest has around 14,000 employees at 250 locations. ABF Freight is the largest subsidiary and is a less-than-truckload carrier. The company is set to report second quarter earnings on July 30. The consensus estimate is per share net income of $1.46 a share, and estimated revenue of $1.04 billion.
ArcBest shares (NASDAQ: ARCB) opened Friday (July 25) at $86.33. In the past 52 weeks the share price has ranged between $129.83 and $55.19.
UAFS Support Money
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith announced July 25 that two TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs received more than $2.7 million in renewed grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
TRIO SSS and TRIO STEM will each receive $1,361,820 of grant funds for the 2025-2030 cycle. This is the fourth five-year grant cycle for TRIO SSS and the second for TRIO STEM. The TRIO STEM program serves only students enrolled in bachelor’s programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences.
DeJon Jordan was named the new director of the TRIO STEM program July 8. Jordan previously was assistant director and has been employed by UAFS since 2021.
“I’m truly honored and energized by the chance to cultivate and direct a team of passionate professionals dedicated to our TRIO STEM students,” Jordan said of the promotion. “With this new grant cycle beginning, I’m eager to collaborate and define the next era of TRIO STEM at UAFS. My hope is to continue to help shape our students’ success while also expanding access and creating better opportunities for their educational exploration.”
The grant renewals are substantial for UAFS TRIO programs. Funding will continue for the next five years, providing a variety of essential and free support services for nearly 300 students a year from low-income families, first-generation college students, or those with disabilities.
Students in both programs have individualized access to tutoring, extra academic advising, mentorship, workshops, financial literacy coaching, graduate school and career preparation, cultural enrichment, and more. TRIO staff works to help students overcome barriers, remain enrolled, and graduate from UAFS.
Arts Curriculum Expansion
The Institute for the Creative Arts (ICA), located in downtown Fort Smith near the Arkansas River, has expanded curriculum in the areas of music, theatre, dance and art. The private charter school also is introducing a film program.
The school also will offer new programs that include animation, game design, and game development in the digital art program, and mural design in traditional art. Playwriting will begin in theatre, and music is expanding in a variety of areas from an advanced vocal jazz ensemble to instrumental jazz/rock ensemble, to a complete curriculum in music technology that covers digital music, composition, and sound studio taught in the art recording studio on campus. The film program will begin introductory film classes and the dance program will offer advanced dance classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern styles.
In addition to the classes, history courses in all arts areas are part of the curriculum. ICA also offers concurrent enrollment on site through a partnership with UAFS.
ICA is a performing and visual arts charter high school that is tuition-free and open to all Arkansas students. The school combines a college preparatory academic program with pre-professional training in the arts including the areas of music, theatre, dance, visual art and film. It’s the first of its kind in Arkansas and open to students entering grades 9-12.
Stroke Award
Baptist Health-Fort Smith has been recognized by the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program for delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care that improves patient outcomes and saves lives.
The Fort Smith hospital received the following designations:
• Gold Plus with Target
• Stroke Honor Roll and Target
• Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Other Baptist Health facilities receiving similar American Heart Association awards were Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock, Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway, and Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Arkansas and across the nation, and Arkansas ranks among the top five states in the U.S. for stroke mortality, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, more than 3,000 Arkansans are hospitalized due to stroke, with hundreds of lives lost that could be prevented through rapid treatment and high-quality care.
