LITTLE ROCK – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Jerry Halsey to the Arkansas State Highway Commission. Halsey’s term will run through Jan. 14, 2035, replacing Alec Farmer.

Jerry Halsey

“Jerry is an incredibly gifted businessman, a leader in Jonesboro, and most importantly, a great friend,” Sanders said in a statement. “I know his experience in community development in Northeast Arkansas will lend itself to his new role on the Highway Commission, and I look forward to working with him to keep Arkansas the center of America’s road, river, and rail systems.”

Halsey, the founder, CEO, and president of Halsey Thrasher Harpole Real Estate Group, said he was eager to begin his new role. “I thank Governor Sanders for this opportunity to serve, and for her trust and confidence in me. I am excited and ready to go to work,” Halsey said.

A graduate of Arkansas State University, Halsey has built a career in real estate, selling properties during his college years and later expanding his family’s farming business into the real estate sector. He holds licenses in multiple states and has earned recognition for his achievements, including induction into the Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors Hall of Fame.

Halsey’s public service record includes serving as vice chair of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and as a member of the Arkansas State Police Foundation Board of Directors. He has also held leadership roles with the Arkansas Building Authority, the Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, and City Youth Ministries, among others.

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UPDATE – The Arkansas State Police says Zoe Mae Sheffield has been found safe.

DARDANELLE – Authorities are searching for a missing 7-year-old girl, Zoe Mae Sheffield, who was reported endangered by Arkansas State Police on Friday.

Zoe was last seen on Friday, January 17, 2025, around 2:45 p.m. She was picked up from Dardanelle Primary School, located at 1376 Liberty Road, by Taylor Schulte, the girlfriend of her uncle, James Burr, according to police.

Officials believe Zoe is traveling with Schulte and Burr in a red Chevy Sonic bearing an Arkansas license plate number ACD 27J.

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At the time of her disappearance, Zoe was wearing a black shirt, hot pink pants, and tie-dye shoes.

Authorities urge anyone who sees Zoe or has information about her whereabouts to contact Yell County Dispatch immediately at (479) 495-4881.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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BATON ROUGE — To address the increasing demand for telephone numbers in northern Louisiana, the Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the introduction of a new 457 area code. This new code will serve as an overlay to the existing 318 area code, encompassing cities such as Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, and Alexandria.

Implementation Timeline:

• February 24, 2025: Residents and businesses in the 318 region are encouraged to begin using 10-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) for all local calls. During this permissive dialing period, calls dialed with seven digits will still be completed to allow time for adjustment.
• August 25, 2025: Mandatory 10-digit dialing will be enforced. Calls dialed without the area code will not be completed, and a recording will instruct callers to redial using the full 10-digit number.
• September 25, 2025: The 457 area code will officially be activated. New telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 457 area code. Existing phone numbers will remain unchanged.

What This Means for Residents and Businesses:

The overlay ensures a continuous supply of phone numbers without requiring current 318 area code users to change their existing numbers. However, the shift to 10-digit dialing necessitates updates to dialing habits and systems.

Recommended Actions:

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• Update Contact Lists: Ensure that all stored contacts include the area code.
• Reprogram Equipment: Modify settings on devices such as fax machines, alarm systems, and medical alert devices to accommodate 10-digit dialing.
• Inform Others: Notify family, friends, and business associates about the upcoming changes to prevent communication disruptions.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission emphasizes that the introduction of the 457 area code and the transition to 10-digit dialing will not affect the cost of calls, coverage areas, or other rates and services. These measures are solely to accommodate the growing need for new telephone numbers in the region.

For more information, residents and businesses are encouraged to contact their telephone service providers or visit the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s official website.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced she will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 22-24, 2025. During the event, she is slated to participate in two panel discussions and meet with international business leaders to promote Arkansas as a prime investment destination.

Governor Sanders will join Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, for a panel addressing the impact of smartphones and social media on youth mental health. She will also speak alongside Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear about state leadership priorities and the role of states during a presidential transition.

“Big Tech companies have driven massive increases in anxiety, depression, and suicide among our young people,” said Sanders. “I look forward to joining Jonathan Haidt in Davos to discuss this critical issue and how my administration is stepping up to hold Big Tech accountable. I’m also eager to join Governor Beshear and meet with international companies to highlight Arkansas’ success story and attract further investment to our state.”

Governor Sanders has made addressing youth mental health a cornerstone of her administration. Inspired by Haidt’s research, she launched a phone-free school pilot program last year, providing schools with pouches to limit smartphone use during school hours. In her 2025 State of the State address, Sanders unveiled plans to expand these initiatives by banning smartphones in all Arkansas schools during class hours and enhancing the state’s Social Media Safety Act to withstand legal challenges.

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The Governor’s economic agenda in Davos aligns with her previous international engagements in 2024, which included trips to the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and Japan, as well as the Paris Air Show in 2023. These efforts have resulted in significant investments from companies like Dassault Falcon, Walther Arms, and RTX.

The World Economic Forum offers Sanders another platform to advocate for Arkansas’ economic growth while tackling pressing social issues like youth mental health.

FORT SMITH – Bur Edson, the iconic anchor of KFSM evening newscasts and a trusted voice in Arkansas broadcasting for more than two decades, passed away Wednesday night at the age of 77.

According to his family, Edson died following a battle with pneumonia.

Edson was a fixture at KFSM, serving as the longest-tenured news anchor in the station’s history. Known for his commanding presence and calm demeanor, he anchored the evening broadcasts during two periods, from 1978 to 1986 and again from 1990 to 2002. He also held the role of KFSM’s news director for seven years, shaping the newsroom’s direction and coverage.

In 2002, Edson retired from the anchor desk to embark on a new chapter, operating a metal manufacturing business in Lavaca. Later in life, he relocated to Massachusetts, where he spent his final years.

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Edson is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.