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The nation's first presidential election in 1788 produced no surprises. George Washington was elected unanimously. Though not required by the Constitution, Washington chose a board of three advisors, his cabinet, to advise him. To get the nation working on a paying basis, the choice was obvious, his trusted old friend Alexander Hamilton of New York.

In 1789, President George Washington appointed Hamilton, already a successful lawyer, banker, and veteran as the first Secretary of the Treasury. He came in with many bold ideas. However, he soon clashed with the new Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. His plans for the federal government combined with his animated selfconfidence and intelligence bristled against Jefferson and his more reserved but equally intelligent nature.

Hamilton made his first priority to develop a system of revenue to keep the government financially viable. Hamilton hoped his would guarantee the future wealth and economic stability of the nation. His proposals, outlined in three reports to Congress between 1790 and 1791, sparked controversy. He called for consolidating all state debts in the federal government and creating a system of debt management through interest-bearing debt certificates, which concerned citizens who feared having any national debt. He called for creating a privatelyowned bank that would house government funds, the Bank of the United States, which concerned Americans in a time when many banks were unstable and many questioned the morality of charging interest.

Eventually, many of his ideas were adopted, which led to the creation of U. S. Savings Bonds. He convinced Congress to establish the U. S. Mint in 1791. Hamilton wanted a nation that was economically self-sufficient and foresaw an urbanized and technological future for the nation. Contrarily, Jefferson foresaw America as a nation of farmers who worked for themselves rather than investors. To help gain support for his ideas, Jefferson and Hamilton made another agreement that changed the nation – they agreed that the nation’s capital would move from New York City to a new, centralized city on the Potomac River, which became Washington, DC.

His disputes with Jefferson led to the creation of the first political parties in the U. S. Hamilton resigned from the treasury in 1794. In the 1796 election, he disagreed sharply with both presidential candidates Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. He attempted to interfere with Adams’s candidacy, leading to Adams winning narrowly and Jefferson becoming vicepresident. Adams, unhappy with Hamilton, locked him out of the government. Hamilton’s standing took a hit with revelations of an extramarital affair.

Still determined to have a voice in the political debates, in 1801, Hamilton and a number of other prominent opponents of Jefferson met to discuss founding a newspaper. The meeting took place at the home of Scottish immigrant and businessman Archibald Gracie, whose home, Gracie Mansion, is now the official residence of New York City mayors. The paper, The New-York Evening Post, has been printed for more than 200 years and is today The New York Post.

In 1804, Aaron Burr ran for governor of New York. He lost by a wide margin. Hamilton, who had long been a political rival and had seen Burr replace his father-in-law Philip Schuyler in the Senate, had written a number of pamphlets questioning Burr’s suitability for office. Burr was enraged by Hamilton’s remarks, blamed him for his defeat, and challenged him to a duel.

Since dueling, then a serious social problem, was already illegal in New York, the two rivals took their fight across the Hudson River into New Jersey. It was nearly the same spot where Hamilton’s eldest son died at age 19 in a duel in 1801, again over disputes over his father’s politics. Who fired first is still in dispute, and both families still allege the other came with dishonorable intentions. Nevertheless, in the early morning hours of a July day, the Vice-President of the United States and the former Secretary of the Treasury faced off in a fight to the death. They faced off with the standard single-shot .54 caliber pistols. Hamilton’s shot went over Burr’s head and into the trees, while Burr’s shot slammed Hamilton square in the abdomen. Hamilton was brought back to his home where he died the next day, not even 50 years old.

Burr found his career over and reputation in disgrace, but he never stood trial for the death of Hamilton. Hamilton’s wife Elizabeth would outlive him by 50 years, dying at age 97 in 1854. She raised their remaining children and became active in many charity works, including raising money to build the Washington Monument and co-founded the New York Orphan Asylum Society, caring for hundreds of children.

Hamilton himself was honored with schools, counties, and streets named for him. In 1929, his face was put on the $10 bill. His reputation underwent a renewal with the premiere of the popular Broadway musical Hamilton in 2015, much to the appreciation of his descendants. Perhaps his most significant legacy was the framework for the federal government finance system still in use today, and his words from The Federalist are still quoted in debates over constitutional law.

We’ve seen countless American lives upended by wildfire. Families have lost loved ones, communities have lost homes and businesses, and thousands of firefighters risk their lives to protect their friends and neighbors.

Congress has a role to play in preventing further catastrophe caused by wildfire. Eighteen months ago, the Fix Our Forests Act passed out of the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 279-141. From working to accelerate hazardous fuel reduction in our highest-risk forests, utilizing state-of-the-art science to treat our forests, and streamlining processes that reduce cost while still maintaining environmental standards, this bill does so much to invest in the forests we love.

Through healthy forest management practices, we will see a drastic decrease in wildfire risk.

It’s incredible that, while we are a nation filled with an abundance of timber, we look beyond our borders to import timber products. In fact, the Observatory of Economic Complexity reported that the year-on-year exports from the United States for paper goods decreased by 6.52% while imports increased by 8.82%. Because of this trend in relying on foreign imports, we are severely limiting our domestic manufacturing capabilities for lower-value and residual wood.

With too many trees and too few markets, we’re seeing our lumber supply chain impacted and the cost of paper products increase. But more seriously, we’re witnessing hardworking Americans lose their jobs.

Because of this, I’m proud to continue working diligently in Congress to broaden the avenue for greater opportunity for our domestic timber supply. Since 2014, we’ve seen at least 37 pulp mills close. These mill closures have directly impacted their local communities, contributed to overgrown forests, and led us to where we are now with more timber growing than we’re harvesting.

By utilizing this abundance of timber for new, innovative forest-derived products, and strengthening our domestic supply chain, we’d be able to generate billions of dollars in sales and manufacturing across the forest products industry on a national level. And the rural communities that depend so heavily on the timber industry could see millions invested, in return.

Now, Congress has the chance to fix our forests and invest in our communities. Through commonsense legislation like the Fix Our Forests Act and revised administrative policies on trade and business development, we can get to work to revitalize our nation’s forests and address the forest health crisis we’ve created.

One of the biggest concerns is that prediabetes usually has no obvious symptoms. In fact, more than half of adults over age 65 have prediabetes, and many do not know it. The only way to know for sure is through a blood test. An A1C level below 5.7 percent is considered normal, while levels between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicate prediabetes. An A1C of 6.5 percent or higher is consistent with a diabetes diagnosis.

The good news is that prevention efforts can make a significant difference. Research shows that losing just 5 to 7 percent of body weight can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent. For someone weighing 200 pounds, that means losing only 10 to 14 pounds.

Regular physical activity is another important step. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week, can help reduce the risk of diabetes. Healthy eating habits also play a key role. Following MyPlate recommendations and choosing more fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods can support healthy blood glucose levels and overall wellness.

Prediabetes does not mean diabetes is inevitable. Instead, it represents a fork in the road where healthy choices can lead to a better future. Those who take action today may be able to prevent or delay diabetes and improve their overall quality of life.

For questions about prediabetes, nutrition, physical activity, or other health topics, contact the Calhoun County Extension Office. Extension staff are available to provide research-based information and connect residents with helpful resources.

Source: Adapted by Calhoun County 4-H/FCS Agent Kalli Smith from “Prediabetes: A Fork in the Road” and “Prediabetes and Lifestyle Modification: Time to Prevent a Preventable Disease” by Paul Tuso, M.D., The Permanente Journal (2014), as featured in the Fresh Conversations Healthy Living Newsletter for Seniors.

• Understand the emotions behind money; talk openly about financial histories

• Set realistic, shared savings goals

• Avoid one person being sole money manager; set clear rules on how money is handled

LITTLE ROCK, July 1, 2026— For couples who are tying the knot this summer, it’s critical to get started on the right financial foot by setting shared goals and understanding the emotions behind money.

“Individuals enter relationships with different backgrounds, families of origin, life experiences, values and expectations,” said Laura Hendrix, extension associate professor of personal finance and consumer economics for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Differences in financial management habits can lead to conflict as well as financial crisis. Couples should fully explore and disclose debt before they get married.”

Hendrix said a helpful way to start talking about finances is for each person to reflect on their financial history, including how their parents handled money and discussed family finances.

“We sometimes go into a marriage assuming that our spouse thinks the same as we do in terms of how we want to do things,” Hendrix said. “Just as with other aspects of married life, family decisionmaking also springs from a history that influences how we expect to do things in the future. Without talking about these issues, many couples will feel blindsided by the financial difficulties they may create.”

The emotions behind money Hendrix suggested couples try an activity in which each person writes down the feelings they associate with certain financial situations, such as winning the lottery, having no savings for a financial emergency or one spouse managing the money exclusively. Then, share your responses with your partner. “If you reflect on your emotional history connected to these concepts, you realize they are not neutral,” Hendrix said. “For example, having $30,000 in school loans may create a sense of panic for one person, who sees the years of indebtedness ahead as financial bondage because of their past experiences with debt. Another person may feel very secure in knowing that those loans are an investment in the future because of their increased earning potential.”

“Different people are likely to respond differently — including emotionally — to these examples,” Hendrix said. “These emotions are likely to be connected to a person’s life experiences.”

Set shared financial goals “No one is born with the natural ability to manage money,” Hendrix said. “Trying to operate financially without a spending plan is like trying to build a house without blueprints.”

Together, break your savings goals down into the following categories: Short-term goals that can be accomplished in one year.

Intermediate goals that can be accomplished in one to five years.

Long-term goals that require five years or more to achieve.

It also helps to be as specific as possible about your goals, assigning each one a potential price tag after conducting research about how much they each may cost, Hendrix said.

“For example, if your goal is to go on a one-week vacation, you would need to research the price of travel, lodging, entertainment and food,” Hendrix said. “Once you know the total price, with maybe a little extra for unforeseen circumstances, divide it by the number of weeks or months left until you want to go on your vacation. How much will you need to save each week or month to reach your goal?”

Hendrix said that as couples go through life, there will be several milestones for which they will need to be prepared financially, such as the birth of their first child or the purchase of their first house.

“The earlier you begin looking toward these milestones, the better prepared you will be when they arrive,” Hendrix said.

Get smart about credit Hendrix said making the decision to use credit is a very personal matter, and one on which both partners should agree.

“Establish credit limits and discuss what will be ‘allowable’ purchases or reasons to use credit,” Hendrix said. “Credit cards can be convenient but can also lead to overspending. Using credit properly can help build a good credit score. Poor credit habits — such as late payments or maxing out cards — can damage your credit score.”

It can help to frame conversations about credit through the lens of your shared financial goals. Couples can ask themselves the following questions: How will the use of credit help us achieve our goals?

How will the use of credit keep us from achieving our goals?

For couples who may already be overextended on credit cards, Hendrix said it’s crucial to beware of credit card repair scams.

“Some companies who advertise debt reduction may seem to offer a quick fix for your credit problems,” she said. “Beware of companies that ask for money up front. A reputable program will spend time reviewing your financial situation, help you set up a budget and teach you about money management.”

Share the responsibility Hendrix said that setting clear rules within marriage about how money is handled can help mitigate issues of financial control and dominance.

“In addition to agreeing on goals and establishing a spending plan, this may mean having two or three separate checking accounts — to be drawn upon for specific and distinct categories of spending — rather than pooling income where everything goes into one account,” Hendrix said. “If a power conflict exists in a relationship, having separate accounts will allow the partner who may earn less, or feel like they have less power, to have some sense of autonomy.”

Even in the absence of a power conflict, Hendrix said, keeping money separate often helps partners retain “a healthy sense of self-direction and personal responsibility.”

“Some couples put an equal amount of their money into a joint checking account to cover household expenses,” Hendrix said. “The remainder of their earnings is saved in individual accounts or spent as each sees fit. This way, each partner has some money to call their own that they can manage without answering to the other spouse.”

If one money management system does not work, try to analyze why and change it — then, try again, Hendrix said.

“Both partners need to be involved in developing a workable system,” Hendrix said. “If they are not, the system will likely break down since they do not have a commitment to making it work.”

For more information about financial health and money management, visit the Personal Finance page on the Cooperative Extension Service website.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

There are studies and now even lawsuits over the addiction of social media with kids. There is substantial evidence it has been the cause of the rise in suicides in recent years.

So, is it (SM) really addictive? 'Addiction is a strong, uncontrollable urge to use a substance or do something, even if it harms your health, relationships, or daily life. It happens when a temporary feeling of pleasure or relief changes how your brain processes reward and self-control, making it incredibly hard to stop.' (Google summary.)

Let's see, is SM dominate on you mind? Do you constantly look to see who is being featured, usually in a negative light? Are you looking to see if your post has comments? Do you spend hours searching for the next big hit? Can you put the device down and not check it for hours or is it just for a minute or two? Can you talk with others without looking at the phone?

It may start early, especially if parents are in constant need of tracking kids, but it lingers well into adulthood.

How addicted are you? Check your 'screen time.'

Water resources infrastructure touches every American, from protecting homes against flooding to keeping goods moving through our ports and waterways. Every other year, Congress works to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that makes critical investments to strengthen these essential systems.

As a water-rich state, Arkansas depends heavily on the passage of WRDA. This week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure successfully voted to send this piece of legislation to the House Floor.

One thing I really stressed in this year’s WRDA legislation is access to recreation areas – especially at the Dardanelle Lock and Dam so that the Arkansans who enjoy fishing below that Lock and Dam can still have access, regardless of an ongoing Army Corps of Engineers project. This is an issue that has been raised countless times by constituents who enjoy recreating in that area and as a fellow outdoorsman, I consider it a great win to have been able to secure that provision in the bill.

Additionally, Arkansas' ports and inland waterways move billions of dollars in goods every year. We often don’t pay much notice to our transportation systems – especially those like the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) that moves approximately 11 million tons of cargo annually. But when we don’t invest in up-to-date maintenance for our waterways like the MKARNS, a large part of that 11 million tons ends up travelling across the state on our highways and interstates, creating more traffic and safety issues for commuters.

Through my proposed provisions in WRDA, the legislation will greatly benefit the MKARNS through increased efficiency requirements for inland waterway project management within the Corps, enhanced dredging coordination and beneficial use policies improving sediment management in navigable waterways, and improve contracting efficiency that accelerates navigation construction and maintenance.

This year’s WRDA package will deliver much-needed improvements to our locks and dams, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure that Arkansans depend on to function properly and efficiently.

Because each WRDA package reflects the infrastructure needs identified by individual communities across the country, it was great to see several priorities for Arkansas cross the finish line. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the Natural State as House Republicans craft commonsense, conservative legislation.

The waiver gives Arkansas greater ability to streamline federal funding, strengthen accountability, and expand f lexibi l ity for schools, particularly rural districts and programs serving advanced and alternative-learning students. State officials say the changes will help direct more resources to classrooms while reducing administrative burdens.

Through the new flexibility, the Arkansas Department of Education will be able to consolidate several federal funding streams, allowing the state to distribute money more efficiently and prioritize student achievement. The waiver also supports accelerated learning by easing certain requirements for students who complete high-school-level coursework before entering high school. Additionally, it improves long-term accountability by ensuring students educated in alternative learning environments are counted with their home schools, providing a clearer picture of student success.

“Arkansas is giving students a better shot at success by trusting the people closest to them,” said Secretary McMahon. She noted that the waiver prevents federal dollars from “getting lost in bureaucracy” and helps schools strategically leverage funding to support advanced learners, rural communities, and students at every starting point.

Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva said the approval marks a turning point. “For far too long, Arkansas was buried under duplicative federal systems that wasted taxpayer dollars and robbed our state and districts of flexibility and innovation,” he said. Oliva emphasized that the state’s strategy builds on the LEARNS Act, passed in 2023, and reinforced by strong recent student performance data. “ATLAS data proves LEARNS is working, and now Arkansas will be able to better support our most vulnerable students.”

Under the Returning Education to the States Waiver, Arkansas will:

• Consolidate four federal funding streams to provide greater flexibility in the use of federal dollars.

• Expand Alternative Fund Use Authority to more rural districts, giving local leaders increased decision-making power.

• Support advanced students by simplifying accountability rules for those completing high-school coursework early.

• Improve accountability by more accurately tracking long-term outcomes for students educated in alternative learning environments.

The waiver aligns with broader education reforms underway in Arkansas. Since the passage of the LEARNS Act, the state has expanded school choice, raised teacher pay, added literacy coaches and high-impact tutoring, strengthened accountability measures, and increased educational options for families. Early results show measurable gains: this year’s ATLAS assessments reported increases in student proficiency across every grade and subject, with statewide proficiency rising more than 20 percent since 2024.

With federal approval now in place, Arkansas will continue tailoring its education system to a student-first approach. State officials say the increased flexibility will help districts invest resources where they are needed most, support accelerated learners, and maintain a more accurate and transparent accountability system.

The meeting started late because of an offline discussion of the ability to pass the ordinance with only three alderman present. It was determined that the mayor could be included to make a quorum. After concluding that the mayor could make a quorum the decision to proceed with the business at hand (the dissolution of the police department) without the two other alderman was considered and it was agreed to continue, since this issue had been pending for a few months.

First on the agenda was an ordinance to dissolve the police department and have the county assume law enforcement of the city. The ordinance was read in its entirety and after suspension of the rules for the other two readings a vote was going to be taken but since the ordinance included an emergency clause the mayor would not be able to act to form a quorum when voting on an emergency clause.

Discussion about passing the emergency clause at a later time while going ahead and passing the ordinance led to a pause in the vote. A call was made to the alderman who was running late and they decided to wait on the vote until he arrived to make an official quorum. They proceeded with the rest of the agenda and upon arrival of the alderman the process to dissolve the police department was repeated and the vote was taken. The Ordinance passed with one voting against. Ordinance 2026-03 can be found on page 6.

555 awards to 518 spring

2026 graduates, according to information released by the UAM Registrar’s Office.

Diamond Williams, of Harrell, Arkansas, received a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Fiscal Year 2026 ran from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. During that period, gross state revenue collections reached nearly $8.7 billion, which is a gain of $327 million over Fiscal Year 2025. Strong individual income tax and sales tax receipts served as the primary drivers behind the state’s financial results and contributed to Arkansas’ total reserve funds reaching an unprecedented $4 billion.

Individual income tax collections led all revenue categories, generating $3.859 billion. Sales and use taxes followed at $3.666 billion, underscoring consistent economic activity and consumer confidence. After accounting for refunds, deductions, and other required distributions, the state’s net available revenue totaled $7.149 billion.

The entire $655 million surplus was transferred to the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund. That fund is composed of unrestricted surpluses from current and prior fiscal years along with investment earnings. Combined with the Catastrophic Reserve Fund and the Arkansas Reserve Fund Set Aside, Arkansas’ total reserves now include $1.814 billion in the Catastrophic Reserve Fund, $1.221 billion in the General Revenue Allotment Reserve, and $1 billion in the Arkansas Reserve Fund Set Aside.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the revenue results and attributed the strong fiscal performance to conservative budgeting and tax policy choices. “Arkansas is doing the impossible: cutting income taxes by 25% while still recording massive surpluses and pushing state reserves to record levels,” Sanders said. She reiterated her intention to continue working with the legislature to gradually phase out the state income tax, which she described as a long-term priority.

DFA Secretary Jim Hudson said the numbers reflect a healthy state economy heading into Fiscal Year 2027. “Arkansas’ economic momentum is reflected in our FY26 results,” Hudson said. “Personal income tax and sales tax collections were especially strong year over year, a sign that Arkansans are doing well. Our state’s reserves, totaling over $3 billion, are at record levels… the Arkansas economy is strong going into Fiscal Year 2027.”

State officials noted that maintaining high reserve balances is a central part of Arkansas’ long-term financial strategy. Those reserves help protect the state during economic downturns, natural disasters, or other unexpected fiscal pressures. The record totals provide lawmakers with both financial stability and flexibility as they evaluate tax reform proposals and budget priorities in the coming year. The 96th General Assembly is scheduled to convene its Regular Session on the second Monday in January 2027.

The full monthly and year-end revenue reports for FY26 are available on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.

* On July 14, 1918, Quentin Roosevelt, a 20-year-old pilot in the United States Air Service and the fourth son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, was shot down and killed by a German Fokker plane over the Marne River in France.

* On July 15, 1953, John Christie, one of England’s most notorious killers, was executed. Four months earlier, police and a tenant in West London had discovered the remains of four women, one of whom was Christie’s wife, at a house where he’d lived, and he was apprehended and confessed a week later. Detectives soon found additional bodies buried in the yard behind the house as well.

* On July 16, 1862, Ida B. Wells, a future educator, investigative journalist and civil rights activist, was born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Motivated in part by racism within the women’s suffrage movement, she would eventually found and co-found the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women, and the Alpha Suffrage Club.

* On July 17, 1996, a TWA Boeing 747 jetliner headed for Paris exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 230 passengers and crew aboard and creating a fireball seen along most of the Long Island coastline. A highly criticized investigation ended two years later with the conclusion that the tragedy had been caused by mechanical failure rather than a suspected bomb or missile.

* On July 18 1995, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” a memoir by a law professor by the name of Barack Obama, was published prior to its author’s entry into the political realm. Thirteen years later, that largely unknown professor would be elected America’s 44th president.

* On July 19, 1952, air traffic controllers in Washington, D.C., sighted UFOs flying over the White House and U.S. Capitol. More would appear a week later, but all were dismissed as simply a weather phenomenon.

(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

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“I must study war and diplomacy so that my children may study mathematics and science so that their children may study art and philosophy,” wrote John Adams as he explained his sense of duty and how he had a responsibility to make life better for his descendants. Adams served as an attorney, judge, diplomat, and eventually president. He helped craft the Declaration of Independence. His work made him an important figure in the American Revolution and the early years of the nation.

John Adams was born just outside Boston in October 1735, the oldest of three sons. His father was a farmer, shoemaker, deacon, and served in the militia. Years later, Adams would write how much he respected his father and how he helped shape the future president. In 1751, he enrolled at Harvard and graduated in 1755. Adams learned Greek and Latin and enjoyed reading the works of Greco-Roman scholars in their original languages. He briefly worked as a teacher before studying to be a lawyer, along the way earning a masters degree from Harvard, and passed the bar in 1759.

His reputation as a lawyer grew, and Adams became increasingly outspoken against British policies, condemning the Stamp Act, British attempts to restrict the right to jury trials, and Parliament giving customs officials the right to break into colonists’ homes without a search warrant. He sometimes represented slaves suing for their freedom in Massachusetts courts. In 1764, he married Abigail Smith, with whom he would have six children. The two would have many lively intellectual conversations, and during his travels wrote each other discussing everything from the revolutionary cause to women’s rights.

In 1770, the British asked Adams to defend the troops accused of murdering five colonists during the Boston Massacre. His reputation as a critic of the British was well-known, but he was also known for his sense of honor. He had the charges dismissed for all but two soldiers, who were both found guilty of manslaughter. That year, he served a term in the Massachusetts legislature. In 1774, he became a delegate to the First Continental Congress as colonists protested the increasingly heavy-handed British policies. He returned to the Second Continental Congress the next year as fighting erupted between Britain and the colonies. In 1775, he also began serving as a judge on the Massachusetts Superior Court.

He returned to Philadelphia as the Continental Congress discussed independence. He was chosen as a committee of five men to draft what became the Declaration of Independence. Including Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Most of the work that was approved on July 4, 1776, was Jefferson’s but Adams had made his influence known. In 1777, he went to France to help Ben Franklin negotiate an alliance. In 1780, he went to Holland to secure an alliance as well. In 1782, he was named ambassador. He served with Franklin with the negotiations that ended the American Revolution with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. He served as US Ambassador to Great Britain from 1785 to 1788.

In 1788, he was elected the first vice-president, to serve under President George Washington. He would cast 50 tie-breaking votes in his role, a record that stood for decades. In 1796, he ran as the Federalist candidate for president in the nation’s first partisan election for the office. He won the election against Jefferson, but Jefferson became vice-president because the electoral college at the time gave the vice-presidency to the runner-up.

Adams would be the first president to live in Washington, DC, and occupy the White House. Much of his term in office was occupied by tensions with France as their own revolution grew increasingly chaotic. The once-warm relationship had deteriorated nearly to the point of war over the French blockade of England. In the end, Adams decided that peace was the best policy for America and as the “Quasi-War” ended in 1798, eventually forged a new peace agreement with France.

Though his opponents accused him of being a monarchist, Adams believed in the separation of powers in government and for public accountability for officials. “Power must be opposed to power,” he wrote. However, in 1798, he signed the explosive Alien and Sedition Acts into law, which effectively made it illegal to criticize the government. Ten men were convicted, and Adams’s opponents united against him. In the bitter 1800 election, Jefferson triumphed over Adams. This time, the electoral college made Aaron Burr the vice-president.

Though stung by the defeat, he quietly left the White House in 1801 before Jefferson assumed office. Adams would later say of the presidency, “No man who has ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.”

In 1812, Adams and Jefferson revived their friendship; and the two enjoyed a warm correspondence for the remainder of their days. In 1818, Adams’s wife Abigail died after 54 years of marriage. Adams lived to see his oldest son, John Quincy Adams, elected to the presidency in 1824. The two would be the only fatherson duo to be president until George W. Bush became president in 2001.

On July 4, 1826, the young nation celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Though a joyous day across America, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day. The last words of Adams were about his old friend Jefferson. His death at age 90 would be the longest lifespan of any president until the twentyfirst century.

In spite of his fears that he was not appreciated or would not be remembered, dozens of schools, streets, communities, counties, and parks have been named in his memory.

State officials say the transition has been months in the making. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has worked with retailers, community partners, and SNAP participants to ensure families understand the new rules and have tools to help them adjust. More than 2,500 retailers across Arkansas have updated their checkout systems to comply with the policy.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking at a press conference announcing the rollout, said Arkansas was among the first states to signal to the Trump administration that it wanted to pursue this change. “We won’t wait around while our people get less and less healthy and we spend more and more taxpayer dollars trying to fix the problem,” she said.

The governor noted that chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease continue to strain both families and the healthcare system. “Sadly, Arkansas’s statistics are even worse than the nation as a whole,” she said. “One third of our state is diabetic or pre-diabetic. On one floor of DHS, our state has been approving food stamp purchases for soft drinks and candy, while on another floor, our state’s Medicaid program is paying to treat the chronic diseases those products can help create.”

Under the new rules, which took effect July 1, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy candy, soft drinks, or beverages with less than 50 percent natural juice. Milk, baby formula, nutritional supplement drinks, and juices that meet the 50-percent requirement remain eligible. Ingredients used for home baking, such as flour, sugar, icing, and baking chocolate, continue to qualify, even though ready-made confections do not.

To make the transition easier, DHS has launched the AR SNAP Companion mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices. Shoppers can scan product barcodes in the store to instantly determine whether an item is eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Officials encourage families to use the tool to avoid surprises at checkout.

DHS is also urging participants to ensure their contact information is up to date on the Access Arkansas website so they can receive program updates. Additional details and full lists of eligible and restricted items are available on the DHS SNAP Nutrition Waiver webpage.

As part of the broader effort to support healthier choices, DHS has partnered with the UAMS Culinary Medicine program to create a new recipe video series called “Make It Snappy.” Hosted by Chef Alyssa Frisby, the series highlights simple, affordable, and nutritious meals that families can prepare at home. The first episode is available on the AR SNAP Companion app and at ar.gov/SNAP, with more videos scheduled to be released on those platforms and on the DHS Facebook page in the coming weeks.

The founding this country 250 years ago was no easy task. The initial intent was to remain loyal to the crown. We focus on the end result, with good reason, and often ignore the debate and compromise made in constructing the end result. Those drafting a declaration were from thirteen different colonies, some from the north and some from the south. And yes, some of the same issues that would result in a civil war, were among the discussions.

'All men are created equal' was believed to be that and include all men. (The term 'men' did not exclude women but was inclusive of all mankind.) It did not exclude those of other races but rather open the way for liberty for all. It would be years before the problem of slavery to be totally resolved but do not doubt the foundation was laid at this moment in time.

We must learn from the discipline of compromise through debate or rhetoric in order to continue the idea of liberty for all.

'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' are not merely random words that were fitting of the day. These words are the foundation of things to come.

Life is bestowed by the creator, God, if you will, that should be protected at all costs. The taking of a life was to forfeit your own. However, even with this simple principal there was justification for the exception of war, which none of the founders wanted and went to great lengths to avoid.

The most intriguing part, 'pursuit of happiness,' does not guarantee happiness, only the pursuit thereof. It should be understood that one's happiness is contingent on the first two, Life and Liberty. It should also be recognized that if in some way you limit those for others, your rights to those are then forfeit. This idea is still being worked out as to the details. Sometimes, we get it wrong, but in time the way the founding fathers set it forth gave structure as to the ability to change it.

It wasn't perfect when it came off the press, however, for two hundred and fifty years we have been working on perfecting this greatest nation yet to be. Learn from history, learn history.

On the drive home, I found myself thinking less about Greg's cheeseburger and more about my own attitude. The truth is, I didn't want to hear what he was saying. I already knew I should eat less. I already knew I needed more self-control. His advice wasn't wrong; it was simply inconvenient. Instead of appreciating it, I wanted him to stop talking. Then it hit me: I sometimes treat God the same way. God tells us what we need to hear, but not always what we want to hear. He tells us to forgive when we'd rather hold a grudge, not to worry when we'd rather stay anxious, to trust Him when we'd rather stay in control, and to love difficult people when we'd rather avoid them. Most of us don't struggle because we don't know what God has said. We struggle because what He says often challenges what we want. Thankfully, God loves us enough to keep telling us the truth. Through His Word and by His Spirit, He patiently reminds us, corrects us, and calls us to trust and obey Him. Even when we don't want to hear it, His guidance is always for our good. Looking back, I'm glad Greg didn't get out of the truck. Honestly, I didn't want him to. And I'm even more grateful that God doesn't give up on stubborn people like me.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced that Arkansas’ welfare to work requirement for Medicaid beneficiaries will begin its soft launch on July 1, 2026, with full implementation of the program going into effect January 1, 2027.

“Most Arkansans work hard to pay for their health insurance – and they shouldn’t have to subsidize healthy adults who choose to stay on the sidelines. If you’re young, healthy, and get government assistance, you should work, go to school, or volunteer,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m thankful to President Trump and congressional Republicans for paving the way for this commonsense solution and allowing us to put our welfare work requirement in place.'

“Finding a job brings purpose, meaning, and economic independence, which we know leads to better health,” said DHS Secretary Janet Mann. “The ARHOME Community Engagement and Work Requirement is a key program that will help our beneficiaries advance their careers and become selfsufficient, and we look forward to a successful implementation.”

Under the welfare to work requirement, healthy adults enrolled in the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME) Medicaid program must work, volunteer, or go to school for at least 80 hours per month. The requirement will apply to Arkansans aged 19 to 64 enrolled in ARHOME unless they are exempt. Exempt categories include pregnant and postpartum women, disabled veterans, caregivers, and those with special medical needs. Approximately 210,000 Arkansans are enrolled in ARHOME as of May 1.

States that have expanded Medicaid are required under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to implement work and community engagement programs by January 1, 2027. Arkansans who are not exempt and who do not comply with the welfare to work requirement will lose their coverage or be denied their application beginning on that date.

Nationally, the new Medicaid welfare to work requirement is expected to save taxpayers $326 billion over the next ten years.

Under the soft launch that begins on July 1, DHS will begin running automated processes to determine if beneficiaries are exempt, meeting, or not meeting the work and community engagement requirement. While no penalties will be in place for 2026, beneficiaries will be notified of their status based on those automated checks so they are positioned to meet the requirement in 2027. Starting on January 1, 2027, beneficiaries who do not meet the requirement will have 30 days to show compliance before their Medicaid benefits are suspended.

Prior to the soft launch, DHS hosted five in-person town halls across Arkansas, including one that was also streamed virtually, to inform beneficiaries of the new work requirement. Beginning July 1, DHS will reemphasize the rollout of the work requirement to beneficiaries via notices, emails, and texts.

In January of last year, DHS announced plans to implement a work requirement program called Pathway to Prosperity. That waiver was pending with CMS when the new requirements from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill were signed into law. This new approach preserves the overall goal of Pathway to Prosperity to help Medicaid beneficiaries attain economic independence while also meeting all the requirements outlined in federal law.

M INUTE

The Fourth is nearly here! This is the column that I would like to run for the week of the Fourth. It is the first of two parts on Thomas Jefferson. The Adams column I sent last week c an be run a fter that. Part 2 should be coming soon!

Ken The success of the American Revolution came from t he hard work and bloodshed of thousands of people. Behind the sc enes, legislators and diplomats worked to fund the armies and rally the people. Of those men a nd women, of all faiths and of all races and rich and poor alike, it was the words of one man who wrote the sentence that defined the cause and announced to the world that A merica had become an independent nation. Lawyer, scholar, legislator, inventor, scientist, and diplomat Thomas Jefferson became that man with his work on the Declaration of Independence in the fateful summer of 1776.

Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia in April 1743. He was the t hird of ten children. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a surveyor and wealthy planter. His father made sure that his children had classical educations, and Thomas Jefferson excelled in academics. He would eventually become fluent in five languages, including Latin, Greek, and French. He excelled at science and math and would become fascinated with a rchitecture, astronomy, and geology.

In 1757, his father died. He inherited more than 2,700 acres at a ge 14 a nd worked to care for his mother. In 1760, he enrolled at the College of William and Mary, graduating in two years. In 1762, he began st udying the law under George Wythe, one of the most respected legal minds in Virginia and himself later a judge and a delegate to the Continental Congress.

Jefferson was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1767. Two years later, he was elected to the c olonial legislature. He built a respected law practice, takingonsomeofthemost prominent cases in the colony and even defending slaves suing for t heir freedom. In 1768, h e b egan building Monticello, a mansion that he designed and even today is still a tourist attraction. He married Ma rtha Skelton in 1772. T hey had five children but only t wo daughters survived to adulthood.

As a legislator, Jefferson became increasingly critical of t he British. In 1774, he pushed a resolution through the legislature calling for a boycott of a ll British goods in response to the Intolerable Acts. A fterward, he published a pamphlet, “ A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” which defended the idea of self-government for the colonies and limited power for the king.

He traveled to Philadelphia in1775asamemberofthe Second Continental Congress. By the next year, independence was on the horizon a s the fighting spread. Congress decided in June 1776 to make a statement to the world, which would become the Declaration of Independence. A committee offivewasselectedtowrite the document, which included Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert L ivingston. The majority of the task fell to Jefferson.

Jefferson agonized over the working for weeks, ultimately borrowing heavily from English philosopher John L ocke for his ideas of government a s defending the rights of t he people a nd how Britain had failed the colonies. The C ontinental Congress declared independence on July 2, but the document itself, the Declaration of Independence, was approved on July 4 as the British army prepared to wage an invasion of New York.

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable R ights, that among these a re Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” Jefferson wrote. It was a sentence that would come todefinetheUnitedStates and its hopes for itself; and it was a sentence that would ignitedozensofrevolutions, independence movements, and social movements across the globe for the next 250 years.

The declaration that “all men are created equal” was a radical idea for 1776, especially for a British society built a round socialclass. Itmeantthere were rights beyond t he reach of Parliaments, legislators, and kings. Itmeantthatfreedom belonged to all Americans and that the law was to protect everyone. Freedom and consent of the governed would be t he new n ation's g uiding principles. Jefferson would say years later, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” But he knew that in a free society that imperfect men, f lawed men, could strive each day to be more than what they were the day before a nd should not be limited to where theycamefromorwhothey were but only by t he limits of their imaginations.

Jefferson tore through the years of g rievances against the British. He listed 27 grievances against the British and the continued attacks on the rights of t he people. Of these grievances, ta xation was only listed once, noted alongside the dissolution of legislatures and the loss of jury trials a nd the declaration of martial law. He pointed out the pet tiness of K ing George III and Parliament with their attacks on the colonists for, as Jefferson declared, “ For opposing with manly firmness, his invasions on t he rights of the people.”

He i ncluded a line condemning the British slave trade,butCongressstruckit down to gain the support of southern planters. Though Jefferson was a slaveholder, he expressed skepticism and moral agony over slavery in his writings. In a contradiction that defined his life and puzzled biographers, he c ould never justify the system; but he could never part w ith the comforts that it provided for him.

The Declaration concluded with the promise that the delegates would “ pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The long war lay a head, and much more lay ahead for Thomas Jefferson and the nation he helped bring into existence.

In Congress, July 4, 1776

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.