Governor Asa Hutchinson, along with local leaders such as Mayor of Rogers, Greg Hines, say there is a sense of urgency to encourage Arkansans to consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine. -KNWA/Fox24

• According to the ADP, vaccines are going to essential workers in phase 1B. Phase 1C will be for those at increased risk of disease or living in congregate settings, and the general public will receive the vaccine after that.
• This comes after the state saw an exponential spike in cases last month, with another expected following the Christmas and New Year holidays.

• It all started in 2014 with a family's tradition of delivering cookies to first responders on Christmas. Tiffany, Leo, and Cora Rea, along with 229 NWA families pulled together to treat hometown heroes over the holiday. Watch the full video HERE.
• The Fayetteville Police Department and elected City Council members donated toys to NWA families in need on Christmas. D'Andre Jones and Lt. Tim Shepherd went door-to-door to distribute the toys, hoping that events like these will build a stronger relationship between the city and community. -4029tv

BikeNWA is pushing community members show support for safe, low-stress bicycle and pedestrian access in the Bentonville Master Street Plan.

• The plan's goals are to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, allow for complete bicycle and pedestrian connections, and improve public transportation. -BikeNWA
• You can help by registering for the virtual public meeting, reviewing the Master Street Plan Map and Typical Street Sections and submitting feedback HERE.

The Arkansas Department of Health is concerned that the state will see COVID-19 cases rise post-Christmas, similar to the spike seen last month after Thanksgiving.

• State Epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Dillaha says the biggest challenge for hospitals is staffing, and that there are simply not enough nurses and doctors to go around.

• “Arkansas is competing with other states that also have a lot of COVID,” says Dillaha, “cases for nurses usually we recruit traveling nurses to Arkansas to fill the need for nursing in our state and we are struggling with that.” -KNWA/Fox 24

• The state has also waived licensing requirements and fees in order to fast-track new nurses to the frontlines, leaving graduating nurses feeling mixed emotions.

The 27th annual Arkansas Business Forecast will be streamed online via Zoom this year, on Friday, Jan. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• “The annual Business Forecast is a chance for business and community leaders from Northwest Arkansas, the state and the region to get firsthand insight into the direction for the next year from top economists,” said Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College. -University of Arkansas

• The 2021 Business Forecast panelists are:

• International Speaker: Catherine Mann, global chief economist, Citibank

• Domestic Speaker: Mark Palim, vice president and deputy chief economist at Fannie Mae

• State and Regional Speaker: Mervin Jebaraj, director, Center for Business and Economic Research

• For additional information and to sign up for the event, visit the webpage. Reservations can also be made by calling 479-575-4151.