This week, Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder announced he plans to end the sheriff's office's participation in the federal 287(g) program, which creates partnerships between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local law enforcement agencies. Helder says he believes the program has been effective in the area, but because of the coronavirus outbreak his employees' time and energy need to be directed elsewhere.

There are more people without a bank account in Arkansas than most other states. This can be a problem for people needing relief checks during the pandemic. Bank On Arkansas+ is trying to help.

Many appointments for the dermatologist can take place through telemedicine, but not all of them, so staff at Ozark Dermatology are seeing some patients while they sit in their cars.

The second annual Home Sweet Home Festival took place in Northwest Arkansas, albeit with a different format than originally planned. Instead of featuring local and touring musicians in house concert settings, the festival instead focused on live-streaming performances to abide by social distancing guidelines. Local songwriter Andrew McLaughlin was one of the featured artists in the virtual festival. Earlier this year, he came to the Harold and Blanche Caulk News Studio at KUAF to speak with us

On today's show, we have the latest from the governor's daily coronavirus response briefing. Plus, we find out how local makers and small manufacturers are collaborating with hospitals to find innovative solutions to the personal protective equipment shortage. And, we head to Pea Ridge where coaches are using an app and creating video drills for players to create virtual off-season practices.

During Thursday's coronavirus response briefing, Governor Asa Hutchinson said he was pleased to see the apparent decline of confirmed cases of COVID-19, but added he expects the numbers will still bounce up and down. Hutchinson also announced he plans to meet with his board of medical advisors Friday to begin discussing the state's eventual emergence out of the pandemic, although Arkansas Health Secretary Nate Smith acknowledged there's no need to prematurely dissolve the precautions in place.

Makers and small manufacturers across the region are collaborating with medical professionals at local hospitals to come up with innovative solutions to the protective equipment shortage across the country. We speak with a University of Arkansas instructor who is producing face shields using a 3D printer and CNC router, as well as the organizer of the Aerosol Box Project , which is creating aerosol boxes that protect healthcare workers during the process of placing a patient on a ventilator.

As the number of U.S. veterans infected by coronavirus rises across the country, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville has new measures in place to care for affected patients, while protecting staff and administrators. VHCSO Medical Center Director Kelvin Parks describes the coordinated response.

Today's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report includes an interview with Randy Zook, the president and CEO of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the state's economy. Paul Gatling also provides an update on WeWork's plans for a building in downtown Bentonville.

The Arkansas Activities Association has cancelled all spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coaches around the region are adapting to the end of the sports season and the cancellation of in-person classes at school by creating digital programs for athletes. Basketball coaches in the Pea Ridge School District , for example, are using an app and creating videos of drills for players to practice.