Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The City of Arkansas reported a cybersecurity incident at its water treatment plant early Sunday. Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are currently in Arkansas City to investigate the cyberattack The city released a statement assuring residents that the water supply remains safe and that there has been no disruption in service enhanced security measures are currently in place to protect the water supply and no changes to water quality are expected for residents “Out of caution, the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved,” Randy Fraser, City Manager said in a news release “Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe and the city is operating under full control during this period.”  “Everything’s been running smoothly on the outside world; it’s just on the inside world. We have a little issue, but we’re just trying to figure it out,” Shana Adkisson, Arkansas City communications director told KSN She said the affected systems did not have customer information and implementing strong endpoint protection.”  Glick pointed out that as the city takes steps to ensure their systems are free of malware, “it’s a great opportunity for all utilities to evaluate solutions that can scan transient devices and maintain secure air-gaps between critical networks making the facility an easy target for external threat actors.” Another vulnerability comes from poor network segmentation between the city’s administrative network and the treatment facility’s operational network This lack of separation can allow an attack originating within the city’s network to infiltrate critical infrastructure there isn’t even a firewall in place to separate the administrative network from the control systems Waldman flagged inadequate protection of Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems as a major concern “HMIs allow engineers to control water flow making them one of the most sensitive parts of the facility A breach here could lead to dangerous changes in the water supply like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems EDR is highly effective at preventing ransomware and other malicious activity on sensitive systems.” we can expect more attacks like this in the future such as those involving Russia and the Middle East,” according to Waldman “Now is the time for water and wastewater operators to proactively evaluate their facilities’ cybersecurity and address vulnerabilities before they become gateways for cybercriminals.” This is not the first time cyber adversaries have targeted the nation’s water treatment facilities. In April, hackers attempted to breach a wastewater treatment plant in Indiana prompting plant managers to dispatch maintenance personnel to investigate the suspicious activity officials confirmed that Tipton Municipal Utilities was targeted Earlier in February 2021, unidentified cyber attackers gained access twice in a single day to a panel that controls the water treatment plant at the Oldsmar water treatment plant in Tampa, Florida. The initial intrusion was detected by a plant operator who noticed that someone had remotely accessed the computer system which controls the chemicals and other operations of the water treatment plant However, in 2023, an official at the Oldsmar water treatment facility, said that the 2021 remote access cybersecurity breach was not a hack at all The incident has now been described as a case of an employee inadvertently clicking on the incorrect buttons before notifying his supervisors of his blunder All rights reserved | Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy 2025 Arkansas city rejects crypto mining proposal after community pushback Arkansas has been resistant to crypto mining with repeated community pushbacks over noise News COINTELEGRAPH IN YOUR SOCIAL FEEDThe planning commission of Vilonia unanimously rejected a proposal to establish a cryptocurrency mining facility within the city limits following strong opposition from residents According to local reports the decision came after weeks of community pushback where citizens voiced concerns over potential noise pollution increased energy consumption and the overall environmental impact associated with crypto-mining operations Vilonia residents expressed concern that the mining operation could disrupt the town’s quiet atmosphere and strain local infrastructure Many pointed to examples from other regions where similar facilities led to rising electricity costs and constant noise from mining rigs “I just want to ask, like, did we make a mistake moving here? We’re not asking these people to come here. I grew up here. I graduated from Vilonia, and we [are] Arkansas, the natural state, not Arkansas, the Bitcoin state,” one community member told THV11 Vilonia community members oppose a new crypto mine in their town Related: Crypto startups no longer welcome in Nvidia’s accelerator program Vilonia has confronted the prospect of crypto mining before residents expressed disinterest in hosting miners citing long-term sustainability concerns and minimal local economic benefits In 2023, the city’s planning commission denied Vilo AR permission to build a crypto mine in town and revoked its permit permanently The same year, Vilonia residents voiced strong opposition to a crypto-mining facility proposed by Green Digital near residential areas citing concerns over constant loud noise from powerful mining computers and potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party In 2024, the Arkansas State House passed two bills that restrict cryptocurrency mining within the state Related: Bitdeer turns to self-mining Bitcoin, US operations amid tariff tumult — Report In January, Arkansas lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban crypto mining operations within 30 miles of any US military facility in the state Senate Bill (SB 60) was introduced by Senator Ricky Hill and House Speaker Brian Evans aiming to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 to keep crypto mining facilities away from military installations However, the Arkansas Senate’s City, County and Local Affairs Committee eventually rejected the bill The opposition to crypto mining centers in Arkansas follows a broader trend across various US municipalities where crypto-mining initiatives have faced increasing scrutiny In October 2024, a group of residents in Granbury, Texas, filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital alleging that its mining facility generated too much noise The lawsuit claimed that residents were experiencing physical symptoms from the noise memory issues and even psychological problems Magazine: Crypto AI tokens surge 34%, why ChatGPT is such a kiss-ass: AI Eye A busy agenda and vocal community participation marked Monday evening’s Texarkana where topics ranged from traffic safety and neighborhood livability to controversial zoning changes The meeting opened with citizen recognition and community pride president of the Texarkana Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Bradley praised city leadership and reaffirmed the sorority’s commitment to civic engagement and social action and we’re also here for bad things,” she said adding that the organization’s presence was meant to affirm their investment in local issues But much of the evening centered on the frustrations of residents dealing with ongoing quality-of-life challenges a vocal advocate from the Mount Addition neighborhood returned to the council chambers to decry noise and pollution reportedly emanating from Tri-State Iron & Metal “We want justice too,” she told board members citing broken promises and stalled city action Robinson demanded clarity on whether the city can modify the PUD (Planned Unit Development) agreement that governs the facility’s operations—an issue city staff confirmed remains unresolved pleaded with the council to address what he described as dangerous and unsanitary conditions at neighboring abandoned homes on Pearl Street “Something’s got to be done.” Officials acknowledged the properties were condemned but noted bureaucratic hurdles in proceeding with demolition Several citizens raised concerns about non-functioning traffic lights at key intersections Tim Johnson and Director Harris both pointed to dangerous conditions City Manager Tyler Richards confirmed delays in signal repairs due to supply chain issues though he emphasized the city’s intent to make improvements The board also faced scrutiny over two zoning decisions The most debated was the approval of a rezoning ordinance for 803 Laurel Street which changes the designation from residential to commercial to allow for an auto garage Despite vocal opposition from resident Brenda Barsi—who labeled the zoning request “fraudulent” and counter to the city’s master plan—the ordinance passed on a 4-3 vote Supporters emphasized that the property is contiguous with other commercial parcels and consistent with zoning precedent a separate rezoning request for 4308 Jefferson Avenue to accommodate professional offices passed unanimously The board tabled a highly anticipated vote on regulating short-term rental properties such as Airbnbs Several directors expressed a desire to bring stakeholders together for a workshop “We want to do it right,” said Director Brewer “We don’t just want to put something out there and find it can’t be enforced.” Tensions briefly flared over a discussion about how city board members can introduce ordinances Director Harris argued that current rules overly empower the city manager to filter which proposals make the agenda “We’re supposed to be the policymakers of the city,” he said Others echoed support for revisiting the policy to restore board autonomy The meeting concluded with updates on emergency notification systems and a reminder from public utilities staff that debris cleanup from recent tree trimming operations is ongoing Mayor Allen Brown closed the session by thanking citizens for their involvement “Everyone deserves equal consideration,” he said The next city council meeting is scheduled for May 5 Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications SpecialistCowley College125 S. 2nd StreetArkansas City, KS 67005hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu © 2023 Cowley County Community College Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWICHITA (KWCH) - This morning took an unexpected turn for an Arkansas City police officer when he added cow wrangling to his growing list of skills The police department posted body cam footage showing the officer’s run-in with the loose cow You can see the officer approach with a rope While the video stops with the cow still at large the police department said the officer was successful at helping corral the runaway cow “We’re pretty sure this wasn’t covered in the academy… but when duty calls our officers answer!” said the police department let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list Taking the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Arkansas is Pine Bluff. This charming city is located in the heart of Arkansas and is home to about 39,100 people. The median home sale price is $51,900, which is $200K less than the state’s average. If you’re looking for things to do in Pine Bluff, you can visit the Arkansas Railroad Museum stop by the AGFC Delta Rivers Nature Center in the expansive Pine Bluff Regional Park or check out the local shops and restaurants in town Third is Jonesboro where about 78,600 residents currently live The median home sale price is $212,300 which is about $35K less than the median home sale price in Arkansas If you find yourself moving to this affordable place make sure to explore the Arkansas State University campus and spend the day at Craighead Forest Lake where you can camp The fifth spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Arkansas is Fort Smith. When living in this city of 89,200 people, you can visit parks like Ben Geren Regional Park or Fort Smith Park, check out historic sites and museums like Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith Museum of History or stroll along the Ronnie Udouj Walking Trail The sixth city to make our list of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas is Benton so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a smaller city be sure to visit green spaces like Tyndall Park or Bernard Holland Park or golf at one of the many courses in town >> Read: Popular Little Rock, AR, Neighborhoods to Live in Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Manager Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers’ markets Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records 🇨🇦 Canada Updated January 2020: By searching, you agree to the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy REDFIN IS COMMITTED TO AND ABIDES BY THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. READ REDFIN’S FAIR HOUSING POLICY NY Standard Operating Procedures TREC: Info About Brokerage Services, Consumer Protection Notice please call Redfin Customer Support for help at 1-844-759-7732 has confirmed that its water treatment facility experienced a cybersecurity incident on September 22 2024 prompting a temporary switch to manual operations Local authorities were notified immediately and cybersecurity experts are working to restore the facility’s automated systems Writing in an advisory on Sunday City Manager Randy Frazer emphasized that the incident has not disrupted water services or compromised water quality and there has been no disruption to service the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved,” Frazer stated He also reassured residents that the city maintains full control of the water system Though details of the incident have not been fully disclosed, there are indications that the attack may have involved ransomware, as the decision to switch to manual operations often follows attempts to contain such breaches Enhanced security protocols have been implemented to safeguard the city’s water supply Arkansas City officials have engaged cybersecurity professionals and informed relevant authorities to mitigate the situation The city has also affirmed that no changes to water quality or service are expected as the investigation continues Read more on ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure: US Confirms Iranian Attacks on Water Companies This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of public utilities, especially in the water sector, which has become an increasing target for cyber-attacks. Efforts to bolster cybersecurity resilience across US water facilities are ongoing with government agencies taking active steps to prevent future breaches companies in the water sector should implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies Key steps include regular security assessments employee training on phishing and social engineering robust data encryption and the adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure access keeping software systems up to date and establishing incident response plans can help utilities quickly respond to and mitigate attacks Infosecurity has reached out to Arkansas City for further details and will update this article with new information if and when it becomes available As the baby boomers age out of the workforce there is a growing need for young employees with the skills and work habits to be productive partners for economic growth The City of Little Rock’s Career Climb Program allows youth to learn about careers while earning a wage during the summer Community business partners offer summer positions as a partner with the City of Little Rock and community stakeholders to develop the critical skills necessary to be successful members of the workforce SYEO is transforming our traditional 6-week internship program to better serve the needs of our residents and local businesses more holistically we have shifted to a community-supported model that leverages the strength of our local business community  This new approach creates more opportunities for sustainable allowing businesses to play a direct role in developing future talent This benefits both the interns and the companies they support This shift not only provides a broader and more diverse range of career opportunities and apprenticeships but also strengthens our local economy by aligning educational growth with real-world business needs businesses are asked to teach youth the value of earning a wage which encourages them to build employability skills and work ethic leading down a pathway to productive employment This is accomplished by the assignment of a supervisor to advise and assist a participant on work assignments Research shows that youth who work part-time during the school year and participate in summer employment have a greater attachment to the labor market The City of Little Rock Department of Community Programs also employs staff titled Mentors to ensure quality enjoyable work environments for employers and youth employees SYEO WORKSITE APPLICATION Career Climb Participant Application For employers interested in participating in the City of Little Rock’s Career Climb Program Monica Montgomery(501) 399-3420mmontgomery@littlerock.gov many may not realize its outdoor potential For those looking to discover the quieter side of the South without the crowds of more popular destinations Let's explore why this quiet Arkansas city is such an underrated gem for nature lovers There are over 60 parks to explore in Little Rock with one of the most famous being Riverfront Park connecting the Arkansas River to the downtown district Some of the amenities within the park include walking trails The First Security Amphitheater is also located within the park which is a great place to catch some live music the origins of this park date back to the 1920s and 1930s making it a longtime pillar in the community and jogging trails are just a few of the features that travelers will find in the park consider visiting Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park which is just a 20-minute drive outside of Little Rock This site preserves the state’s tallest indigenous mounds remnants of early-Mississippian Period structures from 650 to 1050 CE After exploring some of the trails that surround the mounds travelers can look at some site artifacts at the Visitors Center With more than 1,200 miles of biking trails in the region cyclists will have plenty to do in and around Little Rock Travelers interested in Gone with the Wind should explore The Old Mill Route Famous for appearing in the opening scenes of the movie this trail will take cyclists from the downtown area up north the Historic Church Trail is another wonderful route to consider many of which date back as far as the 19th century travelers can also reach Pinnacle Mountain State Park this state park has 33 miles of trails to explore visitors can also have a picnic in the park or reserve a pavilion for a group event In addition to serving as a base camp for nearby state parks Little Rock is also just a 45-minute drive from Ouachita National Forest this park features six federally designated wilderness areas and an array of hiking trails that meander through the forest is one of the most popular spots for spending a day on the water conveniently located between downtown and Pinnacle Mountain offers river access from its central boathouse This outfitter also offers kayaking tours for those who prefer a guided experience In addition to exploring the scenic Arkansas River a guide during this tour will share information about the river and the city’s history with travelers There are also sunset kayaking tours and fishing kayaking tours available and crappie are some of the most common fish found in the river There are several other ways to enjoy an afternoon fishing in Little Rock a riverfront park that has eight pavilions located about 25 minutes from downtown Little Rock covers 8,900 acres and is famous for the sail regattas it hosts Although swimming is not permitted at this lake it is another excellent spot to go boating or fishing Over 300 bird species can be found in the Little Rock area Travelers wanting to see some of these birds can start at the Little Rock Audubon Center This center is near 400 acres of habitats like upland hardwood forest A few of the species that call the Audubon Center home are which is home are the Common Yellowthroat travelers can continue their bird-watching tour at Gillam Park This park is a particularly good birding spot for spring and fall migratory species There are 32 species of warblers that have been spotted here There are around three miles of trails that travelers can use to explore the park To the west of Pinnacle Mountain State Park travelers will find Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area an important site for protecting some of the region’s rare plant and animal species It features the Ouachita Mountain Sandstone Outcrop Barrens a rare grassland habitat more typical of arid regions farther west Three of the most significant species that call the natural area home are the southeastern bat Visitors will have access to several trails here with varying difficulty that are perfect for hiking and biking If you are yearning to disconnect for a few days and hiking at Pinnacle Mountain State Park there are so many ways to find refuge in nature So think outside of the box for your travels this year and get ready to experience for yourself what the city of Little Rock has to offer — especially since this quiet Arkansas city is truly an underrated gem for nature lovers photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInARKANSAS CITY (Catch it Kansas) - A tough battle between two of the best in 5A as the (5) Maize South Lady Mavs visited the (4) Ark City Bulldogs the Lady Mavs' season and state title hopes stay alive With a 10 point lead to start the fourth quarter but captain Saliyah Henderson-Johnson helped cut it to four with less then three minutes remaining It was too little too late with Maize South’s offense finishing the job as Kaylee Brunton draws the foul for the and-1 opportunity and Jaela Thompson was right there with her with a pair of free throws to ice the game Maize South will fight for the state title next week Attendees gather at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St and Mike Pendley celebrate at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Parade volunteers dressed up as leprechauns toss necklaces at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Officials discuss the logistics of measuring at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Flavor Flav attends the at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Onlookers watch the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St greets a woman in the crowd at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders wave to the crowd at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Parade officials measure the route at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Valerie Bertinelli arrives at the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday Flavor Flav attends Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate on Sunday Volunteers push a broken-down car at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St Crowds gather at the 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St line up with their classmates before the start of the Our Lady of Lourdes Daycare St (Alan Warren/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP) But a city in Arkansas has gained popularity over the years with its parade for an entirely different reason a resort town known for its mineral-rich waters promotes its 98-foot (30-meter) route as the World’s Shortest St Thousands of people lined the streets Monday to watch the parade which has been one of the city’s biggest draws for more than two decades the event has gained the attention of celebrities actor Valerie Bertinelli and rap icon Flavor Flav participated The parade began the following year and drew about 1,500 people More than 30,000 people watch the parade each year and participants included 100 members of a group of Elvis Presley impersonators known as the International Order of the Marching Irish Elvi Another float featured the local chapter of the International Society of Helen Ropers with participants dressed up as the character from the 1970s sitcom The parade has also featured a celebrity grand marshal and parade starter and over the years has included familiar faces such as actor Kevin Bacon “Cheers” star George Wendt and country music star Justin Moore This is big,” Bertinelli said before the parade The parade even created its own green version of the signature clock necklace that Flav Ninety-eight feet gives me a little bit more time to have more fun,” Flav who have participated in the parade for the past several years sat in the back of cars and threw beads to crowds along the route including a concert and a “Blarney Stone kissing contest.” Before the parade kicked off there was an official measuring of the route to verify its shortness I like this one better than any of them,” said Chuck Last The Hot Springs parade’s organizers also keep up a feud with another parade in Adamsville Rhode Island that claims its 89-foot (27-meter) route is the shortest noting that city’s parade is held on the day before St Arrison also notes that the Hot Springs event has copyrighted the title “World’s Shortest St KSN-TV The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department allowed a house to burn to the ground on N 3rd Street after a second fire in less than a week a Learjet has become the first plane of its kind to perform a 'polar circumnavigation.' The trip took the four-pilot crew five days to complete as they flew from the Southern Polar Region to the Northern the crew landed back in the same runway they took off from As they set foot on solid ground for the first time in two days Payton Steiner interviews Learjet Captain Bart Gray as they return to Wichita from their Polar Mission Wichita Public Schools could have students using AI to complete assignments as soon as next year Water was released this morning from the Cedar Bluff Reservoir as they face drought conditions that city leaders expect to worsen KSN's Derek Lytle spoke to leaders from both cities Monday at George Washington Boulevard Drive and East Aloma Street The ongoing health care shortages continue to stress the system across the state One program is addressing these issues by giving high school seniors inspiration and access to learn about the health care field: https://www.ksn.com/news/health/via-christi-partners-with-high-schools-to-expose-students-to-health-care-careers/ Expert explains measles dangers and benefits of vaccination A newly released court document sheds light on why a rare Spanish-American War cannon was stolen from a Wichita park and cut into pieces last month The new state ID format is required if you want to use it to fly starting in May 2025 Johnson signed legislation to create Medicaid and Medicare Both are government-funded health insurance programs Regional chains are among the most popular in America but Costco and Trader Joe's ranked at the top in a 2022-2023 customer satisfaction survey Voters in seven Northwest Arkansas cities still have choices to make regarding the makeup of their respective municipal governments This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing