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September is Hunger Action Month

UNDATED (KTHV) -- September is national Hunger Action Month. The Arkansas Foodbank is observing the month with "30 Ways in 30 Days," a series of activities to raise awareness of hunger in Arkansas and to inspire everyone to do something about it in September.

Throughout the month, the Foodbank will be working to engage citizens to take action and help spread the word about pervasive hunger that affects one child in four in the state of Arkansas.

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ADH: 9 heat-related deaths in 2011 so far

UNDATED (KTHV) -- The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed three more people have died due to heat this year bringing the total to nine.

But Health Department spokesperson Ed Barham says even though we've had a record hot summer, this isn't as bad as years past.

"People have become, believe it or not, acclimated to 100 degree temperatures and they are really a little better off than they might be if the temperature had been down around 80," says Barham.

The department doesn't release information about when and where the deaths occurred. Twenty-three heat-related deaths occurred last year.

Oaklawn announces $5M plus stakes schedule for 2012

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) - A $200,000 bump to the Rebel Stakes and a condensed four-day, nine stakes Racing Festival of the South highlight Oaklawn Park's 2012 live racing season, which kicks off Friday, Jan. 13.

In total, there will be 34 stakes races worth nearly $5.2 million during the season, beginning with the $75,000 Fifth Season Stakes on opening day. The 56-day meet will culminate Saturday, April 14, with the 76th running of the $1 million Arkansas Derby, a race that has produced five Triple Crown race winners since 2004 and the 2011 Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro.

Park Service won't appeal Hot Springs logo ruling

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) - The National Park Service says it has no plans to appeal a ruling that allows the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission to use "Hot Springs National Park Arkansas" in its trademarked logo.

The federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board dismissed the Park Service's petition to cancel the trademark on May 25.

Park Service spokesman David Barna said on Wednesday that there are no plans to appeal the board's dismissal of the petition.

Landor Associates of San Francisco created the logo in 1987 as part of a city signature package for the ad commission and the phrase "national park" was added to the logo at the direction of city officials.

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A Place to Call Home: The Trejo siblings

UNDATED (KTHV) -- When most of us hear the word 'family,' we think of our mom, dad or our children, perhaps.

But for a group of three siblings in state foster care, family means something totally different.

Today's THV, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, is profiling children up for adoption in Arkansas.

Of the nearly 500 children in state foster care, many are part of a sibling group, like a group of five brothers and sisters who desperately want a forever family.

Adoption workers will tell you, it's not easy finding homes for sibling groups and older children, like Matthew, age 11, Sara, age 10, and Mark, age 9.

They've been in state foster care nearly four years now. They've survived a failed adoption, and they've known little stability in their short lives. In fact, they've learned to rely on each other, and each day, they pray they find a forever family they can rely on too.

Even adults need immunization

LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) -- Immunization is not just for kids. Whether you're a teenager, in your 30's or about to retire, we all need immunizations to stay healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control:

The specific immunizations you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations. Throughout your adult life, you need immunizations to get and maintain protection against:

Seasonal influenza (flu) - In general, anyone who is 6 months or older can benefit from the protection of a flu vaccination.

 
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)- One booster dose for adults up through 64 years and for adults 65 years and older who will have close contact with infants and have not previously received the Tdap vaccine.

Shingles - For adults 60 years and older

Arkansas 47th in National Child Well-Being Rankings

Arkansas 47th in National Child Well-Being Rankings

GARLAND COUNTY, Ark. (AP/KTHV) - High child poverty in Arkansas keeps the state pinned to the bottom of national rankings in measurements of child well-being, according to the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The state moved up one position to 47th for overall child well-being, despite substantial gains seen in the lives of Arkansas teens.

With an overall child poverty rate of 27 percent, the state is still struggling to move up in the yearly rankings.