Austin Bailey got the inaugural party beat today and I didn’t get an invite so bourbon and cigars with the First Gent, so all I have to offer tonight are some COVID numbers and the open line.

Here are updates on the Arkansas Department of Health’s count of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Total cases: 988,938, up 449 from Friday

Active cases: 6,808, up from 6,632

Deaths: 12,721, an increase of eight

Hospitalized: 378, down from 387

In ICU: 66, down from 68

On ventilators: 24, up from  22

Retired senior editor of the Arkansas Times.