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Arvest Bank unveils pilot program for bilingual branches, starting with Springdale, Lawton, and Kansas City. These branches will offer full Spanish-language services, breaking down language barriers for customers. Arvests phased approach includes a bilingual certification program and Language Access Program, with over five hundred certified employees across multiple states. The bank aims to expand these inclusive spaces, boosting the regions financial future.

Arkansas Razorbacks new coach Ryan Silverfield is making a splash with a strong transfer portal class, ranked 18th nationally. Standouts include offensive lineman Bryant Williams, linebacker Khmori House, and defensive back Jahiem Johnson. Silverfield is focusing on bolstering the defense, especially the secondary, with three top additions. Fans are excited about the roster rebuild, but the staff still needs more proven defensive ends, edge rushers, and a tackle to round out the line, plus another linebacker and tight end help.

Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, passed away at 78. Known for his iconic sound and endless tours, Weirs death leaves Bill Kreutzmann as the last original member. Fans, or Deadheads, followed the band through decades of nonstop tours, and Weirs music continues to resonate, with their latest album hitting the Billboard top forty. Weirs legacy lives on through his devoted fans worldwide.

In the West Bank, Palestinian Bedouin families from Ras Ein el-Auja are fleeing their homes due to constant harassment from Jewish settlers. Over two dozen families have left, with more planning to stay. Settler attacks, including stolen sheep and filming inside homes, have been reported. Since the Israel-Hamas war, over two thousand Palestinians have been driven out by similar violence. The zone is under full Israeli control, and settler outposts are expanding. Displaced families have spread to nearby villages and cities, but the pressure on these Bedouin holdouts shows no sign of easing.

Two major lawsuits threaten to disrupt the 2030 U.S. Census, with Trump-linked groups challenging privacy methods, counting rules, and exclusion of undocumented immigrants. The Florida suit seeks to scrap privacy protections and revise 2020 results, while the Louisiana case aims to exclude non-citizens from redistricting. Democrats fear the Trump administration may not defend the Census Bureau, leading to potential chaos in elections. Experts warn that shifting to citizen-only numbers could benefit Republicans and cut federal funds, impacting states like California, Texas, Florida, and New York. The Census Bureau continues planning for 2030, while government lawyers push to dismiss the cases, highlighting deep divides over the future count.

Virginia man Brendan Banfield stands trial for allegedly plotting his wifes and another mans murders, with his Brazilian au pair as an accomplice. The case involves a romantic affair, a fake social media account, and a child abuse charge. Digital forensics suggest Christine may have been involved with the victim, challenging the prosecutions theory. The trial will delve into conflicting evidence and motives.

President Trumps ambitious plan to acquire Greenlands rare earth elements, crucial for tech and electric vehicles, faces significant challenges. Despite Chinas dominance and US efforts to boost domestic production, Greenlands harsh terrain, lack of infrastructure, and environmental concerns pose major hurdles. Despite recent stock surges, mining firms are still far from profitability, and Chinas cheap supply continues to threaten US efforts to diversify sources.

Last Thursday, Oklahoma drivers faced four confirmed tornadoes amid a wild winter storm, with three earning EF-one ratings and winds up to 110 mph. Despite damage, no serious injuries were reported. Warmer January trends may be fueling more winter tornadoes, with Oklahoma City averaging four degrees higher since 1948.