State lawmakers unmoved by Entergy explanations after farmers plead their case
The Generating Arkansas Jobs Act was the topic of the day at the Legislative Joint Committee on Energy.
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Monday open line
Issue 3 won’t benefit Arkansans, says economic think tank
After more than three decades of increasingly large and complex economic development subsidy models deployed across the country, the real-world evidence is clear that state or local governments cannot subsidize their way to prosperity.
Arkansas Explained: How to vote early in the 2026 midterm election
Here’s what to know about early voting in Arkansas.
Merlot with the flow: A circuitous visit to the original Arkansas Wine Country
Is Natural State vino any good? We visited Arkansas Wine Country — and took our time getting there — to find out.
Halloween cover shows at both Vino’s and White Water Tavern on Oct. 30
The spooky season tradition of bands dressing up as other bands remains as charming as ever.
Sunday open line
Money and messaging give Sanders boost in governor’s race
Incumbent Gov. Sarah Sanders has extended her lead over her gubernatorial rivals.
It’s the Hurry-Up Offense part of the 2026 midterms
We voters and candidates don’t pay much attention to details. But here’s a few.
Saturday open line
By helping sad Brad with healthcare, we help ourselves
How does it help the hospitals that treat Brad (which they will) if he cannot pay anything?
There’s Shoffner and Jones to vote for but also four ballot items to think about
There are four ballot items to be decided this year. Here are our selections.
Word gets out about second Grant County data center — despite NDAs
Grant County is looking at a second data center and power plant.
Friday open line
Central Arkansas congressional candidates debate independence from Trump, cost of living
Democrat Chris Jones said Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill is too closely aligned with President Donald Trump as the two rivals running for a central Arkansas congressional seat that’s gaining national attention debated Thursday.
Little Rock School Board’s tough vote to close three schools
The decision to cut costs by closing three schools followed months of public meetings and board deliberations over how to address declining enrollment, underused buildings and the district’s financial challenges, all while weighing the consequences for the school communities affected by the closures.
The summer of technological recoil: Big-tech backlash makes its way to the polls
The data center/Flock/AI issue joins the economy, the war in Iran and corruption as a driver of the 2026 election.
LRSD to close three elementary schools
Under intense financial pressure, the Little Rock School Board voted Thursday night to close three elementary schools: Western Hills, Mabelvale and McDermott.
Two dead in evening shooting, three injured
Little Rock Police report they already have suspects in custody.
Cotton takes lead over Shoffner in new Senate poll
The poll, which surveyed 709 likely voters via telephone and text message, showed Cotton with 50% and Shoffner with 41%.
Thursday open line
Nervous Nellie Cotton cowers behind a 102-year-old
Using a WWII vet as a human shield to get you out of a scary debate with your challengers is not exactly warrior behavior, Senator.
Sanders amps up taxpayer-funded travel, but don’t call it campaigning
Gov. Sarah Sanders' trips look a lot like campaign stops, according to a columnist who used to work for her dad.
Wednesday open line
Lose the row crops; farmers need to grow food
Soybean, cotton and rice farmers are losing their shirts -- and their farms -- in this environment. What if they grew food instead?
Why I don’t feel sorry for Arkansas farmers
Arkansas farmers are on the hook for $343 million in war-related fuel and fertilizer price increases, and they have no one to blame but themselves.
What’s happening with Little Rock City Board elections?
It’s not often that we get new city directors in Little Rock. It’s even rarer to get two at the same time.
Arkansas Young Dems will convene in Fayetteville, and you’re invited
This year's conference is slated for Oct. 23-25 in Fayetteville.
BJ Wyrick just dropped the weirdest campaign ad you’ve ever seen
City Director BJ Wyrick's anti-Flock stance is commendable. Her absolutely unhinged ad about it? Less so.
Cinema I/O to host free screening of ‘Marnie’ (1964) Tuesday at Ron Robinson Theater
“Marnie” — Alfred Hitchcock’s “suspenseful sex mystery,” according to its 1964 promotional tagline — occupies a unique place in the director’s oeuvre.
Local officials data center-maxxing; city to vote on moratorium next week
The Little Rock City Board of Directors will consider an ordinance next week that would create a six-month moratorium on data centers.
State lawmakers say GAJA will be a focus of next legislative session
Three Republican lawmakers took aim at the state's controversial electricity law during an energy conference, arguing it shifts financial risk from utilities to ratepayers.
Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans
Some of Musk's millions are going to the Senate Leadership Fund, a supporter of Cotton's reelection bid.
In gubernatorial debate, Sanders relies on usual talking points as opponents attack her record
Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders touted her successes, while her opponents accused her of ignoring issues that actually matter to Arkansans and of taking credit for things she had no role in.
Tuesday open line
Free Alzheimer’s conference coming up, don’t forget!
Experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health and caregiving are putting on a free conference in Little Rock Wednesday, Oct. 21, with the aim of helping Arkansans learn about and navigate what can be a daunting diagnosis.
Hallie Shoffner says ICE crackdown is undermining trust in Arkansas police
Cotton, a no-show at Monday's debate, is trying to squeeze more juice out of the racist and nativist movement that carried him to the Senate and Trump to the White House. Shoffner laid out her alternative approach.
Hairpins co-founders are leaving Arkansas, but the organization isn’t going anywhere
The couple behind Hairpins, a buzzy organization that hosts sapphic-centered events for the queer community in Little Rock and beyond, announced last week that they’re leaving Arkansas. They expect the group will continue to thrive in their absence.
Monday open line
Northwest Arkansas candidates consider Iran war, immigration in US House race
Republican and eight-term incumbent U. S. Rep. Steve Womack is facing challengers Robb Ryerse (D) and Bobby Wilson (L).
Westerman calls on President Trump to cancel planned ‘public spectacle’ of livestreamed execution
While he supports Hasan’s execution, Westerman said, “a public execution is not in the best interest of the United States or our justice system, which, for 250 years, has been marked by dignity and great respect around the world.”
Hail the orange and black! Study names Hendrix best overall college in Arkansas
The study also named UA-Little Rock as the best public university in the state.
LR Central students give sidewalk abortion protesters a shrill and hostile reception
The coeds of Little Rock Central High were not meek, nor modest, nor submissive Monday morning as a pack of fundamentalist protesters hoisted placards at arriving students, encouraging young women to get married, have babies and avoid being gay.
Arkansas PRIDEFest returns to Capitol Ave. on Saturday
The leadup to Saturday’s parade and festival, headlined by country singer Adam Mac, includes several other queer-friendly events throughout the week.
Hillcrest HarvestFest returns Saturday with Chicago indie rockers Ratboys in tow
Ratboys released their newest album “Singin’ to an Empty Chair” in February, a new high-water mark in an already impressive discography that landed on roundups of the year’s best albums so far from Rolling Stone, Paste, Consequence and Stereogum.
Sunday open line
Will the midterms be determined at the ballot box or in the sick bed?
Immunized voters have less chance of being sick or having a sick kid or loved one on Election Day.
Saturday open line
The late, great Medford Mail Tribune and some reasons to keep on reading
A former congressman who's weathered his share of barbs from thorny journalists makes the case for supporting your local paper.
Friday open line
Proposal to turn 200-year-old structure into bar gets cool reception from museum commission
State officials have proposed that the oldest standing structure in Little Rock and one of the oldest in the state be turned into a working bar.
Whooose Pig, Sooie? – October 1, 2026
Whooose Pig, Sooie? – October 2026 | Vol 53 » No 2
Kil’n It – September 1, 2026
Kil'n It – September 2026 | Vol 53 » No 1
Little Rock school board, administrators continue discussions about elementary school closures
Board members have been weighing the merits and drawbacks of seven closure and consolidation options as the district tries to reduce costs by about $5 million.
The wild side of Little Rock: New trail connections near Lake Maumelle lure city slickers out of town
For Central Arkansas residents, getting out into the remote wilderness has, until recently, meant packing up the car and hoofing it up to the Ozarks or trekking deep into the Ouachita Mountains. Not anymore, thanks to the new South Lake Trail.
White families love vouchers the most, and other revelations from the annual AR LEARNS report
White students are significantly overrepresented when it comes to cashing in on Arkansas voucher dollars, while Black and Hispanic students are underrepresented, a dynamic that certainly supports the progressive argument that “school choice” is the new path to segregated classrooms.
Fuel prices, tariffs weigh heavily in east Arkansas’ US House race
As Rep. Rick Crawford seeks a ninth term in Congress against Democrat Terri Yarbrough Green and Libertarian Steve Parsons, the effect of the Iran war, fuel prices and President Donald Trump’s tariffs loom large.
Chris New, longtime manager at Vino’s, has died
A memorial service for New will be held at Saline Independent Methodist Church in Benton (306 S. Main St.) on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. Vino’s will be closed all day in his honor.
Politico Jay Barth makes his Nov. 3 predictions
A trusted expert on all things political, Barth provided a vibe check on the results we might expect to see November 3.
Arkansas named fifth-most dangerous state in new report
States were ranked by an aggregate score, measured across five categories: personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. Arkansas ranked 33rd or worse in every category.
Thursday open line
Federal audit says Arkansas mishandled reports of child abuse and neglect
A federal audit found Arkansas mishandled thousands of reports of child abuse and neglect, including allegations of rape and video surveillance in children’s bedrooms.
Deep South Today names Jordan Hickey editor-in-chief of Arkansas Today
Hickey brings more than a decade of experience reporting, editing and leading editorial teams across print, digital and audio.
Join and Win a Porsche Macan
Join the free Saracen Player’s Club, play throughout the month and you have the chance to win a brand new Porsche Macan and more. Plus, see the upcoming events at the Saracen Event Center.
Experimental indie rockers Deerhoof in Fayetteville on Wednesday
There are few bands as fiercely dedicated to their art and as unwaveringly independent as Deerhoof, and we’re lucky to have them here.
Do some state-approved ghost hunting at the Old State House Museum
The Old State House Museum in Little Rock is leaning into the Halloween season with a unique fundraising event: a paranormal investigation class.
Wednesday open line
In another loss for Sanders, court rules attorney for Corrections Board can get paid
A circuit judge said the lawyer who originally represented the Arkansas Board of Corrections in ongoing litigation against Gov. Sarah Sanders was properly hired and can submit a motion to recover the fees he's owed.
Listen to Bonnie Montgomery and Melissa Carper cover the Eagles
Ever wondered what Natural State songbird Bonnie Montgomery would sound like if she time-traveled back to the ’70s to sit in with some soft rockers? You’re in luck.
Is AI going to kill us all? We asked nuclear engineer (and Democrat) Chris Jones
The congressional candidate says he’s taking the doomsday scenarios seriously. He also has a plan for avoiding them.
UA Little Rock Begins Second Century with Continued Enrollment Growth
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is starting its centennial year with continued enrollment growth, as preliminary fall 2026 figures show increases in both student headcount and credit hours.
Arkansas Court of Appeals strikes down portion of state whistleblower law
The appellate court said part of the statute unconstitutionally violates Amendment 80, which gave the Arkansas Supreme Court the exclusive authority to dictate rules of procedure for Arkansas courts.
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival returns for its 35th year on Oct. 9-17
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the longest-running celebration of nonfiction cinema in North America, kicks off its 35th year of programming on Friday, and the lineup of nearly 100 feature-length and short films from around the world looks pretty stellar.
Tuesday open line
Here’s how to see John Wilson’s ‘The History of Concrete’ in Little Rock
Have you been checking listings hoping for a showing of “The History of Concrete?” Look no more. Cinema I/O, Little Rock’s premier (and only) arthouse micro-cinema, has you covered.
Can a Black gay man still call the hogs?
White heteronormativity has long dominated the University of Arkansas. What does that mean for Black gay Arkansans?
Affordability, healthcare, accountability center of heated race for central Arkansas US House seat
Republican US Rep. French Hill seeks a seventh term against Democrat Chris Jones.
Author Deborah Archer to discuss how road design reinforces racial inequality
Archer's book examines the ways man-made structures and transportation systems have been designed and built in ways that segregate people by race and disenfranchise Black and brown communities.
Monday open line
Trump posts Sen. Tom Cotton’s phone number over dispute about daylight saving time bill
President Donald Trump posted on social media a cellphone number he claimed belonged to Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton in a Saturday tirade.
More good news for Chris Jones in race against French Hill
Congressional candidate Chris Jones got some love from the Democratic campaign office, which placed his campaign in the Red to Blue program.
Today is the deadline for voter registration, so you’d better check to make sure you’re all set
Arkansans who want to weigh in on the Nov. 3 elections have to get their paperwork turned in today. Here's how to check to make sure you're good to go.
‘The Age of Anxiety’ opens Friday at AMFA
There’s nothing quite like the drama, darkness and distortions of German Expressionism to ring in the Halloween season.
Sunday open line
Little Rock and Western Railway, won’t you be our neighbor?
A River Trail view, sometimes sullied.
Saturday open line
Schmitts and giggles
If you want to accuse a U.S. Attorney of perjury, know the difference between the Atlanta Hawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Old State House Museum employee quits over racist comments about slavery
A Black woman who has been working at the Old State House Museum since 2011 quit over racist remarks about slavery.
North Little Rock squirrel attack sends bloodied grandmother and mom to the ER
Two Central Arkansas women are emotionally traumatized but physically OK after suffering a freak squirrel attack while putting up birthday decorations in a North Little Rock yard Thursday.
Kentucky governor rallies Arkansas Democrats, says party can compete and win in South
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear shared his three-step guide to winning in a typically Republican state with Arkansas Democrats at a Thursday night fundraising dinner.
Friday open line
Skip the Scenic Drive and Take the Scenic Route
Grab your hiking shoes, hop on a bike, or launch a kayak. A cool-weather day in Little Rock gives you plenty of reasons to skip the car and keep moving.
Two poetry collections go on a date: A conversation with Arkansas poets Ellie Black and Acie Clark
Ellie Black and Acie Clark, both of whom are creative writing professors in Central Arkansas, each published debut books of poetry in September. Their work coalesces in unexpected yet profound ways.
Jude Brothers release show at White Water Tavern on Thursday
As if recently arrived through a portal from some more pastoral world than our own, Fayetteville singer-songwriter Jude Brothers makes music that sounds like how a golden-hour walk through the woods feels.
We’re reporters, not teachers. We were able to start private schools anyway.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it?
Black Democratic candidates talk politics during first Blue Porch Brunch
Several local Black Democratic candidates, from municipal to federal, gathered on the front porch of a house on Chester Street on Thursday morning to talk politics and the coming election.
Hurts Donut is closing its store in downtown Little Rock
Hurts Donut, the over-the-top donut chain specializing in terrifyingly sugary toppings, announced Thursday that its location in downtown Little Rock is closing Oct. 8.
Thursday open line
Attorney demands mediation in case of LRPD officer putting a gun to man’s head
A Little Rock police officer put a gun to Gregory Williams' head over a convenience store dispute over a piece of fried fish. His attorney says it's time for the city to agree to mediation.
Gloria Ray Karlmark, one of the Little Rock Nine, to release biography in 2027
To coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s historic integration of Central High School, Gloria Ray Karlmark is releasing a biography co-written by Swedish journalist Elisabeth Åsbrink.