Arkansas unemployment rate falls to 4.1% as employment continues to rise
Arkansas’ unemployment rate fell to 4.1% in June 2026 while statewide employment continued to increase, the Arkansas Department of Commerce reported.
Arkansas
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Operation Return to Sender: 13 arrested as authorities seize more than 300 pounds of meth
Federal authorities said a two-year investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Little Rock and North Little Rock led to 13 arrests across three states and the seizure of more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine.
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Little Rock moves ahead with demolition and reopening of damaged Markham Street pedestrian bridge
Little Rock authorized demolition of the extensively damaged pedestrian bridge over West Markham Street after it was struck by a large dump truck. The city later reported the street reopened after the structure was safely removed.
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Arkansas men’s basketball has Toros del Valle exhibition scheduled for Aug. 3
Arkansas men’s basketball is scheduled to play Toros del Valle at 6 p.m. Central on Aug. 3 as part of an international exhibition trip listed by the Razorbacks’ official athletics site.
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Fort Smith’s $5.3 million Sub-Basin P005 sewer project remains under construction
Fort Smith lists its $5,316,733 Sub-Basin P005 sewer rehabilitation project as under construction, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 1, 2027.
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Little Rock receives $30 million Bezos Earth Fund grant for 30 Crossing Park
Little Rock announced a $30 million Bezos Earth Fund grant to support the planned 30 Crossing Park in the downtown River Market area.
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Report says Arkansas initiative-protection amendment lacked valid signatures
A July 30 report said Arkansas election officials found no valid signatures for a proposed initiative-protection constitutional amendment. The official determination and the measure’s final ballot status were not included in the available source packet.
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Fort Smith directors weigh proposed November 2026 vote on city government change
Fort Smith directors were scheduled to consider calling a Nov. 3, 2026, special election on replacing the city-administrator form of government with a mayor-council system. Available records do not confirm final adoption of the ordinance.
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Little Rock board-election filing window is open through Aug. 5
Candidates seeking upcoming Little Rock Board of Directors seats must submit filing documents in person by noon Aug. 5, with a separate financial-interest deadline of Aug. 10.
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Arkansas tourism report finds record visits but flat statewide economic impact
Arkansas recorded 2.3 million more visitors in 2025, but a tourism report put the industry’s statewide economic impact at a flat $17.4 billion.
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Four Fort Smith directors dismissed from FOIA lawsuit, filing says
A court filing dated July 30 dismissed four Fort Smith city directors from a lawsuit alleging Arkansas Freedom of Information Act violations tied to polling on a proposed change in city government.
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Little Rock Board of Directors set to meet Aug. 4 after agenda-setting session
Little Rock’s Board of Directors is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting Aug. 4, following a July 28 agenda meeting that set the items for consideration.
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Arkansas education committees set Aug. 3 meeting on school adequacy review
Arkansas House and Senate education committees are scheduled to meet jointly Aug. 3 in Little Rock, with listed materials including a presentation on public-school funding adequacy.
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Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting set for Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
Fort Smith’s Board of Directors is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. The agenda was not included in the approved source packet.
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UAMS and Arkansas Children’s present school-based mental health symposium
UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital presented a free two-day symposium focused on school-based supports for children’s mental health, autism and developmental differences.
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Community Clinic proposes acquiring Baptist Health primary-care clinics in Fort Smith area
Community Clinic has announced a letter of intent to acquire Baptist Health primary-care clinics in the River Valley, including multiple Fort Smith locations. The proposal remains subject to federal and regulatory review and a definitive agreement.
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Fort Smith Board of Directors scheduled to meet Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
Fort Smith’s Board of Directors is scheduled for a regular meeting Aug. 4 at 6 p.m., following a July 28 study session and July 30 special meeting listed on the city calendar.
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Arkansas attorney general sues drug manufacturers over alleged limits on patient access
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced July 22, 2026, that the state filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturers, alleging they illegally limited patient access to medicines.
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Little Rock to demolish damaged Markham Street pedestrian bridge
Little Rock will demolish a pedestrian bridge over West Markham Street after engineers found extensive damage following a strike by a large dump truck.
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Three Arkansas Air National Guard airmen selected for August deployment to Guatemala
Three Arkansas Air National Guard Security Forces airmen are scheduled to deploy to Guatemala in August 2026 through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.
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Little Rock candidate filing remains open through Aug. 5 for mayor, six board seats
Candidates seeking Little Rock’s mayoral office or six Board of Directors seats have until noon Aug. 5 to file for the Nov. 3, 2026, municipal election.
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Little Rock Metro Gas Holds at $3.745 as Diesel Reaches $4.908
AAA’s July 29 Little Rock-North Little Rock check puts regular gas at $3.745 and diesel at $4.908, with diesel up 9.3 cents in a week.