Arkadelphia’s Anna Derby crowned Miss OBU 2026
Anna Derby, a junior Kinesiology/Pre-Physical Therapy major from Arkadelphia, was crowned the new Miss OBU 2026
Heather Maxey appointed to ASU System Board of Trustees
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Heather Maxey of Mountain Home to a seven-year term on the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees
Arkansas Advocate: Sanders-appointed justice and lawyer in library case go head-to-head in Supreme Court race
The race for a seat on the Arkansas Supreme Court in the March 3 election is nonpartisan, but that hasn’t prevented the two candidates in the race from calling each other too ideologically driven
Scholarships available for Arkansas students
Scholarships are now available for eligible Arkansas students through Arkansas Community Foundation
Apply by March 15 to intern with AGFC
Arkansas college students looking to get their feet wet in conservation have the perfect opportunity to work alongside Arkansas Game and Fish Commission experts and get paid for the experience
Lawsuit filed in Arkadelphia challenges debt collection after death
A lawsuit has been filed in Clark County Circuit Court alleging that a third-party collection agency has collected or has attempted to collect debts against probate estates for telephone charges that were imposed after the death of a customer
Monty Hill named director of bands at Henderson State University
Veteran music educator Montgomery “Monty” Hill has been named director of bands at Henderson State University, returning to his alma mater after a career spanning more than four decades in music education
Arkansas Advocate: Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle focus on ousting Sen. Tom Cotton
Four Arkansans on the ballot Tuesday want to replace U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton this year, and the two Republicans and two Democrats all said they believe the two-term senator has not been representing Arkansas
Dispatch Desk: Loose dog shot while chasing neighbor
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed Feb. 9-16, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Clark County farmer Larry Ferguson is Grow for the Green winner
Larry and seven other soybean farmers from across the state were honored as the top performers in their respective regions
Laura Figueroa crowned 2026 Miss HSU
Laura Figueroa, a junior physical education major from De Queen, was crowned 2026 Miss HSU at Henderson State’s annual competition February 15
Commentary: A nutritionist on RFK Jr.’s upside-down food pyramid: a vibes-based policy disaster
This matters because these guidelines don’t just live on a government website. They determine what 30 million kids eat through the National School Lunch Program and shape federal programs like WIC
Taking protein into account with the new food pyramid
Now that protein is taking a more prominent position in federal nutrition guidelines, you may have some questions about how to adjust your diet
Clark County Arkansas jail bookings: Feb. 9-15, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkansas Advocate: Democrats seeking nomination for governor focus on voucher program, economic development
Addressing issues with the state’s school voucher program, supporting economic development and investing in Arkansans are priorities for Sen. Fred Love and Supha Xayprasith-Mays, the two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Arkansas governor
Local students graduate A-State
Arkansas State University has announced the names of students who completed degree requirements to graduate during Fall Commencement at First National Bank Arena
Opinion: Journalism needs more leaders like Daisy Bates, fewer like Jeff Bezos
Daisy Bates was also a trailblazer in journalism whose courage in the face of threats is something that more news outlet owners, publishers and journalism leaders should consider emulating
Kidnapping suspect has criminal history including attack with baseball bat, animal cruelty allegations
The suspect in an Arkadelphia kidnapping case hadn’t been out of jail long when he allegedly beat a woman and took her and their child against their will
Arkansas Advocate: Judge blocks state law increasing signature requirement for ballot measures
An Arkansas judge on Thursday blocked implementation of a 2023 state law that increased the signature requirements for measures to qualify for the ballot
Arkansas officials urge public to avoid contact with wild birds due to avian influenza
Arkansas agriculture and health agencies are urging the public to avoid contact with wild birds, especially birds that appear sick or are found dead, due to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Arkansas
ASU System adopts common course numbering system for college courses
The Arkansas State University System has completed a new common course numbering system to align with statewide higher education goals and simplify transfer processes for students
Economic board set to buy more Gurdon acreage
The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County (EDCCC) green-lighted a proposal to buy 9 acres adjoining an existing EDCCC-owned property jobs officials are calling the Gurdon Industrial Site
University of Arkansas Chancellor’s List includes local students
The University of Arkansas is recognizing students for earning a place on the Fall 2025 Chancellor’s List, the university’s highest academic honor for undergraduates during the semester
Arkansas projects get funded as debt elephant gets fed
Four members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation secured hundreds of millions of dollars for highways and other state projects. Meanwhile, a nonpartisan group is warning of the consequences of ever-increasing government debt.
$425K NIFA grant supports statewide Arkansas weather station network
A statewide network of 20 high-tech weather stations is in the process of being built by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, thanks to a $425,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Literacy Council to host volunteer tutor orientation March 26 at Clark County Library
Volunteer tutors support adults working to strengthen reading, writing, math, English language skills, and basic computer skills through one-on-one and small-group learning tailored to each learner’s goals
Dispatch Desk: Officer draws gun on fleeing suspect with illegal fender lights
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed Feb. 2-8, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Clark County Arkansas jail bookings: Feb. 2-8, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Freesia: Ouachita presenting student-led theatre production of alumna-written play
The Department of Theatre Arts in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts will present “Freesia,” a student-led MUSE project, from Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 12-15, 2026, in Verser Theatre
Arkansas Advocate: AG accuses former prison board lawyer of attempting to ‘rewrite history’
Attorney General Tim Griffin and the Board of Corrections’ former attorney are clashing once again — this time over whether Griffin’s office agreed to delay a court hearing in 2023 to allow the attorney to attend the unexpected birth of his child
Henderson music department announces spring performance schedule
Events range from ensemble performances to faculty recitals. All are free and open to the public.
Stateline: With electricity bills rising, some states consider new data center laws
As Americans grow increasingly frustrated over their electricity bills, states are trying to keep the nation’s growing number of data centers from causing higher energy costs for consumers
Arkadelphia area students make A-State Chancellor’s and Dean’s lists
Students on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists for the fall 2025 semester at Arkansas State University have been announced
Registered Democrats can’t vote this time in GOP primary
This year’s open primary elections in Arkansas will be a little more closed, but only to Democrats seeking to vote in the Republican primary
With U.S. herd at lowest level in 75 years, could cattle cycle be ready to change?
After a multi-year slide to its lowest level in 75 years, the number of cattle in the United States may finally be poised for an upturn
Stateline: Immigration detention passed 70,000 in January
Despite the high-profile U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota, ICE arrests were down slightly in January compared to December, according to new data
SAU announces local students make Dean’s, President’s List
Southern Arkansas University has announced its Dean’s List and President’s List for the fall 2025 semester
Give old decoys new life with AGFC
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking all hunters to consider donating the faded, shot-up or otherwise mistreated duck and goose lures to its decoy adoption program, saving some landfill space while inspiring the next generation of conservationists
Loe twins double up at DeGray Lake with Arkansas Legacy Lunker program
It took a little longer than Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries biologists predicted, but DeGray Lake turned in its first entry into the Legacy Lunker books, quickly followed by its second
Local scholars make President’s, Dean’s lists at UALR
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the list of students who have been named to the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester
Study: Insect manure boosts soil health, reduces crop damage
In addition to poultry feed, insects are grown as feed for fish, emerging markets in swine and pet food, as well as human food in energy bars
Area students make ATU President’s, Dean’s lists
Arkansas Tech University has announced its President’s List and Dean’s List for undergraduate students on its Russellville campus for the fall 2025 semester
OBU alumni return for Black History Month luncheon, reflect on Ouachita history
Ouachita Baptist University’s Multicultural Student Programs brought together generations of African American alumni during a Soul Food Luncheon and Alumni Spotlight on Monday, Feb. 2, sharing a narrative of progress, perseverance and community
Arkansas cattle industry suffers more than $24M loss from winter storm damage
The heavy winter storm that brought snow, sleet and sub-freezing temperatures to Arkansas and surrounding states resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses to farmers across the state
Wrecks in South Arkansas counties leave 2 dead
Collisions in two South Arkansas counties left two people dead in recent days