Arkansas’ 3,000-bed prison site is on hold. What are the other options?
A look at the scenarios for expanding prison space now that the Franklin County project’s in doubt
Commentary: Watch your (special) language: Arkansas lawmakers need to rein in strings attached to budget bills
Known in legislative jargon as “special language,” the strings lawmakers attach to budget bills used to be a dirty little secret of the Arkansas Legislature. They were a way to sneak major policy changes in without the public noticing.
Dispatch Desk: Fist fights lead to arrests and citations at Feaster Park, Family Dollar
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed April 20-26, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Could glass be dethroned as wine’s top packaging? Researchers unbox consumer packaging perceptions
With nearly 400 years under its cork, glass is still the top choice for consumers when it comes to packaging preferences for wine, but sustainability concerns may open the way to other container types, a study by food science and economics researchers has found
Sheriff warns of ill-intent roofers in aftermath of Amity area hail storm
Law enforcement is urging Amity area residents to be wary of door-to-door “contractors” who could be taking advantage of homeowners in the aftermath of a weekend hail storm that damaged scads of rooftops in northern portions of the county
Arkansas Advocate: State panel OKs proposal aimed at assisting newly formed smaller school districts
Arkansas lawmakers this week gave initial approval to a measure aimed at assisting several newly formed smaller school districts, and rejected an effort to increase funding for an early childhood education program
Growers turn to irrigation as drought deepens, but forecast rain can help
The last time Arkansas was drought-free was the week of July 22, 2025
Retired teachers hear from child safety center
Clark County Retired Teachers heard from Tiffany Barnes, development coordinator of the Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center, in their April meeting
Anti-litter campaign seeks to make Natural State more natural
Drivers on Arkansas’ roadways are passing the word “Natural?” written with five-foot-tall metal letters and wire mesh and crammed with something very unnatural – manmade litter
HSU College of Business inducts Steve Ratcliff into Hall of Fame
Steve Ratcliff, a Henderson State University alumnus and native of Malvern, became the newest member of the College of Business Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony April 16
Arkansas Advocate: Senate gives OK to take up 3 non-budget issues
The Senate voted 34-0 to allow Magnolia Republican Sen. Steve Crowell to introduce his proposal increasing the homestead tax credit to $675. An Arkansas House committee approved an identical bill last week.
Arkansas Advocate: Attorney general certifies hemp regulating law
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Wednesday formally cleared the way for the state to enforce a law regulating hemp-derived products following the conclusion of litigation challenging an earlier state measure banning the sale of these products
Arkansas Advocate: Low reimbursement rates force hospitals to scale back services
Hospitals in Jacksonville, Fort Smith and Camden have all cut services since January
New project ‘floats’ idea of solar panels on irrigation reservoirs
Electricity and water don’t usually mix, but technological advancements in floating solar arrays open the potential to generate electricity while decreasing impacts on farm irrigation reservoirs and agricultural land
Founder of Zambian university to visit, lead sermon in Arkadelphia this Sunday
Dr. Moffat Zimba, chancellor of Northrise University, will visit Arkadelphia on April 26-27, 2026. Northrise University was the first private Christian university to be accredited in Ndola, Zambia.
AGFC adjusts fishing and hunting regulations, sets waterfowl season dates
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at Thursday’s meeting at the University of Arkansas at Monticello unanimously approved a regulations package incorporating more than 200 changes to the AGFC Code of Regulations
Clark County Jail Bookings: April 13-19, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Felony Friday: Man accused of setting mobile home fire, attempting second blaze in woods
This is a roundup of felony charges filed April 1 through April 15, 2026, by the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office
Henderson State Wind Ensemble to perform at Malvern High School and Showband reunion
Henderson State University’s Wind Ensemble will present two concerts in April that are free and open to the public
History Minute: The many, many achievements of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was one of 17 children
Arkansas Advocate: Homestead tax credit proposal advances, Sharia Law resolution fails in committee
The credit was $375 when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took office in 2023, and lawmakers have approved multiple increases that have raised the amount to $600
Thirsty Arkansas strawberry crop gets off to early start
Arkansas’ strawberry crop is not only looking good, but is also running a little early this year
State police warn of scam calls impersonating Internet Crimes Against Children agents
Several Arkansas residents have reported receiving calls from individuals identifying themselves as “Officer Jackson” with ICAC and demanding a return call regarding an alleged investigation
AGFC: Youth turkey hunt success continues 8-year climb
The increase was likely due to a combination of factors, including excellent weather during the hunt, a few strong years of reproduction and an increase in the number of adult gobblers on the landscape
National Day of Prayer to be observed locally May 7
The event will take place at Third Street Baptist Church
Cinco de Mayo taking center stage in Arkadelphia on May 5
The celebration will feature live music from Los MX, a variety of authentic taco trucks, and a Kids Zone — complete with a Ferris wheel, bounce houses, temporary tattoos, and a piñata zone
Project Pulse community information meeting set for May 4
A Community Information Meeting regarding Project Pulse is planned for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Clark County Training Center in the Industrial Park, 35 McClellan Blvd, Arkadelphia
Real Estate: Amity brewpub changes ownership
Clark County real estate transactions recorded April 2-23, 2026, having a value of $100,000 or greater
Shane Broadway named interim chancellor at ASU Three Rivers
Broadway joined the ASU System in January 2015 after serving as director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education under Gov. Mike Beebe and Gov. Asa Hutchinson for four years
Tiger Serve Day unites multiple generations in service
While students and residents anticipate Tiger Serve Day each semester, this one was special for longtime director Judy Duvall