Letter to the Editor: Microschools Can Work Wonders
I write as a parent concerned by the proposed Education Rights Amendment and its likely catastrophic effects on microschooling in Arkansas
Arkansas Advocate: Data center moratorium in Arkansas’ most populous county didn’t pass, review finds
A yearlong pause on new data centers in Arkansas’ most populous county won’t take effect after the county’s clerk said she miscounted the number of votes in favor of the moratorium
Arkansas State Police: Fire fatalities rise sharply in 2026
The state is experiencing a troubling rise in fire-related deaths this year
Politicians choosing their voters
Which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives after the November elections? It becomes harder to predict each time a state redraws its congressional district map.
Updated: Felony Friday: Felon goes on stealing spree after self-inflicted gunshot
This is a roundup of felony charges filed May 1-15, 2026, by the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office
Clark County Jail Bookings: May 18-25, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Commentary: Arkansas’ data center fights boil down to trust and transparency
Secrecy may be standard operating procedure when it comes to economic development. But it makes for bad politics and potentially even worse policy, as the fight over data centers in Arkansas makes abundantly clear.
Extension financial expert offers tips for parents to find summer jobs for teens
For parents looking to help their teenager secure a summer job, an extension financial expert has tips for choosing the right kind of job, smart ways to search and tips for saving money wisely
ASU System names Todd Shields as president
The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees today in a special meeting selected Dr. Todd Shields, chancellor of Arkansas State University since 2022, to become the fourth president of the ASU System effective July 1
2 from Clark County elected to leadership roles at Arkansas Boys State
Two high school juniors from Clark County were elected to leadership positions while attending Arkansas Boys State in 2026
Dispatch Desk: Man says his identify used to obtain student loan
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed May 18-25, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Arkadelphia educators recipients of scholarships from retired teachers group
Clark County Retired Teachers awarded two scholarships to active teachers
AHS ag teacher talks FFA to retired educators
Clark County Retired Teachers heard from Robert “Sammy” Cox, the Arkadelphia High School Agri Teacher
Arkansas Advocate: Understanding the data center boom and debate
Hailed by officials and economic developers as a boon to the state, data center projects heading to Arkansas are facing increasing scrutiny and calls for local regulations
Local HSU students make Chancellor’s List, Honor Roll
Henderson State University has announced the students listed on the Chancellor’s List and Honor Roll for the Spring 2026 Semester
Commentary: WIC food aid is a lifeline for Arkansas families like mine. Let’s keep it strong.
Since 2014, I’ve been a mom to more than 20 kids. Yes, you read that correctly.
Recent OBU grad wins NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete award
The Elite Scholar-Athlete award recognizes the true essence of student-athletes by honoring the individuals who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers
The science of barbecuing: grilling, smoking and beyond
“Barbecue,” as anyone in the South can tell you, is a loaded word
Arkansas Advocate: State to receive $3.9M from settlement with Family Dollar over rat-infested warehouse
Arkansas will receive $3.9 million from Family Dollar Stores to settle a lawsuit filed over a rodent-infested distribution center and the sale of consumer products from that facility
Boredom leads to state record skipjack for Ozark teen
The previous record skipjack was caught two months earlier in Russellville
Arkadelphia native Camille Tedder earns medical degree
An Arkadelphia native who earned her undergraduate degree at Southern Arkansas University will be among the Class of 2026 graduates who receive their medical degrees from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State on Friday, May 22
Drought has Arkansas ranchers playing a waiting game
While early May rain has helped some, Arkansas was still firmly in drought’s grip
Goza student hospitalized after accident in commuter lane
A Goza Middle School student was hurt Tuesday morning in the student drop-off lane of the campus parking lot
Local students make President’s, Dean’s lists at Ouachita
The following local students were named to the President’s and/or Dean’s List at Ouachita Baptist University for the Spring 2026 semester
AGFC dedicates first water trail in northwest Arkansas
In addition to being the first Arkansas Water Trail in this corner of the state, the Upper Illinois River Water Trail is the first in the AGFC’s list to span two states
Arkadelphia’s Ravi Sun among 1,200 UAMS graduates
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently held commencement ceremonies to recognize 1,237 students who earned degrees or certificates from the university’s five colleges and graduate school
Extension financial expert shares tips to navigate high gas prices
The average price of regular unleaded gas in Arkansas was $4.076 per gallon as of May 15. That’s up 44% from a year ago when gas prices averaged $2.818 a gallon.
Brookshire’s kicks off ‘Compassion in Action’ food drive
Contributions will directly benefit local organizations, helping ensure families in need have access to food when it’s needed most
Arkansas Advocate: Ballot measure groups remain optimistic ahead of petition deadline
3 constitutional amendment proposals need thousands of signatures by July 3
Dispatch Desk: Shoplifters strike same spot twice
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed May 11-17, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
8 Clark County nonprofits gifted nearly $400,000 from Frances Russell estate
The late Frances Yvonne Russell continues to make an impact on Clark County with a significant gift to improve the lives of those in her community
Amity’s MacKinzie Massey named to ULM’s Spring 2026 President’s List
MacKinzie Massey, a Kinesiology major from Amity, was named to the University of Louisiana Monroe’s Spring 2026 President’s List
AGFC: Arkansas turkey hunters post highest harvest in 20 years
Although this is the highest harvest since 2006, Arkansas’s record turkey harvest was in 2003, when hunters checked 19,947 birds
Deadline to vote in Best of the Best contest is May 31
Each May, arkadelphian.com’s readers are treated to a month-long chance to cast their vote for a variety of their favorite local restaurants, businesses and more
Arkansas Advocate: Panel adopts rules for law aiding formerly consolidated school districts
The Arkansas State Board of Education approved Thursday an emergency rule to implement new legislation governing the creation of newly formed smaller school districts
The Class of ’26 and the Class of ’87
The Class of ’26 had a different school experience than my Class of ’87
History Minute: The soda wars of Arkansas
While many companies set up operations across Arkansas, one of the most famous Arkansas brands was Grapette, founded by Benjamin Tyndle Fooks
New A-State System scholarship targets nontraditional students in Arkansas
Scholarship funds are available for use at any ASU System institution, including Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, ASU-Beebe, ASU-Mountain Home, ASU-Newport, ASU Mid-South in West Memphis and ASU Three Rivers in Malvern
Local scholars earn top honors at SNHU
The following Clark County students were named to the SNHU President’s List
Felony Friday: 20 counts of child porn for Arkadelphia man
This is a roundup of felony charges filed May 15-29, 2026, by the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office
Arkansas Advocate: Driver’s licenses and state IDs now available in Apple Wallet
Arkansans can now present their driver’s licenses and state identification cards on mobile devices using Apple Wallet, state finance officials announced Wednesday
Farmers face choice: Plant again or take prevented planting?
Rice growers unable to finish their initial planting are weighing whether to try again, plant soybeans, or take a prevented planting payment
AG: Scammers targeting Arkansans with forged tax notices
Arkansans have reported receiving scam letters that look like official government tax notices
Mary McBeth
Mary partnered closely with her lifelong love, Francis McBeth, throughout his distinguished musical career, helping him transform handwritten compositions into works of art
MagnoliaReporter.com: Smackover Lithium awards key construction contract for South West Arkansas Project
Smackover Lithium has entered into an engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (“EPCC”) agreement with S&B Engineers and Constructors for the Central Processing Facility of its South West Arkansas Project