Arkansas Advocate: What is the Franklin County prison project?
A 3,000-bed prison plan derided as ‘Arkansas Alcatraz’ and a ‘mega prison’ by critics is getting national attention
UADA researchers track Asian longhorned tick as it spreads to 10 Arkansas counties
The Asian longhorned tick was first confirmed in the United States in 2017 before being found in Arkansas in 2018
Georgia Stockton awarded Oklahoma State University scholarship
A Clark County student was honored by the Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture with academic scholarship support for the 2026-2027 academic year
Bits & Pieces: This Old Town
Imagine if the Clark County Courthouse were the focal point of the city
Sheriff warns of traffic fine scam
Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson is warning citizens of a scam that claims they have unpaid traffic fines
Lawsuit targets SNAP waivers
USDA has the authority to determine what foods are eligible under SNAP, which provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget
Jane Ross exhibit opens April 14
The community is invited to view a Special Collections exhibition and reception featuring selections from the Jane Ross Collection
UPDATE: Community egg hunt moved indoors
The annual Community Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Arkadelphia Youth Sports Complex
Arkansas Advocate: Norris requests recounts in GOP runoff for secretary of state
Bryan Norris announced Thursday he’s requested recounts in multiple Arkansas counties after losing the Republican runoff for secretary of state to Kim Hammer by fewer than 1,000 votes
Severe flooding in 2025 shaped plant disease trends
In 2025, the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic diagnosed more than 1,500 plant samples from 62 of the state’s 75 counties, including an increased number of plants diagnosed with bacterial diseases after the state saw severe flooding last April
Arkansas Advocate: Baptist Health closing Fort Smith hospital’s labor and delivery unit
Baptist Health is closing the labor and delivery unit and ending obstetric care at its Fort Smith hospital, leaving Arkansas with only 31 hospitals where women can give birth in less than a third of the state’s counties
Arkansas Beef Council launches 2026 Best Burger Contest
Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest is a statewide effort to identify and recognize restaurants that exemplify quality in the preparation of 100% beef burgers
Arkansas Advocate: Federal judge blocks law requiring Ten Commandments monument at state Capitol
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Arkansas must remove a Ten Commandments monument from state Capitol grounds, but put her order on hold so officials can appeal the decision
Clark County inmates held in the Arkansas prison system in April 2026
As of April 1, 2026, there were 339 people listed as Clark County inmates by the Arkansas Department of Corrections website
AGFC’s annual turkey report offers insight into 2026 hunting season
Hunters in 2025 harvested 22% more turkeys than the previous year
Arkansas Advocate: Hammer wins Republican nomination for Arkansas secretary of state
Kim Hammer, a state senator who has sponsored several restrictions on Arkansas’ elections and initiative process, has won the Republican nomination for secretary of state
No Second Thoughts: Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)
If you’ve come here today for a good April Fool’s spoof, we’re sorry to disappoint
Advertorial: Team Brown hiring push marks sign of real estate growth in Clark County
As real estate activity continues across Arkadelphia and surrounding areas, one local business is preparing for growth
Trade experts: U.S. shouldn’t fixate on China
The U.S. should widen its focus to Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, experts in international trade said
Northwest Arkansas resident claims $250M Powerball ticket
A jackpot-winning Powerball ticket worth $250.8 million was sold in Arkansas for the March 2 drawing
RESCHEDULED: Community barbecue to benefit victims of apartment fire
Citizens are invited to a community-wide fundraiser barbecue to benefit the 11 families displaced by the March 17 fire that destroyed Valley View Apartments
Clark County Jail Bookings: March 24-29, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Retired teachers group hears from healthy living expert
At its March 2026 meeting, Clark Country Retired Teachers heard from Tommie Rogers, community health nurse specialist
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
Former HSU marketing director joins Arkansas Community Foundation
Tina Hall has joined Arkansas Community Foundation as its chief communications officer—providing leadership for branding, marketing and communications to advance the organization’s philanthropic mission of community development
Arkansas Advocate: How is the state’s public school funding amount set?
While Arkansas lawmakers prepare to debate the rising cost of the state’s school voucher program, the Legislature must also determine the cost of an adequate public education
Farmers, consumers may be riding the egg price waves in the coming months
Egg prices are heading upward from their February dip, but consumers should get used to a price rollercoaster
Clark County under Burn Ban
Clark County Judge Troy Tucker has issued a burn ban for Clark County effective Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Arkansas Advocate: Early voting for primary runoffs starts today. Here’s what to know.
Early voting in several races with primary runoffs starts Tuesday, with voters choosing the Republican nominee for secretary of state, as well as major party primaries for legislative and local seats
Dispatch Desk: Pit bull bite sends Arkadelphia woman to ER
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed March 16-23, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Clark County Arkansas jail bookings: March 16-23, 2026
ailThe following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Arkansas led nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings in 2025
Arkansas led the nation in Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in 2025 and had the largest year-over-year rise, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation
Stateline: The pay gap between women and men widened in 2025, analysis finds
The earnings gap between men and women slightly widened last year, according to a new analysis published Thursday
Will SOS runoff voters care about ‘salty language’?
How important is a candidate’s use of online “salty language”?
Arkansas Advocate: Hammer, Norris headed toward runoff in Republican secretary of state race
Army veteran Bryan Norris and state Sen. Kim Hammer are advancing to a runoff later this month for the Republican nomination for secretary of state
Duck Derby returns to Caddo Valley on April 11
The community is invited to take part in the annual, fun-filled festivities that raise funds for a special cause
Ouachita hosts Special Olympics Arkansas Spring Games
It was the first Special Olympics event hosted on campus since 2019 and the inaugural one held at Ouachita’s new Hickingbotham Family Track & Field
Lynn Neel
Lynn was a 1973 graduate of Arkadelphia High School and attended Henderson State University