Good morning, Jonesboro.

Yum! Brands is selling Pizza Hut to LongRange Capital for $1.5B, affecting the chain’s two Jonesboro locations (the deal excludes the China business).

Jonesboro-based Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications announced they are merging into Rightfiber.

The new company will serve over 400 communities and operate 28,000 miles of fiber while ensuring customers receive uninterrupted service.

Tickets are on sale for Foundation of Arts’ production Something Rotten! at Forum Theater beginning Saturday, June 20 at 7 p.m. and running through Sunday, June 28.

The play entertains audiences with a reimagined take on playwrights challenging Shakespeare (featuring singing, dancing, and acting).

Amanda Cook Band will perform at Bluegrass Monday on Monday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Collins Theatre in Paragould.

A bluegrass jam session begins at 5:00 p.m. nearby and tickets cost $10 with free admission for those 18 and under.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission approved a $2.6 billion natural gas plant in Newark to replace a coal facility near the Independence Steam Electric Station, with AECC and four cities covering the costs; construction will finish in 2030.

Governor Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced that local nonprofits and the city may apply for up to $1.5M from a $10M grant program + applications open July 1 and close Aug.

15 and require a 20% match.

The Arkansas National Guard announced that Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 cargo aircraft from the 77th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade will fly over Northeast Arkansas starting June 29, with a flyover in Jonesboro on July 1 ahead of Independence Day.

Today the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce appointed Lake Charles State Park Superintendent Kendra Harris to its Board of Directors, replacing Taylor Heinen who resigned after her promotion to Regions Bank branch manager in Jonesboro.

Harris will serve until Dec. 31, 2027.

K-POP Warriors Live Show

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Fowler Center — Family-friendly fun — Experience high-energy music and colorful characters in an exciting K-Pop inspired live show.

Jonesboro Independence Day Fireworks

9:30 p.m. — Joe Mack Campbell Park — Free entry — Celebrate Independence Day with a dazzling fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music.