Good morning, Jonesboro.

U.S. flags will be displayed next Monday at various Jonesboro businesses and offices for Labor Day, as the University Heights Lions Club organizes its longstanding service project — the club supplies flags, poles, and brackets for a $50 annual fee.

Ahead of Labor Day weekend, AAA reports that gas prices in Jonesboro have hit record highs at about $3.79 per gallon, while drivers in Poinsett County pay roughly $3.91 per gallon—a rise of +15 cents over the last week.

Truck drivers here are facing high diesel prices today as Arkansas rates hit $5.50 per gallon, causing shrinking profits for independent operators.

Both veteran and new owner-operators warn that without higher freight rates, family-run fleets may struggle to keep running.

An Arkansas State professor said AI may make landing first jobs tougher + boost productivity for skilled workers.

He noted that updated curricula now include applied AI to help students master new technology.

A-State will offer the course Influenced: The Rhetoric of Scams and Schemes this fall to examine the language used in deceptive communication; Dr. Sarah Scott and graduate student Kate Ford provided details to KASU about the class.

The Arkansas State University Alumni Association will honor three distinguished graduates — Dr. Timothy D.

Langford, Phillip T. Poston, and Dr. Billy Don Tiner — during Homecoming weekend at halftime of the Red Wolves football game on Saturday, Oct. 24 against Georgia State.

Arkansas State University recorded its sixth record-breaking semester as fall enrollment jumped 4.7% to 17,000 students — with dorms nearly full and a freshman class of 2,000, making the school the No. 3 top college in the state.

Valley View eSports at the local junior high holds practices Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 where 51 students play games including League of Legends, Rocket League, and Marvel Rivals under coach Chris Jennings (who values teamwork and communication).

Arkansas State University System reported a 6.8% rise in preliminary fall enrollment today, with record numbers at its campuses (including 1,576 freshmen living on campus in Jonesboro) and robust gains at Henderson State and two-year colleges statewide.

Bagworms, invasive insects that look like pinecones, are slowly eating local evergreens and shrubs and can kill the plants if left unchecked (experts advise early pesticide treatment in May or June).

Jonesboro was named the Arkansas Recycling Coalition’s 2026 Government Recycler of the Year on Sept.

1 in Hot Springs — the city expanded recycling efforts, including new glass recycling and more frequent neighborhood cleanups, to lower landfill waste and save taxpayer dollars, Mayor Harold Copenhaver said.

The Arkansas State Golf Association and PGA TOUR champion Austin Cook will host the 2nd Annual Austin Cook Junior Championship at Ridgepointe Country Club from Sept.

5–6. The 36 hole stroke-play event for boys and girls ages 14–18 includes practice rounds on Sept. 4 and a town hall with Cook.

Arkansas State and Memphis renew their long football rivalry today at the newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis.

The Red Wolves open the season on the road as four competing quarterbacks face a Tigers team coming off a recent win.

Arkansas State volleyball won two matches in Ohio on Friday.

The team continues its strong season start with wins that set a positive tone for upcoming contests.