Good morning, Jonesboro.

The Salvation Army of Jonesboro is accepting online applications for its 2026 Angel Tree Christmas Program to help eligible families in eight Northeast Arkansas counties receive gifts for children and seniors.

Selected applicants will be notified by email by Oct. 1, with gift distribution planned for Dec. 15.

Jonesboro's Board of Zoning Adjustments approved three variance requests on Tuesday for a new Chick-fil-A restaurant on Southern Creek Lane.

The move lets the fast-food chain build two entrances & one exit with an isolated drive-thru to handle expected heavy traffic.

International student Yijia Pan, president of the Chinese Student Organization at A-State, said students will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in September by gathering to eat mooncakes, display lanterns, and admire the full moon in a cherished tradition.

The Anheuser-Busch Foundation awarded $140,000 to support rice research at Arkansas universities today.

The University of Arkansas received $130,000 for studying rice quality and crop management while Arkansas State University’s Rice Program got $10,000 to boost production.

The Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University has opened applications for the Northeast Arkansas Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy, a year-long program for professionals 21 and older.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 13 + participants will start sessions in January.

Most of Arkansas stays under a burn ban as Jonesboro Fire Chief Marty Hamrick warns that routine activities like outdoor cooking, lawn work, and dragging trailer chains may spark fires in dry roadside grass.

Residents are urged to adjust practices during the drought.

Arkansas will expand in-home supportive services for families on the CES waiver waitlist, aiming to begin by January 2027.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and state officials expect the $17 million expansion to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities remain at home + address current service gaps.

On Sept. 29, the Craighead County Health Unit will offer free flu vaccinations at 611 E.

Washington Ave. Suite B in Jonesboro from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Residents should bring their insurance cards (those without insurance will still receive the vaccine at no charge).

NYITCOM at A-State received a $1.5 million grant from the rural health transformation program to expand maternal care and fund a second mobile health unit — addressing preventable deaths — and is partnering with Poinsette and Mississippi counties to introduce residency programs, birthing services and telehealth.

Arkansas State sports updates show Robert Stevens III earning Defensive Player of the Week; the football team beat West Georgia 52-7, the volleyball squad went 1-2 at the Missouri Invitational, and medalists emerged in men's and women's golf (Jake Lile and Yinyoe Yang) during recent matchups.