Good morning, Jonesboro.

Crews are advancing on the First Community Bank Sportsplex with new basketball goals, volleyball nets, and natatorium painting nearly done as concrete pours on the entrance area (nicknamed 'the pie') on Race Street while 20 event weekends have been booked and opening is planned for Q1 2027.

Jonesboro Elks Lodge 498 held its annual Law and Order Breakfast on Friday to honor law enforcement + first responders by providing free breakfast to local safety officers.

Community members also supported the event with a ten-dollar donation, continuing a 20-year tradition of appreciation.

Arkansas’ jobless rate dipped to 3.9% in August as record employment and back-to-school hiring boosted numbers statewide, according to the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state added 22,140 employed residents over the past year (vs. August 2025).

Arkansas State University launched its first College of Veterinary Medicine class at the Jonesboro campus.

Katie Kasserman and her classmates will study locally and later help serve communities in Arkansas—fulfilling a dream to train without leaving home.

Arkansas released its 2025-26 school district letter grades.

In Craighead County, Jonesboro and Westside earned a B while Valley View received an A and Nettleton a D, with grades based on state measures of achievement, growth, and readiness.

Local educator Ashton Haywood, who champions the Nettleton Public Schools Backpack Program, won the Mrs. Congeniality America title in Las Vegas and received downtown support, while donations of essential items continue to aid students in Northeast Arkansas (a true community effort).

After a summer of extreme heat and low rainfall, local gardeners are urged to shift focus to fall plantings and better water management to protect trees and blooms.

Garden centers now offer transplants and vegetables while experts advise timed care (tips from local horticulture specialists).

Record-breaking heat + persistent drought keep Jonesboro in summer mode today as temperatures top 100 degrees through the weekend, while fall officially begins Tuesday and cooler air is expected early next week.

Arkansas is part of a $694 million multistate settlement that charges Credit Acceptance Corporation with risky auto lending, with the state set to receive $660,000 and new consumer protections; the deal will take effect November 2.

Free flu vaccine clinics will be hosted by the Arkansas Department of Health next week across the state + residents should bring their insurance cards as no appointments are needed, with both community and school options available.

Arkansas State men's basketball head coach Ryan Pannone announced Thursday that former NBA champion Corey Brewer joined the Red Wolves as an assistant coach in Jonesboro (bringing six seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans and a strong winning pedigree).

After a tough loss to Utah, coach Ryan Silverfield said his team will stick to the process and work to improve ahead of today’s 11 a.m. game against No. 2 Georgia at Razorback Stadium, despite fan frustration.