Good morning, Jonesboro.

Yesterday, thousands filled downtown for the Barbecue and Music Festival where 26 teams in the Arkansas State Championship Barbecue Contest competed for $13,500 in prizes—drawing top pitmasters and food fans while vendors sold their wares.

The festival is sponsored by the City of Jonesboro and the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Jimmy Franklin was named president of the Jonesboro Kiwanis Club on September 28th during the annual awards banquet at The Parsonage—marking his third one-year term after previous service from 2010 to 2012.

Matuschka Lindo Briggs, the senior vice president at the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, said the bank inspects financial institutions to keep the system safe and uses local data to help set policy.

She noted that Arkansas sectors like forestry, poultry and durable goods manufacturing may grow while wholesale trade and construction decline.

A Jonesboro mother is raising funds to purchase a Caring Cradle that gives grieving parents extra time with their baby before burial — she says the device helps families create memories during their loss.

On September 27, 2025, Arkansas State lost a 28—16 football game at Malone Stadium against ULM as quarterback Jaylen Raynor threw 29 passes for 288 yards—ULM scored early with an interception returned for a touchdown that gave them the lead.

Arkansas State will return to Jonesboro on October 4 to face Texas State at Centennial Bank Stadium at 3:00 p.m.

University of Arkansas fired head coach Sam Pittman after a Saturday loss to Notre Dame and named Bobby Petrino as interim head coach—Petrino, who coached from 2008 to 11, now leads the team as it prepares to play Tennessee on Oct.

11. The school will soon start its national search for a permanent coach.

The Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex hosted the ATA Tournament on September 28th where trapshooters competed — winners including Aiden Geisler and Piper Smith were posted on the Complex’s Facebook page.

Sam Pittman was fired as Arkansas head football coach after the Razorbacks lost to Notre Dame, and Bobby Petrino will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season — the team will prepare for their upcoming game at Tennessee on October 11.

Tobymac & Mercyme Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — First National Bank Arena — Ticket information available — Experience the dynamic sounds of TobyMac and MercyMe at a night of inspiring music.

A-State Red Wolves Volleyball vs Southern Miss

12:00 – 2:30 p.m. — Arkansas State University Gym — Tickets available — Watch the A-State Red Wolves take on Southern Miss in an exciting volleyball match.

Rocktober Fest with Scotty Austin

1-4:30 p.m. — Brickhouse Bar & Grill — Tickets TBA — Experience a high-energy night of rock music and entertainment headlined by Scotty Austin.