Good morning, Jonesboro.

Downtown Jonesboro will host the seventh annual JoyFest on Dec 6 from 3 to 11 p.m. at Union Street Park with free holiday entertainment and activities for all ages.

The event will feature live acts including a new community choir accepting participants, festive rides, shopping, ice skating and the RightFiber Christmas Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Arvest Bank named Matt Machen its new chief executive officer after Kevin Sabin retired on November 1.

Machen will also serve as president and board member while Sabin remains chairman — the bank said in a news release from Chairman Jim Walton praising the leadership change.

Reese Worthington was crowned Miss A-State 2026 in Riceland Hall on Wednesday night during the 51st annual competition presented by Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.

The freshman accounting major from Bonne Terre, Mo. received a $5,000 scholarship along with additional prizes while runners-up earned scholarships.

Arkansas State University announced today the Carvell Family Endowed Scholarship (a $25,000 fund) to support full-time first-generation college students with financial need on campus.

The scholarship honors late professor Richard Carvell and requires a minimum 2.5 GPA for eligibility as selections will be made by the university’s Scholarship Committee.

On November 6, school and law enforcement leaders met at the Chamber of Commerce to review safety plans for kids, focusing on new security officers and mental health support—hoping other districts will use these ideas.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver and Superintendent Misty Doyle emphasized that working together is key to safe schools.

Nettleton High School EAST hosted its Unified by Service Veterans Day luncheon and program on Thursday at St. Bernards Auditorium in Jonesboro to honor local military personnel and retirees (including the legacy of Richard Allen Carvell).

Ed Watson, a veteran drafted in 1966, said the tribute renewed his hope for America's future.

Arvest Bank recently awarded six local teachers $500 each for classroom supplies—including two Jonesboro Public Schools educators—as part of its annual We Love Teachers initiative that has now supported 137 teachers across four states.

The program began in 2016 to help ease supply costs and saw selections made by school officials based on classroom needs.

Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will host a Veterans Day Lunch on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to honor veterans in the Red Wolf community—organizers invite the public to join the tribute with stories and remembrances linked to students, faculty and staff.

Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield said it will work with Cambia Health Solutions to share technology and manage operations to lower costs and bring new ideas — a plan that will form a joint leadership team and let both groups run independently — while they wait for approval in 2026. The change will let the insurer keep current coverage — giving over 1.9 million members steady care — and help the group grow.

On Nov. 6th, K8 Sports released its Athletes of the Month feature for October—highlighting top performers such as national leaders Raynor and Cobb and noting planned improvements for teams like the Red Wolves.

The update also covers Friday night football results, an 8–1 start for Mountain Home, and new home fields for cross-county baseball and softball teams.

Hytrol Industrial Park 5K/10K

9 a.m. — Hytrol — Registration fee — Support local health initiatives while enjoying a scenic run/walk in Jonesboro.

Paving the Promise 5K

3 PM — 1601 James St, Jonesboro, AR — Entry fee applies — Participate in a charity run benefiting local women's recovery programs.