Good morning, Jonesboro.

More than 50 Jonesboro Angel Tree children still need sponsors before Christmas.

Community members can visit the Salvation Army on Cate Avenue (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays) to pick up a tag and sponsor a child.

NEA Baptist will host its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, November 23 at 5 p.m. at the hospital & invite community members to join the festive event.

Santa’s Cabin Experience will launch at the Christmas Tree Plantation in Jonesboro from Dec.

18 to Dec. 24, offering fun holiday photos with cheerful elves and a private session with Santa Steve—while a portion of each booking supports foster children in Poinsett and Craighead counties. Photography packages cost $400 with a $200 deposit.

Delivery orders for the Community Thanksgiving Meal at St. Bernards auditorium have reached capacity a week before the event.

Daniel Bell said the meal will serve 2,300 people—with 500 at the auditorium and 1,800 delivered—and volunteers are needed on November 27 (9:30 a.m.) to help deliver the meals.

United Way of Northeast Arkansas will host its Week of Warmth from Dec.

1 to 6 to help local businesses give a percentage of sales and collect warming items to aid those in need—event plans include contributions from the Blue Team and a final drop-off at JoyFest on Dec. 6. Local restaurants and cafes such as Sue’s Kitchen Express and Lost Pizza Co. will join in raising funds for community support.

At the Christmas Tree Plantation in Jonesboro, trees are a foot taller and fuller this season than last year as owner Brett Lamberson said a switch to a four year rotation has helped the trees grow better — he said improved drainage kept them safe from past flooding.

Many local families continue to enjoy cutting real trees as part of their holiday tradition.

Founded in Jonesboro in 1885, E.C.

Barton & Company celebrates 140 years as an employee-owned retail leader in home improvement; the company now operates multiple brands and was recently named a Best Places to Work recipient. It is expanding with several new Home Outlet stores opening this year and additional sites planned in early 2026 — its legacy of service and resilience continues to fuel future growth.

Dr. Lori Neuman-Lee at A-State got a $605,140 grant from IMLS to study zoo reptiles and build a national database — the project will give students more research work and help protect wildlife.

She will work with nine zoos across the country to take data from over 100 reptile species and plan future studies.

Temple Grandin spoke at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro on Thursday in front of over 300 students and community members to explain that people who think in pictures have special skills in animal science—she urged schools to offer more hands-on lessons and signed copies of her new book.

Arkansas State University College of Agriculture and Riceland Foods launched the first group of Riceland Scholars, giving both undergraduate and graduate students a chance to design project ideas and work with faculty mentors at a world-class facility.

The program joins teams from agriculture, engineering and business and will hold a site tour of the Jonesboro Riceland Plant later this semester—an event that will provide real-world experience.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Arkansas farmers will not pay taxes on USDA disaster payments (which help with crop and livestock losses) so that millions of dollars remain with farmers.

State officials say the move keeps relief funds directly with those in need.

Arkansas State lost to undefeated Saint Mary’s 85—72 on Wednesday night in Moraga, California after Saint Mary’s erased a first-half lead with a late surge.

The team will play SMU today as they work to bounce back.

Santa Shuffle

6:30 PM — Joe Mack Campbell Park — Free entry — Enjoy a festive stroll through Jonesboro in holiday spirit.

23rd Annual Duck Classic

7 p.m. — First National Bank Arena — Ticketed event — Celebrate with a charity banquet followed by a fun-filled duck hunting experience for a great cause.