Federal judge strikes down Arkansas laws restricting ballot initiative process

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra announces new associate conductor

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1cdda8a/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1365x1092+0+0/resize/660x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F18%2Ff6%2Fa1cc5a9f40f59732dd06fed89003%2Fpavon-headshot.jpeg](Arkansas Symphony Orchestra / Courtesy photo ) The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra recently announced its new associate conductor. Northwest Arkansas native Matthew Pavon starts August 1 as ASO’s associate conductor, and conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra. Little Rock Public Radio’s Paige Murphy sat down with Pavon to talk about his passion for music as a child and his aspirations for the symphony. Listen to their conversation above.

Daily Newscast for Wednesday, July 8, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec71a3e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1485x1485+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F58%2F541e6e6741a9bf41936eb513de74%2Fnewscast-square.png] Here's the latest local and regional news from the Little Rock Public Radio Newsroom for Wednesday, July 8, 2026. - On Tuesday, Arkansas was given a Returning Education to the States Waiver - Centene, a major insurer, is set to exit Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program - Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones says three Arkansas State Park Rangers were justified in a May fatal shooting - The 30 Crossing Park project will receive $30 million dollars from the Bezos Earth Fund, a philanthropic organization headed by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - A bust of Maurice "Footsie" Britt was unveiled at the Arkansas State Capitol on Tuesday - Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Steve Kueter to a seven-year term on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Listen to live newscasts from Little Rock Public Radio each weekday during NPR's Morning Edition from 6 to 9 a.m., during All Things Considered from 4 to 6 p.m., and online at littlerockpublicradio.org.

Daily Newscast for Tuesday, July 7, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec71a3e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1485x1485+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F58%2F541e6e6741a9bf41936eb513de74%2Fnewscast-square.png] Here's the latest local and regional news from the Little Rock Public Radio Newsroom for Tuesday, July 7, 2026. - The mayor of Pine Bluff is releasing new details about a death at the city’s aquatic center - A federal judge has dismissed parts of a lawsuit over the killing of Little Rock’s former airport director by federal agents - Arkansas has one of the nation's highest rates of cesarean births among low-risk pregnancies - An Arkansas native killed in action during the Vietnam War could soon be returning home - A Central Arkansas tree removal firm remains entangled in a legal battle, even after being cleared of price-gouging claims levied by state regulators - Central Arkansas Water says two data centers in its service area would not negatively impact customers - The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is expected to receive an insurance payout to help pay for fixing damage from a flood last year - The number of international students has dropped at three Arkansas universities Listen to live newscasts from Little Rock Public Radio each weekday during NPR's Morning Edition from 6 to 9 a.m., during All Things Considered from 4 to 6 p.m., and online at littlerockpublicradio.org.

Daily Newscast for Monday, July 6, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec71a3e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1485x1485+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F58%2F541e6e6741a9bf41936eb513de74%2Fnewscast-square.png] Here's the latest local and regional news from the Little Rock Public Radio Newsroom for Monday, July 6, 2026. - One grassroots group, Protect AR Rights, claimed they met the signature collection deadline for a ballot amendment - The ACHI says residents of rural Arkansas counties are living with fewer and fewer healthcare providers - The homicide rate in Pulaski County is 50% lower in the first half of this year, compared to 2025 - Pulaski County utilized millions of dollars in rescue plan funding that it can’t fully account for - The city of North Little Rock has canceled Monday's introduction of new police chief Hayward Finks, citing a personal family matter Listen to live newscasts from Little Rock Public Radio each weekday during NPR's Morning Edition from 6 to 9 a.m., during All Things Considered from 4 to 6 p.m., and online at littlerockpublicradio.org.

Daily Newscast for Friday, July 3, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1070cc5/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1920x1080+0+0/resize/792x446!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff6%2F87%2F699be6ba461ea80dcad55054f02d%2F4.png] Here's the latest local and regional news from the Little Rock Public Radio Newsroom for Friday, July 3, 2026. -Arkansas posts its fifth-largest budget surplus -Little Rock city officials are set to consider a new proposed moratorium on new data center projects -A Republican candidate wins his primary to fill a vacancy in the Arkansas Legislature -UA Little Rock gears up to celebrate its centennial Listen to live newscasts from Little Rock Public Radio each weekday during NPR's Morning Edition from 6 to 9 a.m., during All Things Considered from 4 to 6 p.m., and online at littlerockpublicradio.org.