Daily Newscast for Monday, July 18, 2026

Daily Newscast for Tuesday, July 21, 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 21, 2026. - Little Rock Police are facing scrutiny after an officer shot and killed a dog over the weekend - A Batesville police officer has been arrested following a pursuit by state police - The state of Arkansas could soon be on the hook for millions of dollars following new changes to SNAP - Arkansas hospitals generated an estimated $19.7 billion in economic impact in 2024, despite financial challenges - A new report finds Northwest Arkansas has more work to do when it comes to strengthening its workforce amid a burgeoning population - Historic Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff is now for sale for $1 million - A judge has ordered a transportation company to pay the city of Little Rock for damage caused in a 2021 barge crash - Officials with the Little Rock Port Authority have endorsed a Native American group’s request to place a parcel of land in trust with the federal government - Dr. Ronald Robertson will serve as dean of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine 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.

As number of Arkansas private and microschools rise, state regulatory powers remain limited

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1bf281c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1200x900+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa8%2Ffd%2Fea10d80b47528f57543cf7bded99%2Fschools-equal-rights-a7243edfd2ccb971ca9949414d1b24803e7df600.png](Lindsay Johnson / NPR) A new story co-published by The Arkansas Times and ProPublica looks into [https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2026/07/15/this-private-school-had-students-scrub-floors-and-attack-a-fellow-classmate-the-state-still-funds-it] a small private school in Jonesboro that was barred from receiving state funds after the former owner was convicted of 11 counts of child abuse for incidents that occurred at the school. Two days later, state officials allowed the school to receive Education Freedom Account funding yet again. Little Rock Public Radio spoke with the Arkansas Times’ Milo Strain, who partnered with ProPublica reporters on the story.

Daily Newscast for Monday, July 18, 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 20, 2026. - The Department of Human Services says nearly 64,000 enrollees of the state’s expanded Medicaid program are not compliant with a new work requirement taking effect beginning in 2027 - A Jonesboro-based security training and crisis preparedness company is partnering with an active shooter suppression service to expand emergency preparedness and active shooter response training - Get Loud Arkansas is hosting its second annual Summer Youth Ambassador Program, bringing together high school and college students to develop leadership skills and encourage civic participation - The University of Arkansas is launching a 3-year study of students utilizing the Education Freedom Accounts program to transfer schools 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 17, 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 Friday, July 17, 2026. - Records show a member of the Pulaski County Quorum Court consulted with an electric utility before drafting an ordinance on large-scale data centers - What is being called the largest solar project with energy storage in the U.S. broke ground this week outside Wilson in Northeast Arkansas - Arkansas health officials say 14 cases of cyclosporiasis have been detected in Arkansas - The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is partnering with the city of Little Rock to install new street signs around campus - The daughter of a well-known Arkansas musician has been ousted from a leadership role at her father’s New York concert venue - The winner of a $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot from Arkansas has been identified 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.

Weekend Entertainment Roundup for July 16, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0ae9fc8/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1760x1056+0+0/resize/792x475!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2Fb3%2F14819c884a02aabc70a7296a8aa5%2Fdownload-42.png]( City of Little Rock) FUN  “Killers of Kill Tony” — comedians  [https://link.mail.arkansaslife.com/ls/click?upn=u001.ijYjwl5zKRjheg4sXPhE6O18ixuNIUhSyxGhrCtHq-2FIlBkk0tyEM4Gb54pDV1CRudaRR-2B-2FvVyjb-2BI5L-2BfwidQkKP-2FhjNCNBjV-2F7mb9j32tc-3DADoY_dgzT5RXlg9hZ30dZ0IrselE99G9gZ661iS9YrSXg73rrVMXnPENpCWs4K8-2Fl9lEYh4Q-2BjZPgqsKmtYxxxcR2ENt5gBNs7andszLzlc0yyU1urpT4eGWfdFIxd42PEsXFxzbE97xeDGF6sR9hqT-2FnqwqXO6QJvcHPf1SEAHSYnsFddLr-2Bkkw3Qajx5vNnZdX6Al1b9qeQUo5lom7t0A6zQAgSndhufZ39Xywd3e8yGCkjbO1TjKAcsidCM1jzpUsPP1luNzVfsD9LRhMmnRA-2FShPVqC4N9C-2Fzv1GHyLx64LiawU5-2BNiTdrFTjz9wuMWvaceS3dMoX7D1CASo-2B2RUQtq-2B97msAkHBevjN8h3Vrg3eerfF08oew8FPckN-2F79rhRD96-2BnNUolS7B-2BUWg1ZAZCjoo7I3Fh19M-2FzFmg-2BZ2tMILuIYAkvsx6fJkrZ74Glyyn37sqzNqRuRkuGV-2BdmajcBViSZwZSvQn3ZdWkqH7QfJtRct-2FHFy8jEqK5Tpn04MrH8cgF3lC6PX6eOPxaBUkkRqT9ymJ5i7zKovTsJGpesS-2F7A73Z3sff6xxP9vKhWT5OSKk0xC9Ks8a9xlEiGVth9cqGSd2RsK32m01AvWh-2F9dluvceE-2B4E2BpUq-2F5H-2B8xv3T5q5WxEFnmDaUYK7p-2FF8-2BT19fXAjn4-2FT8wCr0Uqlz9bTsmOorl7snbjnP3-2FlOSb]David Lucas, Hans Kim, Timmy No Brakes and Martin Phillips from the popular podcast — take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Performance Hall, 426 W. Markham St. at Broadway. Ticketmaster.com. [https://link.mail.arkansaslife.com/ls/click?upn=u001.ijYjwl5zKRjheg4sXPhE6NIIpz6OqWOVDFmdwJcXK8SgKjOw-2BcdTRvUHIBDxkLofgC6sq30yOU7tfz-2FYunX87uyzxB6wjf1tCoSev-2FG7RJFbTzRvFLqkPdxZCO4VdXFh2mzf43LlJsOTwzP-2BWrEfEAdF7BKJ1XWiygWJcB4nGOU16OsCixrB7NUG5up4zoEZxjtt4xPazyegQs5ocR34IMicSGc3y9hl2wB3w9PSa04R4Vy23SiMbmaB0l1jq-2Fw-2FuTm2vXv4lJipY4uNdBnmz5fmz3YCPQFcJUE6-2FytivYHDoqhzsKhpxGYcgbkbMJ-2FwOGiT7r6tJIh5GKFGrbs8o5VHWyLICbV43ewlHEky00mBwmvIlI2VFT8hK3tUtz9f8y1Dltrc5OXKCHaj170JWQqCpIPxk0kv5Ct8Q1vGhU1KQ8g5-2FMXdnmeORm9yhw77jjMvw-2BWnhQKjBuTVN-2BMibpMvucXFFec-2FY07um9VbVkGoY6m1QZUZztVaUz84-2BjIKCg3mZ6AXckYbouWh9wJjRR7ecE-2BhL-2BPC80oXdvpCfHbiIDgt85bycPZWIn1zzhDeIaktGQQAleMgRxU3bGatzdLj-2BZBjnZpcb8IIptotpR3IhABdwxU0vtLxlYVcHfBkjHQAnZi4edHvoiRxZbfZy2DJuZ4w-2BW0eMdKdjOb2Q2-2FvRtTLv0BQ-2Bl0WYleSLT1U2-2Fv1UnNEJ2v-2FRcreNMoIChhnMKSw1fZAN5zc-2BD3Ig2-2FS3AJvEOz9RFxtYlVI75FMHYqdFkRnGo07fJF7anQzRA-3D-3DA2RW_dgzT5RXlg9hZ30dZ0IrselE99G9gZ661iS9YrSXg73rrVMXnPENpCWs4K8-2Fl9lEYh4Q-2BjZPgqsKmtYxxxcR2ENt5gBNs7andszLzlc0yyU1urpT4eGWfdFIxd42PEsXFxzbE97xeDGF6sR9hqT-2FnqwqXO6QJvcHPf1SEAHSYnsFddLr-2Bkkw3Qajx5vNnZdX6Al1b9qeQUo5lom7t0A6zQAgSndhufZ39Xywd3e8yGCkjbO1TjKAcsidCM1jzpUsPP1luNzVfsD9LRhMmnRA-2FShPVqC4N9C-2Fzv1GHyLx64LiawU5-2BNiTdrFTjz9wuMWvaceS3dMoX7D1CASo-2B2RUQtq-2B97msAkHBevjN8h3Vrg3eerfF08oew8FPckN-2F79rhRD96-2BnNUolS7B-2BUWg1ZAZCjoo7I3Fh19M-2FzFmg-2BZ2tMILuIYAkvsx6fJkrZ74Glyyn37sqzNqRuRkuGV-2BdmajcBViSZwZSvQn3ZdWkqH7QfJtRct-2FHFy8jEqK5Tpn04MrH8cgF3lC6PX6eOPxaBUkkRqT9ymJ5i7zKovTsJGpesS-2F7A73Z3sff6xxP9vKhWT56vew1c-2Fps-2BgrD3w33c4-2F3aSSA6SDZmIEP2-2BHUPYfjxXMVGtuaBx7AzCl-2F6JihD70E-2BAkhLpbAL1Bhl7uwviBrBSAaP2UREcrw5P6KAXPDrpuTMjJAplhohwfNNpVGMdi] THEATER The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, teams up with Silver Lake, N.Y.-based Shake on the Lake, to stage a fast-paced, 90-minute adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the museum’s Amerine/Calhoun Glass Box. Five actors play both sets of identical twins, separated at birth, unknowingly finding themselves in the same city, whereupon chaos based in all sorts of mistaken identities erupts. The production is recommended for ages 12 and up. At 6:15 p.m. catch the pre-show performance of “The Revelers!”, a “young players” production written and directed by Brett Ihler. arkmfa.org [http://arkmfa.org/]. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock, continues its run of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday through July 26. The show is a contemporary take on the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors; inspiration for this production comes from ’90s video games. (501) 378-0405; TheRep.org. Argenta Contemporary Theatre stages “The Cake” by Bekah Brunstetter, 7 p.m. today and Friday and July 21-24, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and July 25, 2 p.m. Sunday and July 26 in the Sharon Heflin Black Box at the theater’s Act II space, 315 Main St., North Little Rock. The play includes adult themes and language and is recommended for mature audiences. argentacontemporarytheatre.org [http://argentacontemporarytheatre.org/]. Benton’s Young Players close out their production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition,” 7 p.m. today-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market St., Benton. theroyaltheatre.org [http://theroyaltheatre.org/]. And “Footloose the Musical” is onstage through Aug. 15 at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (but Wednesday matinees only July 15 and 22), 12:45 and 6:45 Sunday. Buffet opens 30 minutes before curtain time. (501) 562-3131; murrysdp.com [http://murrysdp.com/]. ART AND EXHIBITS New this week: “Icons in Transformation,” three-dimensional paintings inspired by traditional Russian icons by Ludmila Pawlowska, goes on display with a reception at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Parish Hall at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock. The installation remains up through Nov. 8 in The Oasis at St. Margaret’s. Gallery hours are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday. theoasisatstmargarets.com [http://theoasisatstmargarets.com/]. “Play in Arkansas,” an exhibit examining how people have created joy through play and how the history of play can contribute to understanding of both past and present, is on display through Dec, 15 at the University of Arkansas Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. The exhibit includes handmade and mass-produced toys, dolls and game paraphernalia, as well as a memories section, where individuals can share their personal reflections on childhood play. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Continuing: “The Art of Friendship,” watercolors by Kim Perkins and Laura Powers, is up through July 25 in the Gallery at the William F. Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (501) 758-1720; NLRlibrary.org. “Thomas Hart Benton,” a traveling exhibition of original artwork created by the artist during World War II, is up through July 31 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602; littlerock.gov/macarthur [http://littlerock.gov/macarthur]. “Arkansas Black Voices: Shaping a Nation at 250,” personal histories, artifacts, photographs and stories highlighting “the lasting impact of Black Arkansans whose lives and legacies have helped shape the United States,” is on display through Aug. 29 at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St., Little Rock. The exhibit includes. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday. (501) 683-3593; mosaictemplarscenter.com [http://mosaictemplarscenter.com/]. “The Three SoMa Sisters: History, Nature, Wellness, and Anita Davis’ Mission to Thrive in SoMa” is on display through Aug. 30 at ESSE Museum & Store, 1510 Main St. in Little Rock’s SoMa neighborhood. (501) 916-9022; essepursemuseum.com [http://essepursemuseum.com/]. “Will Barnet: Seasons of Life,” works on paper by Barnet from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection, is on display through Oct. 11 at the museum, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. arkmfa.org [http://arkmfa.org/]. “Kuimeaux’s World,” drawings and paintings by late Little Rock native Dwight “Kuimeaux” Drennan, is on display through spring 2027 at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 324-9351. “Manufacturing Victory in Arkansas: Supplying the Battlefront and Changing the Homefront During World War II,” “highlight(ing) the role and contributions of ordnance plants in Arkansas during the war,” remains on display through Dec. 31, 2027, at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602.