Daily Newscast for Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Daily Newscast for Wednesday, June 24, 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, June 24, 2026. - A case challenging Arkansas' near-total ban on abortion is in the preliminary stages - Animal health experts are warning of a disease-spreading tick posing a threat to Arkansas’ cattle industry - Arkansas’ unemployment rate dropped slightly last month. - Little Rock’s White Water Tavern hosted a book release party on Tuesday for local author Toni-Garcia Butler - Monday, North Little Rock Ward 2 city council member Linda Robinson said she will not seek reelection - The U-S Supreme Court has declined to intervene in a case challenging Arkansas’ laws governing assistance at polling places - A central Arkansas educator is throwing her hat into the ring to serve on the Little Rock City Board of Directors 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.

Asian longhorned tick spreading across Arkansas, experts warn

Adult female Asian longhorned tick on a plant stem [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/987ac73/2147483647/strip/false/crop/700x394+0+0/resize/700x394!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2F57%2Fbbacc6fb43418fb50d60e7ff59a9%2Fasian-longhorned-tick-22886-cdc-james-gathany.jpg] Adult female Asian longhorned tick on a plant stem(James Gathany / CDC) The Asian longhorned tick is spreading across Arkansas. The tick can infect cattle with Theileriosis, a disease that can lead to weakness, jaundice, miscarriage, and sudden death in livestock. Andrew Fidler is Arkansas’ head veterinarian. Speaking to farmers at a webinar in May, Fidler said veterinarians are required to report confirmed cases of the disease to state or federal agencies. "However there’s no state or federal action associated with theileriosis in terms of the animal or the herd that the animal comes from," Fidler said. Female Asian longhorned ticks can lay eggs without a mate. This allows them to form large infestations on a single animal and rapidly spread to new areas. Farmers can manage the pest with insecticides or prescribed burns, says Kelly Loftin, an entomologist with the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture. "Maintain tick control the best you can, treat all animals in the herd, brush all the pastures, and you may consider testing symptomatic animals when you start talking about theileriosis" Loftin said. The tick has established itself in ten northern counties since Arkansas’ first confirmed sighting in 2018. Fifteen have reported confirmed cases of Theileriosis, including Arkansas and Cleveland counties, both in the southern part of the state.

Daily Newscast for Tuesday, June 23, 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, June 23, 2026. - The State of Arkansas is suing two popular online platforms, saying the companies haven’t done enough to protect children - A guard at an Arkansas state prison was injured in a stabbing last week - A man serving a life sentence in an Arkansas prison since 1971 could soon be released, following a recommendation from the Post-Conviction Transfer Board - Three Arkansas Razorbacks basketball players are expected to be selected in the NBA Draft, which begins Tuesday evening - A new report ranks Arkansas last in the nation when it comes to civic engagement - Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and a new report shows Arkansas is among the states most affected - A North Little Rock strip club is asking a judge to temporarily reinstate its liquor license 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, June 22, 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, June 22, 2026. - Severe weather and areas of flooding are possible in parts of Arkansas throughout Monday - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders says recent ATLAS scores show that Arkansas students have improved in every grade level and across every subject - A new report says childcare costs and inflexible work schedules are two of the biggest barriers to employment for working moms in Arkansas - The Little Rock Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of 29 solid waste fleet vehicles - Arkansas continues to see a rise in Alpha Gal cases 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, June 19, 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, June 19, 2026. - State agriculture officials are imposing new restrictions to help prevent the spread of the new world screwworm - A judge has ruled a wrongful death lawsuit over the killing of Little Rock’s former airport director can move forward - Little Rock’s 17th annual “Juneteenth in Da Rock” is this weekend - A central Arkansas music venue is hosting a fundraiser to benefit central Arkansas’ LGBTQ+ community on Saturday - Applications for the Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program will open on July 1st - Nine Arkansas organ transplant recipients are in Denver this month to compete in the 2026 Transplant Games of America - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $25.5 million in grant funding for wastewater technical assistance programs 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.