Weekend Entertainment Roundup for June 25, 2026

Weekend Entertainment Roundup for June 25, 2026

[https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e61fd5e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1500x900+0+0/resize/792x475!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1d%2F23%2F5d7f18044e09a987c881ccca2bd0%2Fcolr-mp-hero-01.png]( City of Little Rock) FUN More than 30 performers encompassing the breadth of Arkansas’ diverse musical and cultural traditions will appear on various stages at the inaugural Arkansas Folklife Festival, Friday through Sunday at North Little Rock’s Riverfront Park, among the celebrations of the People’s 250th. Friday’s headliner is venerable bluesman Bobby Rush; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams headlines on Saturday. The festival also features regional food and crafts. arkansasfolklifefestival.org [https://email.axioshq.lovelittlerock.com/c/eJyMkT-vGyEQxD_N0VhYsLAHFBRpXKVKk_KJP4sP-QzOgewonz7yk9KleNVKq5HmNzPZKy1yIUZeGgtKSVCGUa6z9vZRszcxJEBSXKIJXJuiuA1q5TkZAVBQo4ts845CLsYYgIQRi7WwCswU0VixKgRWPQhYxQoahBAKzq5ITJliLKRA67JoEX7XPrZf570_aa9z7nT0dDunfme73-Z8jEV9W-CywOX1ep3DcQtthFH6fttroUJj1mfYz_24LnBh_biGVv-Ef1GorA4RDc_ZEtfKFR6KNLysxiqHUmVAdnjawnHU0dubKF8bvcbR-_0T46BUH5Xa_Bh0vb9vzcP_593CnYZng1p-W6NIdk1F8-gMcU3JcmsMcAwWBbqYkDQbdFQab7mTTmSZLJfROK61dTyGJLnMmE0QK9lY2PzaNtP_3MJcwIzTFh4ParVdT7Wdvn8WfPrR0409PfwNAAD__2m3on4]. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, celebrates America 250 with Family Fest: American Summer, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday with art activities, lawn games and, for purchase, snow cones, hot dogs, fruit, and lemonade on the Event Lawn. arkmfa.org [http://arkmfa.org/]. THEATER The not-quite-smooth transition from silent films to song-and-dance talkies is front and center as Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Road, Little Rock, stages “Singin’ in the Rain Sr.,” an “accessible,” reduced-length version of what is considered one of the greatest musical films ever made. It’s being promoted as the state’s first-ever “Senior” show; every member of the cast, including the corps of tap dancers, is 55-plus. (501) 821-7275; wildwoodpark.org [http://wildwoodpark.org/]. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock, closes out its run “Ain’t Misbehavin’ — The Fats Waller Musical,” 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday through June 28. TheRep.org. The University of Central Arkansas Summer Theatre closes out its run “Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood,” Ludwig’s “theatrical reimagining” of the tale of the legendary outlaw and his Merry Men, 7 p.m. Thursday June 25 and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at UCA’s Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce St. at Donaghey Avenue in Conway. (501) 450-3265 or (866) 810-0012; ci.ovationtix.com/36631 [http://ci.ovationtix.com/36631]. Actors Theatre of Little Rock wraps up its run Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pre-“Hamilton” Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical “In the Heights!,” 7:30 p.m. today and Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 1601 Louisiana St., Little Rock. The production is “immersive,” meaning the performers will be making contact with some audience members throughout the show. actorstheatrelr.org/tickets [http://actorstheatrelr.org/tickets]. And Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, concludes its run of “Tuna Does Vegas,” 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday.  Buffet opens 30 minutes before curtain time. (501) 562-3131; murrysdp.com [http://murrysdp.com/]. MUSIC  The Central Arkansas Library System hosts Books & Beats, celebrating Black Music Month, 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the CALS Main Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock. The program spotlights the lives and legacies of influential Black musicians through biographies featured in the library collection, accompanied by a curated music set from DJ Ally Lynn and live cultural commentary from social media enthusiast Deshaun “Six” Wilkins. cals.org [http://cals.org/]. ART AND EXHIBITS “Katie Adkins/Queen,” Adkins’ photographs of drag queens prepping for performance, is on display through July 3 at Boswell-Mourot Fine Art, 1501 Main St., Little Rock. A11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. (501) 454-6969; boswellmourot.com [http://boswellmourot.com/]. “Remote Wonder: Richland Creek Wilderness,” recent photographs by Paul Caldwell centering on Richland Creek, a tributary of the Buffalo River, up through July 18 at Cantrell Gallery, 8202 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. (501) 224-1335; cantrellgallery.com [http://cantrellgallery.com/]. “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 or visit 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. amfa.org [http://amfa.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.

Daily Newscast for Thursday, June 25, 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 Thursday, June 25, 2026. - The Pulaski County Quorum Court voted down another attempt to pass a moratorium on the development of new data centers on Tuesday - Arkansas’ public television network is dropping one nationally syndicated show and switching up its schedule. - Volunteers with religious nonprofit, World Changers, are in Little Rock this week, helping homeowners with light repairs. - A 17-year-old is in custody after allegedly trafficking a large quantity of illegal marijuana - Pine Bluff public schools have a new temporary leader - The Arkansas Razorbacks’ home stadium is getting a new name 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 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.