Daily Newscast for Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Daily Newscast for Wednesday, July 1, 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 1, 2026. - Arkansas State Police say they’ve arrested a Hot Springs man who allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer - A candidate seeking a seat on the Little Rock City Board of Directors is facing new scrutiny over his residence - A new study finds the achievement gap between higher- and lower-performing students has been widening significantly over the past two decades - The City of North Little Rock has named a new police chief - A renowned opera singer with ties to Arkansas has died - Arkansas is under a heat advisory through at least July third, and cooling centers are now open across central Arkansas 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, June 30, 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 30, 2026. - A new lawsuit alleges a cover-up of sexual abuse within the central Arkansas faction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Starting Wednesday, Arkansans' SNAP recipients cannot use their benefits to buy candy, soft drinks, and other items considered unhealthy by DHS - Arkansas is training several new physicians each year, but many are leaving the state once their training is complete - Entergy Arkansas is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit seeking more information about a planned data center in eastern Arkansas - An Arkansas judge says the state Supreme Court must weigh in if the City of Little Rock wants to keep licensed gun owners from bringing firearms to City Hall - Pulaski County’s head attorney is stepping down - A second candidate has announced their bid to fill a vacancy in the Arkansas Senate 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 29, 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 29, 2026. - Physicians, researchers and behavioral health professionals from across Arkansas gathered at UA Little Rock last week to discuss youth substance use disorder last week - Two of Arkansas’ gubernatorial candidates met for a debate on their policy visions for the state on Friday night - Data Centers planned in the Natural State are set to receive generous tax abatements that could eliminate more than half of their potential revenue - Beginning July 1, changes to Arkansas' Medicaid and SNAP programs will begin - Arkansas officials say nearly 5,000 teachers will get merit bonuses this year 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 26, 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 26, 2026. - The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is taking steps to prevent the New World screwworm from entering Arkansas - Arkansas’ ban on using public food assistance benefits on so-called junk food goes into effect next week - The Pulaski County Planning Board heard continuing discussion over the construction of a proposed data center on Thursday - Two former East Arkansas police officers are appealing the state’s decision to bar them from working in law enforcement - Jacksonville school officials are taking action against an employee of the city’s high school for alleged sexual misconduct - A southeast Arkansas bookkeeper has been arrested for allegedly embezzling public funds - The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is planning to take over operations of a central Arkansas hospital - The Arkansas Folklife Festival is this weekend at Riverfront Park in North Little Rock 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 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.