Saline River News

Arkansas Pumpkin Pest Arrives Early, Growers Urged to Scout

Arkansas Pumpkin Pest Arrives Early, Growers Urged to Scout

LITTLE ROCK — While the cooler temperatures have many Arkansans gearing up for fall, melonworm has found its way into the state’s pumpkin patches and extension horticulture specialist Aaron Cato is urging growers to scout early and often. Melonworm is a pest of cucurbit crops — a family that includes pumpkins, squash and watermelons — that…

Old State House Museum will open Jack Hill exhibit

Little Rock – From 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, the Old State House Museum will hold the opening of the new exhibit, Reporting for Arkansas: The Documentary Films of Jack Hill. The exhibit will explore Jack Hill’s career and his work bringing Arkansas history to life through his documentaries and storytelling. Hill was a pioneering Arkansas documentary…

Risk and opportunity: Arkansas’ forest growth outpacing timber harvest

Risk and opportunity: Arkansas’ forest growth outpacing timber harvest

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas’ tree growth is outpacing removals, but the abundance doesn’t just signal a rich timber supply. It also increases the risks for disease, pests and wildfires. A trio of researchers took a deeper look at the gap and the factors behind it. By Maddie JohnsonUniversity of Arkansas System Division of AgricultureArkansas Agricultural…

Arts & Science Center Announces Selections for 2025 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition

Arts & Science Center Announces Selections for 2025 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A long-running biennial exhibition showcasing established and emerging artists in the mid-South returns this September.  The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC) has announced the selections for its “2025 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition.” The show opens Thursday, Sept. 18, with an awards reception from 5–7 p.m. Awards will…

Fall 4-H Clubs Open for Youth in Bradley County

Fall 4-H Clubs Open for Youth in Bradley County

WARREN, Ark. 8-17-25 — The Bradley County Extension Office has announced the lineup of fall 4-H clubs, inviting local youth to join and build new skills, friendships, and leadership abilities. Classes will begin in September and are open to children across a wide range of ages. The fall schedule includes: Organizers encourage families to sign…

Tick-borne pathogen Theileria orientalis detected in Cleveland County cattle

Tick-borne pathogen Theileria orientalis detected in Cleveland County cattle

Article submitted By Ryan McGeeneyU of A System Division of Agriculture RISON, Ark. — A tick-transmitted livestock disease has been confirmed in Cleveland County for the first time, bringing to 11 the number of Arkansas counties with Theileria orientalis detections. Theileria orientalis is a tick-borne pathogen commonly associated with the Asian longhorned tick — Haemaphysalis longicornis. The pathogen has…

Axley Field Recognized with New Historical Marker

Axley Field Recognized with New Historical Marker

WARREN, Ark. – A new historical sign has been installed at Axley Field, commemorating its long history as the home of the Warren Lumberjacks football team from 1915 to 1980. The project, coordinated by Booster Club head Mark Jennings, was completed last week with assistance from SEACBEC students. The sign is mounted on a section…

Robot Hand Could Harvest Blackberries Better Than Humans

Robot Hand Could Harvest Blackberries Better Than Humans

Article submitted FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Fresh, frozen and processed berries are a multi-billion-dollar business in America. In Arkansas alone, fresh-market blackberries contribute $24.3 million each year to the state’s economy. But these delicate blackberries sold in clamshells at supermarkets must be picked by hand, and farm labor has been limited in recent years. A new…

ASPSF Accepting Fall Scholarship Applications From Single Parents

ASPSF Accepting Fall Scholarship Applications From Single Parents

Article submitted LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 31, 2025) — Single parents enrolling in school for the Fall 2025 semester can apply for a scholarship from nonprofit Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) beginning Aug. 1.  To apply, single parents must go to aspsf.org/apply and fill out an online form with supporting documentation. Both new students…

BACK TO SCHOOL: Parents should model healthy screen time habits, encourage off-screen activities

BACK TO SCHOOL: Parents should model healthy screen time habits, encourage off-screen activities

By Rebekah HallU of A System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Excess screen time harms children and adolescents’ social skills, but it also affects their behavior similarly to dementia, presenting as distractibility and memory deficit. To help combat this, an extension expert says parents should limit screen time, encourage children’s off-screen interests and closely…

Shockwaves in the South: Powerful Russian Earthquake Sends Ripples Through Arkansas

Shockwaves in the South: Powerful Russian Earthquake Sends Ripples Through Arkansas

WARREN, Ark. – A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Pacific coast of Russia on July 29 sent seismic shockwaves across the globe—waves that were recorded as far away as Arkansas. While no damage or shaking was reported locally, sensitive seismic equipment across the state captured the unmistakable vibrations from the distant quake,…

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Announces Application Period for Grants

Article submitted LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) has announced the opening dates for the County Courthouse Grant and Historic Preservation Grant application period. AHPP will begin accepting letters of intent for both grants on Sept. 15, 2025. Submission of applications begins Nov. 12, 2025. “Our County Courthouse and Historic Preservation Restoration…

Consumer Alert: EBT Scams Are on the Rise

Consumer Alert: EBT Scams Are on the Rise

Article submitted Arkansans are experiencing an increase in EBT theft. Scammers are accessing funds on EBT cards without the knowledge of the recipient and then immediately spending that money in states outside Arkansas. This leaves the most vulnerable of Arkansans without the funds they need to purchase groceries. How do scammers access EBT funds? Scammers…

State Extension to host Southern Chow-Chow relish workshop, part of preservation demo series

By Rebekah HallU of A System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — At the upcoming Southern Chow-Chow workshop, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service on Aug. 23, attendees will learn to combine green tomatoes, bell peppers and cabbage to make the classic relish recipe. The event is part of extension’s Preserving Arkansas summer series, which…

Visitor Spending Fuels $17.4 Billion in Economic Activity in Arkansas

Visitor Spending Fuels $17.4 Billion in Economic Activity in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism released the annual tourism economic impact report along with the inaugural release of outdoor recreation economy data. In 2024, Arkansas welcomed 52 million visitors—a 2.6% increase over 2023—reflecting strong growth in the state’s visitor economy. According to the economic impact study released by Tourism Economics,…

Arkansas 4-H hosting gift card donation drive for Texas 4-H flood relief

By Rebekah HallU of A System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — After the devastating flash floods that swept Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend, Arkansas 4-H is stepping up to help their fellow Texas 4-H members and affected communities by hosting a gift card donation drive. “Texas has suffered immensely in the last…