The following is a press release from The Little Rock Zoo: LITTLE ROCK (October 28, 2024) – The Little Rock Zoo is sad to announce that Sophie the elephant has passed. She was placed to rest through humane euthanasia earlier this morning. The Zoo will be closed to guests today to perform a necropsy. The Zoo…
All posts in Features
In the aftermath of hurricanes, Arkansas peanuts thrive, cotton struggles
LITTLE ROCK — March may enjoy a reputation of entering like a lion, but it’s got nothing on the 2024 hurricane season. While Arkansas managed to avoid the direct impact of the hurricanes that brutalized much of the southeastern United States in September, growers in the state’s eastern counties certainly caught some of the storm…
Entergy Arkansas welcomes fall with safety reminders
The following is a press release from Entergy Arkansas: LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The start of cooler temperatures outside makes fall-lovers eager for coats, sweaters and all the seasonal fun that begins in October. This time of year can also bring opportunities for customers to tackle home improvement or landscaping projects. As fun and gratifying as…
Old Milo Pumpkin Patch Offers Fall Fun for the Entire Family
Fall is in the air, and there’s no better way to celebrate the season than a visit to the Old Milo Pumpkin Patch, one of South Arkansas’s most cherished seasonal destinations. Located at 604 Ashley 485, Hamburg, AR 71646, this family-friendly farm offers a delightful mix of fall festivities, perfect for all ages, making it…
Red oaks take root in restoration of bottomland hardwood forests
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As trees begin changing colors this fall, a new generation of red oaks will be planted on 40 acres in eastern Arkansas, just a small part of a project that aims to re-establish 600 acres of hardwood forests in the state over the next three to five years. Over the next few…
October Planting Guide for South Arkansas Gardeners
WARREN, Ark. – While summer temperatures still linger in South Arkansas, October marks a critical time for gardeners to begin transitioning their gardens for the cooler months ahead. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension has released its October planting guide, specifically tailored for those looking to maximize their vegetable and flower…
Archeology in Pajamas: Arkansas Archeological Society Launches 2024-2025 Virtual Lecture Series
The Arkansas Archeological Society is bringing archeology to the comfort of your own home with its new virtual speaker series titled “Archeology in Pajamas.” The 2024-2025 series will be entirely online, allowing attendees to explore cutting-edge archeological research from anywhere in the world, all without the need to leave the house. This free virtual lecture…
Arkansas Celebrates Farm to School Month: A Focus on Healthy Eating and Local Food
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – As October begins, Arkansas is gearing up for Farm to School Month, an initiative aimed at connecting schools, early childhood centers, and other organizations with local farms to ensure children have access to fresh, nutritious food. This effort is part of a broader national movement that seeks to create stronger ties…
Crop physiologist Larry Purcell spins full circle in retirement
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Larry Purcell might be the most highly educated and scientifically cited bicycle mechanic in America. With certainty, the recently retired Distinguished Professor of crop physiology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has the admiration of Southern soybean breeders. By John Lovett University of Arkansas System Division of AgricultureArkansas Agricultural…
Multi-state study offers recommendations for keeping bermudagrass greener all season
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whether it’s a football field, a golf course, or a home lawn, a new multi-state study offers recommendations for keeping some varieties of turfgrass greener, longer. Researchers currently based in six states collaborated to identify three simple management tips to extend green color and reduce cold-weather injury in hybrid bermudagrass. Those recommendations include…
Finding nature’s hidden threshold for saltiness in the space where forests meet streams
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Riparian zones, the areas where forests and streams meet, are intimately connected. Yet a holistic understanding about these zones is lacking because such work requires a combination of aquatic and terrestrial sciences. That is soon to change with the help of a nearly $1 million National Science Foundation grant led by scientists…
Southeast Arkansas District Fair to kick off Sept. 23
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Think you’ve got a green thumb? Know your way around the kitchen? Fancy yourself a quilter? The 85th annual Southeast Arkansas District Fair could be your time to shine. The fair will open to the public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Admission is free until 4 p.m.; there is…
Discovering Arkansas’s Hidden Hiking Trails: Perfect Spots for a Fall Adventure
As the fall season approaches, Arkansas’s natural beauty is on full display, with vibrant foliage and crisp air inviting outdoor enthusiasts to explore the state’s many hiking trails. While popular spots like the Ozark Highlands Trail and Pinnacle Mountain get a lot of attention, there are plenty of lesser-known trails that offer a peaceful and…
Silent Spoiler: Listeria outbreak raises food safety concerns
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From deli counters to dinner tables, food safety relies on careful research and strict sanitation. As a multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to deli meats raises concerns, researchers continue to work behind the scenes to ensure food safety standards. Food safety scientists like Jennifer Acuff at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are dedicated to…
September is Suicide Prevention Month
The following is a press release from Shane Frazier, Regional Vice President | Arkansas Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral Healthcare System, Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas, Springwoods Behavioral Health, and The BridgeWay Hospital Suicide can be prevented. September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Unfortunately, our region continues to experience an increase in the number of individuals…
Understanding the Difference Between Meteorological Fall and the Official Start of Fall
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – As the long, hot days of summer in South Arkansas begin to wind down, many folks start to yearn for the cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and cozy atmosphere that fall brings. But did you know that there are actually two different dates when fall can officially begin? If you’ve ever wondered…
September Planting Guide for Arkansas Gardeners
As we step into September, Arkansas gardeners have a fresh opportunity to cultivate both vegetable and flower gardens. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has released its September Planting Guide, offering a wide range of options for what you can plant this month to keep your garden thriving. For your vegetable garden, consider adding carrots, Swiss…
Walk Across Arkansas Registration Opens for Fall 2024
WARREN, Ark. – Are you looking for a way to feel better, get stronger, and connect with others? The Walk Across Arkansas program might be just what you need! This 8-week, team-based physical activity program encourages participants to set personal fitness goals and work together to achieve them through friendly competition. Whether you’re new to…
Muscadines repeat with top wine in state competition
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Muscadines again rose to the top in the Arkansas Quality Wine competition, a testament to the skills of state’s vintners handling this beloved and somewhat quirky and cantankerous grape. Renee Threlfall, associate professor-enology and viticulture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, founded the Arkansas Quality Wine, or AQW, Program…
Arkansas Beef Council to Launch Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest at Razorbacks vs. UAPB Tailgate
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Beef Council is set to kick off the inaugural Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest with an exciting tailgate event during the highly anticipated University of Arkansas Razorbacks vs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) football game. The tailgate, which promises to be a flavorful celebration of 100% beef burgers, will…
Union Pacific’s Iconic Big Boy to Stop in Pine Bluff, Kingsland During Heartland Tour
FORDYCE, Ark. – Union Pacific Railroad’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive is embarking on a highly anticipated “Heartland of America Tour,” with multiple stops planned across Arkansas, including notable visits to Pine Bluff and Kingsland. Photo courtesy of Union Pacific The tour, which kicks off on August 28 from Cheyenne, Wyoming, will see…