Some flavors just taste like fall in South Arkansas. Pecans are one of them. For generations, big pecan trees have shaded yards and old homeplaces across this part of the state, dropping a crop each fall that usually finds its way into pies, cakes and other sweets. But pecans don’t have to be dessert. This…
Every fall, the same routine plays out across South Arkansas. Leaves turn yellow, orange and brown, tumble from the trees, cover lawns and driveways — and then the rakes, blowers and bags come out. For generations, a freshly raked lawn has been considered part of keeping a tidy yard. But those fallen leaves aren’t necessarily…
When Americans think about Columbus Day, the story usually begins in 1492, when Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic, reached the Americas and set in motion events that would transform two hemispheres. But for Bradley County, perhaps a more interesting year to consider is 1491. What was happening here one year before Columbus arrived? What would…
On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, Historic Arkansas Museum will host a talk and a book signing with P. Allen Smith. Books are available for purchase in the Museum Store. From 10 – 11:30 a.m., visitors can listen to Smith talk about the essentials of fall planting in Arkansas and at his home, Moss Mountain. Afterward,…
Stargazers and outdoor enthusiasts will have a chance to experience some of Arkansas’ darkest night skies during the 2026 Arkansas Dark-Sky Festival, scheduled for Oct. 2-3 at Bear Creek near the Buffalo National River. The two-day event will feature astronomy, nature exploration and family-friendly activities, along with opportunities to view the Milky Way from an…
Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park will welcome the beginning of fall with a special **Fall Equinox Sunset Tour** on Saturday, Sept. 19. The guided program will be held from **5:30 to 6:30 p.m.** and will explore ceremonies and traditions associated with the Plum Bayou culture that once inhabited the site. Following the tour, visitors…
Saline River News is testing a new feature designed to give everyone in the community and surrounding area an easier way to share local news, announcements and events. The new Post to SRN feature is now available at the top of the Saline River News homepage, and readers are encouraged to use it anytime they…
MURFREESBORO, Ark. – Barry G. Smith, of Germantown, Tennessee, recently visited Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park, where he discovered a stunning canary yellow diamond in the park’s ancient volcanic soil.Smith arrived at the park on Sunday, August 16, with his wife and two granddaughters, Sage and Juniper. Planning a fun week of exploring Arkansas…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — With more than 650 active clubs in the state, Arkansas 4-H provides youth in every county with hands-on opportunities to develop life skills and serve their communities. Arkansas 4-H is a youth development program that offers hands-on learning opportunities to help kids grow into…
Most Arkansans know the Ouachita Mountains. We have driven through them on the way to Hot Springs, traveled their winding highways, hiked their trails or looked across their forested ridges. But there is something unusual about the Ouachitas that is easy to miss from the ground. They run sideways. While many of North America’s best-known…
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The temperatures across Arkansas are heating up and Arkansas State Parks is encouraging all visitors to recreate responsibly and stay safe while enjoying outdoor adventures. Park staff remain prepared to welcome guests with hospitality and guidance, and remind everyone that memorable moments can still be made safely, even in hot conditions…
By Ryan McGeeneyUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture STUTTGART, Ark. — Between high stocks, higher input prices and low market prices, rice farmers in Arkansas and elsewhere are feeling the squeeze, as evidenced by the lowest planted acreage in about 50 years. At the 2026 Rice Research and Extension Center field day on Aug. 6, researchers…
For a brief period during the Great Depression and World War II, a stretch of southwest Arkansas became the center of an industry that today is almost entirely forgotten. Miners dug into the Ouachita foothills in search of cinnabar, the bright red ore from which mercury could be extracted. Investors arrived. Mining companies formed. Communities…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Consumers may have noticed more electrolyte water or alkaline water drinks being sold in stores or advertised online, but what benefits do these products actually provide? Extension health experts say that electrolyte beverages can be helpful following prolonged physical activity, excessive sweating, or illness…
Welcome back, everyone. It’s Dr. Biggers with BCMC Rural Health Clinic. Due to the recent heat wave we’ve been experiencing here in South Arkansas, I thought it would be pertinent to discuss how to recognize and treat heat-related injuries. During the summer, sweating and feeling tired after working outdoors may seem normal. However, heat-related illness…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — As families prepare for a new school year, an extension expert says it’s important for parents to instill resilience and respect in their children to help them cope with new challenges and difficult feelings. “The concept of resilience means that you can bounce back…
By Mary HightowerUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — We’ve all been there. You want to eat healthier, but cooking dinner after finishing a long, hard day of work sounds impossible. Signing up for a meal kit service suddenly seems like a good solution. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Meal kits…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas families planning for back-to-school shopping can take advantage of the 2026 Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday, which runs Aug. 1-2. This year’s sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. All…
By John LovettUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food recently opened applications for its 2027 class of Farm School, a nine-month program that provides foundational knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to aspiring specialty crop farmers. The Farm School is designed for beginning farmers of fruits, vegetables, flowers…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — For families with teenagers starting high school this fall, the transition to new social pressures and academic responsibilities can feel intimidating for both parents and children. Brittney Schrick, extension associate professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said…
By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — When it comes to adding healthy sources of protein to your diet, an expert with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said consumers need to first understand the science behind protein and how it affects our bodies. “When we think about ‘What is…