All posts in Features

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…

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…

Article submitted PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The ARTx3 Campus, which comprises The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, The ARTSpace on Main and ART WORKS on Main, presents the following events in August: Live@5: Groove City — 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 Groove City will perform as part of the monthly Live@5 concert series…

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…

When it comes to comfort food in South Arkansas, few dishes are as beloved as a pot of purple hull peas simmered to perfection. Served alongside cornbread and sliced tomatoes, they’ve been a favorite on local dinner tables for generations. Simple, hearty, and full of flavor, purple hull peas are often cooked with smoky meats…

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,…

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…

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,…

Article submitted LITTLE ROCK — Sometimes all it takes is 10 minutes for a quick errand to turn into a dangerous day for a young child left in a car, said Brittney Schrick, extension family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Children, especially very young children, are in danger of…

By Mary HightowerU of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Beefsteaks. Bradley pinks. Cherokee purples. No matter what variety, all tomatoes have one thing in common: Don’t put them in the fridge. Tomatoes are among the most-eaten produce item, with per capita consumption in the United States estimated at 19.2 pounds in 2023, according…

In the summer heat of July 7, 1911, as Arkansas hummed with the rhythms of a new century, Thomas Harding was born into a family of builders. His father and grandfather helped shape the face of Little Rock through architecture—sketching lines, laying foundations, giving form to dreams. Yet Harding would leave behind no buildings. Instead,…

By Rob Reep, Saline River News Let’s start with the truth. The world’s always had its share of unkindness. Mean words. Petty arguments. People who whispered behind closed doors or judged others from across a room. That’s nothing new. But back then, there were limits. When I was growing up—before the internet, before social media—if…

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – As summer approaches and temperatures continue to rise, air conditioners will start running full blast and lead to an increase in electricity usage. However, staying cool and comfortable does not have to come at the cost of high energy bills. By making a few simple changes around your home, you can improve…