Today
in Little Rock
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Good morning, Little Rock. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Rolly Hoyt and Jurnee Taylor delivered top news on April 16, 2026, reporting that a new farmers market will open soon in west Little Rock & local growers will offer fresh produce. THV 11
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Cabot small business owners celebrated a minute-long approval for beer growlers before the Alcoholic Beverage Control reversed the decision. Buckman Brewhouse staff plan a petition for a ballot change so that tax dollars can boost local services + support community growth. THV 11
- ➤ Following community pushback, Little Rock officials unanimously denied the proposal to open a Little Caesars restaurant in the SoMa District; the decision halts plans amid local concerns. THV 11
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Mammoth Spring State Park near the Arkansas-Missouri border draws visitors with its crystal-clear pool and historic 1886 train depot — a reminder of its early hydroelectric plant. The spring pumps nearly nine million gallons per hour and highlights a legacy of local industry. ABC 7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Parkview High teacher and coach Kendahl Davenport was suspended without pay on April 10 after an internal review found she failed to uphold district standards in supervising students — officials said the ruling reflects a serious lapse in professional judgment. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ UA System trustees approved Derek McDowell to lead Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts in Hot Springs on Thursday, and he will begin his role on July 1. McDowell, an Arkansas native with extensive K-12 experience, said he is ready to help students succeed. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Arkansas softball faces top-ranked Sooners at Love’s Field in Norman today at 7 p.m. Games continue Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Forecasts (partly sunny with gusty winds) suggest a competitive series as teams with strong records battle on the field. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Baseball coach Dave Van Horn and players Damian Ruiz, Hunter Dietz and Carter Rutenbar discussed their Game 1 win over Georgia on Thursday at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock — they noted key plays and team effort during the press conference. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ The Arkansas gymnastics team ended its season Thursday in the NCAA Championships semifinal at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas with a team score of 196.9375. The team needed higher scores on key routines as No. 1 seed Oklahoma and No. 12 Minnesota advanced. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ In high school sports, Hackett beat Booneville 8-6 and Lakeside blanked Hot Springs 15-0 in baseball while Bentonville won 11-0 in softball; Farmington won 11-1, Calico Rock prevailed 5-3, and Trumann took an 8-2 win in Wednesday’s late baseball game. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Arkansas hosts Georgia in Game 2 of a baseball series Friday at 6 p.m. at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, where Arkansas’ LHP Cole Gibler (3-0, 2.78 ERA) faces Georgia’s RHP Dylan Vigue (3-1, 2.63 ERA) as teams vie for a win amid cloudy skies and a 50% chance of showers. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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OUTLAST - Trail Challenge in Little Rock
7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — North Little Rock, AR — Register now — Compete in a unique 6-hour trail challenge completing a 5K each hour.
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Vaqueros vs Trojans Baseball Game
6-8 p.m. — Gary Hogan Field — Tickets available online — Witness an exciting college baseball matchup between the Little Rock Trojans and UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
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Arkansas Travelers vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
6:35-9:35 p.m. — Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting baseball matchup between local favorites and visiting competition.
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4th Annual Rock Cities Book Crawl: A Spectrum of Stories
7 p.m. — Beautywood Books — Free entry — Explore independent bookstores and collect unique rewards throughout the Rock Cities.
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Dukes & Boots Festival
3-6 p.m. — Arkansas State Fair Grounds — Tickets from $118 — Experience an unforgettable live event with music and entertainment in Little Rock.
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Morehead State Eagles vs. Arkansas Little Rock Trojans Baseball
1-2 p.m. — Gary Hogan Field — Secure your seats now — Enjoy the excitement of collegiate baseball in Little Rock.
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R&B ONLY LIVE Concert
7:30-8:30 p.m. — The Hall — 21+ event — Experience the ultimate R&B show with music from past to present.
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Arkansas Travelers vs. Tulsa Drillers
6:05-7:05 p.m. — Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club — Check local listings for ticket prices — Enjoy a thrilling minor league baseball matchup featuring the Arkansas Travelers taking on the Tulsa Drillers.
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70th Year Block Party
12-5 p.m. — Lindsey's Hospitality House — Free entry — Celebrate seven decades with live music, food, and a classic car show in a 50s-70s themed atmosphere.
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The Laundry Summit
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Little Rock Marriott — Attend for a unique experience — Explore laundry business strategies and network with industry experts.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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