Today
in Little Rock
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Today in Little Rock.
Good morning, Little Rock. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ City leaders and school officials met at City Hall on Wednesday to address a $174k school meal debt affecting 13 schools—officials warned that food insecurity in Pulaski County and potential loss of USDA grants could hurt school meal programs and urged community support and congressional action. ABC 7
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Norwegian packaging company Elopak opened its first US facility at the Port of Little Rock on Wednesday, and the plant—selected in December 2023 and broken ground in March 2024—will produce sustainable cartons for milk, eggs and juices while creating about 100 jobs in engineering, printing, operations and logistics. FOX 16
- ➤ Earlier this week, the Port of Little Rock board of directors approved the sale of 400 acres for a planned 300,000 square foot data center as part of a $1 billion project that will create 50 high-quality jobs. Willowbend Capital LLC is evaluating the site and final details are expected in 60 to 90 days— the city is waiving water and sewer fees while lowering the electric franchise fee to support the project. KARK
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The Port of Little Rock board agreed to sell 400 acres and signed an MOU with Willowbend Capital for a 300,000-square-foot data center — a project expected to cost $1 billion and add 50 high-quality jobs — as final plans are being worked out. FOX 16
- ➤ Elopak opened its $100 million carton plant at the Port of Little Rock on Tuesday, creating about 100 jobs and producing low-carbon cartons for juices and dairy products. Local officials and CEO Thomas Körmendi said the plant—Elopak’s first in North America—will add a second production line in 2026 as part of a plan to double revenue. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Central Arkansas schools are preparing for new state laws set for the next school year, including a rule called Bell to Bell, No Cell that will require students to store phones during school hours with a trial in middle schools starting May 5. Other laws will add gun safety lessons, free breakfast, and accelerated courses as officials work with staff and parents to update policies — a process that poses many challenges. KARK
- ➤ Nearly 23% of Little Rock School District schools improved their state-assigned letter grades between 2023 and 2024—Superintendent Jermall Wright said the new school-rating formula emphasizes student growth over simple achievement scores. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Little Rock has launched Roxie—an A.I. chatbot that helps residents find city services such as paying parking tickets and setting up meetings with the mayor. Chief Data Officer Marquis Willis said city departments and partners worked together to build the tool and reduce long search times on the city's website. THV 11
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ CVS Health is now offering measles vaccines to Arkansas residents after four cases were confirmed, aiming to curb the outbreak. Customers aged seven and older may either walk in or schedule an appointment at CVS pharmacies—CDC warns that measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications. THV 11
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR This compact, easy-to-use rangefinder is packed with features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a USB-C rechargeable battery. Lightweight and accurate, it’s a great choice for casual or beginner golfers looking for reliable performance. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Today in Little Rock.
-
20th Annual Dinner on the Grounds
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Rusty Tractor Vineyards — Support local families — Enjoy southern cuisine and live music in a beautiful vineyard setting.
-
Patterson Hood & Drive By Truckers Concert
7-10 p.m. — White Water Tavern — Affordable tickets — Experience the energy of live music with Patterson Hood & Drive By Truckers in Little Rock.
-
Bree Ogden Live Performance
6-8 p.m. — JJ’s Grill Little Rock — All Ages Welcome — Enjoy an evening of live music from Nashville-bound Arkansas native Bree Ogden.
-
Weekly Improv Comedy Show
8-9:30 p.m. — The Joint Comedy Theater — $15 — Enjoy a night of improv comedy inspired by classics like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'.
-
Hero Hustle Family Fun Run
8-11 a.m. — Cook's Landing Park — Youth pricing starts at $15 — Unleash your inner superhero in a fun-filled family run with races for all ages and fabulous costumes.
-
Circus at the Symphony
3:00-4:30 p.m. — Robinson Center — Tickets available — Experience a thrilling musical journey featuring classic circus-themed compositions performed by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
-
On Golden Pond
6:30 p.m. — The Joint Comedy Theater — Tickets required — A heartfelt exploration of love and the challenges of aging through the summer retreat of a cherished couple.
-
Sal Vulcano Live Show
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Robinson Center — Tickets from $47 — Experience a night of laughter with comedian Sal Vulcano at the Robinson Center Music Hall.
-
2025 Arkansas Rural Development Conference
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM — Robinson Center — Registration fees apply — Explore resources and insights for rural community development from industry leaders.
-
Arkansas Times Tacos & Tequila 2025
6-9 p.m. — Argenta Plaza — $45+ — Taste amazing tacos and tequila while voting for the Golden Taco Trophy.
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.
A Budget-Friendly Golf Rangefinder with Premium Features
The REVASRI NK‑1000 rangefinder is a surprisingly capable option for golfers who want accuracy without spending a fortune.
Priced under $50, it includes features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a rechargeable USB-C battery. Plus, it’s compact and lightweight, easily locks onto targets, and seamlessly switches between yards and meters. It’s a great pick for casual or new golfers looking for reliable performance at a wallet-friendly price point.
Bonus: Shop more top-rated and best-selling golf products.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Today in Little Rock.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Today in Little Rock
Welcome to the Today in Little Rock, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Little Rock, Arkansas community. If you like the Today in Little Rock, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Little Rock.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Little Rock and across Arkansas. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Today in Little Rock
A free Little Rock community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://todayinlittlerock.com/sitemap