Good morning, Little Rock.

The Summit Church held its annual Family Fun Night at Lake Nixon last Sunday, featuring baptisms, barbecue, and a heated pie contest as families gathered before the new school year begins (the event has been held for four years).

On The Southern Fried Podcast, Rex Nelson interviews Luminark Global co-founder Mike Steely as he explains how AI can boost local jobs and business practices in Arkansas.

The episode airs today.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s choir returned from a week-long residency in Canterbury (a historic center of Anglican tradition) where they sang daily services and built close ties with cathedral staff.

Director Colin MacKnight said the group performed before hundreds and is planning another residency in coming years.

Local farmers report increased sales of locally grown produce amid a national cyclosporiasis outbreak, driving higher foot traffic at Little Rock market stands.

Vendors note that shoppers prefer safe options (one seller doubled weekly lettuce sales) while farms struggle to meet growing local demand.

Arkansas State University System trustees on Friday approved $18 million to build a new health science center at the Newport campus, with plans to break ground before December and finish in 2½ years.

The new center will include classrooms + labs to support nursing and other healthcare programs.

Over the past week, inspectors from the Arkansas Department of Health reviewed Pulaski County restaurants and found violations including puddles of raw meat juices, insect infestations, and unsanitary storage practices.

The inspections (July 31 to Aug. 6) highlighted widespread food safety concerns.

During Appendix Cancer Awareness Month, UAMS expert Dr. Sonia T.

Orcutt stresses the need for special care in treating rare appendix cancers. The center offers treatments such as surgery and heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) to help patients get the right care.

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 35 new cyclosporiasis cases in the past two days, bringing the total to 237 this year; most cases are in Northwest Arkansas + 144 in Benton County while investigations continue to identify additional sources.

Local horticulture expert Janet Carson advises that native azaleas with fungal leaf spots need no treatment until fall, when gardeners should rake and dispose of leaves to reduce spores; she also offers care tips for dogwood, impatiens, and Japanese maple stressed by heat and pests (tips vary by plant).

A report by Colliers showed that Central Arkansas' commercial real estate market stayed stable in Q2 as office vacancies rose to 10.47% & industrial vacancies dropped to 5.15% & retail increased slightly, with west Little Rock’s Chenal corridor and North Little Rock’s Argenta area noted as strong submarkets.

A Maumelle High School football player discovered a venomous cottonmouth hidden in his helmet during practice Thursday in Maumelle.

Maumelle Animal Services flooded the helmet padding to flush out and safely remove the snake (a rare find) and advised checking dark, sheltered equipment for hidden animals.

Arkansas football kicker Max Gilbert remains confident in his ability to hit longer field goals as special teams coordinator Chad Lunsford said he is set for deep attempts today — potential long-range option Braeden McAlister showed his leg strength with a 60-yard make last season.

Troy Fisher, a high school baseball standout from Liberty North (Missouri) committed for Arkansas next season, signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday and will not join the Razorbacks.

Coach Dave Van Horn said some Razorback players may also sign pro contracts.