Good morning, Little Rock.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (501 W.

Ninth St.) will celebrate its 18th anniversary Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m. with free back-to-school haircuts, mini spa experiences, a magic show, cupcake decorating and free ice cream from Loblolly Creamery.

Downtown Food Truck Festival celebrates 15 years with nearly 70 trucks at 30 Crossing Green Space under I-30 bridge this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event offers live music, family activities and a Big Rig Zone (powered by James A.

Rogers Excavating) that benefits art projects.

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts will host Marie and Rosetta, a 90-minute musical tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharp, from Saturday through Sept.

27—with an extra 7 p.m. Friday performance on Sept. 25. The show, for audiences aged 13 and older, ends with a champagne toast for those 21 and older.

Catrina Taqueria Cantina opened last week in Argenta at 515 Main St. (North Little Rock), serving tacos, burritos and margaritas; meanwhile, brewpubs including Southern Tail Brewing in East Village and Moody Brews in Pettaway are hosting Oktoberfest events on Saturday with drink specials and live music.

Arkansas Comic Con will take place at the Statehouse Convention Center, with events scheduled Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The show will feature celebrity guests (Ming-Na Wen and Danny Trejo among others), cosplay contests, panels, and vendor displays celebrating comic books, anime, and sci-fi.

The Little Rock Zoo named Jessica Scott as assistant director and Hannah Baker as general curator on Wednesday—both advanced from volunteer and intern roles.

Scott will manage the zoo's operations and strategy while Baker focuses on animal enclosures and welfare.

The Little Rock Port Authority spent $4.1 million through August, exceeding revenue by $52,665 and showing a $195,000 gap in August; its director said changes later in the year will help balance the budget.

Families on the Medicaid waitlist held a news conference at the state Capitol Wednesday after Gov. Sanders announced a framework to assist nearly 2,500 disabled Arkansans.

Advocates urge lawmakers to call a special session and boost funding to clear the waitlist — a critical step for those needing home care.

Pediatrician Dr. Josh Lyon (All For Kids Pediatric Clinic) reported a rise in stomach illnesses among children this September as school resumed in Little Rock, advising parents to watch for dehydration and persistent fever before sending students back to class.

Arkansas softball coach Courtney Deifel said the team’s fall practice slate shows high energy after their first Women’s College World Series trip, and fans across campus are rallying behind the program.

Key returners and new staff additions point to a promising season ahead.