Good morning, Little Rock.

The eight-day Six Bridges Book Festival kicks off Sunday with a sold-out event featuring Annie Hartnett at Esse Purse Museum+ it will also host sessions at venues including Williams Library and Ron Robinson Theater through Oct.

3.

On Thursday, community supporters gathered at a Little Rock School Board meeting, urging officials to keep Watson Elementary open amid looming budget cuts that may force school closures for the 2027-28 school year.

The board will decide on final options, including possible consolidations for some campuses.

AGFC officials say construction on the new spillway and dam at Lake Conway continues on schedule despite drought and nears its three-year mark; contractors cleared 28 miles of boat lanes and installed a footbridge (to guide water control) aimed at supporting stable water levels and fish spawning.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Thursday that $54.6 million in federal funds will support rural healthcare.

The funding is split between two initiatives — HEART and RISE AR — to improve nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease management, and workforce development in rural areas.

A new report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families found that 56,904 children were uninsured in 2024, with the rate rising to 7.7% from 4.1% a decade ago, impacting low-income & non-English speaking families.

Arkansas football will face Tulsa at 7 p.m. on Saturday after a 45-17 loss to Georgia.

They aim to boost their running game (averaging 2.3 yards per carry) and create more takeaways on defense as they prepare for their first home night game.

Arkansas women’s basketball coach Kelsi Musick is adding new defensive coordinator (Dionnah Jackson-Durrett) to bring a turn-and-run defense after a 12 to 20 season, with improvements expected ahead of the Nov.

2 opener against New Orleans at Bud Walton Arena.

On Saturday, key roads near the Arkansas River in Little Rock and North Little Rock will be closed or restricted as 3,000 cyclists ride in the Big Dam Bridge 100 Cycling Tour - the route starts at Riverfront Drive and Willow Street and ends at Riverfront Park to benefit its foundation.

Arkansas men’s basketball forward Miikka Muurinen was cleared for NCAA eligibility ahead of the next season after questions arose from his past professional contract with KK Partizan (Belgrade).

The 7 foot freshman will join team practices and boost the Razorbacks’ frontcourt.