Good morning, Little Rock.

A beloved Little Rock art teacher lost her home in a Christmas eve fire — local art community members are rallying support as she begins to rebuild her life.

Crews are investigating a fire that damaged the former rotary club building downtown — officials have not yet determined its cause.

Jurnee Taylor reported that Little Rock residents gathered to honor a dedicated art teacher on Friday, Dec.

26—supporting her work in local schools. The tribute showcased community pride through the celebration of her inspiring contributions to arts education.

Rex Nelson and Skip Rutherford review key events in Arkansas in 2025 on the Southern Fried Podcast.

Their discussion covers downtown revitalization, Amazon’s Little Rock port facility closure and the University of Arkansas vs. Arkansas State University game at War Memorial Stadium.

A ticket sold at Murphy USA in Cabot holds a $1.8 billion jackpot (the second largest in lottery history) as officials verify details and outline the next steps according to lottery rules.

The Reading in the Rock initiative delivered 50,000 books to Little Rock School District students.

Third and fifth graders at King Elementary School received bright orange drawstring bags full of books to boost reading at home + at school.

Karen Fuller delivered Arkansas's morning headlines on Friday, Dec.

26, highlighting how the governor and her family spent Christmas in Israel along with other local updates.

Starting January 1, 2026, Arkansas will end its 0.125% grocery tax on essential foods — saving families about $10 to $12 million a year, while counties and cities will continue collecting taxes on non-food items.

Club Fit in Little Rock now offers 24/7 hours and personalized training sessions to help members stay active during the winter as days shorten and schedules change.

The gym also advises careful warm-ups to reduce injury risks.

The Toast: A Premier New Year’s Eve Celebration

8 PM – 2 AM — Little Rock Marriott — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate 2026 with three levels of music, luxury, and a high-energy midnight countdown.

Time Travel Half Marathon and Fun Run

Time Travel Half Marathon/10K/5K — 9 a.m. — North Little Rock, Arkansas — Entry fees vary — Celebrate the New Year with a fun-packed running event for all ages featuring various distances.