ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY

May 18 2026WEATHER

Rain on the Way: What Arkansas Can Expect This Week

Arkansas residents should prepare for a mixed bag of weather this week. Forecasters predict scattered thunderstorms starting Tuesday morning, with another possible round later in the day. A cold front pushing through the region will bring the chance of heavy rain that could last into Wednesday. Whil

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May 14 2026HEALTH

Weather‑Driven Lung Infection Threatens 1, 000 Lives Annually

Valley fever is a lung disease caused by spores from the fungus Coccidioides, which thrives in dry soil across parts of the southwestern United States and south‑central Washington. The illness can be fatal, with up to 1, 000 deaths reported each year. A study in Phoenix showed that the risk of infe

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

New Dean Leads Arkansas State Nursing College

Arkansas State University has officially named Stacy Walz the dean of its College of Nursing and Health Professions, ending her interim status that began in 2025. Walz, who has a long history with the college as associate dean and chair of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, will take over full responsibi

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May 08 2026POLITICS

How Arkansas politics is shaping what students learn in college

Arkansas colleges are facing growing pressure from state lawmakers to drop programs and remove professors they disagree with. In one recent case, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock agreed to cut its gender studies minor after Republican lawmakers threatened to block its budget. They argued th

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Apr 27 2026ENVIRONMENT

Can underwater plants warn us about hidden chemicals in rivers?

Rivers hide more than just fish and rocks. They also carry invisible chemicals from everyday products. One group, called PFAS, sticks around for years and mixes into water systems. Scientists recently tested a common underwater plant, Potamogeton crispus, to see if it could act like a warning sign f

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Apr 14 2026EDUCATION

Arkansas steps up in vet education to keep experts local

Arkansas has always relied on farming—poultry, cattle, and crops pump billions into the state’s economy and keep rural towns alive. Yet for years, the veterinarians who safeguard this backbone were scarce because most new vets had to leave Arkansas just to study. The result? The state spent years tr

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Apr 03 2026OPINION

Safety Tech Helps Keep Riverton Secure

Riverton’s council members often think about how to protect the town and its families. A violent crime in the neighborhood a little over two years ago made everyone feel unsafe. After that, people called for help and worried about children playing outside or being alone at home. The town’s

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Mar 15 2026EDUCATION

New Outdoor Learning Hub Opens for Arkansas Tech Students

Arkansas Tech University is expanding its hands‑on teaching options with a fresh outdoor program. A former graduate has donated $50, 000 to create a fund that will help students pay for trips to Crooked Creek Ranch, a 500‑acre site near Yellville. The ranch sits next to the Arkansas Game and Fish Co

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Feb 17 2026CRIME

Neighbors Take Action: How a Small Community Thwarted Crime with Signs and Cameras

Valley Glen, a quiet part of the San Fernando Valley, has seen its residents step up to keep their streets safe. Facing a surge of break‑ins linked to gangs from South America, homeowners installed 22 warning signs and set up infrared license‑plate readers plus video cameras. The initiative reported

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Feb 15 2026EDUCATION

Students Gain Real‑World Skills Through School Business Club

Valley High’s business club, DECA, is turning ordinary classes into real‑world training. The club has grown fast in its third year, thanks to teacher Nick DeFrancesco’s guidance. Students meet after school and sometimes more often, practicing role‑plays and case studies that mimic real busines

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