Daily
Fort Smith
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
Good morning, Fort Smith. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 1st of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Downtown business owners said First Saturdays (held on the first Saturday of each month except May) help boost local business and increase foot traffic downtown. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Fort Smith is set to host a Night Out Fundraiser to support the Girls Shelter, rallying community neighbors in a common effort. Organizers say the event will build local support — a key step in strengthening vital youth services. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Fort Smith-based ArcBest reported an $8.1 million loss in the fourth quarter amid revenue of $972.7 million — a $9.1 million non-cash impairment affected the results — and CEO Seth Runser said the company plans strong execution in 2025 in a challenging freight market. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ T2 comedy brings a fresh twist to theatre at TheatreSquared this month as the play explores how books can change lives. Shannon Webber stars as the club's founder while Alex Lydon plays her husband, urging audiences not to judge a book by its cover. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Arkansas Public Theatre in Fort Smith announced plans to open a new rehearsal hall that will boost local productions + offer a dedicated space for area performers, with details on timelines to be shared soon. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ An anonymous donor pledged $7.5 million to create an endowment for three local Catholic schools that will fund STEM programs and help with tuition. The funds will begin disbursing interest in about a year and a half to support the schools for decades. 5 News
- ➤ Arkansas public school employees now have up to 12 weeks of full-paid maternity leave under Act 904 of 2025, which took effect Aug. 5, 2025. Teachers say the benefit, noted as a game changer, has eased their recovery & helped improve recruitment and retention statewide. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ River Valley Player Profiles showcased seniors Isaiah Muniz from Johnson County Westside and Jessie Mendenhall from Hackett, with Muniz appearing Tuesday, Oct. 14 at a basketball media day in Fort Smith. Their profiles detail jersey numbers, class, and favorite snacks & personal facts. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Mansfield coaches Whit Overton and Kaylie Pyles were named to the Arkansas Coaches Association All-Star teams for football and volleyball this past week, marking a milestone in their careers. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
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Viking 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
2:30-6:30 p.m. — 7200 S Zero St, Fort Smith, AR — Registration required — Compete in various distances while supporting local health and fitness initiatives.
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Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA Concert
8:30 p.m. — United States Marshals Museum — Ticketed event — Enjoy a magical evening of classic hits from Queen and ABBA under candlelight.
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Taj Farrant Live Concert
6:00-11:59 p.m. — Majestic Fort Smith — Entry cost not specified — Experience the electrifying live show of the young guitar prodigy, Taj Farrant.
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Fraud Stuart Live Performance
6-9 p.m. — 906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge — Free entry — Experience the genre-defying sounds of the progressive bluegrass band Fraud Stuart at a local favorite venue.
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Library Style Lab
2-4 p.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Revitalize your old garments and unleash your creativity with stylish clothing alterations.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What you resist, persists.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Fort Smith
Welcome to the Daily Fort Smith, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Fort Smith, Arkansas community. If you like the Daily Fort Smith, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Fort Smith.
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