Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 21st of March.
Good morning, Fort Smith.
💼 Business
Eddie Lee Herndon was appointed to the Arvest Bank board of directors in Fort Smith on Wednesday — his work as community affairs manager at Oklahoma Gas & Electric and previous leadership at United Way adds valuable experience for the bank.
🎓 Education
The Fort Smith Board of Education will interview three superintendent finalists in early April and a final decision is expected mid-month—candidates include Anne Marfeld from Pea Ridge Public Schools, Jason Black from Conway Public Schools, and Martin Mahan from Fort Smith Public Schools.
🏛️ Government
Following an equipment failure on March 17, the Fort Smith Government Access Channel (Cox Channel 214) has been off air and will resume broadcasting by March 26 after the damaged equipment is repaired or replaced.
The City is working on the fix until service is restored.
Fort Smith officials approved two street closures at the intersection of South 30th with Osage and South 31st with Memphis for sewer repair work— the South 30th closure is now in effect until March 25 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the South 31st closure will start March 24 and last until March 28 during the same hours.
House Bill 1713—set to require an 8th-grade readability test for citizen-led ballot measures but not for legislatively proposed constitutional amendments—passed the House on March 12 with 60 votes, and its emergency clause received 70 votes; the bill will next be reviewed by the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
State lawmakers filed a bill on Wednesday that would legalize online casino gambling for the three licensed casinos and make unlicensed operators a felony.
The measure would let casinos offer mobile interactive gaming and NIL drawings for universities — subject to review by the Arkansas Racing Commission — as they work to clamp down on offshore sites.
🏈 Sports
Today, Coach Calipari led the Hogs to a 79 to 72 win over Kansas—Jonas Aidoo scored 22 points and Nelly Davis added 18 as Arkansas outscored the Jayhawks 24 to 12 in the paint in the first half.
They will face the winner of St John's and Omaha in the second round on Saturday.
🎉 Fort Smith Events
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Paint and Sip Night
6:00-8:30 p.m. — Prohibition — Check ticketing for pricing — Enjoy a creative evening of painting while sipping your favorite drinks.
Fort Smith Marathon
7 a.m. | Historic Downtown Fort Smith | Registration fees apply | Experience a stunning race through charming neighborhoods and scenic trails.
Creed Fisher Live Performance
7-9:30 p.m. — Sphinx Club at TempleLive — Tickets available — Experience the soulful melodies of Creed Fisher as he captivates with his latest album's heartfelt tracks.
Family Storytime at Miller Branch
10-11 a.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Miller Branch) — Free entry — Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts in a fun environment for children and caregivers.
Big Head Todd & The Monsters
7-8:30 p.m. — Majestic Fort Smith — 18+ event — Enjoy an evening of rock music from Big Head Todd & The Monsters in a vibrant venue.
Bags at The Bakery: Cornhole Night
6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Bakery District — Cash payouts available — Play cornhole in competitive, intermediate, and backyard divisions in a lively atmosphere.
1st Choice 'He is Risen' Walk + 5K for Life
9 AM – 2 PM — Ben Geren Regional Park — Registration fees vary — Participate in a chip-timed 5K to support families in crisis.
🏠 Fort Smith Real Estate
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💼 Fort Smith Job Board
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📣 Fort Smith Announcements
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