Daily
Fort Smith
Friday, April 3rd, 2026
Good morning, Fort Smith. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 3rd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Local seamstresses in River Valley have been stitching handmade quilts to honor veterans and service members as part of Quilts of Valor. The volunteer group, River Valley Stars Quilts of Valor, has provided nearly 160 quilts to offer comfort and recognition to those who served. 5 News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Fort Smith’s new one-act play “The Western District” debuts on April 9 at Prima Italia with an immersive dinner experience that brings history to life by exploring the city’s 1871 court corruption scandal — additional shows are set for April 11 at Digs and April 12 at Pridgin Family Brewery. Southwest Times Record
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UAFS’s 2025-2026 Lion Leadership class will host a cap & gown donation drive on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, easing graduation costs and cutting waste for students. University of Arkansas Fort Smith
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ River Valley communities in Greenwood, Sebastian County, Blue Mountain and Hackett will receive state park and trail grants for new inclusive playgrounds and facility updates. The $4.92M program announced by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on March 31 supports outdoor improvements for local residents. Southwest Times Record
- ➤ Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, said Wednesday that he opposes capping the state's Educational Freedom Account program which helps pay for private, parochial or home school tuition — he stresses the program supports every child's chance to learn. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ On Thursday, April 2, Detective Sandi Lopez received the Officer-of-the-Year Award at the Fort Smith Police Department annual awards ceremony in downtown Fort Smith, where Mayor George McGill spoke and police officers saluted the flag. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Baptist Health-Fort Smith is set to end labor and delivery services by April 28, prompting Mercy to evaluate if its expanded facilities can handle additional births. Mercy is reviewing local capacity while assuring safe, quality care to mothers and babies — a focus for community health. Southwest Times Record
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cameron edged Fort Smith Northside in a close baseball game on Friday, Apr. 3, marking a narrow win as the contest added excitement to the season. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
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The Arts as Divine Inspiration
7-9 p.m. — UAFS Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center — Free entry — Engage in a lively exploration of the spiritual and social impact of art in our lives.
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Gala for Good: Best Night of the Year 2026
6-10 p.m. — Kay Rodgers Park — Tickets required — Experience an unforgettable evening with Tracy Lawrence featuring live music, auctions, and more for a good cause.
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Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
6:30-7:30 p.m. — United States Marshals Museum — Ticketed event — Experience the music of Fleetwood Mac in a stunning candlelit setting.
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Cat In the Hat
6-8 p.m. — ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center — Tickets required — Experience the whimsical adventures of two bored kids and a mischievous cat on a rainy day.
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KPOP Universe Tribute Show
4:00 – 5:30 PM — Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair — Ticketed event — Experience the only live K-POP tribute show in the USA with professional dancers and stunning effects.
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Run for Autism
8-11 a.m. — Ben Geren Regional Park — Supports The Griffin Promise Autism Center — Participate in the first annual run to help grow resources for autism in Fort Smith.
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Brooke White Band Live Performance
9 PM - 12 AM — 906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge — Check with venue for admission info — Enjoy the energetic sounds of Fort Smith’s own female-fronted powerhouse rock band.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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