Good morning, Fort Smith.

Towson Avenue in Fort Smith was flooded after strong storms hit Monday night and police rescued drivers from at least two cars stuck in the rising water.

Crews are assessing damage on other roads, including Highway 271 south, as parts of Van Buren also experienced flooding.

Fort Smith police said 23-year-old Tumontay Parks died at an area hospital after being shot Saturday night at about 10 p.m. near Belle Avenue from a dark-colored truck that fled the scene—no arrests have been made.

Molly Dunaway, a Fort Smith native and the reigning Ms. Sebastian County, has been named the Arkansas delegate to the Miss Worldwide Pageant set for July 26 in Omaha, Neb + she is a single mother of nine and a foster mother to over 160 at-risk children who will use her platform to support family empowerment.

Tariffs on trade have slowed barge traffic on the Arkansas River with tonnage falling 15% so far and 21% in April, port manager Marty Shell said.

He said the changing tariffs make it hard to plan at Fort Smith — and he expects it will take six to seven months to show the full effect.

Denali Water Solutions said it will stop bringing recycled waste this year and close its open air storage lagoon near Highway 59 and Hollis Lake Road in January to lessen the odor.

Locals remain doubtful as they recall a similar promise in 2019 that was not kept.

Protect AR Rights proposed a constitutional amendment to remove barriers to direct democracy and Attorney General Tim Griffin has 10 business days to approve or reject the measure—if approved, the amendment will require collecting 90,704 voter signatures before July 3rd to appear on the November ballot and it faces a legal challenge over its reading-level rule.

City offices in Fort Smith will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day—reopening Tuesday, May 27.

Arkansas high school state championship games in baseball, softball, and soccer will air on AETN and stream on NFHS Network at University of Central Arkansas venues from May 22 to May 24.

The Hackett Hornets will face Riverside at 10 a.m. May 24 in the Class 2A state softball final — each game has set times and classifications.

Storytime with Fort Smith Police

4:00 – 4:30 PM — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Enjoy an engaging storytime with a local police officer and get your questions answered.

Launch Party & Silent Auction

5:30-8 p.m. — The Bricks — Free entry — Celebrate with drinks and appetizers while supporting maternal health through a silent auction.

Old Fort Days Rodeo

7:30-9 p.m. — Kay Rodgers Park — Ticket information not specified — Experience thrilling rodeo events featuring top competitors from around the world in a tradition dating back to 1933.

Summer Smash Music Festival

5:30-11:59 p.m. — Majestic Fort Smith — Cost info not specified — Celebrate REHAB's 25th Anniversary with live music across genres hosted by Peter Dante.