Good morning, Fort Smith.

Darby Watkins, a nephew of famed hero Gen. Darby, attended a film screening at the Fort Smith International Film Festival this week—local filmmakers documented his legacy and the city’s connection with Cisterna, Italy.

Resident assistants at UAFS are preparing to welcome new students into on-campus housing—Lion’s Den dorms and Sebastian Commons Apartments—where they will help settle them in as guided by resident directors Joe England and Johnny Resendiz.

Resident director Joe England has worked at UAFS' Lion’s Den since summer 2021—he draws on his own dorm experience to guide first-year students in building a close-knit community through regular events and shared meals.

He said living on campus helps students connect more easily with college life.

Starting next week, students across the River Valley return to school; Greenwood students resume classes Monday while Fort Smith and Van Buren students return Wednesday — some changes are coming to class routines.

Mandatory Phase II water conservation measures remain in effect in Fort Smith until further notice.

Although repairs to the 24-inch water main were completed, pressure testing and disinfection must be finished—restrictions include no lawn watering, golf courses watering only greens and tee boxes, and vehicle washing is allowed only for commercial car washes and licensed dealerships on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said that more than 30,000 residents with an Arkansas Mobile ID can now use it at over 260 airports across the country — testing finished last week, making TSA checkpoints accept the app as a valid form of ID.

The free app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play and will soon be added to Google and Samsung wallets with Apple wallet support coming later this fall.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders urged the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner to reject proposals from Centene and Blue Cross that would raise individual health insurance premiums by up to 54.4% and 25.5% next year because she called the increases excessive—she said the changes would hurt low-income families and affect hundreds of thousands of enrollees in Medicaid expansion and healthcare.gov plans.

Kobe Branham, a former Fort Smith Southside star, is rebuilding his game after his injury as he begins his second season with the Razorbacks—he is showing progress in practice and hopes to earn more playing time.

Anyone Can Learn to Letter

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Practice hand lettering techniques and explore tools in a creative environment.

Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. — The Vue Venue — Free entry — Explore a vibrant marketplace with live music, local food, and unique artisan vendors.

Hand-lettered Sign Workshop

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Explore the art of hand-lettering and take home a personalized sign.

LINUX SHELL SCRIPTING Training/Class

Sep 3-4 — Sylvan Learning of Fort Smith — $990 — Dive into hands-on Linux shell scripting training to automate tasks effectively.

Arkansas Apraxia Festival

2-5 p.m. — 3301 S M St Parking — Fundraiser event — Support children with apraxia through fun activities and advocacy.