48°ClearHigh 75° · Low 52°

  1. 6 a.m.Partly cloudy.48°
  2. NoonPartly cloudy.71°
  3. 6 p.m.Cloudy.67°
  4. MidnightCloudy.58°

Sunrise 6:42 a.m. Sunset 5:18 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

See this week
  1. 6 a.m.Partly cloudy.48°
  2. NoonPartly cloudy.71°
  3. 6 p.m.Cloudy.67°
  4. MidnightCloudy.58°
  1. TodayPartly cloudy. High 75° Low 52°
  2. FriPartly cloudy. High 67° Low 43°
  3. SatPartly cloudy. High 62° Low 40°
  4. SunPartly cloudy. High 64° Low 39°
  5. MonPartly cloudy. High 70° Low 41°

Sunrise 6:42 a.m. Sunset 5:18 p.m.

See full forecast

Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Fort Smith voters switch to a mayor-council government

Plus, ArcBest's third-quarter numbers and a confirmed tornado near Cedarville.

The Daily Fort Smith team2 stories10 sources4 min read

City HallTop story

Fort Smith voters approve changing to a mayor-council form of government

Fort Smith voters approved a new form of city government

WhatDetail
Being replacedCity administrator form
Replacing itMayor-council form
Mayor in this raceWon't get the new powers
Mayor for new systemVote in 2028

Sources: 5NEWS, khbs

If you live in Fort Smith, your city government is changing. Voters on Tuesday approved a switch from the current city administrator form of government to a system, and KHBS reported the vote late that night.

Fort Smith voters were also deciding who the next mayor will be. That mayor won't get any of the new powers under this system.

  • Same structure as many nearby cities, like Fayetteville
  • Being replaced: the city administrator structure
  • Vote on a mayor for the new system: 2028

2028year Fort Smith will vote on a mayor for the new system

The mayor decided in this election won't get any of the new powers.

Source: khbs

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Business

ArcBest reports third-quarter revenue of $1.2 billion, up from a year ago

If you keep an eye on hometown companies, ArcBest had a strong third quarter. The Fort Smith company reported Wednesday revenue of $1.2 billion, up 14.3% from $1.05 billion a year ago, and income of $55.7 million, up from $39.3 million.

Revenue rose in both of ArcBest's divisions

Q3 2025MeasureQ3 2026
$726.5MAsset revenue$798.6M
$355.9MAsset-light revenue$446.3M
$70.2MAsset operating income$75.6M

Talk Business & Politics reports net income of $51.659 million, up 31.5%, and revenue of $1.21 billion, up 15.5%. Adjusted earnings per share of $2.62 beat the $2.51 consensus estimate.

“The third quarter reflected the progress we've been making across ArcBest and the commitment of our people.”

Seth Runser, ArcBest president and CEO
  • operating income: $12.5 million, up from a $1.6 million loss
  • Shares: down 2.5% to $131.10 in morning trading
  • Stephens analyst's target price: $185 a share
  • July cut: about 2% of workforce, roughly 280 jobs

ArcBest's income climbed, and its shares are up year to date

$55.7 million
in third-quarter income, up 41.7%
$2.30
earnings per share, up from $1.72
More than 80%
gain in ArcBest shares year to date

News Notes · More

Tornado

The National Weather Service in Tulsa confirmed Wednesday that a tornado touched down at 2:16 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Cedarville area of Crawford County, according to a preliminary local storm report. The storm uprooted numerous trees and snapped the trunks of a couple. 5NEWS says the EF1 tornado, with winds up to 100 mph, tracked 2.9 miles, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. KNWA FOX245NEWS

2.9 milespath of the EF1 tornado near Cedarville

It touched down at 2:16 a.m. Tuesday with winds up to 100 mph.

Sources: KNWA FOX24, 5NEWS

Hometown champ

A World Series champion is celebrating the title back home in Fort Smith, 5NEWS reports. 5NEWS

Football

Thursday's high school football schedule lists Mountain Pine at Mountainburg in 2A-1 and Dover at Waldron in 4A-4. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Asked

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Which Fort Smith-area event are you most likely to hit this weekend?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

— Sylvia Plath

Things to Do

Things to Do

Fort Smith, AR

Thursday, Nov. 5

See every Fort Smith eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Real Estate

Real Estate

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The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Lost and found

🚨 Ford was lost yesterday in Fort Smith, AR 72901 near dodson avenue and towson.

“🤝 Sharing for a neighbor. You too can help spread the word for this lost cat by sharing this post. 💬 Owner's Message: "please help us get our fur baby back home safe we miss him so much!" 🐾 Description: "Ford is orangish cream color long haired tabby kitten with blue eyes " 🔗 For more info or to contact Ford's…”

— A neighbor, Meandering Way
Photo from the neighbor’s post

10 likes · 0 comments

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The Wrap

Saturday, Nov. 7, the Fort Smith Film Festival brings free music video screenings to 906 Lounge. The lineup runs from music shorts at 2:30 p.m. to music docs and videos later on, including titles like "Honky Talkin' Boy from the Fifties." Pop in for one, or settle in. Roll the credits.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Fort Smith voters pick a mayor-council government

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Every source in this edition10 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. 5NEWS5newsonline.com
  3. khbs4029tv.com
  4. Arkansas Businessarkansasbusiness.com
  5. Talk Business & Politicstalkbusiness.net
  6. KNWA FOX24nwahomepage.com
  7. 5NEWS5newsonline.com
  8. 5NEWS5newsonline.com
  9. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazettenwaonline.com
  10. Fort Smith events calendardailyfortsmith.com

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Daily Fort Smithto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Fort Smith voters switch to a mayor-council government

Plus, ArcBest's third-quarter numbers and a confirmed tornado near Cedarville.

The TLDR

  1. Fort Smith voters approve a mayor-council government
  2. ArcBest reports $1.2 billion in third-quarter revenue
  3. NWS confirms an EF-1 tornado near Cedarville
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Fort Smith’s other editions

All the news
City HallFort Smith voters approve switching to a mayor-council governmentFort Smith voters have approved changing the city's form of government, unofficial results show. The proposal got 14,322 votes in favor and 5,863 against, and Talk Business & Politics says it passed by 8,459 votes.Public SafetyFort Smith will receive an $8 million federal grant for a new 911 centerThe city announced Monday that it will receive an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program. River Valley 911 Communications Center director Wes Milam said the new center is expected to cost at or under $10 million, and the grant will also help buy equipment.Public SafetyFort Smith wins an $8 million federal grant for the River Valley 911 Communications CenterIf you've ever dialed 911 in Sebastian County, this one's for you. The city of Fort Smith has been awarded an $8 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program. It will pay for a new facility and new equipment for the River Valley 911 Communications Center.

Around Fort Smith

From Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5NEWS and KNWA FOX24, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette3 hours ago

    High school football schedule, on Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    This week's high school football schedule

  2. 5NEWS6 hours ago

    Fort Smith native reflects on World Series win after returning home, on 5NEWS

    After celebrating a World Series win with the Milwaukee Brewers, Daniel de Mondesert is spending a few days back home in Fort Smith with friends and family.

  3. 5NEWS8 hours ago

    Seven mayors in Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley lose reelection bids, on 5NEWS

    Incumbent mayors in Lowell, Bonanza, Hartford, Clarksville, Booneville, Mansfield, and Greenwood were unseated by challengers on Nov. 3.

  4. 5NEWS10 hours ago

    NWS confirms EF1 tornado touched down near Cedarville early Tuesday, on 5NEWS

    An EF1 tornado with winds up to 100 mph tracked 2.9 miles near Cedarville in the early morning of Nov. 3. No injuries or fatalities were reported.