Good morning, Fort Smith.

Fort Smith nonprofits Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy and Heart to Heart Pregnancy and Family Care Center will receive Mercy Caritas grants — part of a $500K award serving vulnerable residents across five states — to expand services for children and families.

Thursday, Dec. 4 at Fort Smith National Cemetery, the Stars and Stripes Sojourn 250 campaign honored an American flag destined for every state, territory and U.S. military cemetery overseas with veterans, educators and local leaders joining the ceremony.

Fort Smith Little Theatre is staging 'Closed for the Holidays,' an off-season Christmas comedy directed by Eric Wells that blends humor and heart.

Tickets cost $8 and are available online, by phone (479-783-2966 ext. 2) or at the door for three performances through the weekend.

The UAFS Drennen-Scott Historic Site will host a Victorian Christmas Open House on Dec.

12 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) at Van Buren with live music, costume interpreters, and festive treats. The drop-in event is a joint project with the city and local merchant association celebrating 19th-century traditions.

UAFS alum Kyle Speegle (2002) is lighting up the River Valley tonight at 8005 Bridgewood Lane with his Extreme Light Shows from 6 to 10 p.m. on FM 103.1, featuring thousands of synchronized lights with new songs and effects while drivers are asked to dim headlights.

Fort Smith Public Schools began a $3.3M multi-year project on Dec.

2 to rebuild elementary playgrounds with a new 'Oceanscape' design — the first phase at six campuses, including Barling, will take five to six weeks per campus.

More than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese have been recalled due to a risk of metal fragments per the FDA's Class II alert — customers in Fort Smith should check their fridges for products with batch or sell-by dates from January to March 2026 and return them for a refund.

Hearts of Gold Classic 5K Run/Walk for Project Compassion

3-5 p.m. — Ben Geren Regional Park — Registration details available — Participate in a festive holiday run to support Project Compassion.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Systems Administrator II Training

Dec 8-11 — Fort Smith Adult Education Center — $1890 — Enhance your Linux skills with this hands-on, expert-led training course.

Velcro Pygmies Live Performance

7:30 PM - 1:30 AM — Majestic Fort Smith — Ticket prices vary — Experience a nostalgic musical journey with the World Famous Velcro Pygmies.

An Evening with Jane Austen

6:30-11 p.m. — Bonneville House — Ticket purchase required — Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday with a Regency dinner, wine tasting, and dance lessons.

Candlelight Christmas Concert

6:30-8:30 p.m. — United States Marshals Museum — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Christmas Carols performed by strings under candlelight.

$5 Movie Night at King Opera House

12-2 p.m. — King Opera House — $5 entry — Enjoy a budget-friendly movie screening in a historic venue.

Wiggle Worms Storytime

10-11 a.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Enjoy rhymes, songs, and stories in a delightful interactive storytime for babies and caregivers.