Regional News

Baseball executive announces run for Arkansas Land Commissioner

Published

3 days ago

January 7, 2025

LITTLE ROCK – Bryant resident Lance Restum has announced that he will put his name in the hat for the position of Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands in the 2026 Republican primary.

Restum, 44, is the director of community outreach for the Arkansas Travelers baseball team in North Little Rock. In connection with that position, he also serves as the executive director of the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation.

In a news release, he said, “Family, friends, business owners, and non-profit leaders like myself have approached me and encouraged me to run for Land Commissioner. They want a commonsense business leader who can think outside the box and bring new ways that office can serve the people of Arkansas.”

State Land Commissioner Tommy Land is term limited and unable to seek re-election in the next cycle.

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Regional News

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS: Just how much snow have we gotten?

Published

12 minutes ago

January 10, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO – There were a lot of predictions that came true from the weather professionals around the state, and a few that didn’t. Our staff at SouthArkansasNow.Com took a few random locations around Southwest Arkansas that we had access to through the traffic cameras at IDriveArkansas.Com and showed you pictures from 11:00 AM on Wednesday to 11:00 AM on Friday. Here are a few of the changes (or lack thereof) from around the area in forty-eight hours

Hot Springs

Hot Springs National Park is definitely an area that changed overnight. According to reports in the area, areas around Lake Ouachita received eleven inches of snow overnight. This picture is taken from Exit 2 on the Hot Springs Bypass, intersecting with US Highway 70.

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Friday 11:00 AM

Social Hill (Interstate 30 and State Highway 84, Exit 91)

Let’s be honest, I-30 from Little Rock to Texarkana can come to a complete standstill when a group of chickens cross the road. But all things considered, traffic seems to be flowing okay at the Social Hill exit between Malvern and Arkadelphia.

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Friday 11:00 AM

Gilliam (Sevier County, U.S. Highway 71)

Southwest Arkansas was set to receive some of the biggest snowfall amounts in the state, and boy did they ever! According to the National Weather Service, Mena had received fourteen inches by 8:00 AM on Friday, with more on the way! This ARDOT traffic camera is located along Highway 71 at Gilliam, just north of DeQueen.

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Friday 11:00 AM

Texarkana (Interstate 30 and State Line Avenue)

The winter weather event in Texarkana may just be what is known as a bust. Not much change in two days.

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Friday 11:00 AM

El Dorado (Highway 82 and Highway 167)

As we reported early Friday, Union and Columbia Counties had more of an ice event than anything, resulting in a loss of power for thousands. The before and after pictures don’t show a whole lot of difference, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been cold and slick on those South Arkansas roads.

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Friday 11:00 AM

News

Closings and Cancellations (January 10th)

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Staff Reports

10:30 PM UPDATE

Statewide

All Arkansas state government offices are closed Thursday and Friday.

El Dorado

The El Dorado School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th. The district urges everyone to prioritize safety during the anticipated weather conditions.

The Boys and Girls Club of Union County will be closed on Thursday.

Westside Christian School

Westside Christian School will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th.

Bravo Dance Centre

All classes for the remainder of the week have been cancelled. Classes will resume on Monday, January 13th.

Camden Fairview

The Camden Fairview School District has announced that all classes will be canceled on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10, due to expected severe weather conditions. The decision was made to prioritize safety, with concerns about hazardous road conditions during afternoon dismissals.

All district events scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have also been canceled. Updates regarding rescheduled events are already being shared, including the following:

Basketball games originally scheduled for January 9 and 10 will now take place at the CFHS Gym on Tuesday, January 21, with start times to be announced.
The Ivory Intermediate Spelling Bee will now be held on Wednesday, January 15, with 5th grade at 8:20 AM and 4th grade at 9:30 AM.

Thanks to five built-in inclement weather days in the school calendar, students will not need to make up the missed days. The district will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.

CFSD employees are advised to check their work emails for updates. The district encourages everyone to stay safe and warm.

Parkers Chapel

The Parkers Chapel School District will dismiss early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to anticipated weather conditions. Schools will remain closed on Friday, January 10.

Smackover

The Smackover-Norphlet School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to forecasted inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions. Buses will begin lining up at 12:30 p.m., and all after-school preschool classes are canceled.

Classes and all extracurricular activities are also canceled for Friday, January 10. The basketball game against Centerpoint has been rescheduled for Monday, January 13. District officials emphasized that the safety of students, staff, and the community remains their top priority.

Magnolia

The Magnolia School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. While officials believe it is unlikely schools will be open on Friday, a final decision will be made after assessing actual weather conditions. The district will continue to monitor updates and communicate any changes.

Hampton

Due to the threat of inclement weather Hampton Schools will be closed Thursday, January 9, 2025. The decision was made for the safety and the best educational outcomes for students and staff.

Regional News

“Huckabee” show to end run on TBN

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Staff Reports

NASHVILLE – After seven successful years on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Huckabee, the talk show hosted by former Arkansas Governor and conservative commentator Mike Huckabee, will air its final episode on January 11, 2025. The farewell episode comes as Huckabee steps into a new chapter, following his historic nomination as the first evangelical Christian to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

Since its debut in 2017, Huckabee has become a favorite among TBN viewers, offering a unique mix of patriotic discussions, God-honoring values, and family-friendly entertainment. The program featured a wide array of guests, from national and international newsmakers to celebrities, music legends, and inspiring everyday heroes. Huckabee’s blend of political insight, humor, and charm helped the show connect with millions of viewers across the globe.

The final 90-minute tribute episode, airing on January 11 at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT, promises to be a memorable send-off. The special will feature an exciting lineup of surprise guests and returning favorites, including Kid Rock, Babylon Bee, Chairman James Comer, Gary Sinise, Rich Little, Scott Hamilton, The Spinners, and more.

Reflecting on the end of the show, Governor Huckabee expressed gratitude for his time on TBN. “Hosting Huckabee has been an honor and a privilege, and I am deeply thankful for the remarkable guests, the loyal viewers, and the incredible team at TBN who made these past seven years so memorable,” he said. “It’s been a joy to celebrate the heart and soul of America, and I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.”

TBN President Matt Crouch praised Huckabee’s contributions to the network and wished him well in his new role. “We are losing an amazing TV host, but gaining what will be a great Ambassador to Israel,” Crouch said. “Congratulations, Governor Huckabee, on this historic nomination.”

The final episode of Huckabee marks the end of an era for TBN, while viewers and fans celebrate Huckabee’s new opportunity to serve on the global stage.