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Daily editionFriday, October 30th, 2026

Good morning, Little Rock.

The 5AM Little Rock Team

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Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 30th of October.

Culture

  1. Dr. James Suen, emeritus professor of otolaryngology at UAMS, was honored Thursday at a packed auditorium for a “Last Lecture” where colleagues and family praised his role in creating the head and neck cancer program and Rockefeller Cancer Institute; Suen, fighting two aggressive cancers, said he expects to die in the coming weeks.

    Arkansas Democrat-GazetteRead more

Economy

  1. A new national report from Ford Motor Co. says Arkansas grew its skilled-trades workforce 6% from 2019–2025, adding about 11,000 workers and ranking 16th for growth, but employers still need more workers in manufacturing, construction + transportation.

    Arkansas Democrat-GazetteRead more

Government

  1. Attorney General Tim Griffin sued former organizer William Trey Tucker III on Oct. 27 in Pulaski County, alleging he collected $25,200 from 112 players for an Aug. 2 to 4, 2024 All State softball event but reserved one day, failed to provide promised games and gear, and offered no refunds.

    KATVRead more

  2. At yesterday's legislative council meeting, lawmakers kept school safety grants at $16 million for FY2028 and voted to draft an appropriation bill for the Department of Education, rejecting a motion to add $1 million for testing advanced technologies (drones) after members cited $13 million unspent.

    KATVRead more

Sports

  1. Treyton Whittle moved primarily to safety and has helped Elkins' defense stay elite, recording 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, 371 receiving yards, and two defensive touchdowns on Oct. 9 as he helps the Elks pursue a fifth straight conference title in an upcoming game against Gravette.

    Arkansas Democrat-GazetteRead more

  2. Arkansas softball will travel to California for a five-game California Classic weekend Feb. 18-21, 2027, facing Stanford, Ohio State, UCLA, California and Nebraska in Palo Alto and Berkeley.

    The trip includes rematches with Nebraska and UCLA, which eliminated Arkansas from the 2026 Women’s College World Series.

    Arkansas Democrat-GazetteRead more

  3. Arkansas 2027 football commits posted season numbers this week, led by QB Cason Myers with 1,485 passing yards and WR Jabari Watkins with 30 catches for 439 yards and 9 TDs, and many will play upcoming high school games around the state.

    Arkansas Democrat-GazetteRead more