"Little Rock Baseball Makes History, Police Chief Retires, AI Policy Adopted, Youth Curfew Continues, Homebuyer Fair Set, Splash Pads Open!"

Trivia Question❓

What Central Arkansas city is home to the University of Central Arkansas?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Little Rock baseball makes program history with first Super Regional trip

UA Little Rock baseball is headed to new territory.

The Trojans advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Super Regional after winning the Hattiesburg Regional, marking one of the biggest milestones in Little Rock baseball history.

Little Rock will face Troy on Friday, June 5, at 4 p.m., with the game listed for ESPNU. The matchup gives Central Arkansas a major college baseball storyline to follow as the Trojans continue their postseason run.

The Super Regional appearance comes after Little Rock captured the regional title in Hattiesburg, pushing the program deeper into the NCAA Tournament than it has ever gone before.

For fans, alumni, students, and local baseball families, the moment gives Little Rock a rare postseason spotlight and a chance to rally around a historic run.

Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton retires after nearly 30 years

Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton has retired after nearly three decades with the Little Rock Police Department, marking a major leadership transition for the city’s public safety team.

Helton’s final day was May 29. According to the City of Little Rock, he served with LRPD for nearly 30 years and led the department during a four-year stretch that included lower reported crime and a stronger focus on data- and technology-driven policing.

The city will now begin the process of choosing its next police chief. The search will be an important civic issue to watch, especially as Little Rock continues work around violent crime reduction, officer recruitment, neighborhood trust, and public safety strategy.

The leadership change gives city officials an opportunity to define the next phase of policing in Little Rock while building on the department’s recent priorities.

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Pulaski County data center moratorium fails after vote tally review

Pulaski County’s proposed pause on new data center development is back in the spotlight after officials corrected the vote tally and said the emergency ordinance did not pass.

County officials had initially said the moratorium was approved, but Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth later said a voting miscalculation changed the outcome. Emergency ordinances require at least 10 yes votes to pass, and a review found the proposal did not meet that threshold.

The proposed moratorium would have temporarily halted new data center development in the county, giving officials more time to consider questions around utilities, land use, noise, and infrastructure. Arkansas Advocate reported the measure received eight votes on the 15-member panel, which was enough for a majority but not enough for an emergency ordinance.

The issue is likely to stay active as residents and county leaders continue weighing the scale of proposed projects, including major data center investments tied to Google and AVAIO. For Central Arkansas, the debate is no longer just about economic development; it also touches power demand, water use, neighborhood impact, and how quickly local governments can respond to large infrastructure-heavy projects.

Little Rock adopts AI use policy for city government

Little Rock has adopted a new policy for how city government can use artificial intelligence.

The city’s AI Acceptable Use Policy creates review standards for departments that want to use AI tools in city operations. The policy includes privacy safeguards, human oversight requirements, and a review process led by an AI Committee through the city’s Department of Information Technology.

The goal is to give city departments a framework for using AI responsibly while protecting sensitive information and keeping people involved in decisions that affect residents.

The policy also arrives as Little Rock and Pulaski County continue broader conversations about technology infrastructure, including data centers, utility demand, land use, and public accountability. While the AI policy is separate from those development debates, both issues point to the same larger question: how local governments should manage fast-changing technology while protecting residents and public services.

Little Rock youth curfew continues through summer weekends

Little Rock’s extended weekend curfew for young people remains in effect through the summer.

The curfew applies to anyone under 18 and runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 6. The city says its permanent weeknight curfew also remains in effect Sunday through Thursday.

City officials have framed the extended weekend hours as part of a broader effort to support public safety during the summer months, when more young people are out of school and community activity increases.

Parents and caregivers may want to review the curfew hours with teens, especially before weekend events, late-night outings, or summer activities that could run past 10 p.m.

Little Rock homebuyer fair listed for June 6, details still need confirmation

The City of Little Rock has listed a Down Payment Assistance Program & First-Time Homebuyers Fair for Saturday, June 6, through its Housing & Neighborhood Programs section.

The event appears on the city’s news page, but the linked event page did not open cleanly during research, so key details such as time, location, registration requirements, and eligibility information still need to be confirmed.

The fair could be a useful resource for residents looking to learn more about buying a first home, down payment assistance, and local housing programs. Before attending, residents should check directly with the City of Little Rock’s Housing & Neighborhood Programs department for the latest details.

Pulaski County Planning Board meeting set for June 23

Pulaski County’s next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, according to the county’s filing and meeting calendar.

The meeting is worth watching as development questions remain active across Central Arkansas, including ongoing public interest in data centers, land use, infrastructure, and how large projects move through the local review process.

Planning Board meetings can shape what comes next for rezoning requests, site plans, conditional uses, and other development-related items before they move further through county government.

Residents following growth and development issues may want to check the county agenda closer to the meeting date for specific items, public comment opportunities, and any projects scheduled for review

Five Central Arkansas events to know this weekend

Central Arkansas has a busy weekend ahead, with local shopping and running downtown, a family deal at the zoo, a quirky Hot Springs tradition, a kid-friendly museum event, and live music in Little Rock.

SoMa After Dark + Main Street Mile is set for Friday, June 5, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Little Rock’s South Main district. The event brings together the energy of a Friday night out with the Main Street Mile, making it a good kickoff for runners, local shoppers, and anyone looking to spend time downtown.

On Saturday, June 6, Little Rock residents can take advantage of Community Day at the Little Rock Zoo. City residents can visit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with $2 admission and $1 parking with proof of residency. Children 2 and under are free, and the American Red Cross will have a community resource booth on-site.

For a short day trip, the World Championship Running of the Tubs returns to Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs on Saturday, June 6. The annual race sends decorated bathtub teams down the street in one of Arkansas’ more unusual traditions, making it a fun option for families or friends looking for something outside the usual weekend routine.

Families can also head to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday for Flurffy in the Land of Almost Awake, listed from 5 to 8 p.m. The event offers an arts-focused evening option for kids and families in Little Rock

Saturday night also brings The Runarounds to The Hall in Little Rock. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m., giving music fans a weekend concert option close to home.

Together, the lineup offers several ways to plan the weekend, whether that means staying downtown, finding a low-cost family outing, heading to Hot Springs, or catching live music Saturday night.

The Big Dam Bridge

One of Central Arkansas’ most recognizable landmarks is also one of its best everyday escapes.

The Big Dam Bridge stretches across the Arkansas River, connecting Little Rock and North Little Rock as part of the larger Arkansas River Trail system. At 4,226 feet long, it is known as the longest pedestrian and bicycle-intended bridge in North America, rising about 90 feet above the Arkansas River and offering wide-open views of the water, skyline, trees, and trail network below.

What makes it special is how useful it is. This is not just a landmark to look at from a distance. Locals walk it, bike it, run it, bring visiting family, take sunset photos, and use it as a simple way to reset outdoors without leaving the city.

The bridge links into the Arkansas River Trail, making it a favorite starting point for cyclists and walkers who want a longer route through riverfront parks and scenic green space. It also connects near popular outdoor areas like Murray Park on the Little Rock side and Cook’s Landing Park on the North Little Rock side.

For families, it is an easy outing. For fitness lovers, it is a regular route. For photographers, it is one of the best places in the area for river views. And for anyone new to Central Arkansas, it is one of those places that quickly explains why locals love the 501 lifestyle.

Good for:
Walking, biking, jogging, sunset views, family outings, photography, date-night strolls, and showing visitors a local favorite

Local tip:
Go near sunset for the best views, especially if you want a relaxing walk with the Arkansas River in the background.

Why locals love it:
The Big Dam Bridge gives Central Arkansas something simple but special: a free, scenic, active way to enjoy the river, connect with the outdoors, and feel part of the local community. It is one of those places that makes Little Rock feel both lively and peaceful at the same time.

Arkansas IDs now available in Apple Wallet

Arkansans can now add a state driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet, giving some residents a new digital way to verify their identity.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced that driver’s licenses and state IDs can now be added to an iPhone or Apple Watch. The option is designed to make identity verification more convenient in places that accept mobile IDs, including select airport security checkpoints and participating businesses or apps.

The rollout does not mean residents should leave their physical license at home. Acceptance of digital IDs is still limited, and Arkansans may still need a physical card for driving, law enforcement interactions, age verification, or businesses that do not yet support mobile ID.

The change gives Arkansas residents another option for identity verification, but for now, it is best treated as a backup convenience rather than a full replacement for a traditional license.

Lyon College opens dental clinic in Little Rock

Central Arkansas has a new dental care option with the opening of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine Patient Care Clinic in Little Rock.

The clinic is located at 5 Allied Drive in the Riverdale area and offers dental services provided by student dentists under faculty supervision. Available services include cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, dentures, implants, clear aligners, and imaging.

The opening expands access to dental care in Little Rock while giving future dentists hands-on clinical training. Teaching clinics can be an important option for patients looking for care while also supporting the next generation of healthcare providers.

The clinic adds another healthcare access point in Central Arkansas and marks a major step for Lyon College’s dental medicine program.

Little Rock splash pads open for summer

Little Rock families have a free way to cool off as summer weather settles in.

The city says splash pads are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at War Memorial Park, Crump Park, and Riverfront Park’s Ottenheimer Plaza near the Junction Bridge.

The splash pads are free to use and offer an easy option for families looking for a quick outdoor activity without a full pool day. Parents and caregivers may want to bring sunscreen, towels, water shoes, and a change of clothes.

When the city posted the update, the toddler splash pad at Riverfront Park was temporarily closed because of a mechanical issue, so families with younger children may want to check the city’s latest park updates before heading out.

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💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Conway

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We’ll keep bringing you useful local updates from Little Rock and Central Arkansas — from weekend events and outdoor ideas to road reminders, new openings, community news, and the small details that make life here easier to navigate.

Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you in the next edition