Tourism / Heritage

Only around 29% of Arkansans have a Real ID

Only 29% of Arkansans – as of April 23 – have obtained a Real ID as the May 7 deadline nears for all Americans to get the new form of…

Outdoor recreation grants awarded

Gov. Sarah Sanders joined Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis, Health Secretary Renee Mallory, and Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Katherine Andrews to present $468,838.69 in Outdoor Recreation Grants…

Fort Smith Convention Center 2024 operating loss lower than estimated

The Fort Smith Convention Center had a total net operating loss of $854,967 in 2024, which is better than previous years and $107,000 better than facility officials initially estimated. Convention…

Fort Smith Regional Airport director resigns

Fort Smith Regional Airport Director Michael Griffin resigned Tuesday (April 22). His resignation was announced following a more than 90 minute Airport Commission executive session. Griffin, director since 2017, was…

Doug Schoenrock named as new director of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Doug Schoenrock was named the 20th director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Monday (April 21). He replaces former director Austin Booth, who resigned from the position earlier this…

Arkansas Pie Festival to be held this weekend in Cherokee Village

If you’re hooked on a filling, the Arkansas Pie Festival might be your slice. The festival will be held for the fifth time on Saturday (April 26) in Cherokee Village….

CBID ready to focus on plan to update Cisterna Plaza

Commissioners with the Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) identified two projects to spruce up downtown and they should happen this summer. Now it’s time to look at what’s…

NWA Council CEO reflects on legislative session, new opportunities

Northwest Arkansas Council CEO Nelson Peacock counts this year’s legislative session as a big success for the region. At the tail end of the regular session of the 95th Arkansas…

Work to soon begin on downtown Fort Smith ‘Art Walk’ mural

Work on a highlighted Art Walk in downtown Fort Smith will begin by late April. Mainstreet Fort Smith has been working on a unique art activation to connect historic areas…

Little Rock CVB names Stasha King Irby as VP for sales and services

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) announced the hiring of Stasha King Irby on Thursday (April 17) as its new vice president of sales and services. Irby returns…

Northwest Arkansas Council focused on health and housing, marks 35 years

The Northwest Arkansas Council held its spring meeting in Fayetteville on Wednesday (April 16) to discuss two of the region’s biggest concerns — affordable housing and more access to specialty…

$77 million Ridge Athletics Center breaks ground

Construction on the most expensive public works project in the history of the city of Jonesboro has started. Ground was broken Friday (April 11) on the $77 million multisport complex…

Razorback Athletics again in Learfield top 20

Arkansas ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference and No. 17 overall in the latest 2024-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings released on Thursday (April 10) by the National Association of Collegiate…

Runway rehab, new facilities planned for Poteau, Sallisaw airports

Two eastern Oklahoma municipal airports — located in the Fort Smith area — have or will receive more than $12.5 million to rehab and extend runways, build hangars, and build…

Historic Taliano’s Italian Restaurant to close May 31 after 55 years

Taliano’s General Manager Tara Way was busier than normal Monday (April 7) taking reservations. Her boss, Joe Caldarera, surprised many area residents Sunday with a social media post announcing that…

Barnaby Group to open Little Rock pub, 23-acre Fayetteville retreat

Two hospitality concepts in the works in central and Northwest Arkansas have ties to the Stephens family and Little Rock-based investment bank Stephens Inc. Little Rock-based hospitality company Barnaby Group…

Downtown Fort Smith tourism mural could be ready by summer

As the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) settles into its newly renovated and fully functional office space at 524 Garrison Avenue, work continues on the portions that will…

BEA: Value of Arkansas’ arts and culture sector grew 11% in 2023

Arkansas ranked high in job creation and compensation growth in the arts and culture economy, and was above the national growth trend in the sector, according to a recent report…

Fort Smith parks director frustrated with vandalism

Fort Smith Parks and Recreation officials have a message for Fort Smith citizens and visitors to the city’s parks: They are just as disappointed as park users about the graffiti…

Cherokee Nation touts annual economic impact of $3.1 billion

The Tahlequah, Okla.-based Cherokee Nation — which includes part of the Fort Smith metro — announced Wednesday (April 2) it contributes $3.1 billion annually to the Oklahoma economy. An economic…