Hello Little Rock! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A breakout star returns, family fest: american summer, and a $5 million security research award + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Company headquarters gets a makeover: Lexicon cut the ribbon Tuesday on its renovated headquarters at the Port of Little Rock, a $37.6 million expansion adding space and an Owner’s Café, expected to create 60 jobs -- read the full story.
A breakout star returns: Ella Langley will bring The Dandelion Tour to Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock August 22, 2026. Tickets on sale Friday, June 26, with ERNEST and Laci Kaye Booth -- get all the concert details.
Strengthening digital resilience: UA Little Rock received a $5 million award to advance cognitive security research aimed at protecting communities from influence campaigns, a project championed by U.S. Sen. John Boozman -- learn more about the research.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Roll the dice tonight: Need a low-stress hang that isn’t another Netflix scroll? Caverns & Forests Board Game Café has tables, tasty bites and plenty of games so you just sit, play and laugh. Grab your crew and peek at their event calendar for a this week excuse to get out.
Playtime for every body: One Heart Playground brings fenced, rubber-surfaced fun to Burns Park with wheelchair-friendly swings and merry-go-rounds, a roller slide, musical play, and communication boards. It’s a relaxed, thoughtful setup with shade and benches, great if you’re wrangling kids of different ages or abilities this week.
Upgrade your week: Need a mood lift or a just-because surprise, Tipton & Hurst - The Heights comes through with fresh bouquets, lush plants, and giftable extras that feel a little fancy without trying too hard. Reliable for birthdays, porch drop-offs, and peace treaties with your houseplants or your people.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧢 Trucker Hat Making Class @ Dunbar Community Center | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Craft your own mesh-backed masterpiece at Dunbar Community Center, where they handle supplies, you handle the swagger, and everyone leaves with a story. Family friendly at ages 6+, just $10 for kids, $15 for adults, and a better tale than an online impulse buy.
🇺 Family Fest: American Summer @ Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Kick off your Fourth at AMFA with Flurffy, AMFA’s pink puppet dog, leading a mini parade, plus art-making, lawn games, and Park Grill in MacArthur Park. Then pop inside for a giant postcard artwork and 250th-inspired studios, good for ages 4+, adults included, obviously.
🎆 Fireworks, Food, and Freedom @ Torpedo Joe's Firework Superstore | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – America turning 250 feels about right for my knees, so let’s celebrate at Torpedo Joe’s, out past the Cinemark. Get expert help to pick from Central Arkansas’ biggest fireworks selection, plus home-cooking from Ginger’s, monster truck photos, a patriotic costume contest, and an in-store giveaway.
🤼 Masters of the Ring @ Little Rock Fair Grounds | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been craving some spectacle with your small talk, a pro wrestling supershow hits the Arkansas State Fairgrounds with statewide outfits and the Southern Powerlifting Federation in tow. Expect headlocks, handshake deals, and heavyweight charisma, then swap business cards while you call it 'networking.'
🎉 Summer Bash Party @ Michaels | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – An 80s/90s neon bash takes over Michaels on Markham, mixing make-it-yourself fun with market-day browsing. Expect tie-dye with a helper, Cricut, wreaths, and crochet demos, local makers, food trucks, games, a cheesy photo op, and a 10-minute framing special. Nostalgia, minus the Aqua Net.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Little Rock report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 75%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 21%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind around 5 mph. This house is wildThis 2023 gut-renovated Heights home spans a rare half-acre, three-lot assemblage in Prospect Terrace and leaves nothing to update. Inside, hardwood floors, plantation shutters, a Wolf and Sub-Zero kitchen, marble island, scullery, and handmade glass chandelier bring the wow factor. The primary suite adds a spa-style wet room, while the lower level delivers playful, flexible spaces.
Take a peek inside → |
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