Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How to get Rock Region METRO’s new smart card for free

Make time for Cosmic Bowling on the Little Rock Patch calendar

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Friday September 11th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Little Rock! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How to get Rock Region METRO's new smart card for free
  • How three young leaders are reshaping Little Rock's future right now
  • What Fire Station 9's reopening means for this Little Rock neighborhood.

Also on today's calendar: JET - Down The Moonlit Mile Revue and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Near-record temperatures, temps: high: 97, low: 75.
  • Sunday: Sunshine and sweltering heat, with a high of 97 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rock Region METRO unveils new pay-as-you-go smart cards for Arkansas commuters (thv11.com) — Little Rock bus riders will soon be able to tap new METRO Pay Smart Cards on Rock Region METRO routes, with the system launching Sept. 21 and cards free through Oct. 21. You can pick one up at the River Cities Travel Center or online, and learn how to use it at show-and-tell sessions there on Sept. 16 and 17. The change aims to make paying fares faster and more convenient across central Arkansas.
   

2. Meet the Young Professionals of the Year finalists ahead of Minority Enterprise Week (katv.com) — Three standout young professionals are being honored for their work shaping Little Rock, from boosting literacy and student publishing to leading community-focused construction projects and neighborhood revitalization. Their efforts touch local schools, downtown business corridors, and youth programs, and they'll be recognized during the 44th annual Minority Enterprise Development Week. Their stories also offer encouragement and practical inspiration for other emerging Little Rock leaders.
   

3. Fire Station 9 in Little Rock reopens after 2023 tornado damage (kark.com) — Fire Station 9 is back in full operation in Little Rock after being heavily damaged by the March 2023 tornado, restoring a key neighborhood emergency hub. Firefighters now have upgraded living quarters, a combined tornado shelter and gear room, and even a handmade bench from a grateful neighbor, boosting morale and response readiness for nearby residents.
   

4. Frank Scott Jr. wins reelection for Little Rock mayor, Landers concedes (kark.com) — Frank Scott Jr. has secured another term as Little Rock's mayor after challenger Steve Landers conceded, with partial returns showing Scott ahead in the multi-candidate race. The campaign centered on crime, transparency, and the city's handling of controversies like LITFest, issues that will continue shaping how City Hall governs in the coming years.
   

5. Little Rock School Board approves facilities upgrades for Central High softball team (arkansasonline.com) — Little Rock School Board has approved nearly $89,000 in upgrades to Central High's softball facilities, part of a broader push to fix long-standing Title IX disparities between softball and baseball. The board also advanced a long-term plan for a dedicated softball field and renewed its contract for Little Rock police officers as school resource officers while seeking alternatives.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Little Rock

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking for a handyman tomorrow for a handful of smaller projects around the house!
    Main priorities: • Power wash back patio + front porch/patio • General cleanup of both areas • Spray/pull weeds Bonus if you're a jack-of-all-trades… (Nextdoor Caurel)
  • Anyone know this fella?
    He's been hanging around for a couple of days. Has a collar on but will not let us get close enough to see. Little Rock off Geyer Springs. (Nextdoor Landmark)
  • Dollar General posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in LITTLE ROCK, AR S25468 in Little Rock. Apply here.
  • Teleperformance USA posted a job opening for Healthcare Customer Service Representative - Remote - TX, TN, PA, MI, FL Only in Little Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Little Rock here.

Ok Little Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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