Achor announces state Senate bid
Cap and Gown rundown; Education News and Notes; Quack! Mad Mallard Week is here for the Travs plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock School Board will have a special call meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at the district's administration building. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Thursday night, at 6:30 p.m., North Little Rock High School will be having its spring dance concert, Step by Step. To buy tickets, click here and for more information, check out the flyer below. Sunday is Mother’s Day this year and plan accordingly.
Achor announces state Senate bid
Maumelle’s Brandon Achor, currently in his second term as a state representative for District 71, announced Tuesday he was going to make a run for state Senate.
Achor said he was going to run for the seat currently held by North Little Rock’s Jane English, who is term-limited, in state Senate District 13.
That district covers Maumelle,North Little Rock, Sherwood and portions of rural north Pulaski County.
Achor, along with his wife Kaley, own Achor Family Pharmacy in Maumelle and both are pharmacists. They also co-own several other community pharmacies in central and east Arkansas that provide services to 13 communities.
“I’m running for State Senate to keep delivering for the people of District 13,” Achor said in his announcement. “I’ve lowered taxes, stood up to foreign adversaries, fought Big Tech’s overreach, and taken on big Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to protect Arkansas families and businesses. I’ll bring that same tenacity to the Senate to defend our freedoms and strengthen our communities.”
State Senate seats are four-year terms and the election won’t be until November 2026. It is unlikely Achor will be challenged in a Republican Party primary but will have a tougher challenge that fall as the Democratic Party has come close to unseating English before.
English drew the ire of some when she didn’t back the Metroplan-endorsed plan for the Second Congressional District that would have been the metro area of central Arkansas and instead supported a congressional map that sent portions of Pulaski County to both the First District, primarily northeast Arkansas and the Fourth, primarily southern Arkansas.
In 2019, Achor was named the Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year Award and followed that up this year when he was named the Pharmacist of the Year Award from the Arkansas Pharmacists Association.
A native of Maumelle, Achor went to Arkansas Baptist for high school, the University of Arkansas for his undergraduate degree and UAMS in Little Rock for his pharmacy degree.
He’s active in the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and the Maumelle Rotary Club.
“As a husband, father, and small business owner, I see the challenges facing Arkansas families firsthand,” Achor said. “In the Senate, I will continue to fight for lower taxes, better schools, safer communities, and policies that empower our citizens, not burden them.”
The couple, along with their daughter Savvy, attend Central Hope Church in Little Rock. They also have a mini-Aussie, Gus.
His campaign website is www.achorforarkansas.com.
What’s next for Maumelle?
So, who will run to fill Brandon Achor’s state representative seat?
That is, as they say, a good question.
As this is being written, Tuesday night, no one has announced but there’s always been some rumblings but they haven’t been confirmed.
Some of us are about to hop on an airplane, thankfully not flying through Newark, and don’t have much time to chase those threads down.
Next week? Maybe! In the meantime, pot stirrer says stir the pot and here’s some current elected officials representing Maumelle. Not saying they’ll run, just throwing them out there to see what ya’ll think.
Cap and Gown rundown
For some, May means flowers, as they follow those April showers, but for others, it means graduation time as both high schools and colleges will be having their commencement ceremonies this month.
First up is Maumelle Charter High School as graduation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 at the school. The last day of school is also that Friday.
Central Arkansas Christian closely follows with graduation, also at the school, on Sunday, May 18. The ceremony will start at 2 p.m. The last day of school on Friday, May 23.
Maumelle High School will have graduation at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 at UALR”s Jack Stephens Center. Maumelle’s graduation is one of four being held that day with the schedule as follows:
8 a.m. Sylvan Hills High School (90-minute ceremony)
11 a.m. Mills University Studies High School (one-hour ceremony.)
1:30 p.m. Maumelle High School (90-minute ceremony)
4:30 p.m. Robinson High School (one-hour ceremony)
North Little Rock High School will be graduating on Tuesday, May 27, The ceremony will also be at the Jack Stephens Center and will start at 6 p.m. Graduating seniors are limited to eight tickets for family and friends.
That last day of school is Friday, May 30.
Education News
UA Little Rock names research winners
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the winners of its 2025 Student Research and Creative Works Expo.
The student research expo was held April 18 at the Jack Stephens Center, showcasing the latest research, innovation, and creative projects from students at UA Little Rock.
UA Little Rock students who won awards include:
Maria Lambdin of Sherwood, who won the Best Poster Presentation - Undergraduate Research Award for the project, Examining School Corporal Punishment Policy in Arkansas: A Content Analysis.
Sydney Davidson of North Little Rock, who won the Best Poster Presentation - Undergraduate Creative Scholarship Award for the project, Transmogrified: Mounting the Odds.
North Little Rock’s Claire Green wins back-to-back national championships
North Little Rock’s Claire Green, wearing the black headdress below, is a member of Mississippi State's Debate Team, which won the national college debate championship for the second consecutive year. The MSU Debate Team claimed top honors at the April 2025 International Public Debate Association National Tournament held at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.
Green, a junior Biochemistry major, is being recognized for outstanding personal achievements and team contributions, including national tournament recognition 10th-place speaker in the Varsity division and top 32 in the Varsity division.
The International Public Debate Association is the largest intercollegiate debating association in the U.S., with more than 200 colleges and universities from across the country competing in IPDA tournaments in 2024-25. IPDA debating emphasizes a mix of logic, rhetorical skill and adaptability, as students debate a new topic each round and have only 30 minutes to prepare.
Over four days of competition, the MSU team squared off against hundreds of top competitors from programs across the country, including the University of Arkansas, Boise State University, UC-San Diego, the University of Tennessee, Texas Christian University, Union University, Dallas Baptist University and Abilene Christian University.
The squad won five individual IPDA national championships, advanced 17 debaters to elimination rounds, and placed numerous members in the top 10 in their respective divisions. For the season, MSU took first overall at eight of the 10 tournaments it entered and was also named IPDA's Season Long National Champion, uniting the national tournament and regular season titles for the first time.
The MSU Debate Team was founded 10 years ago as part of the university's Speech and Debate Council, coached by Brett Harvey and Jake Reed.
Sports
High school baseball, softball state finals to air on Arkansas PBS
Arkansas PBS will again broadcast the Class 6A-1A Centennial Bank High School Baseball and Softball State Finals live from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway beginning Thursday, May 22, in partnership with the Arkansas Activities Association.
Games will be broadcast statewide over the air, on cable and on satellite on Arkansas PBS’s primary channel live and will also be available to watch at myarpbs.org/watchsports.
The schedule is:
Game 1, softball – Thursday, May 22, at 10 a.m.
Game 2, baseball – Thursday, May 22, at 1 p.m.
Game 3, softball – Thursday, May 22, at 4 p.m.
Game 4, baseball – Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m.
Game 5, baseball – Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m.
Game 6, softball – Friday, May 23, at 1 p.m.
Game 7, baseball – Friday, May 23, at 4 p.m.
Game 8, softball – Friday, May 23, at 7 p.m.
Game 9, softball – Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m.
Game 10, baseball – Saturday, May 24, at 1 p.m.
Game 11, softball – Saturday, May 24, at 4 p.m.
Game 12, baseball – Saturday, May 24, at 7 p.m.
Stats from the baseball and softball games will be available at aaa.statbroadcast.com.
Photos from the games will be available for free download at myarpbs.org/photos.
Funding for AR PBS Sports is provided by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, UAMS, Image One and Winrock Automotive.
Arkansas PBS also recognizes AAA’s sponsors for the state high school baseball and softball finals, including Centennial Bank, Everett Buick GMC, Summerwood Sports, Air National Guard, Wendy’s and Arkansas Farm Bureau.
Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s now open at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts recently announced that Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s, is on view now through Oct. 12.
Photographer Kwame Brathwaite, who died in 2023, created the visual overture for the Black is Beautiful Movement in the late 50s and early 60s. This intimate exhibition will highlight 16 of the artist’s independent studio works created during the 1970s. Working with The Kwame Brathwaite Archive, AMFA proudly announces that the exhibition features three never-before-seen images.
The newly released images include portraits of model and designer Carolee Prince, singer and songwriter Teddy Pendergrass, and a striking group shot of four models against a purple background.
The exhibition, Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s, shows a more experimental and expressive side of Brathwaite’s photography —one where color, composition, and cultural storytelling take center stage.
Upcoming events
Guided Tours: Museum guests can enjoy a free, docent-led tour of Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s. Guided tours are offered on June 21, and July 26, at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are free, and registration is recommended at events.arkmfa.org.
Pine Bluff Through the Lens with Michael Grice: On June 18, Michael Grice, the son of ‘Arkansas’s most prolific photographer’ Geleve Grice, will delve into his father’s legacy of documenting Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
A Legacy of Images: Art Talk with Kwame Brathwaite Jr.: On July 31, the artist’s son, Kwame Brathwaite, Jr., will offer a unique and personal perspective on Brathwaite’s work and legacy.
Upcoming Travs games
Springfield Cardinals, six-game homestand
Today, 6:35 p.m.
Mad Mallards Week: Join us in celebration of Central Arkansas' obsession with waterfowl hunting! | Presented By Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at DSP Box Office). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Thursday, 6:35 p.m.
Mad Mallards Week: Join us in celebration of Central Arkansas' obsession with waterfowl hunting! | Presented By Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals!
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Country Music: End your week at DSP with a BANG! | Presented By Baldwin & Shell Construction
Mad Mallards Week: Join us in celebration of Central Arkansas' obsession with waterfowl hunting! | Presented By Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
Saturday, 4:05 p.m.
Mad Mallards Week: Join us in celebration of Central Arkansas' obsession with waterfowl hunting! | Presented By Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game! | Presented By First Community Bank
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Mad Mallards Week: Join us in celebration of Central Arkansas' obsession with waterfowl hunting! | Presented By Arkansas Ducks Unlimited
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon!
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game! | Presented By First Community Bank
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
At Wichita, May 13-18
At Northwest Arkansas, May 20-25
San Antonio Missions, six-game homestand
Tuesday, May 27, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at DSP Box Office). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Wednesday, May 28, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at DSP Box Office). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Thursday, May 29, 6:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday, Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals!
Fiesta de Diamantes: The Travs will take the field as the Diamantes de Arkansas in salute of Hispanic Heritage! | Presented By Modelo Especial
Friday, May 30, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Mashup Madness: End your week at DSP with a BANG!
Saturday, May 31, 6:05 p.m.
Faith & Family Night: The perfect night for a church (or gymnastics) group outing! Come enjoy a pre-game talk with Olympian and Razorbacks Gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber, above, who will also be available during the game to meet & greet with fans. | Presented By Hickingbotham Investments
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game! | Presented By First Community Bank
Sunday, June 1, 1:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon!
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game! | Presented By First Community Bank
At Corpus Christi, June 3-8
Health
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, again, and deaths still total 532 for the past year. There’s no tab created for 2025 either and the virus has now killed 14,162 Arkansans since the pandemic began then. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds