Maumelle Charter earns national recognition
Cassandra Mayes sets run for State House; Taste of the Boulevard coming in October; Arkansas-Arkansas State this Saturday plus sports and headlines.
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock School Board meets at 5:30 p.m. tonight for a special call meeting and workshop. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Monday was Labor Day and garbage and recycling is still running on a one-day delay. Arkansas and Arkansas State will meet at 4 p.m. on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. For more, keep scrolling.
Maumelle Charter named state’s ninth best high school
U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking for the best high schools in Arkansas and Maumelle Charter High School has been ranked as the 9th best high school in Arkansas.
Top-ranked high schools in the state include Haas Hall Bentonville and Haas Hall Academy. Maumelle Charter High School along with Greenbrier High School emerged as one of the top two ranked high schools in the central Arkansas. The top 7 schools are all located in northwest Arkansas.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our students, teachers, and staff who work tirelessly to make excellence a reality,” said Katie Johnson, MCHS principal. “Being among the top 10 in the state is no small feat – it reflects outstanding academic performance, AP coursework participation, graduation success, and a dedication to helping every student thrive.”
Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation and how well they prepare students for college
For more, click here.
TASTE OF THE BOULEVARD: An elegant evening benefiting the White Oak Bayou
The White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy is proud to present the first Taste of the Boulevard: An Elegant Evening Benefiting the White Oak Bayou.
This signature event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Venue 10 in Maumelle.
Guests will enjoy curated tastings from local chefs, live entertainment, and a shared vision for transforming White Oak Bayou into a vibrant, accessible destination for the community. Proceeds will benefit the White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and reimagining one of Maumelle's most treasured natural spaces.
This year's program will also feature Deputy Director Ben Batten from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as the evening's guest speaker. With extensive experience in conservation and natural resource management, Batten will highlight the importance of wetlands, wildlife, and community partnerships in shaping the future of outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship in Arkansas.
"Taste of the Boulevard is more than an evening of food and fun - it's about bringing the community together with a shared goal," said Executive Director Kelly French. "Having Deputy Director Batten join us adds an incredible depth to the event, connecting the work of the Conservancy with the broader mission of conservation across the state."
Spots are limited for this elegant evening. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to purchase tickets, contact Kellie Wall at 501-851-9700, email Kelly French or visit https://www.whiteoakbayou.com/news-events.
Cassandra Mayes sets run for State House
Cassandra Mayes, Maumelle educator and returning Democratic candidate for the Arkansas State House District 71, recently announced her candidacy for the Arkansas House.
Mayes, 52, is running to fill a seat vacated by Republican State Rep. Brandon Achor, who is running for the Arkansas Senate.
Mayes ran last election cycle and lost to Achor in November’s general election. She ran in that race as Cassandra Green but married in December 2024 and took her husband’s name.
“I’m excited for this second campaign,” Maye said. “My family and I love Maumelle, and we love the friends and neighbors we share our community with. The people of Maumelle motivate my candidacy – they deserve a servant-leader who is dedicated to them, not a cookie-cutter politician who marches lockstep with a partisan agenda. From diminished quality of life, to skyrocketing costs, to a state budget that takes more from Maumelle than it gives - the status quo just isn’t working here. I’m still hopeful, though, because I know we can do better.”
For three decades, Mayes worked as an educator and administrator in Little Rock Public School District, North Little Rock Public School District, Beebe Public School District, and the Arkansas Department of Education-Special Education Unit.
From 2016-2025, she was the Coordinator of Hamilton Learning Academy and LRSD K-12 ALE Programs. From 2008-2016, she was Coordinator of District Section 504 Services. From 2007-2008, she was the Director of Education at Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of AR. From 2003-2007, she was a Supervisor of Special Education at LRSD. From 2001-2003, she was a Coordinator at the Arkansas Department of Education – Special Education. From 1999-2001, she was the youngest special education supervisor in the state and the first Black administrator in Beebe School District.
Her caseload included the district’s most at-risk students, including students in alternative learning environments and students involved in the justice system. Prior to entering her administrative role, Mayes was a Special Education teacher, working directly with students with special needs.
Of her candidacy, Mayes said, “I’m a teacher at my core. Decades serving in our local school systems taught me that we can’t give up on our community’s young people. We have to fight for them, and we have to fight for their future. I bring that spirit with me into my candidacy for the State House. As Maumelle’s State Rep, I’ll work hard to ensure every child and family here has opportunity. It should not be as hard as it is for Maumelle’s families to get ahead. Prices are skyrocketing, and our current state government isn’t acting. We need a State Rep who’s focused on inflation and providing meaningful relief to our area’s struggling workers and small businesses. Instead of solving big problems here in Maumelle, this year our state government is set to spend $300 million in taxpayer dollars on private school vouchers. Next year, they want to spend $1 billion dollars on a new mega-prison. This is reckless spending. Instead, they should be investing in our public schools, re-paving our roads, finding care solutions for our seniors and veterans, and ensuring every Arkansan can afford to see a doctor. We can do better.”
Mayes received a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education/Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as well as a Master’s degree in Special Education K 12. Under Gov. Asa Hutchinson she served as an Education Policy Member for Blockchain for Arkansas, and she served as an advisory committee member for the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood and Childcare CDA.
Mayes was recognized by Cambridge’s “Who’s Who Among Women Teachers in Special Education” publication. She is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and she served for two terms as the chapter president of the Greater Little Rock Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She is a volunteer with the Maumelle Chamber of Commerce. She is a current Board Member of the Little Rock Police Department Foundation Board, and she is a past board member for Goodwill of Arkansas Industries EXCEL Center. She has one adult son, Chase, and she recently retired to be the primary caregiver for her mother.
Arkansas House District 71 sits on the Northern bank of the Arkansas River, in the Murray Lake region. It straddles Interstate 40, covering much of Maumelle, Blue Hill, and Haig. The candidate filing period will begin in November and partisan primary elections will take place March 3, 2026. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
Sports
Friday Night Lights
Week 0 was a dud as Maumelle, North Little Rock and Central Arkansas Christian all lost their season openers.
At least Maumelle made it interesting as the Hornets lost a 55-54 thriller at Sylvan Hills. Maumelle had a chance to win on essentially the game’s final play but the two-point conversion attempt failed.
Maumelle
Last week: Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
This week: Maumelle (0-1, 0-0 5A-Central) travels to Little Rock Parkview (0-0) in a game to be played tonight.
What to expect: Could be a preview of a state playoff game as Parkview opens the season at No. 1 in Class 5A, while Maumelle is ranked No. 10 in the same poll from hootens.com. The Bolding experience continues for the Patriots as Bobby Bolding, Brad’s older brother, takes over the program after his brother departed for North Little Rock.
For the roster, click here.
Thursday, Aug. 28: Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
Thursday, Sept. 4 … at Parkview ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12 ... vs. Vilonia ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Sept. 26 ... vs. Beebe* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 3 ... ... vs. Pine Bluff* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Watson Chapel* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Jacksonville* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Friday, Oct. 24 ... at White Hall* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31 ... vs. Searcy* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Thursday, Nov. 6 ... at Robinson* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
North Little Rock
Last week: Rogers 41, North Little Rock 3
This week: North Little Rock (0-1) at Benton (0-1)
What to expect: Benton lost the annual Salt Bowl to Bryant last week and the Panthers, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A by hootens.com, look to get back on the winning track against the unranked ‘Cats.
For the roster, click here.
Friday, Aug. 29: Rogers 41, North Little Rock 3
Friday, Sept. 12 ... vs. Benton ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Sept. 19 ... vs. Catholic ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Thursday, Sept. 25 ... at Pulaski Academy* ... 7 p.m. (Game to be televised on KARZ)
Friday, Oct. 3 ... vs. Conway* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 10 ... at Little Rock Southwest* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 ... vs. Little Rock Christian ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 24 ... ... vs. Central* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 31 ... at Bryant* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... at Cabot* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
CAC
Last week: DeWitt 38, CAC 8
This week: CAC (0-1) hosts Stuttgart (1-0)
What to expect: Another tough game as the Rocebirds beat Lonoke last week in the season opener. Stuttgart is ranked No. 10 in the Class 4A poll by hootens.com.
For the roster, click here.
Friday. Aug 29: DeWitt 38, CAC 8
Friday, Sept. 5 ... vs. Stuttgart … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Sept. 12 … at Harding Academy … 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26 … at Heber Springs … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 … at Riverview … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10 ... vs. Hall … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 17… at Lonoke … 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24 ... vs. Bald Knob … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 31 … at Mills … 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... vs. Forrest City … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
Sports
Commentary: Unpopular opinions
BBC Radio One does a bit with their celebrity interviews called “unpopular opinions.”
As everyone here is, I’m sure, fellow Anglophiles, you already know, but the host asks the guests to give their unpopular opinions.
Pretty straight forward. Most of the unpopular opinions are inscrutable, unless you keep with British pop culture and politics, but, in that vein, here’s some unpopular opinions, Arkansas football edition.
Arkansas State should be embarrassed. For three decades and counting, Arkansas State has demanded they play the University of Arkansas in football. They got their wish. The game is at 4 p.m. this Saturday at War Memorial.
Wanna go? It ain’t a sellout, that’s for sure.
And that’s why Arkansas State should be embarrassed. This is what they wanted and now that they’ve gotten it, they don’t want to go. As the saying goes, the dog finally caught the car and know what.
Sure, Arkansas should also feel a small sense of shame as the game isn’t a sellout. But, War Memorial games tend to be the bottom of the barrel and miserably hot.
The weather forecast is somewhat more pleasant, and maybe it will buy a ticket at the counter kind of game, but probably not.
As for War Memorial, cue the hallejuah chorus as Saturday’’s game should be the last hurrah for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Whatever Markham Magic there used to be has long faded, but there’s other reasons. With the SEC going to a nine-game conference schedule and a mandated game against a big-time opponent, that leaves only two non-conference games and one of those slots won’t be in Little Rock given that Reynolds Razorback Stadium seats 20,000 more people and is state of the art, compared to War Memorial’s outdated and rarely correctly functioning scoreboard, clocks, toilets and everything else.
I suppose state government could get involved and do some sort of permanent Arkansas-Arkansas State game or Arkansas vs. another in-state opponent like UCA or UAPB, but that seems unlikely given the political capitol that would need to spent and the governor’s purse seems a little light as a significant amount has been wasted on the proposed Franklin County prison.
Here’s the thing, I’m from that part of Arkansas. In the hill country, you have two choices if you want to pursue agriculture work. If you have water, you put in chicken, or turkey, houses. If you don’t, you run cattle. Toby Breeden, the Fort Smith car dealer, used that spot to run cattle because it didn’t have access to water.
So how do you expect to build a prison with a population of 4,000 prisoners and staff, with no water. What a failure. In theory, someone should be fired for this very poor choice, but when it comes to elected officials, you just have to remember what they did when they’re back on the ballot.
Tickets on sale for Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens – a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event – are now on sale to the public. For a complete listing of ticket options or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at simmonsbankchampionship.com.
The Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens will be held at Pleasant Valley Country Club , Little Rock with activities throughout the week of Oct. 20-26. Tournament play will take place Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26. The tournament will serve as the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions' annual Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. The field will consist of the top 54 players in the standings competing for $2.3 million in prize money and a chance to earn their spot among the top 36 in the final event of the season.
"There's so much momentum heading into this year's Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens," said Freddie Black, Tournament Chair of Simmons Bank Championship. "Being selected for the PGA Tour Champion's Player Award last year – a recognition voted on by the players themselves – speaks volumes about the experience we're building here. We can't wait to welcome fans back this fall for another incredible week of golf."
General admission ticket options include daily Friday, Saturday or Sunday tickets for $30, Good Any One Day tickets for $35 or $85 weekend tickets for all three days of competition rounds. Children ages 15 and under will receive free general admission access with a ticketed adult. An upgraded 15th green shared hospitality ticket is also available to purchase for $300 per day or $850 for the weekend and provides access to an open-air venue with ballpark style food, beer, wine and seltzers. Liquor is available for purchase.
Active, reserve, and retired military will receive two (2) complimentary Good Any Day tickets (single use ticket good for one of Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) with an option to purchase up to four (4) discounted Good Any Day tickets. In order to checkout, military status will be verified through GovX. Complimentary military tickets are limited and only available while supplies last.
For more information, visit the simmonsbankchampionship.com or contact sales@simmonsbankchampionship.com.
For more information about the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, to purchase tickets and to stay up to date on tournament news, visit the tournament website, simmonsbankchampionship.com.
Upcoming Travs games
Six game homestand with the Amarillo Sod Poodles
Regular season home finale, Sunday, Sept.7 against Amarillo
Thursday, 6:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals!
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Fans' Choice / Sing-Along: End your week at DSP with a BANG! | Presented By Simmons Bank
Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
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.
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 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 Tulsa, Sept, 9-Sept. 14
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