Tag! Little Rock is it
Trojans to play in Super Regionals this weekend; Shepherd, Williams honored by Arkansas Boys State; North Little Rock to open new fire station on Tuesday plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock School Board will have a special call meeting and workshop starting at 5:30 p.m. tonight. The meeting will be at the administration building and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page. The meeting is open to the public. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall. The meeting has been moved up to a 5 p.m. start. That meeting will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and the public is also invited.
EVENTS: Next Tuesday, June 9, the city of North Little Rock will open the new Central Fire Station on Main Street at 11 a.m. The new station will be home to Station One’s emergency response unit as well as the North Little Rock Fire Department’s administrative offices. The 24,500-square-foot station was paid for with the half-cent sales tax approved by North Little Rock voters in 2022 to fund public safety, public works, and parks. The building will include: a turnout storage room, five bays, an indoor mechanics' shop, 14 bedrooms, 10 restrooms, covered parking for reserve apparatus and special operations trailers, a dedicated gym, and a hot/warm/cold zone to keep carcinogens out of the living area. The building was designed by Jackson, Brown, Palculict Architects, and Alessi Keyes Construction built the building. North Little Rock will also host a beam signing for the Tempo Hotel downtown at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. The event will be held at the city’s Event Center at 120 Main St.
Tag! Little Rock is it
Trojan Fever, are you catching it?
Maybe because regardless of what happens this weekend in the Super Regionals, the Trojans will be advancing to the College World Series next week in Omaha, Neb.
The other question of the day is, which Trojans? Both host Troy University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have the same mascot and are facing each other. Both teams are in the Super Regionals for the first time and, obviously, the winner would advance to their first-ever College World Series appearance.
First pitch in the best-of-three series is 4 p.m. this Friday and the game will be televised on ESPNU. The second game will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday and televised on ESPN2. The third game, if necessary, will be on Sunday but game time is still to be determined.
Key to Little Rock’s success this season is redshirt freshman pitcher Tag Andrews, above, who played at Maumelle and was previously with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Andrews, a righty, is 5-2 on the season in a relief role and was All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team, OVC All-Freshman Team, OVC Tournament MVP, All-OVC Tournament Team and also earned Hattiesburg Regional All-Tournament Team honors when the Trojans won to advance to this week’s Super Regionals.
Andrews had seven saves on the season, while striking out 44 batters in 44.2 innings.
The team’s success has pushed Little Rock to previously unseen heights as the Trojans became nationally ranked for the first time under coach Chris Curry, who has been running the program the last 12 years,
Little Rock is No. 19 in this week’s NCBWA poll and are 39-26 on the season, with games remaining.
“To be ranked in the top 20 nationally is another indication of where our program has risen to,” Curry said. “I’m proud of our players and staff and coaches for being recognized at this level. I hope we can only keep getting better.”
The Trojans are riding an eight-game winning streak going into the Super Regionals, after winning the second-consecutive OVC tournament championship. Last season’s team also advanced to the regionals, and took LSU to the wire but lost in Game Three at Baton Rouge.
Little Rock got to the Super Regional by beating Jacksonville State last Sunday, 6-3, the Regional Championship at Hattiesburg, Miss. Little Rock beat host Southern Miss in the first game, then beat Jacksonville State twice to eliminate the Gamecocks.
Five Little Rock players were named to the Hattiesburg Regional All-Tournament Team and Blake Simpson was selected as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as a unanimous selection
2026 NCAA Hattiesburg Regional All-Tournament Team
Catcher – Tucker Stockman, Southern Miss
First Base – Brady Thomas, Jacksonville State
Second Base – Joe Tiroly, Virginia
Third Base – Nolan Freund, Little Rock
Shortstop – Jerdy Lopez, Little Rock
Outfielder – Blake Simpson, Little Rock (unanimous)
Outfielder – AJ Gracia, Virginia
Outfielder – Davis Gillespie, Southern Miss
Designated Hitter – Nico Baumbach, Little Rock
Pitcher – Steven Cash, Jacksonville State
Pitcher – Tag Andrews, Little Rock
Most Outstanding Player – Blake Simpson, Little Rock
Shepherd, Williams honored by Arkansas Boys State
Arkansas Boys State inducted Matthew Shepherd and Darrin Williams into the Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame on Friday, May 29, during the closing session of the program’s 85th annual session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
The Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame recognizes alumni whose careers reflect leadership, civic responsibility, public service, and a continued commitment to strengthening communities and institutions. Shepherd and Williams join a group of alumni whose service has had a lasting impact in Arkansas and beyond.
“Matthew Shepherd and Darrin Williams represent the kind of leadership Arkansas Boys State works to develop-principled, engaged, and focused on service,” said Dr. Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. “Their careers show our delegates that civic responsibility does not end after a week at Arkansas Boys State. It continues in the way we lead, serve, and contribute to the common good.”
Shepherd, a 1993 Arkansas Boys State delegate, is an attorney and member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represents District 97, which includes El Dorado and portions of Union County, and served as Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives from June 2018 to January 2025, making him the longest-serving Speaker in modern Arkansas history.
Williams, a 1985 Arkansas Boys State delegate, is chief executive officer of Southern Bancorp, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest community development financial institutions. His career has included leadership in law, public service, banking, and financial inclusion, with a focus on expanding economic opportunity in rural and underserved communities throughout the Mid-South.
The induction came at the conclusion of a week in which Arkansas Boys State delegates built and operated a working model of city, county, district, and state government. Throughout the week, delegates ran for office, held elections, debated legislation, solved community challenges, engaged with public leaders, and participated in civic programming under the guiding principle “Democracy Depends on Me.”
More information about Arkansas Boys State is available at arboysstate.org.
Sports
Upcoming Travs games
Now through June 7, at Corpus Christi.
Six-day homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Tuesday, June 9, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Wednesday, June 10, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Wing Wednesday: Get $1 OFF Flyway Bluewing (19.2 fl oz cans) at any Grab & Go stand. Plus, Chicken Wings are available at Doubleday’s Depot! | Presented By Flyway Brewing
Thursday, June 11, 6:35 p.m.
Barkansas Dizzys Weekend: Join us in celebrating Dizzy, “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” with a week of canine-related fun! Dogs are allowed inside the ballpark for all games this homestand (in the Berm areas only). | Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance
$3 Thursday: Enjoy an amazing value for the whole family and the best patio in Central Arkansas! Get $3 General Admission or Beer Garden tickets at a WinChoice Box Office Window. Plus, feed the whole crew for less with select concession items for $3 each!
Friday, June 12, 7:05 p.m.
Barkansas Dizzys Weekend: Join us in celebrating Dizzy, “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” with a week of canine-related fun! Dogs are allowed inside the ballpark for all games this homestand (in the Berm areas only). | Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance
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
Promotion: Replica Jersey Giveaway: Take home a replica of the Travs’ 125th Anniversary jersey! | Presented By Pinnacle Structures | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person) | Select sizes available while supplies last
Saturday, June 13, 6:05 p.m.
Barkansas Dizzys Weekend: Join us in celebrating Dizzy, “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” with a week of canine-related fun! Dogs are allowed inside the ballpark for all games this homestand (in the Berm areas only). | Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance
Dizzy’s Birthday Bash: Everyone’s favorite ballpark pup is turning 9 (human) years old! | Presented By Raising Cane’s
Dogs Run the Bases: Our four-legged friends are invited to run the basepaths (on leash, with their humans) after the game!
Promotion: Dizzys Dog Toy Giveaway | Presented By Raising Cane’s | First 300 Dogs (one item per pup)
Sunday, June 14, 1:35 p.m.
Barkansas Dizzys Weekend: Join us in celebrating Dizzy, “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” with a week of canine-related fun! Dogs are allowed inside the ballpark for all games this homestand (in the Berm areas only). | Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance
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
Baseball BINGO: Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529 | Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday Deal : Get $3 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window)l
At Frisco, six-game road swing, Tuesday, June 16 - Sunday, June e 21
Six-game homestand against the San Antonio Missions
Tuesday, June 23, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Wednesday, June 24, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Wing Wednesday: Get $1 OFF Flyway Bluewing (19.2 fl oz cans) at any Grab & Go stand. Plus, Chicken Wings are available at Doubleday’s Depot! | Presented By Flyway Brewing
Thursday, June 25, 6:35 p.m.
Post-Game Wrestling: Time for the Main Event! Stick around after the game for post-game matches with the stars of Memphis Wrestling and featuring WWE Superstar Gran Metalik.
Fiesta de Diamantes: The Travs will take the field as the Diamantes de Arkansas in salute of Hispanic Heritage!
$3 Thursday: Enjoy an amazing value for the whole family and the best patio in Central Arkansas! Get $3 General Admission or Beer Garden tickets at a WinChoice Box Office Window. Plus, feed the whole crew for less with select concession items for $3 each!
Friday, June 26, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Música Latina | Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Fiesta de Diamantes: The Travs will take the field as the Diamantes de Arkansas in salute of Hispanic Heritage!
Saturday, June 27, 6:05 p.m.
Fiesta de Diamantes: The Travs will take the field as the Diamantes de Arkansas in salute of Hispanic Heritage!
Post-Game Fireworks
Promotion: Diamantes Soccer Jersey Giveaway | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person) | Select sizes available while supplies last
Sunday, June 28, 1:35 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
Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game! | Baseball BINGO: Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529 | Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday Deal : Get $3 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window)
Six-game roadtrip at Springfield, Tuesday,June 30 through Sunday, July y 5
Six-game roadtrip at Amarillo, Tuesday, July y 7 through Sunday, July y 12
Four-day, All-Star Break, Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July y 16.
Three-game homestand against Wichita
Friday, July 17, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Salute to Sci-Fi | Presented By Arkansas State University
Saturday, July 18, 6:05 p.m.
Star Wars Night: A short time from now in a ballpark really, really nearby...
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, July 19, 1:35 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
Baseball BINGO: Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529 | Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday Deal : Get $3 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window)
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