Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Here’s a look at some of the local news stories from Jonesboro Right Now over the past week.
City of Jonesboro Receives Federal Grant to Enhance Officer Safety with New Protective Equipment
June 2, 2026 – The City of Jonesboro has been awarded a $42,358 grant through the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program granted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The funding supports the purchase of 38 new Armor Express Raven 2.0 tactical SWAT carrier systems for officers of the Jonesboro Police Department (JPD).
The investment reinforces the City’s ongoing commitment to public safety by ensuring officers are outfitted with advanced protective equipment while serving residents and visitors of Jonesboro. READ MORE
Secure Foundation Counseling Named Provider for Success Academy
June 2, 2026 – Following an unexpected departure by their previous provider, Success Academy at Jonesboro Public Schools (JPS) students will see a seamless continuation of on-campus mental health services under a new partnership.
Secure Foundation Counseling, PLLC, recently announced that it would be the official mental health services provider for Success Academy.
The transition comes after the campus’ previous provider, Methodist Family Health, unexpectedly notified school officials that they could no longer provide services to the Success Academy. JRN reached out to Methodist Family Health and received the following statement: READ MORE
Garth Brooks Makes Surprise Appearance at Arkansas Country Music Awards; The Fox Wins Station of the Year
June 2, 2026 – Northeast Arkansas was well represented Monday night as the 9th Annual Arkansas Country Music Awards honored the state’s top talent at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
The annual event celebrates the best of Arkansas’s artists, musicians, broadcasters, and industry professionals.
Among the evening’s biggest winners was Jonesboro radio station KDXY 104.9 The Fox, which captured the Arkansas Country Radio Station of the Year honors for the third time in its history. READ MORE
ASU System Board of Trustees Approves Tuition Increase, Budget, and Capital Projects
June 3, 2026 – The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees approved tuition increases for most of the schools in its system, including A-State, during its Wednesday meeting.
For A-State, tuition increased by 4%. The annualized tuition and fees for Fall 2026 will be $10,850, according to the system, compared to $10,430 in Fall 2025. These figures are for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student, defined as one taking 15 hours per semester, or 30 hours annually.
“Our institutions have made a concerted effort to minimize the increases that they have asked for through this budget request, with the average request across the institution of 2.8% in tuition increases,” said interim system president Dr. Robin Myers. READ MORE
Teenager Organizes Flag Day 5K to Benefit Local Disabled Veterans
June 5, 2026 – The Bay Veterans Memorial will be covered in red, white, and blue later this month as the community gathers for the Flag Day 5K.
The free event, which starts at 8 a.m. on June 20, is designed to bring the community together while raising vital funds for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 26.
While there is no registration fee, participants are encouraged to bring a donation to help the local chapter provide life-changing support for area veterans and their families. READ MORE
A-State Football to Celebrate Trio of Historic Anniversaries During 2026 Season
June 6, 2026 – The Arkansas State Athletics Department announced it will celebrate three anniversaries associated with its football program’s rich history at a pair of home games during the Red Wolves’ 2026 season.
The 2026 campaign introduces a trio of combined anniversaries and reunions, including the 40th anniversary of the 1986 team’s Southland Conference championship and national runner-up season, the 35th anniversary of the Old Warriors Cookout and the 30th anniversary of the football program’s Ring of Honor creation.
A-State will recognize and honor the 1986 team at its 6 p.m. home game versus Kennesaw State on Sept. 26. The Old Warriors, made up of former A-State football players and supported by the Arkansas State Letterwinners Club, will also hold their 35th consecutive pregame cookout in Dustin White Realty Tailgate City the same day. READ MORE
Jonesboro Police Officer Attacked by K9 Officer
June 7, 2026 – A Jonesboro police officer was attacked early Sunday by a K9 officer during an article search in a Jonesboro West End neighborhood.
According to Sally Smith, public information officer for the Jonesboro Police Department (JPD), Officer Zach Hobbs and the K9 officer were conducting a traffic stop at Burke and Culberhouse.
At some point, the suspect fled on foot and was detained on Nesbit, according to a transcript of the dispatch call. READ MORE