LATEST NEWS

Traffic is At a standstill on Hwy 63 on Friday morning after a semi truck accident occurred shutting the highway down. We were first notified of the traffic delays shortly after 10 am, motorist at that time were reporting traffic had been stopped for at least 30 minutes and was backed up for miles.

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A man died and a woman suffered injuries in a Wednesday night head-on collision. Arkansas State Police reported the crash happened at 8:53 p.m. Nov. 29 on Highway 25 at Mt. Hermon Road in Independence County. According to the preliminary fatal crash report, a westbound...

A World War II veteran in Batesville celebrated his birthday early surrounded by family and friends.

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Legislators in Arkansas are beginning to work on a plan to address how farmers burn their fields. State Representative Fran Cavenaugh said a legislative committee approved a study on the burning of crop residue. The approval means meetings can begin to be held with interested individuals...

Whether you're thinking about adopting a pet or simply delight in watching cute animals, you'd find a plethora of endearing pets awaiting adoption at animal shelters across and close to batesville..

Back row, from left: Khang Nguyen (BHSC), Chase Escue (BHSC), April Russell (Vital Link), Dillon Thornley (Vital Link), Brandi Fleetwood (BHSC), Sarah Pickett (BHSC), Nicole Ross (BHSC), Crystal Johnson (BHSC), Michele Gerhardt (BHSC), Lisa McCord (BHSC), Deborah Halcom (BHSC) Front row, from left: Charles Wooley (ACH), Crystal Bullard (BHSC). Batesville...

JACKSON COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A crash involving an Arkansas State Police trooper is under investigation in Jackson County. Cindy Murphy, communications director for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety said the trooper was involved in a crash with a semi-truck on Highway 226 near the Craighead County line. No...

Cave City Kiwanis are gearing up for the 2023 “Cave City Ole Time Christmas” parade!. Where: Line up begins @ 4:00pm at the Middle School parking lot. The parade begins at 5:00 pm, and ends back the middle school after traveling south through town. Pictures with Santa, the...

Embrace the Festive Vibes of Hickory Ridge Grinchmas. Get your holiday spirit in full swing as the community of Hickory Ridge embarks on a thrilling journey into the whimsical world of the Grinch. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience that will leave you brimming with excitement!

NEWPORT, Ark. (KAIT) - The city of Newport has just opened its new workforce and technology center. According to Talk Business and Politics, The Newport Economic Development Commission announced the completion of the $4.27 million project on Nov. 27. The complex provides workforce training, job-related education, EV charging stations, free...

UPDATE, Nov. 30, 2023, 3 a.m.: A Texarkana, Ark. man died in a two-vehicle accident near Cord in Independence County Wednesday night. According to Arkansas State Police, Clinton Thomas, 56, was killed when the 1997 GMC Sierra he was driving east on Highway 25 (White Drive) toward Cord was struck by a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox heading west toward Batesville on Highway 25 at Mt. Hermon Road.

On behalf of Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery, the Independence County Broadband Committee (ICBC) is inviting internet service providers (ISPs) to engage in discussions regarding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. BEAD provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs...

A proposed ordinance making it unlawful to camp on any non-residential, residential, or public property without proper authorization did not go forward at Tuesday’s Batesville City Council meeting. The ordinance failed to receive a “second” motion after its second reading at the meeting. The ordinance would have...

BATESVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) - An Independence County town is looking for answers to its increasing homeless population. Batesville has seen a substantial increase in its homeless population in the last ten years, which is cause for concern for many residents. “As a land owner and property owner right here where...

Gravestones have long served as historical markers, reflecting changing societal values and beliefs through their evolving designs. The symbolism etched into historic cemetery stones offers more than just names and dates; it provides a rich visual language that speaks to the cultural identity and faith of those interred. From the skull motifs of medieval Europe that remind us of life's transience to the comforting icons of Victorian harps and doves, cemetery symbols have historically offered solace to the living while honoring the deceased.

The Woodruff County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival masterpiece, is a shining example of Charles L. Thompson's influence on Arkansas architecture. Erected in Augusta in 1902, the courthouse is a robust testament to the era's architectural preferences. Its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places highlights its significance as not just a judicial hub but a community icon. Thompson's design, with its clock tower and round arches, speaks to a time when public buildings were constructed to convey durability and classical grandeur.

Jacksonport State Park, nestled in the heart of Arkansas's Jackson County, stands as a proud monument to a once-thriving river port town of the 1800s. With the strategic confluence of the White and Black Rivers, it became a pivotal commerce center, especially during the Civil War. Today, the park's 164.7 acres offer a deep dive into this rich history with the 1872 courthouse turned museum, and the Mary Woods No. 2 sternwheeler as its crowning jewels.

BATESVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) - A disabled Batesville man, who worked for 26 years at Riceland Foods, has found a new calling in community service. Rex Williams spends his days cleaning the ditches that run alongside highways and train tracks in Independence County. “This is what I do,” he said. “You...

BATESVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) - An Independence County School District broke ground on a new expansion on Wednesday. Batesville School District hosted a celebration of the work that has begun on its new high school cafeteria and fine arts facility. The multi-million-dollar expansion will allow the high school to have its...

Another Northeast Arkansas city is offering free holiday themed entertainment for everyone this weekend. The Junior Auxiliary of Lawrence County is hosting Polar Express in the Park this Friday and Saturday at Stewart Park in Walnut Ridge. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days there will be train rides, hot chocolate, and crafts for all to enjoy and entry is free.