Stories by Brianna Kwasnik

Jonesboro boy, 11, wins national mullet competition, raises money for foster families It all started with a mullet. And it ended with over $6,000 raised for children in foster care, and new friends for the Baltz family. 11-year-old Allan Baltz, of Jonesboro, was named the 2021 Mullet ... October 15, 2021

Cold front brings chance for severe storms in Arkansas, forecasters say A strong cold front moving across the southeast portions of the state led to a thunderstorm watch for parts of Arkansas on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. A severe thunderstorm war... October 15, 2021

Police: Texarkana woman dies after car hits vehicle, vacant building A 65-year-old woman was killed Thursday in Texarkana after her car struck a vehicle and a building, police said. Rebecca Hill French made a left turn onto U.S. 71 from East 3rd Street in a 2006 Ford ... October 15, 2021

Arkansas State Fair safety is priority, lawmen say State and city law enforcement pledged Thursday to work together to make this year's Arkansas State Fair safe for attendees, with the event's manager saying the grounds would be "the safest place to b... October 15, 2021

Shooting near North Little Rock High School injures 10th grader, district says Police arrested a 15-year-old in the Thursday shooting of a North Little Rock High School student at a donut shop near the school's campus. Raymond Hudson, who is being charged as an adult, faces cha... October 14, 2021

Arkansas State Fair returns Friday — and so does the food The Arkansas State Fair has only been canceled three times in its 81 years, said Interim general manager, Anne Marie Doramus for the fair said during a media luncheon Thursday. Twice during World War ... October 14, 2021

3 shot, wounded in Trumann, police say A shooting in Trumann early Thursday left two people critically injured and another person wounded but in stable condition, authorities said. Officers received a call about a man lying in the roadway... October 14, 2021

Blytheville teen charged in fatal shooting A Blytheville teen is facing a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man on Saturday, Blytheville police said. Officers responded to 216 Lakewood St. regarding the shootin... October 14, 2021

Gunshot victim transported from Hot Springs high school campus; state police investigating State police responded to Lakeside High School Tuesday night to assist with a gunshot victim, Hot Springs police said. Officers responded at 8:01 p.m. to the high school, 2871 Malvern Ave., in refere... October 13, 2021

Police: Blytheville teen faces murder charge in shooting A Blytheville teen is facing a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man on Saturday, Blytheville police said. Officers responded to 216 Lakewood St. regarding the shooti... October 13, 2021

Police investigate fatal motorcycle crash in Benton Officers are investigating a crash that left a motorcyclist dead Monday afternoon, Benton police said. Officers responded to the intersection of Sharon Road and Dogwood Street around 2 p.m. for a veh... October 12, 2021

Oklahoma physician arrested on murder charge in Chicot County An Oklahoma physician was arrest in the killing of an Oklahoma woman in Lake Village Monday night, state police said. Chicot County deputies responded to the report of a woman in need of medical assi... October 12, 2021

Deputies investigate apparent murder-suicide in Baxter County Deputies are investigating what they believe to be a murder-suicide, the Baxter County sheriff’s office said Monday. Deputies received a call around 5:46 a.m. Monday from 805 Buford Road, about a wom... October 12, 2021

Arkansas boy in the running to win mullet competition, hopes to give back When places started shutting down as a result of covid in March of last year, the Baltz family worked to come up with unique ways to make that time fun for their kids. Lesli Baltz wanted to create fu... October 11, 2021

Crash in Cleburne County kills motorcyclist, troopers say A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Sunday afternoon in rural Cleburne County, troopers said. Douglas W. Storey, 61, was driving a 2003 Harley Davidson south on Arkansas 5 when the wreck happened... October 11, 2021

Troopers: Harrisburg man killed in front yard after tractor-trailer’s wheel separates, hits him A Harrisburg man was killed in his front yard after a wheel that separated from a tractor-trailer struck him on Saturday afternoon, troopers said. A 2009 Peterbilt was traveling east on Arkansas 14 i... October 11, 2021

Free counseling available to public school employees statewide Free counseling services are available to all public school employees, including their household members, according to the Arkansas Department of Education. The Employee Assistance Program offers fre... October 8, 2021

Oldest Malayan tiger at Little Rock Zoo dies The oldest Malayan tiger at the Little Rock Zoo, Liku, died Thursday, the zoo has announced. Liku, who was 17, lived at the zoo since 2006, according to a news release from the Little Rock Zoo. Lik... October 8, 2021

Police: Separate shootings in Little Rock injure man, woman A 55-year-old man was shot and injured at a Little Rock apartment complex Thursday night, police said. Officers responded to Woodridge Crossing, 9700 Baseline Road, just after 10:50 p.m. for a shooti... October 8, 2021

Motorcyclist dies after striking tractor-trailer in rural Jefferson County, troopers say A 52-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash Thursday in Jefferson County, troopers said. Robert Carpenter of White Hall was driving a 2013 motorcycle north on Arkansas 365, south of Morrison Ro... October 8, 2021

Arkansas man charged with sexual assault of a minor while out on bond for same crime, authorities say A 23-year-old man was charged with sexual assault of a minor while out on bond for the same crime, according to court records. The court records were filed Monday for an incident that occurred in Aug... October 7, 2021

Chris Young concert in Little Rock canceled The Chris Young concert scheduled for October 21 at the First Security Amphitheater in Little Rock has been canceled, according to Ticketmaster. According to the Ticketmaster page, the event organize... October 7, 2021

Little Rock shooting injures man, 71, police say A 71-year-old man was shot and injured in the 1900 block of Wright Avenue early Thursday, according to Little Rock police. A white 2004 Cadillac Escalade and an unknown make and model gray sedan arri... October 7, 2021

Police ID man fatally shot in Little Rock on Tuesday Little Rock police have released the name of the man fatally shot Tuesday at West 36th Street and John Barrow Road. Officers responded shortly after 5 p.m. to 3600 John Barrow Road for a shooting in ... October 7, 2021

Man found dead in Faulkner County home following standoff with deputies, SWAT team, authorities say A man was found dead in a residence south of Conway following a standoff with law enforcement officers, state police said Wednesday. Deputies with the Faulkner County sheriff’s office responded to a ... October 6, 2021

Troopers: Bradford man killed after pickup overturns A 25-year-old man was killed after his pickup overturned in Jackson County on Tuesday morning, troopers said. Steven T. Poole of Bradford was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche east on Arkansas 384 b... October 6, 2021

Crash in Randolph County kills motorcyclist, troopers say A 37-year-old man was killed Monday when his motorcycle crashed in rural Randolph County and he was thrown from the vehicle, troopers said. Bobby Lee McCormick of Black Rock was driving a 2005 Honda ... October 5, 2021

Deputies: Man surrenders after kidnapping, raping, shooting woman A man who surrendered to Independence County deputies Friday is accused of kidnapping, raping and shooting a woman, authorities said. Deputies said they received a call Friday of the woman’s workplac... October 5, 2021

Elizabeth Eckford celebrates 80th birthday where she made history About a dozen Central High School students lined the sidewalk in front of the school Monday afternoon with handwritten signs to celebrate the 80th birthday of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock... October 5, 2021

Central High students celebrate Elizabeth Eckford's 80th birthday Just before 4:30 p.m. Monday, about a dozen Central High School students lined the sidewalk in front of the school with handwritten signs to celebrate the 80th birthday of Elizabeth Eckford, one of th... October 4, 2021

Forecasters report record rainfall over weekend in Central Arkansas Saturday was the wettest single day ever recorded for October at the National Weather Service’s North Little Rock office, forecasters said. In a Twitter post, the weather service reported 5.25 inches... October 4, 2021

Little Rock man killed in I-40 crash, troopers say A Little Rock man was killed in a crash on Interstate 40 Monday after his vehicle struck a tree in Crawford County, troopers said. Stacy Wayne Smith, 35, of Little Rock, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet ... October 4, 2021

Man sentenced to 30 years in prison after shooting at Newport police A man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for charges including attempted capital murder, terroristic act and interfering with law enforcement after firing a handgun at Newport police, according to co... October 1, 2021

Troopers: DeWitt man killed in head-on crash with tractor-trailer A DeWitt man was killed after a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer Thursday evening in Arkansas County, troopers said. Patravius R. Grayson, 29, was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse south on U... October 1, 2021

California woman finds Arkansas park’s largest diamond so far this year A California woman last week found a 4.38-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park, the largest diamond discovered there so far this year, park officials said. Noreen Wredberg of Granite Bay fo... September 30, 2021

Plane crash in Ozark leaves 1 seriously injured An aircraft in Ozark crashed after striking a power line Wednesday, leaving one person with serious injuries, the Federal Aviation Administration said. According to a preliminary report, one member o... September 30, 2021

Police investigate fatal shooting of 18-year-old in Marion Police are investigating a shooting in Marion that left an 18-year-old dead, authorities said. Officers responded around 10:11 p.m. Sunday to a shooting at the Sonic at 139 Block St. in Marion, accor... September 29, 2021

Man shot in head after reportedly breaking into Baxter County home, authorities say A man was shot and injured after reportedly breaking into a home Tuesday night in Baxter County, authorities said. The man called 911 shortly after 11:15 p.m., stating he had been shot in the head, ... September 29, 2021

Troopers: Bellefonte woman killed, 2 injured in rollover crash A Bellefonte woman was killed and two people were injured in a crash on U.S. 65 Tuesday evening, troopers said. A 70-year-old man from Harrison was driving a 2009 Chevrolet HHR south, while a 20-year... September 29, 2021

Woman faces manslaughter charge in 7-month-old boy's death, Paragould police say A woman is facing a manslaughter charge after a 7-month-old boy died while under her care, police said. The infant was transported to Arkansas Methodist Hospital unresponsive on April 6, according to... September 28, 2021

Hiker, 16, falls to death at Buffalo National River, park service says A 16-year old hiker from Ava, Mo. fell to his death near Lost Valley Trail at Buffalo National River on Saturday, according to the National Park Service. The Newton County sheriff’s office was dispat... September 27, 2021

Police investigate after Jonesboro woman shot in neck A woman was shot in the neck in Jonesboro on Sunday night, police said. Officers responded to the 3300 block of Sun Avenue around 11:02 for a shooting call, according to a Jonesboro police report. Up... September 27, 2021

Conway County crash fatal to boy, troopers say A boy was killed in a rollover crash in Conway County on Sunday morning, troopers said. The boy was driving a 1999 Ford north on Arkansas 95 north of Morrilton when the crash happened shortly after 7... September 27, 2021

KATV news director terminated, company confirms The news director for KATV, Channel 7, has been fired, Sinclair Broadcast Group confirmed Friday. Sinclair Group Manager John Seabers said Nick Genty was suspended Sept. 17, but Seabers declined to s... September 25, 2021

Saturday's Powerball jackpot 10th largest in game history, lottery officials say The Powerball jackpot is an estimated $523 million for Saturday night’s drawing — the 10th largest in game history, according to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The jackpot will continue to grow if... September 24, 2021

KATV News Director Nick Genty terminated, company says KATV News Director Nick Genty was fired from his position, Sinclair Broadcast Group confirmed Friday. Sinclair Group Manager John Seabers said Genty was suspended Sept. 17, but declined to say when ... September 24, 2021

KARK reporter Susan El Khoury leaving station at end of September Investigative reporter Susan El Khoury announced Wednesday that she will be leaving KARK at the end of the month. El Khoury was born and raised in Boston and previously worked as a reporter and ancho... September 24, 2021

Maumelle man, 40, pleads guilty to abusive sexual contact on plane A 40-year-old Maumelle man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a flight attendant on a flight to Little Rock in February 2020, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Arkansas... September 23, 2021

Missing Malvern children, mother found safe; Arkansas State Police cancel Amber Alert 2:44 p.m. Malvern police said Thursday afternoon that the mother and her two children were located and were safe. 1:12 p.m. An Amber Alert has also been activated for 13-year-old Addyson Townsend, ... September 23, 2021

Farmer finds body of man in rural Mississippi County, authorities say Authorities are investigating after a farmer found the body of a man Tuesday in rural Mississippi County. The farmer was checking on a food plot when he smelled a foul odor, according to Capt. David ... September 23, 2021