Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Jonesboro, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Gina’s Place’s next chapter, gold and silver’s hot streak, and Mahjong That Matters + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Arkansas drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Beloved eatery enters new chapter: After 40 years, Gina’s Place has closed its original Jonesboro location, a longtime community gathering spot. A new location with the same home-style cooking is expected to open in April — read the full story.

Cooperative profits benefit farmers: Farm Credit Mid-America will return $280 million to customer-owners this month, with $14.2 million headed to Arkansas farmers through its patronage program, pushing a decade-long total past $1.75 billion — read the full story.

Utility seeks tailored adjustments: Entergy Arkansas filed with state regulators to set new base rates in January 2027, with most bills in parts of Craighead County changing little and a new optional time-of-use plan — see what’s in the rate case.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Sip, shop, and support local vendors
• Hop into free Easter trunk-or-treat
• Enjoy sensory-friendly gaming at Coin Goblin

💎 This week’s top finds

Local hand‑pie happiness: Southern Confections bakes from-scratch hand pies, plus cinnamon rolls, cookies, and more, all right here in Jonesboro. When the week drags, a midweek pick-me-up or dessert-for-dinner from their ovens hits the spot. Cozy, simple, and sweet, this neighborhood bakery keeps comfort front and center.

Climb without leaving town: At The Crag at Earl Bell Community Center, Jonesboro climbers get vertical close to home, no road trip required. Friendly routes, shared laughs, and a little chalk add up to a mellow reset that somehow fires up your core and lifts your mood at the same time.

Catfish and then some: Ron’s Catfish Buffet keeps it simple. Crispy catfish fillets, fried shrimp, homestyle sides, and a dessert bar that tests willpower. When the seafood itch hits, round up friends or family for an easy, high‑reward hang at Ron’s Catfish Buffet, then let the sweets seal the deal.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧘 Yoga with Bethany Davis @ Bradbury Art Museum | Tuesday (3/17) at 5:30 PM – Art on the walls, calm in the hips. Bradbury Art Museum is hosting a free, all-levels yoga class with Bethany Davis, perfect for unclenching your jaw and your schedule. Bring a mat, or reserve one, then linger and pretend you know modern art.

🆘 Safety Outreach for Seniors (S.O.S) @ St. Bernards Auditorium | Wednesday (3/18) at 9:00 AM – If you’re in Craighead County, give your scam radar and safety know-how a tune-up at St. Bernard’s Auditorium with UAMS Center on Aging Northeast and AR SMP’s Safety Outreach for Seniors. Practical tips, friendly faces, and no sales pitch, just RSVP at 866-726-2916.

🀄 Mahjong That Matters @ Unwind | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:00 PM – Shuffle your tiles and join a friendly mahjong night that actually does some good, benefiting CASA. Expect clacks, laughs, and the occasional humblebrag win, all for a cause that matters. Seats go fast, so snag tickets now at https://online.skytab.com/00b87b78d3e2c4409482f10730a3fe8c, then practice your bams.

💎 Denim & Pearls Fundraising Gala @ Ridgefield Christian School | Thursday (3/19) at 5:30 PM – Break out the jeans and the good pearls for a hometown gala that keeps it classy and comfortable. We’re raising $50K to upgrade the RCS Playground with dinner, a silent auction, and a student talent show that melts hearts, loosens wallets, and earns applause.

📖 Saturday Storytime @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (3/21) – Saturday storytime is back, in-store, which means you get to hand the reading reins to a pro while you nurse a coffee and pretend this counts as culture. Bring the littles, the grandkids, or your inner kid, and let someone else do the voices.

🛍 Spring Fling Sip n’ Shop @ 870 Nutrition | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to combine “treat yourself” with “I’m supporting local,” this is it. Sip something nice while browsing local vendors, finding fresh spring picks, and calling it productivity. Bring friends, coworkers, or fly solo, then let spring cleaning wait.

🐰 Easter Photos @ Delta Darlings | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – If your camera roll could use a wholesome upgrade, swing by Delta Darlings for free professional Easter Bunny photos, then treat yourself while the kids mug for the rabbit. They are knocking 20% off regular styles, 30% off Easter looks, and sanity is priceless.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Jonesboro report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 70°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 85%

Showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 10pm and 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy. Low around 28, with temperatures rising to around 32 overnight. West northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 37°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 8%

Sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 22. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Most popular house this week

This 4-bed, 3.5-bath Valley View gem in Layman Crest features a den with 20-foot ceilings, fireplace, and custom built-ins. Hardwoods flow through open living. The kitchen offers an island, solid-surface counters, stainless appliances, and a large pantry, opening to a lounge with backyard views. Outside, an inground pool, waterfall, built-in hot tub, and covered patio deliver resort vibes. Three-car garage.

Take a peek inside →