Good morning, Hot Springs! In today’s edition: Parking meter debate, gas price rankings, an AI vs human theater showdown, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Policy debate hits storefronts: Downtown Hot Springs business owners say year-old parking meters are hurting sales and deterring locals. The city says revenue will fund a garage and may remove meters if no fix — see what officials are considering.

The latest fuel trends: Stacker recently analyzed Arkansas gas prices using AAA data, finding Pine Bluff the most expensive metro and showing how other cities rank, plus which state posted the lowest average — see the full rankings.

Who’s on the roster: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced appointments to state boards and commissions effective Jan. 1, 2026, including Kerry Shuffield and Vicki Howard, plus members for the State Police Retirement System board — see the full appointee list.

Inspiring voices with global impact: African Children’s Choir will visit Arkansas churches this month, starting in Hot Springs and including a North Little Rock concert on Jan. 18. The Ugandan group was founded in 1984 — see where to catch them.

Sunday Brunch @ The Local Seafood & Oyster Bar | Sunday (1/11) at 11:00 AM – Sunday calls for cozy brunch, full menu, and forgiveness for ordering both. Start saintly with a Ginger Apple Fizz, then let a Rock Town Basil Vodka Bloody Mary with Bloody Darn Good Pickle Mix, moonshine pickle, olives, lime, and a boiled shrimp do the talking — see the event listing.

Summer show hits Hot Springs: Country star Clay Walker announced a concert at Magic Springs. He will perform July 18 as part of a series with Justin Moore, lawn and VIP tickets going on sale — get all the details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🏈 Hot Springs Trojans vs Lakeside Rams @ Hot Springs Junior Academy | Monday (1/12) at 5:00 PM – Grab a seat on the bleachers for Hot Springs Trojans vs Lakeside Rams, boys freshman and middle school hoops. Expect squeaky sneakers, feisty defense, and that one parent who knows all the calls. Cheap concessions, big heart, real small-town basketball.

🏆 Fountain Lake Cobras vs Malvern Leopards @ Fountain Lake School District | Tuesday (1/13) – Nothing says small-town pride like Fountain Lake Cobras vs Malvern Leopards, a classic rivalry where the band is loud, nachos are louder, and bleachers feel like a reunion. Pick a side, bring a jacket, and expect heckling, hugs, and a scoreboard that keeps you honest.

🎶 Meet the Instruments @ Garland County Library | Tuesday (1/13) at 4:30 PM – Let ASMSA Tri-M students show off with solos and ensembles, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings getting their moment. Then it’s an instrument petting zoo, the only one in town where honking is encouraged. It’s free, no sign-ups, and kid, grandkid, and grandparent friendly.

♨ NtS Hot Springs Training Night @ The Assembly | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve been volunteering since the church directory was a thing or you’re brand new, this training night gets you ready for Night to Shine in Hot Springs. Expect quick how-tos, friendly faces, and zero pop quizzes. Bring your big heart, comfy shoes.

🌕 “On the Moon” @ Mid-America Science Museum | Thursday (1/15) at 10:30 AM – Scientots is going lunar with a cozy read of Anne Milbourne’s On the Moon at the Kye-Yac Clubhouse. Bring the tiny astronauts, their snack packs, and your patience. It’s a quick mission, big imaginations, and zero gravity on the carpet.

🏀 Basketball vs El Dorado @ Lakeside School District | Friday (1/16) – Grab your seat cushion and hit the gym as our boys and girls, varsity, JV, and freshman, take on El Dorado, with Little Cheer stealing hearts. Expect squeaky sneakers, loud defense, and concession-stand nachos, plus the kind of small-town pride you can hear.

🤖 Man vs. Machine @ Vapors Live | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Whether you trust your gut or just want to blame robots for everything, Clifton Players and a Hot Springs crew present a line-up where some plays are AI, others human, and you have to guess. Then compare notes in the talkback, smugness optional.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Hot Springs report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 53. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 45 in the afternoon. North wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. East wind around 0 mph.

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