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Hey Jonesboro, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A $280M co-op payout to farmers, your data is for sale, and a pop-up cat room + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Jonesboro protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

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.

Shaping Jonesboro’s next decades: Over 100 residents filled Earl Bell Community Center for Plan Jonesboro’s open house, sharing hopes and concerns about growth and infrastructure. Next comes a multi-day design workshop with public input — explore priorities and next steps.

From idea to opening: Thinking about a startup? A free “Starting a Business in Arkansas” workshop is tomorrow, March 10, at the Trumann Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted by ASBTDC at Arkansas State University — get all the workshop details.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Hop into free Easter trunk-or-treat
• Enjoy sensory-friendly gaming at Coin Goblin
• Support foster youth at CASA luncheon

🫶 We got your back

Lunch that hits right: Jonesboro’s longtime staple Munchy’s Sandwiches serves no-fuss, craveable combos: stacked sandwiches, can’t-skip cheese sticks, and the occasional nostalgic corn dog when the mood hits. It’s the kind of midweek pick-me-up that feels familiar in the best way.

Fresh-air fix: Craighead Forest Park packs 692 acres of trails, lakeside breezes, disc golf, fishing holes, and kid-approved playgrounds in Jonesboro, perfect for a quick post-work loop or a lingering picnic with friends. When the couch calls, this easygoing plan answers with sunshine and space.

Rainy-day sanity saver: Skip the big-box shuffle and duck into The Toy Store Gifts & More, where toy hunting feels easy. Find shelves of imagination-sparking picks and clever gifts for birthdays, bribes, and just-because moments, guided by friendly folks who actually know what kids play with.

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 →

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 →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🚙 Rigs & Coffee @ Summit Adventure Outfitters | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – If your idea of small talk is tire tread and trail maps, roll into Summit Adventure Outfitters for a meetup of overlanders, crawlers, and daily drivers. Sip Caffeine Theory coffee, trade trail tips on Crowley’s Ridge, and count more rooftop tents than a state park.

🐰 Bunny Hop @ Refuge Church (Lake City) | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Lake City is doing Easter the local way, a trunk-or-treat mashup with a bounce house, bunny photos, face paint, games, crafts, bubbles, and door prizes, all free. Bring snack money for Dogguisimo’s special menu and The Cowboy Cooler, you supervise the sugar rush.

🖼 Through a Child’s Eyes Art Exhibition Opening @ Arkansas State University Museum | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from errands and swing by ASU Museum for the Through a Child’s Eyes opening, a juried showcase of Pre-K through eighth-grade art. Expect ribbons, proud parents, and art that puts your fridge gallery to shame, plus free admission.

🌸 Spring Bloom Meet Up @ Craighead Forest Park | Saturday (4/4) at 10:00 AM – Grab your coffee and the diaper bag, and meet up with Jonesboro moms for a relaxed morning of connection, conversation, and community. It is free, kid friendly, and gloriously judgment free, so expect real talk, new friendships, and tired toddlers, RSVP if you’re in.

🐱 Pop-Up Cat Room @ TBD | Saturday (4/11) at 12:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to upgrade from houseplants to a purring roommate, the pop-up cat room has you covered. Look for the little camper with the awning, meet 6-8 adoptable charmers, hang out for free, donate if you can, whisk one home.

👶 Baby State @ St. Bernards Auditorium | Thursday (4/23) at 6:00 PM – Think babies come with manuals? Swing by St. Bernards for a free, drop-in crash course with their top maternity team, prizes, and legit answers on lactation, pain control, car seats, sleep, infant care, and local baby vendors, from folks who do this daily.

🎨 Color Me Dare @ Central Baptist Church | Saturday (4/25) at 8:00 AM – Our annual Color Me DARE fun run is free, cheerful, and gloriously messy, the kind of cardio that doubles as a family photo filter. There’s Zumba, a bounce house, games, and a giveaway. Run, walk, or spectate with coffee, then blame the laundry.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Jonesboro report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of rain showers between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 96%

Rain showers likely before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 71, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Arkansas but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Set on over an acre in Ridgepointe Estates, this 5-bed, 4.5-bath Country French home commands a corner lot overlooking Ridgepointe Country Club in Valley View School District. An airy plan features fireplaced living areas and a sleek kitchen. A study with built-ins connects to a primary suite. A rustic game room tops a three-car garage. Covered patio frames wooded views.

Take a peek inside →