JONESBORO, Ark- The city of Jonesboro and Arkansas State University is applying for a 20 million dollar grant. If received, it would upgrade the town's infrastructure to meet the growing needs of Jonesboro. The Rebuilding American infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity or RISE grant would fund a 21-mile multi-use trail in town. But Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver says it would provide more than just a walking path. “The pathway will create job opportunities; it creat

JONESBORO, Ark- Many universities temporarily eliminated the ACT requirement as part of the application process due to the coronavirus. But for one local school, that change is becoming permanent. Arkansas State University will join the list of other colleges across the country and become a test-optional school. The decision to eliminate the requirement came as a suggestion from university faculty members. “As our faculty began to study, ‘is this the best metric to admit some

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, Ark- The American red cross is experiencing a severe shortage of blood. Northeast Arkansas news finds out how dire it is and what the red cross credits the shortage to. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many shortages, but one of the most important shortages is blood. The Red Cross credits summer and the covid-19 pandemic for causing the drastic decline in donations. “Part of that is I think is organ transplants, elective surgeries, trauma cases, are really o

DOWNTOWN JONESBORO, Ark The Downtown Jonesboro Alliance received a large donation to help improve the downtown area. The DJA accepted a $25,000 donation from Main Street Arkansas. The money will be put back into the community- going towards the downtown beautification commission. “We received this twenty-five thousand dollars from Main Street Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of Heritage,” says Executive director of the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance, Lindsey Ford-Wingo. “By

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, Ark- Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd will take on a new leadership role in law enforcement. Sheriff Marty Boyd was recently elected to serve as president of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. He will hold this position while continuing his current duties at the department but says he’s excited to lead 75 sheriff's from across the state. “I’m looking forward to it and, it’s an honor to serve the sheriffs of Arkansas and represent them at the national lev

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark- The Arkansas Department of Transportation is making changes to the area near the bridge. Traffic changes are taking place in West Memphis as ARDOT is closing one lane and an on and exit ramp. The department hopes this will help with traffic flow and congestion over the 1-55 bridge. But some residents have mixed feelings. One Marion resident says the interstate traffic changes causing more people to go through the town. “I don’t think that was a good idea at

JONESBORO, Ark- Summer has arrived and, with the Arkansas heat means families are spending time at the swimming pool. But some states are experiencing a national lifeguard shortage. KJNB Northeast Arkansas News speaks with multiple parks and recreation departments to if they are experiencing the shortage. According to the YMCA, and American Lifeguard Association, many pools, and community centers are having to adjust their hours and opening dates due to a shortage of the life

LAKE CITY, Ark- We have an update to bring you on a wreck that shut down Highway 18 a week ago in Lake City. As we learn the driver, who is now in stable condition, is a former cross-country athlete at Arkansas State University. KJNB Northeast Arkansas News speaks with friends of JeLynn Tatum to hear how she’s recovering. JeLynn Tatum was driving in Lake City when she hydroplaned and collided with a semi-truck. The former A-State athlete was airlifted to a Memphis hospital. T

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark It’s been over three weeks since the I-40 bridge was shut down after AR-DOT crews discovered a crack in the structure. Now, residents are getting frustrated, and the topic of another bridge has come up. KJNB Northeast Arkansas News speaks with some residents to hear what they have to say. Residents on both the Arkansas and Tennessee side of the Mississippi River say there should be a third bridge option. They’re frustrated with the additional cars adding mor

MARION, Ark- On this Memorial Day, people across the country and here in the region honor those who put themselves first- serving our country. A day full of tributes for veterans started early this morning as people showed up at the Crittenden Memorial Park for the annual Memorial Day celebration. To remember those who served and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. “It’s a great thing that we get to do to come out here to get to do to pay our respects to all these indivi