Nonprofit Highlight

Renewal Ranch Receives Record-Breaking Funding to Help Combat Opioid Addiction

Renewal Ranch, a faith-based addiction recovery program located near Conway, is set to begin construction on a 6,769 square foot facility in 2021 with the help of a historic $2.1 million grant from the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership.

• A major milestone: The award marks the largest single funding amount in the organization's history and is set to fund both the building and life-changing recovery services for men with Opioid Use Disorder and Substance Abuse Disorder.

• Humbled and grateful: Renewal Ranch extends its gratitude to ARORP and other local parties for the incredible opportunity to increase their impact on those struggling with addiction.

Find out more HERE.

Sports

Little Rock Gears Up for Razorback Season Opener With Parade and Pep Rally

Little Rock is throwing an epic 'Paint the Town Red' parade and pep rally on Sep 1 with the U of A's Marching Band, Spirit Squads, and official mascot TUSK VI leading the way.

• Don't miss: The parade kicks off at 7p, with the route starting at the Little Rock Regional Chamber and ending in Riverfront Park’s amphitheater for a pep rally finale.

• High stakes: The Razorbacks are opening up the season against Western Carolina on Sep 2 at 3p in War Memorial Stadium. Get your tickets here.

Get the full story and join in on the festivities HERE.

Region

Central Arkansas Population Grows Despite Declining Fertility and Life Expectancy Rates

Central Arkansas is continuing to grow in population, even as fertility rates drop and life expectancy decreases.

• Rising stars: Conway has surpassed North Little Rock as the area's 2nd-largest city, while Ward in Lonoke County has become the 10th.

• Hitting the marks: Housing costs remain comparatively low in the region, and there's been an uptick in more affordable housing types like duplexes and triplexes.

Check out the full report HERE for more details.

Business

Arkansas Research Alliance Inducts Largest Ever Class of Academy Fellows and Scholars

Seven new members were officially inducted to the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Academy of Scholars and Fellows in the largest class to date.

• Research ahoy: Each new Fellow receives a $75,000 grant to advance their research and the Scholar receives a $500,000 grant - all to help build out the state's strategic research competencies in drug development, stem cell research, membrane technology and beyond.

• Gathering momentum: The research team represented six institutions in Arkansas (including five research universities and the state’s largest fed lab).

Keep up with the ARA's research projects HERE.

Little Rock Daily Picks

In other news…

• Smokin': St. Margaret's annual Ribfest is kicking off next week on Sep 23 from 4-7p.

• Arkansas ninja: Jonathan Rouse, an Arkansas native, is competing in the semi-finals of American Ninja Warrior.

• Finding alternatives: UAMS was awarded a $1.5m grant to help further develop non-opioid pain management strategies.

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