Shorter Expansion

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The thing about Mom’s Spaghetti is that it was born with a clear mission: taste like a leftover sauce the first time around.

Events

Kickoff of Holidays in Hillcrest and Festive Events Coming Up

Holidays in Hillcrest is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit with festive holiday happenings and family-friendly fun. 

• Kick it off: This Friday, Dec 1, you and your family can join in on the annual tree lighting ceremony at Allsopp Promenade and take photos with Santa. 

• On the itinerary: During the rest of the Holidays in Hillcrest series of events, explore a pop-up holiday market, hayride down Kavanaugh, live music and special offers at local businesses. 

For more information, visit the Holidays in Hillcrest Facebook event page. 

Sponsored by Compass One Healthcare

Join Ben Rector for 'A Baptist Health Christmas' hosted by Miss Arkansas Cori Keller

"A Baptist Health Christmas" is coming to North Little Rock this December, and it's an event you don't want to miss!

• Live music: Ben Rector will be performing songs from his Old Friends Acoustic Tour, along with performances by Chrissy P. and the Saint Mark Sanctuary Choir.

• Support a cause: Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Baptist Health Women's and Children's Services. 

Get more info and purchase your tickets HERE.

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Development

Shorter College to Transform Rock Island Railroad Depot into Tech Hub with $1.2 Million EDA Grant

Shorter College received a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Agency to transform the Rock Island railroad depot in North Little Rock into a tech career training center. 

• Forward-thinking: The college plans to take the century-old building and make it a one-stop hub for technology training, job upgrades, and financial services for budding entrepreneurs. 

• Making waves: The tech hub will be the only private, two-year Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country, and will bring new development, opportunities, and job training to the area. 

Learn more about this project HERE. 

Education

Army Research Office Gives UALR $5 Million to Counter Emerging Cognitive Threats

Dr. Nitin Agarwal of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Collaboration for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) Research Center has received $5 million from the Army Research Office. This project, running through 2025, seeks to identify "socio-cognitive threats" and create strategies to counter them. 

• A new type of warfare: Dr. Agarwal and his research team look into groups and individuals who use advanced communication tactics to execute sophisticated cognitive attack campaigns, using platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and more. 

• Safeguarding us all: The award will fund high-speed computational servers to process large volumes of data along with 15+ student research positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and data engineer positions. 

Read the full story HERE.

Little Rock Daily Picks

In other news…

• Big anni: Little Rock Public Radio is hosting celebration on Dec 7 at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, marking 50 years of public radio service​​.

• Getting together: Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation's 89th Annual Convention will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, featuring workshops, business sessions, and a public trade show​​.

• Wishes granted: Entergy Arkansas' 110th Anniversary Grants are donating over $600,000 to six nonprofits across Arkansas, with each receiving $110,000, focusing on families, workforce opportunities, and a healthy environment​​​​.

• Honoring the fallen: The annual wreath-laying ceremony, Wreaths Across America in Little Rock, will be occurring on Dec 16 at Little Rock National Cemetery to honor fallen veterans, with over 8,000 wreaths sponsored​.