FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An early birthday gift for a Fort Smith woman purchased at a gas station on Rogers Avenue turned into a $500,000 prize, according to a news release from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. S. Jetullahu, a regular lottery player who has a preference for scratch-offs, was given a $20 200X The Win instant game ticket from her husband as an early birthday gift. Jetullahu said she was too excited to wait and scratched the ticket early. She found she won the $500,000 prize and shared the news with her husband ..read more

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Attorneys who filed a lawsuit claiming violations of the Freedom of Information Act by the Washington Water Authority filed a motion to dismiss Washington County from the lawsuit, according to court documents. The lawsuit was filed in Washington County Circuit Court by attorneys Joey McCutchen and Stephen Napurano from Fort Smith, along with their client Mickey Wayne Wagner. Washington County was accused of violating FOIA in 2023 by failing to record all of the board meetings, according to the lawsuit ..read more

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — The Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Northwest Arkansas asks for volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties. The goal is thirty new volunteer advocates by June 30. CASA of NWA aims to address the pressing need for compassionate support within the court system. The nonprofit organization aims to provide caring volunteers who work to advocate for the needs of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Gus Plume, a board member of CASA of NWA, emphasized the critical ..read more

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A weekend of remembrance for a political giant in Arkansas has started, bringing in people across the country to pay their respects. Former Arkansas Gov. David Pryor, who also served the Natural State as a U.S. senator and congressman, died Saturday at 89 years old. Politicians from the Natural State remember former governor David Pryor His final political office was back in D.C., this time as a U.S. senator. Pryor served three terms in the Senate, wrapping up his political career in 1996. Politics aside, people on Friday talked about how the Pryor legacy goes beyond his wo ..read more

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)— Before the NFL draft, health care company Abbott Laboratories held its own draft day. The Abbott HeartMates draft day recognized 11 people from across the United States who made a comeback from serious cardiovascular conditions. Those 11 HeartMates will serve communities by providing support and education for those impacted by cardio conditions. Those picked for the draft went to New York on April 19. One of those selected to join the team was Mackenzie Maddry. The Bella Vista teen was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2020. After 21 cycles of chemotherapy and mult ..read more

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former Springdale police officer who resigned following his alleged involvement in a March road rage incident has been arrested and charged, according to court documents. Garry Jones, 43 (Courtesy: Washington County Jail) Garry Jones, 43, was arrested on Friday on third-degree assault and harassment charges, both misdemeanors, according to a criminal information sheet. The document said Jones followed a woman to her vehicle in a public place to "harass, annoy, or alarm" her, eventually creating "apprehension of imminent physical injury" by showing a firearm ..read more

FARMINGTON, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Farmington police have released an update on the fatal head-on crash that killed three people on April 18. After an investigation, police say the primary cause of the accident was the high rate of speed driven by Stephen Kaufmann. The black box in Kaufmann's Acura and the Chevrolet Tahoe involved in the crash indicated Kaufmann was traveling 102 mph southbound on North Broyles Street where the speed limit is 30 mph. The department says at the time of Kaufmann's death, marijuana, alcohol and kratom were found in his system ..read more

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Just days after President Joe Biden signed off on a more than $60 billion package, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced an additional $6 billion for long-term military resources. "This is the largest security assistance package that we've committed to date," Austin said. The money will help secure artillery, like Patriot missiles, drones, and more ammunition. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General C.Q Brown Jr. says these are necessary investments. "Russia's war in Ukraine endangers the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law, reminding us that unchecked aggressi ..read more

OZARK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Three people were killed in a single-vehicle crash in Franklin County on Thursday morning, according to a crash report. Ethan Pelts, 30, of Clarksville, was driving a 2018 GMC Terrain westbound on Interstate 49 near mile marker 38 around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. The report said the vehicle lost control and collided with the guardrail of an overpass. The vehicle came to a stop facing north, was hit by a tractor-trailer and stopped in a ditch ..read more

Editor’s Note: The video in this story may be disturbing to some. Viewer’s discretion is advised.  SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett determined a Springdale police officer was justified in using deadly physical force when he shot a man last month, according to a release from the Springdale Police Department. SPD said Cpl. Danny Wright shot and killed Dimitri Calvert, 30, on March 12. Wright responded to an incident after police received calls about a man reportedly damaging vehicles and threatening people in a neighborhood ..read more