🌱 How did Hot Springs schools really score under Arkansas’ new grading system?

Hi Hot Springs! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Hot Springs schools really score under Arkansas’ new grading system?
• How a federal law created Hot Springs’ first free bathhouse
• Why is Hot Springs’ jobless rate among the highest in Arkansas?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Rain; fog in the morning, with a high of 63 and low of 32 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 54, low: 39.
• Saturday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 65 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Superintendents discuss districts' grades (hsvvoice.com) — Hot Springs School District earned a B under Arkansas’ new letter-grade system, while nearby Lakeside scored an A and Lake Hamilton and Cutter Morning Star also received Bs. Local superintendents meeting in Hot Springs Village discussed how they’ll use these grades, grants, and state LEARNS Act resources to improve student performance and reward staff working on individual student growth.
   

2. Arkansas History for December 16: New Madrid Earthquake (magnoliareporter.com) — Hot Springs gets a spotlight in today’s Arkansas history notes, marking the 1878 federal law that required a free bathhouse at what is now Hot Springs National Park, near today’s Rehabilitation Center and Quapaw Bathhouse. The roundup also recalls the 1811 New Madrid earthquake’s impact on Arkansas, a deadly 1923 train wreck, and notable Arkansans born on December 16.
   

3. September job numbers up in all Arkansas metros - Talk Business & Politics (talkbusiness.net) — Hot Springs’ metro jobless rate reached 4.5% in September, tied for the highest among Arkansas metros, even as the area added about 100 jobs over the year. The report shows statewide job growth but rising unemployment, giving Hot Springs residents important context on how their local labor market compares with other Arkansas regions and national trends.
   

4. Lake Hamilton's Vic Easter scores 21 in the 4th quarter to lift Wolves in nail biter Hot Springs Sentinel Record (hotsr.com) — Lake Hamilton basketball fans in the Hot Springs area saw a thriller Tuesday as senior guard Vic Easter poured in 21 fourth-quarter points to lift the Wolves boys over Texarkana, 65-62, while the Lady Wolves cruised to a 67-27 win. Coaches praised clutch free throws, defensive rebounding, and recent strong showings at the Cabot FCA Tournament against tough statewide competition.
   

5. Year in Review: The biggest Arkansas entertainment stories of 2025 (kark.com) — One of 2025’s biggest Arkansas entertainment stories for Hot Springs was Magic Springs reopening without its longtime Arkansas Twister coaster, which had thrilled riders in the city since 1992. The park marked the ride’s removal with a tribute at its entrance. The broader roundup also covers statewide concerts, festivals, zoo milestones, and other pop-culture highlights Arkansans followed this year.
   

📸 Around Hot Springs

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📣 Hot Springs Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Basketball - Away - JG,JB,SG,SB - Gurdon
  Malvern School District Malvern, AR 72104
  4:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Men’s Coffee & Donuts
  Balboa Marina , 480 Ponce De Leon Dr , Hot Springs Village
  9:30 am

Saturday December 20

• MoonshineMafia
  Balboa Club Restaurant , 111 Balboa Way , Hot Springs Village
  6:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Babies & Books Story Time
  Baxter County Library , 300 Library Hill Ln , Mountain Home
  9:30 am
• Christmas Stories at Sherwin Williams
  Sherwin-Williams Paint Store , 634 Martin Luther King Blvd , Malvern
  10:30 am
• Fountain Lake Cobras vs McGehee Owls
  Fountain Lake School District , 4207 Park Ave , Hot Springs
  4:00 pm
• Yoga for Adults
  Baxter County Library , 300 Library Hill Ln , Mountain Home
  4:00 pm
• Basketball - Home - JG,SG,SB - Glen Rose
  Malvern School District Malvern, AR 72104
  4:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Toddler Time
  Baxter County Library , 300 Library Hill Ln , Mountain Home
  10:30 am
• Ageless Grace / Seated Tai Chi
  CHI St. Vincent McAuley Senior Center , 5010 AR 7 , Hot Springs Village
  12:30 pm

Thursday December 25

• Strength Training
  Oaklawn center on aging , 307 Carpenter Dam Rd , Hot Springs
  9:00 am

Saturday December 27

• Cliff & Susan in Oaklawn Casino
  Oaklawn Hot Springs , 2705 Central Ave , Hot Springs
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Horse loose on crystal Hill Rd!
  If anyone knows the owner please let them know! (Nextdoor Elkhorn Loop)
• LANE CLOSURES
  Caution signs and flaggers will be in place, and motorists are advised to use caution when traveling in these areas.  •   Cedar Street, near Amber… (Nextdoor )

• Primo Brands posted a job opening for Production Manager in Hot Springs Village. Apply here.
• Brookshire Grocery Company posted a job opening for Grocery Stocker in Hot Springs Village. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hot Springs here.

Ok Hot Springs! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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