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🌱 Patch AM: How a new Little Rock heart procedure could replace open-heart surgery

Also check out The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Little Rock, AR on the Little Rock Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Greetings Little Rock! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new Little Rock heart procedure could replace open-heart surgery
  • How a new Little Rock-based teen program hopes to prevent crises
  • How nine justice-involved teens just “changed Little Rock” this week

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Little Rock, AR and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Little Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Little Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Windy with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 66 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Sunday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 58, low: 41.
  • Monday: Cloudy with showers around, with a high of 57 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. FDA approves tool for tricuspid regurgitation, offering minimally invasive option (katv.com) — Little Rock patients with severe tricuspid valve leakage now have access to Abbott’s newly FDA‑approved TriClip device, a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. Offered first in Arkansas by local cardiologists, the catheter-based procedure clips valve leaflets to reduce backflow, potentially easing symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue and lowering the risk of heart failure when medication alone isn’t enough.
   

2. Arkansas Crisis Center to launch new mental health support program for teens (thv11.com) — Based in Little Rock, the Arkansas Crisis Center is preparing to launch AR Teen Connect in early 2026, a peer-support program designed to keep teens from reaching a mental health crisis. Funded by the Blue & You Foundation, the effort complements the existing 988 hotline, which remains available 24/7 for local youth needing immediate help, especially through the holidays.
   

3. Arkansas Baptist College graduates first META24 class aimed at diverting at-risk teens from incarceration (kark.com) — Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock has graduated the first META24 class, a three-week entrepreneurial boot camp for nine justice-involved teens living on campus. Leaders say the intensive, hands-on program aims to “change Little Rock” by disrupting the pipeline to prison and preparing students for college, careers, and future mentorship roles.
   

4. Sanders' deputy chief of staff stepping down in January, becoming partner in Little Rock lobbying firm (arkansasonline.com) — A top aide to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is leaving the governor’s office to become a partner at a prominent Little Rock lobbying and consulting firm, which will be renamed to include his name. Jamie Barker’s move underscores the influence of Little Rock-based Gilmore Davis Strategy Group in Arkansas politics, while another Sanders staffer steps up as deputy chief of staff.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking to rehome a 4 year old male pitbull.
    He was raised in the house and is crate trained. He's looking for a loving home. He knows some commands- sit, shake hands, and lay down. He hasn't… (Nextdoor Upper Baseline)
  • Looking for the perfect kitty to complete your family?
    Miss Autumn is still looking for her forever family. She is UTD on shots, spayed, and microchipped. She is such a sweetheart and talkative girl… (Nextdoor University District)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in Little Rock. Apply here.
  • Burlington Coat Factory posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Little Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Little Rock here.

Ok Little Rock! 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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