🌱 Patch AM: How UAMS’s new Little Rock scholarships could shape Arkansas healthcare

Good morning to you Little Rock! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How UAMS’s new Little Rock scholarships could shape Arkansas healthcare
• Meet the Arkansas women set to lead the energy sector in 2026
• How a Little Rock-treated cyclist beat cancer back onto the bike

Also on today's calendar: 90s Country New Year - Vol. 4.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 71 and low of 61 degrees.
• Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 75, low: 61.
• Thursday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 73 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. UAMS launches full tuition scholarships to retain top Arkansas talent (katv.com) — A major new UAMS scholarship program based in Little Rock will offer 40 full-tuition awards starting in fall 2026 to keep top Arkansas students in healthcare careers here at home. The Chancellor Scholars Program, operating at the Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas campuses, requires recipients to practice in-state after graduation, aiming to strengthen the local medical workforce for years to come.
   

2. Arkansas Women in Power announces 2026 board officers (501lifemag.com) — Little Rock readers are seeing new leadership at Arkansas Women in Power, a statewide nonprofit that supports women working in the energy industry. The group, founded by Arkansas energy professionals, has named officers from Southwest Power Pool, Summit Utilities, Conway Corp, and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives to guide its 2026 mentoring and networking efforts.
   

3. Arkansas rider overcomes blood cancer to return to cycling (thv11.com) — A Little Rock–treated endurance cyclist is back racing just 13 months after intensive treatment for multiple myeloma, a serious blood cancer. Gary Beck credits the UAMS Myeloma Center’s cutting-edge care in Arkansas for his remission and recent age-group win in a Missouri race, offering hope to local patients facing similar diagnoses.
   

4. Arkansans finish up holiday shopping despite rising prices of Christmas lists (kark.com) — Holiday shoppers are still packing the Outlets of Little Rock, even as many say higher prices are forcing them to buy fewer, more meaningful gifts. Locals describe feeling inflation in nearly every aisle but insist that in-person, “old school” shopping remains an important part of their Christmas tradition and community connection.
   

5. Lawson has 29 in Arkansas-Little Rock's 98-84 win against Williams Baptist (apnews.com) — Local hoops fans saw a big night in Little Rock as Arkansas-Little Rock topped Williams Baptist 98–84, powered by 29 points from Johnathan Lawson and a double-double from Cameron Wallace. The Trojans, now 4–9, also got 16 points and strong defense from Kachi Nzeh in the home win.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Little Rock

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 27

• KATV Pet of the Week
  Humane Society of Pulaski County , 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd , Little Rock
  8:25 am

Wednesday December 31

• 90s Country New Year - Vol. 4
  The Hall , 721 W 9th St , Little Rock
  10:00 pm

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Little Rock
  Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema 2600 Cantrell Rd Little Rock, AR 72202
  1:00 pm

📣 Little Rock Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• City Offices Closed for Christmas
  Benton City Hall , 410 River Street , Benton
  12:00 pm
• New Journeys Recovery
  Mayflower Senior Citizens Building , 1 Ashmore Dr , Mayflower
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Leads Group Meeting - Network Champions
  Sherwood Chamber of Commerce , 7510 Hwy 107 , Sherwood
  8:30 am
• Senior Activities
  Mayflower Senior Citizens Building , 1 Ashmore Dr , Mayflower
  9:00 am

Friday December 26

• Cosmic Bowling
  Strike Zone Bowling Alley , Bxtra Access Rd , Jacksonville
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• reformer foundations
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  11:00 am
• Mat Pilates - All Levels
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  1:00 pm
• Shaw Revolver (Regional/National)
  Malys Family Entertainment Center , 1040 Maly Curv , Conway
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• reformer foundations (level 1)
  Pilates Social , 3519 Market Pl Ave Suite 300 , Bryant
  3:00 pm

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• FINAL UPDATE- they both have been found and are back at home!
  Thank you everyone for sharing and looking for them! UPDATE- Napoleon has been found. We are still searching for Sunny- the white spotted dog. … (Nextdoor Pettaway)
• Update:
  The woman of the house I had the dog staying at abandoned the dog up the street on a busy street when I went home for 1.5 bc the dog was barking. I… (Nextdoor Briarwood)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Little Rock. Apply here.
• Brookdale Senior Living posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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