Lauren Spencer

Boston

Reporter at KFSM-TV (Fort Smith, AR)

Social at @nobull via @heydudeshoes & @Patriots. @Suffolk_U journalism / @gosuffolkrams soccer grad.

Featured in: Favicon

5newsonline.com Favicon

bostonglobe.com Favicon

refinery29.com Favicon

13newsnow.com Favicon

thv11.com

localmemphis.com

Articles

Arkansas priests react to selection of new pope

1 week ago | thv11.com | Lauren Spencer

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — In a decision that has made history and sparked emotion across the globe, the Catholic Church has elected its first U.S. pope. Robert Prevost has been selected and taken the name Pope Leo XIV — a move that’s being celebrated by local priests as both a spiritual milestone and a sign of hope for the future of the Church.
Local priests react to new pope selection

1 week ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — In a decision that has made history and sparked emotion across the globe, the Catholic Church has elected its first U.S. pope. Robert Prevost has been selected and taken the name Pope Leo XIV — a move that’s being celebrated by local priests as both a spiritual milestone and a sign of hope for the future of the Church. The news reached Father Rodolphe Balthazar, a priest at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers since 2019, while he was visiting a hospital and ran into a friend.
Crawford County Library System will pay full amount in legal fees from 2023 lawsuit

2 weeks ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — After a back-and-forth argument between the county and the library system in Crawford County, Justices of the Peace decided they won't help the library pay thousands of dollars in legal fees. The Crawford County Quorum Court voted unanimously in a special meeting Monday night on an appropriations bill that would allocate $112,978.31 from the Crawford County Library System (CCLS) to fund judgments and damages from the 2023 lawsuit.
Crawford County Library System votes to foot the bill for legal fees from lawsuit

3 weeks ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — After a judge ordered Crawford County to pay plaintiffs' attorney fees last week in a lawsuit involving the Crawford County Library System (CCLS) conversations have been had on where that money will come from, the county's general reserve or the library's budget. In a special meeting on Wednesday, the library board voted 3 to 1 to pay the $112,978.31 in legal fees.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner visits Northwest Arkansas

3 weeks ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) hosted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to the 3rd Congressional District to highlight local affordable housing initiatives and urban redevelopment opportunities. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also joined in on part of the tour.
Quorum court votes down federal inmate housing program in Crawford County

3 weeks ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — On Monday night, the Crawford County Quorum Court voted down a program that would've housed federal inmates in the county jail. The members voted six yes, five no, with one abstaining and one absent. Sheriff Daniel Perry presented a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service that would take federal inmates to the Crawford County Detention Center in exchange for $60 per day for each prisoner. He said the county would have brought in about $500,000 a year in revenue.
Springdale Public Schools hosts "Heart for Homelessness" event in effort to raise funds for unhoused students

1 month ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Springdale Public Schools hosted their annual Hearts for Homelessness fundraising event on Tuesday night, raising money and funds for the Families in Transition Program (FIT). "As of today, we have 745 identified FIT students across the district," said Reina Hart, the Families in Transition liaison for Springdale Public Schools. The program provides vital support to any students and families who are experiencing homelessness.
Chickamauga Nation seeks proof of state's archeological study of Franklin County prison site

1 month ago | thv11.com | Lauren Spencer

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Arkansas — The Chickamauga Nation is seeking an archeological study to be done on the Franklin County prison site. At a press conference Monday, Chief Jimmie Kersh of the Chickamauga Nation said they’re now urging residents to turn in any artifacts they discover on nearby property and to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to determine whether state officials ever conducted an archaeological study on the property.
Chickamauga Nation seeks proof of state's archeological study of Franklin County prison site

1 month ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Arkansas — The Chickamauga Nation is seeking an archeological study to be done on the Franklin County prison site. At a press conference Monday, Chief Jimmie Kersh of the Chickamauga Nation said they’re now urging residents to turn in any artifacts they discover on nearby property and to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to determine whether state officials ever conducted an archaeological study on the property.
John Brown University offers new professional flight degree program

1 month ago | 5newsonline.com | Lauren Spencer

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Students can now get a 4-year degree while also earning their pilot's license. John Brown University is adding a Bachelor of Science in professional flight beginning Fall 2025. The program is in partnership with Airo, formerly known as ARH, which is a Springdale-based flight school.