Here's the latest local and regional news from the Little Rock Public Radio Newsroom for Friday, January 30, 2026.

- A new legal challenge seeks to strike down Arkansas’ near-total ban on abortion

- Virginia-based Hanwha Defense USA says it’s investing $1.3 billion dollars in the Pine Bluff Arsenal facility

- The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is rolling out a new bachelor’s degree program in artificial intelligence, as well as in cybersecurity and early childhood education

- Alicia Corder was named director of the University of Arkansas System’s Criminal Justice Institute in a Wednesday meeting of trustees

- Trash collection remains impacted for many in Central Arkansas due to winter weather

Listen to live newscasts from Little Rock Public Radio each weekday during NPR's Morning Edition from 6 to 9 a.m., during All Things Considered from 4 to 6 p.m., and online at littlerockpublicradio.org.