KARV "Regional Radio"

KARV "Regional Radio" KARV is a radio station local to the Arkansas River Valley that brings you your favorite news talk programs and local favorites like Dial-A-Trade!

The first radio station between Ft. Smith and Little Rock, Arkansas officially went on the air on February 25th, 1947. KXRJ in Russellville, owned and managed by Russ Horne and Jerrell Shepherd, Paris and Russellville natives, respectively, became one of about 1,600 radio stations in the country. Horne and Shepherd had originally asked to get KARV as the call-letters for their new station, but tha

t was not available. The second choice was KRUS, but it was also unavailable. So, the FCC awarded the station is third choice, KXRJ – the “R” standing for Russ and the “J” for Jerrell. KXRJ first went on the air for a 7-hour test on February 24th from 5 PM until midnight. The first studio was located on the campus of Arkansas Polytechnic College in Russellville. KXRJ started its regular broadcast schedule on February 25th, 1947. During the first hours on the air, the station received several hundred calls of congratulations and praise for the clearness of reception and quality of the programs. KXRJ was broadcasting 250 watts on 1490, or the station could be found at 150 on older radios. The 17 hours of broadcast on the 25th included transcribed music and request numbers, spot news, sports summaries, and programs from the mutual broadcasting system, including news casts by Fulton Lewis, Jr. and Gabriel Heatter, The Inside of Sports, and Guy Lombardo’s Orchestra. Russ Horne and Jerrell Shepherd were the owners and managers of KXRJ. Approximately 8,000 people turned out on March 1st and 2nd, 1947, for KXRJ’s Open House ceremonies. The station had officially gone on the air on February 25th. During the Open House, special programs were presented by groups from Atkins, Dardanelle, Clarksville, Morrilton, and Russellville. Listeners were asked to make their choice of the best program by mail. Atkins won and was honored with a 30 minute remote broadcast originating from Atkins. KXRJ, now KARV, moved to a new spot on the radio dial in February of 1980. During the 7:30 news on February 13th, 1980, KARV moved from 1490 AM to 610 AM, enabling many residents of the Arkansas River Valley to hear KARV radio for the first time during nighttime hours and gave outlying areas of the River Valley their first opportunity to hear KARV during daytime hours.

Entergy’s Omar Clemons in to visit with us..:
08/19/2026

Entergy’s Omar Clemons in to visit with us..:

08/18/2026

🔥 BBQ FUNDRAISER — COME GET YOUR PLATE! 🔥

Project Hope Arkansas is firing up the grill, and we want YOU to join us! 🙌

For just $15, you’ll get:
🍖 Pulled Pork or Chicken Sandwich
🥗 2 Sides
🍰 Dessert
🥤 Drink

📅 August 23rd
⏰ 12:00–5:00 PM
📍 Across the street from Brangus Steakhouse

Come enjoy some great BBQ while supporting the ministry of Project Hope Arkansas! Every plate helps us continue serving, loving, and walking alongside men as they pursue a life transformed by Jesus Christ. ❤️

Bring your family, bring your friends, grab a plate, and help us spread the word!

Good food. Great fellowship. Greater purpose.

Post your birthdays and anniversaries here…
08/18/2026

Post your birthdays and anniversaries here…

08/18/2026

Congrats to State Rep. Bill Teeter! He was sworn in today and I know he will do a great job serving our community. Looking forward to working with you, Rep. Teeter!

08/17/2026

🐔🍗 Come for the chicken. Stay for the traditions.

The 79th Annual Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry is bringing one of the River Valley’s favorite traditions back to beautiful Mount Nebo State Park!

Start the morning with the famous Chicken Fried 10K, running from downtown Dardanelle all the way to the top of Mount Nebo. Then stick around for a full day of food, family fun, and some wonderfully quirky traditions.

🐔 Chicken scramble
🥧 Old-fashioned pie auction benefiting River Valley Food 4 Kids
🦵 Crowd-favorite Mr. Lovely Legs Contest
🚗 FREE Model T rides
👑 Little Miss Pullet & Little Mr. Rooster contests
🍗 Award-winning Tyson Foods chicken dinner

It’s chicken, pickin’ and politickin’ on the mountain, and you’re invited!

📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ Festival activities: 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Mount Nebo State Park
Dardanelle, Arkansas

Follow for more festivals, traditions, and things to do across the Tri-Peaks Region.

Post your birthdays and anniversaries here...
08/17/2026

Post your birthdays and anniversaries here...

08/17/2026

Many areas across the state remain under an Extreme Heat Warning or a Heat Advisory this Monday. A front has dropped south into the state, which will bring some relief from the heat for northern sections of the state.

08/16/2026
08/16/2026

More than 130 information tables will help Arkansas Tech University students become better connected to their campus and the surrounding community during ATU Involvement Fair 2026 on Monday, Aug. 17.

The fair will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Mullens Plaza at Ferguson Student Union. Admission is free and open to ATU students, faculty and staff.

Local businesses, area non-profit organizations and on-campus departments and organizations will all be represented at ATU Involvement Fair 2026.

“This is one of our biggest events of the year,” said Chelsea Neal, ATU associate dean for campus life and director of the Ferguson Student Union. “It is part of our freshman orientation program, and it’s also our first opportunity to welcome our returning students back to campus. It’s an opportunity for community members to showcase what Russellville has to offer to our students.”

08/16/2026

All of the state remains under either an Extreme Heat Warning or a Heat Advisory again today.

Address

2705 E. Parkway Drive
Russellville, AR
72801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14799686816

Website

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