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Crystal Bridges adds to collection ahead of expansion

The expansion is set to open to the public June 6.

News

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is expanding its craft collection ahead of its expansion set to debut next month.State of play: The museum has acquired about 140 works from about 60 artists in ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and wood, according to a news release from the museum.

App targets postpartum care gap

It's usually about six weeks between delivery and follow-up.

Business

Conway entrepreneur Kim Lane built the postpartum care app Momme to support mothers during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weeks between hospital discharge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" target="_self">weeks between hospital discharge</a> and their first follow-up visit.Why it matters: The U.S. has the highest maternal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortality rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/maternal-mortality-states-countries" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/maternal-mortality-states-countries" target="_self">mortality rate</a> among high-income countries, and more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="80% of pregnancy-related" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html" target="_blank">80% of pregnancy-related</a> deaths are preventable. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weeks after delivery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">weeks after delivery</a> are some of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vulnerable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">vulnerable</a> and least supported periods in maternal health care.

Your Northwest Arkansas summer event guide

Mark your calendars to make the most of what NWA has to offer this summer.

Things to Do

Mark your calendars if you want to make the most of what NWA has to offer this summer.🎡 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mudtown Days" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/mudtowndaysinlowellarkansas" data-vars-content-id="48ab227f-72c2-4ec3-8068-63927a41c19c" data-vars-headline="Your Northwest Arkansas summer event guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/mudtowndaysinlowellarkansas" target="_blank">Mudtown Days</a> — Enjoy a carnival, a pet show and live music June 5-6 at KJ Memorial Park in Lowell.

Fayetteville City Council clears path for Swarm Aero

The Fayetteville City Council voted 5-3 on Tuesday to grant drone manufacturer Swarm Aero&#x27;s appeal of a lower panel&#x27;s vote that the business had been mislabeled, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Fayetteville Flyer reported" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2026/05/18/fayetteville-city-council-recap-for-may-19-2026/" data-vars-content-id="ad5ad875-df2e-485e-a2e8-7a1430d456c1" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville City Council clears path for Swarm Aero" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2026/05/18/fayetteville-city-council-recap-for-may-19-2026/" target="_blank">the Fayetteville Flyer reported</a>.Why it matters: The decision means Swarm Aero can continue operating at its current location near Drake Field in south Fayetteville.

Arkansas' split-screen rankings reality

The state ranks well on some measures, but poorly on others, including health and wages.

Health

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="touted" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/SarahHuckabee/status/2042378027439456661" data-vars-content-id="884f28d3-1a41-45dd-b6ce-d96c8a8d842a" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; split-screen rankings reality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/SarahHuckabee/status/2042378027439456661" target="_blank">touted</a> a run of No. 1 rankings for Arkansas, saying: &quot;We are blessed by God to live in the best state, in the best country, in the history of the world.&quot; But it&#x27;s only part of the picture.The big picture: Broad claims about where Arkansas stands nationally depend heavily on which metrics are used. The state ranks well on some measures, but poorly on others, including health and wages.

Report shows health care gaps for Hispanic Arkansans

No state has eliminated gaps in health care access, quality or outcomes between racial and ethnic groups.

Hispanic residents in Arkansas have the worst health care quality in the state and nearly the worst access to health care in the country, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Commonwealth Fund report" data-vars-click-url="https://interactives.commonwealthfund.org/2026/disparities-report-state-profiles/Arkansas.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3e0757be-0e67-4fe0-8cd1-bdf6b7620c1d" data-vars-headline="Report shows health care gaps for Hispanic Arkansans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interactives.commonwealthfund.org/2026/disparities-report-state-profiles/Arkansas.pdf" target="_blank">new Commonwealth Fund report</a>.The big picture: No state has eliminated gaps in health care access, quality or outcomes between racial and ethnic groups — and researchers warn recent federal policy shifts are likely to widen them.

UAMS launches Arkansas' first nurse-midwifery program

The program aims to improve maternal care and ease doctor shortages.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will soon train nurses to specialize in midwifery with the first program of its kind in the state.Why it matters: Expanding midwifery can help fill a health care gap in Arkansas amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doctor shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/03/12/nwa-gain-residency-slots-doctors-specialty" data-vars-content-id="bdf7cc93-0d36-48ad-a2b5-af97c62d3350" data-vars-headline="UAMS launches Arkansas&#x27; first nurse-midwifery program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/03/12/nwa-gain-residency-slots-doctors-specialty" target="_self">doctor shortage</a> and some of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poorest maternal health outcomes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/31/heartland-forward-targets-maternal-mortality-but-arkansas-lags" data-vars-content-id="bdf7cc93-0d36-48ad-a2b5-af97c62d3350" data-vars-headline="UAMS launches Arkansas&#x27; first nurse-midwifery program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/31/heartland-forward-targets-maternal-mortality-but-arkansas-lags" target="_self">poorest maternal health outcomes</a> in the country.

New health survey data goes live

The dashboard has data down to census tracts.

The University of Arkansas on Tuesday launched an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://uaheal.uark.edu/ar-compass-explorer-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="0974139e-f22b-4609-9c1c-cc0041cff521" data-vars-headline="New health survey data goes live" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://uaheal.uark.edu/ar-compass-explorer-dashboard/" target="_blank">online dashboard</a> where the public can see detailed health-related data for the whole state.Why it matters: Arkansas struggles with poor health outcomes, and the data can help lawmakers make informed policy decisions to improve Arkansans&#x27; health, Arkansas Health Survey lead researcher Michael Niño told Axios in February during an event to preview the survey.

Axios NWA Does: First aid and CPR

I once left a community pool in a bathing suit and a tortilla-print towel when I saw an older woman slumped over in a vehicle with her eyes shut on a hot day.😳 I shouted politely, &quot;Ma&#x27;am?! Ma&#x27;am?!&quot; She quickly woke up and assured me she was fine.

Mental health deaths may be missed in maternal data

Suicides and overdoses may be undercounted in maternal deaths, limiting awareness.

Suicides and drug overdoses likely contribute significantly to Arkansas&#x27; maternal mortality rate, but stigma and a lack of data make reporting difficult, psychiatrist Shona Ray told Axios.Why it matters: These deaths not being labeled as pregnancy-related can lead to less awareness, funding and research concerning mental health-related causes of death during and following pregnancy, she said.

Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags

The U.S. now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.

Bentonville&#x27;s Heartland Forward launched a drive to slash U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> in half within five years.Why it matters: Maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the country now has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" target="_blank">highest rate</a> in the developed world. About 84% of the deaths are preventable and roughly 65% happen after childbirth.

NWA leaders push AI training in health care

See the Northwest Arkansas Council's plan.

The health care industry in Northwest Arkansas needs more artificial intelligence training, a study commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council found.Why it matters: The region&#x27;s health care industry is rapidly expanding to accommodate a growing population. AI is more likely to augment health care roles than to replace them and can expand the workforce&#x27;s capacity to care for patients, according to the council.

Study finds family support boosts diabetes care

Researchers found family-focused classes improved glucose control and healthy habits.

Offering digital health education to family and friends of diabetes patients can improve outcomes for patients, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas researchers found" data-vars-click-url="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/03/digital-health-diabetes-education-improves-health-of-rural-communities-across-arkansas/" data-vars-content-id="e4cffb00-e175-42bb-873e-a7dc924c6edc" data-vars-headline="Study finds family support boosts diabetes care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/03/digital-health-diabetes-education-improves-health-of-rural-communities-across-arkansas/" target="_blank">Arkansas researchers found</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168822725010782?via%3Dihub" data-vars-content-id="e4cffb00-e175-42bb-873e-a7dc924c6edc" data-vars-headline="Study finds family support boosts diabetes care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168822725010782?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">study</a>, performed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Community Health Innovation, suggests that this model can improve disease management and provides evidence that it should be covered by insurance, professor and researcher Jennifer Andersen told Axios.

A table that lists Arkansasâ top and bottom state rankings across 12 metrics. Arkansas ranks No. 1 in affordability, inbound movers, teacher job satisfaction and several others, including a tie in election integrity. It ranks No. 50 in food insecurity and maternity practices, and No. 49 in median annual wage and overall health.

Arkansas' best and worst rankings

Data: U.S. News & World Report, TNTP, Heritage Foundation, Atlas Van Lines, Americans United for Life, Education Week, America's Health Rankings, USDA, CDC, America's Health Rankings, Bureau of Labor Statistics, America's Health Rankings; Note: *Advocacy group rankings; Chart: Worth Sparkman/Axios

Health 🩺

App targets postpartum care gap

Arkansas' split-screen rankings reality

Report shows health care gaps for Hispanic Arkansans

UAMS launches Arkansas' first nurse-midwifery program

New health survey data goes live