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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

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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.

NWA teachers get pay bumps

The new baseline for teacher salaries at NWA&#x27;s largest school districts is $55,000 — except for Bentonville.State of play: The school board-approved minimum teacher salary at Bentonville Public Schools is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$58,582 starting in the fall" data-vars-click-url="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3173/Bentonville/0b2529bc-90e5-43cb-87d8-de09c3b2e08f/2026-2027-Licensed-Salary-Schedule.pdf?disposition=inline" data-vars-content-id="3f3f607b-a2f6-406d-8d5c-b28c46f73497" data-vars-headline="NWA teachers get pay bumps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3173/Bentonville/0b2529bc-90e5-43cb-87d8-de09c3b2e08f/2026-2027-Licensed-Salary-Schedule.pdf?disposition=inline" target="_blank">$58,582 starting in the fall</a>, up from $56,329 this year and just shy of $10,000 more than teachers started out making only four years ago.

First summer since Camp Mystic spotlights camp safety

Only one summer camp in Northwest Arkansas is accredited by the American Camp Association.

Only one summer camp in Northwest Arkansas is accredited by the national organization that holds camps to a high industry standard.Why it matters: Camps that aren&#x27;t accredited are meeting their state&#x27;s regulations, but those can vary from recommended industry standards. Unaccredited camps may or may not be meeting those standards, leaving it up to parents to know what to ask, American Camp Association CEO Henry DeHart told Axios.

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 casinos took hit on sportsbook switch

DraftKings and FanDuel went live in Arkansas on March 20, so only 11 days of the month were impacted by the change.

Business

Two Arkansas casinos that recently partnered with national sportsbook brands posted a combined mobile sports betting loss of more than $10 million in March, even as betting volume surged, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/apr/27/southland-oaklawn-post-march-losses-in-mobile/" data-vars-content-id="2145edab-e274-4b2a-ae79-d6657ad8b22c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas casinos took hit on sportsbook switch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/apr/27/southland-oaklawn-post-march-losses-in-mobile/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Why it matters: The results show how a splashy sportsbook launch can drive customer activity while still producing short-term losses.

University of Arkansas students push back on athletics plan

82% of students who voted in a referendum opposed supporting athletics with tuition hikes, fees or reallocations.

Education

A majority of University of Arkansas students who voted in an Associated Student Government referendum oppose using university dollars to boost Razorbacks athletics, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/22/student-referendum-opposition-university-arkansas-funds-athletics/" data-vars-content-id="5fb8392e-1959-4f86-81c5-da64d2be4dbd" data-vars-headline="University of Arkansas students push back on athletics plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/22/student-referendum-opposition-university-arkansas-funds-athletics/" target="_blank">Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette</a> reported.Why it matters: The debate highlights a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing tension" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025/11/college-sports-spending-football/684983/" data-vars-content-id="5fb8392e-1959-4f86-81c5-da64d2be4dbd" data-vars-headline="University of Arkansas students push back on athletics plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025/11/college-sports-spending-football/684983/" target="_blank">growing tension</a> in college sports over how to fund competitive athletics without shifting costs onto students.

Arkansas wins NCAA opener

Arkansas advances to face No. 12 High Point in the second round on Saturday.

Sports

Arkansas&#x27; 97-78 defeat of Hawai&#x27;i in the NCAA Tournament opening round Thursday continues a recent run of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="postseason successes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48216252/arkansas-tops-vanderbilt-win-first-sec-tournament-2000" data-vars-content-id="292f4900-cacd-4c5d-b4d8-dac7f68def7c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas wins NCAA opener" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48216252/arkansas-tops-vanderbilt-win-first-sec-tournament-2000" target="_blank">postseason successes</a> for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas' bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025.

The average Super Bowl bet through Pine Bluff&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saracen Casino Resort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" target="_self">Saracen Casino Resort</a> is expected to hit $48 this Sunday, up from $37 last year, casino officials told Axios.Why it matters: More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025, up from $404.7 million in 2023, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Legal Sports Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" target="_blank">Legal Sports Report</a> data. Casinos paid more than $8 million in state taxes on that revenue.

Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup

Things to Do

Make this weekend a fun one.💡 Check out a new art installation — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;FIREBIRD&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/calendar/firebird/" data-vars-content-id="7f52d199-9cb0-4558-8c60-3c2c23df9c2e" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/calendar/firebird/" target="_blank">&quot;FIREBIRD&quot;</a> by Touki Delphine, an art installation with light and sound, opens at The Momentary in Bentonville today. It&#x27;s free and on display until Feb. 15.

New head coach and funding stoke Arkansas' football championship fire

More money will elevate Arkansas into the top half of the SEC in areas like assistant coaches' pay, strength and conditioning, support staff and player acquisition

Arkansas is making a significant new financial commitment to its football program as new head coach Ryan Silverfield steps onto the field, University of Arkansas director of athletics Hunter Yurachek said Thursday. Why it matters: More money will elevate Arkansas into the top half of the SEC in areas like assistant coaches&#x27; pay, strength and conditioning, support staff and player acquisition, Yurachek said at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news conference" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-EtMfojQk" data-vars-content-id="1b70e8f9-ba70-42ab-a1b8-d5e01467e6d9" data-vars-headline="New head coach and funding stoke Arkansas&#x27; football championship fire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-EtMfojQk" target="_blank">news conference</a>.

Arkansas football hires new coach

Ryan Silverfield, who has been head coach for the University of Memphis Tigers since 2019, will lead the Arkansas Razorbacks, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced Sunday" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/silverfield-named-hogs-new-head-coach/" data-vars-content-id="28613ce6-a46b-4691-ad0d-2a773d60be9f" data-vars-headline="Arkansas football hires new coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/silverfield-named-hogs-new-head-coach/" target="_blank">University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced Sunday</a>.Why it matters: The program&#x27;s leaders want to make the team competitive for a national championship and are confident the new hire will help make that happen, vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a statement.

Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets

It&#x27;s not time for turkey just yet. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend.🎄 Holiday lights — The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="2c2daa99-c8e9-4505-aae3-3e63aef59ab6" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square</a> is at 6pm tonight, followed by free performances from local theater, dance and music organizations.

Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops

Don&#x27;t miss out this weekend.🪕 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Blues and Country Stringband Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="b1359c2f-1c04-4613-9170-e25ebd402410" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Blues and Country Stringband Festival</a> — This free festival takes place at multiple spots in downtown Springdale today through Sunday. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="See the lineup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/schedule" data-vars-content-id="b1359c2f-1c04-4613-9170-e25ebd402410" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/schedule" target="_blank">See the lineup.</a>

Your weekend plans: Football, crafts and theater

Plus, NWA has plenty of Halloween festivities.

Besides the plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Halloween festivities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-events-october" data-vars-content-id="ddc4dbc1-9468-4bbb-a2fb-6ff30364bf29" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Football, crafts and theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-events-october" target="_self">Halloween festivities</a> happening this weekend, here&#x27;s how to have fun on this first chilly weekend of November.🛍️ Shop local — The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NWA Makers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2093206981100232/2093212414433022/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="ddc4dbc1-9468-4bbb-a2fb-6ff30364bf29" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Football, crafts and theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2093206981100232/2093212414433022/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">NWA Makers&#x27; Market</a> featuring more than 350 artists and craftspeople will be at the Washington County Fairgrounds from 9am-5pm Sunday. The event includes kids&#x27; activities, a beer garden and food trucks.

A column chart that shows Arkansas sports betting handle from December 2024 to November 2025. Monthly handles range from a low of about $29.4 million in July 2025 to a high of $79.3 million in November 2025. The handle generally rises after July, peaking in November.

Sports 🏅

Arkansas casinos took hit on sportsbook switch

University of Arkansas students push back on athletics plan

Arkansas wins NCAA opener

Arkansas' bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup