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National

5 changes Trump could make to U.S. currency

Politics & Policy

Judge blocks Pentagon's restrictive press access policy

Business

Advanced nuclear startup X-energy files for IPO

Energy & Climate

Senate Dems plot immigration offensive

Inside Cortez Masto's counterpunch on behalf of moderates

Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools

News

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked enforcement of an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas law" data-vars-click-url="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" target="_blank">Arkansas law</a> requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if they are donated.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a> by Chief Judge Timothy Brooks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prohibits six school districts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" target="_blank">prohibits six school districts</a> — Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Conway and Lakeside — from displaying the commandments.

Gov. Sanders touts SAVE Act, funding DHS

Opponents to the SAVE Act say it would create hurdles for many legal voters.

Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took to the airwaves Tuesday to support the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SAVE America Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehouse.gov/saveamerica/" data-vars-content-id="651a7acb-7463-42bb-a2f2-a3bf2245ae42" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders touts SAVE Act, funding DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/saveamerica/" target="_blank">SAVE America Act</a>, President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voting overhaul bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/save-act-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="651a7acb-7463-42bb-a2f2-a3bf2245ae42" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders touts SAVE Act, funding DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/save-act-what-to-know" target="_self">voting overhaul bill</a> that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="require proof" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/03/17/repub/us-senate-republicans-launch-debate-on-save-act-requiring-photo-id-to-vote/" data-vars-content-id="651a7acb-7463-42bb-a2f2-a3bf2245ae42" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders touts SAVE Act, funding DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/03/17/repub/us-senate-republicans-launch-debate-on-save-act-requiring-photo-id-to-vote/" target="_blank">require proof</a> of citizenship and a photo ID to cast a ballot.

Pilot training program lands at Drake Field

The mayor says the city-owned airport has been underutilized as an economic development tool.

A commercial pilot training program is coming to Drake Field in Fayetteville.Why it matters: The flight school will offer another educational and job training program for the region and better utilize the city-owned airport as an economic development tool, Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn told Axios.

Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms

A new report suggests some moms are being priced out of the workforce.

A new report suggests mothers are being priced out of the workforce in Arkansas, Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas" data-vars-click-url="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" data-vars-content-id="94ceba58-458e-411f-81be-c8e4b5dac9f1" data-vars-headline="Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" target="_blank">Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas</a>, told Axios.Why it matters: This broad economic issue has implications for employee recruitment and retention plus the financial stability of families, she said.

Food festivals, farmers markets and more in NWA this spring

Nothing speaks to culture more than food.

Local Brief

Nothing speaks to culture more than food. Check out NWA festivals and tasting experiences coming up this spring:🍴 April 25: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BITE @ The Home Office" data-vars-click-url="https://bitenwa.com/event-information?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="d810d2a4-2ad6-4b09-a5aa-9a77dd0f8d40" data-vars-headline="Food festivals, farmers markets and more in NWA this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bitenwa.com/event-information?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">BITE @ The Home Office</a> — BITE NWA will host a one-night food tasting event featuring more than 20 local restaurants and breweries at the Walmart Home Office in Bentonville. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://stubs.net/tickets/7759/bite-the-home-office" data-vars-content-id="d810d2a4-2ad6-4b09-a5aa-9a77dd0f8d40" data-vars-headline="Food festivals, farmers markets and more in NWA this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stubs.net/tickets/7759/bite-the-home-office" target="_blank">Get tickets</a> for $55.

Monday Munchies: Hive hype

Food and Drink

I have long heard that The Hive in Bentonville has the best burger. I&#x27;ve also heard of about a dozen other places in NWA that have the &quot;best burger.&quot;👩‍⚖️ State of play: I marched into the lounge area of the restaurant inside the 21C Museum Hotel to see what all the fuss was about.

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier.

Office space in Northwest Arkansas remained scarce at the end of 2025, with a 4.6% vacancy rate, one of the lowest in the U.S., according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners report.Why it matters: Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier in a soft national office market — though tight supply can limit expansion and push rents higher.

Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report

Here's a snapshot of the current economy in Northwest Arkansas..

Jobs are pretty good in NWA, but housing is still too expensive.Driving the news: The Northwest Arkansas Council and the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business released their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" data-vars-content-id="b43b3b85-6759-415d-9793-5af32e3e9fb3" data-vars-headline="Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" target="_blank">annual report</a> this week detailing how the region&#x27;s economy is going.

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.

UAMS lands $40M to tackle maternal and infant mortality

The money comes from federal appropriations legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.

Health

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="receive $40 million" data-vars-click-url="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/09/uams-to-receive-40-million-in-congressional-appropriations-championed-by-arkansas-u-s-sen-john-boozman/" data-vars-content-id="67167921-8ea0-4c0c-a4d1-78d885fb66c0" data-vars-headline="UAMS lands $40M to tackle maternal and infant mortality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/09/uams-to-receive-40-million-in-congressional-appropriations-championed-by-arkansas-u-s-sen-john-boozman/" target="_blank">receive $40 million</a> in federal funding aimed largely at improving maternal and infant health outcomes, the school <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/09/uams-to-receive-40-million-in-congressional-appropriations-championed-by-arkansas-u-s-sen-john-boozman/" data-vars-content-id="67167921-8ea0-4c0c-a4d1-78d885fb66c0" data-vars-headline="UAMS lands $40M to tackle maternal and infant mortality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.uams.edu/2026/02/09/uams-to-receive-40-million-in-congressional-appropriations-championed-by-arkansas-u-s-sen-john-boozman/" target="_blank">announced</a> Monday.The big picture: Arkansas&#x27; maternal mortality rate was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fourth-highest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/maternal-mortality/mmr-2018-2022-state-data.pdf" data-vars-content-id="67167921-8ea0-4c0c-a4d1-78d885fb66c0" data-vars-headline="UAMS lands $40M to tackle maternal and infant mortality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/maternal-mortality/mmr-2018-2022-state-data.pdf" target="_blank">fourth-highest</a> in the U.S. during 2018-2022, and its infant mortality rate was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second-highest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/infant-mortality.html" data-vars-content-id="67167921-8ea0-4c0c-a4d1-78d885fb66c0" data-vars-headline="UAMS lands $40M to tackle maternal and infant mortality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/infant-mortality.html" target="_blank">second-highest</a> in 2023, according to the CDC.

Mark your calendars for these music and art events

Make plans for this winter in Northwest Arkansas.

🎨 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville Gallery Hop " data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/art/fayetteville-gallery-hop" data-vars-content-id="e4da0866-9367-4547-98a4-2cdedb3526b7" data-vars-headline="Mark your calendars for these music and art events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/art/fayetteville-gallery-hop" target="_blank">Fayetteville Gallery Hop </a>— The third biannual self-guided tour of eight galleries around Fayetteville&#x27;s creative scene is set for Nov. 15. Free.💡 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Loop by Klip Collective: A Forest Light Experience" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/time-loop-by-klip-collective/" data-vars-content-id="e4da0866-9367-4547-98a4-2cdedb3526b7" data-vars-headline="Mark your calendars for these music and art events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/time-loop-by-klip-collective/" target="_blank">Time Loop by Klip Collective: A Forest Light Experience</a> — Explore an art installation using light and sound at nighttime through the North Forest at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art now through Jan. 4. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/overview/88327?_gl=1*x9vs53*_gcl_au*NjQ2ODMwMzUwLjE3NTk4NTQ2OTc.*_ga*ODMyMzU2NDUwLjE3NTk4NTQ2OTc.*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjI0NDY1MTMkbzE0JGcwJHQxNzYyNDQ2NTIyJGo1MSRsMCRoMTYwNzQ3MzQ5NA..&amp;queueittoken=e_cbmosafetynet~ts_1762446723~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_49de59d2ba99257faeaf7639bf12c7f2ec645dd07ec3fc018604e1c3dd117e3c" data-vars-content-id="e4da0866-9367-4547-98a4-2cdedb3526b7" data-vars-headline="Mark your calendars for these music and art events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/overview/88327?_gl=1*x9vs53*_gcl_au*NjQ2ODMwMzUwLjE3NTk4NTQ2OTc.*_ga*ODMyMzU2NDUwLjE3NTk4NTQ2OTc.*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjI0NDY1MTMkbzE0JGcwJHQxNzYyNDQ2NTIyJGo1MSRsMCRoMTYwNzQ3MzQ5NA..&amp;queueittoken=e_cbmosafetynet~ts_1762446723~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_49de59d2ba99257faeaf7639bf12c7f2ec645dd07ec3fc018604e1c3dd117e3c" target="_blank">Get tickets</a>.

Five holiday shows to catch this season

Make plans now to get the most out of the holidays in Northwest Arkansas this year.

Make plans now to get the most out of the holidays this year.🎺 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SoNA: A Very Merry Christmas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performances/2025-26-a-very-sona-christmas" data-vars-content-id="cdd5a3a8-a047-4ab9-9240-80859e1380ed" data-vars-headline="Five holiday shows to catch this season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performances/2025-26-a-very-sona-christmas" target="_blank">SoNA: A Very Merry Christmas</a> — Hear holiday favorites from the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas with guest narrator Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn. 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 6 at Walton Arts Center. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performances/2025-26-a-very-sona-christmas" data-vars-content-id="cdd5a3a8-a047-4ab9-9240-80859e1380ed" data-vars-headline="Five holiday shows to catch this season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performances/2025-26-a-very-sona-christmas" target="_blank">Get tickets</a>.

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.

Your weekend plans: Basketball, comedy, art

Things to Do

Enjoy the first weekend of spring.🇺🇸 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;America 250: Common Threads&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/america-250-common-threads/" data-vars-content-id="ebf288bd-4dc8-4042-b236-c30948d77ce4" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Basketball, comedy, art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/america-250-common-threads/" target="_blank">&quot;America 250: Common Threads&quot;</a> — This new temporary art exhibition at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville commemorates the United States turning 250 this year.

Report: Northwest Arkansas' residential still resilient

Nationally, home sales hovered near a 30-year low in 2025 as high mortgage rates cooled demand, a trend Northwest Arkansas largely bucked.

Higher prices and mortgage rates didn&#x27;t stop more than 5,100 homes from selling in Northwest Arkansas during the second half of 2025, according to the Arvest Skyline Report released Tuesday.Why it matters: Real estate demand — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commercial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" data-vars-content-id="a74ce0d2-a2da-4365-b0a0-c34a8632c130" data-vars-headline="Report: Northwest Arkansas&#x27; residential still resilient" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" target="_self">commercial</a> and residential — is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economy, but expensive housing and rents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shape who can afford" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/23/unity-key-as-northwest-arkansas-cities-face-growth-strain" data-vars-content-id="a74ce0d2-a2da-4365-b0a0-c34a8632c130" data-vars-headline="Report: Northwest Arkansas&#x27; residential still resilient" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/23/unity-key-as-northwest-arkansas-cities-face-growth-strain" target="_self">shape who can afford</a> to live in NWA.

"Cave Mountain" links lost girl to a '70s cult killing in Arkansas

The narrative could draw renewed national interest in Haley Zega's odyssey and a cult murder.

A quarter-century after 6-year-old Haley Zega <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vanished" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kark.com/news/special-reports/haley-zega-recounts-her-three-days-alone-in-the-arkansas-wilderness-as-a-6-year-old/#:~:text=KARK%204%20News%20caught%20up,be%20out%20in%20the%20woods.%E2%80%9D" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kark.com/news/special-reports/haley-zega-recounts-her-three-days-alone-in-the-arkansas-wilderness-as-a-6-year-old/#:~:text=KARK%204%20News%20caught%20up,be%20out%20in%20the%20woods.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank">vanished</a> in the Ozarks, her cousin revisits the story in a new book that connects the disappearance to a 1978 murder.The big picture: Part folksy family tale, part journalistic deep dive and part ghost story, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cave Mountain" data-vars-click-url="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cave-mountain-a-disappearance-and-a-reckoning-in-the-ozarks-benjamin-hale/3bf461201227655c?ean=9780063398122&amp;next=t" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cave-mountain-a-disappearance-and-a-reckoning-in-the-ozarks-benjamin-hale/3bf461201227655c?ean=9780063398122&amp;next=t" target="_blank">Cave Mountain</a>: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks&quot; by Benjamin Hale was released last week.<ul><li>The narrative, set in Arkansas&#x27; vast natural beauty, could draw renewed national interest in Zega&#x27;s odyssey and a cult murder few living here now know about.</li></ul>Driving the news: Beginning at 6pm Tuesday, Hale will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read from his book" data-vars-click-url="https://faylib.libnet.info/event/15756934#:~:text=Cave%20Mountain:%20A%20Disappearance%20and,Walker%20Community%20Room%20(3rd%20Floor)" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://faylib.libnet.info/event/15756934#:~:text=Cave%20Mountain:%20A%20Disappearance%20and,Walker%20Community%20Room%20(3rd%20Floor)" target="_blank">read from his book</a> at the Fayetteville Public Library, followed by a Q&amp;A. Zega will be present to talk about her experience.<ul><li>Hale had the support and permission of Zega and the family to write the book.</li></ul>Flashback: In April 2001, Zega went hiking on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hawksbill Crag trail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag" target="_blank">Hawksbill Crag trail</a> with her grandparents. She became separated, left the trail and wandered the Upper Buffalo Wilderness for three days.<ul><li>She climbed down into the valley, while hundreds of people looked near the trail above.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A person stands on a rocky cliff overlooking a forested valley at sunset, with a vivid orange and pink sky above." height="4024" id="6c5f2c99-6fad-4d18-bfe2-588b6b25c4a3" src="https://images.axios.com/fvrI55PJahjvMucoANLuNSdmaZ8=/2026/03/06/1772816360997.jpg" width="6048"/><figcaption>A woman stands on Hawksbill Crag. Photo: Courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://adpht.arkansas.gov/" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adpht.arkansas.gov/" target="_blank">Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism</a></figcaption></figure>State of play: In the days after her rescue, Haley told her parents about an &quot;imaginary friend&quot; named Alicia — a girl with long dark hair in pigtails, a red shirt, purple pants and white sneakers who had stayed with her in the woods.<ul><li>&quot;This just kind of made her parents&#x27; hair stand on end,&quot; Hale told Axios.</li></ul>The intrigue: Months later, family friend and photographer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Ernst" data-vars-click-url="https://timernst.com/" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://timernst.com/" target="_blank">Tim Ernst</a> recalled that a 3-year-old girl had been murdered and buried in the same stretch of forest, Hale said.<ul><li>As he dug into the 1978 case, Hale discovered that the murdered girl&#x27;s mother, who was a member of a small religious cult and one of four convicted in the killing, had eventually formed an unlikely friendship with Haley&#x27;s grandmother in the 2000s.</li><li>The woman, who was paroled after 40 years, wrote in an email to the grandmother: &quot;Maybe Bethany [pseudonym] had to die in order to save Haley, and Haley had to live in order to save me in some sort of way.&quot;</li></ul>The bottom line: The author says he once told the story as a ghost tale. Writing the book revealed something deeper.💭 Worth&#x27;s thought bubble: I&#x27;ve not yet finished &quot;Cave Mountain,&quot; but am enjoying Hale&#x27;s narrative and reading about people and places I know.

The Agenda: Road and trail grants

The Fayetteville City Council meeting was postponed from Tuesday because of the election.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1635/files/agenda/3652" data-vars-content-id="bdbc2eb2-c8de-4cef-a84f-30e86fdfddc6" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Road and trail grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1635/files/agenda/3652" target="_blank">Fayetteville City Council</a> meeting, postponed from Tuesday because of the election, is on Thursday. City Council members plan to vote on:🚧 A resolution expressing the willingness of the city to apply for about $2.7 million in federal grants for six streets and trails projects, for which the city would need to match $672,500.

Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will face challengers in November.

Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" target="_blank">U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner</a> on the November ballot for the U.S. Senate seat in Arkansas after they secured the nominations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Associated Press called Tuesday night" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" target="_blank">the Associated Press called Tuesday night</a>.Here are other key decisions.

Monday Munchies: 10 NWA spots open on Mondays

Whether you've got a work team or family in town, there are still several local dining options to choose from on a Monday.

Monday dining can feel thin. Many operators don&#x27;t serve at the beginning of the week so they can prep, restock and give staff a break.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bocca" data-vars-click-url="https://boccanwa.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="1746649b-0351-4dd8-bd15-5dfd20a30229" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: 10 NWA spots open on Mondays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://boccanwa.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Bocca</a>, Fayetteville — Italian food and pizza, serving Mondays 5-9pm.</li></ul>

Crystal Bridges Museum expansion set for June opening

This next chapter further positions it not just as a place to experience art, but as a year-round community space.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will reveal its expanded campus on June 6, marking the most significant addition since the Bentonville landmark debuted in 2011.Why it matters: Founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton, the museum is a cultural anchor for Northwest Arkansas and a major tourism draw. This next chapter further positions it not just as a place to experience art, but as a year-round community space.

Plan your spring: Paint, pics and printing

Mark your calendars for these  arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer

Mark your calendars for these arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer:

Your theater plans: What's on stage this season

Theatergoers are in luck. These plays are hitting the stage in Northwest Arkansas between mid-March and late June:🎷 March 17–22: &quot;Some Like It Hot&quot; — This musical is set during Prohibition in Chicago where two men disguise themselves as women to hide from gangsters, and it&#x27;s coming to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://waltonartscenter.org/tickets/series/broadway-series/some-like-it-hot/?performanceId=31525" data-vars-content-id="77d4e7cf-d27d-470a-b996-819e4019b50a" data-vars-headline="Your theater plans: What&#x27;s on stage this season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waltonartscenter.org/tickets/series/broadway-series/some-like-it-hot/?performanceId=31525" target="_blank">Get tickets</a>.

Your weekend plans: Celtic crawl, Pi Day, new plays

Celebrate St. Patrick's early, catch new plays and mark Pi Day with pie.

Walton Arts Center announces Broadway lineup

Attention theatergoers — mark your calendars. Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville has its 2026-27 Broadway series lined up.🗓️ How it works: The following six shows are included in a Walton Arts Center subscription. Subscribers also get early access to purchase tickets for the four &quot;bonus shows.&quot; Anyone can purchase a ticket to a single show when they go on sale to the public.

Getting outside grows Arkansas' economy

The combined industries — everything from boating to equestrian activities — supported more than 43,000 jobs

Arkansas&#x27; outdoor recreation economy accounted for $4.9 billion in 2024, an estimated 2.6% of the state&#x27;s GDP, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Why it matters: The combined industries — everything from boating to equestrian activities — supported more than 43,000 jobs, and have continued modest statewide growth over the last few years.<ul><li>The numbers were $3.5 billion (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.4% of GDP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/outdoor-recreation-satellite-account-us-and-states-2021" data-vars-content-id="04476c90-30b9-4b26-a9fd-2b4c0137ddff" data-vars-headline="Getting outside grows Arkansas&#x27; economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/outdoor-recreation-satellite-account-us-and-states-2021" target="_blank">2.4% of GDP</a>) in 2021 and $4 billion (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.5% of GDP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/14/natural-state-report-recommendations-outdoor-economy" data-vars-content-id="04476c90-30b9-4b26-a9fd-2b4c0137ddff" data-vars-headline="Getting outside grows Arkansas&#x27; economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/14/natural-state-report-recommendations-outdoor-economy" target="_self">2.5% of GDP</a>) in 2022.</li></ul>

The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software

Here's what's on deck at your local city council meetings Tuesday night.

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on deck at your local city council meetings Tuesday night.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1439/overview" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1439/overview" target="_blank">Fayetteville</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1716/files" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1716/files" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> city councils will meet, but will not be voting on agenda items.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rogers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rogersar.gov/632/Agendas-Minutes" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rogersar.gov/632/Agendas-Minutes" target="_blank">Rogers</a> will vote on:<ul><li>A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to purchase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avolve software" data-vars-click-url="https://www.avolvesoftware.com/help/ProjectDox/9.4.0.0_SA/ProjectDoxStart.html" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.avolvesoftware.com/help/ProjectDox/9.4.0.0_SA/ProjectDoxStart.html" target="_blank">Avolve software</a> from Lifecycle Technologies of Florida for $91,940.</li></ul><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Springdale" data-vars-click-url="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3541/Springdale/8f0701db-441f-4519-8e67-9a4d9f25eac8/Official-City-Council-Agenda-Packet-3.10.26.pdf?disposition=inline" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" 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/3541/Springdale/8f0701db-441f-4519-8e67-9a4d9f25eac8/Official-City-Council-Agenda-Packet-3.10.26.pdf?disposition=inline" target="_blank">Springdale</a> will vote on:<ul><li>Authorizing the renewal of a contract with the Downtown Springdale Alliance to promote the downtown area for $150,000 for one year.</li><li>Authorizing the payment of $258,963 from the 2023 bond program to American Electric and Power to relocate overhead electric power to an underground system for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Emma Ave. Streetscape project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.springdalear.gov/page/east-emma-streetscape" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.springdalear.gov/page/east-emma-streetscape" target="_blank">East Emma Ave. Streetscape project</a>.</li><li>For the city to commit a funding match of $1.29 million and enter into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Streets and Roads for All" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A" target="_blank">Safe Streets and Roads for All</a> grant agreement for the construction of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dean&#x27;s Trail phase IIIB" data-vars-click-url="https://emerysapp.com/project/202405-3523/" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://emerysapp.com/project/202405-3523/" target="_blank">Dean&#x27;s Trail phase IIIB</a>. The grant was awarded for $5.18 million in 2024.</li></ul>📍 If you go: 6pm at Springdale City Hall or 6:30pm at Rogers City Hall.

Bentoville Food Theater to spotlight diverse cuisine

The theater model is a bet that rotating, ticketed chef "shows" can deliver the diversity of big-city dining without requiring hundreds of permanent restaurants.

Onyx Coffee Lab and the startup restaurant concept <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentoville Food Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/08/michelin-star-bentoville-restaurant-investors" data-vars-content-id="db7717d1-60bc-4055-a294-a9dfeabc6f4f" data-vars-headline="Bentoville Food Theater to spotlight diverse cuisine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/08/michelin-star-bentoville-restaurant-investors" target="_self">Bentoville Food Theater</a> are joining forces to create a novel experiential dining venue in downtown Bentonville.Why it matters: Northwest Arkansas is growing fast, but it&#x27;s still not big enough to support a constant global restaurant variety that many residents crave.

Food review: Ippudo's tonkotsu ramen rave

Every part of this meal — from the spicy bean sprouts to the last slurped noodle — was exquisite.

Nothing beats a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter night. If it happens to be world-class pork bone broth with tender noodles and all the fixins, well, that gets me weak in the knees.The setup: Before there was the new Bentoville Food Theater, there was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentoville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/07/bentoville-bento-boxes-bentonville" data-vars-content-id="e5a055c0-f2f4-47c3-b632-fd970b0d2fc7" data-vars-headline="Food review: Ippudo&#x27;s tonkotsu ramen rave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/07/bentoville-bento-boxes-bentonville" target="_self">Bentoville</a>, a sort of virtual restaurant making bento boxes and hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kaiseki" data-vars-click-url="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/what-is-kaiseki-japanese-meal" data-vars-content-id="e5a055c0-f2f4-47c3-b632-fd970b0d2fc7" data-vars-headline="Food review: Ippudo&#x27;s tonkotsu ramen rave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/what-is-kaiseki-japanese-meal" target="_blank">kaiseki</a> events at the NorthWest Arkansas Community College&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brightwater" data-vars-click-url="https://brightwater.nwacc.edu/" data-vars-content-id="e5a055c0-f2f4-47c3-b632-fd970b0d2fc7" data-vars-headline="Food review: Ippudo&#x27;s tonkotsu ramen rave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brightwater.nwacc.edu/" target="_blank">Brightwater</a> school for food.

Monday Munchies: Lunch at Gaskins on Emma

One can settle for a salad or splurge on a prime rib focaccia melt, but I'll make the case for the Gaskins smash burger.

IMO, there are three types of burgers: Fast food, burgers made at joints that focus on making good burgers, and gourmet level.<ul><li>I&#x27;ve had gourmet-level versions at steakhouses and burger joints alike, so try not to judge a burger by its bun.</li></ul>

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