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Key takeaways from Walmart Associates Week

Walmart leaders highlighted the company's plans to increase its use of AI and technology.

News

Walmart leaders highlighted the company&#x27;s plans to increase its use of AI and technology at Walmart Associates Week, its annual Northwest Arkansas gathering of employees from all over the world.🍌 A new scanning tool at self-checkout will recognize produce and prompt customers to confirm what it is and how many there are. Previously, customers had to scan a barcode or look up the item and then weigh it.

Bentoville Food Theater now booking

The offerings run through June 29 on all three stages and will be followed by a midsummer menu.

Food and Drink

The much-anticipated, Japanese-inspired <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentoville Food Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/05/bentonville-food-theater-to-spotlight-diverse-cuisine" data-vars-content-id="9408c75c-f668-433b-bf5e-cd2c109a04bc" data-vars-headline="Bentoville Food Theater now booking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/05/bentonville-food-theater-to-spotlight-diverse-cuisine" target="_self">Bentoville Food Theater</a> is now open in downtown Bentonville.State of play: For those not familiar, there are three &quot;stages&quot; where one can eat, meaning there are essentially three different restaurants inside.

Higher-ed counties lead Arkansas in AI usage

Washington County had an estimated 45.2% AI user share, the highest in Arkansas.

Education

Northwest Arkansas is the state&#x27;s top AI adoption hot spot, according to recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="county-level data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/topics/ai-economy-institute/reports/us-ai-adoption-2026-q1/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="c478e9fc-363c-4855-8ab6-d019a5d996aa" data-vars-headline="Higher-ed counties lead Arkansas in AI usage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/topics/ai-economy-institute/reports/us-ai-adoption-2026-q1/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">county-level data</a> from Microsoft&#x27;s AI Economy Institute.Why it matters: Microsoft says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="c478e9fc-363c-4855-8ab6-d019a5d996aa" data-vars-headline="Higher-ed counties lead Arkansas in AI usage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI</a> adoption is spreading quickly but unevenly, with higher use in metro areas, college towns and counties with more knowledge-based jobs. The divide could shape who benefits first from the next wave of workplace technology.

Arkansas agri community monitors screwworm return

The New World screwworm (NWS) threatens cattle, pets and wildlife.

Business

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flesh-eating pest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/11/new-world-screwworms-myiasis-texas-usda-humans" data-vars-content-id="05309f9c-059a-4115-9372-882f7127bf14" data-vars-headline="Arkansas agri community monitors screwworm return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/11/new-world-screwworms-myiasis-texas-usda-humans" target="_self">flesh-eating pest</a> eradicated from the U.S. decades ago is back, with several confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico and federal officials racing to keep it from spreading in livestock.Why it matters: New World screwworm (NWS) threatens cattle, pets and wildlife by laying eggs in wounds, where larvae feed on living tissue.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USDA says" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-continues-lead-coordinated-response-new-world-screwworm-new-case" data-vars-content-id="05309f9c-059a-4115-9372-882f7127bf14" data-vars-headline="Arkansas agri community monitors screwworm return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-continues-lead-coordinated-response-new-world-screwworm-new-case" target="_blank">USDA says</a> it is not a food-safety issue, but a wider outbreak could disrupt cattle movement, add costs for producers and put more upward pressure on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beef prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/food-prices-summer-grilling-beef-chicken-turkey" data-vars-content-id="05309f9c-059a-4115-9372-882f7127bf14" data-vars-headline="Arkansas agri community monitors screwworm return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/food-prices-summer-grilling-beef-chicken-turkey" target="_self">beef prices</a>.</li></ul>

Fayetteville sued over Swarm Aero NDA

Swarm announced its 80,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing center adjacent to Drake Field and said its Arkansas operations could produce thousands of UAVs.

A Fayetteville resident is asking a judge to force the city to look harder for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="missing nondisclosure agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="b990ad52-a820-4c53-b308-dd7d05194d62" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville sued over Swarm Aero NDA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" target="_self">missing nondisclosure agreement</a> tied to drone maker Swarm Aero.Why it matters: The lawsuit raises questions about whether the city has fully disclosed records tied to a major economic development project with a defense contractor dating back to November 2023.

Board overturns Swarm Aero classification in Arkansas

Swarm Aero must now decide whether to appeal the board's decision, seek to rezone the property on S. School Avenue or move.

Aerospace

Fayetteville&#x27;s Board of Adjustments on Monday ruled city planning staff misclassified drone maker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swarm Aero" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="220cf887-a0c4-4cce-880f-912c51b0a2e0" data-vars-headline="Board overturns Swarm Aero classification in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" target="_self">Swarm Aero</a> as a &quot;heavy commercial and light industrial&quot; business.Why it matters: The classification allowed the startup to lease a facility near Drake Field and begin operating without a public rezoning process.<ul><li>Swarm Aero must now decide whether to appeal the board&#x27;s decision, seek to rezone the property on S. School Avenue or move.</li></ul>

Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns

Axios reviewed dozens of internal city documents and resident complaints obtained through public records requests

A military <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone maker&#x27;s arrival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" data-vars-content-id="2de98790-7406-4867-a7ea-315064cd7392" data-vars-headline="Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" target="_self">drone maker&#x27;s arrival</a> in Fayetteville earlier this year is stirring fears about secrecy, safety and whether residents want a deep tie to the defense industry.Why it matters: Residents and some city leaders say they had little visibility into a defense-related project that could reshape Fayetteville&#x27;s economy — and identity.

Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas

Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrapped his nationwide &quot;Arsenal of Freedom&quot; tour Friday at L3Harris&#x27; rocket motor campus in south Arkansas.Why it matters: Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Advocate" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" target="_blank">Arkansas Advocate</a>. Aerospace and defense were the state&#x27;s top export sectors in 2024, worth more than $950 million, according to an Arkansas Economic Development Commission <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" target="_blank">report</a>.

Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest

The company plans to make unmanned aerial vehicles to operate in coordinated swarms

Tech startup Swarm Aero opened a Northwest Arkansas facility Wednesday to build military drones near Fayetteville&#x27;s Drake Field, with plans to create hundreds of jobs.Why it matters: Regional leaders say the facility positions Northwest Arkansas as a growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defense manufacturing hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" data-vars-content-id="f97842e1-2f60-48cd-9179-6328cccd4129" data-vars-headline="Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" target="_self">defense manufacturing hub</a>.