All Access

All-Access Weekly Digest

NW Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas Alerts

Northwest Arkansas Members

Axios NW Arkansas Deep Dive

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

Axios Northwest Arkansas Thought Bubble

Axios Northwest Arkansas

As we kick off the third week of the Legislature's session, here's a recap of happenings and bill movement at the state Capitol.

Driving the news: Senate Bill 43, which seeks to classify drag shows as an adult-only business — effectively outlawing the performances on public property or where minors might be — made it out of committee Thursday, meaning it's a step closer to passage.

What it means: Per the bill, a show must meet all three of the following criteria to be considered a "drag performance:"

Performers exhibiting a gender identity othe1r than what's assigned at birth, using clothing, makeup or accessories traditionally worn by the members of the performer's opposite gender; 

Singing, lip-synching, dancing or otherwise performing before an audience for entertainment;

Intended to appeal to the prurient interest.

Of note: Adult-oriented businesses, such as strip clubs, cannot operate within 1,000 feet of a child care facility, park, place of worship, playground, public library, recreational area or facility, residence, school or walking trail.

Between the lines: That essentially leaves commercial areas such as retail, restaurants and bars.

What they're saying: The bill's lead sponsor, Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, said the measure aims to protect "innocent children." He added that the proposed law wouldn't ban theater performances in which performers dress in attire typically worn by the opposite gender because of the "prurient interest" — marked by, arousing or appealing to sexual desire — component, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

The other side: Holly Dickson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, says that, if passed, this law would violate the First Amendment right to freedom of expression, as well as the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Opponents also say this bill incorrectly classifies drag as inherently sexual and discriminates against transgender people.

"Under the language of the bill, it seems like there could be no place for a trans person … to be allowed to perform in any way — karaoke, poetry readings, church choir, school plays, Pride events, the Miss Gay America pageant and other forms of artistic and free expression that are protected by the First Amendment," Dickson said, according to the Arkansas Advocate.

What's next: The bill is on the full Senate's schedule for Monday.

HB1174, introduced last week, would allow a person to be prosecuted for getting an abortion. The current law punishes doctors who perform abortions, but there are no legal consequences for a person who has an abortion. 

This bill seeks to treat abortion as homicide. The bill, like the current law, allows for medical procedures to save the life of the pregnant person or to treat ectopic pregnancies.

Rep. Wayne Long (R-Bradford), a sponsor of the bill, declined to comment to Axios.

Separately, SB81 would extend the state's criminal code guiding distribution of obscene materials to libraries. 

Lawmakers seek to restrict drag shows, make abortion homicide

The bill's lead sponsor, Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, said the measure aims to protect "innocent children."

Arkansas Capitol building. Photo: Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Northwest Arkansas

A bill that seeks to classify drag shows as an adult-only business passed committee.

As we kick off the third week of the Legislature&#x27;s session, here&#x27;s a recap of happenings and bill movement at the state Capitol.Driving the news: Senate Bill <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="43" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=/Bills/2023R/Public/SB43.pdf&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nw_arkansas&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="45b8f2fb-43c0-4eb6-a181-e1ec085a901c" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers seek to restrict drag shows, make abortion homicide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=/Bills/2023R/Public/SB43.pdf&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nw_arkansas&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">43</a>, which seeks to classify drag shows as an adult-only business — effectively outlawing the performances on public property or where minors might be — made it out of committee Thursday, meaning it&#x27;s a step closer to passage.

Politics

News

We met our copy editor James Gilzow to share tall tales, reminisce and enjoy breakfast at Cafe USA in Bella Vista last week.  

The setup: This place will remind most anyone from a small town of the cafe they grew up with: understated decor, lots of hot coffee and staple breakfast dishes made with varieties of bacon, eggs, sausage and bread.

The grub: Worth opted for the French toast combo: Three pieces in a cinnamon custard with two each of eggs, bacon, sausage (links or patties) and hashbrowns ($14). 

The word that comes to mind is "simple" — the food was good without any extravagant flare or gimmicks. 

The veggie omelet. Photo: Alex Golden/Axios

Alex went for the veggie omelet filled with onions, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese with sides of hashbrowns and a biscuit with gravy ($12).

Like Worth's take, this was basic and solid.

James got a short stack of pancakes ($6). They were about the diameter of 78 rpm records and were delish with a nice hint of vanilla, he said. 

The bottom line: If you're looking for a stick-to-your ribs, straightforward menu that doesn't require a dictionary to decipher, Cafe USA has you covered.  

The prices are good, too. The restaurant packs a lot of value into each dish, so it's hard to leave hungry. 

Check it out: In Bella Vista at 426 Town Center NE, serving Monday 7am-3pm and Tuesday-Sunday 7am-4pm. 

In Bentonville at 2308 Southeast 28th St., serving Monday-Sunday 7am-3pm. 

Bella Vista's Cafe USA is home to comfort food

We met up to share tall tales, reminisce and enjoy breakfast at Cafe USA in Bella Vista last week.

The French toast. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios

We met our copy editor James Gilzow to share tall tales, reminisce and enjoy breakfast at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cafe USA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cafeusaonline.com/" data-vars-content-id="6795e9bd-a6c9-42e3-a033-1f959e33a976" data-vars-headline="Bella Vista&#x27;s Cafe USA is home to comfort food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cafeusaonline.com/" target="_blank">Cafe USA</a> in Bella Vista last week. The setup: This place will remind most anyone from a small town of the cafe they grew up with: understated decor, lots of hot coffee and staple breakfast dishes made with varieties of bacon, eggs, sausage and bread.

Food and Drink

Things to Do

Business

The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has been teasing more shows coming to Rogers this summer.

Pantera with Lamb of God — Tuesday, Aug. 15, $40-$150;

Beck and Phoenix — Friday, Aug. 18, $45-150;

Nickelback with Brantley Gilbert — Thursday, July 20, $40-$150;

Eric Church with Midland and Ray Wylie Hubbard — Thursday, July 27, $55-$170.

Tickets are already on sale for recently announced concerts, including:

Parker McCollum with Larry Fleet  — Friday, May 5. $30-$85;

Incubus with guests Coheed and Cambria — Friday, May 26. $36-$100.

Go deeper: See the full lineup so far and get tickets.

Summer shows announced for Arkansas Music Pavilion

Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has been teasing more shows coming to Rogers this summer.

Nickelback is coming to NWA. Photo: Courtesy of Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion

Music

The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has been teasing more shows coming to Rogers this summer.Tickets go on sale Friday for:

Local schools and a collection of arts organizations unveiled a new tool designed to smooth the process of collaborating, Sallie Zazal, director of learning and engagement at Walton Arts Center, told Axios.

Why it matters: Local arts organizations in areas like theater and music can offer valuable arts education and enrichment opportunities for K-12 students, but personnel turnover and curriculum specifics can create challenges in working with area schools.

Details: Walton Arts Center and Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange (CACHE) recently launched the Northwest Arkansas artlook, an online platform for users to see what programs are offered across schools, a directory of outside organizations, and listings of contacts at individual schools who can help connect the dots.

For example, actors in town for plays at Walton Arts Center can come speak to students, Zazal said. Other organizations such as TheatreSquared regularly offer children's programming that schools can tap into.

How it happened: Walton Arts Center heard other arts organizations were having trouble connecting with schools and reached out for help. A CACHE representative suggested artlook, Zazal explained.

The center received a grant from the Walton Family Foundation and gave $500 grants to schools that completed profiles as an incentive. 

A spokesperson would not say how much total grant money the center received.

New online platform opens art opportunities for Arkansas youth

Artlook is designed to smooth the process of collaborating for schools and local organizations.

NWA Jazz All Stars. Photo: Courtesy of Walton Arts Center

Local schools and a collection of arts organizations unveiled a new tool designed to smooth the process of collaborating, Sallie Zazal, director of learning and engagement at Walton Arts Center, told Axios.Why it matters: Local arts organizations in areas like theater and music can offer valuable arts education and enrichment opportunities for K-12 students, but personnel turnover and curriculum specifics can create challenges in working with area schools.

Former deputies Levi White and Zack King were arrested Tuesday in connection with an incident where they were filmed apparently beating a suspect last August.

Details: The former officers are charged with civil rights violations of using excessive force.

Background: White, King and Mulberry officer Thell Riddle were seen hitting and kneeing Randall Worcester in footage that circulated widely on social media.

The FBI, U.S. Department of Justice and Arkansas State Police investigated the incident.

King and White were fired from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office last October.

What's next: A trial date is set for April 3. White and King have pleaded not guilty, KNWA reported.

FBI arrests former Arkansas officers seen in violent arrest video

The officers were seen apparently beating a suspect.

Illustration of a spotlight shaped like a police badge. 

Former deputies Levi White and Zack King <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were arrested" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nwahomepage.com/river-valley-news/former-deputies-involved-in-viral-video-arrested-by-fbi/" data-vars-content-id="ffd41590-f5b0-41ed-82e6-c50a67860d4a" data-vars-headline="FBI arrests former Arkansas officers seen in violent arrest video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nwahomepage.com/river-valley-news/former-deputies-involved-in-viral-video-arrested-by-fbi/" target="_blank">were arrested</a> Tuesday in connection with an incident where they were filmed apparently beating a suspect last August.Details: The former officers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charged" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/politics-crime-little-rock-oklahoma-indictments-1e66d7f9edf7b95184a07a549d84d8ec" data-vars-content-id="ffd41590-f5b0-41ed-82e6-c50a67860d4a" data-vars-headline="FBI arrests former Arkansas officers seen in violent arrest video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-crime-little-rock-oklahoma-indictments-1e66d7f9edf7b95184a07a549d84d8ec" target="_blank">charged</a> with civil rights violations of using excessive force.

Alex Golden

Featured stories

FBI arrests former Arkansas officers seen in violent arrest video

Bella Vista's Cafe USA is home to comfort food

Summer shows announced for Arkansas Music Pavilion

Lawmakers seek to restrict drag shows, make abortion homicide

New online platform opens art opportunities for Arkansas youth