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Two grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton plan to launch a private university focused on science and tech, located on the company's old HQ campus near downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.

Why it matters: The future university plans to offer innovative, flexible pathways to jobs in automation, logistics, biotech and computing — fields crucial to Northwest Arkansas' future. 

Building talent in STEM (science, tech, engineering, and math) is a priority for the U.S., China and other countries racing to compete in the global economy.

State of play: Steuart and Tom Walton, grandsons of Sam Walton, are set to announce the school Thursday at the Heartland Summit in Bentonville, an invitation-only gathering of policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors focused on economic development in the middle of the U.S.

Plans call for the yet-to-be-named STEM-focused higher education institution to be a model of modern, flexible learning, based on the site of the "home office" where the world's largest retailer was built from Sam Walton's five-and-dime.

The inaugural undergraduate class, in coming years, is expected to be roughly 500 students, "growing to about 1,500 undergraduates and 500 non-degree learners over time."

"The school will offer stackable, flexible credentials aligned with fast-moving, in-demand fields such as computing, technical management, automation and logistics, and biomedical technology," the announcement says. 

What they're saying: Steuart Walton, a member of Walmart's board, told Axios in an interview with Axios that higher education "should move at the speed of innovation. This institution will stay agile and grounded, built to meet the world as it changes."

"We have the opportunity to build a new model of higher education, designed for the realities of today's economy and the challenges of tomorrow, and set a new standard for what's possible," he added in a news release. 

Tom Walton said in the interview: "Our grandad, Sam Walton, built Walmart from Bentonville. There's no reason the next great enterprise can't rise from here, too."

The big picture: The university is the latest in a string of philanthropic work from the Waltons that continues transforming this town of about 60,000 people and the larger Northwest Arkansas region of nearly 600,000 into a regional powerhouse.

In the past 20 years family members have invested in world-class art museums, a medical school and holistic wellness, as well as trails, public art and other civic-oriented development. All have been economic engines for Arkansas.

Flashback: Walmart's original home office campus is being vacated in phases as nearly 15,000 employees populate a new flagship 350-acre campus across town.

Steuart and Tom Walton said in 2022 they would buy the old HQ and surrounding parcels for about $60 million.

A mixed-use development, which would include the new university, is now planned at the site.

The grandsons acquired nearly 3,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land in nearby Bella Vista last year. They've not announced plans for the parcels but said they would be centered on outdoor recreation, hospitality and retail development.

The Alice L. Walton Foundation bought 100 acres in Bentonville for a future health care campus earlier this year.

National

Scoop: Waltons launching STEM university in former Walmart headquarters

The Walmart heirs are starting a STEM university to fuel high-tech jobs and talent growth in Northwest Arkansas.

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Finish Line

Axios Finish Line

If you're feeling anxious this morning, you're not alone.

Remember, it's likely the presidential election winner won't be known on Election Day or Wednesday. Or the day after.

Why it matters: But that doesn't mean the eventual results were rigged, manipulated or wrong, Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen wrote in a recent "Behind the Curtain" column.

Sluggish vote counts could fuel distrust in the election, spark protests and paralyze governance.

Both parties are preparing to challenge ballots, especially if mail-in or absentee votes are decisive in swing states, raising the possibility of prolonged court fights.

Be prepared to throttle reactions to every outrage on social media — and there'll be plenty. But lots of it will be plain false. And lots of it will be twisted to manipulate your emotions.

Zoom in: Local results may not take so long, assuming there are no major hiccups. 

Benton County hopes to post unofficial results by about 10pm on Election Day, and Washington County by about 10:30pm, the respective election commissions told Axios.

What you can do: An easy solution would be to cut back on the time you spend tweeting or reading X.

There's high-quality news and information on X. But it's commingled with misinformation, conjecture and nonsense.

Be equally careful on all social media platforms. Don't share, like or react to anything you're not certain is real.

Pick a few trustworthy accounts rather than gorging on whatever pops up.

Dave Wasserman of Cook Political Report (@redistrict) is an essential follow if you want live play-by-play of crucial counties, as are the two Nates — @NateSilver538 and @Nate_Cohn.

Of course, we recommend following Axios' national feed (@axios) and Mike Allen (@mikeallen).

Know your facts: Every state counts votes differently and abides by its own rules. Read how vote counting will work in the seven swing states, drawn from Axios reporting and a series of AP "Decision Notes."

What's next: There are three key dates to watch after Election Day — Dec. 11, Dec. 17 and Jan. 6, 2025 — as laid out by TD Cowen's Chris Krueger. All could be flashpoints if the presidential fight drags on. Read about each.

The bottom line: Close races and new voting rules mean you should brace for sluggish results, contested outcomes and legal battles. Instead of the ballot tallies being the last word, both sides are likely to turn to courts and public opinion to try to sway the outcome.

Behind the Curtain: A just-stay-calm strategy

How politics is stressing us out more than ever

A clear-eyed view of what's coming: 76 days from Election Day to inauguration

What to know on Election Day in Northwest Arkansas

Remember, it's likely the presidential election winner won't be known tonight or tomorrow.

Illustration of a woman meditating on top of a locked ballot box. 

Northwest Arkansas

If you&#x27;re feeling anxious this morning, you&#x27;re not alone.<ul><li>Remember, it&#x27;s likely the presidential election winner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won&#x27;t be known" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/19/early-voting-2024-trump-harris" data-vars-content-id="8e4c713b-4991-4646-8a9a-254e990b1ad7" data-vars-headline="What to know on Election Day in Northwest Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/19/early-voting-2024-trump-harris" target="_self">won&#x27;t be known</a> on Election Day or Wednesday. Or the day after.</li></ul>Why it matters: But that doesn&#x27;t mean the eventual results were rigged, manipulated or wrong, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/24/election-results-timing-vote-count" data-vars-content-id="8e4c713b-4991-4646-8a9a-254e990b1ad7" data-vars-headline="What to know on Election Day in Northwest Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/24/election-results-timing-vote-count" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen</a> wrote in a recent &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Behind the Curtain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/23/behind-the-curtain-series-prepping-different-scenarios" data-vars-content-id="8e4c713b-4991-4646-8a9a-254e990b1ad7" data-vars-headline="What to know on Election Day in Northwest Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/23/behind-the-curtain-series-prepping-different-scenarios" target="_self">Behind the Curtain</a>&quot; column.

Mike Allen

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