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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday sent a memo to her Cabinet outlining how to navigate a possible government shutdown.

State of play: Programs and employees who are wholly or partially dependent on federal funding will be suspended effective Sunday for the duration of the potential shutdown.

Yes, but: A few exceptions were noted, including:

Employees and programs identified by the federal government as being "necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare," but only if the "federal government has provided documentation guaranteeing funding during the shutdown."

An agency with federal funding and authorization from federal grants to fund a program or position "may do so, as long as funding remains available."

Data: Census Bureau; Map: Alice Feng/Axios

Of note: Nearly 2% of the workforce in Northwest Arkansas are civilian federal employees.

📫 Will you be impacted if there's a government shutdown? We want to hear your side of the story. 

Gov. Sanders preps Cabinet for potential shutdown

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a memo to her cabinet Thursday outlining how to navigate a possible government shutdown.

Sarah Sanders

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday sent a memo to her Cabinet outlining how to navigate a possible <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" data-vars-content-id="6d046564-73ee-4272-8a3f-3727430a1238" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders preps Cabinet for potential shutdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" target="_self">government shutdown</a>.State of play: Programs and employees who are wholly or partially dependent on federal funding will be suspended effective Sunday for the duration of the potential shutdown.

News

Politics

Data: individual school districts; Chart: Axios Visuals

The largest school districts in Northwest Arkansas have posted straight A's when it comes to keeping kids safe, according to data compiled by Axios.

It's a vast improvement over last year's analysis, which included two B's, two C's and an incomplete.

Why it matters: Incidents involving firearms on U.S. school campuses are up dramatically in the past two years, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database.

On average, about 21 incidents occurred monthly on school grounds nationwide in 2021. That rose to more than 25 per month in 2022, and it's at about 28.5 per month so far this year.

166 people have been wounded or killed at U.S. schools since Jan. 1, 2023.

The big picture: Many people believe that "hardening" schools by increasing security is the best way to keep kids safe.

Others argue that red flag, storage and age restriction gun laws need to be passed, along with hardening, to truly reduce risks.

Between the lines: At least seven laws passed in Arkansas this year allow more guns to be carried by more people in more places.

What we did: Axios polled 10 NWA school districts. Questions were based on five focus areas noted in the 2022 Arkansas School Safety Commission's final report: mental health and prevention; law enforcement and security; physical security; intelligence and communication; and audits, emergency operations and drills.

The survey included two questions for each category.

A single point was given for each tactic in place at a district. A half-point was awarded if a tactic was in progress, but not yet active.

The bottom line: The 10 schools surveyed are taking a layered approach to many of the top security and preventive recommendations from the Arkansas School Safety Commission.

Of note: The scores demonstrate how NWA's school districts have implemented best practices, but they don't mean one school is safer than another.

In the interest of keeping kids safe, Axios has opted to not disclose the specific questions or the answers.

NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam

The region's 10 largest school districts have straight As when it comes to keeping kids safe.

Northwest Arkansas

The largest school districts in Northwest Arkansas have posted straight A&#x27;s when it comes to keeping kids safe, according to data compiled by Axios.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a vast improvement over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/10/11/northwest-arkansas-districts-schools-safety-report" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/10/11/northwest-arkansas-districts-schools-safety-report" target="_self">last year&#x27;s analysis</a>, which included two B&#x27;s, two C&#x27;s and an incomplete.</li></ul>Why it matters: Incidents involving firearms on U.S. school campuses are up dramatically in the past two years, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="K-12 School Shooting Database" data-vars-click-url="https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings" target="_blank">K-12 School Shooting Database</a>.<ul><li>On average, about 21 incidents occurred monthly on school grounds nationwide in 2021. That rose to more than 25 per month in 2022, and it&#x27;s at about 28.5 per month so far this year.</li><li>166 people have been wounded or killed at U.S. schools since Jan. 1, 2023.</li></ul>The big picture: Many people believe that &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hardening" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/school-hardening-not-making-students-safer-say-experts" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/school-hardening-not-making-students-safer-say-experts" target="_blank">hardening</a>&quot; schools by increasing security is the best way to keep kids safe.<ul><li>Others argue that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red flag" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/gun-control-legislation-red-flag-laws-explained" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/gun-control-legislation-red-flag-laws-explained" target="_self">red flag</a>, storage and age restriction gun laws <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="need to be passed, along" data-vars-click-url="https://everytownresearch.org/report/how-can-we-prevent-gun-violence-in-schools/" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://everytownresearch.org/report/how-can-we-prevent-gun-violence-in-schools/" target="_blank">need to be passed, along</a> with hardening, to truly reduce risks.</li></ul>Between the lines: At least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven laws passed in Arkansas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/05/24/arkansas-pro-gun-legislation-uvalde-shooting" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/05/24/arkansas-pro-gun-legislation-uvalde-shooting" target="_self">seven laws passed in Arkansas</a> this year allow more guns to be carried by more people in more places.What we did: Axios polled 10 NWA school districts. Questions were based on five focus areas noted in the 2022 Arkansas School Safety Commission&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="final report" data-vars-click-url="https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2022_Arkansas_School_Safety_Commission_Final_Report_10-6_2022[92]_COMM.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3b6ef1-cf32-46d5-9b0a-5b968e7dd2f9" data-vars-headline="NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2022_Arkansas_School_Safety_Commission_Final_Report_10-6_2022[92]_COMM.pdf" target="_blank">final report</a>: mental health and prevention; law enforcement and security; physical security; intelligence and communication; and audits, emergency operations and drills.<ul><li>The survey included two questions for each category.</li><li>A single point was given for each tactic in place at a district. A half-point was awarded if a tactic was in progress, but not yet active.</li></ul>The bottom line: The 10 schools surveyed are taking a layered approach to many of the top security and preventive recommendations from the Arkansas School Safety Commission.Of note: The scores demonstrate how NWA&#x27;s school districts have implemented best practices, but they don&#x27;t mean one school is safer than another.<ul><li>In the interest of keeping kids safe, Axios has opted to not disclose the specific questions or the answers.</li></ul>

Education

If you're on the fence about buying an electric car or e-bike, you're not alone.

What's happening: The second annual Drive Electric NWA this weekend will provide opportunities to learn about the tech without any pressure to buy.

State of play: Electric vehicles accounted for 2.8% of monthly new-vehicle registrations in Northwest Arkansas in January — up from 1% the same month last year. The Northwest Arkansas Council, which is hosting this weekend's event, says there are more than 2,000 all-electric cars and trucks in Benton and Washington counties.

The state is on its way to having more charging stations — possibly about every 50 miles along our interstates.

Details: Models from Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, Tesla, Canoo and Rivian will be on hand to view.

Representatives from area electric companies can answer questions about home and roadside charging stations.

People For Bikes, Phat Tire Bike Shop and Pedego Fayetteville will be available to talk about e-bikes and alternative transportation.

Check it out: Drop in from 11am to 4pm Saturday in the parking lot at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.

Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious

The second annual Drive Electric NWA this weekend gives everyone the opportunity to learn about the tech without any pressure to buy.

Illustration of a road with glowing electricity symbols dividing the lanes.

If you&#x27;re on the fence about buying an electric car or e-bike, you&#x27;re not alone.What&#x27;s happening: The second annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drive Electric NWA" data-vars-click-url="https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/" target="_blank">Drive Electric NWA</a> this weekend will provide opportunities to learn about the tech without any pressure to buy.State of play: Electric vehicles accounted for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.8% of monthly new-vehicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-nw-arkansas-e6ebaf3e-fd0f-45e6-bf70-55a4fa3f1c97.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-nw-arkansas-e6ebaf3e-fd0f-45e6-bf70-55a4fa3f1c97.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">2.8% of monthly new-vehicle</a> registrations in Northwest Arkansas in January — up from 1% the same month last year. The Northwest Arkansas Council, which is hosting this weekend&#x27;s event, says there are more than 2,000 all-electric cars and trucks in Benton and Washington counties.<ul><li>The state is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on its way" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/29131049.34/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjIvMDYvMjgvYXJrYW5zYXMtZWxlY3RyaWMtdmVoaWNsZS1jaGFyZ2luZy1uZXR3b3JrLXBsYW5uaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Ba0fb241d" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/29131049.34/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjIvMDYvMjgvYXJrYW5zYXMtZWxlY3RyaWMtdmVoaWNsZS1jaGFyZ2luZy1uZXR3b3JrLXBsYW5uaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Ba0fb241d" target="_blank">on its way</a> to having more charging stations — possibly about every 50 miles along our interstates.</li></ul>Details: Models from Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, Tesla, Canoo and Rivian will be on hand to view.<ul><li>Representatives from area electric companies can answer questions about home and roadside charging stations.</li><li>People For Bikes, Phat Tire Bike Shop and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pedego Fayetteville" data-vars-click-url="https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/fayetteville/" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/fayetteville/" target="_blank">Pedego Fayetteville</a> will be available to talk about e-bikes and alternative transportation.</li></ul>Check it out: Drop in from 11am to 4pm Saturday in the parking lot at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.

Transit

Anyone expecting to fully unwrap the enigma of Bob Dylan the man likely won't be satisfied by touring a museum bearing his name in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

But Dylanologists, as well as casual fans, can examine his sometimes tedious creative process against a historical backdrop.

Driving the news: Dylan, 82, on Sunday kicked off the next leg of his three-year "Rough and Rowdy Ways" world tour in Kansas City, Missouri. He performs there again tonight before heading to Northern and astern states through November.

Minnesotans have noted the tour doesn't include any gigs there, where Dylan was born.

Why it matters: About a two-hour drive from Crystal Bridges Museum, the Bob Dylan Center is evidence that NWA and Tulsa together create a super region — not merely of industry and investment, but also art and culture.

State of play: The Tulsa collection totals about 100,000 items, Steven Jenkins, director of the center, tells Axios. That includes papers, photos, notes, master recordings and miscellaneous items. Not all are on display, but the permanent exhibit includes some notable items, including:

The leather jacket Dylan wore at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, when he "went electric."

A handwritten letter from Arkansas native Johnny Cash in apparent response to an earlier letter from Dylan.

A telegraph from Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper thanking Dylan for permission to use "It's Alright, Ma" in their movie "Easy Rider."

10 of the 17 known drafts of "Jokerman" — viewable on a digital monitor.

Two of the three notebooks Dylan used to draft and redraft lyrics to the album "Blood on the Tracks." The red notebook that famously went missing for years was previously on loan from the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City.

Dylan, who hasn't toured the center, sculpted a 16-foot metal gate near the entrance.

Backstory: The musician has no direct connection to Oklahoma, leading many to wonder why the center ended up in Tulsa.

Dylan in 2016 made it known that his archives would be for sale.

The George Kaiser Family Foundation and University of Tulsa purchased his personal archives in 2016. The foundation later purchased the university's share.

Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie's archives were purchased by the foundation in 2011 for a reported $3 million.

Guthrie, who heavily influenced Dylan, grew up in Okemah, about an hour's drive from Tulsa.

The Woody Guthrie Center is in the same building.

What they're saying: "The fact that we were the same group that had started … the Woody Guthrie Center … seemed to really give us a leg up from anywhere else that he might have been considering," Jenkins said. 

"Dylan did say that the fact that we're on Native American land really resonated for him," he said.

Jenkins noted the town's rich musical history, the Tulsa Sound of the 1970s and area musicians Leon Russell and J.J. Cale.

Of note: Jenkins couldn't say how much the foundation paid for the archives, but The New York Times reported a spread of $15-$20 million at the time.

The bottom line: Some viewers may wish for salacious threads about Dylan's personal life; however, the center is focused more on his artistry and the tireless work with which he's crafted each word and musical note for more than 60 years.

What's next: "Becoming Bob Dylan," an exhibit of black-and-white photographs taken by photojournalist Ted Russell in the early 1960s ends Oct. 15.

The next temporary exhibit will launch Oct. 20, a display of materials highlighted in the forthcoming 600-page book "Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine," a deep dive into the archives.

Check it out: 116 E Reconciliation Way, Tulsa; open 10am-6pm Wednesday-Sunday.

Notebooks with working lyrics from "Blood on the Tracks." Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios

The jacket Dylan wore the night he went electric. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios

Bob Dylan's legacy strums in the heartland home of folk music

Dylanologits, and casual fans, can examine Bob Dylan's sometimes tedious creative process against a historical backdrop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bob Dylan performs as a surprise guest during Farm Aid in Noblesville, Indiana, on Sept. 23. Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images

Oklahoma

Anyone expecting to fully unwrap the enigma of Bob Dylan the man likely won&#x27;t be satisfied by touring a museum bearing his name in Tulsa, Oklahoma.<ul><li>But Dylanologists, as well as casual fans, can examine his sometimes tedious creative process against a historical backdrop.</li></ul>

Things to Do

Arkansas likely won't be approaching a "child care cliff" like other states tomorrow when pandemic-era funding for the industry likely expires.

Driving the news: Without congressional intervention, as many as 70,000 centers looking after 3.2 million U.S. children may close without the federal aid, according to one widely cited estimate from the Century Foundation.

Yes, but: The situation in Arkansas isn't as dire as reported elsewhere, the Department of Education and a family advocacy group told Axios.

Why it matters: In addition to preparing kids for kindergarten, access to quality, affordable child care is essential to keeping parents — particularly mothers — in the workforce.

State of play: Arkansas received $464 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to help stabilize child care programs.

The money was moved quickly into the private sector, giving child care facilities near immediate relief, Olivia Gardner, who oversees education policy for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, told Axios.

As a result, the funds dwindled earlier than in other states, so facilities are largely adjusted to doing business without ARP money.

Of note: Forty-eight Arkansas child care providers folded between March 2020 and March 2022, but another 260 opened, Gardner said.

What they're saying: "To ensure providers knew the funds were only temporary, Arkansas chose to distribute the funds as one-time enhancement grants," a spokesperson for the Department of Education said in an emailed statement.

"Because of the proactive, conservative approach to distributing these funds, the expiration of funds won't have a dramatic impact on providers in Arkansas."

"There certainly are things we can be working on to improve," Gardner said.

"But, for the most part, our early-childhood education system is a high quality one, and is a system that we should definitely be proud of."

Meanwhile, a recent report on child care policy by Heartland Forward of Bentonville ranks states in terms of their ability to take money and turn it into positive outcomes.

One of the authors, Julie Trivitt, used "efficiency" to describe this and divided the states into gold, silver and bronze status.

Arkansas ranked as No. 12 in the U.S., highest of all the silver states.

It ranked well in affordability and quality but lagged in accessible child care.

What we're watching: Democrats introduced a federal bill earlier this month to provide $16 billion in mandatory funding in each of the next five years to the Child Care Stabilization Grants program.

Arkansas' child care cliff isn't as steep as other states

Arkansas isn't likely approaching a "child care cliff" like other states will be tomorrow when pandemic-era funding for the industry likely runs out.

Illustration of a child's block with a dollar sign on it. 

Arkansas

Arkansas likely won&#x27;t be approaching a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care cliff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/20/child-care-cliff" data-vars-content-id="ed3f110a-c8f1-47f6-975c-478927160bd1" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; child care cliff isn&#x27;t as steep as other states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/20/child-care-cliff" target="_self">child care cliff</a>&quot; like other states tomorrow when pandemic-era funding for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/15/child-care-daycare-costs-states-parents" data-vars-content-id="ed3f110a-c8f1-47f6-975c-478927160bd1" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; child care cliff isn&#x27;t as steep as other states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/15/child-care-daycare-costs-states-parents" target="_self">industry</a> likely expires.Driving the news: Without congressional intervention, as many as 70,000 centers looking after 3.2 million U.S. children may close without the federal aid, according to one widely cited estimate from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Century Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://tcf.org/content/report/child-care-cliff/#" data-vars-content-id="ed3f110a-c8f1-47f6-975c-478927160bd1" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; child care cliff isn&#x27;t as steep as other states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tcf.org/content/report/child-care-cliff/#" target="_blank">the Century Foundation</a>.

Worth Sparkman

Featured stories

Bob Dylan's legacy strums in the heartland home of folk music

Gov. Sanders preps Cabinet for potential shutdown

Arkansas' child care cliff isn't as steep as other states

NW Arkansas schools ace safety and security exam

Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious