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Crystal Bridges adds to collection ahead of expansion

The expansion is set to open to the public June 6.

News

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is expanding its craft collection ahead of its expansion set to debut next month.State of play: The museum has acquired about 140 works from about 60 artists in ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and wood, according to a news release from the museum.

App targets postpartum care gap

It's usually about six weeks between delivery and follow-up.

Business

Conway entrepreneur Kim Lane built the postpartum care app Momme to support mothers during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weeks between hospital discharge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" target="_self">weeks between hospital discharge</a> and their first follow-up visit.Why it matters: The U.S. has the highest maternal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortality rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/maternal-mortality-states-countries" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/maternal-mortality-states-countries" target="_self">mortality rate</a> among high-income countries, and more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="80% of pregnancy-related" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html" target="_blank">80% of pregnancy-related</a> deaths are preventable. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weeks after delivery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">weeks after delivery</a> are some of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vulnerable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="8ef0bb53-1182-4e44-abf5-ac0d77f91817" data-vars-headline="App targets postpartum care gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/preventing-pregnancy-related-deaths/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">vulnerable</a> and least supported periods in maternal health care.

Your Northwest Arkansas summer event guide

Mark your calendars to make the most of what NWA has to offer this summer.

Things to Do

Mark your calendars if you want to make the most of what NWA has to offer this summer.🎡 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mudtown Days" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/mudtowndaysinlowellarkansas" data-vars-content-id="48ab227f-72c2-4ec3-8068-63927a41c19c" data-vars-headline="Your Northwest Arkansas summer event guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/mudtowndaysinlowellarkansas" target="_blank">Mudtown Days</a> — Enjoy a carnival, a pet show and live music June 5-6 at KJ Memorial Park in Lowell.

Fayetteville City Council clears path for Swarm Aero

The Fayetteville City Council voted 5-3 on Tuesday to grant drone manufacturer Swarm Aero&#x27;s appeal of a lower panel&#x27;s vote that the business had been mislabeled, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Fayetteville Flyer reported" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2026/05/18/fayetteville-city-council-recap-for-may-19-2026/" data-vars-content-id="ad5ad875-df2e-485e-a2e8-7a1430d456c1" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville City Council clears path for Swarm Aero" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2026/05/18/fayetteville-city-council-recap-for-may-19-2026/" target="_blank">the Fayetteville Flyer reported</a>.Why it matters: The decision means Swarm Aero can continue operating at its current location near Drake Field in south Fayetteville.

Craft beer industry going strong in Arkansas

Nationally, beer production is declining.

Arkansas breweries made more craft beer in 2025 compared to 2024, according to new data from the national Brewers Association.Why it matters: The state continues to buck a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" data-vars-content-id="0970b909-690d-4a62-829e-13476e29f72a" data-vars-headline="Craft beer industry going strong in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" target="_self">national decline</a> in craft beer production and sales.

Charted: Arkansas' tax on 'sin'

Fiscal year totals for alcohol were about $60.5 million, but tobacco was more than double: about $148.2 million

Taxes collected on tobacco and alcohol sales account for less than 3% of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$7.13 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-nw-arkansas-01cccf80-4e3c-11f1-9cd2-6356b11cc255.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nw_arkansas&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="a990492e-3842-4867-902e-374bf189bcf1" data-vars-headline="Charted: Arkansas&#x27; tax on &#x27;sin&#x27;" 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-01cccf80-4e3c-11f1-9cd2-6356b11cc255.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_nw_arkansas&amp;stream=top" target="_self">$7.13 billion</a> in gross general revenue collected in Arkansas during the first 10 months of fiscal 2026, almost $209 million.The big picture: The state&#x27;s &quot;sin taxes&quot; could be — what we&#x27;ve heard some CFOs describe it — a rounding error.

Outdoor companies set for demo night

The event begins at 5pm with presentations running from 5:30-9pm.

The University of Arkansas&#x27; Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) will hold a demo night May 19 for its eighth cohort of six companies focused on cycling, paddling, recreation and outdoor education.Why it matters: Business accelerators like GORP are helping build a network of entrepreneurs ready to add to Arkansas&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$4.9 billion outdoor recreation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/13/getting-outside-grows-arkansas-economy" data-vars-content-id="e23b5b76-d837-4810-93f5-b3cd5428d330" data-vars-headline="Outdoor companies set for demo night" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/13/getting-outside-grows-arkansas-economy" target="_self">$4.9 billion outdoor recreation</a> industry.

Bentonville Film Festival reveals lineup and stars

The festival focuses on work by women, nonbinary people, people of color, the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/14/bentonville-film-festival-geena-davis" data-vars-content-id="67c75098-e24a-47c1-9dd4-f9de7eaa22c7" data-vars-headline="Bentonville Film Festival reveals lineup and stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/14/bentonville-film-festival-geena-davis" target="_self">Bentonville Film Festival</a> will bring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Bobby Flay, Ree Drummond and a Netflix preview of &quot;Little House on the Prairie&quot; to NWA next month.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="festival" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillefilm.org/" data-vars-content-id="67c75098-e24a-47c1-9dd4-f9de7eaa22c7" data-vars-headline="Bentonville Film Festival reveals lineup and stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillefilm.org/" target="_blank">festival</a>, now in its 12th year, has become one of the region&#x27;s most visible entertainment events, drawing filmmakers, actors and industry leaders while elevating underrepresented voices in film and media.<ul><li>Last year&#x27;s festival generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact, Visit Bentonville president and CEO Kalene Griffith said.</li></ul>

Walmart to lay off, relocate employees

The changes affect Global Tech and Product and Design.

Walmart is laying off or relocating about 1,000 corporate employees, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wall Street Journal first reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-relocates-technology-jobs-23bbf322" data-vars-content-id="d6b36fb4-3a08-44ac-ad04-01b9e6adcb0f" data-vars-headline="Walmart to lay off, relocate employees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-relocates-technology-jobs-23bbf322" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal first reported</a> Tuesday evening.State of play: The changes affect Global Tech and Product and Design, which has gone from organizing separately for Walmart U.S., Sam&#x27;s Club and international markets to a shared platform in the past year, according to a Tuesday memo to Walmart employees from technology, AI acceleration and product and design leadership, Suresh Kumar and Daniel Danker.

Arkansas' split-screen rankings reality

The state ranks well on some measures, but poorly on others, including health and wages.

Health

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="touted" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/SarahHuckabee/status/2042378027439456661" data-vars-content-id="884f28d3-1a41-45dd-b6ce-d96c8a8d842a" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; split-screen rankings reality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/SarahHuckabee/status/2042378027439456661" target="_blank">touted</a> a run of No. 1 rankings for Arkansas, saying: &quot;We are blessed by God to live in the best state, in the best country, in the history of the world.&quot; But it&#x27;s only part of the picture.The big picture: Broad claims about where Arkansas stands nationally depend heavily on which metrics are used. The state ranks well on some measures, but poorly on others, including health and wages.

Bipartisan panel highlights maternal health needs

The reported U.S. maternal death rate doubled over 20 years, and more than 80% of those deaths were preventable.

Politics

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined Maryland&#x27;s Democratic governor and the Crystal Bridges museum&#x27;s chair on NBC&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meet the Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbc.com/meet-the-press/video/it-has-to-be-bipartisan-governors-find-solutions-on-maternal-health/NBCN071301594" data-vars-content-id="c3a1a580-45f6-4b24-8d0c-5a1f720834bb" data-vars-headline="Bipartisan panel highlights maternal health needs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbc.com/meet-the-press/video/it-has-to-be-bipartisan-governors-find-solutions-on-maternal-health/NBCN071301594" target="_blank">Meet the Press</a>&quot; on Mother&#x27;s Day to talk about maternal health.The big picture: The maternal health issue is a rare area of bipartisan agreement. Answers include earlier maternal health care, better <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="postpartum support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" data-vars-content-id="c3a1a580-45f6-4b24-8d0c-5a1f720834bb" data-vars-headline="Bipartisan panel highlights maternal health needs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/13/mental-health-maternal-mortality-data-gap-arkansas" target="_self">postpartum support</a>, and more locally rooted systems to help people navigate pregnancy and birth, the panelists said.

Gov. Sanders signs income tax cuts into law

Homeowners will be eligible for a tax credit of $675, up from $600.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders lowered the income tax rate Wednesday for the fourth time since she took office and ceremonially signed a bill to increase the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homestead property tax credit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/arkansas-assessment-coordination-division/real-property/property-tax-relief/" data-vars-content-id="dbb0ebc1-d923-4b2f-93f9-e18df154c5b3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders signs income tax cuts into law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/arkansas-assessment-coordination-division/real-property/property-tax-relief/" target="_blank">homestead property tax credit</a> by $75.How it works: For individuals, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2026S1%2FPublic%2FSB1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="dbb0ebc1-d923-4b2f-93f9-e18df154c5b3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders signs income tax cuts into law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2026S1%2FPublic%2FSB1.pdf" target="_blank">new law</a> keeps a graduated structure, with lower-income brackets taxed from 0% to 3.7% and a bracket adjustment for taxpayers with net income between $94,701 and $97,600.

Walton Family Foundation focuses Home Region plan

The updated strategy is centered on its work in Arkansas

The Walton Family Foundation on Wednesday said it was launching a revised Home Region strategy, promising a tighter focus on its work in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.The big picture: The foundation is the Walton family&#x27;s philanthropic arm, making private grants to nonprofits, schools, local governments and partner groups to support specific projects and system changes.

A line chart that tracks Arkansas alcohol and tobacco tax revenue from July 2025 to April 2026. Alcohol revenue falls from $7.4 million to a low of $4.5 million in February 2026, then rebounds to $6.3 million in April. Tobacco revenue ranges from $13.8 million to $15.9 million and stays higher throughout.

Arkansas alcohol and tobacco tax revenue, fiscal 2026


Data: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration; Chart: Worth Sparkman/Axios

Business 🏦

App targets postpartum care gap

Craft beer industry going strong in Arkansas

Charted: Arkansas' tax on 'sin'

Outdoor companies set for demo night

Bentonville Film Festival reveals lineup and stars