NW Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas Alerts

Alert

blue

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

Axios Northwest Arkansas Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios NW Arkansas Partners

Axios Northwest Arkansas

Standard

Axios NW Arkansas Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Northwest Arkansas Members

Membership

Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest

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

Business

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>.

Mixed-use project planned for Bentonville square

The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer.

News

Construction of a development bringing retail, office and housing to the Bentonville square will begin soon.State of play: The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer with a &quot;multiyear build ahead,&quot; according to a news release.

Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News

"If Kamala Harris is the best person that the Democrats can run again, I think '28 is looking really good for Republicans," Sanders said.

Politics

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders opined about the 2028 general election on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fox &amp; Friends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" target="_blank">Fox &amp; Friends</a>&quot; on Thursday, following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commentary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">commentary</a> in the Wall Street Journal critiquing the Democratic Party.

Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series

Ken Burns will speak in April in Bentonville.

Things to Do

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced Wednesday that documentary filmmaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Burns will be the next speaker" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" data-vars-content-id="ad8181a3-39ed-4141-9ee6-32ede953c7fe" data-vars-headline="Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" target="_blank">Ken Burns will be the next speaker</a> in its &quot;Building Bridges&quot; series.Context: The series, happening in conjunction with the United States turning 250 this year, &quot;brings together thought leaders, thinkers and artists to model civic dialogue,&quot; according to a news release.

Gov. Sanders signs Arkansas red tape reform order

The order is part of the Arkansas Forward initiative Sanders launched in 2024, intending to save or avoid spending $300 million over six years.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.arkansas.gov/executive_orders/sanders-signs-executive-order-to-speed-permitting-for-economic-development-projects/" data-vars-content-id="5c483b1c-28b7-403b-a5f9-3420d789bf2e" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders signs Arkansas red tape reform order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.arkansas.gov/executive_orders/sanders-signs-executive-order-to-speed-permitting-for-economic-development-projects/" target="_blank">executive order</a> Monday calling for state agencies to overhaul Arkansas&#x27; business permitting and licensing processes. Why it matters: The order is aimed at fostering economic development and attracting businesses by speeding up approvals and reducing regulatory delays, while preserving environmental and public health protections.

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier.

Office space in Northwest Arkansas remained scarce at the end of 2025, with a 4.6% vacancy rate, one of the lowest in the U.S., according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners report.Why it matters: Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier in a soft national office market — though tight supply can limit expansion and push rents higher.

Northwest Arkansas homeownership more expensive than renting

The median gross rent in NWA was about $1,220, compared to more than $1,700 monthly for mortgages.

Renting is cheaper than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="owning a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="c3817f46-7256-4f40-a909-a9d149df56c6" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas homeownership more expensive than renting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">owning a home</a> in Northwest Arkansas, according to a recent LendingTree <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" data-vars-content-id="c3817f46-7256-4f40-a909-a9d149df56c6" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas homeownership more expensive than renting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: Housing costs have soared nationwide, with stubbornly high home prices and mortgage rates weighing on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="c3817f46-7256-4f40-a909-a9d149df56c6" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas homeownership more expensive than renting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">would-be buyers</a>.

Arkansas' bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025.

The average Super Bowl bet through Pine Bluff&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saracen Casino Resort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" target="_self">Saracen Casino Resort</a> is expected to hit $48 this Sunday, up from $37 last year, casino officials told Axios.Why it matters: More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025, up from $404.7 million in 2023, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Legal Sports Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" target="_blank">Legal Sports Report</a> data. Casinos paid more than $8 million in state taxes on that revenue.

NWA businesses rally for immigrant community

One business is distributing signs for others that want to refuse service to ICE agents.

Northwest Arkansas businesses are responding to the Trump administration&#x27;s immigration crackdown by raising money for immigrant rights organizations and refusing service to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/trump-officials-stick-terrorist-label-on-americans-killed-by-dhs" data-vars-content-id="2d0a7b93-d438-4a2a-8711-0323f31e05e1" data-vars-headline="NWA businesses rally for immigrant community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/trump-officials-stick-terrorist-label-on-americans-killed-by-dhs" target="_self">killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detention of children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-child-detention-democrats-liam-ramos" data-vars-content-id="2d0a7b93-d438-4a2a-8711-0323f31e05e1" data-vars-headline="NWA businesses rally for immigrant community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-child-detention-democrats-liam-ramos" target="_self">detention of children</a> have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sparked outrage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/trump-noem-bovino-pretti-shooting-immigration-backlash" data-vars-content-id="2d0a7b93-d438-4a2a-8711-0323f31e05e1" data-vars-headline="NWA businesses rally for immigrant community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/27/trump-noem-bovino-pretti-shooting-immigration-backlash" target="_self">sparked outrage</a> nationwide, even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming a focal point at the Grammys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-out-2026-grammys-protest-pins-bad-bunny-photos" data-vars-content-id="2d0a7b93-d438-4a2a-8711-0323f31e05e1" data-vars-headline="NWA businesses rally for immigrant community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/ice-out-2026-grammys-protest-pins-bad-bunny-photos" target="_self">becoming a focal point at the Grammys</a>.

Rogers Whole Foods to open this month

The store will carry more than 30 Arkansas brands.

Northwest Arkansas&#x27; second Whole Foods Market is set to open Feb. 18, as a part of mixed-use development with apartments and other retailers in the Pinnacle Hills area of Rogers.The intrigue: The store will carry 32 Arkansas-based brands from beer and food to wellness and beauty and employ 110 people hired locally, spokesperson Carrie Hunte told Axios. Another 40 employees are being transferred from other stores.

Tyson Foods' personal jet perks soared in 2025

Combined, NWA's three largest public companies spent just over $5 million on private flights.

Chairman John H. Tyson&#x27;s personal use of Tyson Foods&#x27; corporate aircraft far exceeded that of other top executives at Northwest Arkansas&#x27; largest public companies in fiscal 2025, proxy statements show.Why it matters: Personal use of corporate jets is a disclosed executive perk that can help recruit and retain talent, but it also raises <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tax" data-vars-click-url="https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/corporate-jet-tax-breaks-at-risk-in-irs-probes-of-personal-use" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/corporate-jet-tax-breaks-at-risk-in-irs-probes-of-personal-use" target="_blank">tax</a>, governance and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputational risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ft.com/content/bb49cd55-4f8d-47fb-80f2-6ff6e5bc2167" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ft.com/content/bb49cd55-4f8d-47fb-80f2-6ff6e5bc2167" target="_blank">reputational risks</a> as companies face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/big-tech-earnings-2026-ai-spend.html" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/big-tech-earnings-2026-ai-spend.html" target="_blank">pressure</a> to rein in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/david-solomon-ceo-goldman-sachs-takes-corporate-jet-2023-4#:~:text=Goldman%20insiders%20have%20been%20grumbling,also%20extensively%20use%20private%20aircraft.%22" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/david-solomon-ceo-goldman-sachs-takes-corporate-jet-2023-4#:~:text=Goldman%20insiders%20have%20been%20grumbling,also%20extensively%20use%20private%20aircraft.%22" target="_blank">costs</a>.Driving the news: For the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/03/27/tyson-foods-arkansas-corporate-jet-use" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/03/27/tyson-foods-arkansas-corporate-jet-use" target="_self">second year</a>, Axios analyzed proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for NWA&#x27;s three largest public companies — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="J.B. Hunt Transport Services" data-vars-click-url="https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/jb_hunt_transport/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=18284288&amp;Cik=0000728535&amp;Type=PDF&amp;hasPdf=1" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/jb_hunt_transport/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=18284288&amp;Cik=0000728535&amp;Type=PDF&amp;hasPdf=1" target="_blank">J.B. Hunt Transport Services</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tyson Foods" data-vars-click-url="https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000100493/b647520f-0c92-477c-ba2e-5f6b11ea7e84.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000100493/b647520f-0c92-477c-ba2e-5f6b11ea7e84.pdf" target="_blank">Tyson Foods</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Walmart" data-vars-click-url="https://corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/newsroom/2025/04/24/walmart-releases-2025-annual-report-and-proxy-statement/walmart-inc-2025-proxy-statement.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/newsroom/2025/04/24/walmart-releases-2025-annual-report-and-proxy-statement/walmart-inc-2025-proxy-statement.pdf" target="_blank">Walmart</a>. <ul><li>Perks like personal aircraft use are on top of annual salaries, stock awards, bonuses, insurance and other compensation and must be disclosed when their value is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="above $10,000" data-vars-click-url="https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2025/07/22/executive-security-perks-evolving-trends-in-a-new-era-of-risk/" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2025/07/22/executive-security-perks-evolving-trends-in-a-new-era-of-risk/" target="_blank">above $10,000</a>.</li><li>Only the two most senior executives at each company are shown in the chart below for brevity.</li></ul><div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal-UUPLW" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal-UUPLW" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="A bar chart that displays personal use costs of corporate aircraft by executives at NWA public companies in fiscal 2025. Tyson Foodsâ chair incurred the highest cost at $3.16 million. Walmartâs CEOs spent between $165,250 and $275,670. J.B. Hunt executivesâ costs ranged from $1,610 to $11,489." class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal/fallbacks/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal-fallback.png" width="1200" height="874"/><img alt="A bar chart that displays personal use costs of corporate aircraft by executives at NWA public companies in fiscal 2025. Tyson Foodsâ chair incurred the highest cost at $3.16 million. Walmartâs CEOs spent between $165,250 and $275,670. J.B. Hunt executivesâ costs ranged from $1,610 to $11,489." class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal/fallbacks/2026-01-22-1559-cost-of-personal-apple.png" width="750" height="906"/></div><figcaption>Data: Company proxy statements; Chart: Axios Visuals</figcaption></figure></div>State of play: The company closed a beef packing facility in Nebraska and reduced production at a Texas location in January, laying off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 5,000 workers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.5newsonline.com/article/money/business/tysons-mass-layoffs-tuesday-nebraska-texas/527-77817234-22ac-4b70-8f3e-8230fa8b2670" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.5newsonline.com/article/money/business/tysons-mass-layoffs-tuesday-nebraska-texas/527-77817234-22ac-4b70-8f3e-8230fa8b2670" target="_blank">nearly 5,000 workers</a>.<ul><li>In the December proxy statement, Tyson Foods noted that CEO Donnie King&#x27;s total <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="compensation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/tyson-foods-ceo-pay-proxy-2025/" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/tyson-foods-ceo-pay-proxy-2025/" target="_blank">compensation</a> grew by nearly $12 million during fiscal 2025, topping $34 million.</li></ul>The latest: Doug McMillon was president and CEO of Walmart during the period covered by Walmart&#x27;s most recent proxy, but recently stepped down from that role. John Furner, former president and CEO of Walmart U.S. now has McMillon&#x27;s seat.By the numbers: Combined, NWA&#x27;s three largest public companies spent just over $5 million on private flights, the highest level Axios has documented since at least 2020.<ul><li>Tyson Foods: $3.68 million</li><li>Walmart: $1.31 million</li><li>J.B. Hunt: $15,344</li></ul>The big picture: The spending reflects a broader U.S. corporate pattern. S&amp;P 500 companies spent an estimated $65 million on private flights in 2022, about 50% higher than before the pandemic, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/business/the-65-million-perk-for-ceos-personal-use-of-the-corporate-jet-has-soared-bc20a988" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/the-65-million-perk-for-ceos-personal-use-of-the-corporate-jet-has-soared-bc20a988" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal analysis</a>.Context: Private flight costs can vary widely by aircraft type and operation, often ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per hour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/november/16/hourly-operating-costs-of-45-jets-compared" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/november/16/hourly-operating-costs-of-45-jets-compared" target="_blank">per hour</a> when factors like fuel, maintenance and crew are included.What they&#x27;re saying: Walmart and J.B. Hunt declined to comment and Tyson Foods did not respond to Axios for this story.What&#x27;s next: Tyson Foods will hold its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Q1 2026 earnings call" data-vars-click-url="https://ir.tyson.com/news/news-details/2026/Tyson-Foods-Announces-First-Quarter-Earnings-Conference-Call-and-Webcast/default.aspx" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ir.tyson.com/news/news-details/2026/Tyson-Foods-Announces-First-Quarter-Earnings-Conference-Call-and-Webcast/default.aspx" target="_blank">Q1 2026 earnings call</a> Monday. Its annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meeting of shareholders" data-vars-click-url="https://ir.tyson.com/" data-vars-content-id="7d34b391-14e1-4e22-9a9b-8fb00d326d4d" data-vars-headline="Tyson Foods&#x27; personal jet perks soared in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ir.tyson.com/" target="_blank">meeting of shareholders</a> will be Thursday in downtown Springdale.Disclosure: Reporter Worth Sparkman formerly worked at Tyson Foods.

Northwest Arkansas tops best-performing list

Milken researchers evaluate 411 metros on 13 metrics through 2024, including labor trends, high-tech performance and economic opportunity.

Northwest Arkansas is the No. 1 metro in the country, according to Milken Institute&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/01/15/northwest-arkansas-performance-ranking" data-vars-content-id="c7228663-e663-4411-a9a4-3d04a78c1474" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas tops best-performing list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/01/15/northwest-arkansas-performance-ranking" target="_self">annual report</a> weighing several economic factors.Why it matters: The area&#x27;s 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best-Performing Cities" data-vars-click-url="https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/research-and-data-tools/best-performing-cities-2026-resilience-cooling-economy" data-vars-content-id="c7228663-e663-4411-a9a4-3d04a78c1474" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas tops best-performing list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/research-and-data-tools/best-performing-cities-2026-resilience-cooling-economy" target="_blank">Best-Performing Cities</a> ranking — up from No. 7 last year — was driven by an active labor market, NWA&#x27;s high-tech sector and affordable housing, the Milken report says.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business 🏦

Mixed-use project planned for Bentonville square

Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest

Gov. Sanders signs Arkansas red tape reform order

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Northwest Arkansas homeownership more expensive than renting