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

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NWA teachers get pay bumps

News

The new baseline for teacher salaries at NWA&#x27;s largest school districts is $55,000 — except for Bentonville.State of play: The school board-approved minimum teacher salary at Bentonville Public Schools is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$58,582 starting in the fall" data-vars-click-url="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3173/Bentonville/0b2529bc-90e5-43cb-87d8-de09c3b2e08f/2026-2027-Licensed-Salary-Schedule.pdf?disposition=inline" data-vars-content-id="3f3f607b-a2f6-406d-8d5c-b28c46f73497" data-vars-headline="NWA teachers get pay bumps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3173/Bentonville/0b2529bc-90e5-43cb-87d8-de09c3b2e08f/2026-2027-Licensed-Salary-Schedule.pdf?disposition=inline" target="_blank">$58,582 starting in the fall</a>, up from $56,329 this year and just shy of $10,000 more than teachers started out making only four years ago.

Washington Regional lays off staff

The health care system cited rising costs.

Washington Regional Medical System is eliminating 86 positions, citing &quot;financial pressures&quot; affecting health care systems state and nationwide, according to a news release.State of play: The positions are mostly in management and administrative support, Washington Regional spokesperson Brooke Morgan told Axios.

The Agenda: Special election, grants and construction

Here&#x27;s what your local city councils plan to decide Tuesday night.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1730/files/agenda/8861" data-vars-content-id="9038ed51-6c89-4af2-ac9f-6cd97afd7550" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Special election, grants and construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1730/files/agenda/8861" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> will vote on:🗳️ Calling for a special election on Nov. 3 to replace former City Council member Gayatri Richardson, who recently resigned and whose term expires in 2028.

Arkansans can add their IDs to Apple Wallet

Arkansas joins 13 other states and Puerto Rico.

Arkansas driver&#x27;s licenses and state IDs can now be added to Apple Wallet.Why it matters: Arkansans can show identification using their phones or other devices at participating businesses and organizations, including airports. University of Arkansas athletic stadiums and arenas will take the IDs, according to the state Department of Finance and Administration.

Walton Family Foundation focuses Home Region plan

The updated strategy is centered on its work in Arkansas

Business

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.

Your weekend plans: Film fest, Artosphere, free kid-friendly events

Things to Do

Enjoy the first weekend of May.🎨 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artosphere" data-vars-click-url="https://waltonartscenter.org/artosphere/" data-vars-content-id="ec514ce3-3b62-457d-a022-665ce67b2188" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Film fest, Artosphere, free kid-friendly events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waltonartscenter.org/artosphere/" target="_blank">Artosphere</a>, a series of art and nature events hosted by Walton Arts Center at various venues, kicks off today and runs through May 31.

Art Bridges convenes museums to spur art access

Museums can save thousands on energy costs while reducing carbon emissions.

Culture

Art Bridges Foundation recently convened museum leaders and conservation experts to rethink a barrier to art access: strict temperature and humidity standards.Why it matters: Organizers say outdated climate-control requirements can prevent art from being loaned to smaller museums, keeping some works in storage rather than on display.

Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen

The Victory Theater was damaged in the 2024 Memorial Day weekend storms.

Nearly two years after sustaining tornado damage, the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victory Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/" data-vars-content-id="ebfab555-5a05-44c1-8e50-11e702d1d6f4" data-vars-headline="Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/" target="_blank">Victory Theater</a> in downtown Rogers is set to reopen this month ahead of its 100th birthday next year.State of play: The city is resuming operations with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free six-part movie series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/tickets-events" data-vars-content-id="ebfab555-5a05-44c1-8e50-11e702d1d6f4" data-vars-headline="Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/tickets-events" target="_blank">free six-part movie series</a> tied to the United States&#x27; 250th anniversary, said Kinya Christian, the arts, culture and film manager for Rogers. It kicks off April 25 with &quot;Selma.&quot;

Plan your spring: Paint, pics and printing

Mark your calendars for these  arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer

Local Brief

Mark your calendars for these arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer:

Arkansans of note who died in 2025

We're remembering people with Arkansas connections who passed away this year.

We&#x27;re remembering people with Arkansas connections who passed away this year.

Northwest Arkansas' 2025 Spotify Wrapped

See how NWA's tastes compare to the nation's.

Music

&quot;luther (with sza)&quot; by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was the most-streamed song on Spotify this year in Northwest Arkansas.The big picture: The song was also the most popular nationally. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bad Bunny was Spotify&#x27;s top global artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-tops-global-artists" data-vars-content-id="c064e3bf-3269-4bfd-8b22-c2cc795b829b" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; 2025 Spotify Wrapped" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-tops-global-artists" target="_self">Bad Bunny was Spotify&#x27;s top global artist</a>, breaking Taylor Swift&#x27;s two-year streak, Axios&#x27; Maxwell Millington writes. Taylor Swift was still the top U.S. artist in 2025.

A new stitch in the talent pipeline

The former CEO of NWA's former fashion hub launched an apparel repair and alterations business.

That hole in your pants represents a hole in the market, and a new Northwest Arkansas business is here to patch it up.State of play: Robin Atkinson, former CEO of now-dissolved fashion nonprofit Interform, is launching what she sees as necessary for building a viable apparel and fashion workforce and industry in the region — a tailoring and repair business that allows anyone in the nation to send in their clothes.

First look: Crystal Bridges announces gifts, expansion opening

New galleries and 200 works are coming to Crystal Bridges in June 2026.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will open its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/11/13/crystal-bridges-unveils-expansion-progress" data-vars-content-id="954c915a-e2a8-45eb-bda7-709466b76e9f" data-vars-headline="First look: Crystal Bridges announces gifts, expansion opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/11/13/crystal-bridges-unveils-expansion-progress" target="_self">major expansion</a> June 6, 2026, and celebrate the largest gift of works to the permanent collection since its founding, the museum shared with Axios.Why it matters: The world-class museum serves as a cultural anchor and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic catalyst" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/news-room/northwest-arkansas-nonprofit-arts-and-culture-sector-generates-131m-in-economic-activity/" data-vars-content-id="954c915a-e2a8-45eb-bda7-709466b76e9f" data-vars-headline="First look: Crystal Bridges announces gifts, expansion opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/news-room/northwest-arkansas-nonprofit-arts-and-culture-sector-generates-131m-in-economic-activity/" target="_blank">economic catalyst</a> for Arkansas and beyond.

Taco Talk: The Hive's Micah Klasky

The fine dining chef is volunteering to help fight food insecurity.

Food and Drink

Micah Klasky, executive chef at Bentonville fine-dining restaurant The Hive, is channeling his culinary and hospitality talents into feeding those who struggle to afford food. He told me about it over tacos at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King Burrito" data-vars-click-url="https://kingburrito.online/order" data-vars-content-id="9166a189-b273-4e7c-83d1-2f48e4632a4c" data-vars-headline="Taco Talk: The Hive&#x27;s Micah Klasky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kingburrito.online/order" target="_blank">King Burrito</a> in Bentonville.Why it matters: Arkansas&#x27; food insecurity rate is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among the highest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/06/14/arkansas-food-insecurity-increasing-hungry" data-vars-content-id="9166a189-b273-4e7c-83d1-2f48e4632a4c" data-vars-headline="Taco Talk: The Hive&#x27;s Micah Klasky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/06/14/arkansas-food-insecurity-increasing-hungry" target="_self">among the highest</a> in the nation. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/13/snap-cuts-food-bank-strain" data-vars-content-id="9166a189-b273-4e7c-83d1-2f48e4632a4c" data-vars-headline="Taco Talk: The Hive&#x27;s Micah Klasky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/13/snap-cuts-food-bank-strain" target="_self">Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP) are also underway as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grocery costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/04/grocery-prices-tariffs-buy-now-pay-later-poll" data-vars-content-id="9166a189-b273-4e7c-83d1-2f48e4632a4c" data-vars-headline="Taco Talk: The Hive&#x27;s Micah Klasky" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/04/grocery-prices-tariffs-buy-now-pay-later-poll" target="_self">grocery costs</a> have increased, Klasky pointed out.