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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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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.

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.

Revealing holes in Arkansas' concealed carry law

Someone with a concealed carry license could face restrictions that someone under constitutional carry would not.

Arkansans can legally carry firearms to protests, a law professor told Axios, but contradictory state statutes create gray areas that could complicate interpretation.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shooting death" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">shooting death</a> of Alex Pretti in Minnesota last month put some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gun rights groups at odds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" target="_self">gun rights groups at odds</a> with messaging from the Trump administration, exposing tension between First and Second Amendment protections.

Monday Munchies: Handshake in the Fayetteville library

There's an honest-to-goodness restaurant inside the library.

Food and Drink

In case you needed another reason to hang out at the Fayetteville Public Library, you have one.📚 State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Handshake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.handshakefayetteville.com/" data-vars-content-id="5287c451-60fb-49d3-a72b-3967a58e83af" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Handshake in the Fayetteville library" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.handshakefayetteville.com/" target="_blank">Handshake</a> offers breakfast, lunch and lounge bites right inside the library. This is ultra-convenient for those who find themselves spending lengthy days working or studying there, or are just making the most of a leisurely day at the library.

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.

Culture

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.

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.

Exclusive: Spotify's Songs of Summer in Fayetteville

The audio streaming service shared market-level data exclusively with Axios.

We&#x27;re taking notes from the college students. &quot;Ordinary&quot; by Alex Warren was the top song this summer for<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Spotify" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" data-vars-content-id="761e6e43-a251-47be-8e42-86066cc13116" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Spotify&#x27;s Songs of Summer in Fayetteville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" target="_self"> Spotify</a> users in Fayetteville.The big picture: The platform says listeners &quot;swapped carefree anthems for songs that felt personal, vulnerable, and emotionally charged — both lyrically and sonically.&quot;

Game night to get surreal in Northwest Arkansas

Live auctions, games and surreal twists hit Fayetteville on Oct. 25.

Local Brief

Fenix Arts&#x27; annual fundraiser also raised eyebrows last year with its Surreality Ball. This year will be a twist on classic TV game shows.Why it matters: Proceeds from the Surreality Show, held in October, will help cover operating expenses and support programming for the Fayetteville nonprofit arts group.

Plan your fall: Arts, books, film, BBQ and more

Mark your calendars for these festivals and other arts and culture events.🎸 Now through Oct. 12: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/calendar/front-row-center/" data-vars-content-id="d46174f4-a06b-49f3-af4f-f39fe9540935" data-vars-headline="Plan your fall: Arts, books, film, BBQ and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/calendar/front-row-center/" target="_blank">&quot;Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul&quot;</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Prison Concerts: Folsom And San Quentin&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/calendar/the-prison-concerts/" data-vars-content-id="d46174f4-a06b-49f3-af4f-f39fe9540935" data-vars-headline="Plan your fall: Arts, books, film, BBQ and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/calendar/the-prison-concerts/" target="_blank">&quot;The Prison Concerts: Folsom And San Quentin&quot;</a> — See these exhibits featuring photos of music legends at The Momentary in Bentonville. Free.

Answered: Doggie doo-doo do's and don'ts

Some say leave the bag. Others say carry it. The trash can question. Heated.

We hit a nerve with questions about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dog poop etiquette" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/07/30/dog-poop-protocol-etiquette" data-vars-content-id="1b88f5b5-b25e-4c07-ae1c-6d087f633687" data-vars-headline="Answered: Doggie doo-doo do&#x27;s and don&#x27;ts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/07/30/dog-poop-protocol-etiquette" target="_self">dog poop etiquette</a> recently.<ul><li>There were some passionate reader responses — always fun to read.</li></ul>We asked is it acceptable to:<ul><li>Leave a full bag by the trail to pick up on a return trip?</li><li>Throw a used bag into someone else&#x27;s trash can, assuming it&#x27;s out for collection day?</li></ul>What we found: There was no universal point of view from readers, but generally they said it&#x27;s OK to do both as long as it&#x27;s done with respect for others and in keeping with your neighborhood values.Yes, but: There were some clear disagreements.<ul><li>&quot;You can absolutely leave a bag on the ground to pick up on return, but you should never put your poop bag in someone else&#x27;s trashcan,&quot; Phil S. told us.</li><li>&quot;No! To the poop bags by the trail or sidewalk. Even well meaning people are going to forget occasionally,&quot; Cay M. said. Others&#x27; trash cans are fair use, though, if they&#x27;re full and it&#x27;s clearly out for pick-up.</li><li>&quot;My dog, my poop, my trash can,&quot; Kathi B. said. She carries the waste for the entire walk.</li></ul>Threat level: &quot;I have one neighbor that goes absolutely ballistic if he sees one of the bags in the gutter,&quot; Joe T. explained. &quot;He has driven behind me in his car and picked up the bag and thrown it at me. (I am 81, he is 34…)&quot;Worth&#x27;s thought bubble: I appreciate the excitement over excrement, but stalking and assault go too far.

Mountain bike park aims to be cultural hub

Oz Trails park will bring assisted biking and artwork to Bella Vista in 2026.

Operators of an upcoming bike park in Bella Vista expect the 200-acre site to attract cyclists from all over the country.The big picture: After years of cycling and trail networks gaining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popularity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/06/16/northwest-arkansas-cycling-industry-economic-impact" data-vars-content-id="6e1596bf-8c11-49f1-80be-ce1395035966" data-vars-headline="Mountain bike park aims to be cultural hub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/06/16/northwest-arkansas-cycling-industry-economic-impact" target="_self">popularity</a> in Northwest Arkansas, the Oz Trails bike park promises to offer downhill mountain biking and rollercoaster-like jumps for advanced cyclists and also be a cultural center for anyone who wants to enjoy the area, manager Gary Vernon told Axios.