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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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Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli

The prosciutto and fig sandwich seemed to defy physics.

Food and Drink

🍝 Alex checked out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zelli Pasta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" data-vars-content-id="39d1707b-182f-4ce2-b38a-1eb85a9783c1" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" target="_self">Zelli Pasta</a> as take-it-home-and-cook-it-yourself, but they&#x27;ve since started serving sandwiches, which is more my style.The setup: Downtown Springdale may soon become my fave lunchtime location — there are tons of options, it&#x27;s easy for me to get to, and the crowds aren&#x27;t yet insane (if you can find a parking spot!).

Washington County judge voted out

Tim Shepard will face Democratic challenger Dana Deree in November.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Shepard" data-vars-click-url="https://votetimshepard.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://votetimshepard.com/" target="_blank">Tim Shepard</a>, a Fayetteville police captain, unseated Washington County Judge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Patrick Deakins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deakinsforjudge.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deakinsforjudge.com/" target="_blank">Patrick Deakins</a> in Tuesday&#x27;s Republican primary runoff election.State of play: Shepard will face Democratic challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dana Deree" data-vars-click-url="https://danaderee.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://danaderee.com/" target="_blank">Dana Deree</a> in November.By the numbers: Shepard received 77% of the vote, according to unofficial election results from Washington County.<ul><li>Shepard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="took" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/04/arkansas-election-results-fayetteville-cotton-sanders" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/04/arkansas-election-results-fayetteville-cotton-sanders" target="_self">took</a> 48.5% of the vote in the March 3 preferential primary compared to Deakins with 31.4%.</li></ul>Zoom out: State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kim Hammer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hammerforarkansas.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hammerforarkansas.com/" target="_blank">Kim Hammer</a> (R-Benton) won the Republican nomination for Arkansas secretary of state, earning 50.6% of the vote to defeat veteran <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bryan Norris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bryannorris.org/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bryannorris.org/" target="_blank">Bryan Norris</a>, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary-runoff-results-secretary-of-state/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary-runoff-results-secretary-of-state/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>. See <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election results" data-vars-click-url="https://enr.totalresults.com/arkansas#election=b412bdef-f97a-45bc-b3ec-6761d28caf9e" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enr.totalresults.com/arkansas#election=b412bdef-f97a-45bc-b3ec-6761d28caf9e" target="_blank">election results</a> available on the state&#x27;s website.<ul><li>Hammer will face Democratic challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kelly Grappe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kellygrappe.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kellygrappe.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Grappe</a>, a marketing specialist, in November.</li></ul>

Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags

The U.S. now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.

Health

Bentonville&#x27;s Heartland Forward launched a drive to slash U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> in half within five years.Why it matters: Maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the country now has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" target="_blank">highest rate</a> in the developed world. About 84% of the deaths are preventable and roughly 65% happen after childbirth.

Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns

Axios reviewed dozens of internal city documents and resident complaints obtained through public records requests

News

A military <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone maker&#x27;s arrival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" data-vars-content-id="2de98790-7406-4867-a7ea-315064cd7392" data-vars-headline="Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" target="_self">drone maker&#x27;s arrival</a> in Fayetteville earlier this year is stirring fears about secrecy, safety and whether residents want a deep tie to the defense industry.Why it matters: Residents and some city leaders say they had little visibility into a defense-related project that could reshape Fayetteville&#x27;s economy — and identity.

Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will face challengers in November.

Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" target="_blank">U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner</a> on the November ballot for the U.S. Senate seat in Arkansas after they secured the nominations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Associated Press called Tuesday night" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" target="_blank">the Associated Press called Tuesday night</a>.Here are other key decisions.

What to know about the March election

Early voting begins Tuesday. See what's on your ballot.

A few powerful offices will be up for grabs in November, and the primary elections are set for March 3 with early voting starting Tuesday.Why it matters: The primary elections decide who the final candidates will be, and in some cases, effectively elect candidates to office because candidates of only one party are running.<ul><li>Several nonpartisan judicial races and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/voters-consider-local-ballot-issues-march-2026" data-vars-content-id="d8d67d83-3e91-4c13-bfc8-b656860600b8" data-vars-headline="What to know about the March election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/voters-consider-local-ballot-issues-march-2026" target="_self">local decisions</a> including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$375.5 million bond issue in Fayetteville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/fayetteville-voters-decide-375-million-bond-issue" data-vars-content-id="d8d67d83-3e91-4c13-bfc8-b656860600b8" data-vars-headline="What to know about the March election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/fayetteville-voters-decide-375-million-bond-issue" target="_self">$375.5 million bond issue in Fayetteville</a> are also on the ballot.</li></ul>

Fayetteville voters to decide on $375.5 million bond issue

The largest item is for water and wastewater projects.

Fayetteville voters will be asked to consider nine questions on the March 3 ballot geared toward keeping an existing sales tax to afford a range of projects.💰 How it works: The city has a 1-cent sales tax that&#x27;s set to stop once the 2019 bond issues are paid off. If voters approve these bond issues, the tax will continue to pay for these projects.

Voters to consider local ballot issues

Voters in NWA&#x27;s small towns have some decisions to make.🏫 The Farmington school district is asking voters to approve an increase of 2 mills, which would bring the millage rate to 42.1 mills. The funding will allow Farmington schools to build a new junior high school, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to the school district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.farmcards.org/page/millage-election" data-vars-content-id="803b57ca-5490-4957-af2f-b4b49bfc36e4" data-vars-headline="Voters to consider local ballot issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.farmcards.org/page/millage-election" target="_blank">according to the school district</a>.

The Agenda: Fayetteville bond issue

Voters could be asked to vote whether to allow the city to issue about $320 million in sales tax bonds.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/517/files/agenda/3047" data-vars-content-id="91edcb59-e1ba-44a1-b16c-68a97ce8105c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Fayetteville bond issue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/517/files/agenda/3047" target="_blank">Fayetteville City Council</a> might decide tonight to call for an infrastructure bond election for March 3.State of play: Voters would be asked to vote for or against allowing the city to issue about $320 million in sales tax bonds to finance projects and to refund the city&#x27;s outstanding capital improvement bonds.

Northeast Arkansas farmer to challenge Cotton

Newport farmer Hallie Shoffner enters 2026 senate race against Cotton.

Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer from Newport, announced she will seek the Democratic nomination for Republican Sen. Tom Cotton&#x27;s seat, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reported" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/tom-cotton-hallie-shoffner-arkansas-senate-2026-c2bf093a81772e67319aff202ae0ac7b" data-vars-content-id="ec1dfedc-4c14-4e0c-8290-f28231175554" data-vars-headline="Northeast Arkansas farmer to challenge Cotton" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-cotton-hallie-shoffner-arkansas-senate-2026-c2bf093a81772e67319aff202ae0ac7b" target="_blank">AP reported</a>.The big picture: Cotton unseated Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor in 2014 and handedly won re-election in 2020. He announced he will run again in 2026 and has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s endorsement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/trump-endorses-tom-cotton-re-election-as-senator/91-fe400e4e-8f5c-4ad8-aeb4-c57409b8d0ee" data-vars-content-id="ec1dfedc-4c14-4e0c-8290-f28231175554" data-vars-headline="Northeast Arkansas farmer to challenge Cotton" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/trump-endorses-tom-cotton-re-election-as-senator/91-fe400e4e-8f5c-4ad8-aeb4-c57409b8d0ee" target="_blank">President Trump&#x27;s endorsement</a>.

School board races, tax increases are on the ballot

Early voting for next week's election starts today.

Early voting for next week&#x27;s election (yes, there&#x27;s an election) starts Tuesday.🏫 State of play: A handful of school districts in NWA have school board elections and millage rate increases on the ballot starting today. Election Day is May 13.

Northwest Arkansas' 2024 in headlines

We're reflecting back on some of the stories that have the most lasting impact on the region.

We&#x27;re reflecting on some of the stories that held people&#x27;s attention in 2024 that will have the most lasting impact on the region.The big picture: Things certainly weren&#x27;t stagnant here in NWA.

Election season extends in NWA with runoffs

Election

Election season isn&#x27;t over just yet. NWA voters still have some decisions to make in local runoff races.State of play: Ballots for the Dec. 3 runoff elections aren&#x27;t available yet. But based on unofficial but final election results from Benton and Washington counties, these are the races to watch.

Fayetteville mayoral race heads to runoff, voters reelect mayors in Bentonville and Rogers

Sunday alcohol sales also passed in Fayetteville and Siloam Springs.

The mayors of Rogers and Bentonville are staying put, while Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan and challenger Molly Rawn head to a runoff in December.By the numbers: Jordan took about 46.9% of the vote, followed by Rawn with about 36.9%, Tom Terminella with about 12.4% and Adam Fire Cat with nearly 3.8%, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="final but unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31302" data-vars-content-id="8b61b601-f35c-4d41-8a1c-625d73ba1813" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville mayoral race heads to runoff, voters reelect mayors in Bentonville and Rogers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31302" target="_blank">final but unofficial results</a> from Washington County.

Election 🗳️

Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues

What to know about the March election

Fayetteville voters to decide on $375.5 million bond issue

Voters to consider local ballot issues

The Agenda: Fayetteville bond issue