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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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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.

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.

Monday Munchies: Briar Rose Bakery

There's no shortage of beautiful sweet goods on offer, but I'd been told the lunch menu can hold its own.

Sometimes, I eat lunch just so I can later have dessert. Anyone not in the know may want to plan for the same if they visit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Briar Rose Bakery" data-vars-click-url="https://briarrosebakery.com/" data-vars-content-id="26b81043-c9eb-439a-ade4-024266b50477" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Briar Rose Bakery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://briarrosebakery.com/" target="_blank">Briar Rose Bakery</a> in Farmington.The setup: The sign out front touts the cinnamon rolls. It&#x27;s true — there&#x27;s no shortage of beautiful sweet goods on offer, but I&#x27;d been told the lunch menu can hold its own, so I checked it out with a friend recently.

What we're sipping: Coffee and cocktails at Moonhouse

This cozy spot serves breakfast and sushi.

Fayetteville has a new spot you won&#x27;t want to leave.🏡 State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moonhouse Coffee Bar &amp; Bistro" data-vars-click-url="https://moonhouse-ar.com" data-vars-content-id="8a283851-bcac-45b2-ba09-35dd067e7616" data-vars-headline="What we&#x27;re sipping: Coffee and cocktails at Moonhouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://moonhouse-ar.com" target="_blank">Moonhouse Coffee Bar &amp; Bistro</a> is inside a former house in downtown Fayetteville, and it still feels like a home. The layout seems largely still intact, with an upstairs with multiple rooms where you can be alone with your coffee or have a more intimate catch-up with friends.

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.

Monday Munchies: Son's Cuisine food truck in Rogers

I recently made my way to Son&#x27;s Cuisine, a food truck serving up various Asian dishes🤤 What to try: The lumpia ($7 for four pieces), a thin fried spring roll common in Filipino cuisine, is mandatory. It&#x27;s full of delicious ground pork and great for dipping in some chile sauce.

Sam's Club removes artificial additives from Member's Mark

Member's Mark foods are now free from over 40 artificial ingredients, including high-fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes.

Sam&#x27;s Club said all its Member&#x27;s Mark <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food and beverage items" data-vars-click-url="https://corporate.walmart.com/about/samsclub/news/2026/01/12/sams-club-reaches-100-percent--made-without--milestone-setting-a-new-private-brand-standard-for-the-retail-industry" data-vars-content-id="26915b9f-bde8-4f52-9644-161662834f30" data-vars-headline="Sam&#x27;s Club removes artificial additives from Member&#x27;s Mark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://corporate.walmart.com/about/samsclub/news/2026/01/12/sams-club-reaches-100-percent--made-without--milestone-setting-a-new-private-brand-standard-for-the-retail-industry" target="_blank">food and beverage items</a> are now free from more than 40 artificial ingredients, including high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors.Why it matters: Private-label products like Member&#x27;s Mark are often seen as cost-effective but not always health-forward. The shift positions Sam&#x27;s Club as a leader in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="clean-label" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanlabelproject.org/" data-vars-content-id="26915b9f-bde8-4f52-9644-161662834f30" data-vars-headline="Sam&#x27;s Club removes artificial additives from Member&#x27;s Mark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanlabelproject.org/" target="_blank">clean-label</a> efforts and raises the bar for other store brands.

Monday Munchies: The Collective

This Fayetteville restaurant has the best French dip I've ever eaten.

I usually approach date night with the idea of eating a good steak or a nice piece of fish. Rarely do I think: &quot;Man, I want a sandwich.&quot;<ul><li>And never: &quot;Gimme one that comes with a side of sloppy meat juice.&quot; I do now.</li></ul>The setup: One recent night, my wife and I tried <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Collective" data-vars-click-url="https://collectivefay.com/" data-vars-content-id="fdfd7c29-24bd-4003-a88e-9c9ed454c9e5" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: The Collective" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://collectivefay.com/" target="_blank">The Collective</a> on Dickson Street in Fayetteville.

Mark your calendars for restaurant deals

Mark your calendars for restaurant deals.

It&#x27;s a great time to try a new local restaurant, as several are offering deals and specials in the next week.State of play: Downtown Rogers Restaurant Weekend is set for Thursday through Sunday, and Bentonville Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday and runs through Jan. 24.

Monday Munchies: Smith and Betts Barbecue

Maybe lunchtime is better for this spot, because we were the only two in the place until it was time to tab out.

I keep trying barbecue places in the hopes of finding a hidden gem — a sorta <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brown diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/texas-man-discovers-209-carat-brown-diamond-arkansas-state-park-after-asking-siri-mining" data-vars-content-id="54b5be98-2caf-44cd-bad3-8c1db73982d1" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Smith and Betts Barbecue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/texas-man-discovers-209-carat-brown-diamond-arkansas-state-park-after-asking-siri-mining" target="_blank">brown diamond</a> among the Arkansas hills. Guess I&#x27;m a barbecue optimist.The setup: It was with these rose-colored glasses that I took a date to eat at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smith and Betts Barbecue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smithbettsbbq.com/#most-popular" data-vars-content-id="54b5be98-2caf-44cd-bad3-8c1db73982d1" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Smith and Betts Barbecue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smithbettsbbq.com/#most-popular" target="_blank">Smith and Betts Barbecue</a> in Springdale one recent evening.

What we're sipping: A mocktail for Dry January

We ordered off the non-alcoholic menu at Callisto.

I am increasingly a fan of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Callisto" data-vars-click-url="https://www.callisto.bar/" data-vars-content-id="664e3332-1e1d-46b8-8da7-523286294173" data-vars-headline="What we&#x27;re sipping: A mocktail for Dry January" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.callisto.bar/" target="_blank">Callisto</a>, a tropical-themed bar that you enter behind a painting at an art gallery in downtown Bentonville — this time for a reason that wasn&#x27;t on my checklist.🍹 State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first time I went" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/01/22/callisto-bar-tropical-bentonville" data-vars-content-id="664e3332-1e1d-46b8-8da7-523286294173" data-vars-headline="What we&#x27;re sipping: A mocktail for Dry January" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/01/22/callisto-bar-tropical-bentonville" target="_self">first time I went</a>, I tried signature cocktails and was sold. On a recent booze-free night, I ordered off the nonalcoholic menu. While no mocktail is going to fool me or anyone else, the Admiral&#x27;s Pardon ($12) made for an enjoyable sipper that made me feel like I wasn&#x27;t missing out in a bar where most people are presumably drinking the real stuff.

Food and Drink 🍽

Monday Munchies: Handshake in the Fayetteville library

Monday Munchies: Briar Rose Bakery

What we're sipping: Coffee and cocktails at Moonhouse

Rogers Whole Foods to open this month

Monday Munchies: Son's Cuisine food truck in Rogers