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Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA

A news release from Turning Point USA framed the announcement as the next step in the group's "mission to put chapters on every high school and college in America."

Politics

Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk and Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are expected to announce a statewide partnership at 1pm Wednesday at the Governor&#x27;s Mansion.The big picture: The media advisory from Sanders&#x27; office provided no details, but the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/09/governor-erika-kirk-to-announce-turning-point-usa/" data-vars-content-id="047f283c-526c-4f43-8773-d695c7f7edba" data-vars-headline="Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/09/governor-erika-kirk-to-announce-turning-point-usa/" target="_blank">reports</a> that a news release from Turning Point USA framed the announcement as the next step in the group&#x27;s &quot;mission to put chapters on every high school and college in America.&quot;

Walton Arts Center announces Broadway lineup

Things to Do

Attention theatergoers — mark your calendars. Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville has its 2026-27 Broadway series lined up.🗓️ How it works: The following six shows are included in a Walton Arts Center subscription. Subscribers also get early access to purchase tickets for the four &quot;bonus shows.&quot; Anyone can purchase a ticket to a single show when they go on sale to the public.

"Cave Mountain" links lost girl to a '70s cult killing in Arkansas

The narrative could draw renewed national interest in Haley Zega's odyssey and a cult murder.

A quarter-century after 6-year-old Haley Zega <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vanished" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kark.com/news/special-reports/haley-zega-recounts-her-three-days-alone-in-the-arkansas-wilderness-as-a-6-year-old/#:~:text=KARK%204%20News%20caught%20up,be%20out%20in%20the%20woods.%E2%80%9D" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kark.com/news/special-reports/haley-zega-recounts-her-three-days-alone-in-the-arkansas-wilderness-as-a-6-year-old/#:~:text=KARK%204%20News%20caught%20up,be%20out%20in%20the%20woods.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank">vanished</a> in the Ozarks, her cousin revisits the story in a new book that connects the disappearance to a 1978 murder.The big picture: Part folksy family tale, part journalistic deep dive and part ghost story, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cave Mountain" data-vars-click-url="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cave-mountain-a-disappearance-and-a-reckoning-in-the-ozarks-benjamin-hale/3bf461201227655c?ean=9780063398122&amp;next=t" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cave-mountain-a-disappearance-and-a-reckoning-in-the-ozarks-benjamin-hale/3bf461201227655c?ean=9780063398122&amp;next=t" target="_blank">Cave Mountain</a>: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks&quot; by Benjamin Hale was released last week.<ul><li>The narrative, set in Arkansas&#x27; vast natural beauty, could draw renewed national interest in Zega&#x27;s odyssey and a cult murder few living here now know about.</li></ul>Driving the news: Beginning at 6pm Tuesday, Hale will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read from his book" data-vars-click-url="https://faylib.libnet.info/event/15756934#:~:text=Cave%20Mountain:%20A%20Disappearance%20and,Walker%20Community%20Room%20(3rd%20Floor)" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://faylib.libnet.info/event/15756934#:~:text=Cave%20Mountain:%20A%20Disappearance%20and,Walker%20Community%20Room%20(3rd%20Floor)" target="_blank">read from his book</a> at the Fayetteville Public Library, followed by a Q&amp;A. Zega will be present to talk about her experience.<ul><li>Hale had the support and permission of Zega and the family to write the book.</li></ul>Flashback: In April 2001, Zega went hiking on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hawksbill Crag trail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag" target="_blank">Hawksbill Crag trail</a> with her grandparents. She became separated, left the trail and wandered the Upper Buffalo Wilderness for three days.<ul><li>She climbed down into the valley, while hundreds of people looked near the trail above.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A person stands on a rocky cliff overlooking a forested valley at sunset, with a vivid orange and pink sky above." height="4024" id="6c5f2c99-6fad-4d18-bfe2-588b6b25c4a3" src="https://images.axios.com/fvrI55PJahjvMucoANLuNSdmaZ8=/2026/03/06/1772816360997.jpg" width="6048"/><figcaption>A woman stands on Hawksbill Crag. Photo: Courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://adpht.arkansas.gov/" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adpht.arkansas.gov/" target="_blank">Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism</a></figcaption></figure>State of play: In the days after her rescue, Haley told her parents about an &quot;imaginary friend&quot; named Alicia — a girl with long dark hair in pigtails, a red shirt, purple pants and white sneakers who had stayed with her in the woods.<ul><li>&quot;This just kind of made her parents&#x27; hair stand on end,&quot; Hale told Axios.</li></ul>The intrigue: Months later, family friend and photographer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Ernst" data-vars-click-url="https://timernst.com/" data-vars-content-id="bf05e568-e9d3-45ed-9b0d-f7c3199b6f68" data-vars-headline="&quot;Cave Mountain&quot; links lost girl to a &#x27;70s cult killing in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://timernst.com/" target="_blank">Tim Ernst</a> recalled that a 3-year-old girl had been murdered and buried in the same stretch of forest, Hale said.<ul><li>As he dug into the 1978 case, Hale discovered that the murdered girl&#x27;s mother, who was a member of a small religious cult and one of four convicted in the killing, had eventually formed an unlikely friendship with Haley&#x27;s grandmother in the 2000s.</li><li>The woman, who was paroled after 40 years, wrote in an email to the grandmother: &quot;Maybe Bethany [pseudonym] had to die in order to save Haley, and Haley had to live in order to save me in some sort of way.&quot;</li></ul>The bottom line: The author says he once told the story as a ghost tale. Writing the book revealed something deeper.💭 Worth&#x27;s thought bubble: I&#x27;ve not yet finished &quot;Cave Mountain,&quot; but am enjoying Hale&#x27;s narrative and reading about people and places I know.

Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools

Turning Point USA is widely credited with helping Republicans make big gains with young voters in the 2024 election.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed a proclamation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/10/arkansas-may-partner-with-turning-point-usa" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/10/arkansas-may-partner-with-turning-point-usa" target="_self">signed a proclamation</a> encouraging every Arkansas high school and college to start a Turning Point USA chapter.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supporters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbCPv1GwAg&amp;t=712s" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbCPv1GwAg&amp;t=712s" target="_blank">Supporters</a> see the move as a way to encourage open political discourse, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detractors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/live/3XKL4bgp-3A" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/3XKL4bgp-3A" target="_blank">detractors</a> see it as an abuse of power by Sanders to push &quot;ideological, partisan political clubs&quot; on students.

Your weekend plans: Mardi Gras

Get out your beads and masks. In addition to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/10/valentines-day-plans-2026" data-vars-content-id="d0a086de-5dde-41d3-adc6-bbfa3adff013" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Mardi Gras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/10/valentines-day-plans-2026" target="_self">Valentine&#x27;s Day</a>, it&#x27;s also a big weekend for those who celebrate Mardi Gras.💃 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mardi Gras Parade of Fools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/fayetteville-mardi-gras-parade" data-vars-content-id="d0a086de-5dde-41d3-adc6-bbfa3adff013" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Mardi Gras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/fayetteville-mardi-gras-parade" target="_blank">Mardi Gras Parade of Fools</a> — The festivities start at 2pm Saturday on the downtown Fayetteville square followed by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fat Tuesday Pub Grub Crawl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=fat-tuesday-pub-grub-crawl&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="d0a086de-5dde-41d3-adc6-bbfa3adff013" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Mardi Gras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=fat-tuesday-pub-grub-crawl&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">Fat Tuesday Pub Grub Crawl</a> on Tuesday.

Your Valentine's Day plans

NWA has plenty of events regardless of relationship status.

Hopefully, you&#x27;ve already made reservations at your favorite date night restaurant if that&#x27;s your vibe on Valentine&#x27;s Day weekend. But NWA has plenty of alternatives regardless of relationship status.🎬 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chick flicks trivia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1562288508131606/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="24a312b3-3378-4c22-81bf-91ca4a645fef" data-vars-headline="Your Valentine&#x27;s Day plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1562288508131606/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">Chick flicks trivia</a> — Sip a white chocolate raspberry sour at Rendezvous Junction Brewing in Rogers while testing your chick flick knowledge on Thursday.

Five New Year's Eve parties to catch

Plenty of bars are ringing in the new year next week, so check your favorite. Here are a few ideas for how to start 2026.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Year&#x27;s Eve Party for Old People" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/25240377032286147/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="5a6dad5f-5820-46f5-96b6-5300b0fd4e5c" data-vars-headline="Five New Year&#x27;s Eve parties to catch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/25240377032286147/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">New Year&#x27;s Eve Party for Old People</a> — Crisis Brewing is throwing a party for those who would rather ring in the new year by 8pm.

Your weekend plans: Holiday cheer

Let&#x27;s make it a merry weekend, NWA.🎅 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville Festivus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=fayetteville-festivus&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="efda3dab-9da3-4bce-8811-7999f4c37369" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Holiday cheer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=fayetteville-festivus&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">Fayetteville Festivus</a> — Check out kids&#x27; activities, music and food at this festive event at the downtown Fayetteville square tonight.

&#x27;Tis the season in NWA.🎄 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas in Cave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/25307001612235349/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="ffbaf6db-d48c-4a86-a899-ff2b0c1724a0" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Holiday cheer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/25307001612235349/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">Christmas in Cave</a> — Enjoy food trucks, vendors and a kids&#x27; zone 10am-3pm Saturday on Main Street in downtown Cave Springs.

Mark your calendars: Your holiday events guide

Mark your calendars for parades, shows and more.

The holiday season is here. Don&#x27;t let it pass you by.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🚂 Parades</h2>Dec. 4 — 6:30pm at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville downtown square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks-2&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="30e4a300-1b49-4c70-b1e1-9f16eedf0ba6" data-vars-headline="Mark your calendars: Your holiday events guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks-2&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">Fayetteville downtown square</a>.

How to holiday shop local in NWA

We&#x27;re back this season to remind you of our favorite ways to shop local during the holidays.🍽️ Grab a gift card to a local restaurant.

Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets

It&#x27;s not time for turkey just yet. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend.🎄 Holiday lights — The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="2c2daa99-c8e9-4505-aae3-3e63aef59ab6" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square</a> is at 6pm tonight, followed by free performances from local theater, dance and music organizations.

Five restaurants that will make Thanksgiving dinner for you

Food and Drink

Cooking a Thanksgiving feast is a job. And if you&#x27;d rather pay a pro to do that job while you relax and enjoy the holiday, here&#x27;s where to go.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ella&#x27;s Table" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ellas-table.com/menus/#thanksgiving-buffet" data-vars-content-id="a45915df-f37e-4069-81d5-da0c139019d2" data-vars-headline="Five restaurants that will make Thanksgiving dinner for you" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ellas-table.com/menus/#thanksgiving-buffet" target="_blank">Ella&#x27;s Table</a> in Fayetteville — This restaurant inside the Inn at Carnall Hall on the University of Arkansas campus is planning a Thanksgiving buffet. $70 per person over 12, $20 per child ages 3-12 and free for kids under 3. Call 479-582-0400 to make a reservation.

Your October guide to Halloween

Pop-up bars, trick or treating, scary movies — NWA is spooky.

We&#x27;re more than a week into October, making it officially spooky season. Here&#x27;s how to avoid missing out this year.

Holidays