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Walmart shareholders to vote on AI and worker safety

The company's 2026 proxy statement outlines eight voting items

Business

Walmart shareholders this week will vote on outside investor proposals focused on some of the retailer&#x27;s most politically and operationally sensitive issues.Why it matters: Walmart is one of the world&#x27;s largest employers, giving its policies global influence across labor, technology, supply chains and corporate governance.

Crystal Bridges unveils major museum expansion

The museum has a 114,000-square-foot addition.

News

Nearly 15 years after Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened, the museum that put Bentonville on the map for arts and culture destinations has majorly expanded.Why it matters: The museum&#x27;s permanent collection has always been free to visit, and leaders and its architect say they wanted to bring in even more people with a 114,000-square-foot addition of galleries, learning space and room for public gatherings.

NWA wedding costs trail U.S. average

The national average cost of a wedding is $32,899.

Money

Wedding season is here, and so is the bill.💰 The big picture: The average wedding in NWA cost about $27,900 last year, lower than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national average" data-vars-click-url="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/00/idtype/s/location/United_States/" data-vars-content-id="26a68d6c-4468-4ce4-a424-4067d8c64bb8" data-vars-headline="NWA wedding costs trail U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/00/idtype/s/location/United_States/" target="_blank">national average</a> of about $32,900, per wedding industry research firm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wedding Report" data-vars-click-url="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/22220/idtype/m/location/Fayetteville_Springdale_Rogers__AR_MO/" data-vars-content-id="26a68d6c-4468-4ce4-a424-4067d8c64bb8" data-vars-headline="NWA wedding costs trail U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/22220/idtype/m/location/Fayetteville_Springdale_Rogers__AR_MO/" target="_blank">The Wedding Report</a>.

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.

Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms

A new report suggests some moms are being priced out of the workforce.

A new report suggests mothers are being priced out of the workforce in Arkansas, Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas" data-vars-click-url="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" data-vars-content-id="94ceba58-458e-411f-81be-c8e4b5dac9f1" data-vars-headline="Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" target="_blank">Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas</a>, told Axios.Why it matters: This broad economic issue has implications for employee recruitment and retention plus the financial stability of families, she said.

What's in Springdale's 2026 budget

Springdale has a plan for next year.💰 The big picture: The city&#x27;s general fund, which includes most city departments, should have about $80.1 million in revenue and $79.6 million in expenses in 2026.

What's in Fayetteville's 2026 budget

The city plans to spend about $38.6 million in capital improvements.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville&#x27;s 2026 budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2836" data-vars-content-id="b1ee2098-306a-4507-a161-8bdb6492e051" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s in Fayetteville&#x27;s 2026 budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2836" target="_blank">Fayetteville&#x27;s 2026 budget</a> is here and approved.The big picture: Fayetteville&#x27;s total budget is $273.9 million, including just under $81 million in the general fund that encompasses several city departments.

What's in Bentonville's 2026 budget

See what the city's priorities are for next year.

Bentonville has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bentonvillear.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/322" data-vars-content-id="dc622b8f-2c51-40e0-b51c-0940698c5e94" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s in Bentonville&#x27;s 2026 budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bentonvillear.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/322" target="_blank">a budget</a> ready to go for next year. Here are a few key takeaways.💰 The big picture: The city projects receiving about $87.2 million in revenue for its general fund plus using about $1.9 million from other fees. Expenses are planned to be about $88.4 million.

Americans don't think college is worth it. It is.

The median income of those with bachelor's degrees in NWA is about $27,500 higher than those with high school diplomas.

The share of Americans who say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="6fd3461e-4bd1-4e73-ab23-e81418e7486f" data-vars-headline="Americans don&#x27;t think college is worth it. It is." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" target="_self">college</a> is &quot;very important&quot; plummeted over the past decade, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Gallup" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695003/perceived-importance-college-hits-new-low.aspx" data-vars-content-id="6fd3461e-4bd1-4e73-ab23-e81418e7486f" data-vars-headline="Americans don&#x27;t think college is worth it. It is." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695003/perceived-importance-college-hits-new-low.aspx" target="_blank">new Gallup</a> polling finds.Why it matters: College may not live up to the American Dream that it promised in the past — and there are other pathways for success becoming more appealing for Gen Z — but in terms of lifetime earnings, a college degree is actually still important.

Arkansas is sending surprise checks from unclaimed property

Arkansas is mailing checks from unclaimed property. You could be owed cash, too.

I got a surprise $122 check, and you might have money you don&#x27;t know about, too.State of play: The Arkansas State Auditor&#x27;s office has more than $400 million that belongs to current and former Arkansans, spokesperson Stacy Peterson told Axios in an email.

Arkansas could see sharp jump in car insurance rates

Tariffs could boost car insurance 7% nationwide by December.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Car insurance rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/car-insurance-costs-state" data-vars-content-id="7b760855-372e-4695-91e7-3b04f273c2e5" data-vars-headline="Arkansas could see sharp jump in car insurance rates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/car-insurance-costs-state" target="_self">Car insurance rates</a> could rise more by the end of the year with tariffs than without them, and Arkansas could be one of the most affected states, a new projection finds.Why it matters: The analysis shows one more way that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Americans pay for higher tariffs." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/trump-tariffs-who-pays" data-vars-content-id="7b760855-372e-4695-91e7-3b04f273c2e5" data-vars-headline="Arkansas could see sharp jump in car insurance rates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/trump-tariffs-who-pays" target="_self">Americans pay for higher tariffs.</a>

Feds delay $58 million for Arkansas child programs

A hold on education dollars leaves Arkansas schools, students and families in the dark.

Arkansas is going without more than $58 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal education funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents" data-vars-content-id="3f80e349-d42d-4868-ada5-fbeeec6bb558" data-vars-headline="Feds delay $58 million for Arkansas child programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents" target="_self">federal education funding</a> that was expected to be accessible on July 1 but has yet to be released by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="3f80e349-d42d-4868-ada5-fbeeec6bb558" data-vars-headline="Feds delay $58 million for Arkansas child programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Department of Education&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/20/trump-order-education-department-dismantle" data-vars-content-id="3f80e349-d42d-4868-ada5-fbeeec6bb558" data-vars-headline="Feds delay $58 million for Arkansas child programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/20/trump-order-education-department-dismantle" target="_self">Department of Education&#x27;s</a> funding delay has exacerbated the uncertainty for after-school, summer and other programs, leaving schools in limbo, advocates and policy experts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="say" data-vars-click-url="https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/states-face-uncertainty-k-12-funding-remains-unreleased" data-vars-content-id="3f80e349-d42d-4868-ada5-fbeeec6bb558" data-vars-headline="Feds delay $58 million for Arkansas child programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/states-face-uncertainty-k-12-funding-remains-unreleased" target="_blank">say</a>.

NWA nonprofits grapple with federal victim aid reductions

Nonprofits serving domestic violence and child abuse survivors in Northwest Arkansas face tough cuts due to depleted grant funds.

Northwest Arkansas nonprofits are facing budget concerns because of a depleted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/22/biden-bill-replenish-crime-victims-fund" data-vars-content-id="153daf4f-39c6-4049-9e1d-8e5ae9ac559c" data-vars-headline="NWA nonprofits grapple with federal victim aid reductions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/22/biden-bill-replenish-crime-victims-fund" target="_self">federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)</a> fund, and the region stands to receive a disproportionately low amount of grant money compared to other parts of the state.Why it matters: The organizations at risk provide services to domestic violence and child sex abuse victims, some of NWA&#x27;s most vulnerable populations.

Axios Pittsburgh

⛽️ Charted: Gas up

Charted: Gas prices up in Northwest Arkansas

A line chart that compares monthly average regular unleaded gas prices in Northwest Arkansas and the U.S. from April 2025 to April 2026. Northwest Arkansas stays below the national average throughout, ranging from $2.41 to $3.25 per gallon, versus $2.82 to $4.06 nationally. Both dip in winter, then rise sharply by spring 2026.