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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.

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.

Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops

Things to Do

Don&#x27;t miss out this weekend.🪕 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Blues and Country Stringband Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="b1359c2f-1c04-4613-9170-e25ebd402410" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Blues and Country Stringband Festival</a> — This free festival takes place at multiple spots in downtown Springdale today through Sunday. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="See the lineup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/schedule" data-vars-content-id="b1359c2f-1c04-4613-9170-e25ebd402410" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arbluesandstringbandfest.com/schedule" target="_blank">See the lineup.</a>

Your weekend plans: Music, Hispanic heritage and tequila festivals

NWA has a full slate of festivals this weekend.

NWA has a full slate of festivals this weekend.🎤 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Momentous" data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/calendar/momentous/#tickets" data-vars-content-id="74eee984-ddce-495e-b59c-714858bdb80a" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, Hispanic heritage and tequila festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/calendar/momentous/#tickets" target="_blank">Momentous</a> — This two-day electronic music and arts festival starts today at The Momentary in Bentonville. Get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two-day pass for $150" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/335?_gl=1*pr7tz9*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5MzckajYwJGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" data-vars-content-id="74eee984-ddce-495e-b59c-714858bdb80a" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, Hispanic heritage and tequila festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/335?_gl=1*pr7tz9*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5MzckajYwJGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" target="_blank">two-day pass for $150</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tonight-only for $100" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/337?_gl=1*1d5wc8b*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5MzgkajU5JGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" data-vars-content-id="74eee984-ddce-495e-b59c-714858bdb80a" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, Hispanic heritage and tequila festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/337?_gl=1*1d5wc8b*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5MzgkajU5JGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" target="_blank">tonight-only for $100</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturday-only for $100" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/338?_gl=1*6lpdh5*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5NTckajQwJGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" data-vars-content-id="74eee984-ddce-495e-b59c-714858bdb80a" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, Hispanic heritage and tequila festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/packages/fixed/338?_gl=1*6lpdh5*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjAwMjQ3MDcuQ2p3S0NBand1cDNIQmhBQUVpd0E3ZXVadWp5c3Z5YXZmYTByUGlmdnRiQ0VoNkwxa1BvNTJXa3VmbGZYVmdkZFlXVVo5UW5oN1VxcUxob0NqM3NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTUxNDc5Njc4MS4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga*MTU5MzA5ODcxMC4xNzU4ODM0MTcz*_ga_6QT0JNVM9W*czE3NjAwMjQ3MDYkbzQkZzEkdDE3NjAwMjQ5NTckajQwJGwwJGgxOTU1OTI4Mjcw" target="_blank">Saturday-only for $100</a>.

Your weekend plans: Music, balloons and baseball

A two-day music fest, balloon rides and baseball are happening this weekend.

NWA has you covered this weekend.🎈 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SOAR NWA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soarnwa.com/" data-vars-content-id="46b25082-27bc-4488-8569-f05faeaa3c67" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, balloons and baseball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soarnwa.com/" target="_blank">SOAR NWA</a> — Check out hot air balloons and take a tethered ride plus a beer garden, kids zone and live music. 5-10pm today and Saturday at the Benton County Fairgrounds. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://stubs.net/o/77-7F2193/open-avenues" data-vars-content-id="46b25082-27bc-4488-8569-f05faeaa3c67" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, balloons and baseball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stubs.net/o/77-7F2193/open-avenues" target="_blank">Get tickets</a> ranging $6.50-$34.

Your long weekend plans: Music, cocktails, Poe

Free shows, themed cocktails and a community jam session are all on deck for this long Fourth of July weekend.

Besides <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fourth of July " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/06/30/where-4th-july-fireworks" data-vars-content-id="568542c3-15e6-4630-8efa-215dbbbd1f64" data-vars-headline="Your long weekend plans: Music, cocktails, Poe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/06/30/where-4th-july-fireworks" target="_self">Fourth of July </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrations and fireworks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/06/30/where-4th-july-fireworks" data-vars-content-id="568542c3-15e6-4630-8efa-215dbbbd1f64" data-vars-headline="Your long weekend plans: Music, cocktails, Poe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/06/30/where-4th-july-fireworks" target="_self">celebrations and fireworks</a>, we have a few other ideas of how to make the most of this long holiday weekend.🪕 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pickin&#x27; on the Square" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownbentonville.org/do/pickin-on-the-square" data-vars-content-id="568542c3-15e6-4630-8efa-215dbbbd1f64" data-vars-headline="Your long weekend plans: Music, cocktails, Poe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownbentonville.org/do/pickin-on-the-square" target="_blank">Pickin&#x27; on the Square</a> — An informal gathering of musicians and &quot;anyone with a guitar, fiddle, banjo or other acoustic instrument&quot; will take place at 6pm tonight at the Bentonville downtown square. Join or come listen.

Your week ahead: Free concerts

Work in some time this week to go explore.

Work in some time this week to go explore.🎤 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gulley Park concert series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/515/Gulley-Park-Summer-Concert-Series" data-vars-content-id="453071b3-dad9-499b-9a42-1d8b1202dbed" data-vars-headline="Your week ahead: Free concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/515/Gulley-Park-Summer-Concert-Series" target="_blank">Gulley Park concert series</a> — This free summer concert series at Gulley Park in Fayetteville features Ulta Suede on Thursday. Bring the kids and the dog.

Your guide to NWA's biggest summer festivals and events

Make plans so you don't miss what Northwest Arkansas has to offer this season.

The unofficial start of summer — Memorial Day weekend — is just one week away. And that means it&#x27;s time to mark your calendar and make plans so you don&#x27;t miss what NWA has to offer this season.Here are our ideas:

Your weekend plans: Theater, music and strawberry festivals

NWA has a range of festivals this weekend. Here&#x27;s the rundown.🎭 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas New Play Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasnewplayfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="a4293f31-0a44-4a82-9efe-cd92c4476f9c" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Theater, music and strawberry festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasnewplayfest.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas New Play Festival</a> — This event spanning two weekends kicks off tonight. See new plays and hear from the playwrights at various venues including The Medium in Springdale, TheatreSquared in Fayetteville and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

The Momentary announces spring music lineup

Plan on nine indoor concerts from Feb. 7-May 9.

Mark your calendars. The Momentary in Bentonville has its RØDE House music series coming up.State of play: Plan on nine indoor concerts from Feb. 7-May 9 with artists like The Main Squeeze and Jessica Pratt. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="See the full lineup." data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/seasons/rode-house-music-series/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=%F0%9F%93%A2%20Full%20Spring%20Lineup%20Announced%3A%20R%C3%98DE%20House%20Music%20Series&amp;utm_campaign=010725_MO_Promo_RODE" data-vars-content-id="fed95963-761f-4be8-bb9d-b013d2186e16" data-vars-headline="The Momentary announces spring music lineup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/seasons/rode-house-music-series/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=%F0%9F%93%A2%20Full%20Spring%20Lineup%20Announced%3A%20R%C3%98DE%20House%20Music%20Series&amp;utm_campaign=010725_MO_Promo_RODE" target="_blank">See the full lineup.</a>

Report looks into the state of NWA's music economy

Most survey respondents would like to have a place to connect and collaborate musically.

People in the music industry in NWA say they&#x27;re finding local and regional work, and see the environment as inclusive, but more resources could give them a boost, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://cachecreate.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Northwest-Arkansas-Music-Census-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0b55a05e-3e7a-4856-8898-6e8cb58898f6" data-vars-headline="Report looks into the state of NWA&#x27;s music economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cachecreate.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Northwest-Arkansas-Music-Census-Report.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a>.Driving the news: The findings come via the NWA nonprofit Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange, which detailed the state of the music economy in the report after surveying musicians and those who otherwise work in the industry, like music venues.