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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.

Getting outside grows Arkansas' economy

The combined industries — everything from boating to equestrian activities — supported more than 43,000 jobs

Business

Arkansas&#x27; outdoor recreation economy accounted for $4.9 billion in 2024, an estimated 2.6% of the state&#x27;s GDP, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Why it matters: The combined industries — everything from boating to equestrian activities — supported more than 43,000 jobs, and have continued modest statewide growth over the last few years.<ul><li>The numbers were $3.5 billion (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.4% of GDP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/outdoor-recreation-satellite-account-us-and-states-2021" data-vars-content-id="04476c90-30b9-4b26-a9fd-2b4c0137ddff" data-vars-headline="Getting outside grows Arkansas&#x27; economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/outdoor-recreation-satellite-account-us-and-states-2021" target="_blank">2.4% of GDP</a>) in 2021 and $4 billion (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.5% of GDP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/14/natural-state-report-recommendations-outdoor-economy" data-vars-content-id="04476c90-30b9-4b26-a9fd-2b4c0137ddff" data-vars-headline="Getting outside grows Arkansas&#x27; economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/14/natural-state-report-recommendations-outdoor-economy" target="_self">2.5% of GDP</a>) in 2022.</li></ul>

Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk

The governor spoke about everything from Iran to her father to the midterms and the 2028 elections.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is aligned with President Trump&#x27;s decision to strike Iran and says talk of the 2028 general election can wait until after the midterms.The big picture: Politico launched YouTube show &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="On the Road With Jonathan Martin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5cYHPw-ZVc" data-vars-content-id="8da41775-5443-4824-b52a-e0d6ad5c4426" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5cYHPw-ZVc" target="_blank">On the Road With Jonathan Martin</a>&quot; on Tuesday, and the first episode featured a 40-minute interview with Sanders at the Little Rock Wright&#x27;s Barbecue, recorded March 4.

Bentoville Food Theater to spotlight diverse cuisine

The theater model is a bet that rotating, ticketed chef "shows" can deliver the diversity of big-city dining without requiring hundreds of permanent restaurants.

Food and Drink

Onyx Coffee Lab and the startup restaurant concept <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentoville Food Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/08/michelin-star-bentoville-restaurant-investors" data-vars-content-id="db7717d1-60bc-4055-a294-a9dfeabc6f4f" data-vars-headline="Bentoville Food Theater to spotlight diverse cuisine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/12/08/michelin-star-bentoville-restaurant-investors" target="_self">Bentoville Food Theater</a> are joining forces to create a novel experiential dining venue in downtown Bentonville.Why it matters: Northwest Arkansas is growing fast, but it&#x27;s still not big enough to support a constant global restaurant variety that many residents crave.

The Agenda: Road and trail grants

The Fayetteville City Council meeting was postponed from Tuesday because of the election.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1635/files/agenda/3652" data-vars-content-id="bdbc2eb2-c8de-4cef-a84f-30e86fdfddc6" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Road and trail grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1635/files/agenda/3652" target="_blank">Fayetteville City Council</a> meeting, postponed from Tuesday because of the election, is on Thursday. City Council members plan to vote on:🚧 A resolution expressing the willingness of the city to apply for about $2.7 million in federal grants for six streets and trails projects, for which the city would need to match $672,500.

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.

NWA leaders push AI training in health care

See the Northwest Arkansas Council's plan.

The health care industry in Northwest Arkansas needs more artificial intelligence training, a study commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council found.Why it matters: The region&#x27;s health care industry is rapidly expanding to accommodate a growing population. AI is more likely to augment health care roles than to replace them and can expand the workforce&#x27;s capacity to care for patients, according to the council.

Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas

Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually

Aerospace

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrapped his nationwide &quot;Arsenal of Freedom&quot; tour Friday at L3Harris&#x27; rocket motor campus in south Arkansas.Why it matters: Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Advocate" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" target="_blank">Arkansas Advocate</a>. Aerospace and defense were the state&#x27;s top export sectors in 2024, worth more than $950 million, according to an Arkansas Economic Development Commission <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" target="_blank">report</a>.

✈️ Alex returns from Indy

Alex returns from Indy

News 🗞

Getting outside grows Arkansas' economy

Alex returns from Indy

Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools

Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA

Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk