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Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns

Axios reviewed dozens of internal city documents and resident complaints obtained through public records requests

News

A military <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone maker&#x27;s arrival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" data-vars-content-id="2de98790-7406-4867-a7ea-315064cd7392" data-vars-headline="Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/18/military-drone-plant-opens-in-arkansas-draws-protest" target="_self">drone maker&#x27;s arrival</a> in Fayetteville earlier this year is stirring fears about secrecy, safety and whether residents want a deep tie to the defense industry.Why it matters: Residents and some city leaders say they had little visibility into a defense-related project that could reshape Fayetteville&#x27;s economy — and identity.

Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen

The Victory Theater was damaged in the 2024 Memorial Day weekend storms.

Nearly two years after sustaining tornado damage, the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victory Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/" data-vars-content-id="ebfab555-5a05-44c1-8e50-11e702d1d6f4" data-vars-headline="Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/" target="_blank">Victory Theater</a> in downtown Rogers is set to reopen this month ahead of its 100th birthday next year.State of play: The city is resuming operations with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free six-part movie series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/tickets-events" data-vars-content-id="ebfab555-5a05-44c1-8e50-11e702d1d6f4" data-vars-headline="Repaired downtown Rogers theater to reopen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thevictorytheater.com/tickets-events" target="_blank">free six-part movie series</a> tied to the United States&#x27; 250th anniversary, said Kinya Christian, the arts, culture and film manager for Rogers. It kicks off April 25 with &quot;Selma.&quot;

More families turn to surrogacy, navigating uneven state laws

See which laws are on the books in Arkansas.

Without a federal law, surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork of state regulations that can determine everything from whether agreements are legally binding to who is recognized as a parent at birth.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="More Americans are turning to surrogacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-popular-numbers" data-vars-content-id="d2f04254-b3f0-41d7-a8bf-553741d93ccf" data-vars-headline="More families turn to surrogacy, navigating uneven state laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-popular-numbers" target="_self">More Americans are turning to surrogacy</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="build their families" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" data-vars-content-id="d2f04254-b3f0-41d7-a8bf-553741d93ccf" data-vars-headline="More families turn to surrogacy, navigating uneven state laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" target="_self">build their families</a>, making ethical, legal and cultural tensions harder to ignore.

Board overturns Swarm Aero classification in Arkansas

Swarm Aero must now decide whether to appeal the board's decision, seek to rezone the property on S. School Avenue or move.

Aerospace

Fayetteville&#x27;s Board of Adjustments on Monday ruled city planning staff misclassified drone maker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swarm Aero" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="220cf887-a0c4-4cce-880f-912c51b0a2e0" data-vars-headline="Board overturns Swarm Aero classification in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/02/arkansas-drone-deal-sparks-ethical-and-safety-concerns" target="_self">Swarm Aero</a> as a &quot;heavy commercial and light industrial&quot; business.Why it matters: The classification allowed the startup to lease a facility near Drake Field and begin operating without a public rezoning process.<ul><li>Swarm Aero must now decide whether to appeal the board&#x27;s decision, seek to rezone the property on S. School Avenue or move.</li></ul>

Gov. Sanders outlines budget agenda for lawmakers

Sanders' proposed budget for fiscal 2027 grew $194.5 million to $6.68 billion.

Politics

Declaring Arkansas is stronger than ever, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the State address" data-vars-click-url="https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00284/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20260408/-1/31344?viewMode=1" data-vars-content-id="66267c2a-ed3d-414f-a15b-ae34515e5fd7" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders outlines budget agenda for lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00284/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20260408/-1/31344?viewMode=1" target="_blank">State of the State address</a> Wednesday, outlining her legislative priorities for the fiscal session of the 95th General Assembly.Why it matters: During fiscal sessions, lawmakers decide how taxpayer money is spent.

Arkansas Legislature to decide state budget

Arkansas lawmakers will convene Wednesday to kick off the fiscal session to consider budget proposals for the state, including a boost in school voucher funding.Why it matters: During fiscal sessions, the Arkansas General Assembly decides how taxpayer money is spent for state departments.

Judge: Remove Ten Commandments from Arkansas Capitol grounds

The decision comes weeks after another federal judge blocked a law about displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.

A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that Arkansas&#x27; Ten Commandments monument on state Capitol grounds violates the U.S. Constitution.The big picture: The decision comes just weeks after another federal judge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permanently blocked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/18/judge-blocks-arkansas-law-requiring-ten-commandments-schools" data-vars-content-id="04083445-6baf-4021-a2e8-7ed1d35f67e2" data-vars-headline="Judge: Remove Ten Commandments from Arkansas Capitol grounds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/18/judge-blocks-arkansas-law-requiring-ten-commandments-schools" target="_self">permanently blocked</a> the enforcement of an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas law" data-vars-click-url="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" data-vars-content-id="04083445-6baf-4021-a2e8-7ed1d35f67e2" data-vars-headline="Judge: Remove Ten Commandments from Arkansas Capitol grounds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" target="_blank">Arkansas law</a> at six public schools that required them to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if posters were donated.

Groundwork expands housing push statewide

Groundwork plans a statewide tour to shape housing policy ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

A Northwest Arkansas organization dedicated to housing attainability is expanding its reach statewide.Why it matters: Groundwork, the housing arm of the nonprofit Northwest Arkansas Council, is looking to affect laws related to housing at the state level ahead of the 2027 legislative session, executive director Duke McLarty told Axios.

Washington County judge voted out

Tim Shepard will face Democratic challenger Dana Deree in November.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Shepard" data-vars-click-url="https://votetimshepard.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://votetimshepard.com/" target="_blank">Tim Shepard</a>, a Fayetteville police captain, unseated Washington County Judge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Patrick Deakins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deakinsforjudge.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deakinsforjudge.com/" target="_blank">Patrick Deakins</a> in Tuesday&#x27;s Republican primary runoff election.State of play: Shepard will face Democratic challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dana Deree" data-vars-click-url="https://danaderee.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://danaderee.com/" target="_blank">Dana Deree</a> in November.By the numbers: Shepard received 77% of the vote, according to unofficial election results from Washington County.<ul><li>Shepard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="took" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/04/arkansas-election-results-fayetteville-cotton-sanders" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/04/arkansas-election-results-fayetteville-cotton-sanders" target="_self">took</a> 48.5% of the vote in the March 3 preferential primary compared to Deakins with 31.4%.</li></ul>Zoom out: State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kim Hammer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hammerforarkansas.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hammerforarkansas.com/" target="_blank">Kim Hammer</a> (R-Benton) won the Republican nomination for Arkansas secretary of state, earning 50.6% of the vote to defeat veteran <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bryan Norris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bryannorris.org/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bryannorris.org/" target="_blank">Bryan Norris</a>, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary-runoff-results-secretary-of-state/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" 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-runoff-results-secretary-of-state/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>. See <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election results" data-vars-click-url="https://enr.totalresults.com/arkansas#election=b412bdef-f97a-45bc-b3ec-6761d28caf9e" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enr.totalresults.com/arkansas#election=b412bdef-f97a-45bc-b3ec-6761d28caf9e" target="_blank">election results</a> available on the state&#x27;s website.<ul><li>Hammer will face Democratic challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kelly Grappe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kellygrappe.com/" data-vars-content-id="b332408f-eaa8-482b-8bc2-28dc5f44ef43" data-vars-headline="Washington County judge voted out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kellygrappe.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Grappe</a>, a marketing specialist, in November.</li></ul>

Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked enforcement of an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas law" data-vars-click-url="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" target="_blank">Arkansas law</a> requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if they are donated.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a> by Chief Judge Timothy Brooks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prohibits six school districts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" target="_blank">prohibits six school districts</a> — Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Conway and Lakeside — from displaying the commandments.

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.

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.

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."

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;

Politics 🇺🇸

Gov. Sanders outlines budget agenda for lawmakers

Arkansas Legislature to decide state budget

Arkansas drone deal sparks ethical and safety concerns

Judge: Remove Ten Commandments from Arkansas Capitol grounds

Groundwork expands housing push statewide