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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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Walmart tops Fortune 500 list

Business

10 Arkansas laws taking effect in August

Nearly 900 acts passed by the Arkansas Legislature earlier this year are set to become law on Tuesday.

News

Mapped: Arkansas' Alzheimer's rates

Caring for those with the disease cost an estimated $321 billion nationwide last year.

Health

Northwest Arkansas Council jumpstarts attainable housing project

At its annual meeting Tuesday, the NWA Council revealed its collaboration on a 77-unit apartment project that will permanently earmark 30 units for families earning below the area median income

Gov. Sanders preps Cabinet for potential shutdown

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a memo to her cabinet Thursday outlining how to navigate a possible government shutdown.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday sent a memo to her Cabinet outlining how to navigate a possible <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" data-vars-content-id="6d046564-73ee-4272-8a3f-3727430a1238" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders preps Cabinet for potential shutdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" target="_self">government shutdown</a>.State of play: Programs and employees who are wholly or partially dependent on federal funding will be suspended effective Sunday for the duration of the potential shutdown.

Fayetteville tourism chief to run for mayor in 2024

Molly Rawn, the CEO of Experience Fayetteville, will run against Mayor Lioneld Jordan in 2024.

Molly Rawn, the CEO of Experience Fayetteville, will run against Mayor Lioneld Jordan in the 2024 election, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Fayetteville Flyer reported." data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2023/09/25/experience-fayettevilles-molly-rawn-to-challenge-lioneld-jordan-in-2024-mayoral-bid/" data-vars-content-id="f05c0f56-c968-4b61-aa18-48cbccd43c57" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville tourism chief to run for mayor in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2023/09/25/experience-fayettevilles-molly-rawn-to-challenge-lioneld-jordan-in-2024-mayoral-bid/" target="_blank">the Fayetteville Flyer reported.</a>Background: Jordan is in his fourth term as mayor and plans to seek a fifth term. He was re-elected in 2020 with about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="68% of the vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/23893/637409370949370000" data-vars-content-id="f05c0f56-c968-4b61-aa18-48cbccd43c57" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville tourism chief to run for mayor in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/23893/637409370949370000" target="_blank">68% of the vote</a> in a four-way race.

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Arkansas special legislative session ends with wins for governor

Arkansas lawmakers adjourned Thursday after a four-day special session called by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last Friday.

Arkansas lawmakers adjourned Thursday after a four-day special session called a week ago by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Driving the news: Shortly after adjournment, Sanders signed 11 bills into law.

Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor's security

After pushback from Republicans and Democrats on a proposed bill to significantly change the state's Freedom of Information law, legislators filed new bills Tuesday.

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback from Republicans and Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/09/13/arkansas-public-records-changes-foia" data-vars-content-id="48296256-7afd-4721-80eb-3f7f965adfc2" data-vars-headline="Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor&#x27;s security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/09/13/arkansas-public-records-changes-foia" target="_self">pushback from Republicans and Democrats</a> on a proposed bill to significantly change the state&#x27;s Freedom of Information law, legislators filed new bills late Tuesday.State of play: Mirror language in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 10" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FSB10.pdf" data-vars-content-id="48296256-7afd-4721-80eb-3f7f965adfc2" data-vars-headline="Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor&#x27;s security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FSB10.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 10</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 1012" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FHB1012.pdf" data-vars-content-id="48296256-7afd-4721-80eb-3f7f965adfc2" data-vars-headline="Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor&#x27;s security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FHB1012.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 1012</a> now limit the proposed amendment to records related to the security detail of the governor and constitutional officers — much narrower than original <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FSB10.pdf" data-vars-content-id="48296256-7afd-4721-80eb-3f7f965adfc2" data-vars-headline="Legislators narrow FOI bill to governor&#x27;s security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023S1%2FPublic%2FSB10.pdf" target="_blank">bills</a>.

The Agenda: What's on deck at Fayetteville City Council

Construction work may be coming to Razorback Road.

Politics

<figure><img alt="" height="4032" id="6c2305ef-39af-40ff-89a2-3cae5951902a" src="https://images.axios.com/gpKpi3WyssmhqpvR49UQqnbi67Q=/2023/09/01/1693586256877.jpg" width="3024"/><figcaption>Fayetteville City Hall. Photo: Alex Golden/Axios</figcaption></figure>Here&#x27;s a preview of what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville&#x27;s local government" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/187/files" data-vars-content-id="2eab5c87-f40a-4be6-b7d0-a60bcfdbae5f" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: What&#x27;s on deck at Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/187/files" target="_blank">Fayetteville&#x27;s local government</a> plans to discuss tonight:<ul><li>A $1.8 million contract with APAC-Central Inc. for construction at the Razorback Road and 15th Street intersection. The city is adding traffic signals. The work will also include road widening, curb and gutter and sidewalk installation, drainage improvements, signage and pavement markings and retaining wall construction.</li><li>Purchasing real estate at Lafayette Street and Fletcher Avenue to be returned to the NWA Black Heritage Association &quot;for restoration, redevelopment and advancement to the African American community into the vibrant and thriving district it was meant to be.&quot;</li></ul>Go to the meeting: 5:30pm at Fayetteville City Hall or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online" data-vars-click-url="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LZxNs78iRjCCdWz_zgQOCQ#/registration" data-vars-content-id="2eab5c87-f40a-4be6-b7d0-a60bcfdbae5f" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: What&#x27;s on deck at Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LZxNs78iRjCCdWz_zgQOCQ#/registration" target="_blank">online</a>.

Arkansas nonprofit advocates for SNAP eligibility for Marshallese

The U.S. has a special agreement with the Marshall Islands.

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is calling on Congress to make Marshall Islanders eligible for SNAP benefits.The big picture: NWA has the largest population of Marshallese outside the Marshall Islands.

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Little Rock Nine members denounce Arkansas' decision on AP African American Studies

Five of the Little Rock Nine who enrolled in Little Rock's all-white Central High School in 1957 said they're "outraged" and "saddened" by the state's denial of credit for AP African American Studies.

Education

A group including five of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nine Black students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Little-Rock-Nine" data-vars-content-id="c98b1f7e-7b29-48a6-bc6d-cf254f1474a1" data-vars-headline="Little Rock Nine members denounce Arkansas&#x27; decision on AP African American Studies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Little-Rock-Nine" target="_blank">nine Black students</a> who enrolled in Little Rock&#x27;s all-white Central High School in 1957 said they&#x27;re &quot;outraged&quot; and &quot;saddened&quot; by the state&#x27;s decision <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to deny credit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/15/african-american-studies-class-arkansas" data-vars-content-id="c98b1f7e-7b29-48a6-bc6d-cf254f1474a1" data-vars-headline="Little Rock Nine members denounce Arkansas&#x27; decision on AP African American Studies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/15/african-american-studies-class-arkansas" target="_self">to deny credit</a> for AP African American Studies.<ul><li>&quot;This is a blatant and shameful attempt to erase Black history and silence Black voices in a state that has a rich and complex legacy of racial struggle and triumph,&quot; reads the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/08/22/arkansas-erase-black-history-littlerock9/" data-vars-content-id="c98b1f7e-7b29-48a6-bc6d-cf254f1474a1" data-vars-headline="Little Rock Nine members denounce Arkansas&#x27; decision on AP African American Studies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/08/22/arkansas-erase-black-history-littlerock9/" target="_blank">statement</a> shared Wednesday with The Washington Post.</li></ul>

The Agenda: What Northwest Arkansas city councils are voting on this week

Here's a preview of what three of NWA's largest cities plan to discuss tonight.

Three of NWA&#x27;s largest cities have their regular city council meetings tonight. Here&#x27;s a preview of what they plan to do.

Judge to hear arguments over Arkansas THC ban

A federal judge on Wednesday will consider temporarily blocking a statewide ban on hemp products containing THC or dismissing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/aug/02/hemp-marketers-file-suit-in-federal-court-of/" data-vars-content-id="7d49102c-c1ad-456c-a71b-a41102e5e850" data-vars-headline="Judge to hear arguments over Arkansas THC ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/aug/02/hemp-marketers-file-suit-in-federal-court-of/" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> brought by a group of marketers, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/aug/18/district-judge-sets-delta-8-hearing-for-wednesday/" data-vars-content-id="7d49102c-c1ad-456c-a71b-a41102e5e850" data-vars-headline="Judge to hear arguments over Arkansas THC ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/aug/18/district-judge-sets-delta-8-hearing-for-wednesday/" target="_blank">reports</a>.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Act 629" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2023R%2FPublic%2FACT629.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7d49102c-c1ad-456c-a71b-a41102e5e850" data-vars-headline="Judge to hear arguments over Arkansas THC ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2023R%2FPublic%2FACT629.pdf" target="_blank">Act 629</a>, passed earlier this year, bans the production and sale of hemp products containing Delta THC statewide.

Arkansas school voucher program begins rollout

The program will be phased in over three years.

Arkansas&#x27; voucher program that allows public education dollars to be spent at private schools, or for students to attend public schools outside their districts, is in its first phase.Context: The voucher program, one of the most contentious pieces of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LEARNS Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/03/02/arkansas-gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-learns-bill-house" data-vars-content-id="771a03e2-4e59-486f-bd32-c15e7052e54a" data-vars-headline="Arkansas school voucher program begins rollout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/03/02/arkansas-gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-learns-bill-house" target="_self">LEARNS Act</a> approved in the spring, needs three years to be in full effect. Eventually, all students will be eligible for the Educational Freedom Account.

Illustration of two backpacks; one empty and one stuffed with cash.

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