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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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Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest

The company plans to make unmanned aerial vehicles to operate in coordinated swarms

Business

Tech startup Swarm Aero opened a Northwest Arkansas facility Wednesday to build military drones near Fayetteville&#x27;s Drake Field, with plans to create hundreds of jobs.Why it matters: Regional leaders say the facility positions Northwest Arkansas as a growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defense manufacturing hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" data-vars-content-id="f97842e1-2f60-48cd-9179-6328cccd4129" data-vars-headline="Military drone plant opens in Arkansas, drawing protest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/19/xtremis-technology-ai-rf-electromagnetic" target="_self">defense manufacturing hub</a>.

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.

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.

Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series

Ken Burns will speak in April in Bentonville.

Things to Do

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced Wednesday that documentary filmmaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Burns will be the next speaker" data-vars-click-url="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" data-vars-content-id="ad8181a3-39ed-4141-9ee6-32ede953c7fe" data-vars-headline="Filmmaker second in Crystal Bridges speaker series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/building-bridges-an-evening-with-ken-burns/" target="_blank">Ken Burns will be the next speaker</a> in its &quot;Building Bridges&quot; series.Context: The series, happening in conjunction with the United States turning 250 this year, &quot;brings together thought leaders, thinkers and artists to model civic dialogue,&quot; according to a news release.

Arkansas' bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025.

The average Super Bowl bet through Pine Bluff&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saracen Casino Resort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/09/arkansas-super-bowl-bets-wagers" target="_self">Saracen Casino Resort</a> is expected to hit $48 this Sunday, up from $37 last year, casino officials told Axios.Why it matters: More than $587 million in collective wagers were placed on sporting events in Arkansas for the first 11 months of 2025, up from $404.7 million in 2023, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Legal Sports Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7a02518-8db1-47aa-97ca-797bf360c99c" data-vars-headline="Arkansas&#x27; bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legalsportsreport.com/" target="_blank">Legal Sports Report</a> data. Casinos paid more than $8 million in state taxes on that revenue.

Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup

Make this weekend a fun one.💡 Check out a new art installation — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;FIREBIRD&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://themomentary.org/calendar/firebird/" data-vars-content-id="7f52d199-9cb0-4558-8c60-3c2c23df9c2e" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themomentary.org/calendar/firebird/" target="_blank">&quot;FIREBIRD&quot;</a> by Touki Delphine, an art installation with light and sound, opens at The Momentary in Bentonville today. It&#x27;s free and on display until Feb. 15.

New head coach and funding stoke Arkansas' football championship fire

More money will elevate Arkansas into the top half of the SEC in areas like assistant coaches' pay, strength and conditioning, support staff and player acquisition

Sports

Arkansas is making a significant new financial commitment to its football program as new head coach Ryan Silverfield steps onto the field, University of Arkansas director of athletics Hunter Yurachek said Thursday. Why it matters: More money will elevate Arkansas into the top half of the SEC in areas like assistant coaches&#x27; pay, strength and conditioning, support staff and player acquisition, Yurachek said at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news conference" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-EtMfojQk" data-vars-content-id="1b70e8f9-ba70-42ab-a1b8-d5e01467e6d9" data-vars-headline="New head coach and funding stoke Arkansas&#x27; football championship fire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-EtMfojQk" target="_blank">news conference</a>.

Arkansas football hires new coach

Ryan Silverfield, who has been head coach for the University of Memphis Tigers since 2019, will lead the Arkansas Razorbacks, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced Sunday" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/silverfield-named-hogs-new-head-coach/" data-vars-content-id="28613ce6-a46b-4691-ad0d-2a773d60be9f" data-vars-headline="Arkansas football hires new coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/silverfield-named-hogs-new-head-coach/" target="_blank">University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced Sunday</a>.Why it matters: The program&#x27;s leaders want to make the team competitive for a national championship and are confident the new hire will help make that happen, vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a statement.

Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets

It&#x27;s not time for turkey just yet. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend.🎄 Holiday lights — The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="2c2daa99-c8e9-4505-aae3-3e63aef59ab6" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=lights-of-the-ozarks&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">lighting of the Fayetteville downtown square</a> is at 6pm tonight, followed by free performances from local theater, dance and music organizations.

Your weekend plans: Blues, candlelight and hoops

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: Football, crafts and theater

Plus, NWA has plenty of Halloween festivities.

Besides the plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Halloween festivities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-events-october" data-vars-content-id="ddc4dbc1-9468-4bbb-a2fb-6ff30364bf29" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Football, crafts and theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-events-october" target="_self">Halloween festivities</a> happening this weekend, here&#x27;s how to have fun on this first chilly weekend of November.🛍️ Shop local — The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NWA Makers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2093206981100232/2093212414433022/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="ddc4dbc1-9468-4bbb-a2fb-6ff30364bf29" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Football, crafts and theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2093206981100232/2093212414433022/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_local_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">NWA Makers&#x27; Market</a> featuring more than 350 artists and craftspeople will be at the Washington County Fairgrounds from 9am-5pm Sunday. The event includes kids&#x27; activities, a beer garden and food trucks.

Your weekend plans: Satire, scares and sports

The first of two Halloween weekends is here.

We sort of get two Halloween weekends this year, but regardless of whether you&#x27;re in the mood for creepy, NWA has you covered.🗞️ <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NWA Gridiron Show" data-vars-click-url="https://nwagridiron.com/" data-vars-content-id="42118f7b-2a8c-4f87-9445-7a19c406f1e6" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Satire, scares and sports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nwagridiron.com/" target="_blank">NWA Gridiron Show</a> — This satirical variety show written by local journalists (including Alex) pokes fun at local, state and national news from the past year. And it&#x27;s a fundraiser for journalism student scholarships.

Arkansas football fires more staff and negotiates Pittman buyout

The athletic department will solicit search firms to find a permanent head coach.

Arkansas football fired three more people on Bobby Petrino&#x27;s first full day as interim head coach.State of play: Defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams were fired Monday.

Arkansas fires football coach Sam Pittman

Bobby Petrino will serve as interim head coach.

Sam Pittman was fired Sunday as Arkansas&#x27; head football coach, a day after a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/leadership-change-announced-for-arkansas-football/" data-vars-content-id="70fc0d74-3910-4732-ba0a-041d24c36bdf" data-vars-headline="Arkansas fires football coach Sam Pittman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/leadership-change-announced-for-arkansas-football/" target="_blank">the University of Arkansas&#x27; athletics department announced</a>.State of play: Offensive coordinator and former head coach Bobby Petrino will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season, which has seven more scheduled games.

Sports 🏅

Arkansas' bettors favor Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX

Your weekend plans: Art, basketball and soup

New head coach and funding stoke Arkansas' football championship fire

Arkansas football hires new coach

Your weekend plans: Holiday lights, Arkansas basketball and markets