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Arkansas set to receive portion of $17 billion Meta settlement

Arkansas expects to receive about $172.5 million.

News

Arkansas expects to receive about $172.5 million from Meta in a $17 billion multi-state settlement after states accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of harming children, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced.Why it matters: This is social media&#x27;s version of the landmark 1990s tobacco settlement, one that effectively reshapes the industry and how young Americans experience some of their favorite platforms, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Nathan Bomey writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/meta-lawsuit-settlement-states-facebook" data-vars-content-id="211725a1-1930-42b4-b4d3-8c7d2236d0fc" data-vars-headline="Arkansas set to receive portion of $17 billion Meta settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/meta-lawsuit-settlement-states-facebook" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Nathan Bomey writes</a>.

 Monday Munchies: 1834 Tavern Lafayette 

A good steak should be a simple layup for any place with a decent grill and good meat; it was for 1834's staff.

Food and Drink

Fayetteville&#x27;s new(ish) fine dining and date-nighting spot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1834 Tavern Lafayette" data-vars-click-url="https://1834tavernlafayette.com/" data-vars-content-id="ee421488-b6df-4d42-82fc-2f7bd12aed22" data-vars-headline=" Monday Munchies: 1834 Tavern Lafayette " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://1834tavernlafayette.com/" target="_blank">1834 Tavern Lafayette</a> offers Belgian-inspired cuisine.<ul><li>The menu is focused on a few items but still manages to bridge gaps between varying appetites.</li></ul>

Northwest Arkansas' July real estate hotness index 

July Northwest Arkansas real estate hotness index

Business

Sellers listed their homes in July for less than they did last year in 43% of Northwest Arkansas&#x27; ZIP codes.Why it matters: Some home buyers could be getting better deals than they did last year when mortgage rates were at comparable levels.

NWA needs $1.5 billion in wastewater investment

The council and the state of Arkansas began the regional wastewater study last year and expect to release its findings this fall.

Development

Northwest Arkansas will need $1.5 billion in additional wastewater-plant investment to support future growth, Northwest Arkansas Council president and CEO Nelson Peacock said Wednesday.Why it matters: The region has enough wastewater capacity for now, &quot;but it&#x27;s in the wrong places,&quot; Peacock said. That mismatch could shape where Northwest Arkansas can add housing and commercial development.

XNA has busiest month ever

The airport had its highest number of enplanements in a single month in July.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport had its highest-ever number of enplanements in a single month in July.The big picture: Airport officials have been trying to stay ahead of the expected increase in demand for years, as the formerly regional airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surpassed Little Rock&#x27;s airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/01/30/xna-flies-past-little-rock-first-time" data-vars-content-id="40051d8b-2e2c-4f78-98e1-c90b1273256b" data-vars-headline="XNA has busiest month ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/01/30/xna-flies-past-little-rock-first-time" target="_self">surpassed Little Rock&#x27;s airport</a> in 2025, six years sooner than predicted.

Northwest Arkansas travelers pay extra to fly

Business travelers often book closer to departure and have less flexibility, contributing to higher average fares.

Yes, it costs more to fly from XNA.Why it matters: Northwest Arkansas travelers often pay a premium for the convenience of departing from Northwest Arkansas National Airport instead of driving to larger airports with more competition.

Experience Fayetteville opens its tourism playbook

The plan is organized around Fayetteville's 10-year Destination Master Plan, a roadmap for sustainable tourism growth.

Experience Fayetteville for the first time this week is making its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marketing and sales plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28266711-2026-marketing-and-sales-plan-presentation-1/" data-vars-content-id="b34ab462-ae01-4093-af33-14bf72606977" data-vars-headline="Experience Fayetteville opens its tourism playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28266711-2026-marketing-and-sales-plan-presentation-1/" target="_blank">marketing and sales plan</a> public, a move meant to make the city&#x27;s tourism strategy more transparent.Why it matters: Experience Fayetteville is funded by half of Fayetteville&#x27;s 2% hotel, motel and restaurant tax — more than $5 million in recent years — and overseen by the city&#x27;s Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Pilot training program lands at Drake Field

The mayor says the city-owned airport has been underutilized as an economic development tool.

A commercial pilot training program is coming to Drake Field in Fayetteville.Why it matters: The flight school will offer another educational and job training program for the region and better utilize the city-owned airport as an economic development tool, Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn told Axios.

XNA flies past Little Rock for the first time

XNA is now the busiest airport in the state.

Travelers flew more times out of Northwest Arkansas National Airport than at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock in 2025, XNA spokesperson Olivia Tyler confirmed to Axios.Why it matters: This is the first time the former regional airport has surpassed the airport in the state&#x27;s capital, and it happened six years sooner than officials predicted, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal reported" data-vars-click-url="https://talkbusiness.net/2026/01/xna-surpasses-clinton-national-in-enplanements-years-sooner-than-expected/" data-vars-content-id="e329cda0-a4fb-4329-ab38-4d1c6ac5f1e3" data-vars-headline="XNA flies past Little Rock for the first time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://talkbusiness.net/2026/01/xna-surpasses-clinton-national-in-enplanements-years-sooner-than-expected/" target="_blank">the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal reported</a>.

What to know about travelin' Arkansas this week

At least 73 million people, about 90% of Thanksgiving travelers, will go by car.

Travel

If you&#x27;re going to leave town for Thanksgiving, it&#x27;s gonna be crowded out there.The big picture: A record-breaking 81.8 million Americans will be traveling for Thanksgiving this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" data-vars-content-id="24ad020e-d6d1-40de-bf2c-554639abee38" data-vars-headline="What to know about travelin&#x27; Arkansas this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" target="_blank">AAA</a> predicts.

What we know about XNA flights with FAA cuts

XNA has flights to and from 19 affected airports.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="XNA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/11/07/travel-up-air-shutdown-xna" data-vars-content-id="e6ff2be7-483d-4798-841a-6244bcbaa9db" data-vars-headline="What we know about XNA flights with FAA cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/11/07/travel-up-air-shutdown-xna" target="_self">XNA</a>) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flight schedules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flyxna.com/arrivals-and-departures" data-vars-content-id="e6ff2be7-483d-4798-841a-6244bcbaa9db" data-vars-headline="What we know about XNA flights with FAA cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flyxna.com/arrivals-and-departures" target="_blank">flight schedules</a> didn&#x27;t appear to have many cancellations or delays early this week, but travelers will see a few shutdown-related disruptions.Catch up quick: The Federal Aviation Administration&#x27;s order to reduce flights because of the government shutdown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="took effect Friday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/flights-cuts-shutdown-airports-list-faa" data-vars-content-id="e6ff2be7-483d-4798-841a-6244bcbaa9db" data-vars-headline="What we know about XNA flights with FAA cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/flights-cuts-shutdown-airports-list-faa" target="_self">took effect Friday</a>, with a full 10% reduction expected by this Friday. While XNA is not one of the 40 directly affected airports, it has regularly scheduled flights to and from 19 of the airports that are.

Travel is up in the air

It's unclear how a continued shutdown might affect XNA.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport isn&#x27;t one of the airports that could see 10% of their air traffic cut Friday, but it remains unclear how a continued shutdown might affect XNA travelers.State of play: Air traffic control staff at XNA has not been affected because the air tower is privately operated, XNA spokesperson Olivia Tyler told Axios. The staff is contracted through CI Squared Aviation.

Crystal Bridges opens mini museum inside XNA

A new satellite museum inside the airport showcases rotating exhibits, just steps from the gate.

Travelers will now be welcomed to XNA by Northwest Arkansas&#x27; flagship art museum, minutes after they step off the plane.The big picture: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art recently opened a mini satellite museum past security inside Northwest Arkansas National Airport.

XNA forecasts Memorial Day 'busier than ever'

Memorial Day travel is projected to beat a 20-year-old record high this year, according to AAA data.

Memorial Day <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays" data-vars-content-id="7cf4bd35-6550-40c2-b03d-a7a24ebe7a0e" data-vars-headline="XNA forecasts Memorial Day &#x27;busier than ever&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays" target="_self">travel</a> is projected to beat a 20-year-old record high this year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA data" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/05/memorial-day-forecast/" data-vars-content-id="7cf4bd35-6550-40c2-b03d-a7a24ebe7a0e" data-vars-headline="XNA forecasts Memorial Day &#x27;busier than ever&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/05/memorial-day-forecast/" target="_blank">AAA data</a> released Monday.<ul><li>&quot;We imagine that this Memorial Day weekend will be busier than ever,&quot; Northwest Arkansas National Airport spokesperson Olivia Tyler told Axios.</li></ul>Why it matters: Americans&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deep pessimism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/29/consumer-confidence-jobs" data-vars-content-id="7cf4bd35-6550-40c2-b03d-a7a24ebe7a0e" data-vars-headline="XNA forecasts Memorial Day &#x27;busier than ever&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/29/consumer-confidence-jobs" target="_self">deep pessimism</a> about the economy isn&#x27;t deterring them from traveling to celebrate the unofficial start of the summer season.<ul><li>&quot;Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans say they&#x27;re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home,&quot; AAA said in a statement.</li></ul>By the numbers: 45.1 million people are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home between May 22 and May 26.<ul><li>That&#x27;s an increase of 1.4 million travelers from last year and surpasses the record 44 million people who traveled in 2005.</li></ul>Zoom in: &quot;2025 has been a record-breaking year for XNA, and we predict that Memorial Day Weekend will not be any different,&quot; Tyler said.<ul><li>The number of people going through the airport&#x27;s TSA checkpoint for the three-day weekend was up 27% from 2022 to 2024 — from almost 8,300 to more than 10,500.</li></ul>Zoom out: 87% of Memorial Day travelers, or 39.4 million people, are choosing to take road trips this year, per AAA.<ul><li>Air travel will increase 2% over last year at 3.61 million air passengers but isn&#x27;t predicted to set a new record.</li><li>2.08 million people are expected to travel by train, bus or cruise over the holiday weekend.</li></ul>Our thought bubble, from Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick: Americans keep breaking travel records in the post-pandemic period, either to keep making up for lost time during COVID or, now, to get ahead of potential rising prices over the next few months.What we&#x27;re watching: Summertime airfare costs are down.<ul><li>Average flight prices dropped 7% year-over-year across more than 100 cities, according to a Tuesday Kayak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kayak.com/c/?p=137868&amp;post_type=flexi_page_multi&amp;preview=1&amp;_ppp=60b5a09b8e" data-vars-content-id="7cf4bd35-6550-40c2-b03d-a7a24ebe7a0e" data-vars-headline="XNA forecasts Memorial Day &#x27;busier than ever&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kayak.com/c/?p=137868&amp;post_type=flexi_page_multi&amp;preview=1&amp;_ppp=60b5a09b8e" target="_blank">report</a>.</li><li>For the fourth year in a row, U.S. summer travel to Europe is expected to increase, per a Wednesday Allianz <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.allianzworldwidepartners.com/usa/media-center/press-releases/European-travel-is-on-the-rise-for-US-travelers-this-summer.html" data-vars-content-id="7cf4bd35-6550-40c2-b03d-a7a24ebe7a0e" data-vars-headline="XNA forecasts Memorial Day &#x27;busier than ever&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.allianzworldwidepartners.com/usa/media-center/press-releases/European-travel-is-on-the-rise-for-US-travelers-this-summer.html" target="_blank">report</a>.</li></ul>

A line chart that compares quarterly average domestic airfares at XNA and the other 99 largest U.S. airports from Q1 2019 to Q1 2026. XNA stays higher throughout, peaking at $672.68 in Q1 2019 and bottoming at $373.33 in Q3 2020. Other airports range from $310.86 to $459.99.

Average domestic airfares at 100 largest U.S. airports

Data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Note: Fares inflation-adjusted, airports ranked by passenger volume; Chart: Worth Sparkman/Axios