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University of Arkansas landmark set to reopen

The Fine Arts Center opened in 1951, uniting art, architecture, music and theater under one roof.

Education

The University of Arkansas School of Art will reopen its Fine Arts Center on Thursday after a $38 million restoration of the midcentury building designed by Fayetteville native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edward Durell Stone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edwarddurellstone.org/" data-vars-content-id="0062fb03-3d78-4307-bd5b-a74572d341ff" data-vars-headline="University of Arkansas landmark set to reopen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edwarddurellstone.org/" target="_blank">Edward Durell Stone</a>.Why it matters: The project preserves one of the campus&#x27;s defining buildings and reinforces the university&#x27;s growth as a regional and national arts school.

Mental health deaths may be missed in maternal data

Suicides and overdoses may be undercounted in maternal deaths, limiting awareness.

News

Suicides and drug overdoses likely contribute significantly to Arkansas&#x27; maternal mortality rate, but stigma and a lack of data make reporting difficult, psychiatrist Shona Ray told Axios.Why it matters: These deaths not being labeled as pregnancy-related can lead to less awareness, funding and research concerning mental health-related causes of death during and following pregnancy, she said.

Monday Munchies: The "Oak" Burger

This is a big and juicy burger that requires both hands, even after a cut down the middle.

Food and Drink

I&#x27;ve been on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burger kick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/02/monday-munchies-lunch-at-gaskins-on-emma" data-vars-content-id="f6941ceb-6838-458b-80cd-6f04d3908a4a" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: The &quot;Oak&quot; Burger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/02/monday-munchies-lunch-at-gaskins-on-emma" target="_self">burger kick</a>, so when I saw that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oak Steakhouse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/08/oak-steakhouse-rogers-review" data-vars-content-id="f6941ceb-6838-458b-80cd-6f04d3908a4a" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: The &quot;Oak&quot; Burger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/08/oak-steakhouse-rogers-review" target="_self">Oak Steakhouse</a> in Rogers had started serving midday meals on the weekends, it was a natural pick.Dig in: The burger ($18 for lunch or $21 for dinner) is dressed with sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickles and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Duke&#x27;s mayo" data-vars-click-url="https://dukesmayo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoon-p-36-ZhGh9M8tCrWeW7HUfsuvbBnp0DfY_k4KFbluh42QCo" data-vars-content-id="f6941ceb-6838-458b-80cd-6f04d3908a4a" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: The &quot;Oak&quot; Burger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dukesmayo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoon-p-36-ZhGh9M8tCrWeW7HUfsuvbBnp0DfY_k4KFbluh42QCo" target="_blank">Duke&#x27;s mayo</a>. It comes with a side of french fries.

Northwest Arkansas Council outlines visionary plan

The region's most pressing challenges are interconnected

Development

Leaders of the Northwest Arkansas Council on Wednesday revealed a vision for a regional approach to plan for development, housing, transportation, water and land use.Why it matters: NWA&#x27;s current path is fractured and gets harder to manage as each city grows, potentially undercutting the area&#x27;s affordability and livability as its population is set to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit 1 million" data-vars-click-url="https://nwacouncil.org/growth/" data-vars-content-id="c1e119d0-9ce1-4464-a846-9f1d9b77d274" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas Council outlines visionary plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nwacouncil.org/growth/" target="_blank">hit 1 million</a> by 2050.

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.

Business

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>

Inside the new AC Hotel on Walmart's campus

The 153-room hotel includes public dining, rooftop bar and tributes to Walmart founder Sam Walton.

The latest amenity to open on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Walmart&#x27;s new Bentonville campus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/walmart-corporate-headquarters-hq-child-care-fitness-new" data-vars-content-id="afa1d08d-f13d-42dd-b896-4ae8392424e4" data-vars-headline="Inside the new AC Hotel on Walmart&#x27;s campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/walmart-corporate-headquarters-hq-child-care-fitness-new" target="_self">Walmart&#x27;s new Bentonville campus</a> is a 153-room hotel open to business travelers and the public alike.

Real ID rules aren't holding up travelers, XNA says

New federal regulations regarding what kinds of ID will allow you on to a flight took effect last week.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport is seeing &quot;minimal&quot; passengers not in compliance with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly enforced identification rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/07/real-id-arknasas-fly" data-vars-content-id="b0fd32b9-cd12-4f9a-95f4-f2731ec23df7" data-vars-headline="Real ID rules aren&#x27;t holding up travelers, XNA says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/07/real-id-arknasas-fly" target="_self">newly enforced identification rules</a>, spokesperson Olivia Tyler told Axios.Catch up quick: The federal government <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set a hard deadline of May 7" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/07/real-id-arknasas-fly" data-vars-content-id="b0fd32b9-cd12-4f9a-95f4-f2731ec23df7" data-vars-headline="Real ID rules aren&#x27;t holding up travelers, XNA says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/07/real-id-arknasas-fly" target="_self">set a hard deadline of May 7</a> for when airports must require enhanced identification like a Real ID, passport or military ID card to board a domestic flight when a standard drivers license or state ID previously sufficed.

It's really time to get a Real ID if you want to fly — sort of

Most Arkansans do not have a federally compliant Real ID.

After 20 years of government warnings, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="today is the day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays" data-vars-content-id="fafff89b-c0da-4f9f-b602-6997da5da623" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s really time to get a Real ID if you want to fly — sort of" 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">today is the day</a> that boarding a domestic flight without the long-awaited Real ID actually gets a little harder.Why it matters: Roughly 30% of ID-carrying Arkansans have a Real ID, meaning many do not have adequate identification for air travel, despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last-minute proclamations" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/real-id-travelers-security-deadline-homeland-289d84d3c10d96546270ff0e8ca80436" data-vars-content-id="fafff89b-c0da-4f9f-b602-6997da5da623" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s really time to get a Real ID if you want to fly — sort of" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/real-id-travelers-security-deadline-homeland-289d84d3c10d96546270ff0e8ca80436" target="_blank">last-minute proclamations</a> that the new IDs won&#x27;t be needed right away.

A line chart that tracks Thanksgiving holiday travelers from 2019 to 2025. Travel dropped to 56.8 million in 2020, then rose steadily to 78.2 million in 2023. Projections show increases to 80.2 million in 2024 and 81.8 million in 2025, nearing pre-pandemic levels.