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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

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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;

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.

Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags

The U.S. now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.

Health

Bentonville&#x27;s Heartland Forward launched a drive to slash U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> in half within five years.Why it matters: Maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the country now has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" target="_blank">highest rate</a> in the developed world. About 84% of the deaths are preventable and roughly 65% happen after childbirth.

Arkansas drew international eclipse audience

More than 100 couples gathered in the town Forbes noted as one of the best places to see the eclipse.

A soccer field of newlyweds erupted in cheers Monday in Russellville when the Moon covered the Sun.<ul><li>About four minutes later, they cheered again, as the total eclipse&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diamond ring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/double-diamond-ring" data-vars-content-id="75f48a59-b883-44f7-a523-44bf0eff5c04" data-vars-headline="Arkansas drew international eclipse audience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/double-diamond-ring" target="_blank">diamond ring</a>&quot; began to appear.</li></ul>State of play: More than 100 couples gathered in the Pope County town that Forbes magazine called one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best places" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/04/07/where-and-when-to-see-the-total-solar-eclipse-in-every-us-state/?sh=209326637476" data-vars-content-id="75f48a59-b883-44f7-a523-44bf0eff5c04" data-vars-headline="Arkansas drew international eclipse audience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/04/07/where-and-when-to-see-the-total-solar-eclipse-in-every-us-state/?sh=209326637476" target="_blank">best places</a> to see the eclipse. They joined people from all 50 states and at least 35 countries from Germany to Malaysia to witness the event.

Weddings

Arkansas drew international eclipse audience