Outdoor retailers in NWA thrived during the pandemic but could've done even better had it not been for a sickly supply chain.

What's happening: Nearly 161 million people in the U.S. participated in at least one outdoor activity during 2020, the Outdoor Industry Association reported. That's 7 million more than a year before.

• At the same time, products became increasingly harder to get from overseas.

Why it matters: In 2020, as the pandemic hit, this translated to an added $2.9 billion of value to Arkansas' GDP in 2020, according to the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis.

By the numbers: Those dollars accounted for about 2.2% of Arkansas' GDP that year.

• The industry — which includes everything from fishing to camping to recreational flying — employs more than 37,000 people in the state, roughly 2.9% of the workforce.

Zoom out: At the national level, the outdoor industry generated $689 billion in economic output, creating 4.3 million jobs.

What they're saying: Sales were up about 20% in 2020 over the previous year, Rob Potts, co-owner of Lewis & Clark Outfitters in Springdale and Rogers, told Axios.

• Sales were flat in 2021 largely because "the bike supply chain was a disaster."

Adam Higinbothom of Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Fayetteville said sales in 2020 initially dipped as people curbed all activities.

• As the year progressed, people began going outside. Sales increased by a "double-digit" percentage, he said.

Both said that getting products and getting them on time has been a challenge.

What's hot: "Paddlesports are insane right now," Higinbothom said. A load of kayaks that should have arrived in October just recently arrived at Pack Rat.

• Sales of e-bikes were up 300% between 2020 and 2021, Potts said, and he's bullish on growth in that segment for 2022.

What to watch: The outdoor industry is expected to grow in 2022 but at a much slower clip compared to the pandemic spike, said Matt Powell, an industry expert at market research firm NPD Group.

• Potts expects this year to be better but believes demand for all outdoor products will outpace supply.

Read more:

• Outdoor industry looks to a more challenging post-pandemic future
• RZC Investments makes waves
• Retail outdoor headwinds

Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, the Washington County Detention Center and Robert Karas, the doctor responsible for treating inmates at the detention center, have denied wrongdoing in a lawsuit alleging that inmates were unknowingly given ivermectin to treat COVID-19, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Details: An attorney for the defendants says they can't be sued because of statutory, qualified, tort and negligence immunity.

• The defense also argues that doctors are permitted to exercise medical judgment in the treatment of inmates, the newspaper reported.

Background: The ACLU of Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit in January over the use of ivermectin at the Washington County Detention Center on behalf of Edrick Floreal-Wooten, Jeremiah Little, Julio Gonzales and Dayman Blackburn, who say they were given the drug without their knowledge.

• The plaintiffs say they experienced vision issues, diarrhea, bloody stools and stomach cramps, according to the lawsuit.

Context: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned against using ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

Flashback: The prescribing of ivermectin to inmates came to light during a Washington County Quorum Court meeting in August.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College reported a dip in the number of degree-seeking students this semester.

Why it matters: NWACC's enrollment has been on the decline since the pandemic.

• The college is a major resource for nontraditional students who need flexibility in their class schedule and lower tuition rates than the University of Arkansas.
• The college previously reported it saw a 12% drop in enrollment from fall 2019 to fall 2020.

By the numbers: NWACC had 6,402 students enrolled on Tuesday, the eleventh day of classes, compared to 6,784 in spring 2021, the college announced. That’s a 5.6% decrease.

What they're saying: "Although enrollment has decreased slightly, NWACC has high hopes for this summer and fall terms as we increase efforts to have safe on-campus pre-enrollment events and collegiate experiences for potential students," interim vice president of student services Justin White said in a news release.

🚧 The Fayetteville City Council approved a land sale and rezoning to allow Peace at Home Family Shelter to expand. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) Read more about the project in Axios.

💰 Benton County residents earn the most investment income of any county in Arkansas. (Talk Business & Politics)

🎟 Fran Lebowitz will speak at Walton Arts Center on Friday. Get tickets ranging from $25–$45.

🍸 A study suggests Arkansans drink heavily this time of year. (KNWA)

🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. Senior Systems Engineer at Heartland Business Systems.
2. Senior Account Executive Agency at Advantage Solutions.
3. Senior Analyst – Manufacturer Customer Success at NielsenIQ.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board

Hiring? Post a job.

The most common letters used in Wordle are E R A O T, according to an analysis of 221 games from Christopher Ingraham, a former Washington Post reporter. Read Axios' story by Emily Peck.

⬆️ Alex's stats: 3 guesses = 1; 4 guesses = 4; 5 guesses = 6; and 6 guesses = 1 with a 92% win rate.

• Favorite starting word: break

⬇️ Worth's stats: 3 guesses = 3; 4 guesses = 5; 5 guesses = 13; and 6 guesses = 3 with an 89% win rate.

• Favorite starting word: south

What are your fave first words to play? Hit reply, and let us know.