Developer Core Spaces will offer low-income units and relocation stipends in its new University of Arkansas student housing proposal, Fayetteville Flyer first reported.

Why it matters: Fayetteville's student housing is booming while options for lower-wage earners are shrinking — especially near the city's center.

The big picture: Seventeen student-focused complexes have added more than 10,000 beds in Fayetteville since 2009 — with 2,620 more approved and under construction, and several others pending or stalled.

State of play: A 719-bed building between Hill and University avenues proposed by Core of Chicago was among one that's been rejected. The planning commission denied its request for rezoning nearly three acres in May.

• Core's new proposal will include 37 units intended for the general public with rent based on 50% of the area median income. A one-bedroom unit would cost $891 per month; a two-bedroom, about $1,020.
• Reality check: The average rent for multifamily housing in NWA was $1,075 per month in the second half of 2024, according to the Arvest Skyline Report.

Core also proposes to give first right of refusal for those units to residents who now live in the apartments that would be demolished.

• Each leaseholder would receive $10,000 to cover moving expenses.
• Tenants who move out before construction is set to begin would not receive the money or the right of refusal, Andrew Savoy, vice president of development with Core, told the Flyer.

What they're saying: "I hope that this sets a precedent as an example for other projects of what you can do," Fayetteville's economic development director Devin Howland told the Flyer.

• "We listened to the community and we're proud to propose this revised project in tandem with a unique Community Housing program designed to better meet Fayetteville's evolving housing needs," Savoy said in a news release shared with Axios.

What's next: Core's appeal for rezoning the property will be reviewed by the city council on August 5.

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Immigrants make up a lower share of Arkansas' health care workforce than in most states, but the nation's hospitals still rely heavily on an immigrant workforce, per census data analyzed by KFF.

Why it matters: It's a pivotal moment for the nation's hospitals.

• The health care industry is facing a double challenge — a White House immigration crackdown that could translate to worker shortages and the "big, beautiful bill," which pulls back federal health care spending.
• Meanwhile, an aging population will require more care.

Zoom in: About 5% of health care workers in Arkansas are immigrants, and Northwest Arkansas has a growing need for health care workers to meet growing demand as the nation sees a shortage.

By the numbers: Nationwide, 16% of hospital workers are immigrants — roughly in the line with the share of the workforce that's foreign-born.

• More populous states have higher numbers — 32% in California, 29% in New York and New Jersey, and 27% in Florida.

The intrigue: There are already shortages of doctors in certain areas and within certain specialities, as well as an overall workforce shortage. Reducing the number of immigrants in the U.S. could make that worse.

• And it's not just physicians. Immigrants account for a high share of the cleaning and maintenance staff in hospitals — close to 30%.
• "If there aren't enough workers, hospitals may need to limit services," says Scott Hulver, a policy analyst at KFF.

State of play: Hospitals are one of the big losers from the new spending bill, taking a major hit from Medicaid cuts and changes to the Affordable Care Act, report Axios' Peter Sullivan and Victoria Knight. Millions are likely to lose their health insurance.

• This will mean more uninsured people and more uncompensated care.

The bottom line: Since the passage of the ACA in 2010, more people have had access to health care and the industry exploded, hiring surged, and more workers were in demand.

• Now momentum is moving in the opposite direction.

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👨‍💼 Experience Fayetteville, the city's tourism arm, has a new CEO. Ryan Hauck replaces Mayor Molly Rawn, who was CEO before taking office in January. (Fayetteville Flyer)

⛔️ Lowell city officials are threatening to close public restrooms at Ward Nail Park if vandalism persists. (40/29)

🧑‍⚖️ A federal judge plans to decide soon whether to block Arkansas' law banning pharmacy benefit managers from operating drug stores. (Arkansas Advocate)

Don't let the heat stop you this weekend.

🍑 Just peachy — Danger Dave's in Bentonville is hosting a peach festival with peach-inspired sandwiches and drinks, live music, a fruit stand and a peach pie eating contest. Noon to 6pm Sunday.

🏃 Strolling Dickson — It's not too late to register for the Dickson Street Mile, a mile-long walk or run in downtown Fayetteville. Bring the kids and the dog. 7-10am Saturday. Register for $15-$30.

🎤 Feeling musical — The Momentary in Bentonville has a full lineup this weekend with Gregory Alan ($58) tonight, Shemekia Copeland ($30-$35) on Saturday and Hippo Campus ($35) on Sunday.

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Three time Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion apparently played golf with NBA boyfriend Klay Thompson in Rogers on Wednesday.

• She said she was in Arkansas for some business meetings in a TikTok recording the date.
• Based on how she threw an iron at the green, she's not golfer.

The bad news: She's a Texan. But she's also pop royalty, so we'll allow it.