Northwest Arkansas' would-be tech workers have a chance to interview next month with local startups.

The big picture: The startup hiring event is built for recent graduates, career changers, self-taught builders and people reentering the workforce — candidates who may have the skills to start a tech career but need a path into local companies.

State of play: StartupNWA, an arm of the Northwest Arkansas Council, and Apprenticely, formerly Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, will host the event from 9-11am July 16 at the University of Arkansas Collaborative in Bentonville.

• The event starts with an open networking breakfast for anyone curious about startup jobs, followed by speed interviews between preselected candidates and participating companies.
• Candidates must apply by July 10 to be considered for interviews.
• Startups will be hiring for roles in software development, AI operations, marketing, data analytics and design.

Context: Apprenticely, an Arkansas workforce program, offers free training, internships and registered apprenticeship programs for people starting IT careers.

• Its work-based learning program also supports employers by sourcing and screening candidates, helping structure mentorships and subsidizing wages by up to $10 an hour.

The bottom line: Participating startups include Align AI, HaveMore.Space, Huml Health, Collab Design Co. and Umami. Candidates can browse roles on Apprenticely's job board.

This will be the busiest July Fourth week for travel since at least 2019, AAA predicts.

Why it matters: The right departure time could save you hours stuck in traffic.

The big picture: The worst July Fourth holiday traffic is expected to hit starting Thursday, according to INRIX, a transportation data firm that works with AAA to calculate travel times.

Yes, but: In certain metros — including Boston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia — peak congestion was expected this weekend.

State of play: To avoid the heaviest traffic, leave early in the day or consider driving on Monday or Tuesday, per INRIX.

By the numbers: AAA expects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5.

• That's up from 71.8 million travelers last year, but a smaller jump than in recent years.

Zoom in: Most July 4 travelers — 85% — are forecasted to drive this year, despite high gas prices, according to AAA.

What we're watching: For those renting cars, AAA partner Hertz also expects Thursday to be the busiest pickup day.

• The top cities for advance bookings are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and New York City.

🏫 The Fayetteville School Board voted to name its new middle school after longtime teacher Thelma Thomason, the district's longest-serving educator. (Fayetteville Flyer)

🍬 Arkansas plans to begin enforcing new SNAP restrictions on Wednesday that bar recipients from using benefits to buy soda, candy and certain other drinks, even after a federal judge blocked similar bans in five other states. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

🏭 A maker of cabs for off-highway vehicles and heavy-duty equipment, such as bulldozers and tractors, Crenlo Engineered Cabs, has moved its headquarters from Minneapolis to Bentonville, where the company says it plans to expand as part of a broader growth push. (Northwest Arkansas Business Journal)

There's nothing like a really good burger. Here are four Northwest Arkansas spots serving some of the best we've tried lately.

Gaskins on Emma

Downtown Springdale keeps getting cooler, and Gaskins is part of the reason why. The restaurant feels upscale without being stiff, making it just as good for a casual lunch as a nicer meal out.

• Try this: The Gaskins Smash Burger with two patties, white cheddar, shallot jam and pickles. It comes with fries, and the sweet-savory combo makes the whole thing craveable.
• Visit Gaskins on Emma at 100 W. Emma Ave., Suite 115 in Springdale.

Oak Steakhouse

A steakhouse burger can either feel like an afterthought or a natural progression. Oak's version leans into the latter.

• Try this: The Oak Burger, dressed with sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickles and Duke's mayo, plus fries on the side. It's big, juicy, and built for two hands.
• Visit Oak Steakhouse at 4100 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway in Rogers.

Stonebreaker

Stonebreaker's lunch menu gives Fayetteville another strong burger option in a setting that feels a little more polished than the average midday stop.

• Try this: The wagyu cheeseburger with short potato wedges. It hits that savory, fully dressed cheeseburger note, while the wedges bring the kind of crispy-outside, fluffy-inside payoff you want on the side.
• Visit Stonebreaker at 2231 W. Markham Road in Fayetteville.

The Hive

The burger at The Hive has built enough local hype that it had to make this list. Better yet, you don't need to commit to a full upscale dinner to get it.

• Try this: Head to the lounge inside 21c Museum Hotel, order the burger and fries, and enjoy one of NWA's best hidden gems.
• Visit The Hive at 200 NE A St. in Bentonville.

The bottom line: Northwest Arkansas has no shortage of burger opinions, but these four make a strong short list for some slightly upscale options.

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