Local Events
Thursday, June 1 at 7 p.m. - In Conversation with Brit Bennett - Fayetteville Public Library (401 West Mountain St.) will host a conversation with the bestselling author and social commentator; moderated by “I am Northwest Arkansas” podcast host Randy Wilburn. Event is first-com, first-served with a capacity of 650.
Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. - Waiting in the Wigs: A Drag Benefit for Arkansas Public Theatre; support local community theater during this fun-filled event for adults featuring local drag queen entertainers; purchase tickets HERE
Saturday, June 10 from 2 - 6 pm - Siloam Springs Pride Festival in the downtown Twin Springs Park. If you are interested in volunteering or setting up vendor space, please email [email protected].
Community Program Spotlight - New Leaders Council (NLC)
NLC is a 501(c)(3) program that develops cross-sector leaders committed to change rooted in equity. NLC creates community that builds trust, centers equity, and reflects the people participants serve. NLC invests in local changemakers historically excluded from leadership pipelines, yet are best equipped to solve our nation’s most challenging issues. NLC sustains local ecosystems that accelerate their alumni’s impact.
Over nearly 20 years, NLC has grown to 50 chapters across the country serving 12,000 alumni and current Fellows. The NLC community is a reflection of the rising generation of leadership: 78 percent of the 2023 Fellows self-identify as BlPOC, 68 percent are women and gender non-conforming, and 39 percent report identifying as LGBTQIA+.
Anchored by its six-month leadership development program, the NLC Institute, NLC fellows share their new skills, knowledge, and network with their communities and workplaces, creating a ripple effect for the causes they champion.
There are two upcoming ways to engage with the New Leaders Council Arkansas chapter!
1. Nominate someone to be an NLC Arkansas 2024 fellow HERE
2. Attend the NLC Arkansas Graduation and Fundraiser on Saturday June 24, from 4-6pm in Little Rock.
If you would like to learn more about the NLC and its work in Arkansas, contact Co-Director and Co-Founder NLC Arkansas Board Member and NLC National Board Member, Rhianon DeLeeuw ([email protected]).
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Items of Note:
Gravette Day Parade entry form open to public
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
Costco is planning to open a store in Lowell (SW corner of Concord St and Pleasant Grove Rd) - no opening date yet
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 13 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Rogers city council approved a new ward map effective immediately. This new map moved Betsy Reithemeyer from ward 4 to ward 1; she will be appointed to fill the Ward 1 vacancy from Mark Kruger’s death earlier this month.
Rogers ward 4 voters interested in being appointed to the city council for the remainder of the term (Dec. 2024) can apply HERE. Deadline to apply is June 2nd.
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Benton County has received $2.4 million from the US Treasury under the American Rescue Plan for affordable housing. Organizations can apply for these funds to help build more multi-family affordable housing. Applications are due by June 7th. Read more HERE.
Upcoming meetings:
Detention and Courts subcommittee - May 23 at 6 p.m.
Quorum Court - May 25 at 6 p.m.
Bentonville School District
Parents in the Bentonville School District should review the attendance zone boundaries proposals for elementary, middle school and junior high schools effective for the 24-25 school year. The proposed maps and the timeline for feedback and public meetings are listed HERE.
State Government Awareness
Arkansas Department of Transportation
from Ron Wood at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is working jointly with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to conduct a study of U.S. 412 between Interstate 35 in Oklahoma and Interstate 49 in Arkansas. The study is part of congressionally mandated legislation to convert U.S. 412 into an interstate highway.
An in-person, public meeting will be held 4-7 p.m. June 8 at John Brown University Simmons Great Hall, at 2000 W. University St. in Siloam Springs. The U.S. 412 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study website will be available June 7 at www.ardot.gov/publicmeetings.
The study website will allow viewers to see exhibits and provide online comments. All exhibits and information presented on the website will also be available at the in-person meeting. Comment forms will be available during the in-person meeting as well as online. Comments will be received through 4:30 p.m. June 28.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
The number of resignations at top government positions in the state are starting to stack up in the early days of Governor Sanders. Here’s a list of a few of them:
State Budget Director Aaron Black (resigned after less than 4 months in the position)
Chief Legal Counsel Andrew “Vu” Ritchie
Surgeon General Dr. Gregory Bledsoe
Director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division Doralee Chandler (moved to AG’s office)
LEARNS
The Arkansans selected for the LEARNS rulemaking work groups was announced earlier this month. See the full list of committee members HERE. Local Benton County representatives include:
Career Readiness:
Anne Martfeld - Pea Ridge School District Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Jared Cleveland - Springdale School District Superintendent
Early Career Exposure:
Dr. Jennifer Morrow - Bentonville School District Executive Director of Secondary Education
Human Resources
Tanya Sharp - Bentonville School District Chief Operating Officer
Teacher Effectiveness
Amy Sanchez - Siloam Springs School District Director of Student Services and School Improvement
Teacher Preparation
Curtis Cunningham - John Brown University Chair, Department of Education
School Choice
Dr. Debbie Jones - Bentonville School District Superintendent
Kristen Hargett - Moms for Liberty, Benton County
Election Information
Results from the May 9th election:
Political Training Opportunities
National Democratic Training Committee (Online & FREE):
The Secrets to Successful Fundraising Emails - Noon, May 23
Hosting Fundraising Events as a Local Leader - Noon, May 24
So You Want to Run for Office: Pride Edition for LGBTQIA+ Candidates - Noon, June 1
National Candidate Bootcamp: Field Deep Dive - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 3
Running in a Red District - Noon, June 5
Odds & Ends
Read Arkansas Advocate “Southwest Arkansas district asked to stop encouraging Christianity in public schools”
Read Axios NW Arkansas recap on the Walton Arts Center board resignations “Walton Arts Center board members resign over drag decision“
Read Sonny Albarado’s commentary in the Arkansas Advocate