Local Events
Tues., Apr. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Social Hour at Bike Rack Brewing (8th St Market in Bentonville); all welcome
Thurs., Apr. 30 at 1 p.m. - SNAP and WIC 101 - Policy 101 Webinar Series; led by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; learn about the fundamentals of both the SNAP and WIC programs from Cathy May, Director of SNAP & WIC Programs at the Alliance; register to attend virtually HERE
Fri., May 8 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Coffee with Dems hosted by the DPBC at Butter + Blooms Bakery in Rogers (121 W Elm St.); come enjoy good company and coffee
Mon., May 11 at 6:30 p.m. - DPBC Monthly Meeting at the NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville); doors open at 6 p.m.; this month’s meeting will feature the Democratic candidates running for Justice of the Peace positions across the county
Community Involvement Opportunities
Apply for the League of Women Voters of Arkansas Board Vacancy
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas (LWVAR) has a vacancy on their board of directors. They are seeking nominations through MAY 10 to fill the remaining one year of a two-year term. This position will go through summer of 2027. They welcome self-nominations as well as nominations of individuals you think would be a good addition to the board.
In order to be eligible, individuals must be a current member of one of the local leagues or a member at large for at least six months. To comply with the nonpartisan policy, candidates should not be officers of any political party or current office holders elected in partisan elections. Submit a nomination HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Apr. 27 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
Mayor will ask council for approval to reappoint Elizabeth Duncan and newly appoint Benjamin Sasine to the to the Tree Advisory Board (terms end May 2029)
Applications are open to fill a vacancy on the Bella Vista Planning Commission. Responsibilities of the members of the Planning Commission, who also serve as the Board of Zoning Adjustment, include attending meetings twice a month at 4:30 pm. Applications are due by Fri., May 8. Those interested should submit their resume and letter of interest online HERE or by email to [email protected]
Coffee with the Mayor is scheduled for Sat., May 16 at 9:30 a.m. (2483 Forest Hill Blvd)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 28 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Congratulations to the Bentonville Bulletin for celebrating their two year anniversary last week. If you aren’t a contributor already, consider supporting their work HERE. Once you subscribe, enjoy founder Sam Hoisington nerding out over the issue with Bentonville’s manholes leaking HERE. No really, where else can you get this kind of coverage?!
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville council votes 5-2 to approve agreement for $200 million Central/Battlefield development“
The City of Bentonville is accepting applications from Ward 1 residents to serve on the Bentonville City Council following the resignation of Council Member Gayatri Richardson, who represented Ward 1, Position 2. Residents interested in being considered for appointment are encouraged to apply HERE by Monday, May 11, 2026.
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 28 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton Utilities to advertise sewer collection system improvement projects totaling $16 million” and “Centerton to start negotiations with Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority to fix wastewater woes”
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 28 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Items of Note:
Join the city in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Gravette Public Library on Fri., May 1 between 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at 119 Main St. SE in Gravette
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
There is a public town hall meeting tonight (Apr. 27) at 6 p.m. in the Highfill City Council chambers to provide additional information to the public on the proposed Highfill Northwest Arkansas Industrial Development Authority
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Lowell alderman resigns after council votes to move ahead with legal action if he failed to do so - City attorney says formal resignation [from Scott Mendham] needed to fill seat”
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
Round Table with the Mayor on Friday, May 1 from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at the city hall council chambers
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 27 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Northwest Park Grand Opening celebration will be held on Wed., May 6 at 4 p.m. at 998 W. Will Rogers Dr.
Rogers Public Library Grand Reopening (finally!!!) will be celebrated on Sat., May 9 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 711 S Dixieland Rd in Rogers
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Marc Hayot with NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs airport supporters not high on proposed subdivision” and “Scot Rigby officially hired as Siloam Springs city administrator”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 27 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Tom Sissom with NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale aldermen endorse downtown building code revisions“
The Springdale Board of Education is seeking applicants interested to serve as the Zone 2 school board member. The appointment will be made during the June 9th school board meeting and the appointee will serve until spring 2028. Go HERE for more information about the application process due by May 29th.
County Government Awareness
Growing NWA Regional Strategy Released
“This strategy reflects the collective effort of cities, counties, institutions, businesses, and partners across Northwest Arkansas. It was developed to support informed decision-making as the region grows, grounded in local knowledge, technical analysis, and long-term stewardship of shared resources.
This document was prepared with support from the Walton Family Foundation as part of an ongoing commitment to the long-term vitality, affordability, and resilience of Northwest Arkansas.”
Read “A Regional Growth Strategy to Guide Northwest Arkansas as it Prepares for 1 Million Residents” Regional Vision HERE and Growth Strategies HERE. For a recap of the presented information, check out Worth Sparkman’s reporting in Axios NWA HERE.
Benton County Quorum Court
From the Benton County Newsletter’s Quorum Court Recap:
“The Benton County Justices of the Peace repealed an ordinance creating an Industrial Development Authority in Benton, Madison, and Washington Counties. Justices of the Peace chose to suspend the rules to pass the repeal in one night. All ordinances must be read three times, unless the court suspends the rules. [Hear from Daniel Caruth at KUAF about the meeting HERE or read Thomas Saccente’s reporting in NWA Dem Gazz HERE.]
Justices of the Peace held the first reading for an ordinance to establish a Benton County Jail Misdemeanor Operations Fund. The ordinance will be read at the May and June Quorum Court meetings. Justices of the Peace will vote on the ordinance at the June Quorum Court meeting.” Read more in Thomas Saccente’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Planning Board Meeting - May 6 at 6 p.m.
Finance Committee Meeting - May 12 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - May 13 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - May 19 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - May 20 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
95th General Legislative Assembly:
It’s likely the state legislature will close their fiscal session later this week and be pulled back in for a special session next week. Below are some articles about the fiscal session:
From Alex Golden with Axios NWA, “What to know about the ongoing fiscal session”
I’m impressed with the excellent coverage on the state legislature from the reporting team at the Arkansas Advocate. Check out some of their recent pieces:
“SESSION SNAPSHOT: Arkansas lawmakers prepare to finish budget work - Special session on income tax cuts next on lawmakers’ schedule”
“Arkansas lawmakers propose sending $300M to economic incentive fund for West Memphis ‘super project’ - State among several in running for manufacturing site, House speaker says”
“Arkansas’ 3,000-bed prison site is on hold. What are the other options? - A look at the scenarios for expanding prison space now that the Franklin County project’s in doubt”
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
From Worth Sparkman at Axios NWA covered Sanders interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box from last week HERE
From Tracking Arkansas, “The Governor's Surplus Spend Down - The surplus is shrinking, the spending is growing and no one will say when it ends” and “Evans, Hester, Dismang Solved the Governor's $265,000 Problem - How three ex officio heavies had to rescue a stacked subcommittee”
Election Information
I plan to start dropping news items on occasion about prospective Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election as they seem applicable. For example, Vice President Kamala Harris was the featured speaker at the Democratic Party of Arkansas’ annual Fisher Shackelford Dinner this past Saturday. Read Ainsley Platt’s write up of her speech in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
Congratulations to the Democratic Party of Benton County newly elected State Committee members representing Benton County from 2026-2028: Lon Cross, Anna Good, Melanie Hoskins, Tyer Masters, Gina Moroni, Randy Rice, and Parker Stohlton!
Local Candidate Events
Please consider attending one or all of the following upcoming event to learn more about and support candidates running for office in Arkansas.
State Legislature: Candidate Grassroots Gatherings series hosted by Jacob Allen in House District 10 (North Bentonville, South Central Bella Vista)
State Legislature: Candidate Fundraiser for Eduardo Guzman in Senate District 27 (Fort Smith) - with a live musical performance!
U.S. Senate: Candidate Fundraiser for Hallie Shoffner - TWO opportunities to meet and support Hallie!
Tickets can be purchased HERE
Tickets can be purchased HERE
Free Online Training Courses
Building Bridges for America is offering free online classes to the public. Click on the links below to learn about each course, download course materials, and watch the course video.
Odds & Ends
Check out these great recaps of recently released Arkansas health related data from Letters from an Arkansan over the last week with “NWA Health Summit - Maternal and Reproductive Health” and “Black Maternal Health Week - Honoring Black Mothers, Saving Lives in Arkansas”
Nerd out on the latest polling data update from G. Elliott Morris with Strength in Numbers:
“The incredible shrinking Trump coalition - An updated look at the president's approval rating by geography and demographics shows just how narrow his coalition has become”
“Trump approval falls to 35% as rating on handling prices hits a record -46 - Our new Strength In Numbers/Verasight poll finds the president's overall job approval at a new low, Democrats leading by 7 on the generic ballot, and a majority says the Iran war is not worth the cost”
Learn more about the Protect AR Rights ballot initiative campaign in this interview with Roby Brock at Talk Business & Politics