Local Events
Tues., Aug. 18 from 5 - 6 p.m. - Arkansas Democrats Present: The Hub webinar; hear updates on the latest work from the state party to elect Democrats across the state this November; register to attend HERE
Thurs., Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. - baby/girls Documentary Screening at the Jones Center in in Springdale; Join Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families for a 40-minute screening of the Arkansas-based documentary baby/girls and hear the stories of two young moms navigating the impacts of a lack of sexual health education, generational trauma, and poverty. The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion with attendees. Register to attend HERE.
Wed., Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Building Northwest Arkansas, One Project at a Time at the Fayetteville Public Library; Join the Northwest Arkansas Council for a special Growing Home NWA event featuring Monte Anderson, president of Options Real Estate Investments Inc. and a founding partner of Neighborhood Evolution. Lunch is provided. Register to attend HERE.
Thurs., Aug. 27 from 1 - 2 p.m. - Special Education 101 webinar from the Policy 101 series hosted by the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition; from IEPs, 504s, and more, Nicole Carey, Education Policy Director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, will discuss various Special Education programs at the state and federal level. Register to attend HERE.
Mon., Aug.31 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Political Animals Luncheon at the Golden Venue (2630 East Citizens Dr.) in Fayetteville; featuring the Democratic and Libertarian candidates for Governor (SHS is a no show); lunch is $20 (paid at venue); to attend, RSVP by noon on Thurs., Aug. 27 to Judge John Threet at [email protected]
Community Involvement Opportunities
Applications Now Open for the LBJ Women’s Campaign School
The LBJ Women’s Campaign School trains both candidates and campaign managers on how to succeed on the campaign trail through seminars, individual mentorship, media coaching, and more. If you, or someone you know, has ever thought about running for office or managing a political campaign, now is the time to take the next step in your political journey.
The six-month program kicks off over MLK Weekend in January 2027 and gives you the opportunity to build lasting relationships with your fellow cohort members while developing a meaningful connection with your mentor. Learn more and apply by Sept. 30 using the link HERE. Message me if you have specific questions - there have been multiple NWA grads from this program (including myself).
League of Women Voters Arkansas 10 Week Civic Action Challenge
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas is launching Unite & Rise 2026, a ten-week statewide Civic Action Challenge bringing League members, supporters and everyday Arkansans together to strengthen voter participation ahead of the November 3 election.
Beginning August 31, they will share one simple, meaningful Civic Action each week through Election Day. The idea is simple: small actions, multiplied across Arkansas, can make a big difference.
Join for the Unite & Rise 2026 Kickoff statewide Zoom gathering on Thurs., Aug. 27th at 6 p.m. - register HERE.
Applications Open for the Local Leader Lab program
From She Should Run, the Local Leader Lab is a program for women ready to take action in their communities, together. Just a few hours a week. No plan required, just the desire to figure it out. Build a meaningful civic project, learn how local power works, find your people.
The Local Leader Lab is for women at any stage of life or career who:
Are open to running for office down the road, but want to lead in your community now
See problems mounting and want support finding where you can make change
Want to lead alongside other women figuring out the same things
Learn more and apply HERE by Aug. 25th.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
A discussion item around banning Flock cameras in Bella Vista is on the work session meeting agenda tonight (Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.)
From Rachel Dickerson with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bella Vista Police Department participates in project serving dementia patients”
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Sam Hoisington with The Bentonville Bulletin, “Bentonville Police Chief Explains Flock Camera Use - Bentonville Police Chief Glynn Bertrand explained how the city uses Flock cameras, but couldn’t say how many crimes they’ve helped solve.”
Good High School Volunteer Hours Opportunity: The City of Bentonville is participating in the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Great American Cleanup by organizing a city-wide "Clean the Streets Day" on Sat., Sept. 19th from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more and sign up for a time and location HERE.
Find out about who is running for the Bentonville City Council positions on the Nov. 3rd ballot from Sam Hoisington with The Bentonville Bulletin HERE.
The City of Bentonville is seeking qualified residents to serve on the newly established Construction Board of Appeals, which will provide a formal venue for reviewing appeals related to the enforcement, application, and interpretation of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Volumes I, II, and III. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 18th.
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton City Council approves $16.59 million bond issue for sewer collection system improvement projects”
From Tracy Neal and Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton City Council votes to remove Flock Safety cameras from town”
Decatur
Next Council Mtng: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. (310 Maple Ave.)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
At the Aug. 11th meeting, the Council approved the Highfill Vision Plan, providing a framework for future growth, development, transportation, and community facilities.
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Lowell council changes rules after complaints about mayor not putting items on agendas” and “Frustration, appreciation expressed during Lowell work session over Master Street Plan proposal”
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
From Kayla Rupp with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Village at City Park plans moving ahead in Pea Ridge despite swell of opposition to project - Rezoning OK’d contingent on annexation”
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Pea Ridge City Council considering regional sewer treatment plant proposal - Concept could see partnership with Avoca, Garfield, Little Flock, others”
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison, “Rogers voters to decide on issuing more than $450 million in bonds for capital improvement projects - Residents will vote on raising more than $450 million for projects”
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Miceala Morano with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Rex Bailey tapped to fill temporary Springdale City Council vacancy”; he will serve until the replacement board member is elected later this year.
County Government Awareness
Flock Cameras
Astrid Galván from Axios reports on the massive blowback against Flock cameras, including in Centerton and Pea Ridge HERE.
This week is the National Week of Action - No ALPRS (automated license plate reader). Learn more HERE. Map of current Flock cameras in Benton County can be found HERE.
Benton County Quorum Court
🚨 ACTION ALERT🚨
At the Committee of the Whole/Quorum Court meetings this month, there will be a second discussion and reading of the ordinance to establish a 287g Ice Program Fund for the federal dollars the county will receive for participating in the more advanced (optional) program that the county sheriff is participating. If you would like to express your opinion on the creation of the fund and the distribution of the fund dollars, you should email your Justice of the Peace representative and/or speak at the upcoming meetings this month.
Learn more HERE.
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Board of Equalization - Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. (Benton County Rogers Office)
Committee of the Whole - Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board of Appeals Hearing - Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.
Quorum Court - Aug 27 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
News impacting the state
The Arkansas Advocate highlights:
From Tess Vrbin, “March of Dimes report highlights Arkansas’ gaps in maternity care - Federal Medicaid cuts and uncertain future of Medicaid expansion put labor and delivery services in rural Arkansas even more at risk, advocates warn”
From Tess Vrbin, “Arkansas seeks 2-year reprieve for state’s hybrid Medicaid expansion - The state needs time to create and implement a new program in place of ARHOME, DHS Secretary Janet Mann wrote to federal officials”
From Andrew DeMillo, “Arkansas healthcare providers alarmed by potential end of state’s Medicaid expansion”
From Axios, “1 big thing: Deportations would cost Arkansas taxpayers $1,700 each - Estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detainment funding”; Additionally, check out the Economic Policy Institute’s “The Cost of Deportations Calculator” for more examples of how we could better spend our tax dollars
From Kyler Swaim with KNWA, “Study names Benton County as candidate for possible future nuclear development”
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
From Antoinette Grajeda with the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas governor to appoint temporary Supreme Court justice to fill in for Webb”
Election Information
Latest on the Benton County Judge race from Alex Golden with Axios NWA, “1 big thing: What could happen in the Benton County judge race” and “Court records detail more abuse allegations against McCollum”
Full list of candidates that filed for municipal office in Benton County can be found HERE; the contested races will appear on this Nov. 3rd’s ballot.
Local Candidate Events
Please consider attending the following upcoming event to learn more about and support like-minded candidates running for office in Arkansas.
State Legislature=: Candidate meet and greet for Mitchell Smith in House District 13 (south Bentonville and northwest Rogers)
RSVP to attend HERE
Justice of the Peace: Candidate meet and greet for Angelina White in Justice of the Peace District 2 (east Rogers)
RSVP using this LINK
Homework
Thanks for making it this far into the newsletter. This new section is a list of potential To Do’s or Homework to stretch your civic engagement muscles. Here are some options for you to choose from for the remainder of August:
Watch Heather Cox Richardson’s YouTube video from August 13 HERE (start at the 1:30 mark)
Read “On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear” by Julia Angwin and Ami Fields-Meyer (if you want to purchase the book, order from Two Friends HERE)
Attend this month’s Quorum Court meeting (Thurs., Aug. 27th at 6 p.m.) - learn more about the community ask HERE
I plan to continue to highlight homework in future emails (you’ll see why if you watch the HCR video above).
I want feedback too, so let me know if you watch/read/take action on any or all of the items listed above. Also, if you have future civic engagement homework ideas for our community, you can share them by replying to this email.
Odds & Ends
From Jessica Valenti, author of Abortion, Every Day, “Nara Smith, Lindsay Clancy, Max Miller—and Our National Reckoning on Motherhood - We've reached a tipping point”
From Pete Buttigieg, “Don’t Let Them Fool You: You are Not Alone - I see an American majority ready for a better politics. Watch my message about what we have the chance to deliver in this year’s midterms.”
And finally, from Tressie McMillan Cottom with the New York Times (🎁 article), “Is Ocasio-Cortez Ready for the Glass Cliff?” - read this and then watch AOC’s Instagram videos from this last week 🔥🔥 🔥