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Local Events
Thurs., Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. - Webinar: AI and Public Benefit Programs from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families; Join a webinar led by the team at TechTonic Justice (A multidimensional, community-based effort to strengthen local justice movements and build long-term power among the people and communities that AI is leaving behind) to discuss the different ways AI is being used or being considered for use in public benefits programs. Register to attend HERE.
Mon., Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County Monthly Meeting at the Peterson Auditorium at NWACC in Bentonville; this month’s meeting will feature candidates running in contested nonpartisan municipal races across the county - open to all to come and meet the folks that will appear on your ballot this Nov.
Tues., Sept 15 from 7 - 8 p.m. - Turn the South Blue! Virtual Rally; Join Run for Something and YALLvote for a discussion on turning the South blue. If you'd like to see change in the South, come learn how you can get involved — from running for office to activating your digital community. Register to attend HERE.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Teen Volunteer Fair
For those of you with teens (especially those needing to collect community service hours for graduation), check out the Teen Volunteer Fair at the Bentonville Public Library (405 S. Main St.) from 4 - 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2nd. Open to all teens and families; this event is designed to help teens explore local volunteer and internship opportunities, connect with nonprofit organizations, and learn how they can make a difference in their community. Attendees will have the chance to meet face to face with local leaders and nonprofit representatives.
Annual Little Flock Picnic and Democratic Rally
Join local community members at the annual Little Flock picnic to meet local Democratic candidates and U.S. Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner. The picnic in on Sunday, Sept. 27th and starts at 1 p.m. at 1500 Little Flock Drive. You bring camping chairs, and they’ll provide the food (picnic standards). Join me in purchasing tickets or sponsorships HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Sam Hoisington with The Bentonville Bulletin, “Bentonville to Test AI Traffic Signal Technology - The City of Bentonville plans to put three AI-enabled traffic-signal technologies to a head-to-head test around the city.”
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville City Council approves noise regulation amendments; bar owner says new limits will hurt nightlife”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 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 presents downtown master plan final draft; Planning Commission consideration set for Sept. 1”
Don’t forget to attend one of the many Centerton Day festivities Sat., Sept. 12th!
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 22 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:
In August, the City approved the Highfill Vision Plan which includes a future land use plan and map, a master street plan, a community facilities plan for future fire facilities, and active transportation planning.
Highfill Block Party (free) will be held at the Highfill City Park on Sat., Sept. 12th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - all family members welcome, come hungry!
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
The City is asking residents to advocate for Highway 72 improvements. See post HERE for details. Comment period closes Sept. 4th.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Mayor’s Youth Academy. The Mayor’s Youth Academy is open to high school juniors and seniors who live in Rogers or attend school in Rogers. Apply by Sept. 11th HERE
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
County Government Awareness
County News
From Worth Sparkman with Axios NW Arkansas, “NWA needs $1.5 billion in wastewater investment”
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Benton County Quorum Court to consider federal grant for proposed felony bed jail expansion - Justice Department money requires immigration partnership” and “Benton County Quorum Court hears local pushback over Sheriff’s Office’s ICE partnership - 35 residents express opposition at meeting” - <CEJ: A big THANK YOU to the community members that spoke out at the meeting! Get ready for one last opportunity to have your voice heard at the Sept. 24th Quorum Court meeting.>
From Tracy Neal with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Audit of Benton County court case assignments results in recommendations for state Administrative Office of the Courts - Report finds no major issues in Benton County Circuit Clerk’s Office”
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Board of Equalization - Sept. 1, 8, 9, & 15 at 8:30 a.m. (Rogers Office)
Planning Board Meeting - Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board of Appeals Hearing - Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
Finance Committee Meeting - Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
Committee of the Whole - Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
County Services
State Government Awareness
News impacting the state
From Alex Colden with Axios NWA, “Advocates push to extend postpartum Medicaid”
“An estimated 1.14 million Arkansans, or about 37% [or 1 in every 3 Arkansans] of state residents, don’t have enough food to meet their needs, according to a report posted Wednesday (Aug. 26) from the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.” Read more from Talk Business and Politics reporting HERE.
From Ainsley Platt with the Arkansas Advocate, “Franklin County prison project not canceled, Arkansas corrections secretary says - The comments came at the first of several legislative meetings on how to alleviate ongoing prison bed shortages”
From Tess Vrbin with the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas librarian fired after opposing book ban efforts to receive $275K in settlement - The settlement comes as librarians question how to enforce a law that would criminalize distributing content considered “harmful to minors”
From Tracking Arkansas and Janie Ginocchio, “Meta Money: $172M Settlement Gives AG Broad Spending Discretion - Other states planned in advance how their recoveries would be used. Griffin has announced no specific plan for the money.”
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
From Talk Business & Politics staff:
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Local Candidates 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 to attend HERE
Election Information
Special Election Called for House District 8
Learn more about the special election for house district 8 (NE Bentonville, Pea Ridge, Little Flock and NE Rogers) to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. McCollum’s resignation that will be held in conjunction with the Nov. 3rd general election from Antoinette Grajeda’s reporting in the Arkansas Advocate HERE. The Republican Party nominated Kara Armas, the spouse of Benton County Justice of the Peace Brian Armas, who will serve as the State Representative for district 8 in 2027. The Democratic Party nominated Parker Stohlton, current State Committee member.
Polling Updates
Poll Analysis from Talk Business & Politics:
Poll: Tight race for US Senate between Cotton, Shoffner: Shoffner leads with 47.4 vs. 44 for Cotton - <CEJ: don’t take this as gospel, but do take this to mean that Hallie Shoffner has MOMENTUM> Additionally, you can learn more about Hallie and her campaign in this Capitol View video from this weekend HERE and from the Reuters featured article released today HERE
Poll: Gov. Sanders holds lead over two opponents: The fact that Gov. Sanders is only at 45% is interesting
Watch this YouTube Video analysis featuring Dr. Jay Barth and Robert Coon on the Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll results with Roby Brock
Listen to Matthew Moore’s reporting with Ozarks at Large, “Poll shows some Arkansas Republican incumbents trailing Democratic rivals”
From G. Elliott Morris with Strength in Numbers, “Are the polls overestimating Democrats again? - It is tempting to “unskew” polls after repeat misses. But predicting future poll bias only works until it doesn’t” and “Two big questions about the polls right now - Are respondents too progressive? And is weighting by past vote increasing support for Republicans?”
2026 Ballot Issues Finalized
From the Aug. 2026 News & Notes Public Policy Newsletter:
“County election officials received the official statewide ballot on Aug. 20. The ballot titles went out the day after the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected efforts from voters to require Secretary of State Cole Jester to count signatures collected for the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment.
The official ballot includes three constitutional amendments from the legislature and one bond issue referred by the legislature.”
Review the one-pager recap HERE. A full issue voting guide will be issued in September.
Voter Registration
Do you or someone you know need to register to vote in Arkansas? Share the QR code below to provide eligible Arkansans with an ONLINE form they can use to apply. Once completed, the form (administered by Get Loud Arkansas) will be printed and distributed to the appropriate county for processing. New registrants should get a card in the mail confirming their registration once the county has processed it. Last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd election is Monday, Oct. 5th!
Link to Application HERE
Odds & Ends
From Economist Paul Krugman, “The Case Against Bond Market Panic -
Don’t let the Very Serious People undermine a progressive agenda — again”
From Catherine Rampell with The Bulwark, “Trump’s Gift to the Money Launderers - Treasury isn’t merely shutting down an anti-corruption database. It’s deleting the data so future investigators can’t use it.”
Commentary from Andrew DeMillo with the Arkansas Advocate, “Republicans won Arkansas by nationalizing campaigns. Could that strategy backfire?”