Local Events
Tues., Aug. 5th at noon - Administrative Advocacy Webinar hosted by Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families; In this short webinar focused on the rule-making process for recently passed Arkansas laws. During the webinar learn how the rulemaking process works, how you can stay up-to-date, and how you can share your thoughts and concerns with department leaders. Register HERE.
Wed., Aug. 6th at 5:30 p.m. - League of Women Voters Washington County Drinks & Dialogue featuring Kelly Krout at Crisis Brewing (210 S. Nelson Hackett Blvd.) in Fayetteville; Kelly will be talking about her experience in running for office and why we need everyday people to increase their civic engagement
Thurs., Aug. 7th at 4 p.m. - Coffee & Conversation - Civic Engagement with Weaving NWA; join me in a casual come & go conversation about community building through representation and civic interactions at Red Kite Coffee Company (1401 NE John Deshields Blvd, Unit 125 in Bentonville). Coffee is on us.
Fri., Aug. 8th at 9 a.m. - Onward Ozarks: Shaping the Future of Talent in Northwest Arkansas online event hosted by Northwest Arkansas Council - This conversation will bring together leaders from Walmart, University of Arkansas and global research and consulting firm Gallup to explore national research, local strategies and practical insights. Together, they’ll look at how employers, educators and community leaders can better connect with Gen Z talent who already live here and those we hope to recruit.
Tues., Aug. 12th at 9 a.m. - Re-Regulating for Housing Attainability and Economic Prosperity online event hosted by Groundwork - this free webinar features zoning expert Eric Kronberg, as he discusses how incremental code reform can break through outdated zoning barriers and unlock more affordable and sustainable communities. Register HERE.
Wed., Aug. 13th at 6:30 p.m. - August Democratic Party of Benton County Meeting at the NWACC Walmart Auditorium (1000 SE Eagle Way) in Bentonville; note the WEDNESDAY date! At this months meeting, attendees will break into interest groups to learn more about how to participate/support the party. There will be information on fundraising, communications, candidate recruitment, and more!
Sat., Aug. 16th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - The Black Market by Black Owned NWA at the Record (104 SW A St) in downtown Bentonville; purchase a ticket to a curated community market that celebrates Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and culture in Northwest Arkansas. Your ticket goes beyond admission — it helps Black Owned NWA continue building visibility, access, and equity for Black entrepreneurs in NWA.
Sat., Aug. 16th from 1 - 3 p.m. - August Indivisible NWA Town Hall/Monthly Meeting at Heroncrest Event Center (1579 East Lake Road) in Elm Springs; This extended town hall will be focused on the impacts of the Big Bad Reconciliation Bill; register HERE to receive more information about the event
Community Involvement Opportunities
Virtual Ally Info Sessions!
Join Circles NWA on one of two zooms (links below) to hear more about the role of the Ally! They’ll discuss what kind of impact you can have in your community while walking alongside Circle Leaders on their path toward financial stability. Open to anyone just exploring or ready to sign up!
Groundwork CHATS Community Sessions Continue
CHATS stands for Connecting Housing and Transformative Solutions. This grassroots initiative is designed to foster meaningful discussions around local housing issues. Through a toolkit, hosts guide conversations using Impact Cards that highlight real-life stories from people affected by the housing crisis, and Solution Cards to explore potential paths forward.
Register HERE for upcoming events:
Aug. 9th from 10 - noon in Springdale
Aug. 23rd from 10 - noon at The Medium in Spanish!
Sept. 24th from 9 - 11 a.m. in Bentonville
Oct. 1 from 9 - 11 a.m. in Springdale
Oct. 16 11 - 1 p.m. in Bentonville
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - This is a Special Meeting
Items of Note:
The special city council meeting today is to authorize the calling of a special city election on Nov. 18, 2025, to replace the existing 1% sales and use tax passed in Nov. 2019 with a new 1% sales and use tax which will be used to refund bonds from 2020 & 2024, renovate city offices and fire station #1, and fund fire, street, and police improvements projects
Axios NWA’s newsletter from July 31st was a feature piece on all things Bella Vista! Check out their reporting HERE.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville council approves new solid waste and recycling contract with Republic Services”
From Sam Hoisington at the Bentonville Bulletin, “City Council Approves Trash Contract, Murals, and New Director Position” and “City Council Asked To Record Conversations. One Member Says He Won't.”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.) - Work Session
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Learn more about Centerton’s Planning Director and Floodplain Manager, Lorene Burns, from her interview with Groundwork NWA HERE
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE) - Committee of the Whole
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
City Council member Jeff Neal submitted his resignation last month due to moving out of the area. Registered voters in ward 2 interested in serving the remainder of his term can submit a letter of interest and resume to city hall in person or via email to the mayor by Sept. 9th
On August 9th, celebrate Founders Day with the parade at 10 a.m. and then Second Saturday events at the city park from 5 - 9 p.m.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Art and baked goods? Yum! This summer’s Art on the Brick’s event in downtown Rogers features a scavenger hunt where you can try tasty deserts and check out local art. The Google interactive map for the Aug. 14th event can be found HERE.
In last city council meeting, council members approved the use $16.5 million in general funds to build a new fires station, design a new animal shelter, and improve city services. Read an full recap from Miceala Morano in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
In that same city council meeting, Miceala Morano also reported “Rogers City Council approves water and sewer rate increases”
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
2026 City Budget public input sessions will be held on Monday, Aug. 4 and Monday, Aug. 18th at 5 p.m. at the council chambers. Can’t make the in person meetings? You can submit your thoughts online HERE.
From Tom Sissom in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale Council approves money for street project; city to buy license plate reading cameras”
County Government Awareness
News effecting the County:
Current Benton County Judge Barry Moehring (Republican) announced he will not seek reelection in 2026. Note, all county executive level seats (e.g., county judge, county sheriff, county clerk, etc.) will be up for election Nov. 3, 2026.
Madison Kienzle, Benton County’s planning director, notified the county she will be resigning in August to take a position with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. Read more about her departure from Thomas Saccente in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
Bentonville’s Heartland Forward announced a leadership change. Angie Cooper will now lead the organization while Ross DeVol transitions to a chairman emeritus role. Full announcement from Talk Business & Politics can be found HERE.
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Planning Board Meeting - Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
Finance Committee Meeting - Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Aug. 13 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
95th General Legislative Assembly:
Come for the story about a beloved member of the capitol building, and stay for the picture of one of Senator Leding’s famous notes from his senate seat. From Antoinette Grajeda in the Arkansas Advocate, “First woman to serve as Arkansas Senate secretary prepares for retirement - Ann Cornwell plans to retire in December after 45 years in the Senate”
Legislators will need to do some serious math to address “The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’s changes to SNAP could hit Arkansas’ already-dwindling surplus - The hit to state ledgers could top $100 million if Arkansas’ payment error rate worsens” as reported by Ainsley Platt in the Arkansas Advocate
Learn more from RN Cassie Ann Jones in Arkansas Strong, as she reminds us that “Arkansas’ Looming Rural Healthcare Crisis: Medicaid Cuts Will Cost Lives“
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Latest from the Governor’s office:
From Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas governor announces August trade mission to Israel, United Arab Emirates”
From Sonny Albarado at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas governor touts workforce development, business-friendly environment in [Little Rock] Rotary talk”
Election Information
Candidate Announcements
Chris Jones (who ran for Governor in 2024) announced he will challenge French Hill to represent Congressional District 2, read more HERE
Current Benton County Republican Justice of the Peace for district 5, Carrie Perrin Smith, announced via her FB page that she will run for Benton County Judge in 2026
Two Democratic leaders in the state will be running for the Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair position, Jannie Cotton (current interim party chair and previous Vice Chair) and Marcus Jones (the 2024 Democratic candidate for Congressional District 2). Democratic Party State Committee members will vote for the new chair at their Aug. 16th meeting in Little Rock. Read more about the race from Neal Earley in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
Arkansas Public Policy Center
The Arkansas Public Policy Center released their July newsletter with features about the Photo ID requirement for petition signers and the latest on legal requests tied to the recently passed Arkansas laws regulating the citizen initiative process. Read the latest information HERE and don’t forget to subscribe!
In the Ear
From Kyle Kellum’s in Ozarks at Large, “Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter issues call for more foster families”
Odds & Ends
For some warm & fuzzy’s from Trinity Alicia at The 74, “How a Rhode Island Teen’s $1M Changed the State’s 6th Largest City - Mariam Kaba was awarded for her community-focused plan that has transformed local schools and public spaces throughout Woonsocket, RI.”
From Run for Something’s founder, Amanda Litman, “It’s the people, stupid” - read her thoughts on “connecting the dots between what’s happening in media (RIP institutions, long-live creator-journalists) and what needs to happen to the Democratic Party”
And finally, hot off the presses from Jasleen Singh at the Brennan Center, “The Trump Administration’s Campaign to Undermine the Next Election - The executive branch is interfering in U.S. elections in unprecedented ways.”