Local Events
Wed., Aug. 20th at noon - How Will the Big Federal Budge Cuts Affect Arkansas webinar hosted by Arkansas Advocates for Children & Family; hear from Whitney Tucker, Director of State Fiscal Policy Research Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; register for the zoom meeting HERE
Thurs., Aug. 28th from 6 - 7:30 p.m. - Benton County League of Women Voters Member Meetup & Postcard Writing at Social Brewing Project (600 SW 41st St. Apt. 4) in Bentonville; Join in writing postcards to Benton County voters who may have been affected by Arkansas’s voter registration maintenance process that can result in voters being removed from the voter rolls if they haven’t recently voted
Wed., Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - United WE NW Arkansas Town Hall - Sharing & Listening Session for All Women & Allies at the Center for Nonprofits (1200 W. Walnut) in Rogers; United WE is bringing together women, men, business leaders, community leaders, and policymakers to discuss the economic barriers impacting women’s participation in the workforce. Help shape solutions that support Arkansas women and families by sharing your voice. Sign up HERE
Community Involvement Opportunities
Be a Benton County Poll Worker!
The Benton County Election team is looking for new poll workers to support the 2026 elections! Learn all about the positions and requirements on the County website HERE.
If you are interested in becoming an Election Official for Benton County, please fill out and submit the online application. The county will not actively start reaching out to applicants until this Fall, and they will hold training classes in January 2026.
Also:
High Schoolers can capture volunteer hours helping with poll work!
There is a great need for those who are bilingual to help with translation services at vote centers. If you are bilingual, it is important that you can both speak AND be able to translate the written word.
Bentonville All Bike(r)s Welcome Mural
The Bentonville City Council is again reviewing the “All Bike(r)s Welcome” mural at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Yes, this is the same mural that was discussed and allowed to remain with a small agreed upon change earlier this summer.
Now, the council is reviewing the mural again after 17 (form letter) complaints came from community members indicating the mural includes trans flag iconography. After a mediation session between the artist and the complainants, the unresolved (because there is no trans flag and it’s art) matter returned to the council agenda last Tuesday.
At the meeting, council members could not agree on how to proceed and voted to push making a decision to either accept or remove (or potentially alter) the art work to the next council meeting on Aug. 26th.
Get up to speed with the details from local reporting:
From Thomas Saccente at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville City Council tables action on Coler mural amid second wave of controversy”
From Sam Hoisington at The Bentonville Bulletin, “Fate of 'All Bike(r)s Welcome' Mural Unclear After Latest City Council Meeting - The City Council discussed the mural’s future at its August 12 meeting but came to no conclusion” (this is free to read as long as an email is provided)
Hear from the artist, Paige, via her Instagram site HERE
What you can do:
Email city council members and the mayor (remember to be respectful) and ask them to accept the art as is - use this address: [email protected]
Show up to the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26th (venue may change to accommodate an anticipated larger crowd - so keep an eye on the City’s social media pages for updates)
If you live in city limits and are not thrilled about your current council member’s work, you could consider running for office. All of the members holding position 1 will be up for election in 2026. Reach out to me if you would like to learn more!
Don’t want to run, but you’re willing to help fund those that will? There’s a PAC for that… Learn more HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd); work session
Items of Note:
An item was added to the Bella Vista August meeting agenda to change the way Bella Vita municipal offices are elected. Currently, the election process is nonpartisan. The resolution proposed would make all municipal elections partisan starting in 2026. Elections would continue to be partisan until the council votes to change it. If this resolution passes, candidates for mayor, city clerk, and position 2 for each ward filing as Republicans or Democrats will need to complete paperwork with their parties and the county clerk between Nov. 3 - 12th this year.
From Matthew Moore with KUAF, “Bella Vista property owners vote on fee increase for city amenities” - Voting ends at 6 p.m. on Tues, Aug. 19th and more than 50% of property owners must participate for the vote to be made official.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Mayor Orman is hosting an in-person coffee with the Mayor on Aug. 19th at 8 a.m. at the Top of the Block in the Walmart Museum (105 N Main); register to attend HERE
The city council does have a Committee of the Whole meeting next Monday, Aug. 25th at 6 p.m. - no public comment, but the topic to be discussed is long-term infrastructure planning - specific to wastewater rates
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Centerton Day will be celebrated on Sat., Sept. 13th
Decatur
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Monday, Sept. 8
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Decatur mayor eyeing December completion for wastewater plant expansion to create capacity for future development”
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
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:
Bring your blankets and the family to the City Park Amphitheater (2344 Hayden Rd) on Friday, Aug. 29th starting at 7:45 p.m. to watch a free showing of Dog Man. Concessions and inflatables will be available.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Review Doug Thompson’s reporting on the latest Rogers City Council meeting in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Rogers City Council approves $28 million fund for emergency use only, spurred by 2024 tornado damage - Money will require two-thirds vote of panel to use”
At last week’s council meeting, Jerry Carmichael was appointed to the Airport Commission (term expires in 2030)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Marc Hayot in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs city staff float idea of blending state law change into ongoing code update”
A new version of the Unified Development Code is now available for review. Updates include new street cross sections and other minor changes. Review the proposed draft HERE.
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From 40/29, “Springdale Public Schools announces districtwide AI task force - The district’s new initiative will bring together educators, administrators and students to explore artificial intelligence in classrooms and operations”
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Committee of the Whole - Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Aug. 27 at 10 a.m.
Quorum Court - Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
Latest On the Franklin County Prison Plan:
From Penny Weaver in the NWA Dem Gazz:
“No ‘rubber stamp’: State lawmakers holding off on design contract vote, putting Franklin County prison project ‘on hold’ - State lawmakers want more time to review architect/engineer facility design pact”
“Stubblefield: Some Arkansas lawmakers ‘extorted’ over votes to fund new 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County - Stubblefield says some lawmakers ‘threatened’ over votes for new prison funding”
From Ainsley Platt at the Arkansas Advocate, “Well testing documents for Franklin County prison contradict prison contractor”
95th General Legislative Assembly:
Don’t be surprised to see legislators try to end Arkansas state parks’ ban on guns in the next legislative session. From Brett Barrouquere write up in the NWA Dem Gazz last week: “The head of Arkansas State Police said Thursday [Aug.14th] that guns should be allowed in state parks in the wake of two people being killed at Devil’s Den State Park last month. Col. Mike Hagar, speaking to a legislative subcommittee, said limiting guns doesn’t lead to less crime. He said he was offering his opinion and not speaking on behalf of the state Department of Public Safety, which he leads.”
From Matthew Moore at KUAF, “Death row inmates sue Arkansas over new nitrogen gas execution law” - this is regarding Act 302
From the Arkansas Advocate:
“Appeals court upholds Arkansas’ ban on transgender minors’ health care after SCOTUS ruling - The case will return to a lower court, where a judge found the SAFE Act unconstitutional in 2023”
“Christian groups, Arkansas lawmakers defend Ten Commandments law - Supporters of public displays in classroom disagree with federal judge who blocked enforcement”
From Ron Wood with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Reviews mixed for new Arkansas law on mental health evaluations aimed at speeding up process - Prosecutor, sheriff say it will expedite system, but Parrish raises quality concerns” regarding Act 733
State Education News:
Welcome to the new school year, here’s the latest reporting for state education:
U.S. Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, visited the state last week as part of the ‘Returning Education to the States’ tour <insert eye roll here>; read a recap of her tour with the governor, Senator Cotton and Arkansas’s Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva from the NWA Dem Gazz HERE and from the Arkansas Advocate HERE
From Josh Snyder in the NWA Dem Gazz, “LEARNS reviews mixed as education overhaul enters its 3rd year”
From Antoinette Grajeda in the Arkansas Advocate, “Private school tuitions rise as Arkansas voucher program enters third year - The program opens to all students for the first time” and “Governor names fourth appointee to Arkansas education board”. Aaron Abbot of Springdale replaces Kathy McFetridge, whose seven-year term had expired at the end of June.
Federal Impacts on Arkansas
From Ainsley Platt at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas National Guard requests immigration enforcement authority”
From Kevin Hardy at Stateline, “State leaders brace for ‘heavy lift’ from Medicaid, food stamp changes”
From Patrick O’Donnell at The 74, “Trump Medicaid Cuts Could Cost Kids Coverage That Aids Learning - Advocates worry confusion over shifting rules will make children miss out on tablets, glasses, hearing aids and therapy that help in the classroom”
Political Training
Government in Arkansas - 12th Edition
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas announced the release of the 12th edition of Government in Arkansas. This essential guide offers a comprehensive, nonpartisan overview of how Arkansas state and local government work, from the historical roots of our state constitution to the latest legislative updates.
Election Updates
Information on Running for Office
Benton County Clerk’s Office has published the candidate filing requirements for positions that will file from noon, Nov. 3 - noon, Nov. 12th:
School board positions (22 positions from 7 school districts)
NWACC positions (3 of the 9)
County positions - partisan (9 County Executive Positions, 15 Justice of the Peace Positions & 5 Constable Positions)
Read more about all of the positions that will be up for election in 2026 in Benton County in my updated guide HERE
Democratic Party of Arkansas
Marcus Jones was elected to be the Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas on Saturday at the State Committee meeting held in Little Rock. You’ll be proud to know that all eligible Benton County votes were cast at the meeting. Read more about Marcus’s election from Sonny Albarado in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
Odds & Ends
From Clint Smith in The Atlantic, “Twenty Years After the Storm - What home meant before, and after, Hurricane Katrina”
You may have a check coming in the mail! Read more from Alex Golden at Axios NWA, “Arkansas is sending surprise checks from unclaimed property”, but save that money, because your car insurance rates are likely rising soon as reported by Axios, “Arkansas could see sharp jump in car insurance rates”