Local Events
Wed., Jan. 7th at 5:30 p.m. - League of Women Voters of Washington County Drinks and Dialogue at Crisis Brewing in Fayetteville, event speakers will be Sarah Moore and Bryson Austin from Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJRC). The AJRC works to end mass incarceration through education, direct aid, and policy change—uplifting the voices and leadership of those most directly impacted by the system.
Thurs., Jan. 8th at 10:30 a.m. - Coffee with Democrats at JoyHouse Coffee Company (137 N Main St.) in Cave Springs; Come join some like-minded folks for Coffee and Conversation. No agenda, just a chance to chat, learn from one another and meet new people.
Mon., Jan. 12th at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County Monthly Meeting at the NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way); At this month’s meeting you’ll get to hear from U.S. Senate candidates Hallie Shoffner and Mayor Ethan Dunbar and Congressional Candidate Robb Ryerse
Tues., Jan. 20th at 5 p.m. - Arkansas Democrats Present: The Hub; an online monthly webinar updating Arkansans on the work Democrats are doing across the state; sign up to attend the zoom HERE
Community Involvement Opportunities
Arkansans for Autonomy - Build the skills to engage Arkansas elected officials and advocate in your community.
Arkansans for Autonomy is excited to invite community members to an advocacy training series designed to help Arkansans turn their values into action. This series will give attendees the tools to engage elected officials at the state level and build skills to educate and mobilize our community around pivotal issues.
Training Schedule:
January 15 – State-Level Advocacy 101 (Virtual) | 6:30pm - Learn the basics of advocacy, how to find and reach your legislators, explore different methods of advocacy, and understand how to partner with organizations and mobilize for change.
January 29 – State-Level Advocacy 201 (Virtual) | 6:30pm - Take a deeper dive into advocacy with training on writing and delivering written and oral testimony, best practices for contacting legislators, and how to lead a call to action.
February 12 – Tough Conversations & Canvassing (Virtual) | 6:30pm - Build skills to navigate tough conversations with family, friends, and neighbors, and learn how canvassing can help educate and engage your community.
February 26 – Virtual Mock Advocacy Session | 6:30pm - Put your skills into practice with a mock committee hearing and a mock one-on-one meeting with an elected official.
March 4 – In-Person Mock Advocacy Session & Calls to Action | 9:30am - Join us at the Capitol to participate in mock committee hearings and one-on-one meetings with legislators. You’ll get a firsthand look at committee rooms and learn how these meetings are structured.
Time to purchase your SOUP SUNDAY tickets!
The annual Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Soup Sunday fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1st from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at the Rogers Convention Center (3303 S. Pinnacle Hills Pkwy). This event is family friendly! Come hungry and enjoy soups from over 30 local restaurants.
Come join me at the most fun and relaxed fundraiser you’ll ever attend. And don’t forget to bring your muffin tins to hold your soups (IYKYK)!
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
Starting in 2026, City Council work sessions will be live streamed and archived for later viewing, in addition to the regular meetings that are already recorded that way. Planning Commission regular meetings will also continue to be live streamed and archived. You can watch the meetings live or online from YouTube HERE.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan 13 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Bentonville officials talk need to address infrastructure in 2026 - City’s growing needs to be addressed in 2026, officials say”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Decatur
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. (310 Maple Ave)
Items of Note:
Decatur Mayor Robert Tharp announced he will retire his position this month due to moving out of the city. The council will likely appoint a successor in an upcoming meeting once the vacancy is officially declared. Read more from Randy Moll at the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Items of Note:
The public library will be closed Wed., January 7th, for Inventory Day. It will be back open for normal hours the next day.
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
From Annette Beard at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Pea Ridge employees getting $1.25 per hour raises while mayor getting 5% increase in new year - Concerns raised over way See’s increase approached”
Check out the City’s report on Parks and Recreation accomplishments from 2025 on this Facebook video
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Rising from the rubble: Rogers looks to finish tornado repairs in 2026, future projects on the horizon”
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Marc Hayot at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs utility bills going up in 2026 with annual increases planned through 2030 - Revised ordinance holds of on electric increase until 2027”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Tom Sissom in the NWA Dem Gazz, “‘Can’t knock success’: Springdale officials, developer see more growth on horizon in 2026” and “State highway plans prompt water utility relocations costing millions of dollars in Springdale - Residents offer thoughts on transportation department project’s impact, need”
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Planning Board Meeting - Jan. 7 at 6 p.m.
Finance Committee Meeting - Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.
Election Commission Meeting (1428 W. Walnut St.) - Jan. 17 at 3 p.m.
Election Information
2026 Primaries!
The deadline to register to vote in the state of Arkansas for the March 3rd Primary is Monday, February 2nd. Check your current registration HERE.
For our Washington County friends, get caught up on “The Race for Washington County Prosecutor - Giving us Hope in a Key Election” from Letters from an Arkansan.
In the Ear
Listen to Mike Rusch’s interview with Sam Hoisington, founder of the Bentonville Bulletin, in the latest the Underview podcast HERE
Odds & Ends
Check out this thorough updated reporting from Chris Swindle, Ron Wood, and Grant Lancaster at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Northwest Arkansas child advocacy center leaders say state grant helps, but won’t cover entirety of federal funding loss - Local partnerships continue to be sought as long-term solution”