Local Events
Mon., June 8 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Monthly Meeting at the NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville); doors open at 6 p.m.; this month’s meeting will feature Mel Hoskins, our Democratic Election Commissioner
Tues., June 9 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. - DPBC June Happy Hour at Bentonville Brewing (901 SW 14th St.); all welcome to join this casual meetup event
Fri., June 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Coffee with Dems at Butter + Blooms in Rogers (121 W Elm St.); all welcome to join in a relaxed environment
Sun., June 14 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Indivisible Liberty and Justice for All Arkansans peaceful protest at the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville; more details HERE
Tues., June 16 from 5 - 6 p.m. - Arkansas Democrats Present: The Hub webinar; hear about Voter Registration efforts and organizing in the Arkansas Delta with Terri Green, Audrey Willis, and more; sign up to attend the zoom HERE
Sat., June 20 at 1 p.m. - Indivisible NWA Monthly Meeting at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville (2925 N Old Mission Rd); Donna Schillinger of Micah 6:8 Initiative presents “No Incentive for Affordable/Second Chance Housing: The Downside of a Rapidly Expanding NWA”; register to attend HERE
Thurs., June 25 at 1 p.m. - Kids Count Policy 101: Medicaid 101 webinar; Camille Richoux, Health Policy Director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, will go over the most fundamental aspects of the Arkansas Medicaid program and upcoming changes; register to attend HERE
Thurs., June 25 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. - Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJRC) Monthly Community Member Meeting at the AJRC Community Hub (203 N College Ave); this month’s meeting will focus on Immigration with Rapid Response Toolkit and how you can plug in locally to help our immigrant neighbors. Dinner always served.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Happy Pride Month!
Lots of opportunities to support or participate in Pride events this month. Here are a few:
For the teens in your life, check out the Teen Pride Party hosted by The Equality Crew on Saturday, June 13, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in Rogers, learn more and register HERE
Walk with the DPBC in the NWA Trans March and/or the NWA Pride Parade by signing up HERE (this is always super fun, if a little hot)
Volunteer to help work a booth shift with DPBC at the Trans Rally and/or Pride Festival in Fayetteville HERE
For a full list of Northwest Arkansas Pride Weekend (June 26 - 28) events go HERE
Bentonville Film Festival (BFF)
There is a film in this year’s BFF lineup to highlight, “Miss Representation: Rise Up”.
About the film: “Over a decade after Miss Representation exposed the media's contribution to the under-representation of women in leadership, Miss Representation: Rise Up dives deep into the cultural backlash against women's agency and power. With the proliferation of AI and deepfakes, this new era of tech-facilitated violence is exacerbating sexism and misogyny towards women and girls, in an attempt to control and silence them. With inspiring young women at its core, Miss Representation: Rise Up interweaves young women's personal journeys alongside powerful voices in media, culture, leadership, and academia to reimagine a future that finally uplifts women and girls.”
Film is scheduled to be shown on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Momentary. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Use promo code BFF26@CC for 20% off.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, June 22 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
Bella Vista POA board elections ended last month with incumbent Jeff Hendren keeping his seat and Kim Carlson and Dave Armstrong earning first time positions.
Coffee with the Mayor will be on Monday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m. at 371 Glasgow Rd
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Sam Hoisington with the Bentonville Bulletin, “Pickleball Complex Planned for Memorial Park - “Pickleball is an extremely popular sport in our community,” Parks and Recreation Director David Wright said.”
The city will be hosting an open house for community members on the Razorback Greenway Corridor Planning at the Bentonville Public Library on Wed., June 10th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Coffee with the mayor will be on Tues., June 16 from 8 - 9 a.m. at the Thaden Exhibit Hanger at the Bentonville Municipal Airport; register to attend HERE
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Items of Note:
From Jessica Cervantes with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Cave Springs residents will see new water and sewer rates starting in July - Impact fee study also moving ahead”
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton invites students to get involved in city business with new Youth Council”
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
Council will confirm Mayor’s reappointments to the Highfill Water and Sewer Committee for terms ending June 30, 2028 for Justin Allen, Will Hanna, and Tim Oelke
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
From Annette Beard with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Pea Ridge subdivision developer points finger at Arkansas Department of Transportation over flooding” and “Pea Ridge water rates going up in June with more increases planned through 2030”
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
The City of Rogers has launched the Pattern Zone Program, an innovative housing initiative designed to simplify the homebuilding process while preserving the character of Rogers neighborhoods. Learn more and explore the available plans HERE.
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
From the Benton County Newsletter’s Quorum Court Recap:
“Justices of the Peace held the first reading to call a Special Election on increasing annual dues for the Northeast Benton County (NEBCO) Volunteer Fire Department. The proposal would raise dues by 4% each year starting January 1, 2027, with annual increases continuing through January 1, 2037. NEBCO Fire Chief Rob Taylor said the NEBCO board preferred gradual yearly increases rather than a single large increase. If approved by the Quorum Court, the special election will be held on November 3rd, 2026 alongside the General Election.”
“The Quorum Court held the second reading for a proposed ordinance to establish an operations fund to build a Jail Misdemeanor pod. Ordinances must be read by the Quorum Court three times before a vote is held. The third and final reading will be voted on at the June 30th Quorum Court Meeting.”
“Justices of the Peace voted to confirm two appointments to the Benton County Board of Equalization. Justin Farris and Christopher Brandon will each serve a 3-year term on the Board of Equalization.“
To follow along with some of the discussions happening with the Quorum Court, I recommend following the candidates below via Instagram:
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Finance Committee Meeting - June 9 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - June 10 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - June 16 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - June 17 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - June 24 at 10 a.m.
Quorum Court Meeting - June 30 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - July 1 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
Arkansas:
From Clayton Henkel as part of States Newsroom, “Uninsured rate for young children at highest level in nearly a decade” - Arkansas ranks as one of the highest (this is not good)
Last weekend Rex Nelson, Senior Editor for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette had an editorial about the LEARNS Act… “Disaster in the Making”, an appropriate title
From Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate, “Rogers hospital to be first to use Arkansas’ initiative for doulas in maternal healthcare” and “PBS programs will remain in Arkansas after commission accepts funds raised for dues - Arkansas had been the first state to move to end its relationship with PBS after losing federal funding”
Election Information
From the excellent folks at the U of A Public Policy Center (subscribe to their newsletter HERE):
“July Voter Signature Deadline Approaching Fast - Although Attorney General Tim Griffin certified ballot titles for seven citizen-initiated constitutional amendments ahead of the 2026 election, only three sponsors are actively collecting voter signatures ahead of the July 3 petition deadline… Ballot issue groups are crossing the state the next few weeks attempting to collect more than the required 90,704 voter signatures.
On Election Day, voters see the popular name and ballot title of each proposal on their ballot. The Public Policy Center has published blog posts about the three proposals, including links to the full text of each measure:
The first proposed amendment would require identical academic and accreditation standards for schools receiving state or local funds. The other two proposals seek to establish procedures for the state's citizen initiative process and would prevent legislators from changing successful citizen initiatives without another vote of the people.”
Hear from leaders of each ballot measure in Matthew Moore’s Ozarks at Large interview HERE.
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 volunteer day of action event for State House district 9 (Springdale) candidate and current Representative Diana Gonzales-Worthen.
State Legislature: Candidate fundraiser for State Senate district 13 (north Little Rock) candidate Allison Grigsby Sweatman. Her race is a potential pickup for the Democratic Party in the State Senate.
Register to attend HERE.
In the Ear
Roby Brock interviewed Democratic Party of Arkansas chairman Marcus Jones on Capitol View at the end of last month to discuss the state of politics.
From Matthew Moore with Ozarks at Large, “Arkansas attorney maps a path to healthier democracy”, an interview with Bentonville attorney Jennifer Waymack Staderfer
Odds & Ends
From staff at The 74, “Could This Dead Shopping Mall Become America’s Largest Family Service Center? - Years after Crossroads Mall closed, educators are proposing a bold $37 million vision to reinvent its shops as a sprawling hub for learning and families.” CEJ Commentary: Had to share because this is the mall I grew up with in Oklahoma and I’m excited to see it being repurposed.
Late last month, ProPublica’s Kavitha Surana published, “She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. - Under Arkansas’ Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor’s Office Didn’t Help.”; now pair that article with this from Tracking Arkansas
Check out the 250 to 250 Project - From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant effort of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. They will be telling our stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.” Follow on Substack, YouTube, and Instagram.
And finally, from Bentonville’s Ana Aguayo, “Finding your place in a growing region”