Program leaders are looking for individuals who are eager to join in discovering the many strengths and opportunities within our state and prepared to play a key role in shaping Arkansas’ future. Review the program information and determine if Leadership Arkansas is right for you HERE.

From September 2025 to May 2026, Leadership Arkansas participants will engage in a series of sessions designed to deepen their understanding leadership, economic development, agriculture, education, tourism, government, workforce development, and more.

Throughout our nine-month program, members will visit communities around the state. Each session is tailored to provide hands-on experiences and insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within these regions, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.

Applications open June 9th and close August 1st.

The Weaver Awards will recognize 20 people from Benton and Washington counties who are leading efforts in their community to address local needs with $5,000 grants. The Awards are Weaving NWA’s way to celebrate and support the people in our community who are weaving folks together through shared service, and whose projects foster connection and inspire trust by building relationships between neighbors.

What makes the Weaver Awards different from other programs?

Learn more about the awards and application process HERE.

“Pea Ridge's growth rate of 17% tops the institute's list for rapid growth. Highfill follows close behind with 15.2%. No other town in Arkansas with 1,000 people or more grew by double digits percentage-wise, though Tontitown was close with 7.9%. Centerton added more residents in one year than Fayetteville despite being one-fourth Fayetteville's size, other findings show. Centerton grew by 1,721 residents to Fayetteville's 1,623. Bentonville added the most residents of any town in the state, growing by 2,081 people.

Bentonville, Centerton, Fayetteville and Pea Ridge ranked first, second, third and fourth in residents added by cities in the state.” Read all of Doug Thompson and Annette Beard’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

President Tenure Extended

“The Northwest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees approved a base salary raise and contract extension for President Dennis Rittle. [The President’s] current base salary is $217,527 and will increase by $9,000 -- or 4.1% -- effective Aug. 3. A college spokesperson said the base salary increase is due to an insufficient housing allowance as outlined in state law after taking into consideration the higher cost of living in the area and the requirement Rittle live in the Bentonville or Rogers school districts. His salary will be adjusted along with other full-time college employees at the beginning of the college's fiscal year July 1.

Rittle's contract will now extend through June 2032. It was previously set to expire June 30, 2029, after trustees voted to approve an extension from the original June 30, 2027, expiration date last year.” Read more from Edward McKinnon at the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

Trustee Resigns

Board of Trustees member Carolyn Reeves resigned during the May 12th Trustee meeting. She stepped down after accepting a rheumatology fellowship at UAMS in Little Rock. “Todd Schwartz, a fellow trustee, delivered a statement thanking Reeves for her two years of service. He cited her leadership in developing a code of ethics for trustees as a highlight from her tenure… Schwartz said the governor will have to appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Reeves' term.” Read more about the May 12th meeting from Edward McKinnon HERE.

Governor Fills Trustee Vacancy

Ashley Pointer was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy left by Carolyn Reeves resignation. Ashley is filling the same seat representing zone 1 her husband, Lucas Pointer, held prior to his loss to Carolyn Reeves in the 2022 election.

Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:

Ballot Initiatives

Arkansans are fighting back against the slew of laws passed this legislative session significantly impacting our ability to enact change through citizen-led ballot initiatives.

A coalition of Arkansas nonprofits including Arkansas NAACP, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Arkansas Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Citizens First Congress, and For AR People launched Protect AR Rights last week. Read more about Protect AR Right’s efforts and their submitted ballot initiative from Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas coalition submits proposal to protect ‘fundamental right’ to direct democracy -It’s the second proposal this year to preserve the initiative and referendum process”

Additional Reporting:

“Arkansas students entering the third grade at public schools and open enrollment charter schools this fall will be the first cohort to be retained if they don’t meet literacy expectations, a policy established by the 2023 LEARNS Act. ‘By the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, if a public school student has not met the third-grade reading standard, as defined by the state board, or the student does not have a good-cause exemption, as provided under this subsection, the student shall not be promoted to fourth grade,’ the law states. This new requirement could have extreme implications, considering a 2024 assessment showed that only about 36% of the state’s third graders could read proficiently.” Read more from Mary Hennigan in a special to the Advocate, “Arkansas’ rising 3rd graders will be first to be held back under new literacy standards - LEARNS Act requires retention for 2025-26, but the rules haven’t been written yet”

The Governor is asking the Arkansas Legislative Council for $15 million to fund a new Community Assistance Program to be administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Read more about the grant program design from Worth Sparkman at Axios NWA HERE.

2026 Candidate Announcements:

Are you interested in running for office in 2026? If so, join leadership from the state and county Democratic Parties on June 7th from 2 - 5 p.m. in Springdale. Trainers will highlight key races on the ballot, the skills YOU need to run for office, and discuss the basics of a campaign. Your trainers (Will Watson, Chelsea Miller, Gracie Ziegler, and Dara Gaines) will answer questions, and you can meet local county party leaders from the areas you may be considering running. Please sign up to attend using the link HERE.

The Emerge Arkansas training program is a unique opportunity for Democratic women and non-binary folks who want to run for public office. It is the only in-depth, 70-hour training program that inspires candidates to run and gives them the tools to win. As a program member, you will have access to a variety of campaign and election experts. You will meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed office. Through Emerge, you are given specific opportunities to expand your political network while you hone your campaign skills. As an Emerge program member, you become a part of a supportive network which includes a national network of Emerge alums and the Emerge Arkansas Advisory Cabinet members. Learn more about the program HERE.

The next Signature program will be held in fall of 2025, dates to be determined. Applications are open now: Apply here. The class selection process and interviews will begin in July.

The national organization, Arena, is launching Power Rising Summer—a series of free virtual events to help campaign staff, activists, organizers, and everyday people take meaningful action and fight back. Whether you want to work on a campaign, build power locally, learn new skills, or just feel connected again, Power Rising Summer will help you find your way. The launch call will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 10th at noon (45 min.). Learn more and sign up HERE.