Local Events
Mon., Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Monthly Meeting at the Peterson Auditorium at NWACC (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville). Hear from the Democratic candidates for the Third Congressional District.
Sat., Nov. 15th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Weave the People: The Joy of Mutuality at The Apollo on Emma (308 W Emma Ave) in Springdale; Presented by Weaving NWA; prepare for a day filled with thought-provoking speakers, engaged community members, delicious bites from locally owned restaurants, and activities designed to energize both your mind and body. You'll leave recharged, with a renewed sense of joy in living, working, and creating new opportunities to weave a stronger Northwest Arkansas. Register to attend HERE.
Wed., Nov. 19th at 11:30 a.m. - Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas at the Golden Venue in Fayetteville (2630 East Citizens Dr); Attend this luncheon and hear from the chairs of the state Republican and Democratic parties. Lunch is $20 - and anyone can attend as long as they pay in person at the event and RSVP to [email protected] by noon on Mon., Nov. 17th.
Wed., Dec. 10th at 5:30 p.m. - Arkansas Rising: An Evening with the League of Women Voters at the Ashleigh Lounge in Rogers (5500 W Northgate Rd); Join for for an evening of cocktails, light appetizers, and conversation hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, together with Benton County and Washington County Leagues. Connect with League members, meet community leaders, and learn how we’re gearing up to register new voters, protect ballot initiatives, strengthen turnout, and hold government accountable. Register to attend HERE.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Applications Open for Girls of Promise Conference
For those of you with 8th grade girls in your life, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas annual Girls of Promise Conference application period has opened. Applications are open to 8th grade girls in Arkansas interested in Science, technology, Engineering, Arts & Math. The conference will be held on Friday, April 10th in Little Rock. 150 students will be selected to attend this FREE conference.
Learn more about the conference and application process HERE. Applications are due by Feb. 6, 2026.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
Read Alex Golden’s reporting in Axios NW Arkansas about the Bella Vista Special Election HERE and remember to vote FOR! the sales tax extension on Nov. 18th
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: MONDAY, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.) - moved meeting date to accommodate the holiday
Items of Note:
Sign up to attend Tues., Nov. 18th Coffee with the Mayor at 8 a.m. at the Museum of Native American History - register HERE
Visit Bentonville is creating a comprehensive Destination Master Plan that will guide how our community welcomes visitors and supports residents over the next five years. This plan is not just about tourism - it is about strengthening Bentonville as a place where people want to live, work, play, and invest. The Master Plan will help identify priorities, shape future amenities, and ensure that growth in tourism enhances quality of life for everyone who calls Bentonville home. Contribute HERE.
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: MONDAY, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.) - moved meeting date to accommodate the holiday
Items of Note:
Centerton’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Thurs., Nov. 27th, from 11 to 1 p.m. at the Centerton Community Room (290 N. Main); event is open to all - if you would like to volunteer, sign up for supporting HERE
Coffee with the Mayor will be on Nov. 15th at 9 a.m. (290 N. Main)
Decatur
Next Council Mtng: MONDAY, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (310 Maple Ave.) - moved meeting date to accommodate the holiday
Items of Note:
From Kayla Rupp at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Decatur considers selling wastewater treatment plant to new regional system to get out from under $35 million in debt - Credit rating issue, no legal teeth in deals with large customers also cited”
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Dec. 9th at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
Highfill received a $500,000 grant from ARDOT for new sidewalks along Mason Valley in the Silver Meadows area. Work is anticipated to begin by mid-2026 after design and procurement phases are complete.
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
From Annette Beard at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Pea Ridge taps Stephens Inc. to help fund water project estimated to cost $15 million - Increased supply costs being passed on to customers” and “Pea Ridge plans to add street safety measures in November - Officials hope large response results in more grant funding opportunities”
Citizens of Pea Ridge are invited to attend a community Engagement Meeting at City Hall at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13th. This is a great opportunity to gather important information about the city, including updates on projects, water rates, trash services, upcoming initiatives, and more.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: WEDNESDAY, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut) - moved meeting date to accommodate the holiday
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Kayla Rupp at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs School District struggling with chronic absenteeism that is worse than area, state averages - Report: District seeing rates far above local, state averages”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: MONDAY, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.) - moved meeting date to accommodate the holiday
Items of Note:
The NWA Rail Crossing Study (Northwest Arkansas Rail Corridor Safety Study) aims to identify practical safety improvements at eight railroad crossings along a 14-mile section of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (AMRR) in Fayetteville and Springdale, Arkansas. Learn more and participate in the survey HERE.
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
“Benton County employees and elected officials are set to get pay raises next year. Melody Kwok, county spokeswoman, confirmed via email Tuesday the county budget for 2026 includes more than $1.9 million for county employee merit raises with a 6% cap for any individual employee. The increase will be applied Jan. 1 provided the Quorum Court keeps it in the final version of the budget it is expected to approve Nov. 20.” Read more of Thomas Saccente’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.
“Benton County is set to provide more than $100,000 to a nonprofit that helps with child abuse investigations and supports victims ahead of a $600,000 shortfall in the organization's budget stemming from a loss in federal grant money administered by the state. Betsy Harrell, county clerk, said the county Quorum Court voted 12-1 at its Oct. 21 Budget Committee meeting to include $102,000 in next year's county budget for the Children and Family Advocacy Center of Benton County… The Quorum Court is scheduled to approve a final version of the budget Nov. 20.” Read additional reporting from Saccente HERE.
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Development Review Committee Meeting - Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.
Finance Committee Meeting - Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
Committee of the Whole - Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.
Quorum Court - Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
From Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas education officials unveil new district rankings, revamped website”. Review the actual website and the information about your specific district HERE.
From Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas hospitals, nursing homes, EMS providers seek federal rural health transformation funds - Arkansas applied for nearly $1 billion of the $50 billion program”
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
From Sonny Albarado with the Arkansas Advocate, “Sanders directs another $500K to Arkansas food banks as SNAP whipsaw drags on”
From Ainsley Platt at the Arkansas Advocate, “Sanders announces new farm-to-table meal program for Arkansas schools”
From Antoinette Grajeda at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas governor appoints new state insurance commissioner” Jimmy Harris
And finally - for some reason 🙄, the Governor is sending 100 of our National Guard troops to DC (likely missing holiday time with their families) - read more from Antoinette about the deployment HERE.
Election Information
Find the latest listing of candidates that have filed to run for office:
Candidate filing ends at NOON, Wed., Nov. 12th.
In the Ear
From Sophia Nourani at KUAF, “Rogers Public Schools opens new technology center, streamlining support”
From Fayette Forward podcast, “The ULI Place Summit and How Real Change Happens with Megan Brown” - A conversation to explore how real change happens in communities—through relationships, shared vision, and events like the ULI Place Summit.
Watch last month’s panel from the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Forum, “Energy Costs in Arkansas: What’s Happening and How to Take Action”
Odds & Ends
Preemption is the process by which a higher level of government (usually the state) restricts or eliminates the ability of a lower level (local government) to regulate certain issues. Learn more about how preemption operates in Arkansas, including trends and recent actions eroding local control in Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families latest white paper HERE.
From Eli Hager at ProPublica, “Red State Workers Could Lose Out on Disability Benefits as Trump Administration Rewrites Eligibility Rules”
From The 74, “Raising Children During a Polycrisis: What Parents Can Do to Bring Up Resilient Kids - Ariella Cook-Shonkoff reflects on how parents can process their own emotions to foster hope and resilience in their children.”