Local Events
Thurs., Sept. 25 from 2- 4 p.m. - Pathways to Leadership: How Different Paths Shape Strong Communities presented by NWA Emerging Leaders at Supply Chain Hall of Fame in Rogers (5111 W JB Hunt Dr.); Hear from local leaders Megan Brown, Erin Ashcraft Day & Tom Day, and Adilene Villanazul as they share the personal stories, pivotal moments, and challenges that shaped their leadership journeys. Event is free, registration is required HERE.
Fri., Sept. 26th from 9 - 10 a.m. - Arkansas Kids Count Coffee and Conversation at the Rogers-Lowell Chamber (317 W Walnut St.) in Rogers; Join in a discussion about the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 KIDS COUNT Data book scores for Arkansas. Register HERE to attend in person.
Fri., Sept. 26 - Sun., Sept. 28 - Grit MTB Festival in Fayetteville - this 3-day community-building event for trans men and women, cis women, and non-binary folks of all abilities & backgrounds. Grit Fest is the keystone event for All Bikes Welcome, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to create more equity and belonging in cycling & the outdoors. Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.
Little Flock Picnic
Join members of the Democratic Party of Benton County in their annual picnic at Little Flock Park (1500 Little Flock Dr) on Sunday, Oct. 5th at 1 p.m.. This is a true picnic with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and all of the fixins’. Bring your folding chairs and appetites! Newly elected Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair, Marcus Jones will be the keynote speaker.
Individual tickets and sponsorships can be purchased HERE. Kids are welcome (there’s a great playground for them!).
Community Involvement Opportunities
Foundation for the Future: Advancing Housing Solutions in NW Arkansas
Join the Foundation for the Future: Advancing Housing Solutions in Northwest Arkansas, Groundwork’s Annual Housing Summit. This event brings together elected officials, planners, business leaders and residents to explore bold, practical solutions for the region’s housing needs. The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8th from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Record Downtown in Bentonville. Learn more about the schedule and purchase tickets HERE.
Seeing White: Foundation for Women
Conscious Revolution’s Seeing White: Foundations for White Women, is a 9-week community cohort designed for individuals identifying as White women. Participants will develop a structural analysis of race, while conditioning the mind and body to further commit to racial equity. Participants will examine White women’s alignment with power structures that perpetuate patriarchy and racism, from slavery to the meme Karen. Foundations offers a unique exploration into the role and opportunity for White women to contribute to building anti-racist organizations and solidarity movements.
The next program begins this Wednesday, Sept. 17th and runs through Nov. 12th. Learn more and register HERE.
Junior League Northwest Arkansas - Inaugural JL Teens Class
For those of you with high school girls in your life looking for volunteer hours, the Junior League of NWA is establishing its first Teen Class. This new initiative is designed for girls in grades 9–12 who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a difference in their community.
JL Teens will provide young women with opportunities to:
Develop Leadership Skills – Learn from Junior League leaders and community changemakers.
Serve the Community – Participate in hands-on volunteer projects that align with JLNWA’s mission of promoting voluntarism and improving the lives of women and children in Northwest Arkansas.
Build Connections – Network with peers and mentors who are passionate about leadership, service, and personal growth.
Explore the League – Gain insight into the mission and impact of the Junior League, while preparing for future leadership opportunities.
Learn more and complete the application by Tuesday, Sept. 24th HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
The city will be hosting multiple town hall meetings to provide information and answer questions regarding the upcoming Special Election to extend the city’s current 1% sales tax. Learn more about the extension HERE. Meeting times:10 a.m., Mon., Sept. 15 at Metfield Clubhouse (3 E Euston Rd)
6 p.m., Tues. Sept. 16 at Bella Vista Rec. Center (3 Riordan Dr)
3 p.m., Wed., Sept. 17 at the Bella Vista Police Dept. Training Room (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
From Sam Hoisington at the Bentonville Bulletin, “Water Leak Repairs Starting to Pay Off” - side note, the one in front of my house got fixed last month!
Register HERE to join Mayor Orman for a conversation with Police Chief Shastid and Bentonville District Court Chief Clerk Jennifer Lopez-Jones on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 8:00 a.m.
Completing another step forward in its Plan Bentonville process, the City of Bentonville has released the second draft of its Community Code, the proposed Unified Development Code. Public review and comment is encouraged through September 30.
Bentonville Connections is a twice-a-year event where neighbors, city leaders, and departments come together to talk about where we are and where we’re headed - Thurs., Sept. 25th from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Bentonville Public Library
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Monthly Coffee with the Mayor will be Sat., Sept. 20th at 9 a.m. in the Centerton Community Room (290 North Main)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
A new Walmart Supercenter is coming to Pea Ridge (west side of town off of Highway 72); read more in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Marc Hayot in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs board considering rezoning for possible John Brown University housing; next meeting set for Tuesday - Some residents express concerns about impact on their way of life if proposal OK’d”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
Read Edward McKinnon’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale board talks LEARNS Act effects on third graders, concerns over students being held back - Possible staffing impacts if students held back raises concerns”
“About 28% of fourth graders in Arkansas read at a proficient level, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress… Last year, about 10,000 third graders across Arkansas were eligible for retention based on LEARNS Act requirements, about 30% of all third graders.”
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
As part of the Growing Home NWA Roadshow, the Benton and Washington County Quorum Courts will be holding a first-ever joint meeting of the Quorum Courts next week to discuss the importance or regional collaboration in addressing growth. Additionally, NWA residents can help shape the region’s future by taking this linked survey HERE.
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Committee of the Whole - Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.
Election Commission Meeting - Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. (Election Commission offices)
Joint Quorum Court Meeting with Washington County - Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. (Springdale City Hall - 201 Spring St.)
Budget Committee Meeting - Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.
Quorum Court - Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
Before getting to the latest from our state legislature and governor, I recommend everyone take some time to read this thorough reporting from Lauren Gill published in Bolts last week regarding the Franklin County Prison proposal , “The Prison Next Door - How Arkansas’ secretive plan for a new state lockup angered people in a deep red corner of rural America—and changed how some see incarceration.”
95th General Legislative Assembly:
From the Arkansas Advocate:
“Effort to upgrade Arkansas child welfare computer system fails after two years - State spent $12.2 million before it and contractor “mutually agreed to end the project.””
“Arkansas legislators skeptical of prison site selection, frustrated over absence of Sanders staff - A motion to subpoena former Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri to testify failed on a voice vote”
LEARNS update! “Private school students make up 60% of those receiving Arkansas school vouchers, report shows” - nearly 40% of voucher recipients are homeschooled
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
From the Arkansas Advocate:
“Sanders picks Jonesboro exec for Arkansas education board” - note, he does not have experience in education
“Arkansas governor orders National Guard to assist ICE with immigration enforcement - Up to 27 Air National Guard Airmen and 13 Army National Guard soldiers are subject to the order” - 10 are supposed to be assigned to Fayetteville
Election Information
Republican Primaries CLOSED to Registered Democrats
The Republican Party of Arkansas approved a rule change that will bar Arkansans registered as Democrats from selecting a Republican ballot in future primary elections. In the past, all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, could select any party’s ballot each primary election.
In Arkansas, the vast majority of voters are not affiliated with a party on their official voter registration. As of July, there were 143,574 registered Republican (8%), 86,464 registered Democrats (5%), and 1,502,908 unaffiliated (87%). If you are currently registered as a Democrat, but would like the ability to vote in a Republican primary in the future, you can change your party affiliation by completing a change request on a voter registration form and mailing/turning in the form to the county clerk’s office. Note, the Democratic Party of Arkansas has NOT changed their rules and any registered voter, regardless of affiliation, can select a Democratic ballot during a primary.
Candidate Announcements
In the Ear
Listen to Mike Rusch’s latest two podcast interviews on the underview. He covers the Bentonville mural with Dr. Rachel Olzer, Executive Director of All Bikes Welcome, and Paige Dirksen, the mural’s artist.
Check out this Roby Brock’s YouTube interview with High School Senior Salma Eid and former state representative Kathy Webb representing Get Loud for Talk Business and Politics
Watch or listen to Pod Save America’s Dan Pfeiffer conversation with Heather Cox Richardson—professor, historian and author of the most-read newsletter on Substack, “Letters from an American”
Odds & Ends
Catch up on all of the news on Arkansas Ballot Issues with the Public Policy Center’s August newsletter, “No Google. Arkansas Does Not Have
From Roby Brock at Talk Business & Politics, “Arkansas’ agricultural leaders warn of economic disaster for farmers”
From Dr. Chris Jones, “A Time of Fracture - Also A Call for Truth, Courage, and Belonging”