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National

The secret history of Trump's Venezuelan oil baron

"No Betancourt, no energy-security deal," a U.S. official told Axios.

Politics & Policy

President Trump&#x27;s historic Venezuelan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oil deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/29/trump-venezuela-oil-deal" data-vars-content-id="5645434a-2e98-46a0-b50f-eff5ede1be09" data-vars-headline="The secret history of Trump&#x27;s Venezuelan oil baron" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/29/trump-venezuela-oil-deal" target="_self">oil deal</a> revolves around a colorful and controversial man from Caracas with a long history of supporting U.S. interests — including the operation to remove former strongman Nicolas Maduro.Why it matters: Alejandro Betancourt, 46, runs the oil company that&#x27;s entering into an unprecedented partnership with the Pentagon. It gives America access to some of Venezuela&#x27;s vast oil fields at a time when U.S. reserves are low.

What higher interest rates are telling us

It's largely a story of higher growth prospects in the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Economy

The bond sell-off and the resulting higher interest rates are largely a story of higher growth prospects in the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued Tuesday.<ul><li>&quot;If we look at the composition of the bond yields — inflation expectations are flat-to-down,&quot; he said in a fireside chat at this week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="G20 meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/01/g20-economy-finance-debt-bessent" data-vars-content-id="bbc4c276-289e-49f7-aa8c-9ef7863e7783" data-vars-headline="What higher interest rates are telling us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/01/g20-economy-finance-debt-bessent" target="_self">G20 meeting</a> of global finance ministers in Asheville, North Carolina. &quot;This is a growth story. Growth, I believe, is reaccelerating.&quot;</li></ul>

House Democrats fume about GOP's anti-socialism bill

"They can put lipstick on a pig, it's still their voter suppression bill," said one Democrat.

House Democrats are grumbling that Republicans are setting one last political trap for them before November by attaching language touting their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marquee voter ID legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/trump-voting-agenda-mail-ballots-save-act-voter-rolls" data-vars-content-id="430fcac3-3d36-435f-9903-7441374586d9" data-vars-headline="House Democrats fume about GOP&#x27;s anti-socialism bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/trump-voting-agenda-mail-ballots-save-act-voter-rolls" target="_self">marquee voter ID legislation</a> to a resolution denouncing socialism.Why it matters: This is a classic election-year tactic by the majority party in Congress, but centrist Democrats say it is also a missed opportunity for a genuinely bipartisan vote to denounce socialism.

Why Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned

Driscoll was a rising star in the Trump administration but had an icy relationship with Hegseth.

Two key reasons led to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll&#x27;s resignation, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/hegseth-dan-driscoll-trump-administration" data-vars-content-id="352e851f-b454-4197-b7c3-eb5087954648" data-vars-headline="Why Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/hegseth-dan-driscoll-trump-administration" target="_self">announced Monday</a>: the feeling that his modernization initiatives were being blocked, and the chaos created by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth&#x27;s firing of senior generals.Why it matters: Driscoll&#x27;s wartime resignation, on top of Hegseth&#x27;s firing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George this spring, leaves the military&#x27;s largest service without Senate-confirmed leadership, civilian or uniformed.

Call for Black athletes' boycott hits an NIL wall

NIL money is now shielding southern institutions from some political pressure.

Civil rights groups have called on Black college athletes to boycott schools in states that are rolling back voting rights. But highly paid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NIL-era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/04/01/nil-deals-university-of-texas" data-vars-content-id="4bef28dc-1666-4bce-af71-1a85a35450eb" data-vars-headline="Call for Black athletes&#x27; boycott hits an NIL wall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/04/01/nil-deals-university-of-texas" target="_self">NIL-era</a> athletes are proving to be unwilling protesters.Why it matters: It&#x27;s exposing a disconnect between advocates who rely on 1960s-style protest tactics, and prominent athletes in today&#x27;s $3 billion NIL economy who have different views of activism — and who are unwilling to sacrifice unprecedented <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial opportunities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/axios-house-nil-changed-everything-now-athletes-need-a-new-playbook" data-vars-content-id="4bef28dc-1666-4bce-af71-1a85a35450eb" data-vars-headline="Call for Black athletes&#x27; boycott hits an NIL wall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/axios-house-nil-changed-everything-now-athletes-need-a-new-playbook" target="_self">financial opportunities</a>.

Arkansas set to receive portion of $17 billion Meta settlement

Arkansas expects to receive about $172.5 million.

News

Arkansas expects to receive about $172.5 million from Meta in a $17 billion multi-state settlement after states accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of harming children, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced.Why it matters: This is social media&#x27;s version of the landmark 1990s tobacco settlement, one that effectively reshapes the industry and how young Americans experience some of their favorite platforms, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Nathan Bomey writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/meta-lawsuit-settlement-states-facebook" data-vars-content-id="211725a1-1930-42b4-b4d3-8c7d2236d0fc" data-vars-headline="Arkansas set to receive portion of $17 billion Meta settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/meta-lawsuit-settlement-states-facebook" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Nathan Bomey writes</a>.

NWA needs $1.5 billion in wastewater investment

The council and the state of Arkansas began the regional wastewater study last year and expect to release its findings this fall.

Development

Northwest Arkansas will need $1.5 billion in additional wastewater-plant investment to support future growth, Northwest Arkansas Council president and CEO Nelson Peacock said Wednesday.Why it matters: The region has enough wastewater capacity for now, &quot;but it&#x27;s in the wrong places,&quot; Peacock said. That mismatch could shape where Northwest Arkansas can add housing and commercial development.

Northwest Arkansas' July real estate hotness index 

July Northwest Arkansas real estate hotness index

Business

Sellers listed their homes in July for less than they did last year in 43% of Northwest Arkansas&#x27; ZIP codes.Why it matters: Some home buyers could be getting better deals than they did last year when mortgage rates were at comparable levels.

Walton College doubles down on real-world experience

The college has launched a five-year plan.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is launching a five-year plan to ensure that students graduate with practical entrepreneurial experience and that faculty have expanded research opportunities.Why it matters: The college, which is 100 years old this year and has more than 10,000 students, must offer education that evolves as &quot;business changes at an unprecedented pace,&quot; such as in artificial intelligence and analytics, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news release" data-vars-click-url="https://news.uark.edu/articles/82775/walton-college-marks-centennial-with-new-strategic-plan" data-vars-content-id="7e8bf7c3-e5bf-48d2-b77a-b4e7f37d3b27" data-vars-headline="Walton College doubles down on real-world experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.uark.edu/articles/82775/walton-college-marks-centennial-with-new-strategic-plan" target="_blank">news release</a>.

Monday Munchies: Must-try sandwich food truck

Songbirds Sandwiches is at 8th Street Market in Bentonville.

Food and Drink

Congrats to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Songbirds Sandwiches" data-vars-click-url="https://songbirdssandwiches.com" data-vars-content-id="5998853f-1f36-46dc-8b96-2e0107ca0bb3" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Must-try sandwich food truck" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://songbirdssandwiches.com" target="_blank">Songbirds Sandwiches</a>, which opened this spring and is already one of the best sandwich restaurants in Northwest Arkansas.🥪 State of play: This food truck at 8th Street Market in Bentonville is serving up hefty portions smushed between two slices of house-made focaccia.

Mark your calendars: Bentonville Restaurant Week

Restaurants are offering deals and specials.

Participating Bentonville restaurants are offering deals and specials Sunday through Aug. 22.The latest: Visit Bentonville, the city&#x27;s tourism arm that organizes the event, has added a Bentonville Dining Bingo game that runs until the end of the month.

Housing inventory swells in Northwest Arkansas

NWA homes spent a median 60 days on the market in June

Real Estate

June home listings in one of Arkansas&#x27; most expensive markets surged more than 42% from a year earlier, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis" data-vars-click-url="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/ACTLISCOU22220" data-vars-content-id="6b2c9bdf-a021-4934-8a55-a20a1659719c" data-vars-headline="Housing inventory swells in Northwest Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/ACTLISCOU22220" target="_blank">Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis</a>.Why it matters: More inventory can give buyers space to negotiate after years of expensive housing, higher mortgage rates and tight supply shaping who can afford to live in the area.<ul><li>It&#x27;s the most inventory in NWA since November 2019.</li></ul>

Northwest Arkansas' office vacancy well under U.S. trend

Compared with Sage's Q1 report, the midyear snapshot shows a market that is still tight but loosening in spots.

Northwest Arkansas&#x27; office vacancy rate is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up slightly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" data-vars-content-id="9de0f570-7020-49f4-8781-67af953e44a2" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; office vacancy well under U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" target="_self">up slightly</a> in Q2, but is still slaying with a 5.3% rate, compared to 20.2% nationally, per a new report from Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners.Why it matters: Commercial property trends signal momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier in a soft national office market.<ul><li>Yes, but: Tight supply can limit expansion and push rents higher.</li></ul>

$1 million gift could transform university museum

The university is planning a more accessible future for its 7.5 million objects.

Education

Much of the public might not know that they can access more than 7.5 million objects at the University of Arkansas Museum. A $1 million gift could change that.Why it matters: The museum is undergoing a process to determine what its future space, staffing and overall presence will be, with a goal of increasing the impact and accessibility of the collections, curator of education and engagement Laurel Lamb told Axios.

Grant to expand NWACC mentorship program

The program connects college student mentors with high school students.

A nearly $600,000 grant will help NorthWest Arkansas Community College expand a program geared toward mentoring high school students on college resources.Why it matters: The Learning, Improvement, Fun and Empowerment (LIFE) program targets students who may write off college as something that&#x27;s not for them because of finances, grades, immigration status or not having parents who went to college, program director Juanita Franklin told Axios.

Crystal Bridges Museum expansion set for June opening

This next chapter further positions it not just as a place to experience art, but as a year-round community space.

Local Brief

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will reveal its expanded campus on June 6, marking the most significant addition since the Bentonville landmark debuted in 2011.Why it matters: Founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton, the museum is a cultural anchor for Northwest Arkansas and a major tourism draw. This next chapter further positions it not just as a place to experience art, but as a year-round community space.

Plan your spring: Paint, pics and printing

Mark your calendars for these  arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer

Mark your calendars for these arts and culture events happening across Northwest Arkansas this spring and early summer:

Arkansas plays a role in national grocery squeeze

Arkansas is the No. 1 grower of rice and the third-largest producer of poultry in the country.

America&#x27;s grocery squeeze has been most painfully felt in a few expensive categories, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beef" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/meat-processing-trump-beef-cattle-farmer" data-vars-content-id="82a49bfd-3c5c-4251-9447-bf409e4c689a" data-vars-headline="Arkansas plays a role in national grocery squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/meat-processing-trump-beef-cattle-farmer" target="_self">beef</a>, coffee and chocolate.<ul><li>Now, the forces pushing up food prices are starting to pile up: expensive grain, soaring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fertilizer and fuel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/16/farmers-agriculture-crops-iran-energy-prices" data-vars-content-id="82a49bfd-3c5c-4251-9447-bf409e4c689a" data-vars-headline="Arkansas plays a role in national grocery squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/16/farmers-agriculture-crops-iran-energy-prices" target="_self">fertilizer and fuel</a>, plus unpredictable weather and raging wars.</li></ul>

The Agenda: Federal grants for Drake Field

The Fayetteville City Council meets tonight.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4681/files/agenda/5411" data-vars-content-id="9a4c2b6b-e6ef-4fb3-ac47-adec19a29a2d" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Federal grants for Drake Field" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4681/files/agenda/5411" target="_blank">Fayetteville City Council</a> has a few items to vote on Tuesday related to Drake Field.For the Taxiway E extension project: A contract worth about $2.9 million with APAC-Central, about $428,000 to purchase wetland and stream mitigation from the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, and a $339,100 contract with Garver for construction services.

Monday Munchies: Cura Osteria left us wanting more

The spot serves tasty dishes, but the small portions come at a steep price.

Downtown Rogers has a newish spot serving contemporary Northern Italian cuisine.💸 State of play: I spent just under $150 on dinner for two at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cura Osteria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.curaosteria.com/" data-vars-content-id="b0bd2f45-a24c-4ca1-8c64-6353ed369543" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Cura Osteria left us wanting more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.curaosteria.com/" target="_blank">Cura Osteria</a> and still had to grab food elsewhere afterward because we were both still hungry.

Art Bridges looks to bring art deeper into health care

Hospital curators increasingly treat art as part of the care environment, not decoration added after construction.

Health

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art Bridges Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/21/art-bridges-convenes-museums-to-spur-art-access" data-vars-content-id="5724bbd5-7574-4788-9f8f-16859e0e1bc5" data-vars-headline="Art Bridges looks to bring art deeper into health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/04/21/art-bridges-convenes-museums-to-spur-art-access" target="_self">Art Bridges Foundation</a> is examining hospital-art strategies and could eventually help museums and health care providers build arts programs that could have positive outcomes for patients.Why it matters: NWA could become a testing ground for using art to offer patients a sense of calm, give families a moment of reprieve and help health care workers reset.

The Agenda: Free schoolhouse, transportation grants

Your local city councils meet tonight. Here&#x27;s what they plan to discuss.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2100/files/agenda/9093" data-vars-content-id="c75f8973-b4cc-4ae4-805e-b9302815d393" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Free schoolhouse, transportation grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2100/files/agenda/9093" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> will vote on:

Advocates push to extend postpartum Medicaid

Arkansas is the last state without one-year postpartum Medicaid.

Advocates are urging Arkansas to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from the current 60 days to a full year like all 49 other states.Why it matters: Physical and mental health problems can still occur more than 60 days after giving birth, says Camille Richoux, health policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Fewer Arkansas kids are getting vaccinated

Nationally, vaccine exemptions are rising.

Vaccination rates among American kindergartners decreased during the 2025–2026 school year for all tracked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-vaccines-midterms-measles-order" data-vars-content-id="e55ce6d6-2c1a-459b-9b0e-c96a2687bbc4" data-vars-headline="Fewer Arkansas kids are getting vaccinated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-vaccines-midterms-measles-order" target="_self">vaccines</a>, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="e55ce6d6-2c1a-459b-9b0e-c96a2687bbc4" data-vars-headline="Fewer Arkansas kids are getting vaccinated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a> on Monday.Why it matters: The drop-off coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" data-vars-content-id="e55ce6d6-2c1a-459b-9b0e-c96a2687bbc4" data-vars-headline="Fewer Arkansas kids are getting vaccinated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a> and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" data-vars-content-id="e55ce6d6-2c1a-459b-9b0e-c96a2687bbc4" data-vars-headline="Fewer Arkansas kids are getting vaccinated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" target="_self">measles cases</a> hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.

XNA has busiest month ever

The airport had its highest number of enplanements in a single month in July.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport had its highest-ever number of enplanements in a single month in July.The big picture: Airport officials have been trying to stay ahead of the expected increase in demand for years, as the formerly regional airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surpassed Little Rock&#x27;s airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/01/30/xna-flies-past-little-rock-first-time" data-vars-content-id="40051d8b-2e2c-4f78-98e1-c90b1273256b" data-vars-headline="XNA has busiest month ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/01/30/xna-flies-past-little-rock-first-time" target="_self">surpassed Little Rock&#x27;s airport</a> in 2025, six years sooner than predicted.

Your weekend plans: Food fests, county fair

A Filipino food festival is coming to downtown Springdale.

Things to Do

NWA has you covered this weekend.🇵🇭 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barrio Fiesta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.downtownspringdale.org/events#calendar-d1ef8e2e-51e3-46e4-bbd7-9b21baec2e28-event-22f1b90b-7d80-4836-bf7a-4a4772148912" data-vars-content-id="dd83b961-802b-44c9-b3ef-57fcb68f27a2" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Food fests, county fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.downtownspringdale.org/events#calendar-d1ef8e2e-51e3-46e4-bbd7-9b21baec2e28-event-22f1b90b-7d80-4836-bf7a-4a4772148912" target="_blank">Barrio Fiesta</a> — This Filipino food festival also includes music and dance. 3-7pm Saturday at Shiloh Square in downtown Springdale.

 Monday Munchies: 1834 Tavern Lafayette 

A good steak should be a simple layup for any place with a decent grill and good meat; it was for 1834's staff.

Fayetteville&#x27;s new(ish) fine dining and date-nighting spot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1834 Tavern Lafayette" data-vars-click-url="https://1834tavernlafayette.com/" data-vars-content-id="ee421488-b6df-4d42-82fc-2f7bd12aed22" data-vars-headline=" Monday Munchies: 1834 Tavern Lafayette " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://1834tavernlafayette.com/" target="_blank">1834 Tavern Lafayette</a> offers Belgian-inspired cuisine.<ul><li>The menu is focused on a few items but still manages to bridge gaps between varying appetites.</li></ul>

Your weekend plans: Cocktails, free movie, music fest

Have a great weekend, NWA.🍸 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville Cocktail Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://pourtaste.com/pages/bentonville-cocktail-festival?srsltid=AfmBOoqwNVPpRKY2QFYp1i5W4hRdORxPaCyL31Q2PJJOtEF_FOTRpwL8" data-vars-content-id="3ee2a395-500b-46b2-b16d-52b23e463903" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Cocktails, free movie, music fest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pourtaste.com/pages/bentonville-cocktail-festival?srsltid=AfmBOoqwNVPpRKY2QFYp1i5W4hRdORxPaCyL31Q2PJJOtEF_FOTRpwL8" target="_blank">Bentonville Cocktail Festival</a> — More than 40 cocktails will be available to try from 6-10pm Saturday at The Record in downtown Bentonville. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Get tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://pourtaste.com/pages/bentonville-cocktail-festival?srsltid=AfmBOoqwNVPpRKY2QFYp1i5W4hRdORxPaCyL31Q2PJJOtEF_FOTRpwL8#tickets" data-vars-content-id="3ee2a395-500b-46b2-b16d-52b23e463903" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Cocktails, free movie, music fest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pourtaste.com/pages/bentonville-cocktail-festival?srsltid=AfmBOoqwNVPpRKY2QFYp1i5W4hRdORxPaCyL31Q2PJJOtEF_FOTRpwL8#tickets" target="_blank">Get tickets</a> for $75.

Your weekend plans: Music, balloons, art market

The annual Soar NWA festival is this weekend.

Get out this weekend.🎈 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Soar NWA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soarnwa.com/" data-vars-content-id="bf9ed943-15c9-45f1-9682-6b39ad816869" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Music, balloons, art market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soarnwa.com/" target="_blank">Soar NWA</a> — The hot air balloon festival includes tethered rides, helicopter rides, live music, food and a car exhibit.

Monday Munchies: Pizza Lottie's

Pizza Lottie's in Bentonville is a sister concept to Pizzeria Ruby in Johnson.

I&#x27;ve seen it happen many times: A restaurant is a hit, develops a following and expands, and then the quality eventually tanks.<ul><li>So I was glad to hear that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pizza Lottie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pizzalotties.com/" data-vars-content-id="799b64b3-13a5-4304-af8a-be0b35a63ed2" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Pizza Lottie&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pizzalotties.com/" target="_blank">Pizza Lottie&#x27;s</a> in Bentonville would be a sister concept to — but have a different menu from — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pizzeria Ruby" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pizzeriaruby.com/" data-vars-content-id="799b64b3-13a5-4304-af8a-be0b35a63ed2" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Pizza Lottie&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pizzeriaruby.com/" target="_blank">Pizzeria Ruby</a> in Johnson.</li></ul>

Your weekend plans: Free community events

You don't need to break the bank to have a good time this weekend.

You don&#x27;t need to break the bank to have a good time this weekend.🎷 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Weekend Starts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=weekend-starts-in-the-upper-ramble&amp;theme=fayetteville&amp;date=2026-08-07-17-30&amp;cities=fayetteville&amp;clipToBounds=0&amp;embedded=1&amp;radius=100000&amp;tags=Fayetteville&amp;theme=fayetteville" data-vars-content-id="4e45ff06-68a0-4aaf-af18-511355edabef" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Free community events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/event-detail/?event_id=weekend-starts-in-the-upper-ramble&amp;theme=fayetteville&amp;date=2026-08-07-17-30&amp;cities=fayetteville&amp;clipToBounds=0&amp;embedded=1&amp;radius=100000&amp;tags=Fayetteville&amp;theme=fayetteville" target="_blank">Weekend Starts</a> — This free festival series at the Upper Ramble in downtown Fayetteville includes art and music. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5:30-7:30pm today" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=11749" data-vars-content-id="4e45ff06-68a0-4aaf-af18-511355edabef" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: Free community events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=11749" target="_blank">5:30-7:30pm today</a>.

Developer urges small projects for growth

Small spaces can carry higher rents per square foot while keeping tenants' payments within their budgets.

Northwest Arkansas can put its regional growth strategy into action by helping local developers reuse overlooked properties and create smaller spaces for homes and businesses, Texas developer Monte Anderson said Wednesday.Why it matters: Plans and zoning codes do not produce projects on their own. The region needs local developers, entrepreneurs, lenders and investors willing to take on smaller projects, Anderson said.

University of Arkansas awards 15 research teams

The projects cover a diverse set of areas, including artificial intelligence and rural mental health.

Seed funding of $1 million total for 15 research teams will be awarded through a new I³R (Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research) Watershed Grants Program, the University of Arkansas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://news.uark.edu/articles/82747/i-r-watershed-grants-spark-new-research-collaborations-across-u-of-a-1-million-in-seed-funding-awarded" data-vars-content-id="89ae6e73-6ac4-4c27-8ee7-8d0c638cabaa" data-vars-headline="University of Arkansas awards 15 research teams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.uark.edu/articles/82747/i-r-watershed-grants-spark-new-research-collaborations-across-u-of-a-1-million-in-seed-funding-awarded" target="_blank">announced</a> this week.Why it matters: The effort aims to turn new campus collaborations into research projects that can attract outside funding and move discoveries toward practical use.

Report: Real estate inventory stabilizes pricing 

New construction accounted for 35.7% of total sales, the third-highest count of new-home sales in the report's history.

It could be a buyer&#x27;s market again. For the first time since 2023, Northwest Arkansas&#x27; average home sale prices dipped slightly from the previous six months, per Arvest Skyline Report data.Why it matters: Lower prices and more supply give residents and businesses more choices after years of tight inventory and steep price increases.

Walmart adding Apple Pay, other tap-to-pay options

The tap-to-pay option has long been a want of Walmart customers.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Walmart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/walmart-earnings-sales-revenue" data-vars-content-id="7fc5acb4-c947-4e62-92af-bb94dcbbfffb" data-vars-headline="Walmart adding Apple Pay, other tap-to-pay options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/walmart-earnings-sales-revenue" target="_self">Walmart</a> announced Friday that some of its stores and Sam&#x27;s Club locations will add tap-to-pay options in the U.S. beginning Monday.Why it matters: Tap-to-pay has eluded Walmart customers, who instead had to rely on the company&#x27;s Walmart Pay system, which required scanning QR codes at checkout.

New online system seeks to simplify college applications

Students can apply to up to five institutions without fees.

Arkansas high school students now have a universal college application system, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced this week.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ACCESS portal" data-vars-click-url="https://araccessportal.adhe.edu/info" data-vars-content-id="a6a6c33d-bc01-4000-b6ca-91fefaf4df15" data-vars-headline="New online system seeks to simplify college applications" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://araccessportal.adhe.edu/info" target="_blank">ACCESS portal</a> is intended to create a streamlined system that allows high school seniors to apply to higher education institutions with one form, one login and no application fees for up to five colleges, according to a news release.

What could happen in Benton County judge race after nominee's arrest

Republican Austin McCollum is the only candidate on the November ballot.

Politics

Benton County is facing a conundrum as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allegations of domestic violence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/03/mccollum-resignation-calls-arrest" data-vars-content-id="35b004c3-b84c-4932-81bb-b17846cccbc8" data-vars-headline="What could happen in Benton County judge race after nominee&#x27;s arrest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/03/mccollum-resignation-calls-arrest" target="_self">allegations of domestic violence</a> have prompted widespread calls for the only nominee for county judge to drop out of the race: State law doesn&#x27;t allow nominees to simply drop out.❓ State of play: Here are some of the possibilities of what&#x27;s next for former state representative and current county judge candidate Austin McCollum, who won the Republican nomination in March. No Democrats or independents are on the November ballot.

Pornhub wants to come back to Arkansas screens

Many states have passed laws requiring that porn sites verify users' ages.

Pornhub is asking states, including Arkansas, to reconsider laws that require the site to verify users&#x27; ages.Catch up quick: Arkansas is one of many states in recent years to implement policies requiring that porn websites verify that those viewing their content are at least 18 years old.

Court records detail more abuse allegations against McCollum

Former state Rep. Austin McCollum was arrested over the weekend.

Days after former state Rep. and current Benton County judge candidate Austin McCollum <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was arrested" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/05/austin-mccollum-resigns-arkansas-house-arrest" data-vars-content-id="521b0922-81d0-4e97-941d-ac413bd11f7f" data-vars-headline="Court records detail more abuse allegations against McCollum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/05/austin-mccollum-resigns-arkansas-house-arrest" target="_self">was arrested</a>, his wife accused him of a pattern of domestic violence in court records filed Thursday.The latest: An order of protection obtained by Axios prohibits Austin McCollum, 35, from contacting his wife, Ragen McCollum, 34, and grants her temporary custody of their 4- and 2-year-old children, according to an order signed by Benton County Circuit Judge Xollie Duncan.

Scholarship options expand for trades

Voters in 2024 opted to allow lottery proceeds to pay for scholarships at vocational schools.

Students pursuing trades now have more options for where they can use lottery-funded scholarships.Why it matters: The change gives a financial boost to Arkansans pursuing careers in high-demand fields like construction trades, advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology and logistics.

Arkansas Rep. McCollum resigns after arrest

His resignation creates a vacancy in House District 8.

State Rep. Austin McCollum (R-Bentonville) has resigned from his House seat following his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weekend arrest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/03/mccollum-resignation-calls-arrest" data-vars-content-id="00e3882b-4033-478f-8b48-d1e4ce250667" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Rep. McCollum resigns after arrest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/08/03/mccollum-resignation-calls-arrest" target="_self">weekend arrest</a> and calls from Republican leaders to step down.Why it matters: The resignation leaves a vacancy for the seat that represents District 8, encompassing Pea Ridge and parts of Bentonville and Rogers.

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