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Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli

The prosciutto and fig sandwich seemed to defy physics.

Food and Drink

🍝 Alex checked out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zelli Pasta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" data-vars-content-id="39d1707b-182f-4ce2-b38a-1eb85a9783c1" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" target="_self">Zelli Pasta</a> as take-it-home-and-cook-it-yourself, but they&#x27;ve since started serving sandwiches, which is more my style.The setup: Downtown Springdale may soon become my fave lunchtime location — there are tons of options, it&#x27;s easy for me to get to, and the crowds aren&#x27;t yet insane (if you can find a parking spot!).

The Agenda: Construction project plans

The Bentonville and Springdale city councils meet tonight.

News

Your city councils are back from spring break and plan to meet tonight.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1728/files/agenda/8676" data-vars-content-id="37d352ce-2c0e-458c-b500-3572cd9ed6e8" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Construction project plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1728/files/agenda/8676" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> will vote on:

Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags

The U.S. now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.

Health

Bentonville&#x27;s Heartland Forward launched a drive to slash U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> in half within five years.Why it matters: Maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the country now has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" target="_blank">highest rate</a> in the developed world. About 84% of the deaths are preventable and roughly 65% happen after childbirth.

Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked enforcement of an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas law" data-vars-click-url="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT573.pdf" target="_blank">Arkansas law</a> requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if they are donated.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/document/2026/03/16/10Commandments.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a> by Chief Judge Timothy Brooks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prohibits six school districts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" data-vars-content-id="7c3becaa-132d-4f20-a6d6-95c4cb8c290b" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/16/federal-judge-strikes-down-10-commandments/" target="_blank">prohibits six school districts</a> — Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Conway and Lakeside — from displaying the commandments.

Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms

A new report suggests some moms are being priced out of the workforce.

A new report suggests mothers are being priced out of the workforce in Arkansas, Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas" data-vars-click-url="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" data-vars-content-id="94ceba58-458e-411f-81be-c8e4b5dac9f1" data-vars-headline="Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://womensfoundationarkansas.org/" target="_blank">Women&#x27;s Foundation of Arkansas</a>, told Axios.Why it matters: This broad economic issue has implications for employee recruitment and retention plus the financial stability of families, she said.

Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools

Turning Point USA is widely credited with helping Republicans make big gains with young voters in the 2024 election.

Politics

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed a proclamation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/10/arkansas-may-partner-with-turning-point-usa" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/03/10/arkansas-may-partner-with-turning-point-usa" target="_self">signed a proclamation</a> encouraging every Arkansas high school and college to start a Turning Point USA chapter.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supporters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbCPv1GwAg&amp;t=712s" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbCPv1GwAg&amp;t=712s" target="_blank">Supporters</a> see the move as a way to encourage open political discourse, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detractors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/live/3XKL4bgp-3A" data-vars-content-id="9a12852b-7b6c-4f2c-9bbc-bb30fd683d23" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/3XKL4bgp-3A" target="_blank">detractors</a> see it as an abuse of power by Sanders to push &quot;ideological, partisan political clubs&quot; on students.

Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA

A news release from Turning Point USA framed the announcement as the next step in the group's "mission to put chapters on every high school and college in America."

Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk and Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are expected to announce a statewide partnership at 1pm Wednesday at the Governor&#x27;s Mansion.The big picture: The media advisory from Sanders&#x27; office provided no details, but the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/09/governor-erika-kirk-to-announce-turning-point-usa/" data-vars-content-id="047f283c-526c-4f43-8773-d695c7f7edba" data-vars-headline="Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2026/mar/09/governor-erika-kirk-to-announce-turning-point-usa/" target="_blank">reports</a> that a news release from Turning Point USA framed the announcement as the next step in the group&#x27;s &quot;mission to put chapters on every high school and college in America.&quot;

Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk

The governor spoke about everything from Iran to her father to the midterms and the 2028 elections.

Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is aligned with President Trump&#x27;s decision to strike Iran and says talk of the 2028 general election can wait until after the midterms.The big picture: Politico launched YouTube show &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="On the Road With Jonathan Martin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5cYHPw-ZVc" data-vars-content-id="8da41775-5443-4824-b52a-e0d6ad5c4426" data-vars-headline="Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5cYHPw-ZVc" target="_blank">On the Road With Jonathan Martin</a>&quot; on Tuesday, and the first episode featured a 40-minute interview with Sanders at the Little Rock Wright&#x27;s Barbecue, recorded March 4.

The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software

Here's what's on deck at your local city council meetings Tuesday night.

Business

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on deck at your local city council meetings Tuesday night.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fayetteville" data-vars-click-url="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1439/overview" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fayettevillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1439/overview" target="_blank">Fayetteville</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1716/files" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1716/files" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> city councils will meet, but will not be voting on agenda items.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rogers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rogersar.gov/632/Agendas-Minutes" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rogersar.gov/632/Agendas-Minutes" target="_blank">Rogers</a> will vote on:<ul><li>A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to purchase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avolve software" data-vars-click-url="https://www.avolvesoftware.com/help/ProjectDox/9.4.0.0_SA/ProjectDoxStart.html" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.avolvesoftware.com/help/ProjectDox/9.4.0.0_SA/ProjectDoxStart.html" target="_blank">Avolve software</a> from Lifecycle Technologies of Florida for $91,940.</li></ul><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Springdale" data-vars-click-url="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3541/Springdale/8f0701db-441f-4519-8e67-9a4d9f25eac8/Official-City-Council-Agenda-Packet-3.10.26.pdf?disposition=inline" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3541/Springdale/8f0701db-441f-4519-8e67-9a4d9f25eac8/Official-City-Council-Agenda-Packet-3.10.26.pdf?disposition=inline" target="_blank">Springdale</a> will vote on:<ul><li>Authorizing the renewal of a contract with the Downtown Springdale Alliance to promote the downtown area for $150,000 for one year.</li><li>Authorizing the payment of $258,963 from the 2023 bond program to American Electric and Power to relocate overhead electric power to an underground system for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Emma Ave. Streetscape project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.springdalear.gov/page/east-emma-streetscape" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.springdalear.gov/page/east-emma-streetscape" target="_blank">East Emma Ave. Streetscape project</a>.</li><li>For the city to commit a funding match of $1.29 million and enter into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Streets and Roads for All" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A" target="_blank">Safe Streets and Roads for All</a> grant agreement for the construction of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dean&#x27;s Trail phase IIIB" data-vars-click-url="https://emerysapp.com/project/202405-3523/" data-vars-content-id="3fb9a557-34ae-4284-b1f4-20217c7a836c" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Trails, promotion and software" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://emerysapp.com/project/202405-3523/" target="_blank">Dean&#x27;s Trail phase IIIB</a>. The grant was awarded for $5.18 million in 2024.</li></ul>📍 If you go: 6pm at Springdale City Hall or 6:30pm at Rogers City Hall.

Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will face challengers in November.

Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/07/15/arkansas-farmer-challenges-cotton-for-u-s-senate-seat/" target="_blank">U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will face Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner</a> on the November ballot for the U.S. Senate seat in Arkansas after they secured the nominations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Associated Press called Tuesday night" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" data-vars-content-id="7e214ba4-ef00-4a05-bd43-8a6e5c479dab" data-vars-headline="Voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/arkansas-primary/" target="_blank">the Associated Press called Tuesday night</a>.Here are other key decisions.

Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas

Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually

Aerospace

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrapped his nationwide &quot;Arsenal of Freedom&quot; tour Friday at L3Harris&#x27; rocket motor campus in south Arkansas.Why it matters: Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arkansas Advocate" data-vars-click-url="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/27/hegseth-touts-arkansas-missile-industry-in-speech-at-arms-factory-expansion-site/" target="_blank">Arkansas Advocate</a>. Aerospace and defense were the state&#x27;s top export sectors in 2024, worth more than $950 million, according to an Arkansas Economic Development Commission <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" data-vars-content-id="40127b71-7844-46ed-957e-2673bc07db06" data-vars-headline="Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.arkansasedc.com/Aerospace-and-Defense-Industry-Report" target="_blank">report</a>.

What to know about candidates for Arkansas Senate District 26

Much of the district is embroiled in conflict with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders over proposed plans to locate a 3,000-bed prison there.

Republican Brad Simon and Independent Adam Watson face off Tuesday for the state Senate District 26 seat vacated after Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R-Branch) died in September.Why it matters: About <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="83,000 residents" data-vars-click-url="https://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_State_Senate_District_26" data-vars-content-id="6b1c6215-838f-4dce-a854-eff95e81364e" data-vars-headline="What to know about candidates for Arkansas Senate District 26" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_State_Senate_District_26" target="_blank">83,000 residents</a> live in the district, which includes portions of Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Sebastian counties.

Revealing holes in Arkansas' concealed carry law

Someone with a concealed carry license could face restrictions that someone under constitutional carry would not.

Arkansans can legally carry firearms to protests, a law professor told Axios, but contradictory state statutes create gray areas that could complicate interpretation.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shooting death" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">shooting death</a> of Alex Pretti in Minnesota last month put some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gun rights groups at odds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" target="_self">gun rights groups at odds</a> with messaging from the Trump administration, exposing tension between First and Second Amendment protections.

Politics 🇺🇸

Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools

Policies and child care costs strain Arkansas moms

Gov. Sanders encourages Turning Point chapters in public schools

Arkansas may partner with Turning Point USA

Gov. Sanders doubles down on Trump, sidesteps 2028 talk