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Axios NW Arkansas
Grant boosts health-related tech program for high schoolers in NWA
A $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will help the medical school's outreach efforts to NWA high schoolers.Why it matters: "Arkansas students desperately need early and repeated exposure to STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] and data science to be prepared not only for future careers, but also to enable them to make data-driven decisions about lifestyle choices that affect their health," UAMS professor and AR Tech-DaSH program director Kevin Phelan said in a news release.State of play: The five-year grant will expose ninth-graders to data science-focused activities and medical-related technologies like stethoscopes, ultrasound, infrared and CT imaging, UAMS spokesperson David Wise told Axios.The program will target underserved and underrepresented students and revolve around three health concerns prevalent in the region — cardiovascular, obesity/diabetes and immunology/cancer.All NWA school districts can apply, Wise said.Zoom in: The program includes annual summer camps for up to 25 students. Campers are tasked with planning health-focused outreach events in their communities.The program will also bring virtual outreach sessions to rural classrooms across the state. Virtual training workshops will show teachers how to include imaging and data science in their classroom curriculum, according to UAMS.
Arkansas abortion amendment disqualified from ballot
Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston on Wednesday rejected petitions for a proposed amendment to make abortion legal in the state again under certain circumstances.Why it matters: The proposed amendment would allow abortion through the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, and also in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly or to save the pregnant person's life.State of play: In a letter to Arkansans for Limited Government, which is spearheading the effort, Thurston said the group failed to submit a statement identifying all paid canvassers by name.He said it also didn't provide a statement confirming it had provided each canvasser...
Construction to accommodate airport's growth
Construction at Northwest Arkansas National Airport is moving along steadily as the transportation hub is on track for its busiest year yet. State of play: The airport broke ground on a new air-traffic control tower this month, spokesperson Olivia Tyler told Axios. New baggage-claim carousels replacing 25-year-old ones are up...
What we're sipping: Wine with a side of wine at Urban Cellar
Urban Cellar Winery opened in late 2023 in Fayetteville. I recently went for a taste — or four. 🍷 What to try: A wine flight makes it easy to try several wines with minimal commitment. Unlike some places where you're stuck with preset options, custom flights allow customers to pick any four wines for the same price ($22) as a red wine flight.
Northwest Arkansas Council makes shattering offer for 50 businesses
The Northwest Arkansas Council and EPIC Glass Recycling of Little Rock are offering four months of free glass recycling to 50 NWA businesses. Why it matters: Recycling glass reduces energy consumption, air pollution and the use of raw materials to make new glass. State of play: Bars, restaurants, liquor stores...
University of Arkansas ups parental leave; NWACC raises pay
Northwest Arkansas schools of higher learning are increasing employee benefits. Why it matters: Better pay and more parental leave help attract and keep talent at some of the region's largest institutions. State of play: The University of Arkansas is offering new parents six weeks of paid leave, up from four...
The Agenda: Storm costs, building expansion
Here's what's on deck at city council meetings tonight.Bentonville will vote on:Entering into a $115,620 professional-services agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants to perform a water and wastewater rate analysis and financial plan for the city's water. The council will also consider a $59,600 agreement for a fee analysis for water.Hiring Kinco Constructors to expand the Street Department building for more than $1.43 million.Rogers will vote on:Allotting $1.3 million to buy a wood chipper to process the downed trees from the Memorial Day weekend storms.Accepting a $705,768 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for snow-removal equipment for the municipal airport. The city must match 10%.If you go: 6pm at Bentonville City Hall and 6:30pm at Rogers City Hall.
Crisis response rate in Arkansas still lower than U.S. average
Data: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosAlmost two years after the debut of a revamped national suicide hotline, its promise of a quicker, more seamless crisis response across the country is still a work in progress. Why it matters: Arkansas' 988 local answer rate was 72% at the end of May — up from about 40% during January but still well below the national average of about 89%.Reality check: Calls not fielded by someone in the state roll over to counselors elsewhere who may not be familiar with local resources or the best treatment referrals for Arkansans in need.State of...
Monday Munchies: Roll & Fold in Rogers
Some will know Roll & Fold was recently a food truck at 8th Street Market in Bentonville.Others, like me, hadn't heard about the Asian fusion spot until it moved into a brick-and-mortar location.The setup: Occupying what was once one fast-food place or another, the permanent location is now farther south — at Pleasant Crossing in Rogers.The plus side is that it no longer looks like a cookie-cutter, fast-food joint.The food: If you're into Asian-style fare, just about everything on the menu looks good. I opted for a bento-style lunch of Tonkatsu — fried pork on steamed rice with pickled cabbage...
Week ahead: Afroman, art, Bingo night
Your guide to fun this week:🎤 Live music — See Pat Green ($10) at Butterfield Stage in downtown Rogers or Afroman at Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville ($25). Both are Thursday.And don't forget about the kid-friendly free concert series, also Thursday at Gulley Park in Fayetteville.🎨 Art on the Bricks — Check out locally made art and live music at this free event Thursday evening in downtown Rogers.❓ Trivia and games — Trivia is played tonight at Bentonville Brewing and bingo Tuesday at Rendezvous Junction Brewing in Rogers.
Northwest Arkansas' housing market has cooled from 2022
Data: Redfin; Chart: Axios VisualsNWA's housing market has slowed from its heyday of early 2022, according to data from Redfin. Current sales are roughly on par with the national rate.Why it matters: It's good news for buyers wanting to take time to shop for a home rather than make offers above asking price, sight unseen.The big picture: Supply issues continue to affect home prices across the U.S., despite mortgage rates dampening demand.This is particularly true in parts of California and the Northeast. Homes in both regions are selling quickly — and above asking — per Redfin.In the South, however, supply...
Benton County seeing millions in loans, relief funding after Memorial Day storms
The Small Business Administration has approved 67 loans totaling $5.4 million to Benton County residents affected by the Memorial Day weekend storms, spokesperson Jessica Roles told Axios.Sixty-four of those are home loans.Why it matters: The storms, including seven tornadoes, killed three people and caused extensive damage. At least 88 homes in Benton County were destroyed, while 356 more were significantly battered.Zoom out: FEMA had approved more than $3.4 million for affected Benton County residents as of Monday, the agency told Axios.Meanwhile, the philanthropic Benton County Relief Fund is still accepting donations to help people cover expenses like missed work.The...
Arkansas State Police: Don't drive tipsy, loaded or lit
Arkansas law enforcement will be out in force to deter driving while impaired today through the weekend. Why it matters: More than 1,400 drivers died in traffic crashes across the nation during the Fourth of July holiday period from 2018 through 2022, and 545 of those were drunk, the Arkansas State Police said in a news release.Of the drivers killed, about half were ages 21-34.State of play: State troopers and local law enforcement will have an increased presence as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.In Fayetteville, police will...
The Bentonville Bulletin to center on local news coverage
Nearly a decade after NWA cities lost individualized local newspaper coverage, online site The Bentonville Bulletin promises to focus on one town.Well, plus Centerton and Bella Vista.Why it matters: Local journalism not only holds an area's officials accountable, it binds communities together through shared experiences.State of play: The nascent Bentonville Bulletin will be "newsletter first," founder and Bentonville native Sam Hoisington told Axios. There's not yet been a regular cadence for email sends to its 4,300-plus subscribers, but he hopes to change that soon.The site has been publishing stories since about mid-April.The organization is seeking an editor to lead its...
The Agenda: Rental rules
The Fayetteville City Council has its regular meeting tonight and plans to vote on:Requiring the appointments of a renter and someone who works with renters' rights to the housing crisis task force. The council declared a housing crisis in April and cleared the way to create the task force.An ordinance that would prohibit operators of short-term rentals like Airbnbs from reapplying for business licenses to operate a short-term rental on the same property within a year if their licenses have been revoked.If you go: 5:30pm at Fayetteville City Hall or online.Share
Five places to see fireworks in Northwest Arkansas
It's time to make your Fourth of July plans. Here are some places to see fireworks this week.Bella Vista — The city will host a fireworks show after dark Wednesday at the park below Loch Lomond dam on Glasgow Road. Free.Arvest Ballpark in Springdale — 6:30pm Thursday. Get $13 tickets or $10 tickets for kids 12 and under.Randall G. Lynch Middle School in Farmington — The city will start fireworks at dusk on Thursday. Free.Orchards Park in Bentonville — Food trucks and live music start at 7pm with fireworks at 9:30pm Thursday. Free.Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers — The Fireworks Spectacular with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas starts at 8pm Thursday. Get tickets starting at $3.🚨 If you plan to set off fireworks at home, be sure to check your city's policies regarding times and what kinds of fireworks are allowed.Share
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Axios NW Arkansas, anchored by Worth Sparkman and Alex Golden, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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