Good morning, Bentonville.

Walmart announced that it will end its use of Affirm by the end of this year and will partner with Klarna to offer deferred payment loans to customers in stores and online through its OnePay app.

Klarna will underwrite loans for terms from three months to 36 months with interest rates from 10% to 36% and Walmart will receive warrants for up to 15 million shares once Klarna goes public – the product will launch in the coming weeks.

Bruce Dunn leads All Sports Productions, which produces cycling, running, and triathlon races such as the Fayetteville Half Marathon and Big Dam Bridge 100; at 60 he says he is just getting warmed up—he plans to rebrand the cancelled Joe Martin Stage Race as the Tour of Arkansas if he secures enough sponsors.

Bentonville bankers at Grand Savings Bank have applied to buy Missouri-based LimeBank by acquiring its holding company Stark Bancshares Inc.—deal terms and a price somewhat less than $12.5 million are pending review.

Tony Steele, his son Tyler Steele and CEO Guy Cable lead the investor group—this move will expand banking operations in Bolivar.

UA Distinguished Professor Samir El-Ghazaly is designing a high-tech campus in southern Washington County for technology startup Xtremis to test wireless communications equipment.

The design work began last summer and will finish this summer, and the campus will feature an anechoic chamber—set for groundbreaking in 2026—and an open-air electromagnetic test site.

A woman held in Benton County Jail died last month — after being taken to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville — according to the county coroner.

HIGHFILL has not accepted a take-it-or-leave-it settlement offer for Northwest Arkansas National Airport’s detachment from the city and is offering its own alternatives to the airport board—this counterproposal comes as officials continue reviewing options for the airport's future.

Bentonville catcher Evan Martinez hit a three-run home run that gave his team a 14-4 win over rival Bentonville West on March 17th at the Tiger Athletic Complex.

Junkin' Market Days NWA

1-5 p.m. | Washington County Fairgrounds | $5 General Admission | Discover unique products from local small business owners at this vibrant indoor market.

Welcome to Spring Fair

1 PM | Oxford Ridge Pavilion | Free entry | Enjoy a variety of local foods, crafts, and community activities at this vibrant spring fair.

Big Box Karaoke Event

8:15-10:15 p.m. — Big Box Karaoke — No cover charge — Connect with fellow 20s and 30s locals while enjoying a night of karaoke fun.

Tomorrow’s Heirlooms XIX Quilt Show

9 AM - 4 PM — Benton County Fairgrounds & Expo — Entry Fee Applies — Explore a vibrant display of hundreds of quilts alongside vendors and food.

Northwest Arkansas Gem & Mineral Society Show

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat) & 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sun) — Bentonville Armory — Entry details not specified — Explore a vibrant rock and mineral showcase featuring a variety of exhibits and activities.

Dr. Compton Native Tree & Plant Sale: Spring

7 a.m. - 6 p.m. — Compton Gardens and Arboretum — Free entry — Explore 70+ varieties of native plants and trees in support of local biodiversity.