Good morning, Bentonville.

This weekend, Rogers hosts the Bikes, Blues and BBQ festival running for four days to raise funds for local families, while the Square 2 Square Bicycle Ride takes cyclists from Fayetteville to Bentonville on Saturday.

Police urge drivers to check blind spots as more motorcycles and bicycles hit the roads.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville will host a free Indigenous art symposium on Friday, Oct.

16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 — featuring workshops, discussions, and a keynote with artist Jeffrey Gibson; registration is required for some sessions.

Educators gathered at Heartland Summit on Thursday, Oct.

1 at Old High Middle School in Bentonville to discuss how to integrate skills like curiosity, critical thinking and human centered design with AI lessons. The panel noted local colleges are partnering with schools to prepare students for emerging STEM jobs.

NWACC is set to host its first homecoming next week at 1 College Drive.

The celebration begins on Monday with a poster session and Tuesday poster party and peaks on Oct. 7 with a free doubleheader and cookout at David Gates Stadium in Rogers.

For the 2026-2027 school year, Arkansas expanded its Education Freedom Accounts program with over 54,000 approved applications and $379 million in funding, though school choice varies widely by county.

Benton residents enjoy 24 options while many rural counties have few or no in-person private schools (highlighting ongoing disparities).

The Arkansas Department of Education announced the ACCESS portal now lets high school seniors apply to any participating college with one form (the first five applications are free), and the department launched a campaign to guide students through their applications until Dec.

19.

Capstone Building Corp. has started construction on The Emerald, a $45.1 million, 256-unit multifamily project in Centerton located at East Centerton Boulevard & Womack Road.

The development includes retail areas, a clubhouse, pool, and pickleball courts and is expected to be completed in summer 2028.

The Razorbacks will travel to College Station to face the Aggies at 6 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field, following a 34-6 win over Tulsa; Arkansas aims to build on improved offense while Texas A&M, adjusting its system under new guidance (featuring Marcel Reed), plans to overcome its offensive struggles.