Daily
Fayetteville
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Fayetteville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Experience Fayetteville launched the Favoriteville Festival Fund Monday, Feb. 16 to support up to two festivals each year with post-event financial aid during slower tourism seasons—funded by the city’s 2% lodging and restaurant tax. Organizers will soon learn details for applying to this community investment. NWA Business Journal
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Broadway musical Water for Elephants will run eight shows at Walton Arts Center starting Feb. 24 (the production blends acrobatic routines and musical scenes) with ticket prices ranging from $48.30 to $120.75 available online or by phone. Fayetteville Flyer
- ➤ Local bakeries in Fayetteville prepared King Cakes for Mardi Gras orders that began after Christmas and peaked on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17; nearly 1,500 cakes are sold annually at Rick’s Bakery, and each cake hides a plastic baby that brings luck for next year. 5 News
- ➤ The UARK Department of Theatre launches the ARKType New Play Festival from Feb. 27 — March 15 with new work by Basil Parnell, Connor Johnson, and the MFA theatre cohort in collaboration with Tectonic Theater Project, with shows at Global Campus Theatre and TheatreSquared. University of Arkansas
- ➤ Breaking Benjamin announced their 2026 North American tour, with a show scheduled at Walmart AMP on Tuesday, Oct. 13. They will be joined by Chevelle, Starset, and Kami Kehoe — tickets from $54.85 to $199.65 go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20. Fayetteville Flyer
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The College of Education and Health Professions named five alumni as the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients and will honor them at an evening celebration on March 6. Awardees include Tim Lampkin, Nathan Morris, Lori Frost, Matthew Holden, and Kurt Andrews. University of Arkansas
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Delegates from the Benton County and Boston Mountain waste management districts met Tuesday in Springdale to discuss the limited life of the Eco-Vista Landfill in Tontitown; they will reconvene on March 11 to plan next steps. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Fayetteville health officials say tests showed bird flu in wild, backyard and commercial birds, and they advise residents to avoid touching sick birds—call the health hotline if flu-like symptoms occur. 4029 News
- ➤ A University of Arkansas study finds nearly 30% of adults face food insecurity—a rate almost 10% higher than federal reports suggest. Researchers gathered nearly 10,000 responses that indicate about 688,000 people in urban and rural areas lack regular access to healthy food. Arkansas Times
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Patriot Park, a new affordable housing complex for veterans, will include 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom units on College Ave for those earning 60% or less of the median income (with one-bedroom rent about $529); waitlist applications open soon, and officials expect completion in late April. 5 News
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ At the Tyson Invitational last weekend, Arkansas men’s track jumped from No. 11 to No. 1 and the women’s team set records while UCA’s Shae Littleford earned ASUN newcomer honor. Razorback softball moved to No. 8 and the golf team competes today at Watersound Invitational in Panama City Beach, Fla. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Bledsaw and Trader earned player of the week honors last week by boosting their teams in conference play. Springdale’s boys basketball team played Bentonville West last Friday and was tied 20 at halftime (a close contest that showed their strength). Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Razorbacks associate head coach Kenny Payne held a press conference today and answered media questions ahead of the game against the Crimson Tide + he previewed his team's strategy for the matchup. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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Penelope Road Live
8:30-11 p.m. — George's Majestic Lounge — Tickets available — Experience the bold, soulful sound of Atlanta's emerging music scene with Penelope Road.
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Southeast Missouri State Redhawks vs. Arkansas Lady Razorbacks Softball
4-8 p.m. — Bogle Park — Free entry — Catch collegiate softball action as the Redhawks face off against the Lady Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
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Wooo Pig Classic - Day 3
10 AM – 2 PM — Bogle Park — Free entry — Experience the excitement of Razorback sports and local news coverage at this community event.
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Texas A&M Aggies vs Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball
8-10 p.m. — Bud Walton Arena — Tickets may apply — Catch NCAA basketball action as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on Texas A&M Aggies.
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Water For Elephants Musical
1:30–3:30 p.m. — Walton Arts Center — Tickets required — Experience a dazzling musical adaptation of the beloved novel that brings adventure and love to life.
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UNC Charlotte 49ers vs. Arkansas Lady Razorbacks Softball
7-11 p.m. — Bogle Park — Ticket prices vary — Witness a thrilling matchup between the UNC Charlotte 49ers and the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks.
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Trout Unlimited 40th Annual Banquet
5-9:30 p.m. — Fayetteville Town Center — $20-$800 — Celebrate conservation efforts while enjoying a buffet dinner, auctions, and special recognitions.
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Auburn Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Women's Basketball
1-3 p.m. — Bud Walton Arena — Cost info not provided — Cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks as they face off against the Auburn Tigers in an exciting women's basketball matchup.
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High School Programming Contest
9 AM – 4 PM — J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Center for Academic Excellence — Free entry — Showcase your coding skills at the annual high school programming challenge.
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Run Pig Sooie
8:00 – 11:30 AM — Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium — Various entry fees — Be part of Razorback history with multiple race distances finishing on the 50-yard line!
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