Good morning, Fayetteville.

Fayetteville’s restaurant scene is evolving as Cable Car Pizza nears reopening at 1830 N.

College Ave & HomeGrown readies a new location at South Yard. Herman’s plans a comeback, while Kai & Saltine have opened and Raising Cane’s seeks relocation with a permit review on Sept. 15.

NWA Book Fest returns to Walton Arts Center on Saturday, Sept.

26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.+ an Open Mic Night follows until 7:30 p.m., featuring author interactions, panels and vendor opportunities at the fourth annual event.

The University of Arkansas launched the Arkansas Materials Institute on Thursday (Aug.

20) at the Nanoscale Material Science and Engineering Building in Fayetteville. The institute will merge the Nano Institute with the Materials Science and Engineering program to boost research and student learning.

Northwest Arkansas public high schools top state rankings as Haas Hall Academy’s Bentonville campus claims the No. 1 spot while its other campuses finish the state’s top four.

U.S. News released the 2026–27 rankings this week, highlighting nine of the top ten public high schools in the region.

Eva Stephani Caroline, an international doctoral candidate in the Public Policy program, was awarded the James H.

White Doctoral Fellowship by the Graduate School and International Education. The $1,000 per year award will support her dissertation research in irrigation and water use efficiency.

The U of A Police Department and Emergency Management launch their Avoid - Deny - Defend® campaign on Monday, Aug.

24 to boost campus preparedness via an info table from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a mini training at ARKU 201 from 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Brenda Gullett & Dr. Robert Gullett Jr. donated $1 million to support UAMS new Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Springdale; the hospital will include a clinic named for Dr. Bob Gullett, serve Razorback athletes and open next year.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and health leaders met Thursday in Little Rock for a maternal health roundtable, discussing gaps in prenatal care and the loss of rural delivering hospitals (including impacts in Northwest Arkansas).

Officials noted that recent federal funding and new services aim to boost care access.

More than 50 local healthcare organizations sent a letter Thursday urging Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend the ARHOME program for two years so the state can complete its Medicaid transition without disrupting coverage for nearly 214,000 beneficiaries before the current waiver expires Dec. 31.

Arkansas insurers offering Affordable Care Act plans proposed 2027 rate increases of 3.1% to 15.9% while the state Insurance Department reviews them—enrollment on healthcare.gov has dropped since last year.

Bentonville West swept their Thursday benefit matches at Wolverine Arena by winning every set against Pottsville and Siloam Springs — the team will face Farmington, Fayetteville and Bentonville next week as they build on their strong start.

Amanda Scott was announced as the executive director of softball operations and program strategy for the Razorbacks, reporting to coach Courtney Deifel.

She brings experience from Missouri-St. Louis and joins the staff fresh off a historic Women’s College World Series appearance — an exciting addition to the program.

Arkansas football players Jaden Platt, Ty Lockwood and Matt Adcock held a press conference on Thursday (reporters attended) to discuss preseason practice plans for the Razorbacks ahead of the upcoming season.

During Thursday morning practice at Walker Pavilion, the Razorback defense shone with standout plays including freshman Tay Lockett's diving interception as water bottle drills tested concentration for the team ahead of the season (a new drill technique).