Good morning, Fayetteville.

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville announced Tuesday, Oct.

14, that it received $220,000 from Nancy and William D. Koch to fund a new greenhouse and renovations to the Carl A. Totemeier Horticulture & Event Center. Design work is underway and groundbreaking for the new greenhouse will occur on Nov. 11 while both projects will be completed in 2026.

Walmart celebrated 40 years of supporting American-made goods as it recalled founder Sam Walton’s 1985 open letter that pushed the company to boost domestic manufacturing.

It held its Open Call on Oct. 7-8, where buyers met with 600 suppliers including three from Arkansas to pitch their innovative products.

The Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M.

Walton College of Business and the Northwest Arkansas Council will release the annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report on Oct. 23 during a luncheon at Fayetteville Town Center at 15 W. Mountain St. Networking begins at 11 a.m.—the program starts at 11:30 a.m. and registration is available at $60 until Oct. 17.

The third Fayetteville Gallery Hop will take place on Nov.

15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.—eight art galleries will host special exhibitions and serve light refreshments, with shuttle buses provided by the University of Arkansas School of Art during the free event. Organized by the Fayetteville Gallery Collective, it offers a chance for locals to experience diverse art in one day.

April Rummel of Cabot chased her dream to teach by earning an online bachelor's from the University of Arkansas—she received her framed diploma on June 25 during the Razorbug Diploma Tour.

She is now enrolled in graduate school and hired as a special education teacher at the Freshman Academy, and she will take the Praxis exam in October.

U of A alumnus Derek Barchenger was honored with the Norman E.

Borlaug Field Award by the Rockefeller Foundation for his work in pepper breeding that fights hunger and poverty. He leads the Global Pepper Breeding Program at World Vegetable Center—his efforts have produced over 40 new pepper varieties worldwide.

The U of A College of Engineering hosted the ASEE Midwest Section Conference from Sept.

14—16 with over 100 engineering educators sharing ideas on adapting teaching methods and building resilience. Sessions featured a keynote speech and awards for teaching and research, and they showed how to prepare students for a changing world.

U of A alumnus Bruce Woody and his wife Rebecca donated $1M to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment to help close a funding gap that limits student access across Arkansas counties.

Their gift supports a three-year campaign that builds on their commitment to education and extends opportunity for future graduates.

The University of Arkansas got $200,000 in gifts to help honors education and UA libraries—$150,000 from Springdale nonprofit Schmieding Foundation will build a family study space at Mullins Library while a $50,000 gift from Chancellor emeritus Gearhart and his wife helps the Honors College Path Program.

Planning commissioners tabled, without discussion, requests for a conditional land use permit and a variance for a proposed 140-unit, 405-bed student housing development in Fayette Junction until Oct.

27. The project—located on a 10-acre wooded site near Ashwood Avenue and Razorback Road—is under review amid concerns over environmental impacts, parking design, and neighborhood character.

The Honors College will host a Pulse Panel Discussion: Health Care at a Crossroads on Oct.

23 at Gearhart Hall 130 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.—faculty and staff with expertise in health care will lead a Q&A session while serving pizza and refreshments—RSVP is available via Hogsync.

Heart of the Ozarks Craft Fair & Fall Festival

9 AM – 6 PM — Washington County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Explore over 300 booths, enjoy live music, delicious food, and family fun.

Lily Rose: I Know What I Want Tour

7-9:30 p.m. — Ozark Music Hall — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening with Lily Rose as she performs her latest tour hits.

Heart of the Ozarks Craft Fair & Fall Festival

9 AM – 6 PM — Washington County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Celebrate local crafts and enjoy food, music, and family fun.

Irie Lions & My Nextdoor Neighbor Sunday Show

5:30-9 p.m. — Prairie Street Live! — General Admission + Fees — Experience an evening of original reggae vibes and dynamic prog rock performances.

Fayetteville Haunts Ghost Tour

5-7 p.m. — Fayetteville Public Library — Registration required — Explore the haunted history and ghostly legends of Downtown Fayetteville on a spooky walking tour.

Whitney Cummings Live

7:00–8:30 p.m. — Walton Arts Center — Tickets from $69 — Enjoy an evening with the talented comedian Whitney Cummings in Fayetteville.

First Encounters NWA: Speed Dating for 40+

7-9 p.m. — Six Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar — Ticketed event includes one drink — Sip, flirt, and spark connections at this guided speed dating night for the 40s and beyond.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20 Partypooper Tour

5:30-7 p.m. — Fayetteville High School — $22 — Celebrate the 20th book release with a fun-filled birthday bash featuring author Jeff Kinney.

NWA TechFest Monthly Meetup

6-9 p.m. — GOAT Lab Brewery — Free drinks available — Connect with STEM professionals over great conversations and community Q&A sessions.

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl in Fayetteville

4 p.m. — Calle Latin Cuisine — No entry fee — Haunt the bars in Fayetteville during this fun-filled Halloween bar crawl!