A new, online interactive map and accompanying report assembled from research done by the Center for Governmental Research, which was funded by the Walmart Foundation, shows users food outlets throughout Benton and Washington Counties.

White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease which has killed millions of cave-dwelling bats in North America including in Arkansas, continues to spread. This month a coalition of Wisconsin wildlife scientists reported a breakthrough citing experiments where bats vaccinated orally or by injection survived at a higher rate and also developed specific anti-fungal immune responses.

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is hosting a CycleNation event Oct. 5 in Bentonville. Officials hosted a kickoff May 17 as an introduction to the event which will raise awareness and funds for heart and stroke research.  

In today's local news roundup, we discuss new headquarters for Walmart, a dip in the unemployment rate in Arkansas and the chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas reacts to the impact of trade tariffs on farmers.

Elle Nash, who lives in northwest Arkansas, says it is fine if the protagonist of her first novel is not likeable. She discussed Animals Eat Each Other during a recent visit to the Carver Center for Public Radio.  

Becca Martin-Brown from the NWA Democrat-Gazette recently spoke with the captain of the Showboat Branson Belle. She shares what she learned about the boat, which has remained in Table Rock Lake since it was christened in 1995.

The nonprofit ChildCare Aware of Northwest Arkansas, headquartered in Rogers, educates and trains childcare facility staff how to prepare for an array of emergencies. Springdale Early Learning Academy West, one among hundreds of childcare centers now certified, shows us the drill.

Michael Tilley, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, says this week's Walmart earnings numbers are a mixed bag. He also discusses building permits for the Arkansas River Valley and...pickle ball.