Pandemic Changes Back-to-School Shopping Tradition

Michael Tilley, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, discusses Walmat job cuts, trucking industry health and the search for a new director at the Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission.

With about 22,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Springdale School District is the largest in the state. The district also has many students of Latino and Marshallese descent, which are two communities that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the district's reopening plans come fall with Superintendent Jared Cleveland, who started his new position on July 1.

Altrusa International of Washington County will give away backpacks with school supplies, personal care packages and food boxes this weekend during a drive-thru event at Prairie Grove Elementary School.

The Northwest Arkansas COVID-19 Task Force is collecting face coverings to donate to area school districts to give to students. Residents can donate handmade cloth masks or purchased single-use masks. The drive ends on August 7 and donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

Walmart’s legendary supply chain is built to withstand the economic ravages of the global coronavirus pandemic. That’s according to Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. The world's largest retailer is also supporting  — and expanding — its U.S. workforce during the crisis.